The Southside News 22032023

Newsfree

GoinG Green

Thousands Turn ouT for parades across capiTal

MORE than of half a million people are believed tyo have descended on Dublin City centre for the St Patrick’s Day parade ton March 17.

Celebrations took place across the capital with massive crowds turning out to mark the occasion in towns and cities.

Dublin’s main parade featured 4,200 performers including marching bands, aerial acrobats and vibrant costumes.

Locals watched from apartment windows, cheering and waving Irish tricolour flags

above street level.

The parade centred around the theme of “ONE” to “shine a light on all the goodness that surrounds us” by protecting and embracing global traditions, culture and heritage.

The parade started at Parnell Square, snaking its way through some of the city’s most popular thoroughfares like O’Connell Street and College Green before culminating on Kevin Street.

The Republic of Ireland women’s football team was chosen as this year’s grand

marshal and was represented by manager Vera Pauw and other famous faces from the team’s past and present.

Meanwhile in Blanchardstown, the parade kicked off at 1pm along the Castleknock Road into Blanchardstown Village.

In Lucan, the parade set off at 2pm from Lucan village and included everything from Irish dancers, sports clubs, a BMX club, gospel choirs, Indian singers and hip-hop dancers.

Continued on next page

Pictured at the St. Patrick National Parade pageant titled ‘The Future that Moves Us’ built by Bui Bolg and supported by Kia. Pic: Conor McCabe Photography

Thousands turn out for parades

Continued from previous page

In Stepaside, author and producer Andrea hayes was MC for the Stepaside parade again this year.

In Rathcoole, this year’s parade began at 1.30pm with the theme of our Planet, our home.

In Swords, locals were dressed in green along the parade route at the earlier time of 11am as the parade kicked off in the rain from Colaiste Choilm. St Finian’s GAA were selected to lead this year’s parade with the club’s 40th birthday as the theme.

The parade in Balbriggan started at noon from Bremore Castle before finishing up on Dublin Street.

The Malahide parade set off at 2pm from Malahide Road onto Main Street. Celebrations continued at the nearby Naomh Mearnóg GAA club.

Portobello office block would ‘devalue’ area

DuBLIN City Council has refused planning permission for a five-storey office block in Portobello, over concerns the proposal would have on the area and on the protected structure, Portobello house, which overlooks Dublin’s Grand Canal.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik was among its objectors.

Portodev Ltd lodged plans in January for the five-storey over lower ground level scheme including a cafe at ground floor level at Richmond Street South, Dublin 2.

The scheme involves the demolition of 12, 34-35, 36 and 37 Richmond Street.

In its refusal to Portodev Ltd, the council stated that the scheme’s scale and form would seriously injure the architectural character and also the unique setting of Portobello house.

It also refused permission due to the height and scale of the scheme stating that it would undermine the urban grain of the area.

“The development would seriously injure the setting and appreciation of the protected structure at Portobello house, along with the character, value, setting and amenities of the red-hatched conservation area,” said the council.

objections to the office development were made by

Labour party leader Ivana Bacik, the Rathgar Residents Association, as well as individual residents.

Ms Bacik, who is a tD for Dublin Bay South, said she was “concerned to see the proposed construction of office blocks in this location, given our current housing and homelessness crisis”.

Ms Bacik said there are “multiple vacant and underutilised office complexes already available”, and priority

DAA to ‘take down’ drones

NEW anti-drone technology to take down drones is on the way for Dublin Airport following a number of incidents in recent weeks, which forced the suspension of operations and saw a number of flights diverted.

The existing technology in use at Dublin Airport – called Dedrone – helps identify drones but does not have the capacity to force the landing of a device.

should be given to housing developments. She also asked the council to consider the prevalence of anti-social behaviour in the area and the impact that this would have on unsupervised office buildings.

In its decision notice, the council said if the office development was allowed to proceed, it would “devalue” properties in the area, while also creating a precedent for similar types of “undesirable” development for Portobello.

The Dublin Airport Authority said the new technology will ensure that any future runway closures because of drone incursions will be of shorter duration or not happen at all. It’s illegal to fly a drone within 5km of an airfield and virtually all drones are supposed to be registered by users.

The new system should ensure that Dublin Airport doesn’t have to close its airspace “at all” due to illicit drone activity. The new system can detect a drone at the perimeter, take control of it and “take it down”.

Have your say to spend €300k

South Dublin County Council officially launched the ‘€300K – have Your Say’ initiative for the tallaght South & Saggart electoral area recently, with members of the community being called on to get involved and ‘have your say’ on where the money should be spent.

An amount of €300,000 has been allocated for the electoral area, which takes in Ballinascorney, Kiltipper, Killinarden, Jobstown and Fettercairn and of course Saggart.

Saggart is included as the boundary redraw in 2019, meant Saggart is now part of the Clondalkin Local Electoral Area, however as the area did not get to partake in the initiative at the time, it is included in this years running, as it would have been prior to the boundary redraw.

tallaght South and Saggart residents are being invited to attend workshops in the below locations:

Wednesday, March 29, Killinarden Community Centre – 7pm – 9.30pm.

Tuesday, April 4, online Workshop – 7pm – 9pm. Go to: www.southdublin.ie/ HaveYourSay/

Ross Bradley and Cormac Sinott pictured at the St Patrick National Parade in Dublin. Pic: Conor McCabe

New bridge to ease traffic on southside

Major redevelopment plans for Dublin Port, including a new bridge across the river

Liffey to carry lorries, cyclists and potentially a Luas line, have been published.

The bridge and a new 2km road built over the sea on the southside of the river are central to Dublin Port Company’s plans to develop its lands on the Poolbeg peninsula and take port traffic, particularly heavy goods vehicles, off the Tom Clarke/ Eastlink Bridge.

The aim is to remove heavy goods vehicles off the local roads in the area.

other parts of the plan include the largest container terminal in Ireland, located in front of the ESB’s Poolbeg Power Station, that will have a 650m deep water berth. relocating container traffic to the east of the port will enable the building of a new ro-ro terminal north of Sean Moore roundabout.

There will also be a new 325 metre ship turning circle in front of Pigeon House Harbour. a utility area will be added for other service providers, including the district heating system powered by the

Covanta-operated waste incinerator.

Community facilities will include a sailing and rowing campus in a new maritime village, while there will also be

a new port park and landscaped area.

“Growth in volumes has been driven by a vibrant economy which has resulted in an increase in household

consumption, but also a hugely successful export sector,” said Dublin Port chief executive, Barry o’Connell.

“Exports now account for 40% of all movements through the

Hospital to hold talk for women

port with at least some of the 60% of imports also comprising of raw materials later to be exported.

“With the value of exports up to 3.5 times that of imports it is clear to see how important the export sector is to the economy and indeed, how successful the State’s FDI strategy has been.”

The consultation period will close on Friday, april 28.

The 3FM project is the final piece of the port’s masterplan and it is hoped to have it completed by 2040 to provide some of the new capacity needed for the future.

The 3FM project follows on from the first two master plan phases, which were focused on the port lands north of the bay – the alexandra Basin redevelopment which is nearing completion and MP2 –designed to provide capacity for larger vessels in the north port, which has recently commenced construction.

The new project will significantly increase port activities on the company’s southern lands at the Poolbeg peninsula with the development of the largest container terminal in Ireland in front of the ESB’s Poolbeg Power Station.

TaLLaGHT University Hospital (TUH) will kick off its ‘Let’s talk about’ series of free public lectures on health matters at 2pm, on March 28th in the Conference room in Tallaght Library.

First up will be rebecca McEvoy, a Clinical Nurse Manager with specialist training in Endometriosis, who will give a talk explaining the condition and what can be done to treat it. Endometriosis is experienced by one in 10 women in Ireland and it is a lifelong condition. It happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus. This causes pain and in some cases makes it difficult for women to get pregnant. It is a long term condition that can have a significant impact both physically and emotionally on women’s lives.

rebecca, who is an expert on Endometriosis said: “There is no cure for Endometriosis, but treatments aimed at controlling symptoms are available. These include painkillers, hormone medicines, contraceptives and surgery. other things that can help include a good diet, reducing stress, promoting sleep, exercise and physiotherapy.”

DART gets the green light to go to Celbridge

THE Government has agreed to go ahead with plans for a new DART line from Dublin city centre to Celbridge, Co Kildare.

DART + South West will provide a “fast, high-frequency and electrified rail service” from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge via Islandbridge, Park West and Cherry Orchard, Clondalkin, and Adamstown.

Following cabinet approval, a planning application for DART + South West covering 20km of new electrified rail infrastructure is expected to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the end of this month.

The project will see construction of a new station, Heuston West, at Islandbridge, and the quadrupling of rail track between Park West and Heuston.

The project involves electrification of the Phoenix Park Tunnel along with the wider route allowing DART trains to operate between Hazelhatch/Celbridge and Connolly station as well as Heuston station.

Subject to planning permission and final funding arrangements, construction works for DART + South West could commence in 2025, with delivery of the infrastructure by the end of the decade.

Train services along the route are expected to at least double in frequency with up to 11 trains each way per hour at peak times.

The Department of Transport said the number of passengers using the route would quadruple from 5,000 at present to 20,000.

Commenting on the plans, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said: “The Government’s approval of DART+ South West highlights our commitment to invest in high-quality public transport and decarbonise Ireland’s transport system.

“This rail project will transform the lives of people living in communities along the route, giving them a fast, reliable and frequent train service into Dublin.

“It also means that we

Plaque unveiled for ‘forgotten volunteer’

can move ahead with good, transport led planning, facilitating vital affordable new housing along the route.

“I look forward to the DART+ Programme rolling-out further in the coming years. We’ll start this with the delivery of the first batch of 90 new DART carriages arriving next year. This will see new DART services between Drogheda and Dublin city from early 2025, before then expanding to other areas including Hazelhatch and Celbridge.”

DART + South West is part of the multi-billion euro DART+ programme that will treble the present DART network from 53km to 150km.

This will mean it will now extend the DART outwards to Drogheda, Maynooth, and as far as Celbridge.

It comes as as the Government expects that the number of people living within 1km of a DART station will increase hugely from about 250,000 at present to 600,000 in the near future.

THOMAS Bryan, one of the ‘Forgotten 10’ volunteers, has been memorialised by a Dublin City Council Commemorative Plaque at 14 Henrietta Street.

Bryan, a 24 year old electrician, was amongst a group of young volunteers who on 1 January 1921, set out to ambush Black and Tans as

they travelled into Dublin city from Gormanstown. Having been spotted in Drumcondra, the party tried to escape via Gracefield Road and Clonturk Park, but surrendered after one of the men was shot and killed.

Tried and found guilty of High Treason, four of the men, Patrick Doyle (29);

Dublin’s Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy with Jimmy Phillips aged 91 who is Thomas Bryan’s nephew and former resident of 14 Henrietta Street where the plaque is located

Francis Xavier Flood (19); Thomas Bryan (24), and Bernard ‘Bertie’ Ryan (21) were hanged at Mountjoy Prison.

Dublin’s Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy unveiled the plaque with Jimmy Phillips (91), Thomas Bryan’s nephew and former resident of 14 Henrietta Street.

Why we have to use the f-word when we talk about our weight

MICHAEL WOLSEY

IT’S not a good season for weight watchers. Maybe you drank a few too many pints over the St Patrick’s weekend and probably you’ll eat too much chocolate over Easter.

Chances are you’ll put on a few pounds, or whatever we measure weight in these days. But here’s the good news, whether you put on kilos or grams, ounces or stones, you won’t get fat.

You may become an individual with a higher weight. But not fat. That word has been more or less banned. Well, less, I suppose. More is also on the dodgy eating list.

But it’s not as bad as fat.

Psychologists won’t use that word at all and publishers have cut it from books by Roald Dahl.

The London-based Centre for Obesity Research want it entirely removed from the lexicon. And I didn’t make up that “individual with a higher weight” phrase. They did.

They have issued a set of guidelines suggesting that as well as banishing the word “fat” we should avoid terms such as an “obese person” and “overweight person” in favour of “person with obesity”, or “person with overweight” or,

yes, “an individual with a higher weight” .

“We should stop blaming people for their weight in a society where there is highly accessible cheap and calorific food which our brains are attracted to,” explains Adrian Brown, from the obesity centre.

Because, of course, it is quite

impossible to ignore the sweets at the supermarket checkout or to refuse that extra glass of wine. It’s cynical manufacturers and retailers who are to blame.

Not our fault at all, so don’t you be saying it is. Next thing you’ll be claiming we can eat less if we want to.

And don’t be talking about

“fighting obesity” or “the war on obesity”. Phrases like that can “feel like an attack and can lead to frustration ,” says the British Diabetic Association which helped draw up the guidelines. Frustration, it says, “may reduce engagement in health behaviours”. I don’t know what

that means but, clearly, it’s not to be encouraged. So I’ll have to watch my language.

Chewing the fat is out, obviously. And that stuff in the fire should now be known as low value edible material with a high empty-calorie content.

A higher-weight chance doesn’t sound quite right. An

obesity-related lot of good it will be to unfortunate bingo callers who must now find a new term to go with eightyeight. “Two overweight persons of female gender” is a bit of a mouthful. And mouthfuls should be avoided if you don’t want to get ... well, you know, there’s a word for it.

Fat cats are out too. Although there’s a lot of them about. The Royal Veterinary College has studied a million of them in Ireland and Britain and found that obesity is the second biggest threat to their health. But don’t be saying that to your moggies, now, because, you know, mental health can also be an issue. It’ s concerning, says Adrian Brown, although I think he was talking about overweight people not pudgy pets. Among phrases the obesity centre would like to ban is “pigging out”. That may have been the cause of Daddy Pig’s problems. Mr Brown laments that the cartoon character “often has Peppa pointing at his belly and making comments about his weight”.

Tom Fry, chairman of Britain’s National Obesity Forum, doesn’t approve of pointing or commenting on anyone’s weight. But he thinks these attempts to avoid such words as fat and overweight “beggar belief” and that the guidelines have taken “medical correctness to a ridiculous level”. He’s right. Eating disorders are the cause of serious problems involving weight loss and weight gain. We can’t solve them if we don’t name them in language that everyone can understand.

If we want to beat obesity we have to use the f-word.

Old Borough Schools, Swords. Published by P. J. Furlong, Dublin. A postcard from the collections of the Old Dublin Society. The school opened on Main Street, Swords, in 1809 and provided free education for all. It was relocated in 200 and the building became a pub. If you would like a free digital copy of this postcard just send

Sion Hill student’s way with words

Dominican college Sion Hill student Prachi agrawal landed the prize for best essay in Dublin, at the inaugural oireachtas Essay competition prizegiving in Leinster House recently.

The competition, sponsored by book publishers and distributors Eason, Folens and cJ Fallon, was devised by independent nUi Senator Rónán mullen with the support

of an ceann comhairle and the oireachtas Education Unit.

Senior cycle (5th and 6th Year) and aS/a Level students across the island of ireland were invited to submit essays in irish or English on the theme ‘Parliamentary Politics matters’ or ‘Tábhacht na Polaitíochta Parlaiminte’. over €4,500 in prizemoney went to the winners. The judges

Anyone for tennis as new courts open

THE mayor of South Dublin

county, councillor Emma murphy, officially opened the upgraded tennis courts in Beechfield Park recently, with the aim of creating “healthy habits” in the community as well as “empowering” those who take part in sports locally.

The upgrade has provided six tennis courts to international Tennis Federation standards and one 3 x 3 basketball halfcourt which has been built to international Basketball Federation standards.

The works in the tennis courts included completely resurfacing the playing area, new line markings, new posts, new nets, and improvements to

the boundary. Speaking at the event, mayor councillor Emma murphy said, “Playing tennis and basketball helps to improve motor coordination, flexibility, and endurance.

“it also encourages speed, agility, and strength. The aim of the court upgrade is to empower people to create healthy habits, allowing people to improve their own physical and mental well-being through exercise in a Public Park”.

The mayor went on to pay tribute to the local community, the cherryfield Residents association and Tennis ireland, for their support and thanked the council staff for their efforts in managing the project.

praised Prachi agrawal for “good critical engagement with the essay topic, independent judgements and conclusions offered which had a very reasonable justification.”

They were particularly impressed with her broad approach and well-chosen historical examples. Presenting the prizes, ceann comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said that greater engagement by young

people with the political system was “vital for the health of our democracy and for our ability to overcome the many challenges we face at home and abroad.”

independent nUi Senator Rónán mullen said the “wave of interest” generated by the competition among schools and students would “ensure the continuity of this competition into future years.”

Cyclist sues Council over ‘life-changing fall’

DUBLin city council is being sued in a multi-million euro claim by a man who says he suffered life-changing injuries when he fell off his electric bike as he travelled along a Dublin city centre cycle lane. The action is believed to be one of the first personal injuries claims before the High court in relation to injuries allegedly caused in an electric bike accident. all the claims are denied and full defences have been filed in the action. The man, who suffered a catastrophic brain injury, cannot be identified, the judge has ruled.

The man was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident three years ago. He claims his head struck a series of granite separators or bollards and he sustained catastrophic injuries. He has sued Dublin city council and the cycle lane designer, aEcom ireland Ltd, with registered offices at Lower Hatch Street, Dublin. aEcom has joined construction company clonmel Enterprises Ltd, of naas, co Kildare, which carried out work on the cycle lane as a third party to the proceedings. it is claimed the man sustained

personal injuries, loss and damage due to the defendants’ negligence and breach of duty in the maintenance, design, upkeep and condition of the cycle track.

The man was cycling on his electric bicycle when he was allegedly caused to fall due to the design and layout of the cycle track and a pedestrian plaza at the location.

an uneven raised kerb of between 60 to 70mm in height was allegedly permitted to be present at the location when, it is claimed, the defendants knew or ought to have known that a kerb of that height presents a

hazard and a danger to cyclists using the cycle track. as a result of his injuries, it is claimed the man is unable to live independently, work or engage in his previous family and social activities. counsel for clonmel Enterprises told the court it was their case that clonmel did exactly as required by aEcom counsel for aEcom said the case was in relation to the height of the kerb and it was their case they had provided a detailed design on the matter. all the claims are denied. The case is listed to proceed in may at the High court.

CeannComhairle,SeánÓFearghailpresents the award to Prachi Agrawal.

Rathfarnham 848 pets handed over to the DSPCA in just three months

THE DSPCA has said it has been contacted by 848 pet owners looking to surrender their animals so far this year — and it is only March.

This figure is the total number of pet owners in Dublin asking for help since January 1.

With the numbers increasing daily, it is putting severe pressure on the charity’s waiting list, it has warned.

The DSPCA has seen a drastic increase in the number of dogs, cats, and other animals, such as rabbits and ferrets, being left into its facility in Rathfarnham.

Gillian Bird, head of media and education at the DSPCA, has stressed the rescue centre is already so full due to an increase in the number of sick, injured and cruelly treated animals coming into their care.

“There’s a huge range of different reasons for people giving up their pet.

“When people put in an application with us, every application is looked at carefully,” Gillian said.

“We look to see how urgent it is, what the circumstances

are. If it’s a situation where it’s behaviour training, then it’s passed to our dog training team who will contact the people for a free behavioural assessment.

“Some of the reasons are legitimate. It could be someone

in the house developing an allergy, or they’re moving abroad and they don’t think it’s fair to take the animal.

“Then there’s the other more common reasons, they get the dog, and it grew too big or

they bought a big dog for an apartment.

“We’re there to help as many people as we can because we don’t want animals being abandoned or sold online and ending up as breeding animals

or being used for fighting.”

The DSPCA is the country’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, and they are pleading with the public to adopt and not shop.

“Our basic cry is please

adopt from a rescue centre. We’ll be able to match you up with the perfect pet. Don’t go out and buy animals, go to a rescue centre,” Gillian said.

“The animals are already there, you pay an adoption fee but that covers the animals being neutered, they will have at least their first vaccination, they’re wormed, treated for fleas and microchipped.

“People who come to adopt an animal, they don’t do it straight away, we allow them to foster for a week or two to make sure it’s the right fit for them.

“It is very sad to see a large number of animals coming into the DSPCA, be it as a result of injured or sick strays or through the inspectors as cruelty cases.

“We are asking the public who are thinking of getting a pet to please come to us first before considering buying a pet. These animals deserve a second chance at happiness,” Gillian added.

If you wish to adopt a pet, please go to: out www.dspca. ie/adopt to see some of the animals looking for homes.

This is what dreams are made of for Shane

SHANE Cunningham of Kilmacud Crokes has been named as the AIB GAA Club Footballer of the Year at a special AIB GAA Club Player Awards ceremony at Croke Park.

Shane led his side to their second consecutive AIB GAA All-Ireland Football Senior Club final this year, and brought the coveted Andy Merrigan cup home to Stillorgan after a pulsating final. Notching two vital points for his club in the final, as well as winning the crucial first half penalty on the day, Cunningham has been on-song for Crokes throughout the season.

The hard-working forward’s leadership on and off the field showed throughout the Leinster and All-Ireland campaigns, while his versatility in the forward line and powerful presence on the ball played a crucial part in his ascent of the Hogan Stand in January.

Commenting on his win, Shane said: “As much as I’m honoured to receive the award, looking at lads around our team like Dara Mullin, Dan O’Brien, Andy McGowan… I think they might have outperformed me. Lads from the Glen as

well would have played very well throughout the year, but I am absolutely honoured, it’s a massive achievement.

“Everyone on our team puts in a massive amount of time and effort… especially after last year, lads put holidays on hold,

travel plans on hold, maybe even going in with the Dublin team on hold. Thankfully it came to fruition this year to win the All-Ireland and it reaped its rewards.”

Reflecting on the final in January, Shane described what

was going on his head as the final whistle approached. “I was trying to run out on the pitch and I cramped my calf, so I kind of had to grab the first person I saw and just collapse to the ground with them I was so tired!

Lord of the Rings star to the rescue

“Yeah look, it was a surreal moment especially after the year before, winning the AllIreland, it was literally what dreams are made of.

“To win it the way we did, in the last minute of a really tight and exciting game, I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.

“We worked so, so hard for it. It’s probably five years in the making since Robbie came in.

Discussing the controversy following the win, Shane added: “There was no animosity from my part towards the Glen, there was no animosity on the pitch. We had dinner afterwards. It was a great game, they are a great side.

“I think Mannion and a few of the other lads know a couple of lads on their team, and there is complete respect there.

“After it all blew up, we were out on the town on Monday night and I think we saw it on Prime Time… it had blown up way more than we ever thought it would and I suppose by the Tuesday or the Wednesday it was a bit draining, as this was all you were being asked about.

“But look, it was sorted out in the end, and looking back on it, it didn’t take away from it one bit for me.”

FORMER Eurovision winner

Linda Martin said she has been left “penniless” by her dream of building a new dog sanctuary in Dublin.

The singer — who has been a campaigner for animal welfare — has been working on the project for the past two years. She has also adopted 13 rescue dogs in the past.

The sanctuary is being launched by Lord of the Rings star Ian McKellen. The actor is in Dublin to appear in Mother Goose at the Bord Gais Theatre.

“I’ve been involved with animal welfare for pretty much all my life. With the Dublin pound closed just over two years ago, there was nowhere for animals to go in the city centre,” she said.

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I wanted a dog shelter for a long time,” she said.

“I’m excited at the moment, but sometimes I feel like crying because there’s so much to do and there’s so much involved in it. Ian McKellen agreed to open it for me.”

The DSPCA this week said it has seen a drastic increase in the number of dogs, cats, and other animals, such as rabbits and ferrets, being left into its facility in Rathfarnham.

Kilmacud Crokes’ Conor Ferris, Dan O’Brien, Andrew McGowan, Rory O’Carroll, Shane Cunningham, Dara Mullin and Shane Walsh, who were all included in the AIB GAA Club Football Team of the Year Awards.

Stage set for Rathfarnham theatre group

RathfaRnham Theatre

Group (RtG) is a dynamic, innovative and creative local theatre group, established and running for over 30 years. Its membership brings together people of all ages who are passionate about the value of producing quality theatrical productions for audiences in Rathfarnham and neighbouring communities.

typically, RtG produce two shows a year in the dlr mill Theatre Dundrum and additional productions in community venues in Rathfarnham, such as the Pearse museum and Rathfarnham Castle. The group prides itself on representing all genres of theatre and in showcasing both Irish and International playwrights.

new members are always welcome with membership open to anyone aged 17 and upwards.

It’s not just actors that are welcome. The group is always looking for people who are interested in set design , stage managing, writing, set

construction, sound, publicity, social media and any other talents you might have.

Upcoming shows:

Running until march 25, in dlr mill Theatre, is martin mc Donagh’s The Cripple of Innishmaan. The Cripple of Inishmaan is set in 1934, the year a hollywood film crew arrive on neighbouring Inishmore to film The man of

Crosscare is there for today’s youth

aran. Running on april 29 and 30, in Pearse museum, St Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham is Intervals of Peace, a celebration of the life and works of alfred mc Gloughlin, nephew of Patrick Pearce.

This is in conjunction with the exhibition of his Civil War Prison art currently running in the Pearce museum. For more: www.rathfarnhamtheatre.com

CRoSSCaRE’S nutgrove Youth Centre is a Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & training Board funded Youth Service.

The centre is there to offer a safe space for young people aged 10-25 years to relax, meet new friends and develop their non-formal education skills.

The centre runs programmes such as outdoor Learning,

Employability Support & Youth Exchange Programmes, where we travel to other countries (such as Romania in 2018 and Latvia in 2022).

The staff also helps particpants to build healthy friendships, positive relationship and mental health programmes, as well as awareness around online safety, bullying, discrimination, racism and issues that are foremsot in

young people’s minds, such as the environment. The centre has a youthfriendly space with a pool table, PlayStation 5 and plenty of other games/activities on offer and is located in meadowpark avenue. If you would like anymore information about the service, please contact Thomas Reck 0858084449 or treck@ crosscare.ie .

The cast of The Cripple of Inishmaan

Eillie O’Brien is all smiles in the St. Patrick National Parade. Photo: Conor McCabe Photography

StPatrick’SdayParade

Molly Leacy

St Patrick and Genevieve Keane from Tipperary with International Guest of Honour, Patrick Duffyat the St. Patrick National Parade, Dublin. Pix: Conor McCabe Photography

Performer Leah Byrne

The St. Patrick National Parade pageant titled ‘The Future that Moves Us’ built by Bui Bolg and supported by Kia

your stars

old god’s time Sebastian Barry

FROM the two-time Booker Prize finalist author, this a dazzling novel explores memory, grief, and longburied secrets as retired policeman Tom Kettle enjoys the quiet of his new home, a lean-to annexed to a white Victorian Castle in Dalkey overlooking the sea. For months he has barely seen a soul, but his peace is interrupted when two former colleagues turn up at his door to ask questions about a decades-old case. A traumatic case which Tom never quite came to terms with. His peace is further disturbed by a young mother and family who move in next door, a woman on the run from her own troubles.

AriesBegin a new physical health and fitness phase upon reaching a barrier or obstacle. Review and revamp skills and practices.

TAurusChange directions with a romance, passion or creative endeavor. Express your heart, imagination and artistry.

GeminiMake repairs. Renovate, remodel and tend your garden. Domestic changes require adaptation. Begin a new home and family phase.

C A n C erA turning point arises around income and finances. You can find profitable opportunities. Generate positive cash flow.

Leo-

A new two-week phase in communications, connection and intellectual discovery dawns. Shift the direction of your research.

Vir G o-

A challenge redirects you and illuminates a new personal direction. Expand your boundaries. Turn toward an inspiring possibility.

Libr AReview priorities privately. Balance old responsibilities with new. Meditate on dreams past and future. Begin an introspective phase.

sCorpioOne door closes and another opens. Friends come and go in your community. Share appreciations, goodbyes and greetings.

sAG i TTA riusFinish a project before beginning another professional phase. Focus on current passions. Don’t reveal unfinished plans.

C A pri CornAn exploration changes. . Experiment with concepts. Travel expands your view. Learn from a master.

AquA riusThe stakes could seem high. Shift directions with shared finances over the next few weeks. Work out the next phase together.

p is C esReach a turning point with a partnership. Compromise and collaborate for shared commitments. Adjust to a change in plans.

vhi women’s mini marathon www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie

B USINESS w OMAN and Vhi ambassador Aimee Connolly (pictured below) launched the 2023 Vhi women’s Mini Marathon at Vhi Offices, Dublin recently. The 10k event, now in its 41st year, will take place on Bank Holiday Sunday June 4th at an earlier start time of 12:30pm. The event is open to all those who wish to walk, jog or run the 10km route through Dublin City Centre. Between now and June 4th, follow @VhiwMM on social or visit vhiwomensminimarathon.ie for training plans tailored to all fitness levels, nutrition support and much more.

the matchmaker Draoicht, Blanchardstown, Sat Apr 1, 8pm

M ICHAEL Scott’s iconic production of John B. Keane’s hilarious dramatic comedy The Matchmaker first opened in January 2001 starring Anna Managhan and Des Keogh. The production went on to tour Ireland, sell-out at the Edinburgh Festival, become a Video and DVD with Sony, a BBC Radio Series, and play ‘off Broadway’. Now for it 21st year, Norma Sheahan joins Jon Kenny in this unmissable show.

STRUGGLING following a split from his partner and trying to make sense of why his ex left him at all, Dom (David Jonsson) happens upon the freewheeling, artistic Yas (Vivian Oparah), who is herself getting over a breakup in a much different way altogether. Determined to get a vinyl record back from her ex’s apartment, the two journey across South London to get it back and, in doing so, begin to find themselves drawn to one another in such an unlikely way. By far one of the best romcoms you will get to see all year.

What’s Hot this week

daisy jones & the six Amazon Prime

DAISY Jones & The Six is an adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel of the same name. The story follows a fictional band, inspired by Fleetwood Mac, that was doomed from the start. Set in the ‘70s, the plot chronicles a tortured romance between the band’s two lead singers. In what is pretty much as sex, drugs, and rock and roll story, Daisy Jones & The Six is narrated by the members of the band, years after they split up. Each character gives their version of events in juicy tell-all interviews and their vivid retellings weave together a story of love and loss . . . and, of course, rock agus roll.

na goirt Ó rga

TG4, Thursday, March 23rd at 9.30PM

daffodil

day www.cancer.ie/ DaffodilDay

TV presenter Anna Daly was joined by pharmacist and influencer Jess Redden to urge Dubliners donate for the Irish Cancer Society’s most important Daffodil Day yet, on Friday, March 24th. The Irish Cancer Society want Daffodil Day to be a reminder of the urgency to catch up on the detection of thousands of cancers remaining undiagnosed since the start of the pandemic. Anna and Jess have felt the harsh reality of cancer in their lives and are encouraging everyone to ‘Take part and take back’ by showing their support for patients and their families.

FORMER Kerry footballer Dara Ó Cinnéide presents a riveting new series of three hour- long programmes that celebrates the world’s great sporting arenas, at home and abroad. Stadiums are much more than architectural wonders of steel and stone, they are living cathedrals where communities come to bond, as they worship their sporting heroes. This is true whether you are at a county final or the world Cup Final in Mexico City. This series peeks behind the curtains of three of Ireland’s most revered sporting locations, while also bringing TG4 viewers on a trip around the world: to venues in Mexico, China, Korea, Croatia, Portugal, wales and England.

songs of surrender

LARGELY the effort of the Edge and Bono, the album is a beautiful collection of re-recorded and reinterpreted versions of 40 songs from the group’s back catalogue, many in stripped-down and acoustic arrangements. The album is a companion to Bono’s memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story (2022), which was structured into 40 chapters titled after U2 songs. Rearranged versions of the songs were first included in the audiobook edition of the memoir, and were performed by Bono during the book’s promotional tour. Essential for any U2 fan.

rye lane Cinemas Nationwide

Shankill homes on sale for €565k Council backpedals on cemetery bicycle lane Game on in Perth for three Dubliners

THIRTY-eight three-, fourand five-bedroom houses have gone on sale at Woodbrook, Shankill, with prices starting at €565,000.

The development just south of Shankill village and not far from Bray will initially comprise 207 homes, but it will also have its own neighbourhood centre with retail units and apartments. A new school, a creche and a new Dart station are also planned.

This second phase of houses is made up of three- four- and five-bedroom houses, and the different styles are named after places in the locality such as the Glen, the Crinken, the Shanganagh and the Conna.

The three-beds from 108sq m (1,162sq ft) start at €565,000, while three-beds with a study from 143sq m start at €660,000.

Four-beds from 152sq m (1,625sq ft) start at €685,000 and five-beds from 191sq m (2,056sq ft) start at €760,000. The first phase of 40 houses were sold off-plan, but show homes are now on view.

Developers, Castlethorn, are keen to make Woodbrook a real neighbourhood and not just another housing estate.

AFTER months opf backlash from families, Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council has scrapped plans to run a bicylce lane through Deansgrange Cemetery.

The two-way cycle lane will now be placed along the western side of Deansgrange Road. But on-street parking will need to be removed to facilitate the bike lane.

Council bosses revealed they had listened to more than 1,000 submissions on the proposal since it was announced last year.

The council had also proposed to lower the graveyard’s boundary wall which would have meant motorists and people walking outside would be able to look into the graveyard.

A spokesperson for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said at the outset the council was “not proposing a dedicated cycle path in the cemetery”.

The spokesperson said the proposal to lower the wall was included to “improve the passive surveillance within the cemetery and improve the safety of users”.

“We are proposing better access to the existing area where driving, cycling and walking is a well-established use,” the spokesperson said.

However, grieving families are relieved the controversial plans hve now been axed.

Rebekah Cornwell, who lost her grandmother Monica O’Byrne in April 2021, was “delighted” the council had

backed down. She told the Irish Mirror: “We are delighted and it’s just a huge relief. It was such a stressful time. We had such a good campaign in getting the word out and everybody was just really

Mind your moths as spring

nears

RENTOKIL is warning Dubliners to be on the lookout for moths as spring approaches, with the pest controller reporting that Dublin is the county with the most callouts for the nuisance pests above all other counties.

The spring months are when clothes, stored products, and scavenger moths begin breeding and become more active.

Moth larvae can damage and create holes in clothes, carpets, blankets, and curtains as well as stored goods by feeding on the keratin contained in animal fibres such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, and leather.

The presence of moths can become very costly for home or business owners, both financially and emotionally — nobody wants to find holes in a quilt handed down from a beloved grandparent or in a carefully stored wedding dress.

And no one wants to see their hard work wasted with stored products destroyed through moths feeding.

Moths are most likely to be found in spare bedrooms, under mattresses, infrequently used wardrobes, and attics. Be sure to keep clothes in storage clean to avoid attracting them.

Fourteen Irish transplant recipients — including three from Dublin — will travel to Perth, Australia next month to represent Ireland at the World transplant Games. ranging in age from 36 to 75, the current transplant team Ireland panel of 10 inspirational men and four women travelling to Perth have all received organ transplants including, ron Grainger, from Castleknock, D 15 (kidney); Finbar o’regan, Pearse Street in Dublin 2 (liver) and nick Heather, from Sutton and now living in Melbourne, Australia (bone marrow). transplant team Ireland will have representatives in the following eleven sports: Cycling; Darts; Golf; Lawn Bowls; Petanque; road race; Swimming; table tennis; ten Pin Bowling; tennis; and triathlon.

against it.” Cork man Philip Lecane, whose wife Kate is buried in the graveyard, also said: “I’m very happy and relieved and I’m glad that it’s all over. “Our loved ones can finally rest in peace.”

To find out more about the World Transplant Games and to stay up to date with the team, visit www. worldtransplantgames.org

School waits 27 years for new building

A Gaelscoil which has been waiting almost three decades for a permanent building is among a number of schools impacted by the knock-on effects of stalled building projects by the Department of Education.

Gaelscoil Phádraig, in Ballybrack, has been in temporary accommodation for 27 years. The school opened in a local football club, before renting rooms from a nearby secondary school. It moved to its current, temporary site in 2000.

However, the department later decided to put another school in the building “temporarily”, while their own was being built. That project has since been hit by delays and setbacks, meaning the school has remained in situ for the last 16 years.

Principal Róise Uí Labhraidh said: “Since 2007, consistently we have been told it could be two years before we’d have progress on our building.

“Since then, we contact the Department every few months and we are told next quarter,

next quarter,” she said.

“It’s impossible to plan for, and they have given us no timeframe. It’s not good enough.”

Delays to construction will only lead to costs elsewhere, Ms Uí Labhraidh believes. “What about the cost of the rentals of prefabs?” she asked.

The Department of Education has confirmed that 58 projects due to go to tender or construction at were expected to start this year.

The department said it would provide “clarity” to schools about forthcoming building projects as soon as possible amid concerns about widespread delays.

About 300 school building projects — including more than 40 new buildings — were already in construction at the start of 2023, most of which will be completed in 2023/early 2024, the department said.

Education Minister Norma Foley said her department was continuing talks with the Department of Public Expenditure to ensure funding for the 58 projects was released as soon as possible.

Aer Lingus Cabin Crew Samia Jalal and Cara Dunne at the announcement that Georgia Tech and Florida State University will contest this year’s College Football Classic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by