Donabate & Portrane Local V6I10-NOV 2022

One thing to remember is that we do not always have to shop at the huge big stores and many bargains can be found in our local retail outlets. This helps not only the owners but the staff who are our neighbours and friends. It is also a way of involving all the family as you spend the day shopping in your local area. Many of us will indeed be Christmas shopping but we would suggest that where possible this is exactly the time to do it as we all have a been at a stage in the past where we were jostling around in a flurry at the last minute which was far from ideal. So we feel whether its to book your Christmas turkey and ham or vegetarian or vegan alternative or to find the right present for Grandad and Granny or the children or Grandchildren, now would be an opportune time to do so. The advantage of shopping for presents now is also that we will save that little extra that will help with our energy costs which have been rising in recent months. This is also the time of year when we should keep and eye on our elderly friends and neighbours and make sure they have all their needs. Evening a quick call into them for a chat means so much to those who live alone and who knows they may need a wee message when you are there. Some may say that is for the Christmas period but remember it is less than 7 weeks now until Christmas Day so our Yuletide period has begun. One thing the pandemic has taught us all is that we can succeed if we work together for the betterment of each of us and what better time to do it than now in the lead up to Christmas. Stay warm, stay safe and look after yourselves and each other.

The Locals Team

OUR LOCATION

Our MAST Centre is based in the stunning setting of Malahide Marina, in the Fingal Bay area. We have excellent facilities, ample car parking, close proximity to the Malahide DART station and several regular bus services. Our classroom, fully equipped for all courses, is located on the water’s edge, where you can enjoy the beauty, panorama and shelter of Malahide Harbour.

Malahide Estuary is an ideal learning and training environment - while sheltered, the tidal ranges will provide additional learning opportunities and challenges, when practicing boat handling, mooring, berthing and man overboard techniques along with the use of fairways and slipways when encountering commercial and leisure traffic.

The Fingal coastline stretching from Howth to North of Balbriggan, with large, protected estuaries and salt marsh habitats, has a strong conservation and amenity value. The Bay is a place of many ports and harbours, fishing, offshore islands, rocky coasts and beaches, offering a fantastic variety of training ground for some of our more advanced courses. The Malahide Estuary is an important wintering bird site and holds an internationally important population of Brent Goose and nationally important populations of a further 15 species of bird life. Respecting our environment is fundamental in our training.

I must go down to

Welcome to the world of marine training with Malahide Sea Training (MAST)! We are very proud to be recognized as an official training centre by our national governing body Irish Sailing (IS), and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).

Gain an internationally recognized certificate in powerboating or sailing at the MAST Centre - the qualifications gained through the IS and RYA schemes are recognized around the world and can be the foundation for commercial endorsements.

We welcome all boat users, whether sail, powerboat, cruiser, leisure fishing, new boat users or refreshing your knowledge. We provide all of the necessary gear to get you on the water for a fun, interactive and educational experience. Our dedicated Instructors deliver training in well-equipped facilities with approved boats and equipment. We look forward to meeting you!

Powerboating to us at our range courses in First Aid, ICC and

The MAST Centre, established by Therese Flavin, who has been in the industry for over 3 decades, and complimented by staff whose combined experience range over 100 years, the MAST

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MESSAGE FROM THE CENTRE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to the MAST (Malahide Sea Training) Centre at Malahide Marina, offering professional and recreational powerboat and sailing experiences and training courses to clubs, organisations and individuals or groups.

WHY TRAIN WITH THE MAST CENTRE

Therese leads a team of

chosen for their sailing and powerboating ability, experience, passion,

and

Sailing (IS), and the RYA.

in Sailing, Powerboating,

MAST Centre is approved by

offer a

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VHF Radio, Sea Survival, Safety

Building on Irish Sailing and Royal Yachting Association standards you can earn a national and internationally recognised licence, further building your knowledge, skills and experience along the way.

Our students’ learning experience is very important to us. We place great emphasis on safety, our environment and constantly strive to meet and address the demanding challenges in the marine industry.

Our professional, qualified instructors have local, national and international experience and knowledge. We pride ourselves on the quality of our curriculum content and our multicultural ethos. It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you to the MAST Centre. Our dedicated team look forward to supporting you in your exciting voyage.

Therese Flavin, Centre Principle

Johnston welcomes permanent resurfacing of car park at Ballymastone

Corina Johnston, Labour Party Area Representative has welcomed the announcement by Fingal County Council of its intention to carry out permanent resurfacing works at the Ballymastone sports ground car park.Johnston said; “ I am very pleased that the ongoing campaign by Duncan Smith TD and I for the permanent resurfacing of the existing car park at the Ballymastone Sports Grounds has come to a successful conclusion”Johnston added;”At an on-site meeting with Fingal County Council this morning requested by Duncan Smith TD in which I was in attendance, Senior Officials from Fingal County Council informed representatives from St Pats GAA, St. Ita’s AFC and local Cllrs Henchy and Mulville that the council have taken the decision to resurface the car park with a tar-macadam surface. The officials confirmed their intention to progress these works through a procurement process with the works to be carried out at the earliest possible time. In the interim I asked the council to carry out remedial

works given the current condition of the car park which they have agreed to.”Johnston added; “Duncan Smith TD and I have been campaigning for this work to be carried out for nearly two years now. At an onsite meeting earlier this year we stressed the need for a permanent solution to the car park surface and the need for the provision of lights in the car park given the number of children accessing the sports grounds across the dark car park. At that time the council proposed to carry out temporary repairs and to give consideration to installing lights in the car park. Within a few weeks the car park surface returned to the desperate state it was a few weeks earlier.At my request the former Mayor Cllr Seána O’Rodaigh rased a question with the CEO. Johnston concluded: We thanked the officials for taking the health and safety concerns of parents and the clubs on board, for coming up with the substantial amount of funding required to carry out the necessary works and for their ongoing support for sport on the peninsula.”

‘The Factory Girls’ comes to Donabate Parish Hall

Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society will bring Frank McGuinness’ play ‘The Factory Girls’ to Donabate Parish Hall, from Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th November, 8pm and Sunday 27th November, 3pm. Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society’s new production is directed by an experienced member of the society Lisa Buckley, and it features a cast of existing as well as new members. The Factory Girls, set in a shirt factory in County Donegal in the early 80s, tells the story of five strong women who, facing the threat of redundancy, decide to stage a lock-in in the manager’s office until better conditions are offered. During the course of their adventure Ellen, Una, Vera, Rebecca and Rosemary learn more about each other’s life stories and their personalities. They show courage and camaraderie when facing the manager Mr. Rohan and the Union representative Mr. Bonner, but they can’t avoid the struggle with one another. Although they often give each other a hard time, what emerges is a story based on friendship, loyalty and the sisterhood which grows between them. The play, which is particularly realistic and relevant today, is a blend of laughs and poignant moments,

teeming with humour, colourful language, anger, courage and compassion. “I am excited about bringing The Factory Girls to a Donabate audience. These women all have their own story at different stages of their life. They are all connected

by the security of the main job in a small town, working on the factory line and this story is about what happens when the security is threatened” – Lisa said. Tickets cost €10 per person and are available on door or on eventbrite.ie

The potholes at Ballumastone Car Park

Why Joint Plans Are Wrong For Some

By Dave Kavanagh

Many couples have joint plans in place for things like Life Cover. That is fine if the couple are married, but not if they are not married. Due to our very dated Capital Acquisition Tax laws, if an unmarried couple have a joint policy, in the event of a claim the survivor could be facing a large tax bill. This is because married couples can give or bequeath any value of assets without there being a tax liability. For a cohabiting couple, they are treated in the “strangers” bracket of amounts you are permitted to receive before tax is due. This did not change in the recent budget, so after a tax free threshold of €16,250, any balance is taxed at 33%. So if we take John & Mary as an example, who have a joint life policy with €250,000 life cover, in the event of John passing away, Mary will be paid out the policy proceeds but also now has a tax bill of €35,887.50 (this assumes premiums were paid from a joint account that they both contribute to, if John paid the premiums from his own account, Mary’s tax bill would be €77,137.50!) So how can you avoid being liable for such a large, potential tax bill? The correct advice when commencing cover for an unmarried couple should be, instead of setting up a joint plan, to set up two “life of another” plans. So John takes out a plan on Mary and pays the premiums and Mary takes out a plan

on John and pays the premiums for that. When done this way, if the same as above happened and John passed away, Mary is deemed to have paid for the cover herself and so is not liable to pay any tax, meaning she receives the full €250,000 policy proceeds and no tax bill. It’s worth also noting that unmarried couples that buy a house together can face a similar problem if one of them passes away. The survivor that inherits the deceased’s share of the property may then be liable to pay tax on that portion of the property. There are ways to plan for this and to be exempt. If anyone is in either of these situations, please get in touch for advice.

Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing info@ financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on www.financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_ advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3.

Active age for all community news

Active Age as usual have great plans for this term especially our involvement in Fingal Inclusion Week. As our contribution to this event we will hold an Inclusion Day in the Community Centre. In conjunction with the Community Centre and other groups we will stage an exhibition of crafts, painting and photography and enjoy some music and singing. We will be providing some taster classes in Yoga and Sit & Get Fit, on the day so if you want to try these activities please come along and support us. The Day will open at 11.30 a.m. and continue till 3.00 p.m. Tea/ coffee and home made cakes will be provided free of charge. Active Age will have an information stand there if you wish to join us or just get some information about our classes.- A Walk Through the Liberties -Recently a group from Active Age

went on a guided walk through the Liberties area of Dublin. This area is located in the southwest of the inner city. Our lovely guide Roslyn was born and reared in the area so she is a true child of the Liberties. Liberties were a feature of mediaeval cities under Anglo Norman rule. They were outside the city walls and separate from the main city government. They were granted certain privileges and entitlements to regulate trade and commerce within “the Liberty” hence the name The Liberties. Our tour started at the corner of Cornmarket and Lamb Alley where one of the only remnants of the city wall remains. We were fascinated by the depth of Roslyn’s knowledge of the area, from the Vikings to the 17th and 18th century when it became the industrial heart of the

city. In later times it was dominated by Guinness and Power families. Great poverty and slums were evident in the 19th century and this spurred a number of enlightened housing developments, for example, The Iveagh Trust Buildings on Patrick Street. We saw one of the oldest buildings in Dublin on Thomas Street which has been lovingly restored. We all enjoyed our ramble through this historic part of Dublin and sincere thanks to our guide Roslyn who made the day very special. For our next trip we are hoping to visit Glasnevin Cemetery which should be a fascinating trip. As always if you need further information about Active Age please email activeageforall@gmail.com or look at our website activeageforall.com

Home from the Liberties Walk

Enjoying a game of Boules

Now who will be the winner!

This is a very close call !

Former Credit Union building considered as location for new Donabate Library

Cllr Adran Henchy has said, “Just to provide an update on what was a very positive briefing from both the Economic Enterprise and the Architects Department of Fingal County Council who informed us that they are in the preliminary stages of confirming the former home of Donabate Credit Union will be regenerated and modernised to become the new home of Donabate Library. Both my Councillor colleague on the peninsula Cllr Paul Mulville and I have pushed hard initially to convince Fingal County Council to purchase this landmark iconic building at the heart of our local community from Provident Credit Union and also to

ensure whatever future the building has is only reserved for community usage. This of course also allows for the significant space currently occupied at Donabate Portrane Community Centre for the Library to also return back into community usage. A potential win win for our growing local community. The initial capital cost put aside for this transfer to take place is €0.5 million with overall funding of €2 million allocated to this project.,This matter is a headed item at the next meeting of the full Council and this will give Councillors the opportunity to question the Executive further on this proposal on behalf of our local community.

Leithinis getting bigger as time goes on!

Leithinis classes are back up and running. We wish to extend a warm welcome to our new students. We now have classes in Tin whistle, Bodhran, Fiddle, Button Accordion, Concertina, Mandolin, Flute and Guitar. Our teachers are very experienced traditional Irish musicians and our lessons are taught in a relaxed and friendly environment.We had our Annual General Meeting in the Educate Together National School on Monday 17th September.. We would like to welcome our new Committee members on board and thank the members who have stepped down this year. A lot of work goes on

in the background to keep the branch running and without these members volunteering their time the branch would not exist. If you have any free time and can help with the running of the branch please contact us at eithinis@comhaltas. net. We would be delighted to hear rom you. In addition to classes we have Grupai Cheoil sessions run by Erin, twice a month ( Fridays) in the Parish Hall. This is open to all members and there is a €5 fee per family to cover costs. The session caters for all levels of musical ability. We strongly encourage our students to join in these sessions. It is a great opportunity to practice

and play the tunes learned in the classes with other students.There is a session for experienced musicians led by Denis in Keelings at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of every month. If you want to listen to some traditional Irish music being played by local talented musicians this is the place to be.We held our Annual Fundraising Raffle in Donabate Town Centre in September. It was a great success. A very big thank you to McNeela Music Instruments for donating the prizes and to everyone who bought tickets.For latest news and updates about our branch please see our Facebook page or visit our website at leithinis.com.

Lights, camera, action….. Lambay Cinema Club

Donabate Parish Hall was the venue for Lambay Cinema Club’s launch on Friday, September 9th, with its very first movie screening. The real deal popcorn whet the appetite of movie goers with the tastefully named film “Licorice Pizza” well received by all. The teenage love story transported the audience to 1970’s Los Angeles with a wonderful soundtrack and period detail as the two main characters Alana & Gary, meandered first love. The club’s organisers Breda Maguire & Larry Carolan would like to thank The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival for supporting the project and the Parish Hall for giving the use of the newly refurbished facility. Breda (MC for the night) stressed that the success of this newly formed community initiative depends solely on the support of local residents. “Lambay Cinema Club hopes to bring world cinema of various genres to local audiences on a monthly basis.”As part of Fingal Inclusion Week (14th -20th November 2022), Lambay Cinema Club will host a special screening of”Limbo”. Inclusion Week, seeks to raise awareness of

the barriers experienced by citizens of Fingal that lead to social exclusion and promote an understanding of inclusion in Fingal. Limbo is a wry and poignant observation of the refugee experience, set on a fictional remote Scottish island where a group of new arrivals await the results of their asylum claims. It centers on Omar, a young Syrian musician who is burdened by his grandfather’s oud, the king of Arabic music instruments, which he has carried all the way from his homeland. The Guardian described Limbo as “ a gorgeous tragicomic take on the refugee experience” The screening will take place Thursday, November 17th in The Church of Ireland, The Square, Donabate at 8pm.Tickets are available from November 7th via the Box Office @bleedingpig.ie/ cinema-club or Eventbrite.eventbrite.ie/e/ film-screening-fingal-inclusion-week-2022tickets-429628459287 All proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to the Irish Refugee Council. Thank you to The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival for their sponsorship of this event.

CommunityLocals.ie

Winter is here but Men’s Shed is as active as ever!

Donabate Christmas Lights Festival

Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed’s plots at Turvey Allotment have been prepared for the winter. The beds were cleared, a layer of manure was spread and the beds were covered to stop all growth. So, except apart from garlic and spring onions in the greenhouses and an experiment with growing peppers, things will be relatively quiet there until February when we start getting ready for next season. But far from being inactive of the winter months, the Men’s Shed is planning on expanding our activities. Our regular Monday morning exercise classes resumed last month and our Tuesday morning croquet sessions at Newbridge House have on taken on extra edge, as the lads are determined to avenge their

recent defeat by a ladies’ team from Active Age for All. We also meet at the Scouts’ Den on Thursday mornings for coffee and a chat, with the possibility of a table tennis or darts match if anyone is interested.

In addition to these regular weekly activities, we had a pitch-and-putt outing last month and are planning a visit later this month to the Natural History Museum, better known to Dubs as the “Dead Zoo”.

So, if you are interested in joining us, there’s always a welcome for a new face at our Thursday morning get-togethers in the Donabate Scouts’ Den on Portrane Road or you can call Jim on 086-3694316. We are always open for new members and new ideas about how we can expand our activities.

After an absence of two years due to Covid-19, we are delighted to announce that the Donabate Christmas Lights Festival makes a welcome return on Saturday, December 3rd at 4.30pm, in the car-park of St. Patrick’s Church in the village. For the past 10 years or more, this not-for-profit, free local tradition has attracted huge crowds to the village to enjoy some seasonal festive refreshments and entertainment. This year is shaping up to be no different, with festive refreshments for kids of all ages! We have a surprise in store to provide the seasonal entertainment, more details to follow closer to the time. We will take up a charity collection at the event. In recent years we have collected almost €1000 for worthy causes. The organisers would like to thank Fingal County Council for sponsoring the event. Every year FCC source and install the Christmas tree and it has always been a beautiful tree. We look forward to enjoying another lovely tree this year. Many thanks also to CP Electrical who install the festive lights around the village.We are very grateful to local businesses, Tesco and SuperValu for their generous sponsorship of the event. SuperValu have always given us the delicious warm Mince Pies, washed down by Mulled Wine courtesy of Tesco. We are also grateful to Fr. Pat Reilly and all at St. Patrick’s Church for accommodating the event. Just across the road from the church, in St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, the festive Christmas Craft Fair also makes a welcome return. From 12-6pm, local crafters and artisans will showcase their arts and crafts. Drop in and browse the market and maybe even pick up a quirky Christmas gift or two! And boys and girls, unlike recent years when Santa visited Donabate online via Zoom, Santa himself will be in the Parish Hall from 2-5pm to meet you all. No appointment necessary for this.This event could not happen without the team of volunteer Elves. Many thanks to the team who give up their Saturday to help make the event such a success.So, come along to the village on Saturday 3rd December and join in the festivities. Let’s kick-start the Donabate festive season in style!

Enjoying a game of Croquet

Exercising in the Mens Shed

Peninsula Pacers - Coastal Walk was well worthwhile

On Saturday 15th October a group of 16 from the Peninsula Pacers did a walk from Portmarnock to Malahide, this was a coastal walk of 10km, which started from the train station at Portmarnock leading to the Royal Dublin Golf Course end of the Portmarnock beach, where one walks the beach towards Malahide as far as the Martello Tower. We then took the coastal path beside the road for the last few kms into Malahide Village, finally a delicious lunch was had at Duffy’s. and tired but happy after a good walk in good weather bar the last ten minutes of rain people took the train home to Donabate. Further information please contact Carolyn Smith 087 9284307 or Des Carthy 087 7846813

LSA – Dublin City Marathon - The Power of Support

Marathon fever was in the air in LSA in October as the mileage and training intensified. The theme of the 2022 Dublin City marathon was the Power of Support and this was well and truly evident amongst members of LSA. Over thirty of our adult members ran the Dublin City Marathon last month, supported in their journey to that point by many more. See our Social Media pages for the latest information.Our club provided a supported pathway to the marathon: training sessions, company and hydration for long runs, and Zoom talks with advice on everything needed to get from the start line through the 26 miles.The Dublin race series builds up to the Marathon. Back in August, the Frank Duffy 10 mile race was also the Dublin Athletics 10

mile Championships. Huge congratulations to our coaches Eimear Caulfield and Shane O’Farrell who placed 2nd and Steven Rice who placed 3rd in their age categories in the Dublin Championships.Then in September the Dublin City Half Marathon took place in the Phoenix Park. The notoriously tough and hilly course tested our group. Huge congratulations to Willie Cahill who had a fantastic run and placed second in his age category. As Marathon Day approached LSA was well represented in Lusk at the East of Ireland and Longwood 3/4 Marathons. Meanwhile, we are excited to see our Little Athletics and Juvenile section growing and some of our younger members have had

their first taste of competition in Cross Country. Congratulations to Mark Kelly on a Dublin Medal with an excellent 4th place finish in the recent Dublin Championships. Well done all, and thank you to our volunteer coaches for their support. For memberships queries or to get involved please contact lambaysportsathletics@ gmail.com - Keep up to date on all the events by following LSA via our social media pages! Facebook facebook.com/lambaysportsacademy or indeed instagram.com/lsadonabateportrane twitter. com/LSARunning For additional information on the above please visit our website lambaysportsathletics.ie/

Home Cook RecipesHealthy

Niamh’s

Nourishing Pudding

As the temperature drops, we add the winter layers of clothing including scarves, hats, gloves and other woollies! We may also find ourselves opting more for comforting, warming foods to heat us up from the inside out! Rice, semolina or tapioca pudding is a classic consoling dessert or treat. This recipe is quite simple using milk, a grain of your choice such as quinoa/rice/tapioca/semolina and is flavoured with spices and dates. I used quinoa in the recipe below just because there was some in kitchen cupboard that I wanted to use up!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk

• 2 cups boiling water

• 1 cup quinoa or rice/tapioca/ semolina

• 15 dates (soaked overnight or heated for a few minutes in water)

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Method:

1. Rinse and drain quinoa. Place in a saucepan with boiling water and let it come

to the boil.Then reduce the heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 2. Add in the spices, dates and vanilla. 3. Gradually add the milk. Cook and stir over a medium heat until the mixture becomes thick, creamy and luscious looking!!!

Sprinkle some cinnamon on top and Voilà!

For preschool, primary and secondary school or community group talks and workshops, please email: niamh@biabites. net.See my ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums on ‘Biabites’ Facebook for other food ideas. Niamh Arthurs, Public Health and Clinical Nutritionist

Why not join Portrane Hockey Club?

Over 100 years old, Portrane Hockey Club has been at the heart of many generations in the village. With over 350 adult and junior members, the club has joined together the community, encouraging new members to try a new sport in a fun, relaxed environment. The club now has 7 senior teams, 3 men’s and 4 ladies with a range of junior Leinster league teams from age 5 through to U16’s. Portrane HC caters for all hockey levels from the serious player to the social player. With the club on the Donabate pitch six days a week, there is something for everyone! Last season was a very successful season for the senior teams with league wins for many and cup finals being won after a hard-fought season. Both the men’s and ladies first teams play at division one and Challenge A respectively. This success transferred into our junior teams with many boys and girls walking away with well-earned Leinster titles at the end of the season. Portrane Hockey Club is a club for all with competitive teams and a great social atmosphere both on and off the pitch. The supporters come together in their purple colours for home matches at the Donabate pitch with great camaraderie from push back to final whistle. The club wouldn’t be where it is today without it’s hardworking committee and coaching staff. Last season saw the new additions of coaches Ross Hetem and Anthony Glutz, both from South Africa. They can also be seen playing for the men’s first team each week in their bid to win division one. If you would like to give hockey a go and join Portrane Hockey Club, please contact Anita Patterson secretaryportranehc@gmail. com or message Portrane Hockey Club on Facebook or Instagram

This is easy… we are offering you the chance to win €50. All you have to do is correctly fill in the crossword and discover the name of an area in Fingal spelt out in the coloured squares. Then send the completed crossword and your answer by email, with your name, address and telephone number to communitylocals@ gmail.com before 5pm on the 16th of this mnoth. The first correct entry to be drawnwill win €50..Good luck

Across

1. Sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure. (6)

5. Wood for a cricket bat. (6)

10. There’s four each year (allegedly). (7)

11. Find by searching a closet. (7)

12. Sound like an owl. (4)

13. Reset the wood-providers. (5)

15. Form of public transport. (4)

17. Showing sorrow or unhappiness. (3)

19. Have enough money for something. (6)

21. Approval where approval is due. (6)

22. Radioactive metallic element. (7) 23. A usually short sermon. (6)

25. They make for hirsute faces. (6) 28. Put into service, employ. (3)

A female relative. (4)

Up to a time that. (5)

Where the air is unconfined. (4) 35. A violent storm of small extent with whirling winds. (7) 36. Of greater weight. (7)

The form of a word that is used to denote more than one. (6)

Uttered a sudden loud cry. (6)

Down

2. Prevent from happening. (4,3)

3. Golf club with a relatively narrow metal head. (4)

4. People who consistently fail.. (6)

5. Travelled by shank’s mare. (6)

6. A strand or cluster of hair. (4)

7. The exterior appearance of something. (7)

8. Common respiratory disorder. (6)

9. Top clothing, often with a message. (1-5)

14. Not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal. (7)

16. With sincerity, without pretence. (5)

18. Carrying weapons. (5)

20. Remove the moisture from. (3)

21. An awkward and inexperienced youth. (3)

23. Recess at the end of a chimney. (6)

24. A dog of no definable type or breed. (7)

26. Cold-blooded animal. (7)

27. Military watcher in waiting. (6)

28. Spread out a carpet. (6)

29. Fourscore. (6)

33. Just, unbiased and blond. (4)

34. Basic brick structure. (4)