Dublin Informer October 2014i by Niall Gormley

Informer THE

DUBLIN

OCTOBER 2014

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Unit 55, Western Parkway Business Park, Ballymount, Dublin 12 Phone: 01 813 8786 Email: news@informer.ie Website: www.informer.ie

Managing Director: Ken Parker Operations & Finance Director: Declan Keane Editor: Niall Gormley Email: editor@informer.ie Sales: Michael Farrell • michael@informer.ie Brian Molloy • brian@informer.ie Classifieds: 01 813 8786 Email: sales@informer.ie

Have you a story or picture? 01 813 8786 news@informer.ie

Informer

NEWS

October 2014

THE

WELL, THAT SUCKS

Face shows risk to heart

DOCTORS can now spot a potentially lethal heart condition from someone’s face using new technology. A study used cameras and scanners to detect changes in skin colour which are signs of uneven blood ﬂow caused by atrial ﬁbrillation. Research showed sufferers were unaware of it, risking strokes and heart attacks. Dr Jean-Philippe Couderc of Rochester University, New York, said: “This is a concept that could enable more people to get needy care.”

Coffee bean DNA cracked

EU chiefs outlaw powerful vacuum cleaners with 1,600 watt-plus motors

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A BARMY EU ban on powerful vacuum cleaners could lead to panic buying, watchdogs warned.

Brussels busybodies have pulled the plug on models with motors over 1,600 watts, with no more being built from September 1. Typically, homes use 2,000 watt machines but future cleaners with have their power slashed to 900 watts. Consumer groups are advising those who prefer the roar and suction of a big motor to buy one now.

DUBLIN

The ruling will mean many top-selling machines will be outlawed. Under the “green” dictat new cleaners will be rated A to G – based on energy use, performance and dust emissions. James Dyson who gave the world the bagless vacuum, has slammed the plans, even though his machines are already under 1,600 watts. He said: “efﬁcient technology isn’t the result of an energy label – it takes costly research and development.” But EU spokeswoman Marlene Holzner insisted: “The new eco regulations, will mean consumers get better, more efﬁcient ■ James Dyson cleaners.”

SCIENTISTS have decoded the DNA of the coffee bean and say the breakthrough will lead to a tastier, cheaper cappuccino. Nestle teamed up with US scientists to sequence the DNA of the low-quality robusta bean, used in instant coffee. They hope it will help them crack the code of the Arabica bean, used in espresso and cappuccino. The research will use “hybridisation” rather than genetic modiﬁcation. A company expert said: “This is a very important step.”

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DUBLIN

SLEEP PINK'S €40K TARGET

October 2014

Finian McGrath TD (Ind) supporting

Campaign on Class Size in Belgrove School, Clontarf

For the Marie Keating Foundation NOW in its fourth year, Sleep Pink is an annual nationwide charity campaign run by Harvey Norman in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation.

Ronan and his goody bag

Sleep Pink will run from 1st–31st October 2014 and this year, is aiming to raise €40,000. A percentage from the sale of all items in the Sleep Pink range, including mattresses, divans and pillows will be donated to the foundation. Speaking at the launch, Linda Keating, Director of Fundraising, Marie Keating Foundation, said, “Our Foundation does not receive any government funding so we

simply would not exist were it not for the generous support of companies such as Harvey Norman. "We would like to also thank their staff, suppliers and customers. "We are delighted that we are once again the chosen charity for this campaign and hope we can top the amount that was raised by Sleep Pink in 2013 to support our breast cancer awareness services. "We hope to see as many people as possible visit our Mobile Information Units which will be parked outside Harvey Norman stores in October. "It's a great opportunity to come on board and get some advice about cancer prevention.” Linda Keating added, “During October, don't forget to bring your unwanted bras as all Harvey Norman stores are kindly hosting bra bins as part of our Give Your Bra for Breast Cancer campaign. "The campaign, which is proudly supported by Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd, will see the Marie Keating Foundation receive €1 for every bra donated throughout October."

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TARA Gannon, 19, a student psychiatric nurse from Rialto in Dublin has reached the ﬁnal of the 2014 Face of Ireland competition.

It would be fantastic to lead the St Patrick's Day Parade in New York

She is one of only three girls from Dublin to be selected from over 30,000 entrants nationwide to join the other 14 finalists at Bewleys Hotel in Ballsbridge on Sunday 27th October. The Face of Ireland Competition has become one of Ireland’s leading and most popular ambassadorial and prize competitions for ladies over the age of 18. It attracts thousands of applications each year all with one dream and one passion to represent their country as an ambassador in New York by winning the Face of Ireland title and of course winning loads of amazing prizes. The competition searches the 32 counties of Ireland looking for suitable female candidates over the age of 18 who believe they have got what it takes to be the next Face of Ireland whilst helping various charities. Over the years Face of Ireland has supported charities such as The Solace Cancer Support Centre in Donegal Town Co. Donegal, The 1 Life Suicide Helpline (1800247100) Aware, My Sister Zoe Appeal, The Tyrone Branch of the MS Society, The STOP organisation which stands for ‘Suicide’ ‘Teach’ ‘Organise’ and 'Prevent’ a registered charity which assists and supports individuals who feel suicidal, who are in distress or those who have been bereaved by suicide. This campaign will ■ Tara is planning an explosive Final appearance lous prizes to be won for once again assist several to in the recent past. charities including a newly With a well known the winner who is crowned formed charitable organi- judging panel comprising the Face of Ireland. The successful winner zation ‘GRASP’ (Greater of household names, the Responsibility & Aware- competition is a family will receive the title as the Face of Ireland and some ness, Suicide, Prevention) friendly event. fabulous prizes and gifts. set up to assist and deal Nervous She will also travel with with people who are thinkMost of the girls who a member of the Face of ing about suicide and families who have had a mem- have been in the competi- Ireland team to New York ber who has attempted or tion through the years al- and will be assisting the succeeded in committing though nervous when they organizers at the 2015 St. are first interviewed relax Patrick’s Day Parade by suicide. These are just a few with the family that is Face officially launching the parade. charities that Face of Ire- of Ireland. Above all this is a comThis is an ambassador land has helped, supported and financially contributed petition with some fabu- role and the successful

I sang a song, not very well, but

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

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October 2014

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LOFTLADDERSIRELAND.COM Great Autumn Deals! Look at these new offers... ■ Aiming for New York - Tara is one of four finalists drawn from the thousands of entrants eash year to sit in a room backstage while the judges made their decision. “We were brought back in front of the audience and to my shock I was picked as one of the four to reach the final." As part of the competition Tara had to perform an entrepreneurial task for her chosen charity. She decided on a benefit night at McCauleys pub in Rialto for a charity called GRASP LIFE, for people who have depression and suicidal thoughts. “It was a great night and over 70 people came along.” Events such as rock ‘n’ roll bingo, karaoke and dancing kept the audience entertained and she managed to obtain several prizes such as a New TV, deep fat fryer and a gift set from a chemist. Friends “I met loads of new people and I managed to raise over €400, which was

more than I hoped for.”. “I can’t wait for the final on the 27th October.” “There are some great girls and the competition will be very stiff but at least I’ve made lots of new friends.” “It’s a black tie event and we have to be interviewed on stage. Performance “I’m going to do a Fyrefli performance (flammable juggling balls) and the judges will look at what I’ve done to get to the final, including my benefit night experience. “What could be better than winning the competition and going to lead the Paddy’s Day Parade in New York.” “I’m just hoping to do well and I’ll give it my best shot.” Although this is a shortterm goal for Tara she has set up a website to emphasise positive mental health and hopes to develop it to help others.

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days later to say I had progressed to the quarter finals.” “I went to Bewleys Hotel in April where there were about 25 girls from all over the country in that stage of the competition.” “We were all interviewed by two girls and I was amazed that I was chosen to progress to the semi-finals.” Tara continued her journey through the competition and went on to the semi-finals at the Red Cow Hotel in Ballymount in May where she had to compete with another 13 girls. All the contestants had to go on stage and be interviewed and asked to perform a talent. “I decided to sing a song – all you can do is cry, by Etta James – and I didn’t do a good job but at least I gave them something to remember,” she said. “All the girls did a performance from songs to poems and then we had

11 1

candidate must want to have a life in this industry. This is a job the organisers expect that the suitable candidate treat it as one. There is no greater honour than that to represent your own country as an ambassador and walk down ﬁfth avenue for the St. Patricks Day parade. Facebook Tara found out about the competition by accident after scrolling through Facebook in the early hours one night in March. She said: “I was scanning through Facebook one night about 1am last March and I spotted the advert for the competition. “I thought it would be great to enter for that and went on to the Face of Ireland website and had a look at what was required. “It all started from there and I entered.” Tara went on: “I never thought anything would happen and was surprised when I got an email two

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MAKE YOUR WILL

75% Of Dubliners don't have one RESEARCH Shows 75per cent of Dublin's population are without a Will

Irish Life, Ireland's leading life and pensions company, announced new findings around Dublin’s attitude towards having and making a formal will to mark the launch of its Will Wise Campaign. Alarmingly, the research shows that 75per cent of those surveyed do not have any formal will arrangement, yet only one in four believe they don’t need a will. The research also revealed Dubliners had a lack of knowledge of the cost of inheritance tax, with seven in 10 admitting to not knowing the tax rate figure, and just one in 10 providing the correct figure of 33per cent. With the amount of inheritance tax paid increasing by almost 40per cent since 2010, this is an area that families need to plan ahead for. As part of the Will Wise offer, for a limited time only, customers who apply for a new Life Insurance plan with Irish Life between Monday, 22nd September and Friday, 17thOctober 2014 and start it on or before 28th November 2014 will receive a voucher to arrange a basic will.

The will can be completed with a solicitor from Irish Life’s independent panel for no charge. Will Wise vouchers will be issued to customers availing of the promotion in December 2014, and will be valid until the end of March 2015. The biggest barrier to arranging a will amongst those surveyed in Leinster was that they hadn’t got around to it (50per cent). Sadly however, nearly one in three people in Dublin (32per cent) believed they did not have any assets to leave behind, and 16% said that they didn’t think they could afford to arrange one. Only 20per cent of people in Dublin said they are likely to put a will in place in the next 12 months. Speaking at the launch of the Will Wise Campaign, Brendan Coyle, Protection Marketing Manager at Irish Life said; “The biggest trigger for arranging a will, for 93per cent of Dubliners, is to ensure their estate goes to the right people. "We would encourage those who are thinking about making a will to speak to a ﬁnancial broker or adviser about our Will Wise Promotion or visit our website, www.irishlife.ie for our simple guide to Making a Will.”

DUBLIN

Kids choc-full of junk food

PARENTS are giving in to their children’s demands for junk food because they are too tired to argue. An exhausted 35per cent would rather serve up crisps, chocolate or biscuits than risk a fullblown argument, a study for malt loaf makers Soreen found. Key pester times are just after school and immediately before dinner, with many youngsters demanding snacks they have seen advertised on TV. The food ﬁrm said: “When you’re at your wits end, it’s tempting just to let them have what they want but there are alternatives.”

HAVE YOU GOT A STORY OR PICTURE? Email: news@informer.ie Phone: 01 8138786

Sports drinks Diabetes risk

TEENAGERS risk diabetes and obesity by guzzling sugary sports drinks without doing any exercise. One in four teens has a sports drink while watching TV or playing video games. And a quarter wrongly think they are healthy alternatives to ﬁzzy drinks.

Passionate about pigeons: See Pages 8 and 9

Informer THE

NEWS

DUBLIN

CUT TAXES ON OUR PUB PINT

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The Licensed Vintners Association points out that while the price of a pint has gone up 36 cents over the last three budgets, 28 cents or 78per cent of this has been due to extra tax. The LVA represents over 600 pubs in Dublin which employ over 10,000 people. The Chief Executive of the Association, Donall O’Keeffe, said the Government’s myopic policies had created a hostile tax environment. “Between December 2012 and October 2013 the Government increased excise on beer by 44per cent, excise on spirits by 37per cent and excise on wine was increased by 62per cent. These increases hit the hard pressed consumer, they hit visitors - tourists have identiﬁed the high price of alcohol as the second biggest disincentive to visit Ireland (after the weather) - and

S ER FER B TO OF OC IAL EC SP

they hit the 92,000 Irish people whose jobs depend on the drinks industry” Mr O’Keefe said. A recent survey by the LVA found that two out of three Dublin drinkers have a ‘local’ and that almost 80per cent believe going for a drink with their friends is important. It also found that the average spend on a night out is €81, with half of that being spent on alcohol. “If the Government announced that it was going to introduce a €13 ‘going out tax’ there would be uproar. But they don’t have to announce it because it’s already there. For every €40 spent by consumers on alcohol, a third or around €13 is going straight to the exchequer” he said. The LVA believes that cutting excise duty would be a further boost to consumers beneﬁtting the wider hospitality and services sector be it taxis, nightclubs, restaurants or hotels. Mr O’Keefe pointed out that Ireland has the highest excise rate in Europe and said the case for a cut is overwhelming. “Alcohol has been hit hard for three budgets in a row. Through taxes on drink, pub goers have made a disproportionate contribution to the public ﬁnances" Mr O’Keefe concluded.

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Publicans urge Government to reverse rises DUBLIN publicans have urged the Government to move away from its penal tax policy and to reverse the increase in excise rates introduced in last year’s budget.

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NEWS

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PASSIONATE ABOUT

Or are they just 'rats with wings' AFFECTIONATELY referred to as 'rats with wings' and 'gutter birds', one could assume that pigeons are among the most unloved birds in Dublin but not for the many fanciers throughout the capital.

For those who have never heard the expression 'pigeon fancier', it simply translates to a person who is passionate about breeding pigeons, keeping them as pets, or entering them into shows and races. Dubliner Eugene Fitzgerald (64), from Sandymount, has been a pigeon fancier for as long as he can remember. According to Eugene, when he was 7-years-old his father brought

home a pigeon and he was allowed to keep it. He said many pet shops sold pigeons when he was a young boy, and his father purchased a few before setting up a racing club. Although pigeon racing is not as popular as it once was, Eugene said it is still very popular in counties such as Dublin, Galway, Mayo and Limerick. Eugene explained that the sport involves a lot of time and that young people today are unwilling to dedicate themselves to the life of a pigeon fancier. "Every sport involves a lot of time. Children wouldn't have the patience nowadays to take care of pigeons." He said lack of interest in pigeon racing, coupled with little media

coverage, is unfortunate as it means the sport could eventually die out in Ireland. Eugene explained how some pigeons are motivated to race due to lust for their partner. He said male and female pigeons normally pair up as a couple. However, a pigeon's fondness for their partner can be exploited through a process known as 'widowing' or 'widowhood'. Eugene said widowhood involves splitting the pair up and, before a race, the male pigeon is shown the female in order to motivate it to race back to the loft at the fastest speed. The fastest pigeons, however, are those that are well-trained and on the right diet. "Some pigeon fanciers are very

■ And they're off... pigeon racing is still popular across many counties

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October 2014

PIGEONS

and 'gutter birds' diligent. They get their pigeons ﬁt by bringing them on short races to build their strength. Diet is also very important. Pigeons that are on the right diet, and receive the best care, are usually the best ﬂyers," Eugene said. From his experience as a pigeon racing enthusiast, Eugene believes female pigeons are better for long-distance races, whereas males are better for short-distance races. He said developing an interest in pigeons is fairly inexpensive, but it is a hobby that requires a lot of effort and patience. Eugene has urged anybody interested in learning more about pigeons to contact their local pigeon club.

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HOW PIGEONS FIND WAY HOME HOW pigeons, and other birds, navigate is still one of the great mysteries of nature. Despite a huge amount of research there is no agreement on how birds can ﬁnd their way thousands of miles and back.

A number of theories have been advanced to explain how birds can find their way home. Scientists believe that birds use a "map and compass" ability where birds combine recognition of their surroundings with some means of telling direction. Some researchers believe that pigeons can follow the Earth's magnetic fields, possibly through particles of iron in their beaks. Recent evidence indicates that birds may use a number of methods and combine them all. Following the sun The position of the sun and the time of day is how mariners have crossed the globe and research shows that bird use this means too. Birds can also use smell to locate their position through various atmospheric odours. And more recent theories involve the use of low frequency sound waves and experiments show that when pigeons are subjected to sound waves their flight paths are disrupted. Finally, on the last leg of their races, pigeons can recognise their surroundings. To make things even more confusing, different species of pigeon and even pigeons from separate lofts navigate differently. Even variations in the time of day or light conditions can change flight paths.

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October 2014

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October 2014

CLONSILLA BLINDS OPENS AT WALKINSTOWN

CLONSILLA Blinds have opened another showroom in Walkinstown at the Green Hills Centre. They offer an extensive variety of Rollers, Venetian Woods, Velux blinds, vertical blinds, Woodweave blinds, curtains and an exclusive recycling service. Their friendly and well-trained staff will advise you on your every need and guide you through the extensive product range.

Bring in your old roller blinds to the showroom and their team of experts will advise and fashion a brand new blind for you. Don’t worry about the state of your old blinds as they will work magic on your old worn, torn and dirty blinds. The fabric is removed and replaced with brand new material of your choice at their own factory in. Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown. Clonsilla Blinds is truly a bona fide Irish company.

Up to 60% off Rollers

With hundreds of beautiful fabrics, tassels and shapes to choose from you will certainly not be spoiled for choice. And the icing on the cake is your new blinds will be returned to you within 2-3 days and at a 50% discount. So if your blinds cost €200 all you will pay is €100. “The brilliance of this service is that it is done quickly and efficiently,” says owner Helen McGrath. We recycle your old Rollers, there’s no waiting

around and no need for you to take time off work.” Don’t miss out on this fantastic offer at Clonsilla Blinds. Alternatively, their representatives can call at your home at a time convenient to yourselves, measure your windows and show you a wide range of window dressing products. Their fitters are trained to the highest standard and no job is too big or small. One of the greatest testaments

for their quality products is word of mouth. Once one family member purchases their blind, all friends and family follow suite. It is also worth noting that all of Clonsilla Blinds’ blinds and curtains adhere to the NSAI laws regarding child safety. Come along to their new premises just off the Walkinstown roundabout or phone: 01 465 9082 or 01 824 3613. Email: info@clonsillablinds.com

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October 2014

WINTER FROM M&S A calm winter mood for the contemporary woman is the theme say Marks and Sparks THIS season Marks & Spencer has aimed to start on a fresh direction which sees sleek silhouettes and a minimal aesthetic set against a soft, tonal backdrop.

Pastels emerge as a key colour highlight, beautifully complemented by rich greys and luxurious neutrals. Playful Pretty shades of cornﬂower blues, dusty lilacs and blush tones are added to outerwear in a playful twist on elegance, as the classics are redeﬁned. This lady-like palette contrasts with block primaries and layering of abstract shapes as print takes on a bold construc-

tion. Opulent jewel tones and a shine of jacquard metallics provide visual pace for a decadent winter mood. A depth of texture sets Autumn Winter 14 apart. Luxurious Contrasting layers of leather and colourful faux furs create a tactile and chic collage which is punctuated with rich embellishment and vivid print. The overarching tone for the Autumn Winter 14 collection is one of luxurious simplicity. This considered edit displays an awareness of the contemporary woman’s needs and desires; whilst adding emphasis to Marks & Spencer’s commitment to modern design, unparalleled innovation and exceptional quality.

October 2014

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NEWS

THE

DUBLIN

53-foot dental practice lorry will soon be

Ireland's

No.1

daily paper

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Your New Smile Starts HERE Tooth Whitening, Veneers, Crowns, Dental Implants, White Fillings, Bridges, Dentures, Orthodontics, Endodontics, Oral Hygiene, Sedation We are here to make your visits as enjoyable as possible and we will do everything we can to ensure a pleasurable experience. We pride ourselves as dentists on providing a calming, relaxing, clean environment. From your first visit, you will be greeted by team members who will soon become familiar confidants and a source of dependable advice. We offer modern dental techniques designed to give you the smile you've always wanted. We are experienced and very sympathetic in dealing with all sorts of patient anxieties and guarantee a service with a personal touch

Take the pain out of the cost of visiting the dentist

MOBILE YOU AT AN ORAL to Overall Health workplace initiative is launching in mid-October 2014 targeting some of the highest proﬁle companies across Ireland.

Onsite Dental will be organising the tour which features a 53-foot mobile dental practice, whilst local dentists and health professionals will be providing free oral annual health checks, dental examinations, dental cleaning as well as systemic health education. Arrangements have already been made with leading companies and the Onsite Dental roadshow will visit up to 27 large, single and multi-tenant business parks throughout

the Dublin area with a total employee base of 150,000 staff members. The need for such as service is very clear. Research shows that 60per cent of the Irish population have not seen a dentist in 18 months. However, it does not appear that cost is the deterrent, as according to an article in the journal.ie, two million people are eligible for free dental check-ups, but only 15per cent know about the beneﬁt and take up the opportunity. Time and convenience appear to be the major factors affecting people’s decision. Many working professionals are simply unable to make time to routinely visit the dentist, so to help busy employees Onsite Dental plans to make it

ASPIRIN CUTS CANCER RISKS AN ASPIRIN a day can more than halve your chances of getting pancreatic cancer. A study in the US of people on a low dose to stop heart disease found the risk fell by 39 per cent if taken for six years and by 60 per cent after 10 years. Pancreatic cancer affects thousands of Europeans every year, is hard to diagnose and surgery is often unsuitable. Professor Harvey Risch of Yale University said: “It is crucial to ﬁnd ways to prevent this disease.” The Connecticut survey is in journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkets.

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October 2014

touring business parks in Dublin

DENTIST TREATS THE WORKPLACE easier by taking the dentist to the workplace offering check-ups, screening, preventative and restorative dental care. The workplace tour starts with the visit of a fully kitted out three room dental practice in a purpose equipped 53 ft pantechnicon, featuring a separate waiting room, digital scanning facilities and a health education area, sited in the company car park. Following the mobile tour, interested workplaces can continue ongoing care in one of Onsite Dental’s innovative ‘Pop-Up Dental Centres’ which are set up in their ofﬁces. The Founders of Onsite Dental have worked in this way to improve workforce health and productivity at companies in the US since 1998 and in Denmark

since 2010. It has been taken up by some of the world’s leading companies including Facebook, Agilent Technologies, Novo Nordisk, and Salesforce. The upcoming mobile dental tour in Ireland will offer patients free dental examinations, dental cleanings, as well as general health screenings for systemic issues relating to dental health such as oral cancer. Employees will also be able to opt to receive additional services including the most contemporary aesthetic and restorative treatments including Invisalign®; the nearly invisible orthodontic system which is particularly suitable for working adults. Onsite Dental is partnering Align Technology and

is engaging with expert Invisalign® providers to run treatment consultations throughout the tour. There will also be a chance to win Philips Sonicare toothbrushes and Philips Zoom tooth whitening treatments. The beneﬁts of Onsite Dental workplace outreach strategy have also attracted the attention of many of Irelands’ health insurance companies including VHI and GloHealth which are supporting the tour as part of their corporate preventative wellness programmes for company employees. The Onsite service is a win-win for both the company and their employees; staff members are provided with high quality dental care – including a free dental check-up and clean-

ing - at work - saving both them and their employers time, and organisations can offer onsite dental to attract and retain valuable employees, and increase productivity. Dave Butler is a Maintenance and Engineering employee at Aer Lingus where the service was piloted and is an early beneficiary of the service. He described his positive experience: "Having avoided a dentist visit for way too long, it was great to get back on track by bringing the dentist to me. "My Onsite Dental visit was fast, efficient and very convenient." To find out if your company is welcoming Onsite Dental to offer you dental services in your workplace please visit www. onsitehealth.com

CHERYL: I'LL ALWAYS LOATHE LOUIS WALSH X FACTOR judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has revealed her feud with fellow panellist Louis Walsh is still alive. Cheryl, 31, said she wouldn’t go for a drink with her former manager, adding: “We don’t like each other. I don’t think we ever did.” She said: “We’ll work together, but there’s no love lost. We agree to disagree. “I suppose it’s good for the show. It would be very boring if we thought in the

same way.” Cheryl and Louis, 62, fell out when he quit as Girls Aloud manager and she said he didn’t do a good job. Simon Cowell, 54, had a dig at ex-judge Nicole Scherzinger, 36, saying he could have done better for Tamera Foster, 16, in last year’s show. He said if he had been mentoring her he “would have got her into the ﬁnal.”

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NEWS

October 2014

SCHOOLS UP FOR COOKING & BUTCHERY

Shop teaches how to eat healthier

FX BUCKLEY recently ran cooking and butchering classes at their Deansgrange store.

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They also ran them at local schools with the aim to encourage pupils to start cooking from scratch, buying quality ingredients and showing how to eat healthier in a fun and easy way. Neil Cadogan, principal of Johnstown B.N.S said: "It was great. It was interesting and everyone had some fun. We wish to do it every year from now on." FX Buckley had two experts talk to the parents and children. Chef Adrian Martin is the ambassador for the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland 'Marrying Culinary and Butchering skills'. He has worked under Nevin Maguire for six years. He had a menu prepared which included his award winning Thai chicken curry and he spoke at length about healthy eating. Harry O'Connor is FX Buckley's manager at Deansgrange. He is a master class butcher and demonstrated this as he prepared meat efﬁciently. The kids seemed more interested in this than the ingredients being cooked. Harry spoke about how he and his colleagues at FX Buckley can help you plan, buy and prep for your busy week. Taking much of the stress out of trying to eat healthily and cook from scratch. Adrian said: "Cooking from scratch is one of the best ways to kick start your way into healthier eating. The positives far outway the negatives.

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■ The classes aim to teach cooking from scratch The upsides: You know exactly what is going into the food so there won't be all the additives as in ready meals. You get to choose the ingredients. Meals will be more balanced to include the right amount of protein, carbs, natural fats, vitamins and minerals. Try something new-by asking butchers for suggestions on a new meat to try and how to cook it. Get the kids involved. Recent research by studentbeans.com found that a 10th of students cannot even boil an egg. Bring the family together and encourage children to learn how to cook. The downside or people excuses: "I don't have enough time" "I don't have the right ingredients" "It's more expensive" Cooking from scratch

does not necessarily need to be any of the above. The key is in the planning. Make a menu plan depending on how often you go shopping. When creating this consider which days are the busiest during the week. Especially with the kids being back at school, there's always a club, practice, game or rehearsal to attend. From this menu plan and create a shopping list. The jury is out on whether it's less expensive. You know your family schedule so plan to cook more on one day, or cook large amounts 2-3 times a week. How can a butcher help you to eat healthier? We all know that to eat healthy means we should eat a balanced diet. One of the essential parts of this is 2-3 servings of protein a day. One of the best sources of protein is meat.

DUBLIN

■ Gillian Lupton

Irish graduate teachers make the top grade in England

PATHFINDERS from Limerick prove that Irish make top grade teachers in England. EDUCATION recruiter Classpeople sets up in Dublin to provide Irish graduates a gateway to UK teaching careers. Limerick graduates Andrew Casey and Gillian Lupton have given full marks to teaching careers in the UK thanks to a familiarisation trip organised by UK specialist education. The two Mary Immaculate College graduates spent the month of July teaching in South West England to learn about the teaching styles and

■ Andrew Casey

to help them decide if England was the place to complete their Diploma. Based on their experiences, Classpeople managing director and former teacher Lynis Basset believes that, many more Irish graduates and trainee teachers are especially well-suited to starting their careers in the West of England. Andrew said of the experience: “Taking the plunge to teach in England with Classpeople was a daunting but exciting prospect. Daunting because I was moving to a different country."

BECOME A CERTIFIED TRANSPORT MANAGER?

IF you want to pursue a career in Transport, unlock your potential and gain a recognised qualification then you should consider a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Transport Management. This Certificate, which is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, qualifies you as a Transport Manager and also entitles you to set up a haulage or bus passenger business. A CPC is also extremely beneficial for employment opportunities, career advancement, or if you want to up skill.

You may also be entitled to funding for the course from your Local Employment Ofﬁces. Subjects covered in the course include: managing a transport business; employment and health and safety legislation; contract law and ﬁnancial management; tachograph and hours of driving legislation; national and international documentation etc. Approved CPC courses are run at weekends by Tony Hynes who has successfully put thousands of students through the CPC exam by using his own specially developed materials and his unique dynamic

delivery style. Tony is shortly starting his next CPC Courses in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on Saturday 1st November, Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, Limerick on Saturday 8th November, County Arms Hotel, Birr on Saturday 15th November & in the Green Isle Hotel, Dublin on Saturday 22nd November to facilitate the next exam in January 2015. If you wish to obtain further information you can contact Tony at 066-7186525 or 086-2458379 or tony@cpc.ie or visit his dedicated website at www.cpc.ie.

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October 2014

Dubliner Christina's remarkable tale turned into a documentary

MY LIFE STORY IS ON THE BIG SCREEN

THE extraordinary real-life story of Dubliner Christina Noble has been turned into a feature length documentary.

Christina, born in the Liberties in 1944, endured a harrowing, poverty-stricken childhood. Following the death of her mother, Christina was separated from her siblings who were sent to different orphanages, while she spent a number of years in an institution. Aged just 16, Christina left the institution but was plunged into a life of homelessness. Subjected to a horriﬁc gang-rape not long after leaving the institution, Christina became pregnant but was forced to give her son up for adoption against her will. At the age of 18, Christina ﬂed to England to be with her brother. It was there that she married her husband and had three children. However, Christina's husband proved to be extremely violent towards her. Having endured a miscarriage, Christina was forced

By Martin Flanagan ■ Deirdre O'Kane stars in 'A House That Ceased to Be' to undergo shock treatment for a mental breakdown and a severe bout of depression. According to Christina, it was around this period of her life that she had a dream about Vietnam - a dream that she fulﬁlled almost 20 years later in 1989, which resulted in her moving to Vietnam to assist children in need. Despite her traumatic upbringing, Christina's passion for children's rights resulted in the establishment of the Christina Noble Foundation. The foundation ﬁrst set up in Vietnam, has since expanded into Mongolia.

Its main aims are to serve children in need of emergency medical care, nutritional rehabilitation, educational opportunities and protecting children from economic and sexual exploitation. The documentary, titled In A House That Ceased to Be, directed by Ciarin Scott, was filmed over a five-year period. It recently premiered at the Stranger Than Fiction film festival in the Irish Film Institute (IFI) in Dublin. According to Scott, the documentary is extremely powerful and emotional. It explores Christina's up-

■ Christina Noble bringing, inviting viewers to witness the institutions where Christina and her siblings lived, while drawing attention to the suffering of children at the hands of the Church and the State. However, despite its exploration of Christina's dark and difﬁcult upbringing, the documentary showcases the importance of her work. A movie, called Noble, is also showing in cinemas nationwide. Similar to the documentary, the movie chronicles Christina's life and how her foundation ﬁrst began.

October 2014

■ Classic ﬁnish

An excellent work ethic from family run business

NEWS

SPUD U LIKE IT CELEBRATING National Potato Day, which returned for a fourth year on Friday 3rd October, Tom Keogh, potato expert and General Manager of Keogh’s Farm, with Ross and Derek Keogh. They were showcasing an insight into Ireland’s turbulent love affair with the humble spud. Each year millions of Euro are

spent by consumers on potatoes, valuing the market at €195 million to the Irish economy. Research conducted by Keogh’s Farm revealed that the ever popular and versatile Rooster potato is still Ireland’s favourite with the highest consumption recorded in Leinster (54.25%), followed by Munster (28.14%) and Connacht (17.61%).

■ A new lease of life ROYAL Upholstery is a family run business and has been established in Kilbarack Indrustrial Estate, near Sutton, since 1980. We take pride in the work we do and strive to continue to provide excellent workmanship. It's amazing to see the transformations created in having furniture reupholstered. It doesn't matter how old the furniture is or what condition it is in, it will be completely brought back to life. Even if the piece looks perfectly ﬁne, people get tired of looking at the same fabric on average after seven-10 years. So choosing to have the furniture re-upholstered will bring you a whole new look. If your furniture is comfy and suits your room but just needs updating then you should consider having it reupholstered rather than buying a new one. Please see our main advert on Page four and feel free to give us a call on: 01 839 6909 and we can arrange a visit to you and give a free quotation.

Based in large part on a survey conducted by Millward

DUBLIN

Women 'put off sport' by their breasts MILLIONS of women are being put off exercise because of their breasts, research reveals. Some 17per cent of the 239 surveyed said they were embarrassed by their breasts moving or they could not ﬁnd the right sports bra. Researchers said pain from wearing the wrong bra caused many women to stop taking enough exercise. Prof Joanna Scurr said if women do not wear the right sports bra, they risk permanent breast damage. She said: “When the breasts are not supported appropriately it can result in strain. Over time this may lead to a stretching of the breasts’ natural support.” Health experts said they were “surprised” by the ﬁndings which could partly explain why 57per cent of women are overweight or obese.

'Male pill' jab coming soon

A MALE contraceptive hailed as an alternative to the pill may be on the market within the next two years. Vassalgel is injected in the vas deferens, the tube sperm passes through on the way to the penis, to block semen and prevent pregnancy. Three baboons treated with Vassalgel were given access to 10 to 15 females for six months and failed to impregnate them. The Parsemus Foundation is now planning human trials. A spokesman said: “We hope to get Vassalgel on the market before 2017.”

Shark skin to tackle MRSA

BANANA SNACK BANANAS are the top choice of parents when it comes to picking a baby and toddler snack food, according to the results of a National Parenting Product Awards competition.

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Mother's top choice for their baby

Brown amongst parents and experts in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, Irish banana producer Fyffes’ popular ‘Freddy Fyffes’ pre-packed bananas emerged as the Gold Award winner in the Food and Feeding section of the competition.

Sponsored by Easy Parenting magazine, some 152 products were evaluated across 34 separate categories ranging from food to baby clothing and baby care. Expressing delight, Fyffes Sales & Marketing Manager,

Emma Hunt-Duffy said ‘at a time when parents are increasingly conscious of the food their children eat, it is especially pleasing to know that the natural and nourishing qualities of bananas are recognised and appreciated.’

A NEW material based on shark skin could help ﬁght hospital superbugs. Bacteria are less able to attach to the textured fabric, which in tests was found to hold 94per cent fewer MRSA bugs than smooth surfaces. Now researchers believe it could be used to cover surfaces in hospitals as well as medical instruments. Dr Ethan Mann told journal Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control: “Shark skin has properties that deter marine organisms from attaching. "We have learned much from nature.”

BOY BOILED ALIVE

DEEPAK Kopal, 17, died after jumping into a vat of boiling water at a temple in Rajasthan, India, believing a miracle would save him.

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October 2014

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HALLOWEEN

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DUBLIN

THE SPOOKTA October 2014

Horror fans can't wait to see this

HORROR fans will be delighted to know that Dublin's RDS will host a spooktacular, one-of-a-kind interactive experience this Halloween.

Damnation, dubbed Ireland's most horrifying scare attraction, will descend on the Ballsbridge venue where the story of Samuel Page's nightmare will literally come to life. According to legend, Samuel was a blacksmith who worked at the RDS during the 1830s. Samuel and his wife Sarah had two young daughters: Becky and Hannah. Well-liked by the local community, the page family were hiding a very dark secret. In the run up to Halloween, a group of local children playing near the River Dodder discovered an entrance to a set of tunnels beneath the

Page's house. The tunnels were home to a series of unimaginable horrors, such as torture chambers, dismembered bodies and terrifying beasts. The children, desperate to ﬁnd their way out, got lost. They stumbled upon Samuel Page as he was in the middle of a dark ritual. Just one of the children managed to escape - he was discovered by the townsfolk in the main square not too far from the Page's home. At ﬁrst the townsfolk of Dublin

did not believe the child's bizarre ranting, but when the rest of the local children failed to return home, the townsfolk went to inspect the Page house. It was discovered that Samuel Page had been operating a satanic cult from the basement of his home for many years, often sacriﬁcing people from the local community. Driven mad by their discovery, the people of Dublin burned Page's home to the ground while his wife and children were still inside. The bodies of Samuel's wife and

daughters were recovered body has never been found Rumour has it that Samu return every Halloween to people of Dublin. The man behind the show, Jonathan Slattery of pitality Partnership, said: een has always been pop the Irish, it began here Celtic festival of Samhain exported it all over the wo emigrated. "Damnation will give p opportunity to get in the H spirit and bring it back to it He added: "Having don sive research on similar a in the US and Canada, we s in the market in Dublin fo ine scare experience and an night out for the many thril in Ireland”. Further information can at www.ticketmaster.ie and www.damnation.ie.

■ They're behind you.... Samuel Page's tunnels were home to a series of unimaginable horrors, such as torture chambers, dismembered bodies and terrifying beasts, now brought to 'life' at

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HALLOWEEN

DUBLIN

ACULAR

s scare attraction at the RDS

d, but his d. uel tries to haunt the

terrifying f the Hos"Hallowpular with with the n and we orld as we

people the Halloween ts roots." ne extenattractions saw a gap or a genun ultimate ll-seekers

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The old Irish tradition of halloween

MOST of us are familiar with Halloween traditions, such as colcannon for dinner, barnbrack cake with a ring and, of course, dressing up. However, did you know that the origin of Halloween is found in Celtic Ireland? The

Celts celebrated Halloween as Samhain, also commonly referred to as 'All Hallowtide' the 'Feast of the Dead', a time when the dead are believed to roam freely amongst us. The celebration of Samhain also marked the end of summer

and the beginning of winter. Tradition has it that bonﬁres were also lit to ward off bad fortune for the coming year and keep evil spirits at bay, but that story probably won't go down that well with your local authority.

October 2014

STOKING UP SOME TERROR AROUND DUBLIN THE BRAM Stoker Festival, running Friday 24th through to Monday 27th October, promises a plethora of terrifying happenings for the 2014 programme.

A truly terrifying line-up of Gothic events revealed

This year the festival will infiltrate the very crevices of the city, awakening the dormant gothic that sleeps in the heart of Dublin and painting the By Martin Flanagan city red with the legacy of Ticketing for the 2014 Bram Stoker. festival is now live for A Dublin City Council more than thirty events, initiative in association with two additional myswith Fáilte Ireland, the tery happenings being anfestival is inspired by the nounced in early October. heritage of world famous There is a festival Dublin horror novelist treat for Stoker aficioBram Stoker and his noto- nados of all ages, in five rious novel Dracula. key strands; Children of From large-scale spec- the Night, Street Treats, tacles to intimate perfor- Deadly Words, Dark Enmances in unusual spaces ergy and Sinister Screenand a range of film and lit- ings. erary events there is someProgramme highlights thing for everyone. include the ethereal

ShapeShifter’s Ball from party masters Body&Soul at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Also running is the Irish première of The Curse of Styria featuring Stephen Rea - a secretive, sexy and sinister ﬁlm based on Le Fanu’s Carmilla, and Underground, where an Irish Rail train will take passengers on a journey into the depths of a secret tunnel under the Phoenix Park to discover the dark(est) side of Dublin’s underground.

■ Some horribly horriﬁc happenings in the Bram Stoker Festival this year

October 2014

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PETS

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DUBLIN

TRAIN YOUR DOG TO SIT

TRAINING your dog to sit is probably the easiest command to teach, as well as the most useful way to control your pooch.

The younger the dog, when you commence training, the easier it is to teach them. If you do have a puppy, remember how important it is to establish rules and good manners from an early age. Follow these simple ﬁve steps to teach your puppy or pooch how to sit: • Use Tasty Treats As An Incentive This is probably the most important part of the whole process. Before attempting anything, show your dog a tasty bite-sized treat just in front of their eyes and slightly above their head as an incentive for them to obey you. Dog nuts will work but small pieces of cooked ham or chicken are even better. • Say “Sit” As You Present The Treat Above Their Head As you show them the treat, bring-

ing it to about two inches above their head, ﬁrmly say the command “sit”. Don’t put the treat too low down or the dog will just try to snatch it and if you hold it up too high, he will try his best to jump for it. As you bring your hand towards his head, he should naturally sit down. • When He Sits, Give Him A Treat When your dog sits, make sure to praise him loads verbally, giving him the treat and then petting him afterwards.

If he doesn’t sit initially, physically place him in the sitting position, say the command “sit” and hold him in the position for five seconds before rewarding him with a treat. Some dogs get totally over-excited by the introduction of treats and there is no controlling them. If this happens, give them one very small treat to give them a taster and allow them to calm down before re-beginning the whole process. • Practice & Repeat Repetition is the big thing when teaching the sit command. Repeat the process outlined above over and over again until the dog seems to understand why he is getting the treat, after the initial training process, make sure to do this at least five times a day for the next week. • Slowly Remove Treats From The Equation After the first week, slowly remove treats from the training process until he happily sits on command for you.

• Article by Orla Mc Gettigan

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DUBLIN

October 2014

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SHOPPING

October 2014

THE

DUBLIN

GRAFTON HAS ATMOSPHERE Classic shopping experience with lots of top stores SOAK up the atmosphere on Dublin's famous shopping street.

Considered one of Ireland's most iconic shopping areas, Grafton Street has something for everyone. As one of the main pedestrianised shopping streets in the capital, it has a long-established reputation for high-quality shopping that appeals to both Dubliners and tourists. Flanked by major brands, Grafton Street features an array of great shopping establishments that offer everything from designer clothing to souvenirs. It also has an array of cafes and coffee shops for those who want to chill out and practice the art of people watching. Some of the clothing stores on the iconic street include River Island, American Apparel,

Brown Thomas, Karen Millen, Topman, and Ted Baker. However, there is more to the street than just shopping. Dubray Books, one of Ireland's leading independent book sellers, is also located on Grafton Street. It offers a range of well-known titles at excellent prices. The street's vibrancy could be compared to Champs-Élysées in Paris or Times Square in New York, partly due to its hustle and bus-

"Plenty of places to sit down and have a wine, beer, or a hot beverage

Kitchens

Come Visit our showrooms

tle atmosphere, coupled with the presence of many tourists. If shopping is not necessarily your thing, or you just want to take a break, there are plenty of places to sit down and have a wine, beer, or a hot beverage. The Bailey is a fairly trendy bar, once a haunt for renowned Irish writers and poets such as Patrick Kavanagh and Brendan Behan. It serves a range of mouth-watering cocktails and it is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy a bottle of wine with friends. The establishment, which also serves food, has an outdoor terrace where people can go to enjoy a rare sunny day in Dublin. The street is a lovely place to go for a stroll, especially when street performers and musicians are entertaining the crowds.

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ENTERTAINMENT

DUBLIN

October 2014

Strictly star's new show in Dublin

BRENDAN PROMISES A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

BRENDAN Cole, star of Strictly Come Dancing, announces a brand new show for 2015.

Promising A Night To Remember, Brendan and his cast of dancers, musicians and singers will present a dazzling spectacle when they return to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Straight off the back of season 12 of Strictly, Brendan will showcase his expertise in an odyssey of music and dance, blending exquisite choreography with his own unique charisma in a sensational show. There’s new music, costumes and banter to keep audiences entertained throughout, as Brendan leads his cast through a diverse selection of styles and

numbers, each of them exhilarating and memorable. French Dancing With The Stars champion Fauve Hautot returns, as does Germany’s Patrick Helm who has been working as assistant to the artistic director on Strictly Come Dancing, as well as professional ballroom and Latin dance instructor Crystal Main. Brendan’s cast will be extended even further with more exciting names to be loaded with all the ballroom magic and latin excitement that one could ask for, A Night To Remember is already poised to be one of 2015’s must-see shows. Date: Sunday 22nd March 2015. Tickets: €28.00. On sale now through ticketmaster's dedicated line: 0818 719 377

www.oneshop.ie email info@oneshop.ie

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STUFF FOR SALE New &Used Computers for Sale We have in stock a large quantity of used and new desktops from all top major brands (Toshiba, Lenovo, Asus, Acer, Apple Mac, etc).

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We have a great collection of mobiles phones in store at very reliable prices. If Interested please visit our shop.

October 2014

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October 2014

Handy display before onset of winter Man Johnny All Sorts All kinds of work EvErything donE you nAmE it - wE do it All Around MAn Phone: 01 4549008 086 1268949

■ The beautiful autumn weather gives our gardens a ﬁnal and glorious riot of colour before year's end

AFTER another lovely warm summer I personally dont have a problem heading into autumn.

Like all the seasons the garden at this time of year has its own unique qualities, mainly the richness of colour and hues as the plants give us one ﬁnal display before slowing down as winter nears. Shrubs like Cotoneaster and small trees like Crab apple and Rowan are stunning right now as they are heavy with berries and fruits which our garden birds will feast on as their usual food sources disappear. Some climbers too such as Virginia creeper are at their best this month. My veg plot has had its day but gave us a great crop this year, mainly the tomatoes which have now ☛ Give conifer been used to make sauces hedges a ﬁnal trim. and soups. I have cleared up my ☛ Lift and store plot as I hate a mess and in gladioli and order to keep weeds away I’ll cover the ground for a dahlias bulbs and while with plastic until I’m rhubarb. ready to prepare the site for next year. ☛ Divide overgrown If you don't already have perennials. a compost bin, this month is a great time to set one ☛ Make new lawns up as all the garden debris like leaves, can be tidied from seed or roll to form the basis of a good out turf. compost heap. It’s easy to make one ☛ Take hardwood with four tree stakes and cuttings from some chicken wire to cover three sides. Put leaves shrubs and fruit and prunnings on the pile. bushes. Don't, however, put in

Tips for this October

Ask Gerry Norton

All questions and comments greatly appreciated and will be replied to. I am always available to quote for any/all of your garden requirements from vegetable plots to restoration of neglected gardens, design, planting and maintenance. You can contact me at livinglandgerry@gmail. com or 087 2462724 kitchen waste as it may attract vermin. Mix in some grass clippings and away you go. On the subject of leaves I alway gather some up and store them in plastic bags for use as leaf mould. They need to be put away for at least a year so they have a chance to decompose and can then be used in your veg plot. Now that we are having to pay for our water if you don't already have a water butt it's about time you did. They aren’t expensive and even a small roofed-in area like a shed or pergoda will give you a good supply of rain water. Apart from using it to top up ponds and for containers you could top up cisterns in downstairs loos. A lot of older houses may also have a loo in the garden so rain water could

be used here without any hassle. Autumn is a great time to plant climbers, shrubs and trees as the soil is still warm. New plants will establish over the winter. Small gardens need small trees, for example crab apple or mountain ash. You would be amazed at the number of people who plant unsuitable trees in small spaces and regret it years later so always think about how big the tree will be when fully established. One other great thing about this time of the year is the word ‘spring bulbs'. The very mention of spring makes the winter shorter. These are now available and it's wise to get them now as they will be in perfect condition. Plant them now with the exception of Tulips which can wait for a few months.

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Informer

EATING OUT

October 2014

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CITY RESTAURANTS MAINTAIN THEIR MICHELIN STAR STATUS FOR those on the lookout for ﬁne dining at affordable prices, there is much to interest Dublin diners in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2015 just published. In the Bib Gourmand category – which recognises estab-

lishments that offer good food at affordable prices of €40 or less for a three-course meal – ﬁve restaurants feature. They are Downstairs at Hollybrook Park, Clontarf; Pichet on Trinity Street; Pig’s Ear on Nassau Street; La Brasserie

LUNCH SERVED IN A HOMELY SETTING ■ Restaurants Patrick Guilbaud and Bon Appétit

By Martin Flanagan

THE Bell and Pot restaurant, located in the heart of the capital near St Stephen's Green, is a trendy establishment that makes you feel as though you are visiting your eccentric granny's home for a heart-warming lunch.

Once inside, it's hard not to miss the display of mouth-watering treats and homemade cakes and scones, but it's probably best to skip those and head straight to the menu. If interior design is important to you then the Bell and Pot surely won't disappoint. The decor is fairly colourful, with oversized ﬂoral light shades dangling

The trendy Bell and Pot is like visiting your granny's home above the display counter. There are also two cosy and colourful patchwork chairs facing a ﬁreplace in the restaurant that add to that warm, homely vibe, especially if you are sipping on a hot cup of tea and reading a newspaper on a cold, dreary day. The restaurant has two main menus: breakfast and lunch. The breakfast menu features everything you would expect for the most important meal of the day, from a full Irish to a bowl of organic porridge served with honey and Baileys cream,

summer berry and compote, or fresh banana and strawberries. The lunch menu offers a selection of sandwiches and soups. Although it may appear as though the restaurant operates a deli-style service, the lunch menu is fairly impressive, with a range of combos on offer. Gourmet For just €10, diners could have the soup of the day served with any of the restaurant's gourmet sandwiches. Lovers of pancake Tuesday will

in Malahide and ﬁrst time entrant Etto on Merrion Row. Amongst those that hold Michelin Star status - Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Thornton’s at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Chapter One, L’Ecrivain and Bon Appétit in Malahide all re-

tain their listings. The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2015 – produced by tyre manufacturer Michelin – the only remaining tyre manufacturer still operating in Ireland – is published at €16.99.

■ Warm and welcoming for a hot cup of tea on a chilly autumn day

also be delighted to know that every Tuesday is a pancake day at the Bell and Pot. That's right, every Tuesday the restaurant serves delicious buttermilk hotcakes served with a coffee, tea or soft drink for just €8.50. Book lovers will be delighted to know that the restaurant also has a book exchange in place. Further information about the restaurant can be found on the Bell and Pot Facebook page, where potential visitors can stay up-to-date on the lat-

est special offers and events. The restaurant recently held a photography exhibition called 'Dublin City Life'. The exhibition was organised by the DIT Photo Society, and all of the photographs, which showcased Dublin in all its glory, were on display in the restaurant for two weeks. It is also worth adding that the staff at the Bell and Pot are super friendly and accommodating, which adds to any dining out experience...even if it is just lunch.

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October 2014

CHILL OUT THIS AUTUMN AND HEAD FOR OSLO By Martin Flanagan

NOW that summer is over, it may be tempting to consider an autumn city break.

There are plenty of cities to choose from, such as romantic Paris or historical Venice, but one beautiful city worthy of a visit this autumn is Oslo. Located between the Oslofjord and the forests of Marka, the captivating Norwegian capital offers a combination of city life and easy access to the great outdoors. Some of the top attractions in Oslo include the Opera House, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Holmenkollen Ski Jump and the

See the sights of Norway's capital

Viking Ship Museum. The renowned Vigeland Sculpture Park is an absolute must-see when visiting Oslo. Filled with 212 bronze and granite sculptures, the park is the perfect place to go for an autumn stroll, with plenty of opportunities to snap pictures of famous statues and sculptures. The Monolith is considered one of the most famous sculptures. The impressive column, which is 14 metres tall and

carved in one single stone, consists of 121 human ďŹ gures. Famed for its Viking heritage, the Viking Ship Museum is also another of Oslo's most well-known sights. The museum's main attractions are the Gokstad Ship, the Tune Ship and the Oseberg ship - all of which are among the best preserved ships in the country. Some of the ships on display date back to the 9th century and were used

as tombs for nobility, who were buried with valuable possessions believed to have aided them in the afterlife. The possessions, some of which are on display, range from furniture, food and jewels to sleighs and carriages. For those looking to immerse themselves further in Norway's culture, the Museum of Cultural History is also a must-see. This museum, also known as Norsk Folkemuseum, boasts an indoor museum and an open-air museum that comprises more than 150 buildings. Tourists are invited to experience how Norwegians have lived for the past 600 years, with a selection of buildings

â&#x2013; Vigeland Sculpture Park is a must-see and (inset) Oslo's stunning setting showcasing different time periods of Norway's rich history. Visitors will feel as though they have teleported back in time as they roam the bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens of some of the historic buildings that are open to the

public all year-round. There are also many boat trips on offer for those wishing to take in the breathtaking Oslo Fjord. Many of the boat trips allow tourists to drink in an overview of the city and its surrounding beauty.

It is also a great way to unwind and relax after a day of sightseeing. The boat tours are also equipped with Englishspeaking guides who provide information as you travel through idyllic bays and sail around a maze of islands.

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WHAT IS THE HOUSE DUST MITE?

IT’S A small mite, which is hardly visible to the naked eye that lives anywhere that house dust collects, such as on skirting boards and windowsills, in fabric bed heads, mattresses and pillows.

Why is it important?

Under ordinary circumstances it’s not, but an allergy to it can cause a type of hay fever that lasts all the year round and can trigger asthma.

What do you become allergic to?

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A COUPLE of weeks before the operation you’ll be asked to attend a pre-operative assessment clinic to meet your surgeon and the surgical team who will take your medical history, perform a physical examination and may organise tests to make sure you’re healthy for surgery. They’ll give you advice on anything you can do to prepare for surgery and ask you about your home circumstances so your discharge from hospital can be planned. Take a list of the packaging of any medication you are taking. You can prepare for the operation by staying as active as you can. You may be referred to a physiotherapist, who can give you helpful exercises.

After Surgery:

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You’ll be unable to walk unaided for at least four weeks after surgery and other movements – such as stretching or picking up – may also be severely restricted. You may want to consider adding a shower seat to your bathroom; placing any useful objects at hand level so you don’t have to bend down; and stocking up on food that is easy to prepare. Many people ﬁnd it useful to buy a handheld device that allows you to pick up objects that are out of reach.

the proteins in the outer shell of the mite.

How do I conﬁrm if I have the allergy?

Chronic hay fever (Perennial rhinitis) is often diagnosed. If you or your child has asthma it’s al-

ways worth having tests to see if the house dust mite is the trigger.

How do I get rid of the mite from my house?

• Remove ﬁtted carpets and padded headboards. • Put special covers over

your pillows and mattresses. • Wash your curtains every two to three months. • Use a strong suction vacuum cleaner most days • Damp-dust all surfaces regularly • Put soft toys in the freezer for 24 hours to kill mites. • Clean bed linen on a hot washing cycle – at 60C • Children with asthma who sleep in bunk beds would be better off sleeping in the top bunk. • Keep rooms well-aired (mites like warmth).

E-CIGS CAN BE BIG HELP TO MILLIONS

I WAS keen on e-cigarettes from their inception – anything to stop people smoking tobacco and creating second-hand smoking for others.

They could be among the most important health innovations of the 21st century called e-cigs and I don’t believe they’re cigarettes. The World Health Organisation, who is not always right in my opinion, is thought to see them as a threat and may even class them as a tobacco product. This has caused a hue and cry among more than 50 international experts who have petitioned the WHO to leave them be as they could save millions of lives. Electronic cigarettes, which use battery-powered cartridges to produce a nicotine-laced inhalable vapour, have proved popular, with worldwide sales of $3billion in 2013. A move to classify e-cigs along-

side regular cigarettes would push countries to raise taxes, ban advertising, introduce health warnings and curb their use in public places. But 50 researchers and specialists say they should not be regulated the same way as conventional cigarettes. The WHO is preparing to publish recommendations about e-cigs to governments later this year, which would affect the 178 countries who are members of the WHO and are obliged to implement its measures. Experts argue that low-risk products like e-cigs are part of the solution in the ﬁght against smoking, not part of the problem. But critics say not enough is known about the long-term effects of the electronic devices. I’m still in favour of e-cigs although I think the name doesn’t help. It is also a pity they’ve been designed to look like cigarettes.

3 reasons to eat carbohydrates I believe complex carbohydrates should form 60 per cent of our diet.

1 Complex carbohydrates (wholemeal pasta, beans and porridge, for example) are a fantastic source of energy and ﬁbre. 2 They provide your body with energy. Avoid reﬁned carbs such as white sugar because they’ll give you

a quick ‘hit’ of energy followed by an energy slump. Go for complex carbs instead, such as the ones already mentioned, as well as trying to include bananas, lentils, potatoes and wholemeal cereals. 3 Complex carbs are a good source of various vitamins and minerals, which will help to boost the health of your nails, hair, skin and eyesight.

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At the movies... A Walk Among the Tombstones ★★★★★ Directed by Scott Frank Starring Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens and Boyd Holbrook. NEW York, 1999. Unlicensed PI Matthew Scudder is hired by a drug trafﬁcker, unable to go to the police, to hunt down the men who kidnapped and murdered his wife. When you work outside the law, the lines often get blurred. If you've seen the poster and read the synopsis of this ﬁlm you'd be forgiven for thinking that Liam Neeson was back in Taken territory and working on autopilot. Thankfully that is not the case. A Walk Among the Tombstones is an

...with Graham Connors

old school detective thriller that, while often being vicious, is also able to achieve the necessary chills without need of gratuitous violence. Neeson plays Scudder as a man better equipped to talk his way out of a problem than shoot his way out. In many ways this is a grown-up Taken, a thriller for the thinking man. That said, this ﬁlm isn't a dialogue heavy Mensa-minded movie. A Walk Among the Tombstones is a slick and sometimes surprising ﬁlm that provides you with all the chills and spills you'd expect from a serialkiller thriller. Admittedly there is little new here - Neeson has his own demons, he has a sidekick etc - but when a genre movie works as well as this, you leave the blueprint alone. Neeson is hard but likeable in a detective thriller that triumphs where others fail - and yes Jack Reacher, I'm talking to you. Advice – Must-see on the big screen.

Gone Girl ★★★★★ Directed by David Fincher. Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon and Tyler Perry. ON the day of their fifth anniversary, Nick Dunne comes home to find his wife Amy has disappeared. What has happened to Amy, where is she and is Nick involved? Gone Girl is a film adaptation of the very famous novel by Gillian Flynn and if anyone could bring this complex yet thrilling page-turner to the screen then David Fincher (Seven, Zodiac, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) was the only person really capable of doing it. But does he succeed? For the most part yes; Gone Girl is a sharp, complex and very entertaining film, carefully balancing the light and the dark of a psychological thriller. There

Game Reaction

by Dennis Murphy

Madden NFL 15

Developer: EA Tiburon Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4 FIRST off, visually Madden NFL 15 is superb, and perfectly nails the look and bone crushing power of a real NFL match. Thanks to some pretty great physics at play, tackles feel authentic, whether their small nudges that send your player off balance or heavy, hard hitting knocks that take you out completely. This attention to detail is also apparent through the recreation of some of the more famous NFL stadiums out there, as well as the inclusion of NFL Jumbotrons. Though I didn't play much of Madden 25, I found playing in defence to be an incredibly overlooked, but EA have changed this in Madden NFL 15. This is mostly down to the new defensive camera angle implemented here, which leads to the act of playing defence now being a true game changer, rather than a position that solely relies on button bashing and smacking opponents. This feeling of being more in control runs throughout Madden NFL 15, as compared to its predecessor EA have clearly wanted it to make it a more handson, kinetic and physical experience. They have succeeded.

Game reaction: 9/10

are laughs, maybe not where you would expect them though. But the real ace in this film is the casting, Affleck in particular walking the fine line between an innocent man and a suspected murderer. He really is the star of the show. Yet it isn’t a perfect film. When Fincher spends the first 100 minutes building a head of steam, you would expect the final third to explode but unfortunately it does not. The ending is not necessarily disappointing; it’s just not satisfying or what you want after spending the guts of 2½ hours with these characters. While the third act loses the tone and rhythm that had been so carefully constructed, it can’t take from a strong and often chilling film. It’s also good to Affleck acting proper before the madness of his Batman portrayal takes over. Advice – Go see it. No questions!

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Developer: EA Canada Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4 YOU have to hand it to EA, during this yearly season of their biggest releases, almost all of them are top notch. Next up we have NHL 15, a game that while I suspect won't sell great in Ireland, is very much worth the time of any sports fan. Granted ice hockey isn't exactly popular in this country, but NHL 15 offers a superb hockey experience, whether you're a veteran of the series or a complete newcomer. Much like Madden NFL 15, NHL 15 is all about realism, going head-to-head with other players and very much nicely replicates the rough and tumble feel of the sport. Though, compared to NHL 14, it's rather sparse on game modes, at its heart NHL 15 offers insanely slick gameplay, near photo-realistic visuals and some of the best online action I've played in quite some time. Despite the fact that the commentary isn't as varied as it should be, and that numerous animation problems can often screw up gameplay, NHL 15 is a solid addition to the series, and should not be passed up.

Game reaction: 8/10

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Dublin property values are soaring By Martin Flanagan

DUBLIN'S property prices have risen by a quarter in the past year, according to a recent report.

Compiled by Myhome. ie and the Property Price Register, the report found that property prices in Dublin have risen by 25 per cent in the past year to the end of September. Data in the report shows how asking prices continued to grow over the last quarter, by 1.4 per cent nationally and by 3 per cent in the capital. According to the report, prices for the average house grew nationally by 1.1 per cent over the past 12 months, while the asking price for a property in Dublin grew by 9.6 per cent over the same period. The average asking price nationwide is now around €193,000 and for a property in the capital it is €263,000. The report's author, Caroline Kelleher from DKM Economic Consultants, said the ﬁgures highlight

■ Only 500 homes were built in the ﬁrst quarter

ongoing supply issues and the widening price gap between the capital and the rest of the country. "The supply problem in Dublin is continuing to drive price increases. "There were only 500 completions in the capital in Q1 and, given that the Housing Agency has forecast a requirement of 5,700 units in Dublin alone this

year, it is clear the current rate of completions falls signiﬁcantly short. "As a result our expectation is that prices will continue to rise over the coming months," Ms Kelleher commented. She added: "It is interesting to note that the difference between asking prices in Dublin and nationally has accelerated

further this quarter to 36 per cent. The figures also show that the bigger the house the bigger the price gap. This difference now is marginally higher than at the peak of the market. We are entering a key period for the market and this will determine whether or not decisive progress is made on the measures contained in Construction 2020." Meanwhile, Angela Keegan, managing director of Myhome.ie, said the report's findings underline the need for Government to address the need for new housing. "The market is showing signs of returning to normality and we don’t want to see investors competing with first time buyers when there is already a shortage of stock in the market. The return to a normal functioning market will be a long one and as we can see from the current supply pressures in Dublin and elsewhere will require concerted action from a range of bodies and institutions."

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ONE TOUGH KUGA With an extra special driving experience

THE original Ford Kuga SUV was an instant sales hit for Ford, mainly thanks to its excellent driving characteristics – so much so, that it actually felt more like a Ford Focus than a midsized SUV.

KUGA Factbox ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

2 or 4 Wheel Drive Up to 53 mpg Co2 emissions from 139g/km Priced from €29,995 On sale now

Well the good news is that the new model Ford Kuga has lost none of the appeal of the previous model, but has built on its strengths to provide drivers with an extraspecial driving experience every time they take to the road (or track – in the case of the 4WD edition). Packed full of innovative features, the new Kuga takes SUV styling and technology to a whole new level. Available from just €29,995, the new Kuga is Ford’s smartest SUV yet, with Titanium models available with Ford ‘Sync’, which reads out text messages and gives the driver hands-free control of their music, phone calls and much more. For drivers of the new Kuga 4WD, an intelligent All-Wheel Drive sys- ■ The new Kuga is packed with innovative features tem adapts to terrain and options – all in 2.0 litre that I always liked on Ford’s range of cars is the weather conditions in an turbo-diesel guise. Power outputs of ‘Quick-Clear Windscreen’ instant, for complete driv115PS, 140PS and 163PS which does come as stander conﬁdence. My test car was the new are available with the two ard on the new Kuga and it Kuga 4WD (163PS) in higher outputs in manual means that just a touch of a ‘Titanium S’ spec, and was or automatic transmission. button is all that is needed Emissions for the entire to clear your screen fully ﬁnished in dazzling white, which drew plenty of ad- new Kuga range are from within seconds. 139g/km to 162g/km while miring glances. The new Kuga comes There are two trims lev- fuel consumption as low as with Torque Vectoring els available; Zetec and Ti- 5.3l/100km is achievable. Control which balances tanium, with three engine One excellent feature the amount of power and

braking delivered to each of the two front wheels to maximise grip and sharpen handling. Standard features across the new range include cruise control, daytime running lights, front fog lights, quick-clear windscreen, 17” alloys, twin exhaust, power start button, one-touch fold-ﬂat rear seats, hill-start assist and many other features. Titanium spec adds Ford Sync with emergency assist, SONY Radio/CD with 9 speakers, auto wipers & lights, part leather trim, dual-zone aircon & more. Boot space in the new Kuga is up 82 litres on the previous model, so if you are looking for a spacious new mid-size SUV this new car should be on your shortlist.

MERC UNVEILS AMG GT MERCEDES Benz has taken the covers off their AMG GT to reveal what sports car enthusiasts might well regard as a stunningly attractive successor to their SLS and a potent rival to all who lay claim to the premium sports car segment. The 4litre twin turbo V8 GT, with its front mounted engine, rear wheel drive and lightweight aluminium body, is being produced in a powerful 530bhp GTS version initially.

This will be followed soon afterwards in a slightly more reﬁned 456bhp version. Both will be available to Irish buyers from mid 2015, with the GTS arriving in May followed two months later by the GT. Though prices will only ever be quoted at time of ordering, it is expected to arrive on the market here at just under €200,000 for the GT version.

Informer THE

MOTORING

DUBLIN

Motoring

Declan Glynn

Do not penny pinch on your tyres

THE cost of motoring is on the increase - due to high fuel costs, ever-rising road tax and insurance costs. However, pennypinching Irish motorists are throwing caution to the wind when it comes to their tyres. A recent survey has shown that one in six are risking their, and other road users, safety by running on tyres that are at, or below, the minimum legal thread depth. This survey of Irish motorists coincides with a UK survey showing that almost 50 per cent of the driving public do not know what the minimum legal tread depth is. The Irish survey shows that 16.7 per cent

of motorists were driving on tyres at, or below, the legal tread depth of 1.6mm. Independent tests have shown that cars driving on the 1.6mm limit demonstrate a dangerous lack of control in cornering and greatly increased stopping distances on both wet and dry roads. Another shocking statistic discovered in the survey is that many motorists do not even check the pressure in their tyres. Random checks have shown that 53 per cent of cars were found to be running on tyres with incorrect pressures. Major tyre manufacturers recommend the optimum time to replace tyres is when they reach a tread depth of 3mm. Don’t gamble with your car’s tyres – check them today.

October 2014

it, buy it, THE BEST, Find sell it in the BETTERED

Informer THE

■ A number of new features such as Intelligent Park Assist makes the Qashqai an attractive crossover option

DUBLIN

100,000 PAPERS DELIVERED EACH MONTH TO DUBLIN HOMES

FREE Nissan's new Qashqai has lots of useful technology

BUILT in the UK, designed and engineered in Europe, Nissan’s original Qashqai was the ﬁrst crossover vehicle of its kind to hit the market in 2007.

It has sold more than 20,000 units in Ireland and occupied the top spot on many occasions. Now, the all-new version is here, with prices starting at €24,695. Nissan, when advertising the new Qashqai, use the slogan “the best, bettered” and this is certainly the case. My test car is the lavishly equipped 1.5dCi (turbo diesel) SVE ﬁnished in black metallic paint. I have to say that the car looks fantastic from all angles and the addition of chrome window line surrounds really make the car look special, as the black paintwork and chrome detailing really complement each other perfectly. The new car is bigger, in every respect, than the car it replaces. It is 49mm longer, 15mm lower and 20mm wider while front and rear headroom is increased by 10mm. As has become the norm from Nissan, this car is packed to the roof with useful technology –

QASHQAI Factbox ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Petrol or diesel engines New technology Co2 emissions from 99g/km Priced from €24,695 On sale now

all under the umbrella of Nissan’s patented ‘Safety Shield’. With this system, numerous support aids are incorporated in order to keep the driver alert as to what is happening to the front, sides and rear of the car. Intelligent Park Assist ensures that parking worries are a thing of the past for the new Qashqai driver. Nissan’s Around View Monitor (AVM) assists drivers to park with a better understanding of the vehicle’s surroundings through a virtual bird’seye view from above the vehicle. This AVM processes video from four cameras, displaying the composite footage on the screen as if there is a single bird’s-eye camera right above the vehicle. This system is very effective and has to be seen to be believed. All models in the new Qashqai range come with LED daytime running

lights, electric windows, remote entry key system, six airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, electric parking brake, 5” colour HD screen, cruise control with speed limiter, selectable steering (normal or sport), bluetooth, hill start assist, idle stop-start and many other useful features. Three models are available; XE, SV and SVE with a choice of 3 engines; 1.2 petrol, 1.5 turbo diesel and a 1.6 turbo diesel. Annual road tax on my test car is just €180, due to super-low emissions of just 99g/km – which is testament to Nissan’s innovative engineering skills. Fuel economy is very impressive, with a return of up to 78.5 mpg achievable from the 1.5dCi engine. Nissan have, once again, shot to the top of crossover market. If you are thinking of buying a new crossover vehicle, take the Qashqai for a test drive.

Informer THE

October 2014

DUBLIN

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