Swords

Swords GAZET TE FREE

Irish Olympian discusses basketball way back when SEE PAGE 15 JULY 26, 2012

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Month XX, 2012 SWORDS • BALBRIGGAN • APPLEWOOD • BOROIMHE • AIRSIDE • RIVERVALLEY

INSIDE: Novelist has last word on The Other Woman P8-9

FRIDAY’S GOT TALENT: Lucky contestants set to do battle See Page 7

Wright place, right time: Beauty chases World crown Fingal 10k: O’Doherty wins as thousands run Swords race Page 30

THE WRIGHT Venue was the per-

fect place for friends and family of Miss Wright Venue, Rebecca Maguire, to give her a big send-off as she got ready to take on the world and hopefully bring home the Miss World crown. Rebecca arrived in China on July 18 for a month of filming, training and rehearsals, with the final taking place on August 18.

Picture: Una Williams

Full Gallery on Page 2

Swimming: Murphy ready for London Olympic Games Page 32

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 BUSINESS .....................18 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ......... 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

€2.5m investment for social housing Funds to benefit elderly, homeless and disabled

I NATALIE BURKE

THERE was good news for Fingal this week with the announcement that over €2.5m will be invested in Fingal’s social housing scheme over the next two-and-a-half years.

The news was confirmed

earlier this week by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, who said the funding of €2,534,302 will provide new social housing units, as well as providing homes for people with special housing needs, such as the elderly, the homeless and the disabled.

The funding was welcomed

by Deputy Brendan Ryan (Lab), who said the provision of units for people with special housing requirements has been an important issue over recent months. “This funding announcement will provide local families and individuals with certainty.”

Full Story on Page 5

2 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 July 2012

PRIMARY CARE: SWORDS, BALBRIGGAN SET FOR TWO NEW CENTRES

PARTY Miss Ireland gets ready to take on the world

Health units to benefit community, says Reilly I NATALIE BURKE nburke@gazettegroup.com

PLANS to develop new primary care centres in Swords and Balbriggan will make a substantial difference to the lives of people i n Fi nga l, according to Health Minister James Reilly.

The announcement was made as part of a multi-billion euro stimulus package unveiled by t he G over n ment last week, which also i nclude s sig n i f ic a nt i nvest ment i n roads and schools across the country.

“It w ill come a s a great boost to the people of Dublin Nor th that new primary care centres are planned for Swords and Balbriggan.

The new centres will make a real difference to the way in which the people of Fingal access health care services in the community,” said Minister Reilly.

T he proposed centres are just two of 20 locations across t he country which will be developed using t he Public-Private Partnership mechanism.

Developing the network of primary care centres is a key commitment in the Programme for Government, which sets out to ensure a better and more efficient health system and a single-tier health service that will deliver equal access to health care based on need rather than income.

“Primar y care centres, like the new ones to be provided in Swords and Balbriggan, will be the first point of contact for people who need to access health services in the years ahead. In a developed primary care

system, as envisaged by the Government, up to 95% of people’s day-today health and social care needs can be provided in a community setting,” said Minister Reilly. “ T he ne w cent r e s will make a substantial difference to the lives of people in Fingal. As well as treating illness, the centres in Swords a nd Ba lbr ig ga n w il l help people to care for t hem selves, such a s those with a long-term illness, and it will also help to prevent serious illness from occurring in the first place by providing easily accessible health services in the community.”

T he focu s on pr imary care will not only benefit patients, but is also set to benefit the taxpayer. By allowing patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke and asthma, to be treated near their homes, the health service has the potential to save millions of euro.

With the new centres in place, the Minister a l so a n nou nced t he planned recr uitment of over 270 new staff to work within primar y care sector, which will result in a boost for local job creation. “Key frontline staff will be recr uited, f unded by a special allocation of €20 million which was set aside as part of the HSE’s 2012 National Ser v ice Pla n to f i l l posts in primary care.”

“I look forward to the development of the new primary care centres in Swords and Balbriggan, and to seeing the benefits it brings the local community,” he concluded.

Miss Ireland Rebecca Maguire with her parents Charlotte and Declan. Pictures: Una Williams

The Wright place for a send-off T HE Wright Venue held a send-off for Miss Wright Venue Rebecca Maguire, who was crowned Miss Ireland in April.

Rebecca jetted out of Ireland last week with three suitcases of luggage as she geared up to start

her five-week trip to China for the Miss World competition.

Friends and family were in attendance in the Swords Nightclub to see her off and wish her all the best in what is sure to be an unforgettable trip.

Paul Raymond and Michael Ball

Stephen Baitson and Faye Rooney

Faye Rooney and Michael Sharp, Wright Venue manager

Laura Rice and Michelle Ward

Melissa and Alex Byrne

Michelle Ward, Gerald Ward, Laura Rice, Charles Smith and Rebecca with her parents Charlotte and Declan

26 July 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 3

SERVICES Fingal budget set to fall by over €2 million

Household tax shortfall hits council income I NATALIE BURKE

FINGAL County Council will be forced to make over €2m in cuts to local services this year, as a result of a shortfall in payments of the household charge.

Local authority managers were notified of the announcement earlier this week, when Environment Minister Phil Hogan issued a circular on suggested cuts to all county councils in respect of the Local Government Fund.

FCC will have to deal with cuts of over 10%, reducing the original allocation of €20.4m by €2,181,140.

In a letter to councillors last week, FCC county manager, David O’Connor said that according to the Department of the Environment, the adjustment to the allocation is based on the level of compliance achieved to date (57%), in relation to household charge payments.

The Quarter 3 payment of €5.1 million, which is due this month, will be reduced by €545,285, before the remainder of the proposed reduction is reviewed in time for the Quarter 4 payment later this year.

In the letter, the county manager described the latest announcement as

“extremely bad news”, while local Cllr Peter Coyle (Lab), said the reduction could have “serious ramifications” for local services and employees of the councils.

“A major problem for compliant payers is that they will be asking why they should be impacted by cuts in services. As a local councillor, I am concerned about potential further cuts in services in the current year,” he said.

While local councillors are still unsure how the cuts will be implemented, Cllr Gerry McGuire (Lab) fears that what is left of the summer budget

Cllr Peter Coyle (Lab) is concerned about “serious ramifications” for local services as a result of cuts

could be hit.

“It will be a huge blow, but we are awaiting the manager’s response to see how he intends to deal with this shortfall.

We’re just at the close of the summer period, so I imagine that the beaches could be affected. It’s very hard to pinpoint where

the cuts will be.”

According to Cllr Darragh Butler (FF), it is “very frustrating” for FCC to find further ways to cut costs.

“They’ve put a lot of hard work into reducing costs and saving money and now we’re impacted by this. It’s very hard to

see where further cuts can be made. [The FCC] are clearly struggling in terms of the park areas and maintenance and cutting grass but they have saved money. It’s almost like they’re being rewarded by more reduction for being the good boy in the class.”

FINGAL

Show whets appetite THE inaugural Flavours of Fingal show proved to be a huge success last week, when 20,000 visitors descended on Newbridge Demesne in Donabate.

The show was co-coordinated by Fingal County Council, Fingal Tourism and Fingal Farmers, and was said to be one of the best value family days out in Dublin this summer.

“Flavours of Fingal gave us a wonderful opportunity to showcase Fingal as one of the foremost market gardening areas in the country and to let people see first hand what the farming community here has to offer,” said PJ Howell, director of economic development with FCC. “We were truly blessed with the weather and the huge positive response and great attendance on both days far exceeded our best expectations.”

4 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 July 2012

26 July 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 5

FUNDING 20 units to be acquired or built by 2014

€2.5m to be invested in social housing I NATALIE BURKE

THERE was good news for Fingal this week with the announcement that over €2.5m will be invested in Fingal’s social housing scheme over the next two-and-a-half years.

The news was confirmed earlier this week by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’ Sullivan, who said the funding of €2,534,302 will provide new social housing units, as well as providing homes for people with special housing needs, such as the elderly, the homeless and the disabled.

The funding was welcomed by local TD for

Dublin North, Brendan Ryan (Lab), who said the funding will offer a sense of security and certainty for a number of local families.

“Labour has pledged to protect the most vulnerable in our community and this funding announcement is testament to our commitment to achieve that goal in the housing area. The substantial funds involved will provide long-term, stable homes for elderly, homeless and people with special needs,” he said.

“The provision of units for people with a special housing need is an issue I have worked hard on and have raised with Min-

ister O’Sullivan during recent months. Today’s funding announcement will provide local families and individuals with certainty and security into the future. There is still much work to be done to ensure that these units come online, but I know there is a real will to get cracking on these projects now.”

A total of 20 units will be acquired or constructed in Fingal between now and 2014, with both voluntary groups and the local authority involved in supplying the units.

The initiative will likely see an investment in construction which will also provide a much-needed

TD for Dublin North, Brendan Ryan (Lab) welcomed the funding

boost to the local economy.

The Fingal funding is part of a larger investment which gives the green light for the total provision of over 800 new social and voluntary housing units across the country, at a cost of approximately €100m.

According to the

announcement made

by Minister O’Sullivan, some €35m of the total allocation has been earmarked for the voluntary housing sector, with plans to potentially provide 377 housing units under the Capital Assistance Scheme. In addition, a further €65m for the purchase of an

estimated 246 houses and construction of 185 houses was allocated under local authority social housing.

“Against the backdrop of a very challenging fiscal climate, I am particularly pleased to be able to provide €100 million in capital funding at this time,” she said.

TABLE QUIZ

Raising funds for sick boy T H E FA M I LY o f a 12-year-old Balbriggan boy, who suffers from a rare genetic disease called Sanfilippo Syndrome, are holding a fundraiser on Friday, July 27, at 9.30pm at the Hamlet Inn. The Pilipenko family will be hosting the table quiz in aid of their son, Nikita, and are calling on the local community to help support the cause.

Sanfillipo Syndrome is a rare and terminal genetic disorder which is often not apparent at birth, but signs and symptoms develop with age. Funds raised at the table quiz will go towards treating Nikita, and tickets are €5 per person.

A raffle will be held on the night with a chance to win dinner for two at the Bracken Court Hotel. For more information, log on to www. hopeforenikita.org

6 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 July 2012

HOGAN: MINISTER PLANS TO ACT SWIFTLY TO HELP HOMEOWNERS

CRIME: MAN HAD “ISSUES WITH HIS EMPLOYER”

Gardai call was ‘revenge’ told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that gardai received a call from Nalecz saying he was being assaulted.

When they arrived at the house, Nalecz invited them upstairs and said he wanted to show them something.

Gda Clarke said there were silver ventilation tubes going into two bedrooms of the house.

In the master bedroom, there was a large tent set up with 30 mature cannabis plants growing under lighting and heating rigs.

In the second bedroom there was a similar set-up with 24 plants at sprouting stage.

Nalecz told gardai, after he and a second man at the house were arrested, that he had been looking after the plants and the other man was the organiser and financier of the operation.

Fine flavours: Megan and Ewan horse around Newbridge Demesne MEGAN and Ewan Dale were just two of the revellers who took in the sights, sounds and tastes of the Flavours of Fingal Festival which took place last weekend in Newbridge Demesne. The Flavours of Fingal Show combined the sights and sounds of an agricultural show with an unforgettable food and family fun experience. The farm section of the two-day show featured a programme of livestock and sheep competitions, equestrian contests and other agricultural displays.

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A POLISH man who called gardai to the house where he was tending cannabis plants worth €21,600 and who had “difficulties with his employer” has been given a one-year sentence.

Jakub Nalecz (30), of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to cultivating cannabis at Boroimhe Beech, Swords on December 29, 2011.

He has no previous convictions.

Judge Martin Nolan said it seems the motivation for calling the gardai to the house was “difficulties with his employer” and he had decided to “wreak vengeance for the way he was treated”.

He imposed a oneyear sentence which he backdated to the date of the offence when Nalecz went into custody.

Garda Leonard Clarke

Pyrite report outlines solution

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I NATALIE BURKE

nburke@gazettegroup.com

A PYRITE report published by the Government last week has provided a roadmap to resolution for distraught homeowners across the country.

The P yrite Panel Report contains 24 recommendations providing the Environment Minister, Phil Hogan, with a distinct outline of how a solution to the issue might progress.

Local TD and Health Minister James Reilly welcomed the report, saying the issue has caused distress to many families across Lusk, Rush, Balbriggan, Swords and Malahide, whose homes have been affected by the structurally damaging mineral used in their foundations.

“Many of my constituents in Dublin North have been affected by the horrific complications caused by pyrite in their homes. The problem was caused through no error on their part and I greatly appreciate Minister Hogan’s determination to deal with the problem.”

The report states that homeowners are in no way culpable for the pyrite issue, and has listed builders / subcontractors, vendors, material suppliers and insurers amongst those responsible.

Minister Hogan intends to move quickly on the report and has already begun a series of meetings with key stakeholders. In the event that a solution is not forthcoming, he has suggested that a levy be applied to

the relevant industry sectors to cover the costs of rectifying affected homes.

The report also outlines measures to be taken to prevent similar issues occurring in the future.

Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell also welcomed the report, saying it is a “positive step forward”.

“My home tested positive for pyrite seven years ago, along with hundreds of others in north County Dublin and thousands of others across the country,” he said.

“This is a positive step forward, one that will get the ball rolling for a lot of homeowners who have been shunned by developers or insurance companies. These organisations will now be compelled by the Government to play their part in the testing and rebuilding of homes.”

The report identified 74 estates nationwide, including 12,250 dwellings, as possibly being affected by pyrite, with the only recognised method of solving each issue costing an estimated €45,000.

The report has recommended that all relevant stakeholders across the industry, including the construction industry, banking sector, insurance industry and quarries, be compelled to bear the cost of repairing pyrite-affected homes. It also recommends the establishment of a standardised testing regime.

Further information is available by calling the newly-established helpline on 1890 800 800, or by emailing py r i t e i n f o r m a t i o n @ environ.ie.

26 July 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 7

CONTEST Lucky contestants set to do battle

Tidy town clean-up called for

Get ready for Friday’s Got Talent final I NATALIE BURKE

THE Swords branch of TGI Friday’s are serving up a different kind of fare, with the final of their Friday’s Got Talent contest set to take place next week.

The brand new talent competition, based on TV talent shows The X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, held auditions earlier this month seeking out songwriters, solo acts and bands to take part in a grand final to be held at the Airside Retail Park restaurant.

The competition is being held in aid of the Ross Nugent Foundation, in conjunction with

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

‘It was massively difficult to decide who went through from the auditions and this is the first time we’ve ever done anything like this’

A whole host of talent will be on display for the final

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

Salt Studio, Music Maker and Movies@Swords.

Following the auditions held on July 14, a number of lucky contestants went on to compete in the semi-final, held on July 25.

With the grand final due to be held on Wednesday, August 1, the lucky winner will be in with the chance of walking away with a recording and mentoring

package from Salt Studio, and €2,000 worth of musical equipment from Music Maker.

“It was massively difficult to decide who went through from the auditions and this is the first time we’ve ever done anything like this,” said Audrey Walsh, manager of the Swords restaurant and planner of the event.

“When it came to doing something differ-

BALBRIGGAN

ent for the restaurant, I wanted to do something with a bit of a bang.

“I’m a massive fan of X-Factor and American Idol and fancy myself as a bit of a Simon Cowell.

Well, maybe I’d be a bit softer, like Louis Walsh maybe.

“People would often tell me I’m in the wrong job and that I should be a talent scout because I normally pick the winner from the beginning audi-

tion stages, so I’d have an ear for it,” said Audrey.

With the youngest auditioned being just 11 years old, Audrey said the talent on display, even at the early stages of the competition, was very impressive.

“The talent that came through the door would have knocked you over.

I was expecting to have to find one or two good people, but every single person who walked

through the door could sing.”

The judges for the final include the owner of Salt Studio, Frank Kearns, general manager of Music Maker, John-Paul Prior, and the head of the Ross Nugent Foundation, Don Nugent.

“Whoever wants to come along can come in and have a few drinks.

There will be spot prizes on the night too,” Audrey said.

BALBRIGGAN Tidy Towns are calling on the local community to help spruce up the town in a big clean-up effort this weekend.

Volunteers are asked to join the Tidy Towns committee on Saturday, July 28, to help weed the newly-landscaped seating area opposite the church and ensure the town is looking its best.

With the judging for the national Tidy Towns competition currently under way across the country, the Balbriggan committee has spent the last few months hard at work.

T he clean-up will begin from 11am and anyone interested in taking part is welcome to turn up on the day.

Gloves, trowels and other gardening tools would be useful but tools can be provided by the committee on the day.

8 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 July 2012

BOOK LAUNCH Novelist Siobhan McKenna launches her

Fans get hands on The Other Woman ANS of novelist Siobhan McKenna were in for a treat recently when she launched her second novel, The Other Woman, at Dubray Books.

Columnist and journalist Amanda Brunker had the task of launching the book to the delight of fans who were eagerly waiting to get their hands on a copy as well as having a chat with the author herself and getting it signed.

Following the success of Siobhan’s debut novel The Lingerie Designer, which was nominated for an IBA award, her new book has all the novel ingredients it takes for sweet success.

The Other Woman features a heady mix of chocolate and wine, largely set in the vineyards of Italy and the captivating landscape of Kenya.

The main characters, soon find it is impossible to awaken one set of senses without arousing the others.

F

Paula Moriarty, Martina Mahady and Amanda Brunker. Pictures: Una Williams

Karen McKay and Sarah Harper

Schuyler Shannon, Emer Dillon and Martina Ryan

Dermot Whelan and Siobhan McKenna

26 July 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 9

second publication, The Other Woman, at Dubray Books

Siobhan O’Connor, Adrienne Hanlon and Susan Glynn

Audrey Reynolds and Joanna Costello

Siobhan McKenna and Amanda Brunker

Tina Donoher, Zoe Giltrap and Elaine McKenna

Richard Stearn, producer of the Morning Show and Siobhan McKenna

Bernadette O’Brien and Maria Smith

10 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 July 2012

FOOD Delicious new Domino’s Mexicano range is launched

Ally Garvey

Manners Oshafi and Emma Waldron

New pizzas’ launch a tasty treat for all

UCK’S Townhouse was a suitably hot venue for the launch of Domino’s Mexicano range of pizzas, with a sizzling fiesta party creating a deliciously tasty start for the new line.

Fashionistas and foodies rubbed shoulders at the party, keen to sample

B

Kady O’Connell

the Mexicano fare, with the venue transformed into a Mexican-themed hacienda, complete with pinata, sombreros and a Mariachi Azteca band.

Margaritas and beers completed the mood, while the guests tucked into the tasty samples. The chicken and beef Mexicano options are com-

Cathy O’Connor and Corina Gaffey

Sean Montague and Brendan Scully

bined with chorizo, red and green chillis, tomatoes, onions, 100% mozzarella and a sour cream drizzle on Domino’s classic crust, while the veggie includes a sweetcorn and spinach variation, along with the delicious toppings – all combining to create a real Mexican treat.

Ella Goodwin

Conor Pope and Sonia Harris

26 July 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 26 July 2012 Commercial Feature

Personal pregnancy care at the Rotunda Private Clinics

THEATRE Hard work and

Well, the I PAUL HOSFORD phosford@gazettegroup.com

Dr Ronan Gleeson, Consultant

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REJECTION is a part of life most people try their best to avoid. Defence mechanisms and rationalisations for avoiding situations in which it may arise are carefully constructed.

But, for a brave few, rejection becomes a way of life. For actors and actresses, there is a repetitive cycle of rejection from auditions, call backs and reviews.

Rather than be a hostage to this cycle, Malahide-born actress Suzanna Geraghty wrote a onewoman play based on her experiences on the New York audition circuit.

The result is Auditions, Zoe’s Auditions, an hilarious look at the desperation and delusion of Zoe, an aspiring actress who dreams of landing an acting job.

Zoe, who is overly enthusiastic and eager to please, is prone to a series of mishaps and misadventures that lead casting directors to shout, “Next!”

He r ov e r - t he - h i l l agent sends her on an assortment of auditions ranging from Hamlet to Riverdance, to being shot out of a cannon for

Suzanna Geraghty

a touring circus.

Just as she is ready to give up, she falls asleep at her job working backstage on a production of A Christmas Carol and is visited by three audacious ghosts – of her past, present and future – who have startling wisdom to pass on to her.

The play comes to the Mill Theatre this week, starting on Thursday, July 26, and runs until Saturday, July 28.

The play has already proven to be a huge hit in New York, where it won the audience award at the United Solo Theatre Festival, which celebrates one-person shows from all over the world.

Suzanna is excited to get to perform the piece on home soil, and says that the play’s success comes purely from having a likeable character.

“Audiences seem to like Zoe and take to her very easily.

“They love her resilience. It’s not that she’s willing to put herself up for things time and again, it’s that she gets knocked down time and time again and manages to get back up every single time.

“She’s so full of hope and she genuinely can’t see why people who

have so much, so much that she would love to have, don’t appreciate it more.”

Having spent a number of years on the New York theatre circuit herself, Suzanna says that the character is not fully autobiographical, but that it came from a natural place.

“The character resonates with me. I spent 16 years as an impoverished actress in New York.

“The actors’ union, Actors’ Equity, have ensured that shows must audition actors for shows, regardless of whether or not the roles are filled.

“So, you get to the 46th Street office at 5.30am and line up in queue that goes around the block to be among the 230 people who get two minutes’ audition time.

“It was there that the character of Zoe came about. I would do auditions of scenes from Zoe and make up a writer of the play.

“My friends loved the character and urged me to write a play for her, but I always felt that was something I couldn’t do.”

Suzanna’s hesitance to write the play came not from a fear of failure or rejection, but from

26 July 2012 GAZETTE 13

perseverance pay off for this actress turned writer

show must go on...

Suzanna’s own struggles with dyslexia, a condition she was diagnosed with one year before sitting her Leaving Cert.

“I always thought that I just wasn’t that bright, but that I’d work harder than everyone to get by.

“Then, when I was diagnosed, it was like some teachers had just given up on me. I was told not to apply for college, as I wouldn’t be accepted.”

Undeterred, Suzanna applied and was accepted to Bard College in New York. There, she received Deans List honours, never telling anyone of her learning difficulties and using her acting and sporting talents to overcome her dyslexia.

“Bei ng a n act ress helped. The words I used were muscular and characters say and do things.

That stops words being

just characters on a page.

It took the scariness away from it all.”

For now, Suzanna is based in New York, where she will return to be part of the encore showings of the play at the United Solo Theatre Festival, a section reserved for the biggest hits of the festival, but she does say she would like to come home.

“I’m trying to base myself here, but nobody knows who I am!

“I’m very entrepreneurial and want to do my own work.

“I never expected any of this, but Zoe is getting a great reaction.

“I have a fantastic team that I have worked with who are unbelievably brilliant. I’m extremely grateful to have gotten this far.

“I just could’ve done without the poverty!”

Geraghty performing as Zoe whom she came up with while working as an actress in New York

CHARITY

Zombies wanted for a walk I LAURA WEBB lwebb@gazettegroup.com

BEWARE – zombies are set to take over the streets of Dublin at this year’s Zombie Walk, which takes place on Saturday, August 4, at St Stephen’s Green’s Leeson Street entrance.

Gathering times will be announced closer to the date, and zombies of all ages are allowed to take part. All “zombies” or people – are asked to do is have fun and dress up while walking, shuffling and moaning through the streets while raising money for charities.

Last year’s Zombie Walk attracted hundreds of wannabe undead, with some people simply painting their faces white, while many others used prosthetics to create a frightful and very realistic look.

For further information, see www.dublinzombiewalk.com.

14 GAZETTE 26 July 2012

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Aine Lawlor, RTE Morning Ireland presenter and breast cancer survivor meets two young Florence Nightingales – aka four-year-olds Annika Morris and Lucy O’Neill – at the launch of Boots’ partnership with the Irish Cancer Society as the company’s chosen Charity of the Year

Dublin’s Boots steps up to support cancer RTE Morning Ireland presenter, and breast cancer survivor, Aine Lawlor, was on hand to support the launch of Boots’ partnership with the Irish Cancer Society as the company’s chosen Charity of the Year for 2012/13.

The partnership will support people living with cancer in Ireland, and aims to help increase awareness, promote prevention, and raise vital funds to support the Irish Cancer Society’s nursing services.

To mark the launch of the partnership, Boots’ employees and customers from their 24 Dublin stores are participating in a series of Boots Night Walks for Night Nurses, which are taking place across the country on Wednesday, August 29.

All money raised will be invested in the Night Nurse service that is provided free of charge by the Irish Cancer Society to patients in their home.

For further information about the Irish Cancer Society, Boots Ireland’s Charity of the Year partnership, and the upcoming Boots Night Walks for Night Nurses event, visit your local Boots store or see www. irishcancer.ie.

DIARY

It is closed on Mondays.

For further information, call 01 478 9090.

Motor on over to a Your chance to see taxi’s booking app Jimi Hendrix shots WILD things should be flocking in a purple haze to the Ebow Gallery on Castle Street, Christchurch in the coming weeks, after it secured an exclusive exhibition of Jimi Hendrix photographs by legendary snapper, Gered Mankowitz.

In the exhibition, which is entitled Experience Hendrix, Mankowitz captures the powerful image of the legendary ’60s guitarist in many different but always striking ways.

Not only enthusiasts can go along and witness the genius of Mankowitz’s art, but they can also buy a number of limited edition pieces which are available for collectors to snap up. Experience Hendrix opened last week and continues until Sunday, August 12.

The Ebow Gallery is open from 12pm to 5pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and from 12pm until 8pm on Thursday.

DUBLIN taxi company Global Taxis have launched the first and only taxi booking app for smartphones.

The free Click A Taxi app uses your GPS location and a user-friendly interface to enable people in Dublin to book a taxi on the go.

Working through partnerships with local taxi providers, the app is a way for local people to book a taxi, as well as providing holidaymakers and business people an easy way to arrange their travel around Dublin.

Once the Click A Taxi app is downloaded, users can book a taxi in any area of the country, throughout Britain and, by the end of the year, in most of Western Europe and the United States.

The app is available to download via www.clickataxi.com, and at the Android and iPhone app stores.

26 July 2012 GAZETTE 15

OLYMPICS An interesting talk on days gone by

Irish Olympian discusses basketball way back when I STEPHEN FINDLATER sfindlater@gazettegroup.com

RECALLING the legendar y feats of some of his peers, for mer Irish Olympian Harry Boland gave a fascinating insight into the way athletes prepared for the Games in days gone by when he spoke at the official launch of the Irish Competitors at the Stockholm Olympics 1912 exhibition in Swords last week.

A century ago, with Ireland not yet an independent state, it could not send its own Olympic team, but this did not prevent a number of Irish-born athletes competing.

The exhibition, curated by Colm McQuinn, details how nine individual sportsmen and one cycling team found a way to take part, representing the US, Great Britain and South Africa, and going on to win three gold and one silver medal.

1912 was the first time the Games took place in London, before it returned to the English capital in 1948.

A basketball international, Boland is among 11 surviving members of the Irish contingent from those later London Games, and his talk gave a fascinating snapshot into how the Games have changed.

Recalling the story of Pat O’Callaghan, a twotime hammer gold medallist, he said:“He used to do his day’s work, cycle to a meet; throw the hammer, win [the event], of course, dance all night and then cycle home the next morning.

“That was his training for the Olympics. When you consider the way training is done nowadays, it’s a totally different story.”

For Boland, he modestly suggests he and the Irish basketball team he represented went to the games more by accident

Fingal Mayor Cian O’Callaghan (Lab), 1948 Olympian Harry Boland, and archivist Colm McQuinn

than design.

An impressive hurler, winning a Dublin senior club championship with UCD, he was coaxed to play basketball by Father Horan at Belfield and duly got noticed enough

to answer a call to take part in the Games.

Beset by the aftermath of World War II, London was not the glamorous proposition that greets the athletes this week.

“I became one of the only civilians on the Irish team which went straight to the 1948 Olympics in London.

“If there had been any qualifying competition before you entered like

there is now, I don’t think we’d have got there.

“We were selected at the last moment. When I consider all the preparations now and all the competition that goes into selecting a team, ours was an extraordinary situation.

Boland ended up being one of just two non-military men to be selected, a connection that ensured that Ireland managed to get a full set of equipment for the trip.

“That was the kind of scene that prevailed.

We had no outfits so the army loaned us shorts which we had to give back again.”

He freely admits his

side were “completely outclassed” but is quick to add “we had a great time of it; saw a lot of the other events.

“It was a wonderful time. I can’t consider myself an Olympic hero but the fact remains, I was there!”

The Irish Competitors at the Stockholm Olympics 1912 exhibition is available to view in the Fingal Local Studies and Archive in Clonmel House, Forster Way, Swords over the next few weeks.

It is also on display in the County Council of fices on the Grove Road in Coolmine and in Swords.

MUSIC

Calling all gospel choirs ORGANISERS are calling on Dublin gospel choirs to get involved in the first-ever Kilkenny International Gospel Choir Festival, which will take place from August 30 to September 2.

Festival founder and Kilkenny Gospel Choir director Fr Willie Purcell, wants gospel choirs to sign up and sing with hundreds of others during the weekend of music.

The choirs will partake in three days of musical activities, with concerts and performances planned for various venues. The festival’s grand finale at Kilkenny Castle is set to see more than 1,000 voices come together.

For further information, see www.kilkennygospelchoirfestival.com.

16 GAZETTE 26 July 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods THE 2012 Olympic Games kick off in London this Friday (July 27) and all the competitiveness in the air is making me think about the rockers who run rings around manufactured artists and reality TV bands.

In fact, if rock had an Olympic Games, there are many deserving candidates: just don’t test for any illegal substances! The Rolling Stones should be given gold for going the distance, and overcoming a few hurdles along the way, as they celebrate an historic 50 years in music this month.

Another medal needs to go to musical heavyweight Bruce Springsteen who shook the capital last week with two nights of tireless rocking out at the RDS. The Boss didn’t disappoint with both sets at well over three hours and, unlike his London gig the previous weekend, no one pulled the plug.

In fact, Springsteen had his own “power switch” on stage to make sure that didn’t happen, not to mention the “British bobby” who mockingly tried to shut the gig down.

Actually, give Bruce bonus points for having the craic.

Also at these fantasy games, a posthumous medal must be awarded to Jon Lord for his contribution to music. The keyboardist passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer last week at the age of 71. He was a founding member of Deep Purple and co-wrote many of their songs. He also played with Whitesnake as well as cropping up to play with other well-known bands such as The Kinks on their massive hit, You Really Got Me. And if the sporting aspect of the Olympic Games doesn’t float your boat, the good organisers of the games are putting on starstudded concerts as part of the opening and closing ceremonies, with another medal-worthy candidate: Paul McCartney last on stage at this week’s opener.

Now as we know in all Olympic Games there are winners...and there are losers. The Spice Girls are set to reunite for a performance at the Games’ closing ceremony. Anyone who sits through that deserves a medal.

Deep Purple’s Jon Lord, who passed away last week

EXCLUSIVE: SAVIOURS OF ROCK N ROLL, GASLIGHT ANTHEM

Keeping the Gaslight shining strong and true I PAUL HOSFORD

“YOU KNOW it’s funny, I actually don’t own a single record by any one of those bands.”

Bruce Springsteen, The Replacements, Tom Petty – Alex Rosamilia, the guitarist from The Gaslight Anthem, has heard the comparisons innumerable times before, but they are hard to avoid.

The New Brunswick, New Jersey band have just released their fourth album, Handwritten, and the comparisons with another New Jersey rock hero has become an all too familiar fallback for the music media.

But, Rosamilia is a neophyte when it comes to The Boss, and doesn’t even own a Replacements CD, preferring “stargaze-y Britpop” in the vein of The Cure and The Smiths. The muchvaunted Jersey sound, Rosamilia says, is a media creation.

“There is no ‘Jersey rock’ sound. That’s not a thing that we set out to achieve, and it’s something that the media has come up with, I think.

“We don’t tr y too hard to sound like any one thing. We play and what comes out is what we sound like.”

The Gaslight Anthem, with guitarist Alex Rosamilia pictured far right

The album, a follow up to 2010’s American Slang, sees the band return to the more raw feel of their 2008 breakthrough, The ’59 Sound, and Alex says that getting the album out feels good.

“It’s great to get it out, but the fact that people listen to our band is a huge perk.

“When we started, we were playing to three people and, last night, we played to around 5,000. That in itself is huge for us.”

The genesis of the album saw the band head

to Nashville and work at the legendary Blackbird studios, with even more legendar y producer, Brendan O’Brien. Off the road for more than half a year, Alex says he didn’t miss playing live any more than he would

from Handwritten is the closer, National Anthem.

A personal, raw showstopper.

“Brian wrote National Anthem in Nashville, in the house we were staying in, and came downstairs, we were all in the

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

“There is no Jersey Rock sound. We don’t try too hard to sound like any one thing. We play what we sound like” --------------------------------------------------------------

the studio, but that being on the road for so long does take its toll.

“I like them both, I’m a straight down the middle man. It’s like which do you prefer, apples or oranges? They’re both awesome for completely different reasons.

“I’m getting older, so things are starting to hurt a little bit more!

But we’re not real partiers and I think that’s where a lot of the pain comes from; not treating your body right during the day.

“We go through way more water and seltzer than beer.”

The early standout

living room area. He played it for us and asked did we want to work on it and we were like ‘no, that song is done.’

“He thought that we would work on it, but it was done the way it was.”

Bringing O’Brien on board was an easy decision for the band, with the legendary producer having worked with such stars as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Pearl Jam. “He has been subconsciously producing us for 20 years. He has worked with so many of the bands and records that we grew up with.

“If you look at a band like Mastodon, who I love, they had the same producer until they got on a major label. And when they did, they went for Brendan.

“If it’s cool for Mastodon, it’s cool for us!”

As for personal adoration, it’s not something the modest guitarist actively courts.

“It’s weird. I don’t understand why people like me that much.

I don’t like me that much!

“I don’t understand the idol worship of musicians. I do understand the respect as musicians, but I don’t see why you should become a demigod. It’s a mental state that I’ve never been a part of. I’m flattered by it, but I’ve never been part of that mindset.”

As for how the band are doing in terms of the band’s stated goal of reclaiming rock and roll, Rosamilia is content.

“I’m sitting on a bus in America, talking to you in Ireland about my band. I think we’re doing pretty well.”

26 July 2012 GAZETTE 17

R1

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY

Edited by Laura Webb

Victoria spices up autumn with her latest collection SHE first appeared in the public eye as one-fifth of a girl band who would go on to break chart records, but now Victoria Beckham is showing her own girl power in the fashion world as she launches her seventh season at Brown Thomas.

Her 12-month-old daughter, Harper, may have stolen the spotlight around the world, when she was pictured making her first steps in public at the BT event, but the designer mum certainly held her own looking chic and relaxed in black with a tousled upstyle.

Last week was the first time the style icon visited Brown Thomas in Grafton Street to promote her two womenswear collections

– Victoria Beckham and Victoria, Victoria Beckham.

Arriving at her showroom at the flagship store, Victoria was met by a

of her clothing line have continued to impress the designer.

“It’s doing really well.

Brown Thomas has been one of my retail partners

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

Being a mother of four, it wasn’t surprising to see her going down to a child’s level, kneeling to chat to one of her little fashionista fans

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

crowd of fans who she was happy to chat and pose with. Being a mother of four, it wasn’t surprising to see her going down to a child’s level, kneeling to chat to one of her little fashionista fans.

Brown Thomas was one of the first stores to stock her collection and sales

right since the beginning, so to be here and support them, and just meet people – I’m quite overwhelmed.

The turn-out is absolutely incredible,” she told reporters at the event.

The designer said she feels blessed with her life, having a great family while also being able to work at

something she loves – fashion design.

The fashionista went on to praise Irish women for their sense of style saying “women here really do understand fashion” and are “fashion forward”.

Commenting on her stunning collection, Victoria told reporters that she moved away from the strong military influence her collection had last year but continues to remain respectful to her image and brand by giving a “very strong fashion message” each season.

Her new line is just as svelte and chic as the designer herself and has some amazing figure hugging dresses. See the collection at Brown Thomas now.

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Want to look like Dita Von Teese?

Victoria Beckham launches her seventh season at Brown Thomas

EVER wanted to mirror Dita Von Teese’s signature look? Then head down to Debenhams in Blanchardstown on Friday, July 27 where celebrity makeup artist, Derrick Carberry, will be recreating that classic look. Dita Von Teese has joined forces with make-up brand ARTDECO for her new collection Art Couture Dita Von Teese Classics. Having a big influence on the collection, the products include her signature red lipstick, black gel liner and fluttering lashes. Derrick Carberry will in Debenhams Blanchardstown on Friday 27 from 3pm until 5pm.

18 GAZETTE 26 July 2012

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Interview: Paul Jacob, Smart Storage on making space out of nothing at all LENDERS BECOME REALISTS Q – I HAVE a tracker mortgage but cannot pay the capital element. The likelihood is that I will not be able to ever pay this capital back. Is my lender going to allow me pay an interest-only amount indefinitely, or am I just kicking the can down the road? Michael – Mount Merrion A - LENDERS are slowly becoming realists. “You can’t get blood from a stone”, and it is more debt reality than debt forgiveness.

With the launch last month of the Personal Insolvency Bill, together with the already implemented Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process with all lenders, mechanisms are now in place to give closure to those who, as you state, may never be able to pay the amount they borrowed.

Time is the key. You have a tracker and, with the ECB rate at an historical low of 0.75%, your monthly interest payments are probably affordable. Your partner may have lost their job, you may have lost your job, or your business may have collapsed.

The lender has to give you time (and dignity) to see whether your income can turn around, or eventually you stop kicking that can – whatever that takes.

Either way, you will be required to complete a Standard Financial Statement, a 12-page form outlining your financial circumstances and expectations.

If you need help with the evaluation process, completing this form or even require representation to your lender or the courts, call 01 278 5555, or email consultation@moneydoctor.ie for details of our advisory services.

ARE SAVINGS BONDS SAFE? Q – WILL my three-year An Post savings bond be safe if the euro fails and we go back to the punt? Will I get my money back? Sorcha – Templeogue A - An Post’s Saving Bond is part of the State Savings managed by the National Treasury Management Agency– they also manage the National Pension Reserve, NAMA and are a Governmentappointed body), and are a direct, unconditional obligation of the Government and are considered sovereign debt, and are ranked equally with all other sovereign debt. There is no expiry to this protection, and the only limitations are the ones imposed by the investment [worth]: - Savings bonds and savings certificates – €120,000 per person; - National solidarity bonds (four-year and 10year) – €250,000 per person; - Prize bonds – no limits.

Remember also that you may withdraw on all investments (bar prize bonds – a little longer) with only seven days’ notice without penalty.

You will, however, miss on the interest that you would have earned.

The punt was exchanged at a rate of 0.787564 to the euro back in 2001. Personally, I do not think the euro will fail but, if by a long stretch of the imagination it did, you can be sure of an equitable exchange rate being employed. As Bobby McFerrin once sang: “Don’t worry, be happy”!

Contact John with your money questions at

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

Solving press-ing problems at home IT ALWAYS seems that space is at a premium in every home, no matter how much or how little of a hoarder you might be.

Prompted by the growing shoe crisis in their own home, the idea of creating a storage solution that banished bursting drawers and crammed cupboards was developed by husband and wife team, Paul and Clodagh Jacob.

The couple, who are both engineers, initially developed an understairs storage unit when their two young daughters began to follow in their mother’s footsteps and develop an interest in footwear.

Paul needed to devise an easy way to store the growing “shoe mountain”.

Smartstorage.ie’s units provide storage for shoes, school bags, ironing boards and other household appliances.

Smart Storage units can be installed in just a couple of hours so minimum fuss for a busy family.

Paul recently appeared on RTE Dragons’ Den and had the dragons fighting to invest in Smart Storage, and eventually accepted publisher Norah Casey’s offer to invest in the business.

For more information on how Smart Storage might help with your own press-ing problems, log onto their website, www.smartstorage.ie.

Paul Jacob, Smart Storage, shows off an example of his products

Q&A the electric guitar – due to respect for my neighbours, I play with headphones on

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: Back to that electric guitar

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

A: This questionnaire

Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?

A: Got to be Jedward

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: Four pairs – one black, one

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

A: I’m taller than I appear on

Q: What music/pictures/ movies do you have on your iPod/iPad? A: Bruce Springsteen, all the

TV and my teeth are all my own

way

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: Archaeologist

that you once thought you could not pull off?

A: Turning Smart Storage into

Q: What was your first job?

A: Packing potatoes into bags

a vibrant, standalone business

in the back of my aunt’s shop in Waterford

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: £5 for a week’s work of packing potatoes!

Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: Never Q: When did you start your present job?

A: I started Smart Storage in 2010

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: That we are bringing a solution to a problem everyone has – lack of storage space

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

A: I delegate the stocktaking to my wife, Clodagh

Q: Have you achieved anything

Q: What habits would you like to lose?

A: I sometimes have a short fuse

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: I’m a big Munster Rugby fan Q: What sport can you play?

A: Unfortunately, I am too old to play contact rugby, but I love playing tag rugby in Greystones Rugby Club

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

A: My guilty pleasure is playing

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: TheJournal.ie, and other business sites

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

A: My holiday with my family – it’s been a really busy year

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: BBQ with family and friends

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

A: Enda Kenny

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

brown, a pair of flip flops and a pair of runners; my wife and daughters have enough to fill two Smart Storage units

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: A week in Menorca with two sick children in 2004

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: The Whitsunday Islands off the coast the Australia

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: Skipper on a boat off the Whitsunday Islands

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

A: Like my dad, I don’t think I will ever fully retire, as I’m always on the go

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

LOCAL

MATTERS

26 July 2012 GAZETTE 19

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY Four-bedroom finesse at Glenlyon Park PROPERT Y Partners O’Brien Swaine are bringing to the market 9 Glenlyon Park, Knocklyon, a large style fourbedroom, three bathroom detached family home which comes to the market in fine condition throughout, for the asking price of €389,000.

This attractive home has undergone extensive refurbishment in recent years and boasts marble flooring, a large integrated kitchen, two reception rooms, a utility room, four bedrooms, the master of which is en

suite, and a family bathroom. There is also a guest WC, and a private landscaped rear garden.

The accommodation comprises an entrance hallway with laminate wooden flooring, a TV room, a living room with laminate wooden flooring, marble feature fireplace with a timber surround, bay window, TV point, and double doors leading to the kitchen and dining room.

The space contains a modern fully-fitted kitchen with a good range of wall and floor units and marble floor-

ing, as well as an integrated fridge freezer, dishwasher, stainless steel oven, hob and microwave. The room also contains sliding doors to the rear of the property.

The utility room also features marble flooring, and has a worktop, storage presses, and is plumbed for a washing machine and tumble dryer.

The main bedroom features built-in wardrobes, and has an en suite which contains a WC with wash-hand basin and a step-in

9 Glenlyon Park in Knocklyon is brought to the market for €389,000

shower.

The other bedrooms also feature built-in wardrobes.

The main bathroom features a bath with a Mira shower, partlytiled walls and floor, a wash-hand basin and WC. To the front of the

property is off-street parking for two cars, a lawn, and side entrances to the rear of the house, which features a private landscaped rear garden which is not overlooked, a large patio area, raised flower beds and a Barna shed.

Ideally located just a

stone’s throw away from a host of local amenities such as shops, schools and public transport.

Also just a short trip away are SuperQuinn Knocklyon, Rathfarnham, Templeogue and Dundrum. There are also transpor t links such as the 15, 49 and

COMING SOON IN YOUR GAZETTE...

FOCUSING ON SPECIAL NEEDS & DISABILITIES...

I N S I D E YO U R F R E E LO C A L G A Z E T T E T H U R S DAY 2 N D AUU G U ST

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75 bus routes and easy access to the M50 road network.

Viewing of 9 Glenlyon Park is highly recommended and can be arranged by contacting Nichola O’ Connor at Property Partners O’Brien Swaine on 01 457 8909.

20 GAZETTE 26 July 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS Zafira Tourer RoadSigns Road Signs offers some serious space and comfort C-MAX to get EcoBoost engine

FORD are set to offer its C-MAX and Grand C-MAX with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine starting in October this year.

The combination of the award-winning engine and the popular multi-activity vehicle is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

Ford customers will have the option of purchasing a C-MAX and Grand C-MAX with either the 100 PS or the 125 PS versions of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost, which was recently named the 2012 “International Engine of the Year”.

The Ford C-MAX 1.0-litre EcoBoost is expected to deliver 5.1 l/100 km (55.4 mpg) and 117 g/km CO2 across both power outputs, while the Grand C-MAX should achieve 5.2 l/100 km (54.3 mpg) and 119 g/km CO2.

Ford has sold more than 200,000 C-MAX and Grand C-MAX cars in Europe since the latest versions were introduced in 2010; with the two models this year claiming Ford’s largest share of the compact multi-activity vehicle segment since the original C-MAX went on sale in 2003.

The three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine uses turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust to deliver the power of a larger engine with the fuel efficiency of a smaller unit. It is built in Ford’s engine plants in Cologne, Germany, and Craiova, Romania.

More than 4,700 customers across Europe have ordered a Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost in its first full month on sale, accounting for about one quarter of the model’s sales in Ford’s 19 traditional European markets.

Ford predicts that by 2015 more than half of vehicles it produces in Europe for the continent will be powered by EcoBoost engines – also available in 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre displacement.

Updated C-MAX and Grand C-MAX will offer in-car connectivity system SYNC with emergency assistance; and advanced driver assistance technologies active city stop, lane keeping aid, lane departure warning, auto high beam, driver alert and traffic sign recognition.

Customers will also be able to specify Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and Power Tailgate options and the stylish new Burnished Glow colour.

CORMAC CURTIS

IF I had any strength left I would fight the urge to write about the weather, but I just don’t have that strength.

It has finally got the better of me, and I am admitting defeat in the face of a wet and dull foe, the likes of which, with luck, we will never have to face again.

This rain is just relentless.

Earlier in the year, as the cold snap eased and the gas bills began to drop a little, I had visions of sitting in the garden with my laptop, typing away under a parasol as the kids mucked about in the sun.

But no, our summer has forsaken us, the only hope of blue skies and sandy beaches lie across

the channel on mainland Europe.

There is good news for those fortunate enough to get there, as Opel’s new Zafira Tourer offers some serious comfort for cruising down to San Tropez or Nice with a pack of kids and a load of luggage.

I have sung Opel’s praises on a number of occasions this year, as they have made some very sound decisions in their fleet development and pricing.

What Opel are proving with the Zafira Tourer is that they are carefully gearing their model range to very specific segments.

The pricing of the Zafira Tourer alone (starting at €28,495) is an indication that it is not intended as a family

SPECS: ZAFIRA TOURER

Top speed: 193km/hour CO2 emissions: 119 g/ km Road Tax Band: A – Road Tax €160 Entry Price: €30,495 excl options

van all-rounder.

This car packs a lot more punch than that – and besides, as I said a few weeks back, the new Meriva already offers ever y thing a family could want, so why cover old ground.

No, the Zafira Tourer, as its name suggests, has farther horizons in mind for its driver and passengers.

Let’s start with space.

In terms of pure volume there is a total of

Ford’s popular C-MAX Opel’s FlexRail offers storage spaces exactly where needed

1,860 litres of storage space available with the rear seats collapsed, this is 40 litres more than the previous model.

This car really starts to shine when you examine the thought and engineering that has gone in to how all this space is used.

With the Zafira, Opel were determined to achieve maximum flexibility without seat removal, they claim it is the car’s underlying principle – and it’s easy to believe them.

They have extensively re-designed their Flex7 seating system, giving second-row passengers the chance to enjoy firstclass feeling While the third row seats can still be folded down f lush with the floor of the luggage compartment, the second row has been completely re-designed.

There are now three individual seats that can be folded flat creating an even load floor.

More importantly, the passengers in the second row can enjoy the optional lounge seating system.

This is a simple and smart move by Opel that provides generous seating space and comfort like in an upper-class saloon.

Using a clever folding mechanism, the back of

Opel’s new Zafira Tourer

the middle seat in the second row folds down and rotates to offer comfortable armrests for the passengers in the outer seats.

The outer seats also slide 50mm towards the centre of the cabin and thus create more shoulder room, I’m not aware of any other car in this segment offering such flexibility.

What all this translates into is a vehicle that offers not just room, but very generous comfort levels for people who expect better-than-usual levels of luxury – for long and short journeys.

This car will take adults and kids on a long-distance journey across Europe, but, it will also operate just as easily as a corporate limousinestyle transport.

I’ve mentioned it in previous articles, but I must talk about Opel’s nifty FlexRail.

26 July 2012 GAZETTE 21

Edited by Cormac Curtis

RoadSigns Road Signs The upgraded Mazda MX-5

Mazda MX-5 goes on sale in autumn

offers 1,860 litres of storage space

Front seat passengers enjoy a storage system that provides highly versatile, modular multilevel storage occupying the deep space between the two front seats.

In plain English – there is a clever set of storage drawers that can each be easily moved forwards and backwards on a clever rail system

depending on what kind of storage you require.

The SE model that I tested featured attractive polished aluminium rails, reaching from the front centre console back to the rear footwell, plus a practical sliding tray/cup holder.

As you would expect from a premium model, the car comes with plen-

ty of features as standard, including, CD/MP3 player with stereo radio featuring an Aux-in socket and very easy-to-use USB connectivity. The steering wheel features audio controls.

Cruise control features, as does very useful front and rear parking distance sensors.

The model I drove also

featured a mobile phone system with Bluetooth, which is a €357 option.

The engine range on offer for the Zafira Tourer consists of efficient diesel and petrol engines with output from 81 kW/110 hp to 121 kW/165 hp.

A n e s p e c i a l l y l owconsumption ecoFLEX model with a 2.0 CDTI common-rail turbo die-

sel and standard Start/ Stop technology is also on offer.

The Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX, boasts one of the values in the compact monocab class with just 119 g/km CO2.

And this comes with spirited performance of 96 kW/130 hp and maximum torque of 300 Newton metres.

APART from a glorious week back in March when I reviewed the wonderful VW Golf Cabriolet, we haven’t exactly been blessed with open-top driving weather.

So, it makes sense to start planning for next year, and fans of the legendary Mazda MX-5 will be buzzing with the news that there is an all-new model on the way for 2013.

The newly-upgraded version of the world’s most popular open-top sports car is now rolling off the assembly line in Hiroshima and will go on sale in Europe this autumn.

It has enhanced safety and driving attributes, along with exterior and interior upgrades to make its two models – the retractable hardtop coupe and the classic soft-top – even more attractive.

The upgraded MX-5 has a new front bumper design that makes the roadster more aggressive looking and contributes to optimal aerodynamic performance. Irish drivers will also have a beautiful new grey exterior colour available, as the former Metropolitan Grey is replaced with Dolphin Grey. And on the inside, panel decor and matching steering wheel spokes have been upgraded for a touch of refinement.

The MX-5 has always provided one of the world’s most intimate and enjoyable drives, and the upgraded version is now even more responsive to driver input. Throttle movement, and the degree to which the gas pedal is pushed, are now controlled separately. This increases the feeling of linear acceleration, and gives the driver even more control when accelerating from a reduced speed, which is key for driving on windy Irish country roads.

This is combined with revised vacuum brakebooster characteristics that optimise brake return control, which is especially beneficial when the driver brakes upon entering a curve.

New acceleration control then kicks in when the driver lets off the brake and steps on the gas pedal again.

Taken together, these two new upgrades make braking more controllable, acceleration after braking smoother and makes it easier for the driver to reach the desired vehicle speed after braking.

The upgraded Mazda MX-5 will go on sale across Europe in autumn 2012.

22 GAZETTE 26 July 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel

Thomas Cook Sport is offering deals on match breaks to top cities like Manchester

Thomas Cook is offering exclusive match breaks to Barclays Premier League’s biggest games WITH football season approaching and fixtures for the Barclays Premier League now announced, Thomas Cook Sport is offering some exclusive match breaks to the biggest games of the 2012-13 campaign, as the only official ticket supplier in Ireland for the biggest teams across the water.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool FC filled the top eight places in last year’s league, and Thomas Cook Sport is providing packages to see all these teams, as well as being Official Travel Partner to Celtic in Scotland.

Manchester City start their campaign to retain the title on August 18, playing host to newly promoted Southampton. A one-night package, including guaranteed match ticket, is from just €126 per person (flight extra).

Manchester United kick off at Old Trafford against Fulham on August 25, and the Thomas Cook package for €228 includes match ticket, four-star city centre accommodation, match programme, stadium tour, and discount vouchers for both the hotel’s bar and lounge and the United Megastore. The key fixture against Spurs on September 29, also at Old Trafford, is available for €240.

“Euro 2012 will have whetted fans’ appetite for what should be a very competitive Barclays League campaign starting next month,” says John Grehan of Thomas Cook Sport Ireland. “Our packages ensure Irish fans will have the very best opportunity to follow their favourites across the water.”

With over 150 Premier League match breaks on offer, Thomas Cook Sport Ireland enjoys greater access to tickets than other operators in Ireland. Many of its Premier League breaks include free stadium tours, club museum tours, match programmes and discount vouchers for club stores.

All packages include match ticket and accommodation based on two people sharing. Flights are not included. For more information, contact Thomas Cook Sport Ireland on 01 514 0405.

Northern Ireland – a golfer’s paradise STEPHEN FINDLATER

THE story goes that Strandhill in Sligo was once pencilled in to host the world surfing championships.

It seems the turnaround came with the realisation that exposure to the wider world, and the deluge of visitors that would ensue, would leave the village creaking under the increased strain with scant waves to go around.

For Northern Ireland – and the Causeway Coast in particular – the inverse expectations had long been lying latent; a breathtaking golfing region all dressed up but waiting for a party to attend.

Revealing itself to the world, the European Tour’s arrival to Royal Portrush’s Dunluce course proved their moment as the Irish Open came to town with much fanfare.

Fans arrived in their droves, the highest aggregate attendance for the tour flanking the fairways, braving the North Sea’s most rogue and changeable elements.

Indeed, the appetite was such that over 15,000 took in the Pro-Am, a previously unheard of

number, while sold out signs appeared at the gates for the first time in tour history.

But with the tented village now dismantled and the chain of flags lining each street from Bushmills to the course ravelled up, the Northern Irish Tourist Board (NITB) are hoping that the memorable week will create a lasting legacy for visitors.

With good reason: a chip and a putt from the Giant’s Causeway, the oldest Irish distillery and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the top of Antrim offers an idyllic base for an extended golfing trip.

Indeed, the rooms on the sea side of the Causeway Hotel perched atop one of the cliffs overlook the “stones” themselves and the walkway which leads to the UNESCO world heritage site.

A new £18.5m visitor centre at the venue opened this month and is expected to accommodate over 600,000 visitors a year.

What that volume creates is a high quality of hotel and restaurant.

Most to avail of those traditionally seem to be day-trippers.

But there is majesty to entertain those with a

longer term view, traversing the route between Cushendall and Castlerock golf clubs.

Those two way-points provide hidden gems.

The former, nestled at the foot of Glenballyeamon, offers a perfect easing into a four-day stint as the Red Bay waves lead into the River Dall, which meanders its way through the course.

Under 5,000 yards, the attraction lies in the trickery held within, especially on the closing pair of holes, both with the Mull of Kintyre lurking in the eyeline.

Breathtaking

Rolling around the corner of the A2, Ballycastle, with Rathlin Island the feature vista, could provide the next stop but a further 20-minute spin along the breathtaking coast road opens up more bounty.

A chain of four courses dotted around the ruin of Dunluce Castle conclude this ride.

Portstewart’s strand course provides the championship standard challenge, while the old and riverside provide more leisurely fare. All are set in classic links country, the contrast of pinky yellow dunes pro-

viding towering banks to counteract the deep brown brush.

Castlerock is but a few minutes down the Derry road and has a fifth hole described by David Jones as “the most scenic” in Irish golf.

T he jewel in the region’s crown, though, is undoubtedly Royal Portrush. The course, redesigned in 1951, has the elevation to provide clear views of Scotland and, to the west, the Donegal mountains with cliff, sea and island relaxing the eye.

The dunes once again play their part, lending themselves to some of the most devastating bunkers. Green-side, they fall like crevasses while Keegan Bradley – the 2011 PGA rookies of the year – described the fairway-side sand-trap on 17 as being bigger than the house he grew up in.

Since he grew up in leafy, well-to-do Vermont, it is an up close perspective that needs to be seen to be truly appreciated.

Calamity corner – the circuit around holes 13, 14 and 15 – sits on the precipice between cliff and sea. The 14th is a true test of nerve with any drift to the right liable to leave you 50 feet below in

The beautiful Giant’s

a deep ravine.

The New York Times’ writer Charles McGrath described it as the “hardest par three I’ve ever seen” before the closing holes eased him back to reality, away from a chastening sea breeze.

That combination of difficulty and scenic delight has seen Portrush regularly named among the top 20 golf courses in the world by numerous magazines.

And now, introduced to the wider world by last month’s Irish Open, it is very much at large in any self-respecting itinerary of Northern Ireland.

• Green fees for Royal Portrush are £125-140 in summer and £60 in winter.

For more information

on the Causeway Hotel, go to http://www.giantscauseway-hotel.com/.

26 July 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 23

Edited by Natalie Burke

TravelBriefs

The annual Grand Prix of India is a highlight in the Formula 1 calendar this October

Causeway is a great reason to extend your stay when in Northen Ireland for a golfing trip

THE annual Grand Prix of India ranks as one of the highlights in the annual Formula 1 calendar, providing a race-going experience like no other. The 2012 F1 Airtel Indian Grand Prix takes place from October 26 – 28 at the Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, and Gohop.ie has an exclusive offer for racing fans this season.

Racing packages from Gohop.ie start from €749 per person, with views of turns 14 and 15 at the Classic Stand West Zone, €819 per person with views from the Star Stand East Zone (the critical point sharp turn) or €949 per person for views of the largest circular bend of the circuit.

Travelling on October 26, packages include three nights in the five-star Metropolitan Hotel, Delhi on a B&B basis, a Grand Prix Season pass for all three race days, including practice and qualifying sessions as well as transfers from and to Delhi Airport and transfers to the Buddh circuit.

Popular

Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture: Mark Alexander

The Royal Portrush Golf Club which hosted last month’s Irish Open. Picture: Mark

The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge near Ballintoy.

Alexander

Picture: Stephen Findlater

Racing packages also offer you the chance to take in a Golden Triangle Escorted Tour from only €470 per person, taking in a threenight excursion to some of India’s most popular destinations. Witness a guided tour to see the surreal views of the magnificent Taj Mahal sparkling in the rays of the Indian sun in Agra, visit the pink capital city of Rajasthan and the beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture of Fatehpur Sikri.

Explore the many facets of Jaipur and its crafts before visiting City Palace, the architectural masterpiece and must-see destination in Jaipur.

The price of the Golden Triangle Tour includes a chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle for the journey, a local English speaking guide for the sightseeing tour in Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Jaipur, as well as an Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur.

For more information or to book, visit www.gohop.ie.

24 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 July 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Pavilion Theatre Music Weekender

FOR one weekend, the Pavilion Theatre will play host to three of the hottest acts on the Irish music scene.

On Thursday, Sam Amidon will bring his electrifying live show to theatre; on Friday, David Kitt will be performing his debut album Small Moments in its entirety and, on Saturday, following the successful release of their third album Little Sparks, Delorentos are set to perform a seldom seen intimate acoustic set Taking place over the weekend of July 26-28 at 8pm, tickets are priced at €17/16.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Auditions, Zoe’s Auditions

AN HILARIOUSLY touching tale of lovable Zoe, an aspiring actress who dreams of landing an acting job. Her over-thehill agent sends her on an assortment of auditions ranging from Hamlet to being shot out of a cannon for a touring circus. Wildly enthusiastic and eager to please, Zoe is prone to a series of mishaps and misadventures that lead casting directors to shout “NEXT!!” Just as she is ready to give up, Zoe falls asleep at her job working backstage on a production of A Christmas Carol. She is visited by three audacious ghosts with startling wisdom for her. July 26-28 at 8pm. Admission: €18/15.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477

Neither man was happy with the outcome of this round of spin the bottle

Much Ado About Nothing

AFTER the success of last year’s production of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, AC Productions return with another one of Shakespeare’s classic comedies, transposed to 1960s Italy where wit is as sharp as the fashion. Cupid has his work cut out for him as reluctant lovers, Beatrice and Benedict, exchange words. In the Bard’s tale of barbed words and sparkling wit, the path of true love certainly doesn’t run smoothly. The show runs for two nights, on August 10 and 11 at 8.15pm. Admission €10.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 The Connect Club 2012

THIS July, Draíocht is delighted to be back working with the Daughters of Charity’s Summer Camp, the Connect Club in Laurel Lodge. The summer camp is filled with social and recreational activities catering for young people with varying degrees of intellectual disability, with the aim of providing an outlet that is fun and focused on the individual’s likes and interests. For more, see www.draiocht.ie

group

.com

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A dark moon rises As massive in scale as the seemingly insurmountable hype that was built up for it in the lead up to its release I NIALL BERMINGHAM

MAGIC Mike is a film about male strippers. As the characters strip away their clothes, the director (Steven Soderbergh) does our his best to strip away a prejudices and replace for them with empathy emp these men.

Channing Tatum Tatu does this his best to portray port so-called Magic Mike…

I’m sorry. I just can’t go on with this. This is a film taking their about men taki clothes I’m going to l th off; ff I’ go see Batman instead.

At least Batman always leaves his clothes on.

So this is it, the big one: The Dark Knight Rises.

Seven years after Nolan’s first foray into Gotham City here we are at the end point. The third film in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy and it has been quite the adventure.

Starting with Batman Begins in 2005, the success of which was a tremendous shock to

FILM OF THE WEEK: The Dark Knight Rises ##### (12A) 165 mins Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard

OUR VERDICT:

A suitable end to perhaps the best super hero series ever.

Excellent performances from all involved and a brilliant job by Christopher Nolan as both director and writer. This is a film for fans of the series but also for the newcomers out there who never saw the first two. I assure you, they do exist.

the system of many film goers, The Dark Knight followed after in 2008, a film many remember for the astounding performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker, we now find ourselves at the conclusion with Rises.

The hype and expectations leading up to this film were on par with any other film in recent history and, while it is a subject for debate, in my mind Rises was well worth the wait.

Set eight years after the end of The Dark Knight we find Gotham a city changed. Gone are the criminal underworld and

the corrupt politicians and all down to the Dent Act. Harvey Dent aka Two Face has been written as the hero after his death and Batman, the villain.

Because of this Batman (Christian Bale) has retired and Bruce Wayne has gone into hiding, never leaving his estate.

The opening half an hour or so is spent introducing all the old and new characters and setting up all the twists and turns.

We meet Bane (Tom Hardy) in a magnificent opening scene and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman/ Selina Kyle steals her

opening scene while also stealing some pearls from a very frail Bruce Wayne.

John Blake, an idealistic young member of the GPD, is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt with Marion Cotillard playing a Wayne Enterprises board member.

All the old faces (Caine, Oldman and Freeman) show up here as well and give spectacular performances.

Then of course there’s Bale as Batman/ Bruce Wayne. It’s been said that Batman is the least interesting character of the series and is supported by all the others. I’m not so sure that’s the case this time around.

In Batman Begins we saw a person trying to get a grip on his new role as city protector and in The Dark Knight someone who had found his place and was trying his best to survive the anarchy his city was plunging into.

However he was a charac-

ter who was always sure of himself and knew where he was headed.

This time around we get a character out of place.

His city doesn’t need or want him anymore. Portrayed as the murderer of the city’s “real” hero Batman has, as I said earlier, retired and Wayne locks himself away not daring to face the world.

This take on Batman is nothing new, the comics have been doing it for decades, but it’s certainly not the Batman you would expect in a film. Bale is brilliant as this wounded (both emotionally and physically) version of the beloved character.

The soundtrack is brought to you by Hans Zimmer and is superb. It never lets up and takes your emotions on an unforgettable journey.

All in all this is a fantastic film despite some very minor plot holes. Unfortunately it is, for now, the last one in the series.

26 July 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces New CEO takes over at Yahoo!

Showing a rare moment of peaceful player cooperation (and DayZ’s slightly clumsy animation), this player is greeted by a group of heavilyarmed zombie apocalypse survivors in the depths of fictional post-Soviet state, Chernarus. Whether or not they then played the game in the way that many gamers are following – and gunned him down a moment later to scavenge his meagre supplies – is anybody’s guess ...

Horribly entertaining I SHANE DILLON

THE thing about zombies – in terms of how often they pop up in modern culture – is that they have a habit of coming back to life, again and again.

We see this time and again, with waves of zombies periodically shambling, staggering, shuffling and otherwise making their way onto the big (and small) screen.

For example, despite the TV industry’s initial reluctance to bring it to life, The Walking Dead

has turned into a worldwide TV hit.

Meanwhile, editing (and reshoots) are quietly continuing on the bigscreen version of World War Z, starring Brad Pitt, which has now been delayed to next June.

Bearing in mind this kind of enduring zombie popularity, it’s clear that they have a certain role in pop culture – something which is even more relevant in computer games, as zombies have long been a stalwart of gaming.

The reason I’ve dug

up zombies again (sorry) is that I, and a number of industry bigwigs, note the infectious popularity of PC title DayZ, which has leapt up almost out of nowhere, grabbing 140,000 extra players in just five days (at the time of writing)to take the title past the 640,000 mark.

That’s an impressive number when you consider that DayZ is not actually a standalone, professionally-created and released game, but just a mod. A what?

A “mod”, or modifica-

Curious to tap 60,000,000 times to reveal a secret?

TAP. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Sound like fun yet? Well, imagine repeating that for about, ooh, another 59,999,993 times.

After all, it will “only” take 60 million taps until the mystery of Curiosity is revealed – the forthcoming (August) app from the inimitable Peter Molyneaux, developer of lots of very creative games, and serial

promiser of incredible gaming experiences that, err, never quite match his spiel, when delivered.

However, Curiosity is making many people, well, curious, as details become clearer ahead of its forthcoming launch.

Curiosity features a giant black cube floating in a clinically clean, simple space, with the cube composed of 60,000,000 different shapes.

Players will tap away at the cube, piece by piece, to get to the cube’s centre, where the player who lands the final tap/ blow will learn what the cube holds and, claims Peter, “a life-changing experience”.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to tap away at a giant virtual cube to win, say, a butter-dispensing torch, Curiosity could be for you ...

tion, generally sees dedicated gamers tinkering around with a game’s source code to create a new version of the game, sometimes using their own graphics and models, or otherwise completely restructuring the original title.

In this way, mods can breathe new life into an existing title or, as in the case of DayZ, bringing a pretty-dead title back to (undead) life – making it a hit with gamers in the process.

You see, DayZ is actually a mod for a 2009 PC title, ARMA II, which, as news of DayZ spreads, is suddenly flying off the shelves again – not for gamers interested in ARMA II, but for those looking to use it to play the DayZ mod, instead – a remarkable feat, considering that the mod isn’t even finished yet, and has much left to be ironed out.

In DayZ, players roam around a fictional postSoviet state, which has been overrun by zombies

(and is now attracting a large number of zombiesurvivalist gamers).

The player is forced to constantly scavenge for supplies, while tending to their own needs, all the time remaining wary of zombies – and wary of other human players, who could prove to be much more dangerous.

After all, the three humans spotted over the crest of the next hill could be helpful survivors, or they could gun down your character and loot the corpse, stripping it of hard-won items.

In DayZ’s harsh world, death has consequences.

It’s an interesting concept, mixing conventional gaming tropes with unpredictable (and, consequently, pretty “real”) human behaviour, adding levels of suspicion and consequence to the title in ways that a conventionally produced game can’t quite match.

Whatever about conventional zombies, DayZ’s undead pedigree grows healthier by the day ...

FINALLY, some good news for Yahoo! – it’s got a new CEO, and an extremely capable one at that.

Jumping ship from Google, highly-experienced Marissa Mayer has taken over at Yahoo!, following the media feeding frenzy earlier this year regarding the then CEO Scott Thompson’s misleading college degree, while Ross Levinson stepped in as interim CEO following Thompson’s resignation.

Mayer has quite a task on her hand – Yahoo!’s earnings dropped by 4% in the three months to June, earning $227 million in the quarter. Not exactly a small chunk of change, but, in the same period, more than $130 million was set aside for layoffs, as the company cut 1,500 people from the payroll.

Of course, such figures and percentages can be viewed one way or another, depending on the angle you look at them, but one thing remains clear – the company is now trailing behind arch online rivals which have markedly different platforms for users to engage with, but have a global reach in a way that Yahoo! currently does not.

On a positive note, Mayer has some terrific credentials, having accomplished a lot since becoming Google’s 20th employee (yes, 20th) in 1999.

As pure speculation goes, no doubt the company’s investors had reason to shout “Yahoo!” when they learned of her appointment ...

GAZETTE

26 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 July 2012

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PLANNING NOTICE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL We, Marc & Maeve Barry, intend to apply for Planning Permission for development at this site address 10 Castleview Place, Swords, Co. Dublin.

The development will consist of 1. A new single storey ground floor extension to the rear & side of existing dwelling to consist of a kitchen / t.v. room. Proposed extension to have a flat roof incorporating 2 no. roof windows. 2. Relocation of existing side access gate to suit new build. 3. Existing kitchen / dining room to be remodelled for proposed use as a utility & w.c. with 1no. proposed window to side of dwelling All drainage, structural & associated site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application.

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26 July 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 27

28 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 July 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

ATHLETICS: JENNINGS SHOWS TRUE GRIT AHEAD OF LONDON GAMES

Thompson breaks new ground in Japan DONABATE man Gary Thompson took positive steps forward in his current campaign in the Japanese Formula Three Championship at Fuji Speedway last week.

He secured a podium in race one of the weekend, whilst also making history in the championship by becoming the first ever driver to qualify a national class car in overall pole position for the second race of the weekend.

Starting from third position in race one, the young Irishman overcame semi-wet conditions to take the chequered flag where he had started, and in doing so, earning SGC by KCMG’s first podium of the season at the renowned circuit.

Lining up in pole position in race two of the weekend, 20-year-old Thompson got off the line well to lead the overall race in its early stages, until Takamoto Katsuta hit Thompson whilst tussling for the lead, ending the ambitous driver’s chances of securing victory in a championship renowned for propelling the careers of Pedro De La Rosa and Adrien Sutil.

Overcome by his team’s performance this weekend, Thompson remains confident that SGC by KCMG can provide a competitive package to enable him to challenge for outright victory as the season progresses.

“We had a difficult start to the weekend, struggling a small bit for pace in Friday testing,” explained Thompson. “Even though it was raining during both qualifying sessions, we managed to take third position for race one and an overall pole for race two.

“This was a great result and a big thank you to the whole team. I’m very happy to have been able to secure our first podium for this season.

Also, to start from pole position in race two was quite major for me. I am looking forward to the next race in Motegi and hopefully we’ll be on top of the podium celebrating victory.”

Rathfarnaham AC’s Caitriona Jennings endured a dramatic battle to earn her place in the Irish Olympic women’s marathon team

Caitriona on a mission STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@gazettegroup.com

AS THE second fastest woman to achieve the qualifying time for the Olympic marathon, Rathfarnham AC’s Caitriona Jennings admitted it was an uncomfortable wait to see if she had made the thee-person team to take the line on August 5 in London.

Her run in Rotterdam created a dilemma for Athletics Ireland, joining DSDAC runners Linda Byrne and Ava Hutchinson and former Dundrum runner Maria McCambridge to beat the two hour and 37 minute target.

With time not included in the criteria, it meant that none of the runners could feel comfortable that they had assured a ticket to the Games.

“Even when I finished,

I knew I was the fourth qualifier and it wasn’t nailed on I would get the selection but I had done all I could do,” she told GazetteSport last week.

“I had no indications whether I was going to be selected and, to be honest, even though I had the second fastest time, it didn’t give me an awful lot of comfort.

“Linda was the national champion and would recognise she had to be selected. If you looked at the qualifying criteria, time wasn’t one of those listed so it was really a matter of the waiting game.”

In the end, she got the green light with Maria McCambridge, a runner with whom she regularly trains and has virtually swapped places. McCambridge, a former Rathfarnham resident, now resides in Donegal, Jennings’

home county.

It brought an extra layer of compassion to the big decision: “I did feel for Maria as I could only imagine how horrendous it was for her. Doing everything you can do to be selected and then miss out. It’s so unusual in Irish athletics. At the end of the day, someone was going to miss out and it was going to be devastating.”

Nonetheless, Jennings says she is “counting down the days” as the excitement builds to the biggest sports show on earth.

London will represent just her third marathon having originally build her appetite for endurance events in triathlons before linking up with the Marathon Mission group in late 2009 following a national half-marathon victory.

They provided a sup-

port structure which has seen Irish marathon standards bounce back in style, filling an Olympic team from just a ‘B’ standard qualifier four years ago.

The Dublin marathon was her first target. Somewhat perversely, a nightmare preparation served to show her that qualification was very much within reach “I got injured in the ten weeks before Dublin and couldn’t run at all. I was only allowed to start running again for 30 minutes every second day just two weeks before the marathon so I had very little miles in my legs.

“But I really wanted to do it and experience what it was like to run a marathon so the next time it came around, I would have gained the experience. I knew I wasn’t going to be anywhere

near the qualifying time but I wanted to run about 2.43 and I did it.

“It was success for me in that, when I got to the line; I knew that I had a really good shout at the qualifying time having run that time with essentially no running training.

It left her in great shape in Rotterdam in April this year to get the time required.

“Initially, the pace was slower than I thought it would be so, at the 5k mark, I had to make a decision. I felt I needed to push on. Because I started slower than I needed, I was never in a group, always playing catchup with runners going at a slower pace. It was good psychologically to be passing people all the way.”

And it proved enough to earn a once in a lifetime ticket to London.

26 July 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 29

DublinGazetteNewspapers 2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - JULY NOMINEES

FastSport

# STARof the MONTH

DAVID FLYNN

NICOLE OWENS

FINN LYNCH

COOLMINE athlete David Flynn claimed the national senior steeplechase title, the first time a Clonliffe man has won the event in over 40 years

THE St Sylvester’s forward struck a hat-trick of goals for Dublin in their All-Ireland Aisling McGing final win over Kerry

THE National Yacht Club member took silver at the world youth sailing championships in the laser radial, Ireland’s best-ever result

Youth gets its head for Ireland’s Serbia date

# TEAMof the MONTH

FINGAL RAVENS

GERRY AND ROB MORAN

LUCAN CAMOGIE

AFTER a winless first four months to the season, the Rolestown club bounced back with four successive AFL1 wins in July

THE duo beat over 500 competitors to win Castle GC’s annual Father and Son All-Ireland event on home turf this month

LUCAN’S U-14 community games claimed Leinster laurels for a third successive year with a brilliant win over Thomastown

Croker’s new funzone: Davin Stand initiative unveiled last weekend CLONDALKIN youngsters, Ryan Gillane, age five,

left, and Dean Murray, age seven, were among the first to enjoy the GAA Croke Park Family Funzone at Croke Park last Sunday before witnessing Dublin’s 2-13 to 1-13 Leinster final win over Meath.

The funzone took over the entire Davin Stand car park from 12-3.30pm on the same day that the Dublin and Meath heroes of 1991 were guests of honour at Croke Park.

The funzone, which is to become a permanent installation at Croke Park for the remainder of the football and hurling championship campaigns, will include the Leinster Council’s inflatable playing pitch and other interactive games and activities for young players.

GIOVANNI Trapattoni named six local footballers in his 23-man squad to face Serbia in an international friendly on August 15 in Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia.

St Joseph’s Boy’s graduate Andy Keogh, now with Millwall, was among a number of players recalled as the deck was shuffled to allow some of the more senior members of the Irish panel rest in the wake of the European championships.

Former Clonkeen College man Darren O’Dea, though, will hope to use the tie against Serbia as an opportunity to impress as he seeks a new club for the 2012-13 season.

Portmarnock’s Stephen Ward retains his place in the panel as does Paul McShane – another from the Joey’s alumni – and Clondalkin man Glenn Whelan while Darren Randolph returns to the panel to take one of the goalkeeping slots as Shay Given takes a break.

Making the announcement at the FAI’s agm Festival of Football in Ballybofey, Co Donegal, manager Trappatoni said: “This friendly offers us a great opportunity to try out younger players ahead of our World Cup qualifying campaign.

“As a result, I have decided to leave some of our senior players out of the squad for this fixture. Serbia are a very good team with a great football heritage, and will provide us with a great test before our game against Kazakhstan in September.

“I am looking forward to working with each of these players next month. As we prepare for a new journey for this team, it is important that we remember our last campaign as we build for a brighter future.”

Former Leicester Celtic man Damien Duff is one a string of experienced players left out of the panel with Given, Robbie Keane, and Richard Dunne, with 420 caps between them, not required for the Serbia tie.

30 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 July 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Fins’ flying Flynn nets fourth Leinster title PAUL Flynn, 2011 All-Star and All-Ireland champion, added a fourth Leinster title to his honours list when he helped the Dublin senior footballers secure the Leinster Championship in their hard fought battle with provincial rivals, Meath, who they saw off by three points, 2-13 to 1-13, at Croke Park last Sunday.

Fingallians’ Flynn was his usual active self throughout the encounter, playing some lovely passes through to the forward line and showing his Meath markers a fresh pair of heels when necessary during the game.

Due to a Meath resurgence in the last ten minutes, Flynn was taken off for Kilmacud’s Craig Dias to give the Dubs more bodies while defending.

The seniors clinching the title finished off a great day for the Dubs after the minor footballers saw off their respective Meath opposition in a very convincing fashion.

Elsewhere, Stephen Cunningham and Conor Ryan of St Sylvester’s along with Shane Carthy of Naomh Mearnog all were awarded Leinster Championship medals on Sunday as members of the Dublin minor panel.

Cormac Costello of Whitehall Colmcille’s scored a hat-trick to help the minors to victory, but on the day Dublin bossed the possession and the scores, with the score line finishing at 3-17 to 1-11. The minor side will now go on to face Monaghan in the quarter final of the All Ireland, while the seniors must wait for the qualification fixtures to finish before they will know who they face in the All-Ireland quarter final action.

The two wins on Sunday made for a treble in the space of a week for Dublin panels against Meath in Leinster competitions with the ladies claiming their respective title the week before, a feat that is sure to live long in the memories of Dublin and Meath fans alike.

Meanwhile, the Dublin U-18 girls produced a stunning 7-10 to 5-8 win over Cork in their All-Ireland semi-final and will now play Tyrone in the final on the August bank holiday weekend.

ATHLETICS: RUNNERS PUT THROUGH THEIR PACES IN SWORDS

Siobhan O’Doherty celebrates her victory in the Fingal 10K last weekend

Swords hosts Fingal 10K race SIOBHAN O’Doherty recorded her second win of this year’s Dublin Race Series with an impressive time of 35.30 in the Fingal 10K race in Swords, last Sunday.

O’Doherty previously won at the Dublin Race series five mile race in Phoenix Park at the end of June.

O’Doherty powered ahead of her closest competitors finishing over a minute ahead of Dundrum South Dublin’s Niamh Devlin and Clonliffe Harriers, Ailish Malone.

Speaking about her win O’Doherty said: “I thought it was a good

course, there were a few challenging hills and the wind was bad at times but I’m delighted to have won and of course to get the two in a row.”

In the men’s race, Clonliffe Harriers Michael MacDiarmada saw off his teammate Gary O’Halon to take the men’s honours.

MacDiarmada who is just back from a recent injury, powered to the finish line with a 10 second lead on his closest rival.

MacDiarmada finished the Fingal 10K route in a time of 0 0 . 31. 31 , f o l l o w e d

St Finian’s GAA: Forty Four Main Street new main sponsor ST FINIAN’S GAA Club, Swords, are delight-

ed to announce the sponsorship of their adult hurling team by Forty Four Main Street. In 1983 this hotel, in Main Street Swords, was the site of the very first meeting held by the founding fathers of St Finian’s. Back then it was know as the Hawthorn Hotel and since that day has always had an affinity with St Finian’s. Pictured here are team manager Mick Lawton, the men’s hurling team and team sponsor Brian Foley.

closely by his team mate Gary O’Hanlon and Mark Hoey (Star of the Sea).

There was very little distance between the elite runners along the course as they led the 4,200 plus field, but in the final stretch it was MacDiarmada who pulled ahead for a convincing win in front of large crowds of supporters on Swords Main Street.

“I really enjoyed the race. It feels great to be out running again after my recent injury.

I was happy with my performance and once I reached the 7K mark I

could see that my competitors were slowing up so I just went for it as my body felt quite strong! “ said MacDiarmada.

The route saw the sizeable field start and finish on Swords main street before looping around the town’s bypass and four roundabouts before swinging back into Balheary and Applewood.

From there, the route circled back down St Cronin’s avenue and along the Brackenstown Road before making its way back to the finish line in the town centre.

The Fingal 10K race

in Swords is the second of a four-part Dublin Race Series adopted by the marathon to help prepare athletes for the marathon scheduled on October 29.

The first event was the Irish Runner fivemile event which took place in the Phoenix Park at the end of June as the events go up in distance over the course of the summer.

The next race in the series will be the Frank D u f f y 10 - m i l e r a c e which will take place in Phoenix Park Dublin on Saturday, August 25.

To enter see: www.dublinmarathon.ie.

26 July 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 31

CLUB NOTICEBOARD FINGALLIANS PLEASE come out on Wednesday

the coaching carried out by a number

evening and support our senior ladies

of intercounty players.

as they play Foxrock Cabinteely in

The Paul Flynn football school of

their championship semi final at home

excellence for boys and girls aged

in Swords at 7.30pm.

13 to 16 takes place on August 7-10.

A junior hurling quarter final awaits our hurlers as they beat Ballinteer St John’s to advance.

Paul Flynn and Simon Lambert are joined here by some of Fins’ young stars of the future

Football festivities in Fingal F INGALLIANS will host an U-10 football festival on August 11 in Lawless Memorial Park, Swords with teams from eight counties already confirmed as entering. Fins will open their doors to teams from Ratoath, Dunboyne (both Meath), St

Loman’s (Westmeath), Pearse Og (Armagh), Cooley Kickhams (Louth), Leixlip (Kildare), An Riocht (Down), Bray Emmets (Wicklow) and Eire Og (Carlow). Near neighbours Garristown will make it two sides from Dublin in the event.

Please contact the club for further information.

Prior to the ladies’ championship

Congratulations to the Fingal-

game, our Wednesday summer hurl-

lians U-12 boy’s football team who

ing will continue at 6.30pm for juve-

reached the blitz cup final in Loch

niles - (U-8, U-9 and U1-0s).

Gowna, Cavan, narrowly losing out in

Well done to Fiona Tuite who won the

a very competitive game. Thanks to

girls’ U-17 shot putt at the national

all players and parents who attend-

championships in Tullamore last

ed for their wonderful support and

weekend. Fiona threw 12.18m with a

assistance.

3kg.

Our U10 footballers and hurlers are

Diary date for the golf society:

off to Portlaoise next Saturday for a

next outing will be in Forest Little on

Blitz. All players from U8 to U10 are

August 17.

welcome to take part.

Fingallians extends deepest sym-

Last week, the club hurling summer

pathy to the Power, O’Heafa and

camp had over 130 children partici-

Dunne families. Ar dheis Dé go raibh

pate. It was an excellent week with

a hAnam dilís.

ST COLMCILLE’S GFC DISAPPOINTING turn-out at the AGM

The club is looking for a couple of

last week. A number of challenges

volunteers to help with the new web-

face the club and without support, it

site, full training provided. In addition,

is difficult to implement the changes

any adults interested in helping with

that are required. A second AGM will

the juvenile set-up, can you please let

take place in the middle of November

Gavin or Adam in the bar know.

to address the issues raised and the work done to achieve these.

A number of task forces will be set up over the coming weeks and your full support is required.

The festival will take place on Paul Flynn will also host a school of excellence in August

Poker classics continue in the clubhouse every Friday evening at 9pm; all welcome to attend.

Membership is due. On the football side, training continues Tuesday and

The club lotto continues to grow

Thursday at 7.30pm sharp. There is a

and you get two draws for the price

home league game at last in the Naul

of one. First jackpot is worth €10,000

at 7.15pm on Thursday and an away

while the second jackpot is over

fixture on Sunday to Erin go Bragh in

€5,400.

the league game at 3pm.

August 11

ST FINIAN’S OUR minor team had a convincing win

Holiday weekend, times, dates and

over St Peter’s in Naul last week, and

opponents TBC.

now have a play-off against the second

We want your old mobile phones to

placed team to win the league outright,

upgrade our defibrillator; there is a

well done to Vinnie, Ger, Paul and all the

box in the clubhouse where you can

lads.

leave them or give them to any com-

The senior team play St Mary’s in

We would like to send our sympa-

and Oliver Plunkett’s/ER on Saturday

thies to the Dignam family on both

away at 6.15pm.

their bereavements recently.

The division four team play Garda

Anyone who is interested in apply-

away in Westmanstown on Wednes-

ing for the job of club caretaker and

day at 7.15pm and Man-O-War in

maintenance person, commencing

Rolestown on Saturday at 6.15pm.

the first week in September, please

The division 10 team play O’Dwyers in Rolestown at 3pm on Sunday.

Dublin senior intercounty hurler Simon Lamber - and Fingallians GPO - tussles for possession

mittee member or team mentor.

Rolestown on Wednesday at 7.15pm

contact John McCarthy on 0876599348. This is run in conjunction

Well done to the Dublin minor and

with FAS, all applicants must be over

senior football teams on winning their

25 and must be signing on for at least

Leinster finals on Sunday.

one year.

Tickets for Dublin’s All-Ireland

Lotto numbers were 9, 20, 39 and 40;

quarter final must be ordered by 8pm

there was no jackpot winner, €20 to

this Thursday, July 26 by text only to

Mary McCarthy, Niamh Norton and

Desy on 087 9957427; it will probably

Mattie Dwyer. Next week’s jackpot is

be played in Croke Park on the Bank

now worth €4,117.

ALL OF YOUR SWORDS SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

FINGAL 10K: Thousands take to the streets of Swords for road race P30

JULY 26, 2012

MARATHON MISSION: Jennings looking forward to London Olympic Games P29

GazetteSPORT

Barry Murphy bounced back from the heartache of missing a trip to Beijing in 2008 by the narrowest of margins to qualify for London

Murphy realises Olympic mission Aer Lingus swimmer Barry Murphy is hoping to make serious waves when he takes on the world’s best PETER CARROLL

swordssport@gazettegroup.com

AER LINGUS swimmer Barry Murphy is looking forward to his Olympic dream being fulfilled after missing out on the 2008 Beijing Games by a tenth of a second.

Since then, Murphy has been on a rampage breaking Irish records, most recently clocking the national record for the 50m butterfly at the Canada Cup. However, at the time, the Canada Cup performance was taken as more of a conditioning exercise to the talented swimmer, who is expected to go even faster when the London Games get under way.

Based in the University of Tennessee, Murphy has shown his cutting edge on big stages such as the Indianapolis Grand Prix where he took gold while setting the Irish national record for the 100m breast stroke at 1.00.27, a performance which qualified him for the Olympics.

It is this event which he will compete in, mak-

ing his debut in the pool on Saturday in the heats.

A true competitor, Murphy became the first Irishman to qualify for a European Championship sprint final when he qualified through the heats of the 50m breaststroke and his semi final time of 27.60 launched him to sixth in the world rankings, one of the highest positions ever held by an Irishman.

In high spirits, in a recent interview the swimmer claimed he held no grudges from his failure to be named in the 2008 Team Ireland, despite missing the ‘A’ standard by such a minuscule time and still not being selected by the Olympic Council as one of the two ‘B’ standard swimmers that were sent.

“I felt really bitter for a long time about it, maybe a year,” said Murphy.

“Going back into the college season immediately afterwards was the best thing because I could focus on getting ready for college swimming and I also wanted to prove people wrong.”

Since his graduation from the University of

Tennessee, Murphy has trained with a group of world class swimmers in Michigan who fly under the banner of “Club Wolverine”.

Murphy will compete in his preferred event, the 50m freestyle, at the games and has claimed that his form is very good in the final weeks of his preparation.

“I swam a good meet a couple of weeks ago when I did the sixth fastest time in the world at 50m breaststroke so everything feels good,” said the Aer Lingus Swimming Club talent.

Peter Banks, Swim Ireland’s performance director, is aware of the task at hand when he ponders the Olympic standard of swimming, but he believes the four Irish that have made the A mark will boost the countries interest in the sport.

“The Olympic A standard is very tough, only 438 swimmers worldwide achieved it.

“So for Ireland to have four is a particularly big step for our sport and this is just the start of a journey towards the 2016 and 2020 Olympics,” said Banks.