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INSIDE: With lots of great gift ideas for your mum, this year’s Mother’s Day is a snap P20-21

LIFE: With Love/Hate filming again, we caught up with one of its stars P13

It’s the business: Taking part in a county final Rugby:

Devin Toner hails Ireland’s 6 Nations success Page 32

SCOIL Choilm CNS students Klevis

Malaj, Ervin Lisaj, Abdul Rabiu, Andreas Caraus and Evelyn Turcanu are pictured with Mayor of Fingal, Kieran Dennison (FG)and teacher Ailis O’Sullivan at the 13th annual Fingal Student Enterprise County Final. The student enterprise awards programme supports students in planning and managing real life businesses.

See Story on Page 7

Soccer:

St Mochta’s secure point in LSL Sunday tie Page 30

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE.................. 13 OUT&ABOUT ................. 19 CLASSIFIEDS ................26 SPORT ...........................27

Gateway a ‘shambolic response’ to job crisis Initiative described as exploiting D15 residents who are out of work

 NATALIE BURKE

A NEW government Gateway initiative has been described as a “shambolic response” to the ongoing issue of unemployment. This is according to local election

candidate for Castleknock, TJ Clare (Ind), who said the initiative is “just another smokescreen” designed to massage the live register figures. The Gateway scheme is one whereby unemployed people can be selected to

work for 19.5 hours a week for the local authorities, for which they will get an additional €20 on top of their welfare payments.

The council confirmed there are currently four posts being filled in the council

under the Gateway scheme.

Clare states that the scheme exploits Dublin 15 residents who are out of work.

“Essentially it amounts to paying people €1 an hour.”

Full Story on Page 4

2 BLANCH Gazette 20 March 2014

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courts Car split in two across the road

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Defendant pleaded guilty to endangerment, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Driver gets six years for high-speed chase

A young man drove the wrong way down a motorway and ploughed into several vehicles including a car adapted for its disabled driver, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

Jimmy Cash (24) led gardai on a high-speed chase three weeks after he’d been released from another prison sentence.

He crashed into a car that had been part of a minor collision on the M50 hard shoulder while its physically disabled driver was still inside.

His vehicle then hit a car containing a mother and three young children before smashing into another motorist, who had to have a livein nurse during the first stages of her recovery from the crash.

Garda Edward McGee said that Cash was thrown from his Skoda

Octavia, which was split in two across the road.

Cash of Warrenstown Walk, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to endangerment, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance at areas between Rathmichael Road, Shankill and the Carrickmines M50 Junction on February 19, 2013.

He also pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and resisting arrest at Rockford Park, Blackrock on April 28, 2013 Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a six-year jail sentence but suspended the last 18 months.

The court heard Cash tried to punch arresting gardai after they caught him breaking into the house at Rockfort Park.

He had a screwdriver and gardening gloves and there was damage to the

front door of the house.

He has 85 previous convictions, including dangerous driving, endangerment, hijacking and 31 burglary offences.

Gda McGee told Fiona Murphy BL, prosecuting, that Cash amassed 21 of his convictions following the car chase. He had been released from a three-year sentence just three weeks before the crash.

The garda said he went to assist colleagues in tracking down Cash’s Skoda car the evening of the crash.

He spotted it parked close to a halting site on Rathmichael Road with its hazard lights flashing and Cash in the driver’s seat.

He said Cash drove away when the Garda car approached and sped down Rathmichael Road with the vehicle’s lights

turned off.

Cash drove up to 100kph in 50kph zones along Rathmichael Road and Ballycorus Road, breaking continuous white lines and causing oncoming vehicles to swerve.

He then sped onto the motorway against traffic and smashed into the other cars.

The occupant of a Saab car spent over €6,000 in medical bills after she broke bones in both her hands and her heel. She had to have her home modified because she had limited mobility.

A motorist with the three children lost over €12,000 in medical bills and damages to her Volkswagen vehicle.

She still experiences pain, which means she can’t sit or stand for too long. Her children also suffered psychologically

following the crash.

The physically disabled motorist told gardai she lost just under €4,000 because her car had been specially modified to suit her needs and she had to wait for the insurance company to fit similar modifications on a new vehicle.

Gda McGee agreed with Damien Colgan SC, defending, that his client’s father was an alcoholic and would physically abuse Cash and his mother. He told the court it was a difficult upbringing.

Judge Ryan said the serious nature of the offences warranted a custodial sentence but noted that there were no consecutive elements to the endangerment and burglary offences.

She took into account Cash’s early guilty pleas and cooperation.

20 March 2014 BLANCH Gazette 3

council

charity: schools teams up to help down syndrome centre

‘Mud mounds’ removed

Macarena to raise spirits and funds  Natalie Burke

A fundraising event in aid of the Down syndrome Centre is set to be held in Dublin15 this weekend.

Schools across the country will be taking part in this year’s fundraising campaign, Multi Colour Macarena, which sees each participant donating €2 each to The Down Syndrome Centre.

One of the participating schools is Mary Mother of Hope Junior National School in Littlepace, where the colourful Macarena is due to kick off at 11.15am. The Macarena is an iconic Spanish dance song from the 90s.

The event is being held

as part of World Down Syndrome Day on Friday, March 21. A total of 460 children will be taking part in the school event, which coincides with the celebration of the raising of their Active Flag.

The school was recently presented with the flag by the Department of Education and Skills for promoting an active and healthy school community.

Speaking about the fundraising event, principal Alma Moran said children with special needs bring a “great richness” to the school community.

“We operate in a very inclusive way in relation to children with special needs,” she explained.

“Our school mission statement is Many Cul-

tures One Community – Working, Learning and Growing Together. When we saw The Down Syndrome Centre’s Multicoloured Macarena idea we felt it fitted really well with our school and our celebrations on the day.”

Principal Moran said the staff and children at the school “like to be active, have fun and support a good cause!

“One of our children, Adam, has Down Syndrome and he is heading off to the senior school this year having spent four years with us. He is a fantastic little boy and holds a special place in all our hearts so we are delighted to promote the good work of the Down Syndrome Centre.”

St Patrick’s Day: Characters parade through Blanchardstown Centre blanchardstown Centre celebrated St Patrick’s Day all last weekend with a range of events taking place in the shopping centre. The Street Sweeper and the Fox were amongst those taking part in the mini parade. They were joined by many other characters and acts, including leprechauns, a jazz trio, traditional Irish music performers and dancers.

Illegally dumped material has been removed from the entrance to a primary school in Tyrrelstown.

This is according to Fingal County Council which confirmed the removal of what had been described as “mud mounds” from the area at a recent area committee meeting.

The issue had been raised by local Cllr David McGuinness (FF), who asked the local authority to report on the situation at the entrance to Tyrrelstown Educate Together and the Tyrrelstown Community Centre.

He said he had received a number of complaints from local residents over mud mounds that were overflowing on to the public pathway.

4 BLANCH Gazette 20 March 2014

initiative ‘Shambolic’ response to joblessness

Gateway ‘exploiting’ those out of work  Natalie Burke

A new government Gateway initiative has been described as a “shambolic response” to the ongoing issue of unemployment.

This is according to local election candidate for Castleknock TJ Clare (Ind), who said the initiative is “just another smokescreen” designed to massage the live register figures.

The Gateway scheme is one whereby unemployed people who are on the live register for more than two years are selected to work for 19.5 hours a week for local authorities, for which they will get an additional €20 on top of their welfare payments.

Clare said the proposal by the Government to pay the unemployed an extra €20 a week for 19.5 hours work with Fingal County Council is exploiting Dublin 15 residents who are out of work.

“Essentially it amounts to paying people €1 an hour,” he said.

Fingal County Council confirmed that there are currently four “general operative” posts being filled in the local authority under the Gateway scheme, with schemes currently under consideration that would allow

Fingal County Council confirmed that there are currently four “general operative” posts being filled in the local authority under the Gateway Scheme

this number to increase to a maximum of 215.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “It is Government policy that work placements under this scheme are a valuable route for participants to gain or update experience of the workplace and the council are complying with Government policy in this regard.”

Election candidate Clare said he felt it was clear that mass emigration and exploitation are the main way Government plans to cut the live register.

“If they were really seri-

ous about job creation they would lift the recruitment embargo within the public sector and hire frontline staff to do the much needed work that is required.”

He said there are basic requests from local residents he meets for tree pruning, footpath repairs and housing maintenance, which are proving impossible for citizens to get done.

“Why not hire people to do this work on a proper basis with a living wage? The Labour Party used to believe in those values but now

sadly their local councillors are nothing more than cheerleaders for slashing services and gesture politics.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Protection said: “Gateway allows participants to engage in worthwhile work, break the cycle of unemployment and avail of the wider opportunities offered, professional and social, by being in a work environment.”

Gateway is modelled on successful schemes such as Tus with the same level of pay and similar conditions.

Going for ECO-UNESCO awards  natalie burke

YOUNG people from across Fingal are preparing to face the judges in this year’s ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards’ “ECO-dens” later this month.

Participants between the ages of 10 and 18 will present their action project on March 27 and 28 at ECO-UNESCO’s The Greenhouse centre.

In entering the awards run by Ireland’s environmental education and youth organisation, participants’ projects were created in order

to raise environmental awareness and make a positive contribution to their local community.

Local Fingal schools and groups getting involved include Blakestown Community School, Youthreach Blanchardstown, Portmarnock Community School and Loreto College in Swords.

A huge variety of projects will be pitched on the day, ranging from an “Eco-selfies” awareness campaign, observing the growth of plants when comparing the use of rain water to tap water, and a walk-to-school initiative.

Finalists will have to convince a panel of expert judges that their group deserves a spot at the initiative’s gala showcase and awards ceremony, which is taking place in May. Elaine Nevin, national director of ECO-UNESCO, said: “The ECO-dens present a fantastic opportunity for young people to pitch to a panel of experts, tell them how their project makes a difference to the local environment and why they should be shortlisted for the finals this May.”

20 March 2014 BLANCH Gazette 5

6 BLANCH Gazette 20 March 2014

campaign Candidates in bid to encourage people to register and vote

Raising migrant awareness on voting entitlements  Natalie Burke

Two local People Before Profit candidates from Dublin 15 have launched a campaign to raise awareness among migrants of local election voting entitlements.

Memet Uludag and Louise Bayliss launched the campaign recently with a public meeting and information session, in an

effort to encourage migrants living in the area to register and vote.

The public meeting was held on March 18 in St Brigid’s Community Centre in Blanchardstown.

Speaking about the campaign, Memet Uludag, a candidate in Castleknock, said there is a very significant percentage of migrants liv-

ing in Dublin 15.

“According to a 2012 social and economic profile of Dublin 15 report by Blanchardstown Area Partnership, the percentage of non-Irish nationals in Dublin 15 was over 23%, which is almost twice the national average.

Many of these migrants are at voting age. Unfortunately a lot of migrants don’t vote in the

local elections.”

Memet Uludag explained the reasons for the newly launched campaign, Migrant?

You Are Entitled To Vote in Local Elections, saying that many resident migrants are not aware that they are entitled to vote, regardless of their nationality.

“Voting is an important democratic right and every

person should have a say in electing local representatives.

Decisions and policies of the county councils affect every resident, migrant or not. Exercising democratic rights is also another important step in the integration of the migrants while enjoying the richness of our multi-lingual, multicultural society. It is not just the migrant votes that matter,

migrants matter as well.”

Louise Bayliss, People Before Profit candidate in Mulhuddart ward, said the aim of the campaign is for every disengaged resident or citizen to find their voice.

“People are free to vote for who they choose and I sincerely hope that every person registers and votes in the forthcoming local elections.”

courts: airport arrest

Man to face trial in January A 36-year-old Dublin man is facing trial next January for the manslaughter and false imprisonment of Ciaran Noonan who went missing from East Wall in Dublin over two years ago.

Mark Allen, formerly of Wellview Avenue, Mulhuddart, was arrested at Dublin Airport last week on foot of an extradition warrant after he had arrived on a flight from Amsterdam.

Mr Noonan (29), who had been living in Ashbourne, Co Meath, but originally from East Wall, was last seen getting into a car at Russell Avenue, on October 20, 2011. His naked remains were discovered a fortnight later on November 4, 2011 in a

field about six miles outside Trim, Co Meath.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring remanded Mr Allen in custody for trial on January 12, 2015 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

His pre-trial hearing will take place on November 21, 2014.

Sergeant David Gallagher told Ronan Kennedy BL, prosecuting, that he arrested Mr Allen on Thursday evening at Dublin Airport. He had been extradited from Holland on foot of a European arrest warrant.

He is accused of the manslaughter and false imprisonment of Mr Noonan sometime between October 20 and November 4, 2011 at an unknown place.

Good thinking: Coolmine students shortlisted coolmine Community School students Conor O’Lone, Alberti Nzinga Diogo, Barry O’Lone and Brendan O’Dowd were among those who recently took part in the Griffith College Business Enterprise competition. The competition called on second level

students to pitch an original business idea or product to a panel of experts at Griffith College. This group was shortlisted for their mini company Brendii’s Woggles, which produced a device used to fasten woggles - the neckerchief worn by scouts groups.

20 March 2014 BLANCH Gazette 7

competition Local schools to represent Fingal in final

Student enterprise winners announced  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

Fingal’s next generation of entrepreneurs were celebrating last week as winners of the thirteenth annual Fingal Student Enterprise County Final were announced at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown.

Winners from schools in Donabate, Castleknock and Skerries will now go on to represent Fingal at the National Finals in Croke Park on April 2.

Organised by the Fingal County Enterprise Board, the student enterprise awards programme supports students in planning and managing real

life businesses during the school year.

Over 580 student businesses were established throughout the region since September 2013, with 59 student enterprises from 22 secondary schools and nine primary schools taking centre stage at the annual awards ceremony.

Supported by the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board and Fingal County Council, the programme is the largest initiative of its kind in Ireland, with an overall prize fund of €15,000.

In the secondar y schools competition, the Junior Category was

won by Jeet Argan from Donabate Community College, with Stylets of Luttrellstown Community College, taking the runner-up prize.

The Intermediate Category was awarded to Boot Drying Box from St Vincent’s Castleknock, while Safe Set of St Vincent’s Castleknock took second place.

The Senior Category was presented by Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Kieran Dennison, with Laps of Skerries Community College claiming first prize, which includes an educational trip to Barcelona.

The Innovation Award in the Senior Category

was presented to TYI from Luttrellstown Community College.

The Enterprising School Spirit Award for Secondary Schools was awarded by the chief executive of the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board, Paddy Lavelle, to Identity from Blakestown Community School.

Magnificent Masks from Balbriggan Educate Together picked up the Enterprising School Spirit Award for Primary Schools, which was awarded by Joe Harford, chairperson of the Fingal County Enterprise Board. The winning student enterprises received

Stephen Byrne, Niamh Richardson, Sadhbh Culleton, Zsofia Kertesz, Kirten Macken and Emma Parker, from Scoil Realt na Mara, Skerries

a glass trophy, certificates and an iPad tablet as their prize.

This year, a new award was created for social media activity, which recognised successful digital media campaigns run by secondary school student enterprises. In the senior category the award went to Gaeilge Cliste from Loreto College Swords; the intermediate category winner was ITS Bands

of Colaiste Choilm CBS, while the Junior Category winner was Pencil Holder from Lusk Community College.

Oisin Geoghegan, chief executive of Fingal County Enterprise Board, has since congratulated the winning companies and wished the best of luck to the three main category winners in the secondary school competition, who will go on to repre-

sent Fingal in the national final.

“We run this programme to cultivate entrepreneurial talent in our youngest citizens. This year, we have an exceptional crop of innovative, intelligent and confident students and we are delighted to have provided them with an opportunity to discover the excitement and demands of running a small business.”

8 BLANCH Gazette 20 March 2014

workshop

Getting kids to create Workshops aimed at supporting parents and helping them to get creative with their children will commence from next month at Draiocht.

Tiny Tots Tuesdays will be held on the first Tuesday of every month, beginning on April 1, and continuing on May 6, June 3 and July 1. The workshops are aimed at toddlers between two- and three-years-old.

Early year’s artist Orla Kelly will be hosting the workshops which will be “exciting, fun and curious environment”.

The sessions will be un-themed to allow parents and children to work spontaneously. Taking place from 10.30am until 11.30am, the hour-long workshop will offer a creative and artistic expertise to support parents in encouraging the creative youth of their children.

Places are free but advanced booking is advised. Booking for each session opens two weeks before the session date.

See www.draiocht.ie or call 01 8852622.

Clarification Last week the Blanch Gazette published an article entitled ‘Derelict house to be removed to residents’ relief’. The house in question is not being removed but certain works are being carried out on the house including the removal of graffiti and cutting of grass. The Gazette is happy to correct this.

autism day ‘Blown away’ by community response

Raising vital funds for important facilities  Natalie Burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

A fundr aising event in aid of Hope Montessori and Autism Care Centre in Dublin 15 is set to take place next month.

The event will coincide with World Autism Day on April 2 and will raise much-needed funds for the important local facilities located in For tlaw n and Mountview community centres.

Hope was opened in 2011 by primary school teacher Sherene Powell, who herself is a mother of an autistic child.

When Sherene realised there was so little support or units for autism in the Dublin 15 area, she opened up one herself. She currently has 23 autistic children in her school.

Organising the special autism event for Hope is Ciara Roberts, a mother of one of the children attending the

local care centre.

Speaking to the Gazette, she said she hopes to raise funds that will contribute to the training of the teachers and improve the development of the children attending the centres.

“Hope was in a lot of trouble financially and as a parent I couldn’t stand by and watch it fall apart.

“Its services are invaluable to autistic children and one of the best in the country. I decided to start a fundraising committee and I have a number of events planned,” she explained.

The first of the upcoming events will see 33 local people sky diving for Hope in March.

“It’s ver y much a community event with 12 footballers from Mountview men’s football club doing the jump alone.”

The next event being

run by Ciara will see a family fun day take place on April 2 from 3pm until 6pm in Mountview Community Centre.

“A lot of families can’t go to some of the big events organised for World Autism Day so we thought it would be a good idea to have a smaller party never thinking in a million years that the community centre would have to shut to ever yone else,” she said.

Ciara said she has been “blow n away” by the efforts of the local community, with many people calling in favours and helping to provide raff le prizes and balloons.

Members of the local boxing club will be setting up a boxing ring for kids to get a taste of the sport, while other activities will see face painting, balloon modelling and children’s entertainment.

Radio station 98fm

A family fun day take place on April 2 in Mountview Community Centre

will also be broadcasting live from the event on the day.

“We have candyfloss machines and popcorn machines and we have horses coming for the local children to see,” Ciara said.

“We also have bouncy castles, two local DJs, magicians and a football tournament on the day from the local kids clubs.”

Members of the local community will also be pulling together, with many providing cakes, tea and coffee to help

raise funds at the event.

“At the end of the day we also want to let a thousand blue balloons into the sky which we think would be great awareness for the community,” she said.

A €3 entry fee per person will allow adults and children have a whole afternoon of entertainment, and Ciara is calling on the local community for volunteers for the event.

“We’re looking for volunteers for the day and really need reliable people who will be able

to help out.”

The event is hoping to raise as much money as possible for the local autism centre. “[World Autism Day] is a day when the most famous sites in the world turn blue, the Empire State building, the River Thames, Sydney Opera house and I want to turn Dublin 15 blue so we can celebrate with all our wonderful special children but more than any thing, create awareness of the day with the local community.”

20 March 2014 BLANCH Gazette 9

vox pop What did tourists think of our St Patrick’s Day celebrations?

Everyone’s Irish on March 17  laura webb

A SEA of green, white and orange streamed through the streets of Dublin for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade and festivities on March 17.

Just ahead of the parade, the Dublin City Gazette asked some foreign visitors just how their day was going, and what they hoped to see in the city.

Andrea Spadaccini and Grazia

Dionisio Prazeres From Brazil

DIONISIO Prazeres and Vilene Alencar were in town to see how the St Patrick’s Parade differs from Brazil’s carnivals.

Talking to the Dublin City Gazette about what they hoped to see on Ireland’s national day, he said: “We hope to see something different from the carnival in Brazil. Once the parade is finished, we will take a walk and see what is around.

“We arrived [in the city centre] at 10am, hoping to get a good spot so we can see.

People are really dressing up for Vilene Alencar and it, with a lot Dionisio Prazeres of green. I think it is a very good tradition to have, and I think it is a lot different from Brazil.”

kenna stephens From Oklahoma, USA

ITWAS a family mini-break for Bryan, Kenna and Blake Stephens from Oklahoma who arrived just a day before the big celebrations.

Speaking to the Dublin City Gazette, Kenna said: “We came over to see the festivities and see how y’all celebrate the day.

“This is the first time Blake and I have been in Dublin; Bryan was here once before, but not on St Patrick’s Day. “After the parade, we are going to the

Ciraulo

Andrea spadaccini From Sicily, Italy

ITALIANS Andrea Spadaccini and Grazia Ciraulo were back in our capital for their third St Patrick’s Day parade.

Andrea said: “We just think it is a lovely moment to be part of. It is great to see all the people around.

It is a nice festival to be part of.

“I have been here three times and as long as I live here, I will keep on coming to the parade. I think the parade is always nice, but it is possibly more the atmosphere of people being around and all having a really good time.

“I think the Irish people are very friendly. I come from Sicily, and I must say that some of their warmth can be found in Irish people as well, so it is nice. It is a nice home from home – except for the sun! The one thing you can guarantee in Ireland is not so much sun,” he laughed.

Dublin Museum, then we are going to the Docklands to see the statues down there.

“Tomorrow, we are going to do the Bryan, Kenna [Dublin] bus tour and Blake and, with that, we Stephens hope to see the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Jail and all the stuff along the bus tour – the touristy stuff!”

Only here a day, and staying in the Shelbourne Hotel, they have so far found Dubliners to be “really nice”.

College Green was just one of the areas that was particularly thronged with onlookers during the parade, as tourists rubbed shoulders with locals to try and take in the sights. Picture: Shane Dillon

10 BLANCH Gazette 20 March 2014

gazetteGALLERIES

Carolina Lindsey and Derek Hollingsworth

Avril Kennedy and teacher Maria Harty

Iqra Bari and her brother, Rahman

Philip McMahon and his son, Luke

Alison Ni Loinsigh, Deirdre Ni Mhurchu and Ken Scully. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

Teachers Orla Doyle and Brenda Watson

20 March 2012 blanch gazette 11

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Ongar belts up: Crios for Micheal o muircheartaigh

Ceol agus craic galore at bilingual celebration

O

ngar Community Centre hosted a bilingual concert recently celebrating Irish culture. Fingal Mayor Kieran Dennison (FG), broadcasting legend Micheal O Muircheartaigh, Brenda Ni Ghairbhi,

Chioma Anene and Rizwan Zahid

manager of Seachtain naGaeilge and some local TDs and councillors were in attendence. The event featured a “crios” to Micheal followed by a speech from him. A “crios” is a hand woven traditional belt from the Aran

Yemi, Lasbat and Saheed Ahmed

Islands, and this one includes the colours of Micheal’s beloved Kerry, and Dublin, where he lives. Cabe Academy Irish dancers performed as did a number of students from local schools.

Gabriela Gudaitye and Precious Uloko

Kieran Dennison, Mayor of Fingal (FG) and Caroline Lindsey

Phani Kumar, Shilpa and Avyay Mynampati

12 blanch gazette 20 March 2014

gazetteGALLERY

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The Mayor of Fingal, Kieran Dennison (FG) with Philip Jennings, Safer Blanchardstown

Lutelo Bika and Anel Yussupova

Dylan Doyle, Eric Keane andJohn Doherty show some of their awards for their participation in the project. Picture: Ronan Sullivan

Helping children treasure their area

T

HE Mayor of Fingal, Kieran Dennison (FG) was on hand to congratulate local children at a recent presentation ceremony at Blanchardstown Library. Held in association with Safer Blanchardstown, in partnership with Fingal County Council and Foroife, Hidden Treasures was an initiative staged recently to encourage local children

Lynn Armstrong

to investigate local archaeological sites, and present their findings to judges.

Congratulating the local winners and participants, the mayor paid tribute to the young citizens’ willingness to learn more about their community, and add their knowledge to the local civic pride and respect.He then presented medals, certificates and awards.

Grace McGonagle and Amandine

Mark Dillon alongside Alexandra

Hong-Minh

Zhemchugova

A bird’s-eye view of the proceedings as Cllr Dennison gave his speech

20 March 2014 Gazette 13

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what’son americans to add heavenly voices to choir

Now starring in Robert Massey’s Chancers (above), in Draiocht Theatre, Blanchardstown, Mary Murray spoke to The Gazette about her busy acting life

a day in the life: mary murray on her varied routines as an actress

‘My whole life is an escape’  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

MARY Murray had to get up close and personal with Nidge, aka Tom Vaughan Lawlor, in the last season of Love/Hate, and she has now bagged herself an IFTA nomination for the role of brothel owner, Janet.

She was preparing for the final performance of Robert Massey’s play Chancers, in Draiocht Theatre, Blanchardstown when The Gazette asked her to describe a day in the life of one of Ireland’s up-and-coming actresses.

She said: “My days will vary a lot because it depends on what I’m working on. If I’m working in theatre and am not

in rehearsal, it means I’ve got plenty of free time.

“I generally get up at 9.30am or 10am.

Then, I do a bit of exercise for about an hour, some push-ups and stretching and sit-ups, followed by breakfast, which is a big bowl of fruit salad – I love my fruit – and then a bowl of porridge, and then I’m ready for my day.

“I do a bit of email stuff and I’d be dealing with agency things for some of the kids I teach, so they might be asking for me to send suggestions of kids for films, and that takes a few hours.

“I might go in to teach a class, if I’m not doing a show. All I ever wanted to do was act, so my whole life is an escape.

“I am very grateful to do what I do, and lucky that I get lots of different work. But if I only did theatre work for the rest of my life, I’d be happy. I might read a book, look at a few things on the internet, go to the pub, go to the theatre, that’s it [for my day],” she said.

Of course, her daily routine often changes, particularly if she’s involved with a show: “If I’m doing a show, I’ll generally leave at about six o’clock and go into the theatre, have a cup of tea and maybe something to eat, and do a little warm-up which would entail not an awful lot.

“I’ll sing a song and walk around because, for me, I’ve done my warm-up

in the morning.

“Next, I’ll run the lines of the show in my head and get ready to go on stage.

“What happens after the show depends on the theatre. If it’s [at] the likes of The Civic or Pavilion Theatre, and others that don’t have theatre bars that stay open for very long, you have to go home!

“Otherwise, if I’m in The Abbey, or in theatres around town, you generally tend to go for a pint afterwards.

“I go home, I might watch a bit of telly, check a few more emails and, while I’m watching the telly, I fall asleep and wake up at about four in the morning and then go up to bed. I do that all the time,” said Mary.

SOME 67 female singers from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire will join the Sunday Saints’ Choir to give a special concert at St Joseph’s Church in Glasthule on Monday, March 24 at 8pm.

Wisconsin EauClaire Women’s Concert Chorale is one of the premier female university choral ensembles in the United States, and comprises singers from across all academic disciplines.

It will be the first time the choir has visited Ireland, and during their ten-day tour, they will perform in Limerick, Galway, Derry, Belfast and Dublin.

The programme chosen for the concert expresses the diverse musical traditions of both countries, in traditional and contemporary genres that includes American original songs, choral classics, African- American Spirituals, American and Irish folk songs.

For further information, contact Alison Moore at 0044 1306 741 000, or email alison@concertorganisers.com.

dublinlife

ESCAPE THE MAYHEM

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14 Gazette 20 March 2014

Nick Munier: taking time out from the madness of tv

Maitre d’ finds decaf turns moment golden Each week the Gazette speaks to Dubliners about how they like to unwind in a bustling, busy city. Nick Munier, MasterChef presenter, outlines his relaxation routine Renowned TV Maitre d’ and MasterChef presenter Nick Munier has an unending schedule of TV appearances, interviews, consultations and of course running his own restaurant in Dublin, Pichet.

With such a busy life it would seem that the British icon hasn’t a moment

to himself, let alone trying to unwind, but as the Gazette has learned this is not actually the case.

Earlier this week we caught up with Nick to learn what he does to escape the tumultuous mayhem that his life involves.

“I normally go for a coffee in Fade Street

Social in the afternoons because it’s relatively comforting there and I know the owner Dylan [McGrath] really well, along with the staff so it’s a good place to unwind.

“I get a decaf mocha as I can’t drink caffeine because I used to drink about 15 cups of coffee a day when I was running restaurants in London.

It was just all the fibrillations and the shaky hands that I couldn’t cope with it so I had to give it up.

“I knocked it off for a

while and suddenly got back into it because I love the allure of coffee and the smell of it, then I said to myself that I’ll try drinking decaf mochas instead.

“I don’t have it with milk because obviously milk is not very good for my health regime.

“There’s like a window terrace in the restaurant that’s very quiet where I can go with friends and just chill out for a bit – It’s lovely.

“I also like to paint to unwind and dedicate

TV Maitre d’ and MasterChef presenter Nick Munier

three times a week of my time to do this. I’m an avid abstract painter and that’s really my huge release. I really like JeanMichel Basquiat who is a famous Haitian American abstract artist.

“When I get home instead of watching TV I paint, which sort of

releases my endorphins and relaxes me, but sometimes it doesn’t always relax me because if I can’t get into it then it becomes very stressful.

“T he other way I unwind is taking my boys out to the cinema.

The weather has been so

bad lately and it’s been very hard to do things with them outside so we play the Xbox.

“They basically play this flipping Minecraft game that I don’t get so I just leave them to it and it’s nice to watch them fight, shout and scream.”

20 March 2014 Gazette 15

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16 Gazette 20 March 2014

dublinlife

Special Olympics Ireland give a shout out for helping hand Was your New Year’s resolution to volunteer for charity – have you done it yet? Well then this is for you.

Special Olympics Ireland’s annual collection day is taking place throughout Ireland on April 11.

Volunteers are needed throughout Dublin to look after collection points with over 1,000 volunteers needed at over

80 collection points from Ballymun to Ballsbridge and Skerries to Sandyford.

This is the biggest annual fundraising event in aid of Special Olympics Ireland. Money raised on the day helps Special Olympics Ireland continue its promise of offering people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in sport in their area.

Liz Callery, regional director, Special Olympics Eastern Region, said: “If you have a few hours to spare on Friday, April 11 please help us by joining one of our collection teams at a location near you.

“With your help, we can all give our athletes a winning chance.”

See www.specialolympics.ie/collectionday for further information.

Daithi’s dig at Dempsey’s tan

Has anyone else noticed how tan-tastic Ian Dempsey is in his new Today FM ad? Well one person who did is friend, Today Show presenter Daithi O’Se. The ad on small screens across Ireland sees Dempsey imitating a game-show host and what would a game-show host be without some extra

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

Special Olympics Ireland members marching in last year’s St Patrick’s Day parade.

make-up? And boy, oh boy, does he slap it on.

Taking to Twitter to let his friend know that his new look has not gone unnoticed, Daithi tweeted: “Where did you get the tan @IanDempsey for the tv ad? I’ll need to

get it done for the Rose of Tralee!”

In response Ian tweeted: “@daithi_ose – I did it myself – got this ‘product’ called ShedSeal in Woodies – I might still have some left – it was a three litre can.”

Daithi was delighted saying: “@IanDempsey I’ll be over later to pick it up. You’re a horse and cart of a man” Readers please note this is just banter between the lads and ShedSeal is not a tanning product!

20 March 2014 Gazette 17

Picture: Photocall Ireland

fun and food delights The Dublin Bay Prawn Festival is, without doubt, one of the tastiest food festivals Dublin has. It is taking place in Howth Village on April 25-27.

Whatever way you

like your Dublin Bay Prawns - barbecued, whole, shelled, fried, skewered, marinated, sauced – Howth’s many award winning restaurants will serve your favourite prawn dishes in bite sized portions at the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival “Food Village”, in addition to a variety of other miniature dishes.

During the day there is street entertainment and a programme of walks, talks and seaside antics.

As the sun goes down over Howth Harbour the fun continues as each evening the festival offer choices such as a mystery dine around, special festival menus in restaurants and pubs, fireworks on the harbour and in-house musical entertainment in Howth’s Pubs.

For more information visit www.dublinbayprawnfestival.com.

doodling a way to a google win Thousands of students from across Ireland have Doodled 4 Google with the winner set to be announced at the end of this month.

Over 2,390 entries were received for the competition which sees students make artwork for the wellknown search engine.

There are five categories in the competition with prizes including a scholarship of €5,000 for the winner’s third-level studies; a €10,000 technology grant for the winner’s school; a Chromebook for both the overall winner and their teacher and their Doodle to be

Gazette

diary shown on the Google.ie homepage for a full day this month.

The winner is set to be announced on March 24 in Google offices.

searching for oldest brownie A nationwide search has been launched in order to find Ireland’s oldest Brownie.

The search is part of celebrations marking 100 years of Brownies in Ireland.

The Irish Girl Guides (IGG) branch launched in 1914 and today there are 4,000 Brownies across Ireland.

Over 3,000 of them will descend upon Dublin Zoo

Rathfarnham Brownies are helping to celebrate 100 years of the Irish Girl Guides

on Saturday, April 12 in one mega birthday bash and the hope is that they will be joined by Ireland’s oldest living Brownie.

Any prospective senior Brownie will have to beat

the current oldest known member, Peggy Allbutt, at age 95. The question is whether there is a Brownie in Ireland who is even older?

If you’re a former

Brownie and reckon you can lay claim to the title of Ireland’s Oldest Brownie, then IGG would love to hear from you. For more information phone 085 8570565.

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18 Gazette 20 March 2014

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Q&A

business festival: speakers, workshops for event

Creative industry to be celebrated with Offset  ian begley

Thomas Spratt, DAS Academy owner

Taking steps to train the next generation Thomas Spratt is the owner and creative director of DAS Academy in Lucan. He is a choreographer and has choreographed The Late Late Eurosong winning entr y Heartbeat by Can-Linn and will be representing Ireland for Eurovision 2014 in Copenhagen.

Thomas has worked extensively in Ireland with his credits including Junior in the Hot Mikado, dance captain Singing in the Rain, Aida Opera, dance captain in Grease, Cork Opera House, Taylor’s Irish Dance Show, choreographed the Irish Premier of Jerry Springer the Opera, Bord Gais Theatre, Dublin,

Mad about Musicals at the National Concert Hall also Jack and the Beanstalk; Mother Goose; Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella at the Gaiety Theatre. Thomas has choreographed and performed alongside music artist Samantha Mumba.

His touring and international credits include Daniel O’Donnell, Rock and Roll UK and Ireland tour, Red Hurley show USA, Celtic Rhythms, Holland tour, dance captain Belle Et Fou, Berlin, Tony Kenny’s Irish dance show USA and associate choreographer A Tribute To Glee, Dubai.

How long have you been in business?

How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, etc) to help your business?

I opened the doors as owner and creative director for DAS Academy in September 2013 and am enjoying it very much.

What makes your business successful?

The team of professional teachers I have working for the academy teach in a way that we get the most out of the kids/teens in a fun and safe environment.

The combination of dedicated teachers and the kids/teens hard work and determination together as a team makes DAS Academy a success.

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

Every kid/teen in DAS Academy gets their time to shine. There is no favoritism. DAS Academy is about learning dance, acting and singing in a relaxed environment and building your confidence to be the best you can be.

I advertise on our Facebook the DAS Academy term dates and let people know about our workshops and guest teachers for the academy.

What is your ambition for the business?

To have a good reputation in Ireland for our professionalism and talent as a performance academy.

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

My parents told me from a young age never give up on my dream. “If at first you don’t succeed try and try again.”

What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?

I get to teach and work with local talent, it’s a very proud moment for a teacher be it dance, act or singing to see your kids perform knowing that you put it together and now they are performing it and most importantly enjoying themselves and having fun.

PREPARATIONS are in full swing for this year’s highly-anticipated creative festival, Offset, which is due to take place in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre from March 21-23.

Every year, the threeday festival attracts visitors from around the world to come and hear speakers from different creative industries and to take part in panel discussions and interviews.

They speak about their work, ideas and inspirations and give insights into their practices and personal perspectives.

Independently founded and run, Offset has grown from 450 to 2,000 delegates.

Bren Byrne, one of the festival’s directors, says he is extremely busy in setting up the many events for this year’s festival.

Speaking to The

Gazette he said: “Fellow director Richard Seabrooke and I have a huge amount of stuff on our plate in preparation for this year’s Offset festival.

“We are a part of a very small team of people who do a lot of work for the festival, such as inviting speakers to the event, organising presentations and panels, making calls, working on the social media side of things, and managing everything to ensure that the festival comes together really well.”

Speaking about the highlights of the event, Byrne said: “There’ve been lots of highlights in different ways, such as opening the doors on the first day and seeing the queues of people outside waiting to come in, the reaction the audience has for our speakers, and the respect [the speakers] have for the audience and for us.

Bord Gais Energy Theatre is playing host to this year’s Offset – a festival that celebrates creativity

“We see our guests more as peers, rather than talking to them from a professional perspective. In my eyes, we’re just creative people talking to people who have the same interest as us.

“We have a really great line-up of speakers this year and I’m sure they will have really interesting and insightful stories to tell to our guests.”

There is no VIP area, and no Green Rooms at Offset. The space facilitates both speakers and attendees, allowing both to mingle freely and settle

in for three days of inspiration.

The intimate surroundings of the Second Room of the Board Gais Energy Theatre allows delegates to get a little closer to some of the legendary speakers, who will give interviews, contribute to debates and take part in group discussions on the topics that are at the heart of the creative agenda.

For further information about the festival, and to see the list of events taking place, see www.iloveoffset.com.

Stock market investment I have a lump sum to put away and wonder is it too late to go back into the stock market. I am the cautious type and like most, don’t like risks. I understand there is a correction coming soon. Have you any suggestions that might work for me? Alison - Swords The stock market is a long-term investment. Mark Twain once quipped: “October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate on stocks in. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August and February.”

Bar the last 10 years, this sector has always been the best performing sector in any 10-year cycle. After the disastrous Irish and global stock market performance 2007 and 2008 in particular, the last two years has seen a fight back in share prices with the Irish stock market in particular being one of the leaders in growth. But before you start speculating, you should ensure that: 1. Your income exceeds expenditure. Otherwise you are dipping into savings or borrowing to bridge the gap.

2. You should have ideally three to six months annual income in a rainy day fund for three reasons. First, for emergencies – your car breaks down. Secondly sudden loss of income. Thirdly the investment opportunity – you might have the opportunity to buy a well-known

artist’s painting at a bargain price. Whatever savings you do have, ensure you are receiving the best rates (email me for free fact sheet on Ireland’s best deposit rates).

3. Not all your eggs are in the one basket. There are many asset classes apart from cash and property – equities, bonds, commodities, alternative investments including hedge funds and derivatives. Diversify and spread your risk.

4. If you do want to put the toe in the stock market waters, I would suggest the easy to understand managed funds. These are ranked in order of risk from 1 to 5 or 7 – 1 being the most CAUTIOUS and 5/7 being the most RISKY. Email me for details.  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

20 March 2014 Gazette 19

cinema P24

asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P25

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week



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STYLE P20

Pets

can you give gentle JILL a true home?

Joycean characters protest at a previous One City, One Book event in Dublin city centre, as part of the initiative’s focus on literature associated with our capital city

one city, one book: and now for something completely different ...

Dublin to be mapped out in poetry  natalie burke

People across Dublin are being encouraged to get reading this April as Dublin: One City, One Book gets under way.

The award-winning Dublin City Council initiative, in its ninth year, encourages everyone to read a book connected with the capital city during the month of April every year.

This year’s choice will see If Ever You Go: A Map of Dublin in Poetry and Song as the book at everyone’s fingertips, which features a collection of poems, ballads and songs from a range of literary luminaries connected with Dublin.

It will be the first time in the nine years of the initiative that a book of

poetry will replace the normal prose.

According to Jane Alger, director of Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, it will be something completely different, yet still very Dublin.

Influence

“We’re always open to suggestions when it comes to choosing the title every year and we like the idea of this one. It’s very Dublin and the poems and songs are all about places in Dublin covering a huge timespan.

It also covers the whole of the county of Dublin, not just the city. Different places have influenced the poets’ writings and there are some lovely, quirky things to expect from it.”

Throughout the month of April, a host of events, workshops and poetry

readings will be held all over Dublin city and suburbs.

These events include poetry cruises along the Liffey, walking tours of places explored by the poems, film screenings at the IFI and poetry bus tours.

Dublin City Bike Tours will also hold tours to explore the streets that have inspired the poems and songs of the book, while Glasnevin Cemetery will hold walking tours of the cemetery.

On Wednesday, April 9, Dublin’s Fair City will be held in Dublin Castle, where actor Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, DJ Rick O’Shea and a number of musicians and poets will speak about what poetry means to them.

While many people are strangers to reading poetry as a hobby, Jane says Dublin: One City, One Book is the

perfect time to get involved with Irish writing.

“People are resistant to poetry, perhaps they’ve been scarred from school. But I’d recommend people to pick up the book and have it by their bed and dip into it.

“Poetry expresses emotions you can’t do with prose. I’m also encouraging book clubs around Dublin to start and finish meetings with a poem for the month,” she said.

“Start with poems about your own area, and that will encourage you to read more,” she said.

The programme for Dublin: One City, One Book will be launched on March 25. For more details and further event information, visit www. dublinonecityonebook.ie.

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Jill, a six-year-old German shepherd.

Jill was living in a home for two-and-a-half years but her owner couldn’t look after her any longer so she is back in the centre. Jill loves cuddles and going for drives in the car. She would need to be the only dog in the house, as she can be a bit nervous.

If you think you could offer Jill her forever home then please contact Dogs Trust on 01-8791000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50 and would love to show you around. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie

FOR UP TO DAT E N E W s follow u s :

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20 Gazette 20 March 2014

CELEBRATINGMOTHER’S DAY Butler’s Chocolate €5 Belle Juicy floral necklace €30

Celebrate Mother’s Day at The Orchard in Kildare

Enjoy a special afternoon of tea and shopping For those who are looking for something that bit unusual to celebrate Mother’s Day, The Orchard in Kildare could be just the thing. Not only has The Orchard got a beautiful cafe which comfortably seats 200, but it offers the perfect Victorian walled garden backdrop for a special afternoon tea with mother.

After a spot of breakfast or lunch in the cafe, you and your mother can do what every mammy loves – browse and shop in the garden centre on site or pick up a few delightful titbits from the home and interiors department.

The Orchard is a five-star home and garden lifestyle location which won Garden Centre of the Year at the Bord Bia Quality Awards.

Set amongst the charm of a five-acre Victorian walled garden, The Orchard Cafe offers a relaxing atmosphere and a menu including breakfast from 9am until 12pm and lunch from 12pm until 5pm, with delicious desserts on the menu all day long.

The home and interiors department showrooms has a variety of giftware items, furniture and accessories in elegant surroundings designed by professional interior designers.

If you would like to find out about The Orchard for Mother’s Day, you can go to www.theorchard.ie.

Orla Kiely iPhone 5 wallet available at Harvey Norman €29.99

Gift

Guide

Next cropped sweater €38

Pink Sony Cybershot camera €202

Grey Rose by Jane Packer – Purple mixed flower arrangement in glass bowl €78

20 March 2014 Gazette 21

J’aime la Vie Romina green dress at Carraig Donn €69.95

M&S Jonathan Saunders Edition ombre dress €125

Opium perfume 30ml €36.86

Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream €49

for mum Mum’s Marvellous Moments Photo Album, Littlewoods Ireland €15

 laura webb

ber her style and not your own. Something you might like may not be suitable for mammy, so keep that in

Although we really should treat and pamper our

mind otherwise you might find yourself digging out the

mammy every day, when Mother’s Day comes around

receipt to get it changed.

it’s really just another excuse to spoil her rotten.

This week, The Gazette gets styling so that mother’s can look extra special on the day, while also giving the kids some helpful hints on what clothes mum might

Gazette Style looks at must-have beauty products, accessories and simple yet colourful dresses that we reckon might be on the wish list for mums.

Don’t forget Mother’s Day is on March 30.

want for their special day.

When shopping for mum, it’s important to remem-

Stila brush set from Harvey Nichols €42

Orla Kiely Floral Stem Midi Sling Bag (Orange), at Kilkenny Stores €169 Birdhouse available at Carraig Donn €19.95

Carvela Shylock Cut-out Ankle Boots, Littlewoods Ireland €194

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feature

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 20 March 2014

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

This group shot shows the diverse range of winners at last year’s awards ceremony

Industries called to enter for food awards  NATALIE BURKE

DISHING up another chance for success and industry acclaim, the Irish Quality Food Awards is back for 2014 and is calling all retailers, food producers, wholesalers and food service operators across Ireland.

A unique collaboration between Food and Hospitality Ireland (formerly SHOP) and The UK Quality Food and Drink Awards (now in its 33rd year), these prestigious awards set out to recognise excellence in food and drink product development from a variety of companies across Ireland.

Once again, the judging will take place over two weeks at The School of Culinary Arts and Food & Technology in Dublin.

The results will be announced at a gala dinner in the Round Room at The Mansion House on September 11.

Repeating last year’s trade-media partnership with Retail News magazine, while forming a consumer-media partnership with Easy Food magazine, the Irish Quality Food Awards 2014 place food and drink products onto the tables businesses need for success.

The awards themselves are organised into three distinct sections: Category Q – products for the multiple and independent grocery retail market; Catering Q – products for the catering market, and Quality Drink Awards – alcoholic drinks for retail and foodservice.

Organised by Metropolis Business Media, its publisher, Helen Lyons, said the company is delighted to be organising the awards once again this year.

She said: “We are absolutely delighted with the success of last year’s awards and so pleased to be organising an equally exciting event for 2014.

“As former winners can testify, picking up an Irish Quality Food & Drink Award is a powerful marketing tool, with many winners using the awards’ logos on their packaging and in national press, television and outdoor advertising.”

Entries will be accepted until June 2 and judging will commence from July 7 to 18.

For further information and full entry details, see www.irishqualityfoodawards.com.

Terra Madre

Italian restaurant

Bachelors Walk In town, step on down to short but interesting

INTIMATE is one thing but Terra Madre’s dining room brings that cosiness to a whole new level.

Located at Bachelors Walk, this basement-level restaurant is not for the claustrophobic, and with my being more than a tad anxious in confined spaces, I eyed our corner table with more than a little trepidation.

A rather promptly ordered bottle of Trebbiano helped me to relax in our surroundings and with our rather rickety table.

This restaurant described its cooking as authentic and simple and the mismatched crockery and glasses, as well as the slightly wonky furniture, certainly is in keeping with the theme.

Decor is completely stripped back and nothing adorns the walls. The menu is very short, but there are many interesting things on there.

This is the place to go

a basement restaurant that may feel a little squished, but which also packs in plenty of variety into its “rustic” Italian fare (sample inset). While portions seemed somewhat small, the food had large appeal.

The Picky Eater if you’re all about the food and the owners have obviously plumped for sourcing the best, more delicious ingredients over presenting an elegant and grand dining room.

These guys use ingredients that have been foraged from Italy as components of some of their dishes. Many are scarce, and this makes for an exciting menu, in my opinion, even if it is short.

To start with, we had bruschetta of wild caper sprouts, which are harvested by hand and grown in the plains and hills of the Piana Di Sibari in Calabria – they are very rare. I love tart food and these, on toasted Italian bread, packed the right punch.

The Lardo Di Colonnata, which is a traditional Tuscan delicacy made with pork fat, herbs and spice, comes from the Apuan Alps where it has been matured for six to nine months in white

marble basins.

This looked insipid on bread, but the fat melted on the tongue. This bruschetta plate (€7.50) isn’t on the menu, but our relaxed waiter agreed to bring us out a selection as we couldn’t decide between the two. Our second starter was the real winner of the night.

House special

A house special of mozzarella, melted so that the creamy, delicate cheese oozed from the middle, was surrounded by anchovy, capers and tomato (€11.50).

It was divine, and the hunting down of only the best ingredients is evident in this dish. It looked clean and fresh on the plate, and I look forward to this dish again, maybe on a summer’s day served with a chilled glass of white wine.

For our second course, my friend had Pappardella with Chianina cow

ragout. Chianina is one of the oldest and most valuable cow breeds in the world. According to the menu, the cattle have been raised in Umbria, Tuscany and Lazio for at least 2,200 years.

The pasta was, of course, cooked al dente and the meat was tasty. (€14.50) My ravioli with black truffle and cheese fondue (€16.50) was very tasty, with the strong flavour of the truffle coming through and the homemade ravioli melting exquisitely on the tongue.

My only gripe is that portions are very small.

I don’t like lots of pasta, but these portions are far

from hearty and if you are hungry you may leave disappointed.

Dessert was chocolate biscuit cake served with orange and the second was an almond flan. Both of these dishes were fine (€6 each).

The chocolate biscuit cake is very much like one my grandmother used to make and was moist and rich. I didn’t consider it particularly Italian. The flan (above) was much more so and the flavours were intense and long lasting.

Two macchiatos, which the lovely waiter gave to us on the house, were well made. The bill came to €90.

Conclusion WITH rustic decor and Italian rarities on the menu, Terra Madre (at 13 Bachelors Walk, Dublin 1; tel 01 573 5300) is truly a gourmet journey through Italy. Although the menu is short and portions small, the tastes are interesting and varied.

20 March 2014 Gazette 23

theatre: stones in his pockets

Pavilion

A bit heavy going, due to its Oirish overtones  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

MARIE Jones’s play, Stones in his Pockets, has been around a while and has been a favourite across Irish theatres, both amateur and professional, since 1996.

This month saw the play return once more to the professional stage, and The Gaiety Theatre with a production directed by Ian McElhinney, and starring Damian Kearney, who played Garda Martin in Love/Hate, and Stephen Jones.

The drama is set in rural Kerry during the making of a big Hollywood film, and features two main characters who are extras.

Both actors also double, triple and quadruple as 15 other characters of both sexes throughout the play, changing their accents and demeanours in the blink of an eye.

As a dramatic device, this can be tricky, confusing and annoying, to say the least.

One moment, the actors are engaged in conversation as the

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

‘However, despite its popularity, the play was not to my taste.

‘It has more than a touch of the “Oirish” about it, and the characters are overly enthusiastic and childlike.’

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

extras, Charlie and Jake, and then, with barely a physical signal, they turn into completely different characters.

One of the smitten extras, Jake, played by Damian Kearney, is singled out for special attention by the leading lady, Caroline, and his uncouth attempts to take advantage of this are pure slapstick.

However, Caroline is not interested in Jake for any romantic reason but rather wants to learn

from him how to speak in an authentic brogue.

Stephen Jones’s character, Charlie, has aspirations to get his script made into a movie and carries it around on set looking for an opportunity to pass it to someone in the know.

Jones also plays the part of the leading lady, Caroline; a cliched transformation so complete that the audience can almost imagine her boa and stilletos.

The play is currently going down a storm at The Gaiety, and both actors are competent performers with a very authentic way with accents.

They go from Donegal to Kerry to American and English without much trouble at all.

Indeed, the accents are the main way that the audience knows which character is currently before them.

However, despite its popularity, the play was not to my taste. It has more than a touch of the “Oirish” about it, and the characters are a tad one-dimensional, overly enthusiastic and

Gazette

ARTS

Author Sebastian Barry will discuss his writing career

Temporary talk on book  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

As one half of the two-man cast, Damian Kearney brings great energy to the wildly different characters, male and female, that round out the play’s cast

childlike.

The main characters are full of testosterone and zeal, but with a gauche Irish innocence too, and their time, if they ever had one, is long gone now.

The play also shifts seismically from farce into tragedy, with no graduation or warning.

The result is an awkward silence in the audience as they adjust their perception to a more serious tone.

Stones in his Pockets has won many awards over the years, including the Evening Standard award, the Laurence Olivier award for best new comedy, and an Irish Times T heatre award for best play.

The production’s current run in The Gaiety

As with the other star, Stephen Jones impresses with the diversity of his performances

has proven so popular that it has been extended until March 29.

Stones in his Pockets

cost €25, and tickets are available from The Gaiety Theatre’s box office at 01 679 5622.

THE Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire is soon to play host to popular author Sebastian Barry, when he engages in conversation with broadcaster Myles Dungan in an upcoming event.

Due to take place on April 4 as part of the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Library Voices Series, the event will see Barry discuss his writing career and his latest novel, The Temporary Gentleman.

This, the sixth book in a cycle of separate but interconnected novels depicting characters based on his own family, tells the story of Jack McNulty – the eponymous gentleman of the title, who is an Irishman in the British army.

The story is full of drama as Jack recounts the adventures of his eventful life, yet the memory that weighs heaviest on Jack is that of the beautiful Mai Kirwan, with whom he had a tempestuous and heart-breaking marriage ...

A Dubliner, Barry – who is the son of the late Irish actress, Joan O’Hara – has written a number of successful plays, as well as novels and some poetry.

Tickets cost €10/€8 and are available through the Pavilion Theatre’s box office at 01 231 2929.

Gazette

24 Gazette 20 March 2014

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

ReelReviews

The book thief

Another Nazi tale awaits FINALLY making it to our screens, The Book Thief (Cert 12A, 131 mins) sees a young girl rebelling against local authority when she ends up living with a new foster family. However, as it’s set in World War 2, the inexorable march of the Nazi regime soon swirls around them and a mysterious refugee ...

Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson head an interesting, if familiar-feeling tale.

need for speed Vroom to improve

RACING into cinemas and hell-bent on challenging 300’s sequel (see below) for sheer awfulness, Need For Speed (Cert 12A, 132 mins) is one for particularly undemanding petrolheads.

Here, cars get driven very fast indeed as the plot careers all the way from A to B in a genre-conforming tale of manly men trying to settle old scores and get revenge ... by driving their cars dangerously. A lot.

Rise of an empire 300’s unwanted sequel

THE plot’s all Greek to us, but hey – if you want to see lots of grunting, musclebound lunks trying to chop each other into little chunks, courtesy of endless over stylised slowwwwwmotion set-piece battles, 300: Rise of an Empire (Cert 16, 102 mins) is for you. Leave your brain at home for this one, as the likes of Lena Headey ham it up against the Chippend– err, ancient Greeks.

Either the Muppets are trying to work out how to calculate the bill, or they’re discussing their next step as they get on with their current comic caper

muppets most wanted: comic stars don’t quite tug all the right strings

A Fozzie-ly directed sequel

THE latest offering in Disney’s lucratively rebooted musical franchise, Muppets Most Wanted literally builds on the success of its predecessor, with an opening shot featuring the Muppets in Hollywood on the set of 2011’s film, wondering what to do next.

The answer lies in their catchy first number, We’re Doing A Sequel, written

by Flight of the Concord’s Bret McKenzie – but the self-referential lyrics (“We’re doing a sequel, that’s what we do in Hollywood, but everybody knows that the sequel’s never quite as good”) may contain a little too much truth.

With the Muppet Theatre happily secure, the gang are persuaded to take their show on the road by PR guru Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais).

 Dave phillips

Kermit’s (voiced by Steve Whitmire) initial protestations and sneaking suspicions of the tour are drowned out by the rest of the Muppets’ celebrations.

Badguy (“It’s French, pronounced Bad-JEE”, he explains) knows how to manipulate the group and he swiftly nudges the mild-mannered Kermit out of leadership.

A more nefarious purpose to the world tour emerges when Constantine (Matt Vogel), “the world’s most dangerous frog” – who bears an uncanny resemblance to

Kermit – escapes from a soviet gulag.

A quick identity swap later, and Constantine is happily ensconced within the Muppets, while Kermit is languishing in the gulag under the obsessive watch of Nadya (Tina Fey), with no way to let the rest of the Muppets know the danger they are in.

Throw in Lady Gaga, some art gallery heists, and a marriage to Ms Piggy, and it looks to be the guts of an entertaining trip.

But, while the film is heavy with star cameo performances – too many to name here, and some are so fleeting that you’ll probably miss them – it is noticeably light in human leads.

Constantine’s ropy Slavic impersonation

of Kermit is over-relied upon as a means to carry much of the story and humour.

While falling back on classic body-swap scenarios remains funny for the most part, these scenes lack the humanMuppet chemistry found in the earlier film.

Ricky Gervais’s interactions with the Muppets feel more like Comic Relief sketches, and T i n a Fey’s o n e -

dimensional character leads to her scenes with Kermit in the gulag feeling somewhat repetitive and flat.

The closest the film comes to filling the Jason Segel-shaped hole is in the scenes with Jean Pierre Napoleon (Ty Burrell) and Sam the Eagle (Eric Jacobson), as French and American detectives forced to work together on the case of Constantine.

The human connection is missing in more than one sense.

The film seems to be l a c king,

not only in comparison to its predecessor, but in comparison to most other recent films aimed at children, due to its noticeably muted emotional undertones.

T he Muppets may gain a new appreciation of Kermit, but there’s no grander message on display.

Muppets Most Wanted is a straightforward romp – a colourful comedy that is content to pluck on the musical strings, but not tug on the heart strings.

The result is enough to keep you just about entertained, but never really inspired.

Verdict: 5/10

The new Muppet film stars a top comic who is much loved by his millions of fans all around the world. It also stars Ricky Gervais. Wocka Wocka!

20 March 2014 gazette 25

french getaway: enjoy a luxurious home away from home

TRAVEL

Camping in France has never been so good  natalie burke

When travelling with kids, especially ones old enough to have an appetite for running wild, your requirements for a successful, memorable holiday will most likely include the likes of a beach, a kids or teen club and a few easy going eateries.

Mobile home and camping holidays in France with Al Fresco are ideal if you’re looking for a family holiday with fun, flexibility, freedom and lots of great food. France is a holiday destination full of contrast and every region has its own character.

Al Fresco luxury mobile homes are on some of the best French campsites in Brittany, Normandy, Vendee, Champagne (near Paris), Loire valley, Charente Maritime, Aquitaine, Languedoc/ Roussillon and the Cote d’Azur.

The French holiday parcs are set in golden beach, lakeside and mountain settings and

provide some great facilities, restaurants and most importantly, a relaxed holiday atmosphere.

Wherever you choose to spend your holiday, France has a well-deserved reputation for its cuisine and good wine and there are plenty of markets and small town delicatessens located near or within the holiday parcs.

For a day away from the beach, there’s still plenty to do, with cosmopolitan cities and medieval villages to visit, activities and adventures to undertake and history and culture to soak up.

Many Al Fresco holiday parcs are toddler friendly, with creches and a toddler-friendly pool, while many will also feature a club especially for kids aged between four and seven, and eight and 12.

Here, they can get stuck into everything from mini-golf to magic shows. With multilingual staff on site, this means parents can relax with a good book and a

glass of wine knowing their family is in good hands.

Youth clubs, day trips and discos also feature for teenagers looking for some new friends and fun.

With tons of summer offers for 2014, Al Fresco offer packages based both on mobile homes or families.

Depart on May 31 and spend eight nights in a two-bedroom mobile home in Chateau De Galinne, Brittany, plus overnight sailings with cabins, from just €699 per family (based on a family of four).

T his holiday parc features a heated water park with slides as well as an indoor aquatic centre and is situated right next to a beach, and just minutes walk from Saint-Malo’s historic walled centre with fine restaurants and creperies.

Departing on June 20, seven nights in a two-bedroom mobile in La Croix du Vieux Pont, Champange, costs from €499 per mobile.

The parc is ideally

Gazette

TRAVEL fast

Irish Ferries have introduced a direct route to Cherbourg

New French route for Irish Ferries  natalie burke

Mobile home holidays in France are the ideal choice if you’re looking for a family holiday with fun

Many parks feature heated water activity areas

situated for a visit to Disneyland Paris with six times weekly coach excursions to the popular park and to Paris.

Or if the South of France is on your radar, why not depart on July 5 and spend seven nights in Le Sylvamar, Aquitaine, from just €485 for a two-bedroom mobile.

Toddler-friendly Le Sylvamar offers a range

of activities for all ages from surfing lessons to fitness programmes and also features a heated water park with a pool, a lagoon and a lazy river.

Biarritz is just 30 miles away and a trip to San Sebastian (46 miles) for tapas is a tempting day trip.

For a two-bedroom mobile in Esterel on t h e C o t e d ’A z u r, a

seven-night visit costs just €799 per mobile, departing on July 14.

Just three miles from a beach, families visiting Esterel can make the most of the outdoor swimming complex and indoor jungle paddling pool.

The parc also offers evening entertainment, fitness classes, a creche and kids clubs.​

Irish Ferries have introduced a new direct sea route to France, linking Dublin with the popular French resor t of Cherbourg.

R e c e n t l y vo t e d Ireland’s Best Ferry Company 2013 by Irish travel agents, Irish Ferries is confident that it will see more families than ever choosing a motoring holi day in France over any other, without having to drive to Rosslare to avail of the car ferry.

Irish Ferries’ new service is timed to arrive in Cherbourg early enough to facilitate easy onward travel to campsites and holiday centres throughout France.

Sailings will depart from the Ferryport terminal in Dublin at 3.30pm on Saturday, and will arrive in Cherbourg at 11.30am on Sunday morning.

It will then return to Dublin later that day, departing Cherbourg at 5pm and arriving in Dublin on Monday morning.

For more information, bookings or travel vouchers, visit w w w. i r i s h f e r r i e s . com or call 0818 300 400.

26 GAZETTE 20 March 2014

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20 March 2014 Gazette 27

catherine walsh P28

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

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



Gazette

soccer P28

FastSport roadmap rolls out at carton house: A SEMI-

Donnacha O’Callaghan at the Ilac Centre promoting the new 4Impacts advertising pod last week

rugby: rabo 12 pits province against province at aviva stadium next week

Donnacha set for the clash of titans as Munster come to town MUNSTER’S most-capped player Donncha O’Callaghan says that provincial players are well used to swapping Irish colours for club jerseys seamlessly as Leinster and the southern province prepare to lock horns on March 29.

It comes hot on the heels of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign with the two provinces set for a marquee date in the Aviva Stadium in a top-table Rabo Pro 12 clash.

Speaking from his vast experience to GazetteSport, he says that the players are able to quickly adapt from the Irish camp to their provincial commitments “Everyone gets behind the team when we are in green,” he said. “But of

course when you are involved, you do everything you can for the fella next to you and then two weeks later, you are knocking the head off each other. It’s the nature of things and is an enjoyable part of things.

“The big thing is that both sets of players care and that is what is important. They care about playing for Ireland and they care about playing for their province and that is massive.”

O’Callaghan was speaking to the Gazette at the Ilac Centre where he was promoting his new 4 Impacts advertising pod. The pod features a 55-inch high definition screen for rolling advertisements with an in-built sensor that has the ability to log the demographic

and engagement of passers-by, giving advertisers much more information about the effectiveness of their campaign.

The second row recently signed a two-year contract extension with Munster that will keep him with the province until 2016 but he is looking to set himself up for life outside the game.

“The demographic of our changing room has changed a lot. I am a married man with three kids, heading off to cinema after training isn’t really my thing any more! An awful lot of our lads study or do different things. For me, this is a sector I am excited about. There’s a good buzz about the people around the marketing sector and usually are enjoy-

able to deal with.

“I looked at what kind of things ran parallel with my rugby. It was always marketing, the bits we were used for like being in ads on billboards. With my work with Unicef, you would see how campaigns work. So I had massive interest in it and am looking to push it on.

“It’s busy but all aspects are massively important for me. When you look at the different things you are involved in, you want to give it 100pc. It’s lovely to have other interests along with my busy family life. This is my business and it really feels like my baby and when I walked into the building, I got a lump in my throat at how well they look.”

NAR to launch the Leinster golf strategy, Roadmap 2017, will be held in Carton House Hotel on Monday, March 24.

Roadmap 2017 provides an in-depth analysis of the game in Leinster.

It is based on survey results from more than 8,000 golfers and data from focus groups with key stakeholders.

A comprehensive action plan covering ten initiatives needed to develop and improve the game over the next four years has been formulated. Delegates from 170 affiliated clubs in Leinster have been invited to attend the seminar.

Castleknock’s European Tour player Peter Lawrie will be in attendance to give the delegates an insight into pace of play on the Tour together with GREENi who will give a short demonstration of an electronic Pace of Play Management System for clubs.

For more information, log on to www. gui.ie/leinster.

Gazette

28 Gazette 20 March 2014

SPORT

FastSport

Girls in green do Ireland proud in the Cyprus Cup A magnificent run in the Cyprus Cup came to an end in the fifth and sixth-place play-off match for the Republic Of Ireland’s women’s team who registered a series of results that belied their lowly status in the international women’s tournament, which they went into ranked 12 of the 12 competing teams.

It was Ireland’s first defeat in seven games, a run that stretched back 12 months to last year’s Cyprus Cup defeat by Finland, and only their second loss in 12 games.

Their progress was impressive in the tournament, opening with a win against New Zealand, ranked 17 places above Ireland in the world rankings, before a draw with eventual third-place finishers, South Korea. They defeated another side above them in the rankings, Switzerland, 2-1 before the play-off against Canada saw them take the side 26 places ahead of them in the world to the final moments of the game before the Maple Leafs secured victory.

For the fourth time in a week, manager Sue Ronan had nothing but praise for her side after they once again defied the odds, and their world ranking of 33, to leave one of the top teams in the world breathing an audible sigh of relief at the final whistle.

“They were absolutely brilliant,” said Ronan of her players. “They started with their strongest possible team and ended up having to make three changes at half-time to try and get back into the game.

“It has been a fantastic experience and is great preparation for the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers,” said Ronan. “We’ve finished with one win, two draws, one defeat, have scored five goals, and have led in every one of those four games against high ranking teams from four different continents.

“The players are growing in confidence, they are improving from game to game and bringing things to a new level. They want to push on and hopefully that will show in the games in April and May in Dublin which are going to be very tough.”

Ireland’s next game will be on Saturday, April 5, at Tallaght Stadium when they face world number two side and current European champions Germany as they resume their World Cup qualifying campaign.

An eternal Olympian exits the world stage Catherine Walsh has called time on her stellar career in sport after six Paralympic Games to start a new phase of her life - and maybe a triathlon or two...

ITTOOK Catherine Walsh a while to step away from elite sport after two decades as a Paralympian, in a breathtaking career.

It landed her an array of medals across two different disciplines; a life in sport that spanned six Paralympic Games.

A year-and-a-half since she landed a track cycling silver medal and a bronze on the road in London, she feels the time is right to step off the bike though there are times she still hankers to be back in the saddle.

Speaking to GazetteSport about her glittering career, she says that it is something she found hard to let go.

“At times, I wonder did I do the right thing? When you see everyone away

 stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

training in Mallorca, you start to think, ‘it could be me’ but, at the same time, I also think now I am glad it isn’t me!

“It is difficult when you have trained consistently for so long and I do feel unwell when I am not challenging myself physically. But now I don’t get stressed if I miss a session, whereas before it would be the number one part of the day.”

Growing up in Swords, her parents were both coaches at Fingallians and

Catherine Walsh receives her Dublin Gazette Sports Star of the Year 2012 award in March last year

got her involved in athletics early on. Competing in the visually impaired pentathlon, long jump, 800m and discus events, she developed quickly enough to contest both the Barcelona and Atlanta Paralympics before hitting a zenith in Sydney in 2000, landing bronze in the P13 pentathlon.

Athens followed before Walsh made the big switch to track cycling and a new part of her career that culminated in a track cycling silver in London, in tandem with Fran Meehan, in the individual pursuit, along with a bronze in women’s time trial.

Speaking about her move to cycling, she simply puts it down to meeting “the right people at the right time”. While her brother had ridden a tandem in their youth and her cousins cycled competitively in South Africa, she says there was little inkling that this was a sport for her before a virtually enforced retirement from pentathlon.

Following Athens in 2004, there were not enough world level competitors to keep the fivediscipline sport in the Paralympics. As such, Walsh turned her attentions to attempting a triathlon but soon found her new calling.

“I wasn’t strong enough on a world level in the individual events from the pentathlon so I had basically retired and

had another kid; then I wanted to do a triathlon.

Through that, I learned a bit about bikes, something I was completely terrified about before but I started the track cycling and really liked it. It’s very measurable; road racing is very tactical whereas this is more similar to athletics.

embark on a new phase of life. Training is still ongoing and she does say that this year she might “finally get round to doing my triathlon!” but there is a clearer canvas to try out new things.

To that end, she went skiing with her family for the first time in February

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

‘When you see everyone away training you think, it could be me, but at the same time, I’m glad it’s not!’ - Catherine Walsh --------------------------------------------------------

I really like that and got completely addicted.”

It gave her a second career she scarcely envisaged, one she says that she relished in a different way to her athletics career.

“I thought I was finished with elite sport but it gave me another bite.

Sometimes when you are younger, you don’t appreciate opportunities that you get.

“This time, I definitely did [appreciate it] as it gets much harder when you are older to keep training with the demands on your time and increased responsibilities. While it was harder to do, I definitely appreciated it more.”

She entertained thoughts of defending the World Championship title she won in 2012 in Los Angeles but found 2013 a tough season and reckoned it was time to

while there are other avenues that she is looking forward to pursuing.

“Stepping back from it, I have left cycling in a good place. I am a little bit jealous that they are going to build the velodrome here and that could have made life a lot easier, not having as much time away from home.

“I don’t even want to do the triathlon competitively! It’s just to say ‘I did that’. Quite soon after London, I did my level one athletics coaching course with Fingallians.

My kids are now at an age where I bring them to sports that they are trying out and enjoying,” said Walsh, “I’m just doing normal things and hoping to stay involved in cycling in some form and help out people starting off and give them encouragement.”

20 March 2014 gazette 29

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 20 March 2014

SPORT

soccer: saints take their point

St Mochta’s striker Glen Crowe, whose header opened the scoring

Mochta’s draw lsl div 1a sunday

Greystones United St Mochta’s FC  sport@gazettegroup.com

2 2

St Mochta’s intermediate footballers earned a valuable point last weekend in a 2-2 draw away to Greystones United in LSL Senior Division 1A. This side look to be something of draw specialists this season, with 10 of their 15 league games earning them a single point.

The Saints were quick out of the blocks, however, with Aaron O’Brien and Jordan Lancaster registering attempts in the first five minutes.

T h e v i s i t o r s we r e enjoying plenty of the ball but it was the opposition who had the game’s first real chance.

Warren Fee was forced to pull off an impressive save for Mochta’s before a goalmouth scramble saw another effort can-

non off the post before the ball was eventually cleared to safety.

It was the visiting team who took the lead, however, five minutes before the break, and it came from front man Glen Crowe.

Brian Kelly’s cross was inch-perfect but there was still much work for the former Bohemians striker to do, but he made it look easy as his bullet header flew past the Greystones’ keeper.

There was a chance for the visitors to double their lead seconds before half-time, but Brian Lyman was denied by a fine double save.

A minute after the restart, the game was level as the Saints were punished for failing to organise quickly enough to defend a corner. The delivery was good and a Greystones’ man rose highest to meet the ball and even the scores.

United then took the lead with about half an hour to go, again from a header, this time the result of a defensive mix-up between Kelly and his keeper Fee that left the striker free to head the ball home.

With 12 minutes left on the clock, the Saints got their equaliser and what a good strike it was.

Gavin Smith was the man presented with the chance; it was not easy, but he settled himself before producing an accurate finish low and hard into the bottom corner.

Looking at the league table, St Mochta’s sit in a lower mid-table position.

However, they have played five games less than top-placed team Beggsboro AFC, and if they won each of those games in hand, they would be level on points with the league leaders.

Brendan’s claim Minor Cup  sport@gazettegroup.com

ST BRENDAN’S Phoenix Park landed Leinster hockey’s Minor Cup last weekend with victory from a penalty shoot-out, seeing off YMCA. Normal time had ended 2-2 after Brendan’s had

twice held the lead only to be pegged back.

But they eventually prevailed 3-2 on strokes to land the title.

En route to the final, the Phoenix Park club saw off North Kildare 1-0 in the quarter-final before defeating Dublin Univer-

sity in a thrilling 5-3 tie in late February, setting up the final date with YMCA. St Brendan’s seconds have been going well in Division 8 of the Leinster leagues, currently sitting in fourth place in the table with seven games to go.

20 March 2014 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

a special honour

Club Noticeboard

St Brigid’s camogie stalwart gets award

st brigid’s

st brigid’s GAA club member Patsy

Powell was honoured by the GAA at a presentation on Friday night in Croke Park where she recieved the President’s Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to supporting the advancement of Gaelic games from Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael Liam O’Neill.

camogie: sky-blues claim first league point

Saturday, April 12, is the date for

day’s lotto jackpot, the jackpot now

our club dinner-dance in the Crowne

rises to €10,200 and the draw will be in

Plaza Blanchardstown. Tickets now

Russell Park on Thursday, March 20.

on sale from Michelle Hourican on 087

Our Club Nursery continues every

225 0375 and a great night is in store.

Saturday morning from 9.30 to 11.

Annual club membership for 2014 is

We welcome all 4-7 year olds in the

now due. Membership must be paid by

Castleknock and Blanchardstown

the end of this month, March 31.

area and new members are especially

Well done to our U-16 Dublin A and

welcome. Contact Paul on 087 915 4748

B camogie representatives and to

or email info@stbrigidsgaa.com for

Patsy Powell on her National Award

more information.

which she received in Croke Park on Friday.

Well done also to all those involved in the annual Dublin 15 Primary Schools Handball tournament which was a great success.

Open handball session this Saturday morning from 11am to 1pm on both 40x20 and one-wall courts.

Full round of AFL games this weekend, details and times on website.

Please send any photos or match

Great juvenile wins last week for

reports you have of juvenile or adult

our U-15 and U-13A and B hurlers also.

games to info@stbrigidsgaa.com for

There was no winner of last Thurs-

our club website.

st peregrine’s There was no winner of this week’s

Club race day to Punchestown is

lotto. Numbers drawn this week were

coming up soon, contact Paul Finn for

1, 4, 15 and 26. Next week’s jackpot is

details.

€7,000. Direct debit forms available from the office.

Bingo: Jackpot on Wednesday night is €650.

Memberships are now overdue.

There is live music in the lounge this

Membership must be paid before

Saturday night and DJ Vinny is back on

playing any matches to cover you for

Sunday with Play Your Cards Right.

insurance.

A big thank you to everybody

The inter hurlers would like to thank

involved in the Juvenile Disco, Spon-

everybody that supported their Fan-

sored Walk, Bag Packing and mixed

The Dublin senior camogie team claimed a deserved draw against Tipperary at Trinity Gaels last week

tasy Cheltenham fundraiser, which

matches, which all went on over the

Plunkett’s star helps Dublin to Tipp draw

was a huge success.

weekend.

Well done to Sorcha Donohue who

team against Ballinteer St John’s. They

ncl division 1

was part of the winning U-16B Dublin

are always looking for new players

camogie teams at the weekend. Hard

and anyone interested can contact

luck to Alannah Kenny and the U-16A

Dermot 087 624 2995.

Dublin 1-15 Tipperary 4-6  sport@gazettegroup.com

ST OLIVER Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh star Aoife Bugler produced a hard-working performance to help Dublin produce a stunning late run of six successive points to claw back a draw for Dublin against Tipperar y at Drimnigh last Sunday to get off the mark for the 2014 season.

After a brisk start, the sides shared six points inside the first 15 minutes with Ciara

Berkeley, Marie Moynihan and Nicole Walsh exchanging scores.

From there, Aoife McGrath finished off a good Tipp move with the Premier county’s first of four goals.

Miriam Twomey kept Dublin in touch with a well-taken point from out on the left wing but a Tipp penalty with five minutes remaining in the first half was clipped over the bar by Nicole Walsh to keep a threepoint lead intact.

Dublin responded with great zest. Orla Durkin made a scintillating run from mid-

field allowing her to find Aine Fanning who rifled the sliotar to the back of the net, helping them get in front by a point at half-time at 1-5 to 1-4.

But they were pegged back in the opening phases of the second half, shipping 1-1 in the first two minutes, courtesy of a point from Cait Devane and the goal coming from Amy Kennedy.

Ciara Berkeley’s free, a 45 and one from play, brought the sides level again.

Between the 40th and 50th minute, however,

Tipperar y outscored Dublin by two goals and a point to Dublin’s solitary Aine Fanning point gave them a sixpoint lead.

It made for worrying times for Dublin as Tipp had already amassed 4-6 but they managed to keep the visitors scoreless from then on in a superb fightback.

Points from substitute Aisling Maher, wing back Claire Rigney and four from Berkeley (two frees, one 45 and one from play) had the sides level when referee Ray Kelly called a halt to proceedings.

The club are running Strictly Per-

Our Easter camps will run from April

egrine’s on July 12 in Westmanstown.

22 to 25. Any child wishing to attend,

Anybody that would like to dance or

please contact your team mentor

get involved contact strictly.per-

and all children are invited to bring a

egrines@gmail.com by March 31.

friend.

erin go bragh

Dublin camogie team against Offaly and Garret Dalton and the Fingal hurlers against Down on Sunday.

Club membership is now due, contact Sinead 086 688 91551.

We will be running our Cycleton Fundraiser on Saturday, April 26 in Blan-

Our U-16 ladies football team had a good win over Ballyboden St Enda’s.

We are currently fielding ladies football and camogie teams from U-8 to minor and are always looking for new players. Contact details are in the ladies section of our website.

chardstown Shopping Centre. We’re

Our girls’ nursery for ages four to

looking for volunteers to do the cycling

eight continues on Saturdays in Phib-

and shaking buckets. Anyone interest-

blestown Community Centre from

ed can contact Finbar 086 383 7411.

11.15am to 12.15pm. New players wel-

Well done to our underage teams

come, contact Finbar on 086 383 7411.

at the weekend. We are fielding teams

Our adult ladies football and cam-

from nursery to U-15. We are always

ogie teams are looking for players.

looking for new players and contact

Training continues on Tuesdays and

details are in the juvenile section of

Thursdays 8 to 9pm in the National

our website, eringobraghgaa.ie.

Sports Campus. Contact Kevin 087 822

Well done to our U-10 ladies football

0612 or Ciara 087 914 7154.

GazetteSPORT all of your blanch sports coverage from page 27-31

draw specialists: St Mochta’s secure a valuable point against Greystones in LSL Sunday encounter P30

march 20, 2014

she’s a wonder walsh: Catherine calls time on her Paralympic journey P28

Toner hails Ireland’s 6 Nations win  stephen findlater

sport@gazettegroup.com

FORMER Castleknock College student Devin Toner admitted winning the 6 Nations was “a pretty cool feeling” as he played a huge part in Ireland’s success over the last two months.

The towering lock played in all bar seven minutes of the campaign, a break-out season in the competition for him, having played only bit-parts since making his debut back in 2010.

It is a measure of the trust Joe Schmidt has in Toner who he previously coached with Leinster and, in a tournament marked by

an effective line-out and maul, he played a strong role in their overall success.

Speaking after the game, he likened the victory over France in a title showdown to Heineken Cup finals from the past few seasons.

“Yeah, it was a grand final to us – winner takes all,” Toner said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play in a couple of finals so we kind of knew what to do, I suppose and try to keep the emotions in check.

“It’s not very different to be honest, but on a bigger scale it’s pretty cool because you’re not just with your Leinster teammates, you’re with all of your Ireland teammates. It’s a pretty cool feel-

ing alright.”

The win is Toner’s first in this competition and while he says the “satisfaction will linger”, he adds that there is precious little time before the next major challenge arrives, namely Leinster’s date with Munster on March 29.

“Guys have to get ready for the next one, I suppose, and it won’t be very long before we are getting ready for Munster in the Aviva so it’s obviously just quick, quick, quick.”

Focusing on his own growth into a first team regular, the 27-year-old is delighted to have made the big step forward and also to last full games despite the

usual high rate of attrition in the pack.

“Yeah, just getting the starts and getting to play well is obviously good. I’m well happy at the moment to be honest.

“The more 80 minutes you play, the more you’re used to it. As a team, we know our fitness is second to none. I think that really stood to us over the tournament, kind of grinding teams down to get the wins.

“Being able to play will always stand to you as well. When I saw Iain Henderson coming on for Peter O’Mahony, I thought ‘that’s another 80 minutes for me, so that’s grand!’”

Ireland’s jubilant 6 Nations champions at Stade de France last weekend