Blanch

Gazette BLANCH

PLUS:

Former Corrie actor Steven Houghton on his everyday life

SEE PAGE 13 August 20 - 26, 2015

FREE

CASTLEKNOCK • BLAKESTOWN • HARTSTOWN • TYRRELSTOWN • LAUREL LODGE • CORDUFF • MULHUDDART • ONGAR

INSIDE: Going to college? Our supplement has some great advice for students P17-22

DIARY: Pippa’s as happy as a fashionista can be at Dublin Fashion Festival P14

Lucky stars: Summer camp fun for kids Cricket:

Phoenix rise to win pair of league titles Page 30

STARCAMP summer camps ran a fantastic week in Scoil Bhride Cailini Blanchardstown recently.

The camp which caters for boys and girls aged four to 13 years introduces children to all aspects of the performing arts while embracing, as their core ethos, the improvement of their confidence and self-esteem. Pictured at the event were Aliga Murphy with James and Charlotte Stapleton.

Picture: Stephen Fleming

Soccer:

Mochta’s sign up seven stars for new season Page 32

Find us on

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE.................. 13 SUPPLEMENT ................17 CLASSIFIEDS ................26 SPORT ...........................28

‘Flawed model’ for estates faces change 85% vote needed for local authority to take estate in charge may be cut

 KEITH BELLEW

TYRRELSTOWN residents may soon be able to vote to have the council take their estate in charge as the Department of Environment is currently examining the

planning rule that has prevented them from doing so up to now. Estates need 85% of residents to vote in favour of a local authority taking their estate in charge before it can be done.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman

(GP) requested that Junior Environment Minister Paudie Coffey lower the figure.

He made this following a meeting of Tyrrelstown residents who have been at odds with the owner management companies who run their

estates.

“It is now recognised that this was a flawed model for these estates and management companies will not be used like this in the future,” said Cllr O’Gorman.

Full Story on Page 8

2 BLANCH Gazette 20 August 2015

facility Jack & Jill founder continues to slam site choice

Tensions linger over plan for kids’ hospital The planning application for the children’s unit at Connolly Hospital was lodged with An Bord Pleanala recently, in tandem with the application for the new Children’s Hospital at St James’s Hospital.

The facility, which will comprise a threestorey building including a walk-in emergency department, which will be known as an urgent care centre, a paediatric

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

out-patient department, children’s dentistr y, observation beds and out-patient clinics, will serve as a satellite of the National Children’s Hospital proposed at St

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

James’s Hospital.

Barring any unforeseen issues with the plan, it is hoped that work will begin next year and the unit will be open in 2017.

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said: “The submission of a planning application to An Bord Pleanala is an important milestone on the road to building our long-awaited world-class new children’s hospital.

“The plans are spectacular and the design is iconic. It will be the largest single investment in healthcare in Ireland ever and subject to planning permission work will be well underway in the New Year.”

The planning application is for the new hospital, parent accommodation, academic and research buildings on a shared campus with St James’s as well as two out-patient and urgent care satellite centres at Blanchardstown and Tallaght.

Not everyone is happy with the situation however, as Jonathan Irwin, chief executive of children’s charity Jack & Jill has renewed his criticism of the decision to locate the National Children’s Hospital at St James’s.

Irwin says Connolly Hospital is the best choice to locate the hospital given its easy access from the

Chief executive Jonathan Irwin says Connolly Hospital is the best choice to locate the hospital given its easy access

M50 as well as its room for expansion.

Speaking to the Gazette, he said: “What the Minister did not mention is that the satellites will close at 10 every evening and that there are no permanent beds

planned.”

He went on to say that it cannot be overlooked that the project team failed to interview any of the 2000 Jack & Jill families that sought meetings.

Minister Varadkar said

that any change now would result in delays so large that the current generation of children would not be treated at a new children’s hospital.

He is adamant that the hospital will be located at St James’s.

20 August 2015 BLANCH Gazette 3

don’sdublin Sharp, salty air is peerless for walkers in Dun Laoghaire GENERATIONS of people have been taking a walk on the pier and it is something that I have always enjoyed.

Whether the day is warm with a gentle breeze blowing or you are wrapped up against a bracing wind, taking the air is a real pleasure. The sharp, salty air never fails to clear a stuffy head, and the long walk is a favourite for thousands.

In the past, the waters in Dublin Bay often silted up making it difficult for ships to land and they would have to stay moored off-shore for days. A small pier was opened in 1767 (Coal Harbour Pier) but it soon became useless. After two disasters in November 1807 when the HMS Prince of Wales and The Rochdale sank with the loss of 400 people there was an outcry for something to be done.

In 1815 an Act of Parliament was passed for the construction of “a harbour for ships to the eastward of Dunleary’” and the foundation stone (East Pier) was laid in May 1817 by Earl Whitworth, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The granite was quarried in Dalkey and transported by a funicular railway that later became the Atmospheric Railway. By 1820 the original plan was amended by engineer John Rennie to add a second pier – and the West Pier was completed in 1827.

The East Pier (red for port) is 2.6km (out and back) while the West Pier (green for starboard) is slightly longer at 3.01km. They enclose a 250-acre harbour and the gap between them is 232m. The East Pier is the more popular with walkers and has a bandstand (built 1890s) where, weather permitting, music concerts take place. There is also a memorial to Captain Boyd and his crew who drowned in 1861 during a rescue. And you can see a plaque in honour of Samuel Beckett who also liked to walk the pier – Happy Days!

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier is still very popular with people, with many taking the full 2.6km return walk

dublin 15 €7m scheme for early years services

Financial boost for childcare facilities  Keith Bellew

A number of childcare facilities in Dublin 15 have been awarded grants as part of a €7m Government scheme for early years services.

Facilities in the local area which benefit from the fund include: Ladybird Lane Childcare

Service in Huntstown (€2,230) , and Little Learners Creche in Mulhuddart (€27,218).

Meanwhile, 46 different childcare organisations from across Dublin West will each receive a €500 grant to upgrade their information and communications technology (ICT) equipment.

The scheme covers large scale capital funding, essential mediumscale maintenance, as well as ICT upgrades.

Tanaiste Joan Burton welcomed the announcement saying these grants will help childcare providers in Dublin 15 keep up with the demands of a busy modern child-

care service. The funding was announced as the Labour Party launched its Let’s Talk About Childcare campaign. The campaign is targeting parents who use childcare resources in order to learn their views on how it can be made more affordable.

Parents are being

encouraged to fill out a short online survey on labour.ie/childcare.

The results of the survey will feed into the party’s election manifesto process.

“I’d strongly urge Dublin 15 parents to participate in this simple questionnaire,” said the Tanaiste Joan Burton.

4 BLANCH Gazette 20 August 2015

20 August 2015 blanch Gazette 5

6 BLANCH Gazette 20 August 2015

arrests Dissident republican activity Five people were arrested in Dublin 15 recently as part of a joint operation targeting dissident republican activity in the Dublin Region.

Gardai led by the special detective unit, emergency response unit and crime and security branch arrested four men and one woman aged from early 40s to late 60s under Section 30, Offences Against the State Act. They were detained at a number of Garda stations before appearing at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court, where they were charged in relation to this investigation.

A spokesperson from An Garda Siochana said they will continue to liaise closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the investigation.

exams Luttrellstown college marks first Leaving

School heads delighted with student effort  Keith Bellew

Students all over Dublin 15 received the fruits of two years of hard work recently as the Leaving Cert results were released.

The day was particularly special for two local schools, the first of which was Luttrellstown Community College, which celebrated the results of its first ever Leaving Cert class.

Speaking to The Gazette, deputy principal Maria McAlinden

said the students who sat their exams in June began their days in Luttrellstown Community College back when the school was housed in prefabricated temporary accommodation.

“We’re absolutely delighted. We had about 80 students who started in the very first year group and the results were excellent and they’re really happy. They’re confident that they can move forward into the courses that they applied for. Our highest was 585, and we

had 570,” she said.

Meanwhile, St Vincent’s College Castleknock celebrated the best results in the 180year history of the school, with an average of 448.3 points. 77% of students got over 400 points, and four students got over 600, one of whom was Sean Kavanagh who got 7 A1s and one A2. He got the maximum 625 points.

Kavanagh was also crowned Student of the Year for his outstanding performance throughout

Daire Lawlor (585 points) and Kieran Henderson (405 points) get their results at Luttrellstown Community College

the year. He was presented with the trophy by Stephen Connolly of the Past Pupils’ Union at a ceremony.

Speaking to The Gazette, principal Oliver Murphy said everyone at the school was “absolutely delighted” especially the boys themselves and

their parents.

“We can hardly believe it. Sean got eight A’s, seven of them A1s, so he’d be up in the top results in the country, fantastic guy.

There were three others who got 600 or more, but they’re not the only ones.

One student told me he got 135 in the mocks, and

he brought it up to 370 in the exam, he nearly trebled [his marks],” he said.

He went on to say that the members of the rugby team did particularly well, which he believes to be proof that students don’t need to give up sport in the run up to their exams as they are often advised.

20 August 2015 BLANCH Gazette 7

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 August 2015

COUNCIL Management companies in the frame COUNCIL: PROBLEM MANAGED

No litter is ‘ever picked up here’  KEITH BELLEW



GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL EVENT, CELEBRATION OR FUNCTION

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 OPTION and SELECT

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (inset) made a request to Junior Environment Minister Paudie Coffey to lower the percentage of residents needed to back changing the planning rule

Estate voting rule is  on track for change

or email news@dublingazette.com

 KEITH BELLEW

THE Depar tment of Environment is currently examining the planning rule whereby housing estates need 85% of residents to vote in favour of a local authority taking their estate in charge before it can be done.

This follows a request made by Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) for Junior Environment Minister Paudie Coffey to lower the figure. He made this request following a meeting with Tyrrelstown residents who have been at odds with the owner management companies (OMCs) who run their estates.

OMCs are groups of residents who carry out maintenance work such as grass cutting, tree pruning and so on.

Each resident when moving in must sign a

contract agreeing to pay annual fees to fund the work.

Many residents in Tyrrelstown feel the OMCs are not providing adequate services and have refused to pay their fees.

Individual residents have subsequently been taken to court by the OMCs. At the meeting last month which was attended by 115 Tyrrelstown residents, a questionnaire was circulated which found a majority of residents wishing to abolish the companies.

Fingal County Council has already taken a number of Tyrrelstown estates in charge, namely: Ballentree Square, Ballentree Village, Bealing Village, Belgree, Bishop’s Orchard, Curragh Hall, French Park, Mount Garrett and Tyrrelstown Boulevard.

However the council cannot take the whole

of Tyrrelstown in charge until 85% of those on the electoral register vote in favour of the measure.

This is fraught with difficulties as houses may be rented, owners may have left the country and grown-up children on the electoral register may be living elsewhere.

Cllr O’Gorman believes that 85% is far too high and that 55% would be much more suitable, and wrote to Minister Coffey, urging him to change the legislation.

“This issue has particular importance in Dublin 15, where there are a number of ‘traditional’ housing estates which are under the control of management companies, such as in Tyrrelstown and in Ongar.

“It is now recognised that this was a flawed model for these estates and management com-

panies will not be used like this in the future.

“However, I believe the Minister needs to intervene and change the law to make it easier to deal with the existing estates across Dublin 15 which are caught in this legal situation,” he said.

Minister Coffey has responded to his request, he added, and the matter has been referred onto officials in the Department of the Environment for study.

“I hope the Government acts swiftly, as making this amendment will be one step in dealing with the difficulties faced by residents of estates run by management companies,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Department of Environment confirmed to The Gazette: “The matter has been referred to Department officials for review. This is currently ongoing”.

FINGAL County Council has defended its maintenance of litter in the car park of Huntstown Community Centre following claims by a local principal that no litter is ever picked up there.

Sacred Heart NS is right beside the community centre, which is on the site of the small shopping centre.

Principal Sean O’Diomsaigh has described the litter pollution in the car park as “disgraceful”.

P h o t o s t a ke n b y O’Diomsaigh and seen

by The Gazette show a build-up of dead leaves and litter at the foot of the railings which separate the school and the community centre.

This refuse is blown regularly into the school grounds and O’Diomsaigh has expressed his frustration at what he believes to be a lack of action by those responsible for the community centre’s upkeep.

“No litter is ever picked up here and the debris has mounted up over many months causing an unsightly and unhealthy situation.

Sacred Heart school next door prides itself on its four Green Flags for litter control and is constantly being affected,” he said.

A council spokesperson claimed that the area was adequately maintained, saying: “This area is picked daily by the operations department and the litter warden regularly meets with the shop owners in relation to litter management.”

20 August 2015 BLANCH Gazette 9

dublin 15

business: energy giant announces ambitious mulhuddart plans

110 jobs to go at plant

€4m Maxol outlet to create 50 jobs  keith bellew

MAXOL has announced plans to open the company’s largest service station, to date, on the N3 at Mulhuddart, with the creation of 50 jobs.

The development of the new flagship site is the biggest project embarked upon by Maxol since the company’s foundation in 1920, and will use leading technologies including the latest environmentally-friendly and energyefficient equipment and design to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

It represents a significant investment of more than €4m by Maxol.

The multi-level building will also see the introduction of a number of new

franchises to widen its choice of food offerings, which are expected to be announced in the coming months, as well as a brand new off-licence.

T he building will retain the latest Maxol Mace convenience store, a brand-new Moreish Fresh Food cafe and large open-plan relaxation and wi-fi areas, together with a children’s play area.

In addition to a spacious forecourt, the site will offer a separate truck fuelling facility and extra car and coach parking.

An independent retailer is currently being sought to operate the new station under licence.

Brian Donaldson, group general manager, The Maxol Group, said the

company was extremely proud to announce this significant advancement and looked forward to opening the new facility next January.

He said: “We have always striven to deliver the very best in quality fuel for our customers, and continue to do so through our Fuels You Can Trust initiative. Changing consumer demands means it is no longer only about the provision of quality fuel – it is about the full forecourt service and convenience offering.

“Maxol Mulhuddart will be a full destination site and we are in discussions with a number of potential partner franchises to further enhance this,” he said.

Pride of Place: Community proudly presents itself to competition judges judges from the IPB Pride of Place competition visited Blakestown and Mountview recently to assess the area for the 2015 competition.

This is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland. The competition focus is about people coming together to shape, change and improve daily lives in their communities. This year, Blakestown and Mountview came together to make a joint submission. Judging was held in Mountview Resource Centre where a formal presentation was given to the judges. The judges visited Blakestown Drive Community Group (BDCG) who held a “Soiree on the Green” as a welcome to the judges to the community. The BDCG entry and presentation were a tremendous success. Pictured are members of the group delivering copies of The Blanch Gazette to local houses.

Swords Laboratories has announced that it is to make 110 employees redundant at its plant in Mulhuddart between October and December.

The company, which has plants in Watery Lane in Swords and Cruiserath in Mulhuddart plans to redeploy another 40 workers within the company.

Cllr David McGuinness (Ind) said that the news came as a surprise and was a blow to the local economy.

“It’s a sorry reminder that, while there is a lot of spin about the economy improving, and things going up, what we’re facing in Dublin 15 is essentially 100 or so families now back on the dole,” he said.

10 BLANCH Gazette 20 August 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Aisling Kennaugh and Dylan Hoey

Zach and Jeff Selvarajah with their dad Andrew. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

Aoife Green, Palia Somphong, Jack Connerty, Paddy Sheehy and Darragh Green Fiona Hurst and Jean Rock

Iga Kozlik and Anjelika Madura

Nighat Mazlar and Tania Mirza

20 August 2015 BLANCH Gazette 11

Maebh Dunne and Sarah McFadden

Joel Vallejo with his children, Sophia and Carlo

re-opening: Blanchardstown Centre

Clothes-ing in on new look stores F

ollowers of fashion were in high attendance at Blanchardstown Centre recently as Vero Moda and Jack & Jones launched their newly-revamped stores. There were plenty of stylish re-opening offers up for grabs like 25% off for the entire weekend at Vero Moda and the first 300 customers bagged themselves a fashion-filled goody bag. Jack & Jones also celebrated with a party atmosphere, with music, discounts as well as giveaways.

Stefania Fontana and Lauren Johnston

Rose Eyoessien, Chantal Briggs and Chidinma Ogbogu

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 August 2015

BLANCHCLASSIFIEDS DVD TRANSFERS

LANDSCAPING

CONSTRUCTION

SELECT PAVING & LANDSCAPING

CONSTRUCTION AND GROUNDWORK SOLUTIONS

FOR ALL YOUR PAVING & LANDSCAPING SOLUTIONS Serving The Greater Dublin Area

UP TO

Specializing in: • Extensions • Groundwork • Garden Walls • Driveways • Patios • Paving

50% OFF Full range of services - Cobblelock, Driveways, Patios, Slabbing & gravelling.

Imprint concrete, decorative walling and fencing.

Fully registered and insured company STAR DISCOUNTS for this month All work guaranteed No 2 Fairview Strand, Dublin 3 www.selectpaving.ie Call today for a free E: selectpaving@hotmail.com no obligation quotation 0858335596 / 01 685 6262

We also specialize in drainage, lead pipe replacement and disability access.

Phone: 0874588207 Email: cgslimited@outlook.com

LEGAL NOTICE

in Castleknock Well-rotted manure & grass Perfect for allotments!

Come & take away No Charge.

Call: 086 357 6201

I Barbara Finlay, a licensed Bookmaker, am applying for Suitability of Premises at Unit 3, Block 2, LittlePace SC, Clonee, Dublin 15.

24665

ALL BUDGET DRIVEWAYS

DECORATING

TOP CLASS PAINTING Interior & Exterior painting.

Damaged ceilings, walls repaired - like new Call Colm 087 9700259 01-4570829

Video & Camera Tapes CineFilms Photos & Slides converted to DVD Music & Titles added

FREE

25 YRS EXPERIENCE

• Driveways • Patios • Concrete Imprint • Decoration Walling • Fencing Natural & Coloured Stone PH: 0873900300 / 01 6971796 www.allbudgetdriveways.com allbudgetdriveways@yahoo.com Malahide Rd & Kimmage Rd

UP TO 50% OFF

ANNOUNCEMENT

*Publishers Statement

We can now officially accept planning & legal notices from all four County Councils in greater Dublin region · Dublin City · Dun Laoghaire South Dublin · Fingal

Ph. 01 601 0255

(ABC: Group MFD, July-Dec. 2014)

BOSS PAVING & LANDSCAPING

• DRIVEWAYS • PATIOS • FENCING • ASPHALT • DECORATIVE WALLING • IMPRINT • GRAVEL Quality Paving at affordable prices, just a phone call away. Highly recommended by Clients.

Testimonials available.

Contact: John Maloney 087 3591000 / 01 6972087 Email: bosshomeimprovements@gmail.com Web: www.bosspaving.ie Dundrum Bus Park: Ph. 01 6971896 Pearse St, D2: Ph. 01 6972087

Serving 7 thriving communities of suburban Dublin. For up to date news follow us on Twitter @DublinGazette

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OVER 200,000* READERS EACH WEEK

CALL 01 60 10 240

LEGAL & PLANNING APPLICATION

· Standard rate €75 + VAT · Payment in advance

ABC CERTIFIED 51,340 COPIES EACH WEEK

GOT A PHOTO? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 or email news@dublingazette.com



REACH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE IN BLANCHARDSTOWN GAZETTE TO ADVERTISE IN YOUR LOCAL AREA CALL THE GAZETTE PH.60 10 240

20 August 2015 blanch gazette 27

blanchCLASSIFIEDS Local

Matters S upport local b usi n ess

Advertise with the Gazette call 60 10 240

WINDOW

SUPPORT

Local

46..&3

8*/%08 %003 4"-&

BUSINESS

SHOP LOCALLY



€4750 €1650

Call the Gazette on

60 10 240

GET UP TO

35% OFF

VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS IN LUCAN VILLAGE

(O PPOSITE U LSTER B ANK

ON THE BRIDGE )

W EIR R ETAIL C ENTRE , 40 H ILLS M ILL I NDUSTRIAL E STATE , L UCAN V ILLAGE , C O . D UBLIN .

T EL : 6217639

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 20 August 2015

SPORT

fastSport

cricket: local club wins pair of titles for first time

Corduff seek coach for strong Under-19 side CORDUFF Under-19s are seeking a coach to add to the team’s management set-up and assist running the side for the upcoming season.

In a club notice about the role, Corduff said of the Under-19s: “This side is quite strong, and entered into a very strong league.

They are totally kitted out, have guaranteed timing slots on the Corduff all-weather pitch on Tuesdays and Thursdays and require nothing more than a coach and assistant in addition if possible.”

All inquiries to the senior section secretary, Gareth Finlay, on 085 7146560 if you are interested in the role.

Castleknock reach final of AUL tournament CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s Under-13A team were desperately unlucky when they lost their final in the shield tournament at the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh.

One of the highlights was James Caffrey’s super goal when he got possession on the half way line and made his way to the

Swords Celitc box before hammering home. Alas it was not enough, and the game went to a penalty shoot out which Celtic unfortunately lost.

Elsewhere, Celtic’s Under-15 Premier side were also in impressive preseason form as they reached the final of their tournament in Kells but were unlucky to be undone

by Cabinteely in the final of the competition.

Phoenix’s Under-11 girls celebrate their success. Picture: Amy Watters

Phoenix take double flight  sport@dublingazette.com

PHOENIX cricket club enjoyed double success as their Under-11 girls and Under-13 boys won their respective Leinster cup finals recently, the former in particularly dramatic fashion.

Playing on home turf against YMCA, it was their second year to reach the finals having lost out to Pembroke last year.

In what proved a thriller, Phoenix elected to field first having won the toss and YMCA put up a very decent net 79 score off their allotted 16 overs. It came for the loss of just two wickets taken by Georgina

Dempsey and Sophie McDonough.

It was an imposing total but Phoenix got the target in their sights and managed to overtake it with just one ball to spare in the innings, captain Dempsey scoring the winning run.

Having also only lost two wickets in their innings, they had a final net total of 80 – the measurement used at this level of competition – to win by a single run and claim the Dorothy Doolan trophy.

A day later, the Under13 boys followed up with an equally impressive victor y at Rush CC with four of the boys involved having

watched their younger sisters success the previous day.

P h o e n i x , l i ke t h e girls, had in their history reached the final before but never won.

They lost the toss and were subsequently put in to bat where they reached a total of 138 from their 20 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Louis McDonough top scored with 34 while Stephen Black’s 30, James Maginnis’s 26 not out and 25 from Alex Watson all making vital contributions to build an impressive total.

Rush responded well initially with Jack Magee retiring on 35 runs and

Nathan Maguire scoring 34.

H o w e v e r w i c ke t s soon began to fall with Liam Keating and Abdullah Tariq getting three apiece and while Black and David Jolley nicked out a wicket apiece to stall the north Dublin side’s progress

Phoenix’s Under-13 boys

in dramatic fashion.

Rush were eventually all out in the last over with a total of 100, 38 runs short of Phoenix.

The boys will now go on to compete for the All Ireland Cup title at the end of August against a team from Northern Ireland.

20 August 2015 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

cash for clubs

Castleknock receive welcome Topaz boost

Club Noticeboard st brigid’s

castleknock received a welcome boost

recently when the club won a cash prize in the Topaz Cash for Clubs competition.

Sports clubs from all over Ireland were invited to participate with Castleknock lucky enough to be the only winner in Dublin 15. Assisted by some players from the juvenile section, club treasurer Stephen Byrne (pictured) accepted a cheque for €1,000 at Topaz Castleknock village.

CONGRATULATIONS to our junior hurl-

St Brigid’s/Spleodar Irish club

ers who are through to the B cham-

returns from Thursday, September 3

pionship semi-final after a great win

in club hall from 7pm-9pm. Open for all

over Good Counsel last weekend.

teenagers between 12 and 18 and the

A special welcome to our new GPO,

A great opportunity to practise

this week. Thank you to Paul O’Brien

Irish for important exams and for

for his fantastic work in St Brigid’s and

enjoyment. More information is avail-

we wish him all the best in his future

able on the club website.

The Cube fundraiser will take place

venture.

football: cabo rock russell park in title decider

cost is €3 per week.

David Galway, who starts in St Brigid’s

The St Brigid’s nursery is on sum-

in St Brigid’s on Saturday, October 17.

mer break and will return on Satur-

Each section of the club will be repre-

day, August 29.

sented with a fantastic prize up for

The club lotto jackpot remains a huge €15,000 with the reserve at

grabs. If you wish to take part, contact Billy Quane.

€8,800. Our lotto team are taking a

The full range of St Brigid’s GAA gear

well-earned summer break with our

is available on our online shop on the

next draw set for September 3 in Rus-

club website.

sell Park. Thank you to everyone who

For up-to-date St Brigid’s fixtures

supports our Lotto and to our brilliant

and results visit our website www.

Lotto Committee.

stbrigidsgaa.com.

castleknock THERE was a draw after extra time in

and players involved in the Summer

the intermediate hurling champion-

Camp this week.

ship on Saturday against Erin’s Isle.

The St Brigid’s side prior to their Dublin ladies football decider in Parnell Park. Picture: GAAPics.com

Foxrock too strong for Brigid’s in senior final ladies sfc final St Brigid’s 2-1 Foxrock Cabinteely 3-10  sport@dublingazette.com

ST BRIGID’S were simply blown away by a ruthless Foxrock Cabinteely side in last week’s senior championship final in Parnell Park.

The Blanch side actually broke the deadlock in the final when full forward Elaine Kelly struck a well-taken point over the bar after three minutes. Even at that early stage however Foxrock had missed two golden chances for goal.

Kelly’s point would

actually prove to be Brigid’s only score of the half and it also seemed to inspire Fox Cab’s ruthless streak with Hannah Noonan, Sinead Goldrick, Amy Connolly and Amy Ring also registering points soon after.

Brigid’s were given a chance to get back into the tie midway through the first half when Leah Mullins was fouled in the square and Billy O’Connell pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Sorcha Furlong from centreback but the Dublin star’s daisy-cutter fizzed wide of Carol Manning’s left-

hand post much to the dismay of the large Blanchardstown support.

Brigid’s did maintain pressure for the rest of the half but anything meaningful just seemed to be absorbed by the Fox Cab defence. While at the other end, the impressive Amy Ring hammered in the game’s first goal a minute before the break which left the half-time score 1-7 to 0-1.

The second half carried on, just as the first had ended, and Cabo added a succession of scores. Goldrick, Connolly and Laura Nerney pushed to margin out to

12 points within minutes of the restart.

The game’s second penalty was awarded after 44 minutes when Foxrock’s Westmeath star Fiona Claffey was fouled in the Brigid’s box. Anne Marie Murphy assumed responsibility and blasted her effort past Ciara Trant which left the scoreboard reading 2-10 to 0-1.

Despite trailing heavily, Brigid’s never gave up and were rewarded when Mullins bagged two goals in the final 15 minutes.

In between the two consolation strikes, Ring added a third goal for Foxrock.

Huge congratulations to Aisling

The lads battled really hard

Andrews, Niamh Mulroney, Cao-

throughout, and details of the replay

imhe Hughes and Sarah Murphy who

will be publicised when they are con-

booked a place in the U-16B All-Ireland

firmed.

camogie final on August 30.

Thanks to St Martin’s of Wexford

Hard luck to Molly O’Neill, Aoife Whe-

who hosted our minor footballers.

lan and Karla Whelan, who were part

Also, sincere thanks to all who organ-

of the A panel who lost out to Galway

ised and participated in this very

in their semi-final.

enjoyable weekend for the minors.

Our senior footballers are back in

The club are delighted to be hosting

action this weekend as they play Round

Strictly Dancing Part 2 this November.

Tower away in the league. Throw-in is

More details to follow.

on Saturday at 6pm, and all support is

The very best of luck to all coaches

welcome.

Erin Go bragh WELL done to our U-13 hurlers who

playoff. Anyone interested in playing

beat Naomh Fionnbarra.

hurling can call Karl on 087 2352074.

Our ladies football and cam-

We would like to wish Colm Caughan

ogie teams are looking for players.

and Ed Cullinane a speedy recovery

Gaelic4mothers and others continues

from injuries picked up during the

on Thursdays; call Ciara on 087 9147154

week. Congratulations to Ed Cullinane

for more information. Anyone inter-

and his wife on the recent birth of their

ested in playing football can call Pat

child.

There was no winner of our weekly

on 087 7642155.

Hard luck to our hurlers who lost to Cuala in their championship relegation

lotto. Our weekly lotto continues every Friday.



Got a story? we want to know!

Call our sport team on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GazetteSPORT all of your blanch sports coverage from page 28-31

phoenix rising: Local cricket club wins pair of titles for the first time on consecutive days P30

august 20-26, 2015

Trading places: Irish star Fahey retires as Duff makes Hoops debut P29

St Mochta’s are hoping they will have even more to celebrate in the upcoming season

Mochta’s new signings Clonsilla club well set for their maiden season in the LSL Sunday Senior division following confirmation of seven new arrivals in D15  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

WITH their first ever season in the top flight of LSL football just days away, Brian McCarthy’s St Mochta’s side look, at least on paper, all set for the major challenge that lies ahead.

Transfer news on the Mochta’s front remained rather quiet for large parts of the summer but that all changed last week as the signing of no fewer than seven players was announced in one swift press release on the club website.

That list of seven includes former Tolka Rovers trio Alan McDermott, Niall O’Reilly and Eamon Moynihan; Josh Douglas arrives

from Bangor Celtic while Ian Croft has made the switch from Dublin 15 rivals Verona.

The two other signings are probably the two that will get most talking, with Gareth Cooney, top-scorer for LSL Senior champions Bluebell last season, and Aidan Downes, formerly of Yeovil Town, Bohemians and, most recently, Mornington Soccer Club in Victoria, Australia.

Recruits Commenting on his new recruits, the Mochta’s manager said: “The squad looks really good. I’m delighted with what we’ve brought in.

“With Luke Harrison retiring, we needed

new players at the back and that’s exactly what Alan [McDermott] and Niall [O’Reilly] will bring in, especially from a team like Tolka who reached the FAI intermediate final last season.

“At the other end, we’ve brought in Gareth [Cooney] and Aidan [Downes],” continued McCarthy. “To be honest, Gareth was just something that just happened very fast.

“I wasn’t targeting the player it really just sort of happened. He’s local to the area, has a young family, knows a few of the lads so I suppose it made sense for him; we’re just delighted to have him.

“Then Aidan, he really is a terrific footballer.

To play over 30 times for Yeovil in League One

tells you that.

“When he came home, there were a few League of Ireland clubs sniffing around him but he chose us and, again, we’re delighted.”

Last year’s Sunday Senior 1 champions will travel to Drumcondra this Sunday for their season opener before another away trip to Home Farm next week.

Speaking about any targets he’s made for the season, McCarthy said: “We want to compete. We don’t just want to be there to make up the numbers, we want to be strong and do well.

“I honestly think, with the new signings and the work gone on in the club off the field over the summer, we can do well in this league.”

12 gazette 20 August 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Jenny Fogarty

Susan Roldao and Keitia Ne a Guisar

Anna Walsh, Laura Faulkner, Eamon Fennell, Belinda Kelly and Fergal Finge. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

A sweet evening

B

ULMERS poured on the charm for guests at the recent launch of its new Forbidden Flavours line at The Sugar Club in the city centre recently. The popular cider has introduced a number of new flavours – Cloudy Lemon, Strawberry & Lime, Juicy Pear and Berry Berry – and while the summer has been

distinctly underwhelming, the new drinks went down a treat with guests at the launch.

Mode Teo Sutra, Dublin GAA star Eamon Fennell and his fiancee Fiona Creely, and TV3’s Patrick Kavanagh were just some of the guests on the night, with a Mediterraneaninspired BBQ adding to the flavoursome fun.

Ali Tyrrell

Fiona Creely

Tracey Byrne and Edel Maiben

Paula Lyne

20 August 2015 Gazette 13

Gazette

diary P14

asdfsdaf learning curve P27 P17

dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week



escape the mayhem P16

a day in the life: actor steven houghton

Working hard to excel at his art  aisling kennedy

PERHAPS best known for playing the love interest of Gail Platt in Coronation Street, Steven Houghton is an Olivier-award nominated actor who will be appearing as Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music this August.

He took time out to chat to The Gazette this week about a typical day in his life.

“I usually get up at about 7am and then I make my daughter, Ella, some breakfast. I usually make her some lunch to bring with her to school and then I drop her off at the gates.”

Houghton has two children with his wife Samantha, 15-year-old Ella and 19-year-old Daniel.

He said that he likes to stay fit and healthy, so he makes himself and his wife eggs on toast every morning for breakfast, and then he goes for a run at about 10am.

“I usually run for about 50 minutes each day around the fields where I live. I live in Hertfordshire, and there is beautiful scenery all around here.”

Once he’s finished his morning run, he then heads back home and has a shower. Houghton runs a performing arts school

with his wife Samantha, called Excel Performing Arts Ltd, which is based in the local primary school that his own children attended when they were young.

He said that a lot of planning goes into the school, as there are 400 children who attend it.

“We teach ballet, jazz, drama, singing and performance techniques for ages from three up to 17.

“It’s really hectic, but it’s brilliant and it’s a really good antidote for me when I’m not performing because it allows me to do the acting jobs I want to do rather than having to do it for a living.

“I take acting roles now because I want to do them, which is really nice.”

Houghton spends the morning and afternoons planning and working at the performing arts school. He breaks for lunch at about 1pm and always tries to eat something healthy.

“We start work at the school at 3pm and we usually finish on a week night at about 9pm, and we also work a half day on Saturday.”

Houghton manages to find time in between this hectic schedule to pick his daughter up from school, and he and his wife take turns cooking dinner for

Actor Steven Houghton will be appearing as Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music this August at the Bord Gais Energy theatre

their children at about 6pm each night.

In the evening, Houghton likes to relax with his family by watching a movie on his iPad. “I love my iPad! They’re absolutely brilliant and

have changed my life. I like watching dramas, thrillers and documentaries. I usually have a glass of wine or a cup of tea to unwind at night and then I head to bed most nights at about 11pm.”

Steven Houghton will appear as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music at the Bord Gais Energy theatre from August 17 to August 29. Tickets are on sale through the theatre now.

Gazette

14 Gazette 20 August 2015

dublinlife

diary

Dublin Fashion Festival picks a perfect Pippa THIS week saw the launch of Dublin Fashion Festival 2015 in the stunning surrounds of City Hall.

Pippa O’Connor was announced as this year’s face of the festival, and had a cutting-edge look in a stunning black jumpsuit.

Cocktails flowed with the help of the gang from The Meeting House, and delicious canapes from San Lorenzos were served.

Pippa, Rosanna Purcell and a range of other famous faces took in the beauty of City Hall and all commented on how fan-

tastic a location it was for the fashion show that took place later in the night.

Clyde Carroll, from Dublin Town, told those gathered that we can expect the best year yet from the festival, which will run all across Dublin city from September 7 to 13.

Computing a way to help ethiopia INTERNATIONAL charity Camara recently fulfilled its commitment to provide 17,500 computers to Ethiopia and train a minimum of 1,750 teachers over five years.

Camara Education is a social enterprise which uses technology to deliver digital literacy skills and equal learning opportunities to children in disadvantaged communities around the world.

Camara recently sent its final container of more than 900 computers to Addis Ababa.

The charity is working with Ethiopia’s ministry of education to close not only the huge gap in ICT access in remote areas, but also to provide much needed capacity building and teacher training.

The charity is now finalising another agreement which will see the delivery of education continue to spread across Ethiopia, thanks to technology. For further information, see www.camara.org.

a rare chance to study the rising A SELECTION of rare photographs and letters documenting the impact the Easter Rising had on Dublin City has been compiled by TCD. Each week, diaries, letters and photographs will be highlighted in a new

blog entitled Changed Utterly, which is inspired by the WB Yeats poem, Easter 1916.

The blog showcases previously unpublished records of the Rising written by ordinary people, from blow-by-blow accounts to comprehensive scrapbooks.

Previous posts have included the story of Eileen Corrigan, one of four female students who dodged sniper bullets to make it into TCD to sit exams, and a collection of photographs taken

by Thomas Johnson

Pippa O’Connor – the face of Dublin Fashion Festival 2015

Westropp which were taken in the days and weeks following the Rising.

They show the damage inflicted on the city and the architectural fabric

of central Dublin, including the GPO, Liberty Hall, the Four Courts and Clerys.

T his blog can be viewed at: www.tcd.ie/ Library/1916/

C O M M E R C I A L F E AT U R E

20 August 2015 GAZETTE 15

MARKS & SPENCER IS TOP OF THE CLASS WITH SERIOUSLY CLEVER SCHOOLWEAR Kids grow, play and get dirty so school uniforms need to be able to withstand the rigours of the school year. From shirts that repel dirt to trousers that get longer, M&S is top of the class for stylish, comfortable and durable schoolwear.

T he M&S Back to School range boasts numerous innovations to make uniforms even easier to wear and easier to care for.

Say goodbye to rough and scratchy jumpers and sweatshirts thanks to Staysoft, a durable sof tener that keeps clothes soft no matter how many times they’re washed.

From the first day of term to the end-of-year photo, Staynew ensures their uniforms remain bright and bobble free,

while Colour Stay prevents clothes from fading in the wash.

Kids will be kids, but our schoolwear outsmarts dirt. Stormwear+ repels mud and oil, while Stainaway (high per-

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

‘To make life easier, trousers have Supercrease technology which offers a permanent central crease even after washing...’

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

formance finish on shirts and polos) helps those inevitable splodges wash away easily so there’s no need to scrub.

Choose Ultimate NonIron shirts for crisp, crinkle free shirts, fresh from the tumble drier.

To make life easier, trousers have Supercrease technology which offers a permanent central crease even after washing while Permanent Pleats on skirts and pinafores ensure the pleats stay crisp and defined wash after wash.

Leave the iron in the cupboard thanks to Crease Resistant technolog y, which stops clothes from creasing during wear and ensures creases fall out more easily.

Make getting dressed easier and changing for PE quicker with Easy Close Neck (riptape instead of buttons) and Expandicuff (elasticated cuffs) on selected shirts and blouses up to age eight.

The M&S Back to

School range is available in stores nationwide and is also available on www. marksandspencer.ie.

Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/MarksandSpencerIreland Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/mandsireland Follow us on Instagram at Instagram.com/mandsireland

Gazette

16 Gazette 20 August 2015

dublinlife

ESCAPE THE MAYHEM

escape the mayhem: singer-songwriter mick flannery

Playing to his competitive chess streak Each week The Gazette speaks to Dubliners about how they like to unwind in a bustling, busy city. Mick Flannery tells us how an uncommon hobby actually stresses him ...  keith bellew

RENOWNED singersongwriter Mick Flanner y is a busy man, recording and touring.

T his week, T he Gazette spoke with Flannery about what he likes to do to escape the mayhem of his rigorous schedule.

His favourite activity is a rather unique one – while some like to exercise or jet off on sun holidays, Flannery

prefers to pit his wits against those of anonymous opponents in online chess battles.

He says that while he enjoys this, it doesn’t do much for relieving stress, as there is a leader board system and he tries his very best to maintain or increase his score. “ I ’m a d d i c t e d t o online chess! There’s a website called Chess. com, it sounds really boring, but it’s actually quite exciting.

“I do that to de-stress, but it stresses me out because they have this marking system and you lose points every time you lose a game, so it’s very stressful!

“If you go on a losing streak, your score goes below 1,100 and you cry,” he said.

Shouting He went on to say that he plays online chess too much, and his girlfriend hates it because he’s constantly giving her a fright by shouting at the computer.

“It’s ridiculous. I shouldn’t actually be talking about this because it’s the one

thing that actually brings me stress,” he said.

He currently lives in County Clare but says that he tries to get down to his native Cork every two weeks or so to visit friends and “drink too many pints”.

There are a couple of particular haunts he likes to frequent when he’s back in the rebel county, but he doesn’t allow himself to be talked into impromptu performances.

“They [the pubs] would be quiet, and I’d be a regular, so most of the people would know me and know that I’m too grumpy to do something like that,” he

On his love for online chess, Mick Flannery says: “It’s the one thing that actually brings me stress”

laughs.

You can catch Mick Flannery at the Spirit of Folk festival at Dunder-

r y Park next month, September 18 to 20.

For further information on the festival, see

www.spiritoffolk.com, or http://w w w.facebook.com/spiritoffolkfestival.

GAZETTE

20 August 2015 GAZETTE 17

LEARNINGCURVE

FAIR: GET ALL THE LATEST INFO AT THE RDS ABOUT COURSES

Visit Which Course Expo for adult learning advice

WHICH Course Expo is Dublin’s annual adult course fair, and takes place every September.

This year’s event takes place at the RDS on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, and promises to be the largest event yet in its eight-year history.

Attendees can expect to meet numerous course providers offering courses of all descriptions, from IT, languages and sports and fitness to health, beauty and wellbeing, distance learning, business and holistic

studies, to name but a few.

The event will include the Seminar Zone – a dedicated area featuring talks on courses and careers such as law, journalism, dream interpretation, angel therapy, broadcasting and many more topics.

Which Course Expo 2015 will also feature the ever-popular Career Clinic, where attendees can receive free one-onone career advice from qualified career coaches.

Event organiser Kevin

Branigan says: “A wealth of people in the Greater Dublin area – some 150,000 people – will enrol in a part-time course this autumn.

“There are many reasons why people enrol in part-time courses, such as for career advancement, self improvement or simply to learn a new hobby or meet new people.”

Attendees can meet exhibitors from a wide variety of education bodies and facilities, such as National College of Ireland, City Colleges, Gael

Which Course Expo is Dublin’s annual adult course fair and will take place at the RDS on September 5-6

Linn, Gaiety School of Acting, LA College of Creative Arts, Solas eCollege, Emergency Services Training Institute, DCU Connected, Dorset College, Hibernia College,

Irish Payroll Institute, and many more.

Admission to Which Course Expo 2015 is free to those who pre-register at www.whichcourseexpo.ie.

18 GAZETTE 20 August 2015

www.dublingazette.com All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away

GAZETTE

20 August 2015 GAZETTE 19

LEARNINGCURVE

Learning how to live on your own

BUDGET: SURVIVING YOUR FIRST YEAR AT SCHOOL

 KEITH BELLEW

MANY first time students will be living alone for the first time and will have no experience of budgeting and paying bills. Managing your finances is just as important as managing your timetable and study plan.

The following is a list of tips for first time students to survive their first academic year.

Always pay bills on time to avoid late fees. You don’t want to find yourself in a position where you have several bills to pay at once which cannot be put

off any longer.

If you have a credit card, make a personal note of every purchase you make as you don’t want to be taken by surprise with a huge bill.

When this dreaded bill does arrive, try to pay it off as quickly as possible, as bad credit follows you everywhere.

Never go food shopping when you are hungry, as you will invariably buy too much, some of which is bound to go to waste.

Don’t make impulse purchases, always make a shopping list and buy in bulk. Just because food is

cheaper in discount supermarkets doesn’t necessarily mean its unhealthier so shop there whenever possible. Also, these are great places to save money on things like toiletries and household supplies.

Always bring lunch from home and try to avoid eating out often.

Limit the number of times you allow yourself to eat out over the period of a month.

Create a budget, contact your student union to see if it runs second hand book schemes, take full advantage of student discount’s and always

enquire if one is on offer.

Look for special offers everywhere and check out second-hand shops for clothes, books and furniture. Investing in a Leap card is a great way to save money. Many students will have to get four buses or more a day, and those few cents saved on each journey add up very quickly.

According to Dublin City University: the most recent figures show that the total cost for a student living away from home in self-catering shared accommodation for the eight-and-a-half month academic year is almost €7,000. For those who stay at home the total cost is €3,433. A further nontuition fee, in the region of €400, must be added for non-grant holders attending certain institutions.

Loans to help you in college STILLORGAN Credit Union is offering its members low-rate education loans to help finance college or university fees and other associated costs.

Full-time third level students can apply for a loan from the branch from either their own account, or their parents can opt to apply for a loan on their behalf.

The branch are also offering another rolling loan – the annual rolling education loan – at a rate of just 6.5% APR. This loan provides students with the option of a loan top up each year for the duration of their course. See www.stillorgancu.ie for info.

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 20 August 2015

LEARNINGCURVE

Use Springboard to further studies THE College of Computing Technolog y (CCT) in Westmoreland Street is providing higher education programmes in computing, information technology, and business, and is now part of the Springboard national initiative, which offers access to free higher education programmes..

The five Springboardfunded programmes commencing in September include a Level 6 certificate in science in IT support and development (one year), a Level 6 certificate in web development (one year), a Level 7 diploma in big data technology

skills (one year), a Level 7 bachelor of science in information technology (one year add-on), and a Level 8 bachelor of science (hons) in information technology (one year add-on).

Variety

With a variety of additional learning supports provided throughout programme durations, including job-seeking skills training, professional development (STEPS programme), and a work placement, CCT is a great choice for those looking to kickstart their ICT career.

For further information, see www.cct.ie.

HOUSING: FINDING THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT PRICE

It’s not easy to find student digs  AISLING KENNEDY

SEARCHING for student accommodation in Dublin can be a difficult task with soaring rent prices and high levels of students in need of somewhere to live for the coming year.

Firstly, the price of accommodation is a massive factor that needs to be considered when looking for accommodation.

Rent prices can range from €300 for a shared room and continue up to €700 or more for a more luxurious apartment.

It is therefore, very

important to start searching for accommodation as early as possible before the start of the first semester as the closer it gets to the beginning of the college year, the less availability there will be and the higher the rent prices will be.

Tips when searching for accommodation: Do as much research as you can online but also make sure to view the areas and accommodation you are considering renting in. Ask friends or family living in Dublin about what the area is like and ask them for alternative recommendations.

Thoroughly check out public transport connections between the college and the accommodation.

Some areas can look close to the college on the map but may be difficult to reach by bus or Luas.

Also, make full use of any accommodation support offered by the college or students’ union as they will be able to offer practical help and advice.

It is important to be aware that there have been scams on students seeking accommodation in Dublin, for example people who pose as landlords and try to take payments online for accommodation that is not for rent. Always watch out for these types of scams and remember if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Know your rights

In most cases, rent is usually payable monthly and in advance.

At the beginning of a letting period, tenants are required to pay a deposit of one month’s rent which will be refunded when the lease is up or if the tenant decides to leave once the

lease is up. If, however, a tenant causes any damage to the property, the landlord has the right to hold onto the deposit to fix the damage.

Make sure that the landlord gives you a rent book so that tax relief on any rent paid can be reclaimed.

Ask the landlord if they are registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).

By law, landlords must be registered with the PRTB and if they have not registered there may be problems down the road.

Remember that good preparation is key to

Finding student accommodation in Dublin can be a difficult task

avoiding problems.

Don’t forget: There are other ways to rent in Dublin which i n cl u d e o n - c a m p u s accommodation, long-

term student hostels, and accommodation with a family. Make sure to investigate all options to find the best solution to suit you and your budget.

20 August 2015 Gazette 21

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 20 August 2015

LEARNINGCURVE

Greenhills College offer QQI courses WHETHER you have just done your

networking and PC maintenance are

Leaving Certificate or are return-

on offer. A Level 6 course in this area

ing to education after a long absence

offers the internationally recognised

you may be interested to know that

Comptia A+ qualification as well as the

Greenhills College are offering full and

QQI Level 6.

part-time courses with certification by QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland).

The courses, which are eligible to students on full-time basis, offers

The college’s business courses are at Levels 5 and 6, including a medical secretary course.

Students at the college can also

nursing studies, healthcare support

take part in the IT Tallaght Scholarship

and community care with the chance to

scheme, whereby one student from

develop practical skills in these areas.

Greenhills each year is awarded a two-

The pre-university courses in the

year scholarship of €2,500 for their

areas of science, business, arts, sports

first two years in ITT. This scholarship

science, art portfolio and engineering,

will be in addition to any other funding,

are also designed to give a solid foun-

such as the SUSI (Student Universal

dation for those wishing to continue to

Support Ireland) grant, which they

third level.

may avail of.

For those interested in informa-

Full details of courses are available

tion technology, courses in software

on www.greenhillscollege.ie or email

development and gaming as well as

admin.greenhills@ddletb.ie.

DUBLIN CITY: THE PEOPLE’S COLLEGE CAN HELP

Courses are on offer for people from all walks of life

 IAN BEGLEY

THE People’s College in Parnell Square is offering courses for people from all walks of life and ability for learning.

The college has experienced tutors covering a wide range of languages, social and political studies, literature, art appreciation and cultural activities as well as personal development, basic education and communication skills.

New courses this year include felting and Qigong, which is an ancient Chinese health care system. On offer again this year is the introduction to hill walking and wildlife, as well as genealogy

and mindfulness which have been very popular in the college over the last few years. Other popular courses are creative writing, languages, music and art appreciation, yoga and pilates.

Morning classes in creative writing, yoga, wildlife, and public speaking will continue to take place this year.

Important

The People’s College in Parnell Square

T he student committee, elected every two years, also plays an important role in the life of The People’s College.

The committee participates in the preparation of the syllabus and with administrative duties in the college. Various activities that take place

are also organised by the committee during the year, which include Saturday outings and social and cultural events.

T he societies that the college has include a choir group, a debating society and a drama group.

Find a course that suits you and sign up today by sending an application form or by contacting the college by email or on social media.

V i s i t w w w. p e o p lescollege.ie for more information.

20 August 2015 Gazette 23

24 gazette 20 August 2015

GAZETTE

20 August 2015 GAZETTE 25

LEARNINGCURVE

SUPPORT: RANGE OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS TO AVAIL OF

There is always access to mental health help

ď Ž AISLING KENNEDY

ACCORDING to Aware, a charity helping those suffering from depression, more than 450,000 people experience some form of depression at any one time in Ireland.

Students and young people in general, comprise a large portion of those who go through depression as many people experience the first symptoms of depression during their college years.

Factors such as living away from home

for the first time, dwindling career options and declining living standards can leave some students feeling lost and alone.

This can lead to some students feeling like there is no hope and no help for them – but this is not the case.

There is help available on most college campuses in Ireland and students embarking on a college course should be aware that these services are always accessible to them.

For any students who may be struggling, here

are a list of helpful services you can access if you feel you need to talk: UCD Student Counselling Service is a free ser vice and is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. For further information, call 01 716 3133, or call into the student health centre in the student centre.

UCD also has a programme called Please Talk which is a voluntary organisation run by students and staff. Its aim is to provide information and support to students.

For further information, email ucd@pleasetalk. ie.

Trinity College provides support, guidance and treatment options for students suffering from mental health issues through its college health service and their counselling service.

To contact the college health centre, call 01 896 1591.

DCU runs a counselling and personal development service, which is a confidential and free service and is available to all students. For fur-

ther information, call 01 700 5165, or email counselling@dcu.ie.

Alternatively, there is a listening support service called Niteline that is a confidential phone service run by and for the students of DCU, NCAD, RCSI, TCD, NUIM and their affiliate colleges.

Niteline is open every night during term time from 9pm to 2.30am, and you can call about any problem you may be experiencing. For further information, see www. niteline.ie, or call 1800 793 793.

Many students go through depression during their college years. Picture: Annifer Photography

Gazette

28 Gazette 20 August 2015

SPORT

FastSport Cabinteely park and NRh host games: THE third NRH Spinal Sports Championships in partnership with IWA Sport, dlr Sports Partnership and Spinal Injuries Ireland will be held on Saturday, September 5 in the National Rehabilitation Hospital and Cabinteely Park.

Events include handcycling, at Cabinteely Park from 10.30am, archery, wheelchair basketball, fields athletics, table tennis (all in the NRH) and a host of others. Competitors will have been a patient of the NRH. The competition was first introduced in 2013 with 42 athletes from 16 counties taking part across a range of events.

Fiona Conroy, senior physiotherapist at NRH and eEvent coordinator, said of the inaugural event: “The championships clearly highlight the huge demand for competitive events in disability sports and we in the NRH look forward to meeting this growing demand.”

gaelic games: O’callaghan, Keaney and Shefflin impart key advice

Hurlers’ healthy outlook  sport@dublingazette.com

OVER 250 children lined out last weekend in Parnell Park, Dublin for one of Centra’s Champions of Healthy Living’ events this summer.

Hurling stars Henry

Shefflin, Conal Keaney and Dotsy O’Callaghan were on hand on the day to give healthy eating and training tips to young aspiring hurlers from local Dublin clubs.

Girls and boys from all

over the county came in their droves to take part in a very special hurling skills session and learn from some of the best in the game.

This year’s event has a strong focus on healthy eating and nutrition,

Throngs of young GAA fans attended the event in Parnell Park. Picture: Piaras O’Mideach

Dotsy O’Callaghan signs autographs for young fans

with the Centra Champions providing some invaluable tips on how they can perform to the best of their ability.

As well as the fun skills session, children enjoyed a great family day out that brought the whole community together with a host of entertainment on the day.

On the day Lorraine O’Connor and her club, St Peregrine’s, won a place in the grand finale of the community events, taking place in October in Croke Park.

They will be one of a selection of clubs to take part in the ultimate behind the scenes day

out as they enjoy a special training session, a stadium tour and lots of entertainment.

Throughout the summer, Centra has been undertaking a Champions of Healthy Living survey with parents at each community event and Saturday’s event has revealed some interesting findings about Dublin’s eating habits.

The children of the capital have a sweet tooth with 29% of them admitting to having a treat such as chocolate or a fizzy drink every day; this is higher than most other counties surveyed so far.

However they’re still

eating their fruit and veg with the traditional options still popular.

59% of children picked apples as their favourite fruit with 29% choosing carrots as their favourite vegetable.

T he sur vey also revealed that Dublin mums rule the kitchen with almost half of them claiming to do all the cooking in the house and 59% of them making their children’s lunches every day.

Parents and children were in agreement that Shefflin is their favourite hurler while the Ballyhale Shamrocks’ man was also picked as their champion of choice.

Spence nominated for World Rugby player of year  sport@dublingazette.com

Sophie Spence conducts a training exercise at a Leinster summer camp this week

OLD Belvedere’s Sophie Spence has been nominated on World Rugby’s women’s Player of the Year for 2015.

New Zealand scrum half Kendra Cocksedge, France captain Gaelle Mignot and Ireland second row Sophie Spence have made the shortlist for the prestigious award, with the winner to be announced at the World Rugby Awards in London on November 1.

Spence was recently named Women’s Player of the Year at

the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards just last week.

World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “On behalf of World Rugby, I wish to extend my congratulations to Gaelle, Kendra and Sophie for securing their Player of the Year nomination, and for their skill, power, discipline and consistency required to excel at the highest level.

“Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing team sports in the world, and we’re focused on building on the incredible success of last year’s Women’s

Rugby World Cup in Paris which engaged fans like never before.”

The panel selecting the shortlist is made up of former players Sue Day (England), Melodie Robinson (New Zealand) and Lucan-based teacher Fiona Coghlan as well as the Sunday Times rugby correspondent Stephen Jones and World Rugby Council member John Jeffrey.

Elsewhere, former Irish international and Old Wesley stalwart Philip Orr was elected this week as the junior deputy president of the IrishRugby Football Union.

Orr played for the club for over

20 years as a prop and was, for a long time, Ireland’s most capped played in the position with 58 appearances.

He toured with the Lions to New Zealand in 1977 and played in the inaugural World Cup a decade later.

From there, he moved into rugby administration and was the Old Wesley club president for their centenary in 1991.

He also went on to manage the Irish Under-21 squad and has also been the club’s representative to the Leinster branch in recent times.

20 August 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

Trading places for Irish super stars As Keith Fahey calls time on his superb career in the League of Ireland, Damien Duff begins a new chapter with Shamrock Rovers on Monday in Tallaght, writes NATHAN KELLY T WO of the biggest names to ever grace the League of Ireland have stolen headlines this week, but for very different reasons.

Former Republic of Ireland international, St Patrick’s Athletic legend and local football star Keith Fahey announced his retirement from the professional game last Thursday due to longstanding knee and hip injuries.

Fahey, who famously made the switch to Shamrock Rovers at the start of the 2015 season from St Pat’s, was also on the books of Bluebell United and earned 16 senior international caps in the Trapattoni era.

In a statement about the retirement, the Tallaght native said: “Unfortunately, I have had to come to this decision after taking advice from

the doctor and surgeon. I feel that it is the right time to finish playing professional football. I’d like to thank everyone that has supported me, managed me, and played with me during my time playing football.”

Current Rovers boss Pat Fenlon praised Fahey for his short but meaningful final stint at the Tallaght club.

“Keith will be a big loss to Shamrock Rovers and the League of Ireland in general,” he said. “He has been a central part of our squad this season and has been a great influence on the players, particularly the younger members of our squad.”

Fahey’s career began as a local schoolboy at Tymon North before switching to Dublin giants Cherry Orchard. As a promising teen he travelled to first Arsenal and

then Aston Villa but never settled in his first stint in the UK. He arrived back in Dublin and played LSL football with Red Cow side Bluebell before signing for Pat’s, which would re-ignite his career.

Overall, he played 229 times for Pat’s across three spells. He was part of the Saints team who won the League Cup in 2003 but left the club in 2005 for Drogheda United.

But, after just a year at United he returned to Inchicore and remained at the club until 2008.

Many Irish football fans will cite the midfielder’s performance in the second leg of Pats’ 08-09 UEFA Cup first round second leg tie against Hertha Berlin as one of the best by a League of Ireland player in recent times.

Performances such as that earned him a move

Keith Fahey signs on the dotted line for Shamrock Rovers with club chairman Jonathan Roche last November

to Championship side Birmingham City and he played a major role in City’s promotion to the Premier League in the 08/09 season and their League Cup success in 2011.

His success at Birmingham earned him 16 senior caps in which he scored

thunderous reception in Tallaght in the 89th minute, right after Rovers got their third goal.

Four minutes of injury time gave the crowd a glimpse of their new man and he looked as hungry as ever to get on the ball, drifting everywhere in between the midfield and

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

‘Evert penny I get is going to charity. I don’t want a penny; I just want to play football’ Damien Duff --------------------------------------------------------

three goals for Ireland between 2010-12 including a vital winner against Armenia on route to Euro 2012, a tournament he would miss through injury.

He returned home in 2013 to Richmond Park and helped Pat’s win the FAI Cup before moving to Rovers where he made 12 appearances, the last of which came against St Patrick’s in the FAI Cup earlier this year.

But, while one former ROI international hangs up his Rovers jersey for good, another is just starting his new life for the Hoops as Damien Duff made his debut for Fenlon’s side as a late substitute in their 3-0 win over Cork City in Tallaght on Monday night.

A century of caps under his belt for the national side, Duff entered to a

front-line, playing neat passes and drawing fouls.

Fans will now have an anxious wait to see if the former Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham star will get a starting role against Sligo Rovers on August 29 at The Showgrounds.

Duff, who as a schoolboy played for Leicester Celtic, Lourdes Celtic and St Kevin’s Boys revealed prior to his debut that any money he earns from his 18 month contract at Rovers would be given away to Temple Street Hospital and Heart Children Ireland.

“Every penny I get is going to charity. I don’t want a penny.

“I thought it’d be something nice to do because I just want to play football,” he said as he was officially unveiled as a Rovers player last week.

FastSport

Clontarf’s Cusask steps away from national team ALEX CUSACK has confirmed his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.

The 34 year-old had originally planned to retire following the World Cup earlier this year, but delayed his decision until after helping Ireland successfully qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 in India next year.

“I have been thinking about it seriously for a year, especially with the bad run of injuries I have suffered in recent times,” said the Clontarf all-rounder.

“Those injuries have taken a considerable toll on my body, and that’s the main reason why I’m calling it a day now. I’m also the father of three young children, and I feel I need to be around more for them.

Cusack feels the team’s future is secure, with a wealth of talented young players coming through. “It’s great to see the young guys coming through and I’m certain the team has a great future ahead.

“I’d like to thank all my team mates that I have played with over the years - it has been a great honour to play for Ireland with such a great bunch of lads and I wish them all the best in the years ahead.”

Since his debut against Middlesex in 2007, Cusack played 174 times for Ireland, scoring 2347 runs at an average of 22.79, while also taking 180 wickets at just 21.86, putting him at 8th on the all-time leading wicket-takers.

There have been many highlights for Cusack during his 8 year career in the green of Ireland.

He made 47 during a stand of 161 with Kevin O’Brien in the famous World Cup win over England in Bangalore in 2011, while he also took 4 for 32 as Ireland edged out Zimbabwe by five runs in Hobart during the 2015 World Cup. He scored his only century - 130 in 2007 against Scotland - sharing a stand of 234 with Andre Botha - the third highest partnership for Ireland in all cricket.

Often seen at his best in T20 cricket, Cusack was named the Player of the Tournament at the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifying tournament.