Clondalkin

Gazette CLONDALKIN

February 16-22, 2017

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Twisted thugs post death WIN threat aimed at family pet A pair of tickets to the Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show at the RDS SEE P13

 SYLVIA POWNALL

The chilling letter is now with gardai

GARDAI are investigating after a chilling letter threatening to torture a family pet to death was posted through a letterbox in Clondalkin.

The dog’s shocked owner was horrified to receive the

typed note warning if the pooch was left out barking at night, it would be taken away “and killed painfully and slowly”.

The author, or authors, also warned that “a brick will be put through your front door” and signed it:

“From all your neighbours in Cherrywood Park.”

The distraught owner said her dog, a Jack Russell, is not barking excessively or causing a nuisance. She added: “I’m very worried for my dog.

I have him six years. I’m extremely upset and I feel

like I’m living under threat.”

Clondalkin Animal Aid, which posted the note on social media, condemned the action, adding: “I sincerely hope there’s no one planning to carry out this ridiculous threat.”

Continued on Page 5

2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 16 February 2016

PLANNING | MAJOR SETBACK FOR SHOPPING CENTRE’S NEW OWNERS

€150m extension for Liffey Valley is blocked  SYLVIA POWNALL PLANS for a €150 million extension to Liffey Valley shopping centre have been refused after it was ruled it would worsen traffic congestion on the M50.

An Bord Pleanala last week overturned South Dublin County Council’s decision to grant permission for the project which would have increased the centre’s size by 50 per cent.

Up to 450 full and parttime jobs would have been created upon completion, bringing the total number employed at the centre to more than 2,500.

The ambitious plans provided for Ireland’s first 2,500-seat Olympic

Render of part of the proposed €150m extension at Liffey Valley SC which has now been blocked

sized indoor ice arena and included an impressive new atrium entrance and pedestrian plaza.

The ice rink formed part of a mixed leisure, entertainment, commercial and 22,000sqm retail extension

with a capacity for 60 extra stores.

Planners ruled the proposal would cause “serious traffic congestion” in the area and impact negatively on the safety and operation of the M50 and

N4 access routes.

An Taisce and the Moriarty Group, which operates three SuperValu supermarkets at Balbriggan, Skerries and Palmerstown appealed SDCC’s decision to give it the go-ahead.

In its appeal An Taisce’s heritage officer Ian Lumley said: “This is a car-based retail development adding significantly to an already problematic car-dependant location.”

It’s unclear if the centre’s new owners, German pensions group BVK, will lodge a fresh application.

The Irish arm of international property giant Hines, which manages the centre, said it was disappointed with An Bord

Pleanala’s decision, and would “reflect” before planning the next stage of development. The group completed its acquisition of the 18-year-old centre and seven hectares of adjacent land for a rumoured €630million in December.

Liffey Valley first opened its doors in 1998 on the controversial Quarryvale site and it now has more than 100 shops, 3,500 parking spaces and more than 71,000sqm of retail and leisure space.

The newly completed Western End extension includes an anchor Penneys store, six additional restaurants, a new external facade and a cinema upgrade.

FASTNews Teenager to face trial for allege role in armed raid at Ninth Lock Rd bookies A DUBLIN teenager is to face trial accused of taking part in an armed raid at a bookies in Clondalkin.

The boy, 17, is charged with robbery at Ladbrokes, Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin on July 23 last and unlawful possession of a firearm on the same date.

He appeared at Dublin Children’s Court for a preliminary hearing to determine if his case would be heard there or go forward to the Circuit Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.

After viewing CCTV evidence and hearing a summary of the prosecution evidence, Judge John O’Connor refused jurisdiction.

He held that the case was too serious and should go to the higher court.

The boy, who was accompanied to court by his mother and his barrister, was remanded on bail to appear again in March to be served with a book of evidence.

It is alleged that an adult accomplice entered the bookmakers holding a firearm.

It was claimed that he was with the defendant, then aged 16, who allegedly held the shop door open for him.

A sum of €77 was taken after a female employee fled into an office and the teen’s alleged accomplice took the money from the till before the pair made off.

New 92-bed nursing home plans lodged with council PLANS for the development of a 92-bed, three-storey nursing home in Clondalkin have been lodged with South Dublin County Council.

Proposals put forward by GN Lexington Property Ltd include the demolition of a boarded-up house at the site adjacent to the library at the junction of Monastery Road and Monstery Park.

Permission is also sought for a new vehicular entrance from Monastery Park, the widening of the existing entrance to Monastery Road, a landscaped communal open space at ground level, roof terraces and 29 car parking spaces.

Planners are due to make a decision on the application by March 8.

Man arrested over haul

Support a blooming great way to help society fight cancer

DES Bishop was happy to help Mr Daffodil (AKA James Gilleran) launch this year’s upcoming Daffodil Day. The popular fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society invites the public to say yellow to the cause, dig deep, and buy the spring blooms to help support the society in its work. Des, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2000, is calling everyone to buy a daffodil or two on March 24 from the many sellers around Clondalkin and the rest of West Dublin. Picture: Andres Poveda Photography

A MAN was last week arrested in relation to a haul of drugs and ammunition in Tallaght.

Following a planned search of a house on Thursday last, gardai seized a quantity of ammunition and cocaine with an estimated value of €1,300.

A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene and held at Tallaght Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act before being released.

A file is being prepared for the DPP. 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

16 February 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3

 ALISON O’HANLON

Bertie helped Malahide Allotments break the world record for tree planting.

PIctures: ALISON O’HANLON

FORMER Taoiseach Bertie Ahern wouldn’t have looked out of place at the Ploughing Championships as he mucked in to give a very worthy cause a dig-out at the weekend.

The Ex Fianna Fail leader and famous Dub was true to his word, turning up as promised and braving some of the worst weather we’ve seen this year to do his bit for a charity challenge in aid of the Epilepsy Care Foundation.

The Malahide Allotments had aimed to plant a world-record 500 trees in one day, but despite the dirty weather managed a staggering 687 – all by lunchtime!

Fair play to all who gave it a right good welly on the day!

Architectural render presenting the proposed College Green Civic Plaza Malahide Allotments members Brian Geraghty and Bertie brave the cold for a good cause

4 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 16 February 2017

CLONDALKIN | THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE IS RUNNING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

FASTNews

Council got over 100 illegal compaints of dumping in ’16

Round Tower redevelopment on target for summer opening

 SYLVIA POWNALL

THE Round Tower redevelopment in Clondalkin is on target to be completed by the end of March, The Gazette can reveal.

The construction phase is running ahead of schedule and – allowing two to three months for its fit-out – the project could open to the public as early as June.

South Dublin County Council is planning a formal opening ceremony in September – but hopes to have the historic tower and museum ready in time for summer tourists.

Clondalkin Round Tower Heritage Group (CHG) recently met with SDCC tourism development officer Frank Nevin and County Architect Eddie Conway and came away full of renewed enthusiasm for the venture.

CHG spokesperson Bernardine Nic Giolla Rioda told The Gazette: “It’s very exciting. It will be lovely for locals and tourists to have that asset open to them in the summer.”

Tandem – the company behind the award-winning interactive Titanic museum in Belfast – also shared some details on what’s in store for visitors.

Bernardine revealed: “They’re going to pres-

ent information in a very accessible way, but also with the option for people to go as in depth as they want to after that.

“If history students want to learn about any round tower in Ireland, it will become the specialist centre for anybody wanting to find out information on round towers – a centre of excellence. “ T h e y ’r e t h i n k i n g about children as well, with displays down lower for them to access. Information will be presented to them in a very imaginative way, with little characters that kids can follow from room to room.

“It sounds fantastic.

It will attract plenty of culturally curious tourists and we see it as an

important destination for school tours.”

The heritage group has more than 40 volunteers ready to step into the role of tour guide at the centre.

The €2.2m visitor centre, public garden, cafe and plaza project involves the restoration of a terrace of 200-year-old cottages using traditional materials.

It ties in with a new “Great Outdoors” tourism brand launched by SDCC last week which aims to boost visitor numbers by promoting its parks, mountains and waterways.

One of its long-term objectives is to link Corkagh Park to the Round Tower visitor centre.

Retailers are urged to avail of SDCC’s shopfront grant scheme  SYLVIA POWNALL

SOUTH Dublin County Council has launched its shop front grant scheme for independent retailers.

Grants of up to €8,500 are available and the local authority is committed to paying 50 per cent of the overall cost of any improvements to shops fronting public streets.

Deputy John Curran (FF) is encouraging local retailers to apply.

C l l r C u r r a n s a i d t h i s we e k : “Grants are available for something as simple as painting your shop, replacing signage or even replacing your entire shopfront so it is a very worthwhile grant scheme for local retailers and their business and for our local villages appearance and the community.”

Closing date is Friday, March 31 and information is available at www. sdcc.ie.

THE council received more than 100 illegal dumping complaints in Clondalkin last year – with more than 80 per cent of them coming from Bawnogue.

A total of 86 reports came in from the Bawnogue area which includes St Cuthbert’s, Lealand, Lindisfarne, Melrose, Deansrath, Kilcronan and Kilmahuddrick.

Of those 86 complaints the litter warden issued just ONE fine and four warning letters.

The litter warden issued one fine and four warning letters from the 86 complaints.

The council received 31 complaints in 2016 for the Lindisfarne and Kilcronan areas, and two for Harelawn Green.

Officials said it was proving “extremely difficult” to obtain evidence leading to the identity of those behind the dumping.

Six cars seized in crackdown GARDAI seized six vehicles on Sunday afternoon after mounting a checkpoint on the outer ring road between Clondalkin and Tallaght.

The cars were taken as part of an operation cracking down on drivers without tax or insurance, having no NCT on their vehicle or having no driving licence.

The seizures come after news emerged last week that gardai in Ballyfermot seized a total of 735 vehicles in 2016.

Officials say the increase is largely due to the number of cheap cars available online.

16 February 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 5

CLONDALKIN | OWNER SHOCKED AS DOG IN DANGER

Gardai investigate chilling threat in anonymous letter Continued from Page 1

The letter, which was stamped and delivered by post via the sorting office in Portlaoise, has been handed in to gardai in Clondalkin.

Officers are examining the handwritten address on the envelope in the hope that it might help them track down the culprit.

The distraught owner broke down on radio and told how she is now terrified to let her dog out of her sight.

She told 98FM’s Dublin Talks: “I can’t believe somebody would send that letter. Why haven’t they come over and knocked on the door and asked us to do something about the dog?

“Neighbours have told me they are utterly sick that somebody would say something like that on their behalf.”

The letter reads: “This is from all your angry neighbours!!!

“Stop letting the dog out the front in the night time until all hours of the morning to bark nonstop.

“This is a warning if the dog continues to bark a brick will be put through your front door and the dog will be taking [sic] away and killed painfully and slowly!!!

“We warned if the dog is out after the 09/02/17 and is barking the above will happen.

“From all your neighbours in Cherrywood Park.”

One comment on Facebook said:

McDonald’s serve up a drive-thru at Citywest WITH a rousing cheer staff at McDonald’s latest Dublin outlet – a drive-thru at Citywest, which has served up. 65 jobs as part of a €3.5m investment. Pictured are owner-operator Amir and Serina Afsar with staff, who were delight-

ed to cheer on the opening and spread the word that in addition to all of McDonald’s fare, diners can also enjoy avail of self-order kiosks, Samsung Galaxy tablets and a children’s play area. Picture:

Photo Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography.

“I live here and I’m disgusted to think the sicko who sent this even lives near me ... This is a wacko who has serious issues to even make threats like that ... I hope the guards catch their ass.”

Register for Paddy’s parade

GROUPS interested in taking part in the Clondalkin St Patrick’s Day Parade are being encouraged to register before the closing date of February 28.

The spectacle is shaping up to be a colourful affair with 750 people from 38 different groups

already lined up to take part.

The parade begins at 2.30pm, and will follow a route from Old Nangor Road up Orchard Road to Main Street, Tower Road and back up Old Nangor Road.

On their Facebook page, the organisers are

calling out for floats, groups and anyone else interested in taking part to register at www. clondalkinstpatricksfestival.ie/participate.

Volunteers who wish to help out in any other way should see www. clondalkinstpatricksfestival.ie/volunteer.

6 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 16 February 2017

Out and About

Elizabeth Plunkett and Margaret Guerin. Pictures: Rita-Marie Lawlor

Stylish catwalkers help a great cause

Lara Darbey

M

ODELS strutted their stuff on the catwalk in Bawnougue last week for the Lara Darbey Fashion Show. The show took place in the Honeycomb Bakery and Cafe in the Enterprise Park in Bawnogue and all of the clothing was supplied by Siopa Lara. Lara has hosted a number of fashion show in Clondalkin over the past few years, and all for a good cause. The show last week raised funds for the Ciaran Carr Foundation, a charity set up to raise money for preventing Sudden Adult Death Syndrome after local man, Ciaran Carr died suddenly in 2012, just before his 21st birthday. There was a great turn-out for the event to support local businesses and raise much needed funds.

Whether strutting their stuff on the catwalk, collecting for the raffle or singing beautifully, everyone taking part made the event a success and showed the area’s terrific community spirit

16 February 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7

Out and About

Jockey Johnny Murtagh, Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald, chief exec Danny McLoughlin, Mayor Guss O’Connell, Minister Michael Creed, director of services Teresa Walsh

Equine centre opening was neigh bother The spacious facility was admired by all

Settling in to a cosy stable

Jockey Johnny Murtagh and Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald deep in conversation

T

HE long-awaited Clondalkin Equine Club officially opened last week. The new facility is located in the environs of Ballyowen Park off the Fonthill Road. Agriculture Minister Michael Creed attended the opening, assisted by Mayor Guss O’Connell. Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald was also in attendance along with Bawnogue community worker Michelle Kearns. The centre – first mooted almost a decade ago – was financed by the Department of Agriculture and South Dublin County Council and will provide a base for kids from the area who can’t afford a private stables to care for their horses. The facility has the capacity for up to 20 stables and an exercise paddock. One of its aims is to educate young people on all things equine in the hope it might act as a stepping stone for members who want to pursue a career in the industry.

Cllr Kenneth Egan and Johnny Murtagh

8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 16 February 2017

COURTS | LAD WENT ON NINE-DAY CRIME SPREE

Addict went ‘off the wall’ to fund habit on release  SYLVIA POWNALL

A DRUG addict who relapsed two weeks after his release from prison went “off the wall” robbing shops over nine days in to fund his habit, a court has heard.

Laurence Bryan, 36, was drug free on his release after serving four years in jail but relapsed following a family argument and raided shops at knife-point to get money.

He told gardai he’d been taking as much heroin and crack cocaine as he could get his hands on. He said he didn’t intend to hurt anyone but needed cash for drugs.

Bryan, of Brookview Cres-

cent, Tallaght pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four robberies and two attempted robberies at shops in the Tallaght area between March 31 and April 8, 2016.

He has 132 previous convictions including a fiveand-a-half year sentence for previous robberies.

The court heard Bryan had committed nine robberies in seven days in 2013 and had been spending €450 per day to feed his crack cocaine habit.

Judge Melanie Greally revoked a prior 18-month suspended sentence and adjourned sentencing on the

new offences until October 2018.

She told Bryan that she was not making any promises but it appeared that four years in prison had not served him or the community well.

She said: “You were back to square one within a number of weeks so it is clear some alternative to a sentence will be needed to break the cycle.”

Defence counsel said Br yan had a ver y tragic background including his brother being shot and witnessing his two-year-old sister being run over by a bus when he was ten.

THE increase in the number of gorse fires around the Dublin Mountains over the past few months must be stopped, according to Senator Neale Richmond (FG).

He told The Gazette this week that local people living in the surrounding areas of South County Dublin are living in fear that the fires will one day spread to local housing estates that back onto the mountains.

In November, a large fire broke out in the Dublin mountains and on January 25, Dublin Fire Brigade sent three fire brigades to attend a gorse fire.

Senator Richmond said: “These fires are of huge concern to local residents and passersby as the smoke and fumes have caused serious traffic delays on local roads, as well as the M50, at peak time on a Friday.”

He added that the threat of the fire spread-

Gorse fires spark fears

ing rapidly is also “of concern to residents living nearby to the affected areas, many of whom have been spooked by images on television of recent bushfires in Australia”.

One local resident spoke out on social media following the fires and said: “All over these mountains from now until the summer there are fires set deliberately.”

Another man commented: “If the fires are proven to be deliberate, I hope the criminal charges are attempted murder, as it could affect so many people – mountain bikers, hikers, and everyone else it spreads to. Time to get serious.”

Senator Richmond said that he is now calling on the Minister for Arts and Heritage, Heather Humphreys, to take action to prevent an increase in gorse fires.

16 February 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9

FASTNews Jury discharged after juror nods off after 15 mins THE jury in a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial was discharged on Monday after a juror fell asleep 15 minutes into proceedings.

Prosecuting barrister Garrett Baker was giving his opening address in the trial of Dean Joyce when it became apparent that one of the jurors had nodded off.

Mr Baker was explaining the concept of “beyond reasonable doubt”when the sleeping juror had to be woken up by the jury minder.

Defence barrister Pieter Le Vert BL told Judge Elma Sheahan that another male juror had appeared to be on the verge of nodding off during the opening address.

Judge Sheahan ruled that she should discharge the entire jury.

“In a most unusual turn of events, I’m going to thank you for your service and discharge you,” she told them.

Mr Joyce, 24, with an address in Rowlagh Park, Clondalkin, has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including endangering gardaí by driving his car into a garda van, four counts of dangerous driving and possession of stolen property in Ballyfermot and Clondalkin on March 3, 2015.

A new jury was sworn in on Tuesday.

Planners say no to 46-unit estate

PLANNERS have refused permission for a 46-unit housing development in Newcastle.

Geotechnical Investigations Ltd had sought permission for a scheme of three-bed homes in eight blocks on a site in the centre of the village.

The council refused permission on nine grounds ruling the development “would not fit within the Newcastle local area plan framework”.

PEOPLE | JASON, 30, TAUGHT HIMSELF TO READ USING DANDY COMIC BOOKS

Clondalkin man who beat dyslexia is now a published author

Talented dyslexic man Jason Donoghue taught himself to read with comic books like The Dandy. The 30 year old from Clondalkin plans to publish two books this year.

 SYLVIA POWNALL AN AUTHOR who beat dyslexia by teaching himself to read using comic books has just had his first work published and is already writing his second.

Jason Donoghue, 30, from Clondalkin admits his debut Ronan – a fantasy set in twelfth century Ireland – is a far cry from the pages of the Dandy.

The novella tells the story of an exiled king and his return to fight for his throne, as seen through the eyes of six characters including an eightyear-old boy and his horse, Ghost.

Jason told The Gazette: “Teaching myself to read was extremely hard. I would get the comic one week and try to read it. It was a painfully slow process.

“There was also a computer system out years back which helped.”

Jason, who lives in Lucan, now writes full-time and is working on his second, more ambitious project, an epic fantasy series.

He revealed: “Ronan is based on a part of my own life. As a kid I was

sickly… and that inspired me to write this story – me 20 years ago in hospital turned out to be an eight-year-old sickly boy in 1170.

“The book is told from the point of view of six people. We get to see a small part of their lives before their worlds are turned upside down by war and loss.”

Jason plans to publish two books this year – one set in America showing the impacts of global warming and religious radicals, called The Grass Isn’t Always Greener.

The second is the epic fantasy Forgotten Empire: Kings & Queens, which he began writing four years ago.

Jason’s first book, Ronan, a fantasy set in twelfth century Ireland, is available on Amazon from Barnes & Noble and selected libraries. He’s currently writing his second and plans to have it and a third book released before the end of the year

Jason said: “It will be an epic fantasy series covering five or six books.

I am really excited about this series of books to come.”

Although his first book is self-published Jason said it’s not a route he would recommend to others – but he wanted to retain editing rights so he stuck with it.

He said: “I am very self-motivated and driven. I write for me and no one else, but if people want to read my books great.

Journey “To new authors I would tell them to just enjoy the process of writing, enjoy the journey.”

And he urged anyone with a dream not to let obstacles get in the way, adding: “Only you can hold you back from achieving your goals. You can think your thoughts into existence – I did it.”

Ronan is available on Amazon, from Barnes & Noble and selected libraries.

You can follow him on Facebook (author Jason Donoghue) or twitter@ authordonoghue.

10 GAZETTE 16 February 2017

Out and About

Jenny Buckley and Rachel Kavanagh

Kerri Nicole Blanc and Sinead Noonan. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Tripthi Rodrigues and Charlotte Doyle

Sinead Keary and Sarah Keary

Enjoying a girls’ night out in Dundrum T

o celebrate their February LOVE Box GLOSSYBOX held a Girls Night Out at Movie’s at Dundrum. Guests got to see the latest chick flick releases and each got to take home the February GLOSSYBOX. The evening was hosted by MD of Ireland & UK Rachel Kavanagh and included many well-known faces to include Jenny Buckley, Teodora Sutra, Gail Kaneswaren, to name but a few. From cult classics to innovative new launches, this February, GLOSSYBOX and La Mer have curated the ultimate skincare routine, boxed which launches on 20th February.

Lianne Traynor and Michelle Reggazoli Stone

Avila Lipsett

Stephen Kelly and Fergus Daly

Lorna Duffy

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 11

Out and About

Ellen Waters and Jonathan Crawley

Enny Buono and Jade Hanlon

Therese Ryan and Cormac Moore

Wayne Cronin and Leah Kilcullen

Sean McEvoy and Amanda Reid

January Winters. Photos : BRIAN MCEVOY

Fans out in force for John Wick sequel K Jason Brennan and Darragh Doyle

Baz Ashmawy

Helen Clinton and Niall Clinton

EANU Reeve’s fans were out in force at the Lighthouse Cinema for the Irish premiere screening of his latest film “John Wick Chapter 2”. Keanu Reeves plays the legendary hit man John Wick is forced back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild.

Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome where he squares off against some of the world’s deadliest killers. Spotted at the screening were Baz Ashmawy, Spin 1038’s Cormac Moore, as well as model January Russell.

12 GAZETTE 16 February 2017

GAZETTE

DUBLINBUSINESS Hoping for Irish win in Singapore ENTREPRENEURS: IRISHWOMAN JUST ONE OF THREE SHORTLISTED EU FINALISTS FOR TOP AWARD

 EMMA NOLAN

Ciara Donlon, the founder and chief executive of THEYA Healthcare, has been nominated for an entrepreneurial award that will be revealed in Singapore in April

ENTREPRENEUR Ciara Donlon – the founder and chief executive of T H E YA H e a l t h c a r e (www.theyahealthcare. com), an award-winning medical device company – has been shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious 2017 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards.

Ciara is the only Irish entrepreneur shortlisted for the European Award category, alongside an entrepreneur from Russia, and another from the UK. The awards are an international business

plan competition created in 2006 to identify, support and encourage projects by women entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to encourage inspirational women entrepreneurs worldwide to solve contemporar y global challenges.

THEYA Healthcare, which was formally launched by Donlon in 2015, designs and manufactures healthcare garments.

The company’s flagship post-surgery lingerie range, designed primarily for use by breast cancer patients, retails across

Ireland and the UK, and has also been launched in Europe and Canada.

THEYA Healthcare uses a unique fabric mix made from OEKO-TEX bamboo, which is ideal for post-operative products as it is anti-bacterial, thermally regulating, 59% more absorbent than cotton and extremely soft, thus helps reduce skin irritation.

T he design of the THEYA Healthcare range focuses on comfort, support, femininity, functionality and the promotion of healing.

Headquartered at

NovaUCD, the centre for new ventures and entrepreneurs at UCD, THEYA Healthcare is an Enterprise Ireland highpotential start-up client company.

Donlon said: “It’s a huge honour to have been chosen by Cartier as one of the three European finalists for such a prestigious worldwide award.

“I s et up THEYA Healthcare because I wanted to help women undergoing breast cancer treatment feel better about themselves and heal faster; for that to be acknowledged by an

organisation like Cartier means a lot. “ H o p e f u l l y, m o r e women who can benefit from our products will now have a chance to access them.”

She was shortlisted alongside fellow chief executives Marina Ross, Nanobarrier (Russia), and Lise Pape, Walk with Life (UK).

The winners of the 2017 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards will be announced at the awards week and ceremony which will take place in Singapore from April 8 to 13.

Take key steps to help realise business goals WITH entrepreneurial spirit having an ever greater impact on Irish business, it can be tempting to plan to start your own business. However, as with any business, a focused plan with realistic, practical goals is a key part of achieving success.

Carol Brick (right), of HerMoney, has compiled some simple yet essential pointers towards being your own boss and maximising your entrepreneurial spirit.

Research and plan right Before cutting ties with your fulltime job, be sure that there is a market for the product or service you offer.

Talk with freelancers in the industry to learn more on the market and clients, and ask about their transition from fulltime to self-employed work and check on any potential pit falls.

Maintain positive business relationships with your co-workers and your boss – they could potentially become your first clients or refer others to you.

Financial backing is key Ensure you have enough capital

to cover your living expenses for the first several months you will be selfemployed. You may take a second parttime job, or get some weekend clients within your new self-employed profession, ahead of quitting your current day job. Also talk to your local enterprise board and a financial advisor.

Prepare the right set-up A reliable accountant will advise on the sole trader versus company director approach, and on the tax implications of both. Managing your own income tax and charging for VAT on your products or services is one of the sea changes of being self-employed. Get a userfriendly software system to account for your income and expenditure on a day to basis (see www.contracting365.ie).

Security Replacing key employee benefits like a pension, income protection for when you cannot work, and death in service (life cover) is important. Talk to an independent advisor about savings and investments like live cover or pensions. Also check out the different types of insurances needed.

Finally, Citizens Information also has helpful information on many practical business and financial implications; see www.citizensinformation.ie.

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 13

GAZETTE

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ONE OF THIRTY PAIRS OF TICKETS TO THE CAROLE NASH IRISH MOTORBIKE & SCOOTER SHOW IN THE RDS FROM MARCH 3-5

THE annual “The Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show takes place from the 3rd to the 5th of March 2017 in the RDS Dublin – and we’ve got thirty pairs of tickets worth 18 euro each - to give away to this exciting event for all the family to enjoy.

All you have to do to win a pair of tickets to join 27,000 other motorcycle and scooter aficionados at the RDS next month is visit the Dublin Gazette Facebook page and Like

and Share our Carole Nash Motorbike & Scooter Show post.

Alternatively, you can simply email your entry to competitions@dublingazette.com - please make sure to put Carole Nash Comp in the subject line, and your name and address in the main body of the email.

Hop on your bike and go to the show - you would simply be mad to miss it! Best of luck all!

George Fitzgerald’s film explores the overlooked history of Dublin’s working-class citizens. Screengrab: YouTube

Delve into the capital’s ‘real’ past with a new documentary  EMMA NOLAN

A DUBLIN man has made a documentary that shows the dark side of Dublin. In Dublin Behind the History, Finglas man George Fitzgerald examines the history of working-class people in Dublin in the 1900s.

George (51) made the 25-minute documentary last year while he was researching his latest book, The Secret life Of Ashley Brown.

His research uncovered descriptions of Dublin often overlooked by history, of rats lining the streets, workhouses and barefoot, starving children.

“Dubliners are divorced from their own history,” he told The Gazette. George said he wanted to shed light on the history of the city that was forgotten because major events in history, such as the world wars, take precedence in the history books.

“I only just touched on [such content] in my documentary, there’s so much more – it was horrific,” George said.

Mixing footage of the

city as we know it with old photographs, illustrations and readings, the film shows how Dublin went from being the “flamboyant” city of the 1700s to having the worst slums in Europe by the early 1900s.

He shows two main catalysts that set about this change; the Act of Union in 1801 and The Famine.

George says that The Famine changed the course of working-class history as it led to suburban towns such as Swords being established.

The Monto He also explores the fact that the biggest red light district in Europe at the time – the Monto – was located in Dublin.

What modern Dubliners can learn from this history is an appreciation of simplicity and embracing our neighbours and communities, according to George.

“Get out and talk to your neighbour, and stop spending so much time on social media.”

Dublin Behind the History is available to watch on YouTube.

ENJOY A FEAT OF FREE LIVE ACTION ENTERTAINMENTAT THE RDS THIS MARCH….

WE’VE got new bikes, the latest accessories, clothing, helmets, training, adventure holidays … in fact just about everything you need for you and your bike!

NEW AT THE SHOW FOR 2017: JOEY DUNLOP TRIBUTE One of the main attractions of this year’s show has to be the exclusive personal Joey Dunlop Tribute which is the first time it will be on display in southern Ireland. See his race bikes, trophies, leathers, helmets from his astonishing 31 years of racing. Celebrities such as John McGuinness, Mick Grant and Eddie Laycock are scheduled to speak over the course of the three day show.

AMD INTERNATIONAL CUSTOM BIKE SHOW It is a firm show favourite with over 50 stunning custom bikes on display that are works of art and engineering genius from all over the world. Sponsored by Deltran Battery Tender with the support of Zodiac Intl and AMD World Championship.

ACE GLOBAL STUNT STARZ COMPETITION Be ‘wowed’ by 20 top freestyle motor-

cycle stunt riders competing for the title of ‘Ace of Aces’ all day ever day of the Show. The Ace Global Star Starz Competition is sponsored by Rock Oil and R&G Racing plus supported by Ace Café London.

ACE CAFE CLASSIC & RETRO ZONE Motorcycle enthusiasts all over the planet know about The Ace Café London and its pivotal role in the cultural revolution that shaped both the music and machines for future generations.

WORLD FAMOUS PURPLE HELMETS At speeds approaching 100 miles per hour – check out this mad cap Isle of Man riders and their crazy gang show.

ROCKABILLY LIVE STAGE SHOW The Rockabilly band, Skinny Elvis, will be performing on the main stage supported by the rather fine Rockabilly Roses and Fire Show with everyone dressed by one of the cool Rusty Pistons.

GRAFTON BARBER The Grafton Barber team will be offering to groom the visitors that ‘modern’ Rockabilly look. Check out the Harley Davidson’s in the Shop - they’ll even have the bike to match your new look.

FLAT TRACK SPEEDWAY There’s lots of speed and excitement with the Off Road Flat Track Racers and

for the first time show visitors can learn to ‘flat track race’ too.

EDDIE IRVINE RACING CHALLENGE Don’t miss your chance to see how fast you are on a MotoGP Motorcycle Racing Simulator. This is free of charge to all visitors each day of the show.

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE TALKS Since this year’s show is heavy on travel and adventure - expect to hear from some very interesting people who have done some amazing things on two wheels Visit www.irishmotorbikeshow.com for more information.

BMW Motorrad have announced that it will be introducing its 2017 models to the Irish public for the first time at the Show. Among 18 BMW bikes going on display are three brand new versions of the most popular travel enduro bike in the world - the BMW GS

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DIARY

SCHOOLS: ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO GET TO GRIPS WITH KEY SUBJECTS IN AN UPBEAT WAY

Spelling out the wonders and fun of science ... Katie Dixon helping to launch SciFest 2017. Picture: Keith Arkins

Knowledge is a fun science KATIE Dixon had her hands full as she helped to launch the tenth annual SciFest event.

All budding secondary school science students have the opportunity to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills for the event, which gives students of all abilities the opportunity to develop research, problem-solving, critical thinking and presentation skills.

Sheila Porter, SciFest founder and chief executive said: “Over the past 10 years we have had the opportunity to experience some of the best young minds that Ireland has to offer.

“2016 was our best year ever, with more than 8,000 students participating and exhibiting their projects at local or region-

al science fairs all across the country, and we hope to build on this success in 2017 and beyond.”

Students can now showcase STEM projects at a series of one-day science fairs held locally in schools and regionally at DCU and a range of other institutions.

The winners from each regional science fair will go on to compete at a national final in November. The closing date for entries is March 10, so enter online or download a paper entry form from scifest.ie.

DRIVING INNOVATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE THIS year, Young Social Innovators Ireland (YSI) are aiming to reach 50% of secondary schools by 2020.

Currently featuring

in 30% of secondary schools nationwide, the scheme, in partnership with Ulster Bank, has set a target of bringing its social innovation programmes to 367 secondary schools in Ireland by 2020.

Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, co-founder of YSI, said that social value “must become an integral part of innovation in Ireland to address societal challenges and build social cohesion”.

YSI sees students from schools around the country select issues they care about, explore them and collaborate to develop and implement their social innovations.

Previous YSI projects have included a successful campaign calling for the introduction of a National Missing Per-

son’s Day and the development of a water-saving device for use on showerheads in homes.

Sr Stan added: “Policies and practices that align social and economic value will ultimately lead to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable society.

“Through YSI, education is already playing a major role in developing a culture and understanding of innovation for social good among young people and we need to build on that.”

VALENTINES DAY IS SO ... MEH – SURVEY IT SEEMS we’re not the most romantic bunch ...

Nearly 60% of Irish people say they feel that Valentine’s Day has become a cliche.

A survey by Durex has revealed that 26% of us

generally mark the occasion by going out for a classy dinner while only 22% stay in with a bottle of wine and a movie.

However, the majority of us (70%) think Valentine’s Day has become too commercial. In fact, the survey found that more than one-fifth of Irish married couples won’t celebrate the day in any way this year.

Of those couples who are choosing to opt out of Valentine’s Day, 36% say it’s because there is too much pressure around it.

A fur ther 23% of couples say they prefer to engage in spontaneous acts of romance rather than abiding by the tradition, and 18% say it is because their partner doesn’t want to embrace the day.

Rising pressure hasn’t

lowered expectations, however, as almost two thirds (58%) of people still say they would be disappointed if their partner didn’t mark the occasion.

Irish men seem to be a little more laid-back, as more than half of them wouldn’t mind if the day went unnoticed, compared to just a quarter of women.

FARMERS MARKET TRAINING FOR ALL URBAN farmers and m a r ke t s e l l e r s t a ke note – Bord Bia has just launched a farmers market training workshop.

Starting with a Dublin city centre workshop on February 20, the workshops are designed for those thinking of starting or developing sales in such a market.

Aspiring Dublin-

based food market entrepreneurs can attend the workshop at The Fumbally Stables in Dublin 8 for a half-day interactive masterclass that will provide practical solutions to the challenges most frequently faced by market sellers.

Wicklow-based food producer, farmer and successful stallholder Margaret Hoctor, from Kilmullen Farm, will deliver the workshops. Margaret, a regular at the Marley Park food market, will share her own knowledge and wide experience of how she developed the family business through this channel.

For registration and further information, see www.bordbia.ie/FarmersMarketsTraining, or email maria.stokes@bordbia.ie.

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 15

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Hop on the bus and see a real Dubs’ fare city

 ALISON O’HANLON DUBLIN Bus has been ‘doing Dublin’ bus tours across the capital since 1988 through its Dublin Sightseeing City & Coastal Tours (the green bus!).

It is Dublin’s original, authentic bus tour and this year it’s shaking things up by rebranding to DoDublin.

The drivers – who also happen to be the best tour guides in the world – are Dublin natives, Fáilte-Ireland trained and know every nook and cranny, anecdote and scéal across the streets broad and narrow of our fair city. And one thing the Gazette can confirm after taking a ride on one of the newly rebranded green buses this week – they clearly love what they do!

Priding themselves on having the ‘banter’ with Irish and international tourists alike, the 63 DoDublin drivers are a busy bunch. Between The Hop On Hop Off Tour, Coastal Tours, Ghostbus Tour and The 1916: Beyond Barricades Tour, they

travel 275,000 miles across the city and county each year.

They’re an honest lot too as one driver found a bag with €3,500 left on his bus! It was duly returned to a very relieved tourist while he was visiting Trinity College.

Visitors to the city can avail of the best value with a DoDublin Card.

At €33 for adults and €16 for children under 14 it offers unlimited travel for three days, including direct transfers to and from Dublin Airport on Airlink Express, The Hop On Hop Off Tour, and all public buses on Dublin Bus routes.

Tickets for The Hop On Hop Off Tour include free for kids (two under 14 with a fare paying adult), a free Pat Liddy Walking Tour of Dublin worth €10, free entry into The Little Museum of Dublin worth €7, and two for one meal deals and discounts at participating attractions.

Tickets can be bought at dodublin.ie, Dublin Airport and from ticket agents across Dublin City Centre.

RTE’s Jennifer Zamparelli launches Do Dublin with drivers Martin Connolly, Joe Morris and the company’s Miram Brady.

Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

THALIA HEFFERNAN | DUBLIN’S HOTTEST MODEL LAUNCHES DENIM KING DIESEL’S SPRING/SUMMER 2017 CAMPAIGN

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 17

NOW YOU’RE LOOKIN’ DIESEL: Thalia Heffernan looks amazing in her photoshoot alongside male model Savio De Chiara.

Pictures: Dara Munnis

Queen Diesel

JEANS Queen Thalia Heffernan looks a million dollars in this stylish new shoot for denim king Diesel’s Spring/Summer campaign.

The Dubliner put the disappointment of being voted off Dancing With The Stars behind her as she jetted out to sunny Spain for the one-day shoot with Italian model Savio De Chiara.

And to celebrate the launch of Diesel’s new campaign – which hits the stores THIS WEEK – we have a €100 voucher for a lucky reader to win.

All you have to do is Like and Share the Diesel post on The Dublin Gazette’s Facebook page.

Best of luck folks!

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River Island

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

WE THOUGHT we’d left oversized belts in the early Noughties – but we were wrong ... This new trend sees belts meet corsets to create a cinched waist silhouette, regardless of the rest of the outfit, as the waist has become the body part du jour.

Easy to wear, this trend is forgiving on most shapes and gives a bit of

curve and swerve to those who are challenged in the waist area.

What is most appealing about this trend is the creative ways we’ve see it worn thus far; over baggy jumpers and long dresses and men’s shirts – it works with any combination, from jeans and t-shirts to ball gowns.

One of these is a definite worthy investment to go with numerous outfits for the next few months.

Ana Mac is sew stylish  EMMA NOLAN

A DESIGNER from Rush has realised her lifelong dream of becoming a professional dressmaker.

Ana Mac is the brainchild of local dressmaker Anna Maguire (above right), who specialises in creating bespoke garments.

The 30-year-old is an expert at constructing garment designs of any kind, from christening gowns to bridal gowns and everything in between. She also offers garment reconstruction

services and has her own line of ready-to-wear pieces.

“I watched my mam dressmake from a very early age and this is how I picked up this passion,” Anna told The Gazette.

“She created all sorts, from debs to weddings to little christening gowns.

“I used to pick up leftover fabrics from the floor and hand-sew dresses for my Barbies and dolls.

“I loved it! Mixing fabrics, different colour threads, and redesigning four-inch skirts – my Barbies always looked great!”

As a teenager, Anna

started making things for her friends: “Simple things like furry boots for festivals, or taking in or taking up their clothes for them.”

Though she had a career in social care, Anna says that all she really wanted to do was sew so she applied for a fashion design course.

After acing the course, she began her career as a professional dressmaker, and confidently says: “I can create absolutely anything.”

To find out more about Anna’s services, see dressmaker.ie.

River Island 3-buckle waist belt €30 New Look Lace up corset belt €12

River Island Lace up corset belt €25

River Island Foldover waist belt €30

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brown and blonde.

3) CAILYN PURE LUXE

BELT &

BUCKLE BEAUTY

THIS weather is doing n o b o d y ’s s k i n a ny favours. Below are some products that are getting me through these fresh months, with everything available in pharmacies nationwide.

LIPSTICK, DARK PINK

1) IDC ULTIME DECOL-

favourite, this overnight liquid peel is suitable for even ver y sensitive skin. Great for oily skin, it tightens pores, improves skin texture and smooths fine lines.

Skin is left feeling softer and looking brighter the next morning.

LETE (€79.95) For all skin

types, this richly textured serum smooths and tightens the neck while getting rid of crease lines around the decollete.

2) EYLURE BROW PALETTE (€12.99) A kit gives

you everything you need to shade and sculpt and add definition. Available in dark brown, mid

( €19.50 ) Highly pigmented and delivers full colour coverage, also long-wearing and smudgeproof.

4) VICHY IDEALIA PEELING ( €30 ) A personal

5) DELAROM DECONGESTING HYDRATING EYE GEL (€35) Helps reduce the coloration of dark

circles, soothe the eyes and reduce signs of fatigue with instant brightness.

6 ) T H E BO DY S H O P ALMOND MILK AND HONEY BODY SCRUB (€24.95) Per-

fect for sensitive skin as it contains no colourants, mineral oil or petrolatum, this scrub is great for gently exfoliating skin.

7) GUINOT PUR CONFORT SFP15 PROTECTIVE AND SOOTHING CREAM (€58.50)

Protects the skin against environmental irritants.

8) EUCERIN AQUAPHOR SOOTHING SKIN BALM (€8)

All-in-one cream for the season, use on extremely dry, chapped, and even cracked skin.

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DUBLINLIFE

Great offers at Bagots Hutton for February  AISLING KENNEDY

BAGOTS Hutton is currently running a Neighbourhood Menu for the month of February which offers a complimentary glass of wine as part of their early menu from 5pm.

T h e N e i g h b o u rhood Menu, which runs from Monday to Thursday all night and Friday and Saturday before 7pm, features two courses for €19.50 or three courses for €22.50.

The restaurant, which is based on South William Street

recently opened a second location at 6 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 1 and this offer is available with their early menu in both locations.

The new Bagots Hutton venture on Ormond Quay is larger than their flagship restaurant and features a 120-seater restaurant.

It also features a cafe bar at the entrance, the fine dining area in the basement, and first floor mezzanine with main bar and stage for live entertainment.

For more see www. bagotshutton.com

A flawless balance of sweet, salty with a hint of spice

FOOD&DRINK Thai Sticky Chicken Ingredients Chicken  15g (1/2oz) packet fresh coriander  1 green chilli, seeded and chopped  2 garlic cloves, chopped  2.5cm (1in) piece root ginger, peeled and chopped  3 tbsp dark soy sauce  50g (2oz) Siucra Light Golden Brown Sugar  6 chicken thighs, trimmed  1 tsp sunflower oil Dipping Sauce  2 tsp white vinegar (rice or wine)  juice of ½ lime  2 tbsp Siucra Caster Sugar  1 red bird’s eye chilli, finely sliced To serve: Steamed Thai fragrant rice. Pomegranate seeds and sesame seeds Method  Reserve a handful of the coriander leaves for the dipping sauce, then roughly chop the remainder and put into a food processor. Add the chilli, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Siucra Light Golden Brown Sugar and blend to a paste. Spoon all over the chicken thighs in a shallow Pyrex dish and if time allows leave to marinade for 10 minutes at room temperature. If preparing the day before, cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge.  To make the dipping sauce, put the Siucra Caster Sugar in a pan with 2 tablespoons of water and simmer for a few minutes to make a sugar syrup. Then stir in the vinegar, lime juice and chilli. Leave to cool and stir in the coriander leaves.  Preheat the oven to 190°C / 350°F / Gas mark 4. Drizzle the sunflower oil over the chicken thighs and roast for 35 minutes until cooked through and golden brown, basting occasionally to give them a nice sticky glaze.  Arrange the chicken on plates or in oriental bowls with the rice and scatter pomegranate seeds and sesame seeds on top. Put the dipping sauce in small dishes alongside to serve.

Recipe courtesy of Siucra. For more information on Siucra products along with recipes, tips and videos visit www.facebook.com/siucraireland, Instagram.com/ SiucraIreland and www.siucra.ie.

Get spoilt for choice in food heaven  AISLING KENNEDY

LOCAL MATTERS

TO PLACE AN AD CALL OUR SALES TEAM ON 60 10 240 OR EMAIL SALES@ DUBLINGAZETTE.COM

THE Dine In Dublin festival is back again this year for its ninth year and will run from Monday, February 27 to Sunday, March 5.

Organised by Dublin Town, over 70 of Dublin’s most renowned restaurants will take part in the seven-day foodie festival this year.

Restaurants including Pichet, Rustic Stone, Zaragoza, Fade St Social, Fallon & Byrne and Marco Pierre White’s will be taking part and running amazing offers on their menus for the sevenday festival.

The Gazette were lucky enough to head along to the launch of Dine In Dublin at Fire Restaurant in the Mansion House last week and sample some of the many delicious courses that will be on offer from a selection of the restaurants taking part around the city.

A specific mention has to go to San Lorenzo’s Roast Hogget with minted salsa verde, chantaney carrots and duck fast roast potatoes by Chef Temple Garner. It was a truly brave dish that was absolutely divine. There is so much choice on offer from the participating restaurants so it is well worth a visit to www.dineindublin.ie to see which offer might appeal to you.

San Lorenzo’s Roast Hogget with minted salsa verde, chantaney carrots and duck fast roast potatoes

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

TRAVEL

RAMBLING AND ROAMING: SUPERB TRAILS AND SIGHTS AWAIT ACROSS THE BORDER

Slope off to Andorra for a top ski holiday TOPFLIGHT are preparing for their Copper Face Jack’s ski trip which departs on March 5 to Arinsal, Andorra where guests will include Paddy Casey and DJ Mark McCabe.

All-inclusive prices start from only €959 per person sharing. See www.topflight.ie.

Foodie heaven for all at Dine in Dublin festival DINE in Dublin Festival from February 27 to March 5 will have 70 dining experiences on offer from Pichet, Rustic Stone, Zaragoza, The Woollen Mills, Fade Street Social, Carluccios, Brother Hubbard, Saba, Fallon & Byrne and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill.

Ryanair ready to land average fares at €30 RYANAIR says it’s on target to reduce its average fare to €30 after it reported fares down 17% to €33, with passenger numbers up 16% to 29 million for the third quarter of 2016.

St Patrick to turn 300 sites green this year TOURISM Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said he expected the number of sites that will go green for St Patrick’s Day to rise to 300 this year.

Predicted tourist numbers for 2017 have been revised upwards, from -1% to 3%, with the rise reflected by booking trends reported by the city’s hotels.

Northern delights Whether rambling over the Sperrins or taking to the hills and valleys across Northern Ireland, nature lovers and hikers are never far from a relaxing, welcoming destination

 SYLVIA POWNALL

IF YOU fancy a staycation embracing the great outdoors, grab your walking boots and woolly hat and discover some of Northern Ireland’s most scenic locations. With eight Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), 47 national nature reserves, 43 special areas of conservation and 10 special protection areas, it’s a rambler’s paradise.

Belfast A crisp morning is arguably the best time to walk the Lagan Towpath as the mist hovers just above Belfast’s main river.

Divis and Black Mountain rest in the heart of the Belfast Hills and provide a backdrop to the city’s skyline, offering spectacular views across Northern Ireland, Belfast Lough and as far as Donegal and the

coast of England, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Stay: The 4-star Ramada Plaza Hotel Belfast in Lagan Valley Regional

The Sperrins Spanning 40 miles and over the two counties of Tyrone and Derry, the Sperrins mountain range is the largest in Ireland and walkers can expect undulating hills covered in heather, quiet valleys, boggy uplands and a land teeming with wildlife.

Add in more than 90 sets of stone circles, the best known being Beaghmore, and numerous other intriguing, megalithic structures, and the Sperrins are most definitely a walking wonder.

Check out The Robber’s Table near Gortin. The highest point of this route provides superb views of the Bluestack and Derryveagh Mountains of

Donegal to the west and the high Sperrins to the north east.

Stay: Blessingbourne Estate offers 5-star luxury pet-friendly self-catering accommodation with premier 13k mountain bike trails

The Mourne Mountains These are the highest and most dramatic range in Northern Ireland and are criss-crossed by an unrivalled network of paths and tracks, providing enthusiastic walkers with incredible opportunities for exploration.

Northern Ireland’s highest peak, the Slieve D o n a r d , cl i m b s u p through forest to meet the famous Mourne Wall for the final steep ascent to the top.

The dramatic views of Newcastle and the sea below definitely make it

worth the 850m climb.

N e a r b y To l l y m o r e Forest Park offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle while Castlewellan Forest Park offers an array of loops through one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe.

Stay: The 4-star Slieve Donard Resort & Spa in Newcastle.

Causeway Coast & Glens The Causeway Coast Way, especially the section from Portballintrae to Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, is among the most scenic coastal walks you can find anywhere.

Follow a stretch of breathtaking coastline between Ballintoy and Bushmills for a great 12.4 mile walk. The route includes walking on

beaches, across rocks and along clifftop paths.

Winter creates the perfect backdrop to explore the mature woodland of Glenariff Forest Park with freezing waterfalls and open, frosted moorland.

The trail first takes you down the Inver River gorge, to the edge of the Ess-na-Crub Waterfall and your path back offers spectacular views straight down the misty glen to the coast and the sea beyond.

Stay: The 4-star Causeway Hotel.

County Fermanagh Whilst Fermanagh is renowned for its lakelands, the first destination for any keen walker should be its highest summit – Cuilcagh Mountain, standing at 665m.

This area is part of the UNESCO endorsed Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark due to its unique

geology and spectacular landscapes.

A new boardwalk meanders through one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Northern Ireland.

Crom Estate near Enniskillen offers walks amidst a tranquil landscape of islands, woodland and historic ruins.

Along the shoreline to Crom’s beautiful boathouse you can enjoy stunning views up to the 19th century castle which sits to the right of the trail dominating the landscape.

Stay: The 4-star Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges TRANSLINK run a Sperrins & Mournes Rambler bus service all year round with stops in key towns which are ideal starting points for many circular walks. For further information, see www.discovernorthernireland.com.

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DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

The Nissan e-NV200 full electric van is Europe’s best-selling electric powered van.

Nissan e-NV200 is top-selling electric van THE Nissan e-NV200 topped the charts to become Europe’s best-selling electric van in 2016. The all-electric van ranked number one in 17 countries across Europe, ahead of its competitors in the category. The UK is the top market in Europe for Nissan e-NV200, followed closely by Norway and France.

The Nissan e-NV200 is an alternative transport solution for families and businesses alike as it combines the best of Nissan’s NV200 van with zero-emission technology from the world’s bestselling electric car, the Nissan LEAF. Available in both commercial van and fully trimmed Combi and Evalia passenger variants, the e-NV200 line-up offers a variety of options including a panel van, five-seat and seven-seat option and a driving range of up to 170km (106 miles) on a single charge.

New Seat Ibiza claims to be the best ever THE new Seat Ibiza is the Spanish brand’s most important model and for 2017 comes with new styling while preserving the same sporty spirit. It does so with a fresh design that Seat claims reflects the latest Seat distinctive character by continuing with the brand’s DNA but with an edgier, sportier design. This fifth generation Seat Ibiza will make its public debut at the next Geneva Auto Show and go on sale in Ireland from July 2017.

The new Ibiza, is claimed to be a completely new model bringing a major step ahead in safety, design, performance and comfort. This advance in quality was claimed to be achieved by the use of the new Volkswagen Group MQB A0 modular platform.

This platform allows the new Seat Ibiza to be much wider by a 87mm, while it is 2mm shorter and 1mm lower than the previous model. The wheel track is 60mm wider at the front axle and 48mm at the rear axle, while the wheelbase is 95mm longer giving claims of a more comfortable car.

The new Ibiza will be on sale in Ireland in July 2017

Citroën brings presence to stylish new C3

Citroën is back in the supermini market with style and strength following the launch of the new C3 model at the start of this year. This new design gives improved driving performance as Michael Moroney found out in his test drive.

CITROËN’S fresh attack in the supermini market with the new C3 makes a strong statement from the French brand and their biggest new entrant to the market for 2017. This new C3 has grown up significantly in terms of size and road presence, making it a more distinguished looking car than before.

This new Citroën C3 has scope to add flair and style with new options available that can either tone up or down how you feel about your car choice.

What’s standard is a car that feels, looks and drives with a stronger nature than before.

I’ve had the diesel powered Flair version Citroën C3 on the road for a week to test its metal. I took across a variety of city and country driving conditions that spanned 1119km, so it was well and truly tested in Ireland’s muggy winter driving conditions.

The 1.6 litre turbo-die-

sel engine is well accomplished. It can deliver pace giving the car a lively driving feel. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the car handled with this power and torque in what is a relatively light car. The road holding was impressive and at all times I felt that I was in control.

The smooth engine performance is average for a car in this class, even though the engine size is larger than some others.

The acceleration pace at 13.8 is no rally car, while it does give the car a better pace than some of the competition.

I had expected a better fuel economy figure where the rated numbers are impressive at 28m/litre (3.6/100km or 78.5mpg).

In practice this performance was well outside my reach, both in terms of what the car’s trip and range meter returned as well as my own consumption figures. The actual

figure was close to 40% off this and that was one of shocking surprises that you only realise when at the pumps.

The fuel tank is rated at 42 litres and in theory that should give me a range of over 1,110km but I had a pit stop along the way to reaching that figure. That economy figure does not take away from the performance of the engine which meets the challenge on the open road as much as in city driving, it’s just that as you tour on the motorways and come close to the 120km/ hr limit the car edges over the magic 2000rpm figure on the engine, which is the sweet spot when it comes to bridging the gap between performance and economy.

That all means that the Citroën is a good car to drive in terms of comfort, road holding and but keep an eye to that rev counter is economy is your priority.

The new Citroën C3 brings more style and stature to the market and the Airbump feature for the Flair models is both stylish and practical.

Citroën C3 BlueHDi 75

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 1.6 litre Engine power 75hp 0 – 100km/hr 13.8 seconds Economy 28m/litre (3.6/100km or 78.5mpg) Fuel Tank Capacity 42 litres CO2 emissions 93g/km Road Tax Band A2 €180 Main Service 15,000km/ 12 months Warranty 5 years /100,000km Entry Price €17,890

The dash has a very modern feel to it and comes with the Citroën ConnectedCAM system

For city driving I expect better performance as the engine’s start/stop system is smooth and comfortable to use. I probably just didn’t do enough city driving to maximise its true economy benefits.

The Citroën C3 looks aesthetically pleasing and the free Style Pack which

Citroën claim is worth €500 brings a distinctive Airbump and Bi-Tone roof to the car. With the C3 the Airbumps are both practical in supermarket trolley defence and is stylish in appearance.

On the inside the C3 is more modern looking than in the past. There is a

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

MOTORING

The new Nissan Navara Trek-1° version is a limited edition and high spec version of the well-known 4x4 pick-up

GM and Honda to establish joint fuel-fuel operation

new ConnectedCAM Citroën system included on the higher specification models which uses a fully integrated camera, located behind the rear view mirror, to capture images and video that can instantly be shared on social media channels, or saved as evidence in the event of an accident.

T he 17-inch alloy wheels gives the car great road stature and there are useful features in the topend Flair specification that include automatic lights and windscreen wipers, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Other options that improve the driving experience include voice controlled 3D navigation, a reversing camera, keyless entry and start and blind-spot monitoring.

While this pushes up the price from the Touch specification entry model at €17,890 to €20,790 for the top of the range Flair model with all of this kit.

That €3,000 difference brings a lot of features, many of which you’ll find in the mid-range where the price jump is exactly

half that figure. Citroën is offering enticing scrappage options and low rate finance options.

The rear space is what you would expect from a supermini car, adequate as long as you’re not 6ft tall. There are two ISO-Fix units in the rear for child seats but not much room between them. The car has yet to achieve a Euro NCAP safety rating.

The boot space is good at 300 litres extending to 922 with the rear seat folded. The other plus is that there’s a space saver spare wheel included.

Ford’s Fiesta is the big competition for the Citroën C3 and the new bigger C3 is very price competitive at the entry and middle end, while the higher specification Flair model that I drove has more kit included that the equivalent Fiesta Titanium.

Citroën has a strong offering in the new C3 supported by a 5 year warranty and for me the improved driving and handling of the car was what won the day.

General Motors and Honda has announced establishment of the auto industry’s first manufacturing joint venture to mass produce an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system that will be used in future products from each company. Fuel Cell System Manufacturing will begin around 2020 and create nearly 100 new jobs. Fuel cell technology addresses many of the major challenges facing automobiles today: petroleum dependency, emissions, efficiency, range and refuelling times. Fuel cell vehicles can operate on hydrogen made from renewable sources such as wind and biomass. Water vapour is the only emission from fuel cell vehicles. Honda began delivery of its new Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle to U.S. customers in December 2016 following a spring 2016 launch in Japan. The Clarity Fuel Cell received the best driving range rating from the US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of any electric vehicle without a combustion engine with a range rating of 550km (366 miles) and fuel economy rating of 24km/litre (68mpg) of petrol-equivalent combined.

GM is currently demonstrating the capability of fuel cells across a range of land, sea and air applications. The company has now accumulated millions of miles of real-world driving in fuel cell vehicles.

The C3 comes with Airbump doors that don’t add a feeling of weight to car, more in terms of protection from other car opening doors and straying supermarket trolleys

Skoda announces Kodiaq SUV prices SKODA in Ireland has revealed Irish pricing and specification details for its new five and seven-seat Skoda Kodiaq SUV, due to be launched next month, with prices for the entry level Kodiaq Act 1.4 TSI petrol from €29,395 including delivery charge.

The Skoda Kodiaq will come in three trim levels (Active, Ambition and Style), with five engine and trans-

The engine gave impressively smooth acceleration but comes with a thirst

The new Skoda Kodiaq is due here in March with entry prices from €29,395 including delivery charge for the I found the road holding and handling impressive across a range of driving conditions

Kodiaq Act 1.4 TSI petrol model

mission options and fourteen different exterior colour options. There will be a seven seat option available for just €1,000 more than the standard five seat model.

That entry level Active trim level includes a host of impressive features, including 17” Ratikon Alloys, Cruise Control, Bluetooth, Climatronic air conditioning and the clever Smartlink technology for Smart Phone integration with the infotainment system.

The Skoda Kodiaq will also come with a host of connectivity features.

Smartlink+ smartphone integration system containing Apple Car Play and Google Android Auto is now available as standard. The Columbus Navigation & Infotainment system which is standard on the Style trimline also comes with an additional 4G LTE SIM card slot to enable a high speed Wi-Fi hotspot within the car (data plans sold separately) and a host of additional connected services from Skoda Connect.

GAZETTE

24 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 16 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE

ReelReviews

LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Wholly entertaining

EVERYBODY’S favourite superhero (in your face, Spidey) gets yet another twist via The Lego Batman Movie (Cert G, 104 mins).

An unexpected breakout star of the smash-hit Lego movie from a few years ago, Batman gets his own pretty brick-tastic plastic film, while a whole host of familiar Gotham characters, superhero and supervillains fight for screen time. It’s a batty-ful film to watch, too.

La La Land didn’t quite sweep the boards as had been predicted, but still took home a great haul of top Baftas

 SHANE DILLON RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER Promises, promises

MUCH like the undead horrors at the heart of this franchise, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (Cert 15A, 106 mins) is the latest in the tired franchise that refuses to die. Nothing seems able to stop the zombies – or Milla Jovovich – from returning in the unstoppable series, with Milla attempting to save the world (again) despite the undead (again).

50 SHADES DARKER Grey Steele strike back

STEAMIER than drying socks on the radiator, and about as erotic as a weekend away with your in-laws, here comes 50 Shades Darker (Cert 18, 118 mins). Continuing the contrived misadventures of Grey and Steele, it’s got less romance than an old Mills and Boon book, and is even less grounded in reality than a Christmas episode of Eastenders – but fantasists may enjoy some of it.

GIVEN all the turmoil of recent months, thank heaven there’s still something cinema fans can still rely on – the Baftas, which are usually a fairly decent indicator of how the Oscars will play out soon afterwards.

The weekend’s glittering (if a little rainlashed) red carpet guests traipsing in to the Bafta 2017 awards were giving nothing much away, but all eyes were on the critics’ (and audiences’) darling on the night – La La Land.

Would it sweep the board in charming Technicolor fashion, tapdancing an i m p r e s s i ve haul of golden Baftas into a basket to take home?

BAFTAS: FAVOURITE WON PLENTY – BUT THE GLITZY CEREMONY STILL HAD SOME SURPRISES FOR VIEWERS

La-vely haul of awards for upbeat hit musical Err, no – perhaps because of all the unpredictability sweeping the world in recent months, this year’s Baftas turned out to be a little less predictable than usual.

Of course, La La Land was still the big winner on the night, claiming an impressive haul of wins (including Best Original Music, Best Cinematography, Best Director and, the best ‘Best’ of all, Best Film), in addition to a stack of other nominations and wins.

However, it didn’t quite sweep the board as decisively as had been expected, with this year’s diverse range of films claiming some well deserved wins of their own.

While Emma Stone took a well deserved Best Actress win, her La La Land co-star Ryan Gosling lost out to Casey Affleck for the Best Actor nod. Gosling’s game I’m-almost-as-goodas-Emma-see song and

dance skills were appreciated by audiences, but critics raved about Casey – brother of Ben – and his bravura turn in Manchester by the Sea. Other critically acclaimed films also raised some eyebrows by not claiming the coveted golden statue – not that there’s any shame in ‘just’ being nominated for a Bafta, of course, but there were still some surprises in store.

For example, Moonlight – widely tipped for award glory – didn’t win on the night, despite the widespread acclaim it’s received all around the world.

Indeed, some of the aw a r d n o m i n a t i o n s were themselves surprising – for example, Hugh Grant popping up for Best Supporting Actor in the amusing, eccentric Florence Foster Jenkins (which also stars Meryl Streep as the charmingly

talentless titular character – a role which saw her up for the Best Acress award), while Ken Loach came back with a powerful tale (I, Daniel Blake) to claim Outstanding British

Film.

The Best Animated Film shortlist, meanwhile, curiously omitted Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name – an anime now much more commercially successful than the world-conquering Spirited Away, some years back – to run with more predictable fare, such as Finding Dory.

Still, if there were disappointments on the night, there was one big delight thanks to an aging American gentleman that everybody was delighted to see – the inimitable Mel Brooks, scooping the prestigious Bafta Fellowship.

Wisecracks Promising not to flog his latest momento on eBay, Mel showed a flash of the irreverent charm and wisecracks that you’d expect from such a comedy legend.

He wasn’t alone with the gags – host Stephen Fry took aim at another aging American gentleman throughout the night, with President Trump providing a constant source of amusement and annoyance in

some politically charged moments.

Closer to home, and a number of Irish hopes were scattered throughout the awards, with acclaimed Irish-Ethiopian actress Ruth Negga arguably the most prominent Irish figure in this year’s Baftas, given the praise she’s enjoyed for her great performance in Loving.

Unfor tunately, she didn’t win the EE Rising Star award, losing out to Tom Holland, but has certainly proven that she’s one to watch.

It’s the broader, more general award categories which have given the Baftas their critical cachet and worth, and which usually – not always, but usually – see the Bafta wins echoed at the bigger, glitzier Oscars.

With this year’s Oscars rapidly approaching at the end of the month, expect to see plenty more about several of these films once again when February 26 rolls around, and the Oscars steal the limelight in California – worth making another song and dance about ...

16 February 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

CINEMA

To be a woman in an important role in 1960s NASA was already unusual, but to be an African-American as well made it an even greater achievement for the women at the heart of the film

HIDDEN FIGURES: A GREAT LOOK AT STRUGGLES FOR EQUAL RIGHTS

 ROMY CARROLL DIRECTOR Theodore Melfi’s Hidden Figures (Cert PG, 121 mins) is a very compelling true story of how a group of exceptional women were at the forefront of launching the first American into space, and into orbit around earth, whist also believing in their highly personal quests for equal rights in early 1960s segregated America.

Katherine G Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were just three of the 30-strong group of African-American mathematician women who had to live in a very male-dominated world in NASA whist also hav-

Well worth finding ing to deal with the day-to-day challenges of America’s turbulent civil rights movement.

Johnson (played by Taraji P Henson) was a “human computer” at NASA, who proved to the plethora of engineers, mathematicians and strategists at the agency that her formula was correct, making her the first woman to outdo her male associate, Paul Stafford (Jim Parsons).

We see how Paul makes her life very hard from start to finish – a day that was already hard enough having to sit at the back of the room, drinking coffee from a different coffee maker, and having to run 40 mins each day to use the “colored bathrooms” which were

on the other side of the campus.

Her daily routine finally caught up with her boss (played by Kevin Costner), who decided to do something about it.

With some sledgehammer subtlety, his character strikes a blow for Johnson, sending a clear signal that she, and every other AfricanAmerican woman, should be treated with respect and equality at the busy agency.

We also see Dorothy Vaughan (played by The Help’s Octavia Spencer), always hoping that one day she would make supervisor, but it wasn’t to be as she kept getting undermined by other women, including her Cauca-

sian boss (Kirsten Dunst).

We see how she, and other characters, were always spoken to in a demeaning way, while Vaughan and all the other African-American women just had to put up with it – in this climate, speaking back or out of line would see them swiftly out of a job.

We also follow Mary Jackson (played by Janelle Monae), who had a family of three to bring up but still passionately believed in her dream to become an engineer in the white, male-dominanted world.

Despite her lack of civil rights, she still believed in her dream, even though she wasn’t allowed to go to

college, never mind be an engineer.

The film shows how her hard study and fighting for her right to be an engineer would prove everybody wrong, seeing her become the top of her class.

This true-life story really gives audiences an insight into how hard it was for African-American men and women of the era to fight hard for their civil rights, and to keep believing in what they could achieve.

Handsomely shot and with several likeable leads – including some great performances from the trio of women at its heart – Hidden Figures deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.

Verdict: 9/10

26 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 16 February 2017

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28 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 16 February 2017

SPORT

FastSport GORDON AND BYRNE IN IRISH TEAM FOR LA: DUBLINERS Martin Gordon (stoker) and Eamonn Byrne – from Sundrive Track team – have been confirmed in the Irish team to compete in the UCI Para-cycling track world championships in Los Angeles, USA in March.

They will be making their debut in the men’s tandem, competing in the men’s B tandem sprint events.

Cycling Ireland performance coach Neill Delahaye said of their inclusion: “Martin has been on the Development Squad for the last couple of years and this is a new partnership with Eamonn.

“They are an exciting prospect. Eamonn is an experienced and accomplished sprinter and with the sprint events back on the Tokyo Paralympic programme of events we are excited to see what they can do.“ This is the first time that a World Track Championships for Para-cycling has been held in the post-Paralympic season, and this is the first competition for the Irish team.

BASEBALL: MASON KEEN TO SEE SPORT WELCOME NEW PARTICIPANTS THIS YEAR

Shankill club giving it Sox for 2017 league campaign

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

THE DUBLIN Black Sox have kicked off a recruitment drive, with the Shankill-based baseball team on the lookout for anyone interested in taking part in the sport, particularly ahead of the new season.

The Black Sox play out of Shanganagh Park, and are part of a littlepublicised Irish baseball league that has been in place since the late 1990s.

T here is plenty of Irish interest on the ground, as well as an abundance of players from traditional baseball hotbeds the USA, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Chris Mason, who plays with the Black Sox, was keen to tell GazetteSport of the inclusiveness of the spor t in Ireland, in terms of welcoming a broad array of players and when it comes to ability.

The Black Sox are preparing for their 2017 Baseball Ireland season

“There’s space on the teams [which operate at an ‘A’ and introductory ‘B’ level] for anyone who wants to play regularly,” he explains. “One of the teams we played last year had an 80-year-old playing for them, and he plays in the same position at me. He was getting some great balls, I don’t know how he did

it!”

Mason’s interest in baseball dates back to fuzzy images on NBC as a kid, though it took him a number of years to stumble across Baseball Ireland and get involved in the sport outside of watching on TV. “It’s a young sport, and doesn’t get a lot of support in Ireland,”

he tells us. “The adult league is open to anyone aged 16+, and a lot of people come in having to learn simple things.

“Throwing, for example, is something you have to learn.

“You need someone to show you how to throw properly.

“It can be a little jarring to play a new sport,

and people don’t always stick with it but a lot of people transfer in from sports like hurling and cricket. There are parallels.”

“The game is spreading in Ireland,” he continues. “We have two divisions now, North and South.

“T here are several teams in Dublin and

Belfast, and others based in Cavan, Kilkenny, Clare, Ashbourne and Greystones.

“It’s all part time and amateur, so we often play two games on one day.

“The rules are just the same as Major League b a s e b a l l , a n d we ’r e wo r k i n g w i t h D u b lin City Council to get things set up as well as possible.

“We can supply bats and gloves; the club have invested a bit in that kind of stuff and there’s always equipment to use.

“All you really need is a pair of football shoes or trainers.”

The Dublin Black Sox can be contacted via their Facebook page or, at DublinBlackSoxBaseball@gmail.com.

Those with a broader interest in baseball can get in touch with the Irish association, whose website can easily found by googling ‘Baseball Ireland’.

Clarke snatches winner as UCD keep double hopes alive  sport@dublingazette.com

Sorcha Clarke, 9, celebrates with UCD team mate Sally Campbell. Picture: Adrian Boehm

UCD and Cork Harlequins both took advantage of HermesMonkstown’s enforced inactivity - their visit to Pegasus fell victim to a frozen pitch - to shake things up at the top of the women’s EY Hockey League.

UCD are at the league’s summit for the first time this season as their unbeaten run continued with a 2-1 success over Railway Union.

The students, who along with Monkstown are the only side yet to lose this term, led

through Lena Tice’s drag-flick but Zara Delany’s pace got her in behind the UCD rearguard for an equaliser shortly after.

UCD’s winner came in stylish fashion though, a seemingly pre-planned set play off the fourth quarter restart with Katie Mullan and Emma Russell linking up to tee up Sorcha Clarke to score.

Cork Harlequins were dominant in their 3-0 success over second-from-bottom Pembroke, Karen Bateman’s magic half-volley getting them on the board after 28 minutes.

T hey did, however, miss a hatful of chances - hitting the post twice - before Kay Gaffney’s short corner bunt and a fine team goal, walked into an empty net by Yvonne O’Byrne, made it safe in the final quarter.

Loreto kept the pressure on the top three with a hardearned 2-1 victory at Ards.

The hosts made all the early running but a pair of short corner goals from Ali Meeke and Freya McDermott built a useful lead before half-time.

Lucy McKee finished Ards’

fourth corner with eight minutes to go to give them a lifeline, but Loreto held firm to take all three points.

On Sunday, UCD continued their superb season with a 7-0 win in the Irish Senior Cup semi-final to reach a showdown with Cork Harlequins.

Deirdre Duke spent the majority of the last three months out injured with a broken bone in her shoulder but returned in some style, netting a hat trick with fellow international Katie Mullan weighing in with a pair of goals too.

16 February 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Ais the Bash looks to write her next episode Daly admits her “devastation” at having to retire from mixed martial arts but is now keen to develop the next generation of the sport in Ireland as one of Straight Blast Gym’s coaches

Eight Dubliners named in Irish Winter Games team THE countdown is now on as Team Ireland prepares to travel to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in just under two months, and eight local athletes are gearing up for the chance of a lifetime.

Thomas Caulfield (23) and Lorcan Byrne (35) from Ballyfermot, Niall Flynn (30) from Dun Laoghaire, Stephen Lee (23) from Navan Road, LJ Byrne (19) from Donaghmeade, Anthony Murray (46) from Balbriggan, Matthew Colgan (45) from Swords, and Laoise Kenny (16) from Monkstown are part of a 26-strong Team Ireland squad at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 in Graz and Schladming, Austria in March.

Some of the Dublin athletes will be competing in floorball (Caulfield, Murray, Colgan and Byrne), a team sport similar to unihoc or ice hockey but played in a rink on a standard playing surface, whilst others are looking forward to representing Ireland in alpine skiing, namely Flynn, Lee, Byrne and Kenny.

All of the athletes are extremely excited to be representing their country in the World Games this year and have been training hard in preparation with many incorporating swimming, football, athletics, and basketball into their exercise regime to ensure they are fit and ready for the Games in March.

Commenting on the Team Ireland floorball team’s progress, head coach, Michael Lynch said: “I think they’re all training very well and I think we’ve got a great bunch together. They’re looking forward to it. We understand that we’ll be playing against countries where floorball is their main sport.

“It’s going to be a fair competition because if you get beaten in the first game, you go into a different group. I think we have a good chance of staying there anyways.”

The Special Olympics World Winter Games Austria 2017 will be the largest sports event to take place in 2017, hosting 3,000 athletes from 110 countries worldwide. Team Ireland will join almost 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from 107 countries for the Games, which are already set to be one of the sporting highlights of 2017.

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

AIS ‘THE BASH’ DALY is taking a pragmatic approach to her recent enforced retirement, telling GazetteSport of her plans to stay involved in MMA, both in coaching and in continuing her work in the safetyfocused side of the sport.

The Drimnagh native and former Allied Fight Series champion learnt she had suffered a mild brain aneurysm following a routine head scan before Christmas.

This forced her immediate retirement from her UFC career, right as she was nearing a full recovery from a recurring knee

injury.

Daly said she was “devastated” to be told the news, adding: “I felt I had a lot still to give.

“I knew about it for a couple of months before I went public. I didn’t want to spend my Christmas talking about it, but there’s a sense of loss.

“It’s a big part of your life just taken away. It’s a little ironic, as I’ve spent a lot of time talking about the sport’s safety.”

The safety aspect of her work is something Daly is already committed to continuing with, and, strangely, an area in which her injury might even prove an advantage.

“It’s hard telling amateurs a sport is danger-

ous, everyone thinks it won’t happen to them,” Daly admitted.

“W hen it’s coming from me now, and it has happened to me, it might be an easier message, especially when it costs money to get checked, and that cuts down on the already limited earnings.”

Ref lecting on her career, Daly talked of the difficulties weight classes presented to her, but also of her pride in her acheivements.

“It wasn’t ideal for me that the weights were 115lb and 135lbs.

“I’d be so drained training for 115lbs; my ideal weight was really 125lbs and that took

some of the fun out of it.

I damaged my body staying at that weight, and it created a few issues for me.

“It was very much ‘eat. sleep, repeat’. While I’m still training, it’s great to be out of that mindset

you’re well off because you do these things, but that’s not why I did it.”

Today, Daly is coaching at SBG g y m in Swords, and expects to start shortly in Portarlington, too.

“I teach kids on

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

‘It’s a big part of your life just taken away. I felt I had a lot still to give’ - Ais Daly

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

for a while. I’ll take some time to work out exactly what I want to do next.”

For all her successes, however, Daly admits that a career in mixedmartial arts has been difficult at times, in particularly financially. “I’d probably be financially better off if I’d never done it,” she says.

“The money you earn isn’t enough to get by on, really. People think

Wednesdays and Fridays, and on Saturday mornings,” she says.

“I think it’s important to realise not all kids are into hurling, gymnastics, soccer or camogie.

“Particularly for girls, there’s an expectation that they’ll do certain types of sport.

“MMA scares people, but Jiu Jitsu is a great, respectful outlet, and it really suits some people.”

Ais “The Bash” Daly has taken up new coaching roles with the Straight Blast Gym in

Aisling Daly, centre, with fellow SBG team members

Swords and in schools around her native Drimnagh since her enforced retirement.

Conor McGregor and Paddy Holohan

GAZETTE

30 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 16 February 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: DUNDALK FIRST UP FOR SHAMROCK ROVERS IN 2017 LEAGUE

Loughran’s Crumlin still fighting on all fronts CRUMLIN United and Bluebell United discovered their fate for the quarter-finals of the FAI intermediate cup as five Leinster Senior League teams remain in the hunt for glory.

Crumlin will take on Cobh Wanderers who are second in the Munster Senior League premier division while Red Cow side Bluebell will test themselves against Greystones AFC. Crumlin go into the game on the back of a 5-1 humbling of Malahide to keep alive their hopes of winning a very competitive LSL senior Sunday division. They currently sit fifth in the table but are only seven points off top with a game in hand over many of their rivals.

“It is a funny old league this year because there is nobody actually running away with it,” Crumlin manager Martin Loughran told GazetteSport. “We’ve had a couple of blips here and there but are starting to get it together a bit now and need to go on a bit of a run to have a chance.

“We have a bit to do to reach the summit but you never know; football has a habit of turning things on its head.”

However, before Crumlin can turn their focus back to the league, they have to navigate their way past Cobh in the cup. Loughran’s side has the advantage of the game taking place at their own Pearse Park but he knows being the favourites to win brings its own pressures.

“I’m happy the tie is at home but it’s the quarter-final of the intermediate cup and there are eight quality teams left in it so no matter who you get, it’s going to be tough.

“We just need to get a bit of a run going and build some momentum. Obviously Saturday is a huge game for the club. It’s the intermediate cup and we’ve won it for the last three years so we don’t want to give it up too easy, although that brings its own pressures too.

“Between ourselves and Avondale we have sort of dominated it [the cup] over the last few years. We played Cobh in it two years ago and were 4-0 up but they came back to 4-3 and missed a penalty.

“As the home team you are expected to win so the pressure is on us. If they get a draw and take us back to Cork, I’d say they would be more than happy,” Loughran concluded.

Shamrock Rovers Ronan Finn, left, and Ian Bermingham, of St Patrick’s Athletic, at the SSE Airtricity League launch. Picture: David Maher/Sportsfile

Finn ready for new chapter SSE LOI LAUNCH

 KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

RONAN Finn says he cannot wait to get back under way with Shamrock Rovers as he prepares to return to former side Dundalk for the first time in the SSE Airtricity League opener.

His winter move between the clubs was one of the most eyecatching in the division.

Finn spent two seasons at Oriel Park after leaving Rovers in 2014 – winning two titles and one FAI Cup in the process – but opted to rejoin the west Dublin side as captain.

“It’s great to be back at Shamrock Rovers,” Finn said at the launch of the new season in the Aviva Stadium. “The structure of the club seems to be different to the one I left but the expectation will always be there for the club to win league.”

Finn took some flak for making the decision to leave a side that became the first from Ireland to win a group stage game of a European competition but he is confident he has made the right choice.

“It was [a tough decision to make]. The last couple of years have been brilliant up in Dundalk and obviously well docu-

COMEBACK KINGS Bell fight back from two down to go top in LSL BLUEBELL United came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with title rivals Cherry Orchard to eke out a slender lead at the top of the LSL Sunday Senior table on goal difference.

They trailed by a couple of goals and also survived a penalty miss before Shane Stritch and Sean Byrne were on the mark.

The result moved Bell level with St Mochta’s on 33 points at the top, albeit with an extra game played. Cherry Orchard are equal third alongside Killester United.

mented with them doing so well in Europe.

“But I knew I was coming back to a club who were making great strides with the academy, and the overall aim here is to challenge for titles and win cups.

“For me coming back, it is a great honour being captain. Like I said, I enjoyed my time in Dundalk but it is a new chapter for me now.”

Finn also spoke about how great it is to see players from the domestic league get a chance in the Irish international squad but he insists they are there on merit.

“I think it is only fair. If

you look at Daryl [Horgan] and Andy [Boyle] this year.

“I don’t think anybody would begrudge their places in the squad because they were brilliant. Playing alongside them, I could see how talented they were.

“Obviously, playing in Europe gets international managers coming to look at players because you are playing on the top stage and that allows players to showcase how good they are.”

As for the new season, Finn knows that it is likely to be more competitive than ever, especially with three teams to be relegat-

ed from the top division this year in preparation for the switch to two divisions of 10 teams next season.

“I think the standard has risen over the last few years. The squads seemed to be bigger with more talent throughout each team so it is going to be hard for players to get into their own team.

“Then, the personal battles between each club are going to intense and there is a lot at stake with three going down this year.”

Shamrock Rovers will play Dundalk on Friday, February 24 in Oriel Park at 7.45pm.

16 February 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

BRILLIANT BLITZ

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

Tower’s young stars enjoy Ballinteer visit

ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN

ROUND Tower’s Under-8s enjoyed a lively

and open forum to discuss the five

ON MONDAY, we hosted a workshop

blitz last weekend with Ballinteer St John’s at Monastery Road as they continue to learn and hone their Gaelic football skills.

It follows their development through the club’s academy for four to seven-yearolds which takes place every Saturday morning from 10am to 11.30am at the club’s all-weather pitch.

year strategic plan that we launched in 2013. It was run in conjunction with Croke Park and was hosted by Ruairi O hAirmhi, the Planning and Training manager of the GAA.

FOOTBALL: SUPER SIX FROM IMPROVING CLON OUTFIT

Membership for 2017 is now due.

Moran Hotel on Friday, February 24.

recognition of your involvement/par-

Those attending will be treated to a

ticipation in the club and, as such, all

four-course meal and live music from

players (including social Gaelic foot-

club favourite Laurie Hartz.

ballers), team mentors and commit-

Tickets are now available to pur-

Please be aware of notice issued by

supporters to purchase their tickets

the executive with regard to mem-

early.

bership – featured on our website.

sport@dublingazette.com

ROUND Tower defied awful conditions to make it two wins from two with a comprehensive 6-7 to 1-5 victory over Cuala in the Under-16 Division 3 football league at the Community Centre.

The home team looked like the better side from the off but struggled to get their first score until the 10th minute, despite them having the wind at their back. The point came from the boot of Joe

Daniel Mitchell and an excellent finish into the top corner by Alex O’Neill ensured Tower’s would take the victory.

To w e r ’ s m a n a g e r Michael Broderick spoke to GazetteSport about his promising side’s win.

“It was a very good performance. They have been training hard the whole month of January and have been well-prepared.

“They came out guns blazing and got off to a great start. A lot of the balls were played upfront through the middle of the field with some good passing. The conditions were very tough as well but they

didn’t let that interfere with their game.

“Alex O’Neill put in a really strong performance – he is one to watch for the future.”

The win sees Tower’s sit joint top of the division and they will be hoping they can keep this kind of form going as they look to bounce back from dropping down a division last year.

“They had a tough year last year with a lot of injuries but they are a lot more focused now – which they have admitted themselves.

They have set themselves high targets this year,” Broderick concluded.

Membership can be paid online in full or in instalments.

If the Round Tower lotto jackpot of €10,000 is not won on or before the

Our camogie section is running

draw on Monday, March 6, a special

another Zumba fundraiser, follow-

draw will be made for 10 prizes of

ing on from the success of last such

€1,000 each on the night of the March

event.

6 draw.

It will be hosted this Saturday, Feb-

All tickets purchased for lotto

ruary 18, in Moyle Park from 4pm. It

draws between and including Febru-

is €7 for an adult, €6 for an Operation

ary 6 and March 6 will be entered for

Transformation participant, and €5

these prizes. All direct debit and on-

for children (10 years or over).

line purchasers will also be included.

All welcome to join in the fun.

Murray to round off a wellworked move.

That score triggered a flurry from Tower’s and goals from Joey Leech, Joe Murray and Aaron Whelan sent them into the break with an imposing 4-3 to 0-4 lead.

Cuala held the wind advantage in the second half and looked to make the most of it from the getgo. However, they were met with a defence that stood strong and, through a plan of tackling in packs and forcing the errors on the Cuala forwards, held on through the onslaught.

Further scores by Lu Heffernan, Kevin Curran,

tee members must pay membership.

chase for €40. We urge members and

2806273.

Round Tower 6-7 Cuala 1-5  KARL GRAHAM

Contact our Child Protection Officer Michelle Walsh for further detail.

Paying your membership is a formal

Phil at 087 2323521, or Jessica at 087

UNDER-16 DIVISION 3

The online system is the easiest way to do this.

The Round Tower gala dinner dance

chasing from Carol at 086 3690067,

O’Neill to the fore in Tower’s Cuala rout

All mentors need to be Garda vetted. There are no exceptions to this.

2017 will be hosted in the Red Cow

You can get your tickets by pur-

Round Tower got the best of Cuala in their second Division 3 tie of 2017. Picture: Niall Connaughton

ary 17.

The reserve lotto jackpot will come

On Thursday, March 9, we will host

into play on the draw for March 13. If

a coaching workshop in the club titled

the lotto jackpot is won on any of the

Transition from Defence to Attack.

above draws, the special draw will

Former Dublin footballer and Na Fianna mana ger Mick Galvin will deliver the workshop. It will take place 7.30pm to 9pm and is being delivered for free.

To book, click on the link we have available on the news section of our website.

Also featured on our website are

not take place.

Play lotto online via our website www.roundtower.ie.

Round Tower lotto (February 6): the jackpot was €10,000. Numbers drawn were 2, 3, 14 and 24; the bonus ball was 15.

No overall winner and one bonus ball winner: Mary Farrell.

details of another coaching work-

Three €100 winners: Tony Martin,

shop, Half Time Strategies: Prepar-

Ciaran Corrigan, Brian Kelly. Thank

ing for the Second Half, that will take

you to all for your continued support

place in St Finian’s on Friday, Febru-

of the lotto.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN THE lotto numbers for this week were 5, 10, 14 and 23.

There was no winner so next week, the jackpot will be €3,400.

The draw takes place in the Palmerstown House every Sunday night at 10pm and tickets cost €2.

We will confirm a new date as soon its confirmed, we are still taking names so feel free to sign up.

Our AGM will take place in the clubhouse on Tuesday, February 21 at 8pm.

D e t a il s a nd n o min atio n fo r m s

Thank you to all our sellers and to

should be delivered by now, if you

all that support our lotto every week.

didn’t receive one, please advise and

Tickets available from all the usual

one will be forwarded.

sellers including Moriarty’s Super-

Congratulations to St Pat’s man

Valu, Palmerstown House and Manor

Brian Carson who has just managed

Hair Studios.

his University Limerick team to their

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to postpone The Oskars.

second Sigerson Cup semi-final in two years, beating DIT.

GAZETTESPORT

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St Pat’s man powering UL Sigerson push  JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

ST PAT’S, Palmerstown man Dr Brian Carson is looking positively towards UL’s encounter with Sigerson Cup holders UCD this Friday, feeling his side improved vastly for the latter 40 minutes of their recent quarter-final contest against DIT. UL matched their semi-final berth in 2016 with the victory over DIT, a result that saw the Limerick students overcome a shaky start to take total control of the contest over the latter stages.

“We had a poor start and we found ourselves 0-6 to 0-2 down with about 20 minutes played,” Carson explains.

“It was really windy, poor conditions,

and every time we turned over a ball in those opening minutes they took advantage.

“But we turned things around and dominated possession. We knew we had to work on our defence, as we’d conceded 4-15 to Maynooth last time around [UL scored an astonishing 3-19, with the game going to extra time], and you don’t win many games conceding those kind of points.”

That progress has been made in that department is abundantly clear: once UL took control of the quarterfinal contest, DIT scored just a single point in 40 minutes, with UL winning out in tough conditions by 0-10 to 0-7.

Carson – who worked at DIT for several years, and took on the coach-

ing role of the Sigerson Cup side two years ago - still travels back and forth to play alongside his St Pat’s team mates at weekends, despite his post as a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology on Shannonside.

“It’s different training a Sigerson side, as they all have difficult schedules; a lot of demands on their time,” Carson explains.

“We don’t do any fitness work as a team. It’s all technique, due to limited time. These guys are all serious players and it’s about creating the strongest side we can with the limited time we have available.

“There are a lot of players on the panel that I’d expect big things from in the coming years. I don’t want to

single people out, as they’re all great players, but there’s great potential,” he continues.

UCD demolished UL by a score of 4-12 to 1-9 in last year’s Sigerson Cup semi-final, and went on to win the title. The south Dublin side knocked out favourites Ulster University in the last round this year, and feature a host of big names: Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion, Colm Basquel and Mayo man Stephen Coen have all featured already in the 2017 tournament.

“They’ve got some great players, but so have we, including a few guys from smaller counties who are really going to make an impact” Carson tells us. “I expect we’ll be much closer than last time around.”

St Pat’s Palmerstown man Brian Carson