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Sharing the excitement at the Clondalkin parade were Sarah Duffy and Aoife Richards. Picture: Jolanta Rossiter

Party on the streets

Village awash with shamrockers as 3,000 celebrate St Patrick’s Day

 Ian Begley

For the first time in over 10 years local residents came out in their droves to celebrate this year’s Clondalkin St Patrick’s Day parade.

The parade, which took

place in Corkagh Park, attracted over 3,000 local residents who came out for the festivities.

According to Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind), the parade “really brought to life the local talents and commu-

nity spirit” that Clondalkin excels at.

“Our walking parade saw many local schools, voluntary, and musical assemblies taking part in an event that hasn’t happened in over 10 years.

“It’s brilliant news for the area [and] a great way to showcase Clondalkin and hopefully next year’s parade will be even bigger and as much of a success,” he said.

Full Story on Page 2

2 CLONDALKIN Gazette 19 March 2015

st patrick’s day Corkagh Park thronged for celebrations

Parade return a joy for thousands For the first time in over 10 years local residents came out in their droves to celebrate this year’s Clondalkin St Patrick’s Day parade.

The parade, which took place in Corkagh Park, attracted over 3,000 local residents who came out for the festivities.

According to Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind), the parade “really brought to life the local talent and community spirit” that Clondalkin excels at.

“Our walking parade saw many local schools, voluntary, and musical assemblies taking part in an event that hasn’t happened in over 10 years.

 ian begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com

“It’s brilliant news for the area and I’m very happy with how the day turned out. It was a great way to showcase Clondalkin and hopefully next year’s parade will be even bigger and as much of a success,” he said.

Meanwhile, a sea of green, white and orange poured through the streets of Dublin for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade

and festivities.

Approximately half a million people lined the capital’s thoroughfares to witness the nation’s largest celebration.

This year’s parade adopted the theme of Celebrate Now in recognition of Ireland’s contemporary arts and culture exploits.

Featuring bands and performers from around the world, this year’s procession was led by Grand Marshal Brendan O’Carroll.

There was a remarkable look of excitement on all faces in anticipation of the parade to begin. Hundreds of tourists coming to Dublin especially for

the parade made sure to get a good vantage point and also seemed to be praying for the weather to remain calm.

At noon on the dot, the Lord Mayor’s horsedrawn carriage kicked off the parade, trailing behind St Patrick himself.

Loud cheers then followed as O’Carroll and his wife Jennifer Gibney rode past in a vintage car, waving and shouting classical Mrs Brown lines that plenty know so well.

The day was soon brought to life by leading participants from around the world, displaying some fantastic creations and thrilling performances, inspired by the present, which enthralled and excited the crowds.

Amidst the colourful pageantry, bands from the USA, Mexico, Germany and Ireland deliv-

Brothers Cian, Oisin and Eoghan Halpin with Helen Forrester. Picture: Peter Rossiter

ered uplifting scores and inspiring rhythms. This spectacular procession then proceeded its way through the heart of Dublin city, bursting with colour and theatrics.

Throughout the duration of the parade the Gazette buttonholed foreign visitors and asked how their day was going and what they thought of the city on this national day of celebration.

Prasanth Sukumar

from India attended the parade with his wife and two young children.

He told Gazette that this year’s festival was by far the most colourful.

“The floats and performances are really fantastic and there seems to be a lot of life from everyone taking part in this year’s parade.

“Out of all the St Patrick’s Day parades I’ve seen this one is definitely the most colourful.”

A high school class from Florida who came to Dublin especially for the parade and its festivities said they were overwhelmed with the friendliness and hospitality they received during their stay.

Local celebrations took place in various towns and villages across Dublin, including Lucan, Dun Laoghaire Blanchardstown, and Swords.

Grants to improve shop fronts  laura webb lwebb@dublingazette.com

A gr a n t s c h e m e aimed at improving the local streetscape in areas such as Clondalkin by improving shop fronts is now open for applications.

Last year South Dublin County Council allocated some €100,000 for the inaugural Shopfront Grant Scheme which aims to improve the independently owned shop fronting on public streets. Sixteen applications were received that year and funding is again in place for retailers interested in sprucing up their shop front.

As part of the scheme, a reward will be given to a high quality shop front design. The coun-

cil will again select the shop front deemed to be the best example of shop front design under the scheme. An award of €1,000 will be given to the winning design when all grant works are completed later this year.

This year retailers can apply for grants ranging from simple measures like painting your shop front right up to replacing the entire shop front.

Maximum

Supports range from €800 to €4,000. Funding under the scheme is 50% of claims subject to the maximum amount approved for the applicant.

The grant is payable after completion and final inspection by a relevant council offi-

cial and when all terms are complied with. All works must be completed before November 20, 2015.

Local Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind) said although the scheme is a “great idea” the fact that applicants have to pay upfront and then get the money back through the grant has “put people off” applying.

“The scheme is great itself but it’s complicated to access it. You have to put money towards it and get it back. It can make it inaccessible for some

people. The number of applications received last year was a very low number. If you are a local business struggling and have to pay out for a new shop front but won’t get the money back until the end of the year it can be a problem,” he said.

For 2015, applications are again welcomed either online or by hard copy. The closing date is May 8, 2015.

For more details and terms and conditions, see www.sdcc.ie/business or email econdev@ sdublin coco.ie

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Top Floor, Clarendon House, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

19 March 2015 CLONDALKIN Gazette 3

unemployment Skills in Work Week helps with CVs, cover letters and interviews

1,200 young people take part in jobs initiative  Ian Begley

Musgrave Group recently offered career development sessions for unemployed young people in SuperValu stores in Lucan and Clondalkin as part of Feeding Ireland’s Future Skills for

Work Week.

The initiative, run along with the Department of Social Protection Intreo Service, involved over 1,200 young people nationwide participating in Skills for Work Week during March 2 to 6.

The event also saw Tanaiste and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton attend a workshop at Musgrave’s Fonthill Clondalkin depot.

Participants covered topics such as how to manage their social media reputation; preparing their CVs;

how to draft cover letters and applications; interview role plays and Day In The Life presentations.

Commenting on the initiative Adrian Grey, Musgrave Group HR director, said: “As the largest private sector employer in Ireland, we want

to give young unemployed people an insight into the range of careers available in the Irish food industry, with a particular focus on our retail and wholesale businesses.

“This is a fantastic initiative for participants to help them develop vital skills in

terms of interview and CV preparation.

“It also lets them experience first-hand what a day in the life of someone working in the food industry is like.”

For more information on these events, visit www.ecrireland.ie.

Tallaght Hospital ‘leads the way in artistic engagement’  ian begley

Aras Chronain Irish Cultural Centre in Clondalkin

clondalkin: Muintir Chronain submits application

Village seeks Irish Network status  laura webb lwebb@dublingazette.com

Clondalk in Village could soon be recognised for its love of the Irish language with Muintir Chronain submitting an application for the village to be given Irish Network status.

The State is currently proposing to award areas with Lionra Gaeilge (Irish Network) status.

This award is for areas outside the Gaeltacht where there is a strong Gaeilge population.

The Government’s Gaeltacht Act 2012 for the first time allowed for the recognition of areas outside the Gaeltacht as

being strongholds of the Irish language.

Recently, a letter from Muintir Chronain at Aras Chronain Irish Cultural Centre in Clondalkin, went out to local politicians and organisations recently looking for letters of support for this status which is needed as part of the application process.

The award is being managed by Foras na Gaeilge, an organisation responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout Ireland.

In suppor t of the application, Cllr Breda Bonnner (Lab) said this would be a great “coup”

for Clondalkin if it is awarded with this status.

“It kind of confirms semi-Gaeltacht status on Clondalkin. There is a big Irish speaking population in Clondalkin with two primary schools, two preschools and a secondary school so it would fit in well.”

According to Cllr Bonner, it is hoped that this status is tied in with the heritage project at the Round Tower which includes a new visitor centre coming on stream.

“We are hoping that everything will come together to celebrate the heritage of Clondalkin so it would be great if we had our Lionra Gaeilge

status with this.

“We have a very big population that would speak Irish, we have the schools and Aras Chronain is a great Irish cultural centre – they were really the centre of the recent Seachtain Na Gaeilge for the South Dublin County. “[This area] would be the centre for Gaeilge in the south Dublin area…

“Clondalkin really is one of the areas that deserves the status.

“It is a very vibrant community of people with fluent Irish so it would be great if it was recognised… It is very much supported in the area,” she said.

Tallaght Hospital’s National Centre for Arts and Health is hosting an exhibition of selected artworks produced by adult patients attending the facility over the last six months.

The exhibition, led by artist in residence Deirdre Glenfield, aims to represent a valuable, positive and creative engagement for patients in the hospital environment.

According to Glenfield, in a situation where patients often feel out of control, art can serve as a therapeutic and healing tool, helping to reduce stress and anxiety and providing an opportunity for self-expression.

Tallaght Hospital’s chief executive David Slevin said: “At Tallaght Hospital we take the patient experience

very seriously and are keen to support programmes and initiatives that engage with patients in what can be a difficult time.

“Through the great work of the National Centre for Arts and Health, and the artists it supports, we are leading the way in terms of artistic engagement and expression in the hospital setting in Ireland.”

Exhibited along with the patients’ work is a video artwork by Deirdre Glenfield titled The Waiting Room, exploring tensions experienced by patients in the waiting room when faced with life-changing health implications.

The exhibition will run April 21 at Rua Red Cafe, Tallaght.

Further information is available at www.ruared.ie.

4 CLONDALKIN Gazette 19 March 2015

weapons Deputy’s Bill a response to violent crime in Clondalkin area

Dowds moves to bring in tougher gun laws  ian begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

The Labour Parliamentary Party has recently approved a local TD’s bill for tougher sanctions on those found to be in illegal possession of firearms.

In response to the high number of violent gun crimes in Clondalkin and its surrounding areas in recent times, Clondalkin TD Robert Dowds (Lab) introduced the Bill which will increase the minimum sentencing for gun crimes from five to

seven years.

The Firearms Acts Amendment Bill will mean that any person who considers purchasing, possessing or having anything to do with illegal firearms will face serious penalties if convicted, while keeping the maximum sen-

tence at 14 years.

T he Bill will now be introduced to the Dail for debate.

Minimum

According to Deputy Dowds, the minimum five years is almost never served

in prison by the person convicted.

Speaking about this development, Dowds said: “I am very pleased that the Labour Parliamentar y Party last night approved my Bill for tougher sanctions on those found to be in illegal posses-

sion of firearms.

“I hope that it will lead to tougher sentences for those who store or transport weapons used in gun attacks, and make it harder for gangs to find people to store and transport guns used in these attacks.”

Store set to give top tips on the best food for your pet

Dog owners in Dublin Mid-West who want to learn more about what they should be feeding their pet in order to keep it healthy and fit are invited to attend a free in-store event at the Maxi Zoo store in Liffey Valley on March 21.

Maxi Zoo’s pet expert team will be on hand at the store throughout the day to meet pet owners and their pets and to talk about any problems that they might be experiencing at feeding time.

“Taking the time to learn about the type of diet that your pet needs is the solution to feeding problems and the

key to ensuring that your pet lives a long and active life,” said Alice Cross, executive director of Maxi Zoo Ireland.

“Our pet experts will assist pet owners in identifying what food is right for their pet depending on its age, weight and levels of activity. This will help them to make informed decisions about what wet and dry pet foods to buy for their pet.

“We are here to help pet parents to understand what is right for their breed of pet and also to calculate the daily cost of feeding their pet,” she said.

South Dublin County Council and the Local Business Chamber will host a series of local retailers forums

retail: Sharing knowledge and experience

Forums planned to hear concerns  ian begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

As part of the Sustainable Business Programme for South Dublin, a series of local retailers forums will be carried out during 2015 in Clondalkin and its surrounding areas.

The forum will last no longer than 90 minutes, and is a chance to have your voice heard on local and countywide issues.

T h i s i s a n i m p a rtial environment – hosted by the Local Business Chamber a nd County Council

f or South Dublin.

During 2014 a full economic sur vey of south Dublin county was carried out under the Sustainable Business Programme for South Dublin – a free business support programme led

by South Dublin Chamber in conjunction with South Dublin County Council and the Local Enterprise Office.

The aim of this survey was to quantify and get a better understanding of the types, locations and needs of local businesses in our county. Surveyors called to over 4,500 business premises and spoke

to the owners. As part of this economic profile, the surveyors identified that 36% of businesses in the county were in the retail sector – the largest sector in south Dublin.

Concerns

As such, following feedback from business owners and from retailers about the need for opportunities to voice their concerns and challenges about doing business in south Dublin the series of local retail forums and meetings for businesses was identified as a priority in 2015.

Speaking about the

forums, Peter Byrne, chief executive of South Dublin Chamber, said: “Sharing knowledge and experience of retail excellence is critical for the growth of retail in our county and we see the forums as a way to facilitate and achieve this, through networking.”

On March 25, a forum will take place at the South Dublin Chamber Offices in Whitestown, Tallaght from 8.30am to 10am, and on March 31 another forum will take place at the Citywest Hotel from 8.30am to 10am.

19 March 2015 CLONDALKIN Gazette 5

collision

courts: armed robbery of a pharmacy in jobstown, tallaght

Man dies in M50 crash

Man found asleep on stolen cash pile A Dublin man who was found asleep on a pile of stolen cash with his accomplice after an armed robbery of a pharmacy has been given a suspended sentence.

Luke Curry (25) held open the security door of the shop while his accomplice entered the shop. The other man was masked and carrying a kitchen knife.

Curr y of Shancastle Avenue, Clondalkin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery of the Jobstown Pharmacy, Kiltalown Way, Tallaght, Dublin on February 12, 2013.

Judge Desmond Hogan imposed a three-year sentence which he suspended in full on condi-

tion that Curry completes 240 hours community service.

Garda James Ward told Elva Duffy BL, prosecuting, that staff in the pharmacy buzzed a security door open to let Curry in because they recognised him as a customer.

He was closely followed by the armed man who shouted at staff to “give me the money and tablets”. After staff handed over money Curry said to the accomplice: “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

The staff said they were in fear during the robbery, during which €400 was stolen.

As a result of Garda inquiries and a local tip off later that day, gardai went to a house near the

pharmacy. They looked through a window of the house and saw the two suspects sleeping on a couch inside.

Gardai went in to the house and had to wake the men up. They found €275 of the stolen cash in a pile under where they were lying and arrested both men.

Curry was too intoxicated to be interviewed but he later claimed he was in the pharmacy for innocent reasons. He has 12 previous convictions including one at Tallaght district court for drug dealing.

Sarah Jane O’Callaghan BL, defending, said the father-of-two is now drug free and has made efforts to turn his life around.

A good day: Tallaght Hospital event helps to maintain a quality service pictured recently at the Nursing Critical Care Study Day hosted

by Tallaght Hospital with Beaumont Hospital were Binila Kurain, clinical facilitator, Patricia Morrison, assistant director of nursing and Dr Maria Donnelly, consultant anaesthetist, all of Tallaght Hospital.

About 120 nurses heard presentations on topics such as the management of the multi-trauma patient; neurological assessment, brain stem testing and organ donation, amongst other areas. Tallaght’s chief executive David Slevin and director of nursing Hilary Daly congratulated attendees on an important event for the attendees and the patients they care for.

Gardai are investigating a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision which occurred on the M50 motorway on March 14.

The collision occurred on the M50 motorway southbound between junctions 10, Ballymount and 11, Tallaght at about 12.45am. The car involved left the road and hit a lamp-post and protective barrier and overturned before landing on its side.

A male passenger of 62 years suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at scene.

The driver of the car, a woman aged 60 years, was also taken to Tallaght Hospital with her condition being described as critical.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Terenure Garda Station on 01 6666400.

6 CLONDALKIN Gazette 19 March 2015

rescued dogs: foster parents being sought

initiative Local groups to share €40m pot

Lady has been with Clondalkin Animal Aid for over two years and still has not found a home

Animal Aid is seeking public’s help  Laura Webb

Animal lovers willing to take in a new pet or foster one are being urged to get in contact with Clondalkin Animal Aid who continue to rehome rescued dogs.

Set up in 1990, the organisation is in constant need of fosterers and people looking to take home vulnerable rescue dogs left behind for many different reasons.

When an animal is presented to volunteers, i n cl u d i n g f o u n d i n g members Claire Sherry and Mar y McCoy at Clondalkin Animal Aid, they first try to find their owners before looking for a new home if they can’t be located.

Speaking to The Gazette, volunteer Anne McDonnell said the cute little animals such as puppies are usually the first to go, meaning older bigger dogs are often forgotten.

“We are always short of fosterers and we are always looking for people to adopt them.

“The small cute ones seem to pull on the heart-strings more and

the bigger ones don’t go anywhere fast.

“Some animals are claimed by owners but a lot of them are not.

“There are so many being surrendered to us these days so more fosterers are needed.

“It is great to have this middle ground where you have a fosterer to look after the animals until they are rehomed.

“We don’t have any spare fosterers at the moment and the busiest time is usually at weekends or at night when we are stuck,” she said.

Fundraising The organisation relies heavily on fundraising and donations to keep it going and as it has no premises all dogs in care are either in foster homes or boarding kennels.

Anyone who does foster will be provided with food, bedding and pay for vet bills, while volunteers are always on hand with advice and support.

For further information on Clondalkin Animal Aid see their facebook page: www.facebook.com/ClondalkinAnimalAid

Round Tower GAA received €178,000 towards the construction of their pitches on Monastery Road

Sports clubs urged to apply for capital funding

 ian begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

REPRESENTATIVES are appealing to local sports clubs to apply now for this year’s sports capital funding.

A pot of €40m is available nationwide for 2015. The Government initiative asks applicants to make their applications by Friday, April 24.

Clubs have benefited greatly in the past from this scheme, which helps them to fund some much-needed sporting equipment and facilities.

Under the funding p l a n , R o u n d Towe r GAA club of Clondalkin r e c e i v e d € 178 , 0 0 0 towards the construction of their pitches on Monastery Road, while Neilstown Boxing Club

received over €19,000 in 2012.

Other sports clubs have used the funding they received to build changing rooms, purpose built containers and to fund sport-related trips abroad.

The €40m for 2015 brings to €130m the total amount available in the sports capital programme since the Government re-opened it in 2012.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald is urging local sports clubs to apply.

She said: “Spor ts clubs and organisations in Clondalkin, Lucan, N e wc a s t l e , P a l m e rstown, Rathcoole and Saggart should apply now for the funding.

“It is very welcome that once again, funding will be provided to clubs

and local organisations around the country in the coming year.

“If any club is concerned about getting their application right, they should look at the handy guide on the web-

these parts, and I have no doubt that they will put their best foot forward in applying for this cr ucial Government funding,” she said.

Clondalkin TD Robert Dowds (Lab) also com-

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‘Our sports clubs are a vital part of our society’

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Clondalkin Deputy Robert Dowds (Lab)

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site. The Department of Sport has also made some helpful YouTube videos to supplement this guide and show you how best to prepare your application.

“I look forward to seeing strong and ambitious applications from clubs in my area. A great variety of sports are played and organised by the fantastic clubs in

mented, saying: “I would encourage all local sports clubs in Clondalkin and Lucan to apply for funding from the new fund, which the Government has recently announced.

“If you are involved in a sports club and you need to have dressing rooms built or some other facility upgraded, then you should regis-

ter your interest online before April 10 and submit your application by April 24.

“Our spor ts clubs, whether soccer, GAA, r ugby, or any other kind of sport, are a vital part of our society and they have a very positive impact on both the individual and wider community from both a physical and a social perspective,” he said.

There is a two-step process for any club or organisation wishing to apply for this funding.

All clubs planning to apply must register on the online system on www. sportscapitalprogramme. ie before 5.00pm on Friday, April 10.

They must get their applications in online before 5pm on Friday, April 24.

19 March 2015 CLONDALKIN Gazette 7

8 CLONDALKIN Gazette 19 March 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Staff member Dan Niculina Emilia serving a customer at the newly opened burrito bar. Pictures: Jolanta Rossiter

hot stuff: cultural culinary fusion spicing up dundrum

F

EEL that afternoon shopping trip needs spicing up? The latest addition to Dundrum Town Centre may be the place for you. El Gringo was officially opened recently by none other than the Mexican Ambassador to Ireland, Carlos Garcia De Alba, who seemed more than happy with the food on offer from his home country.

El Gringo prides itself on a happy marriage of hot Latin flavours and no nonsense Irish sourced meat and other ingredients.

The new burrito bar will provide 16 jobs as well as keeping the hungry happy for some time to come.

Cllr Kenny Egan (FG) and Dublin Football manager Jim Gavin - not dressed in blue - with the fancy dress Park College recently. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

Mexican ambassador of Mexico Carlos Garcia De Alba samples

Sarah Kiely and co-owner Brian Goff

Anusha Somadoo

Cookie monsters Kamil Falowski and Emanuel Adeleye

Xxx yyll xxyyl zxyxzz zz x x

Andrew Gaffney is saying nothing

19 March 2015 CLONDALKIN Gazette 9

Jake Kelly, Glenn Moore, Glen Hollywood and Gavin Smith

boys in blue: to highlight cancer awareness

Serious message in fancy dress fun competition finalists at the Blue Day cancer awareness event held at Moyle

S

TUDENTS at Moyle Park College turned out in many shades of blue to raise awareness for testicular cancer recently. They were supported by a visit from Dublin GAA football manager Jim Gavin and Cllr Ken Egan (FG). The students

showed their creativity with an array of curly wigs, onesies, facemasks and funky hats - all of them blue. They also sold T-shirts and wristbands to raise funds for the MPC Blue September men’s cancer awareness campaign.

10 gazette 19 March 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Paul Fitzsimons, Henry Anderson, Robbie Smith, Marieclaire Sabogal, Denis O’Brien, Martin Mulholland and Gerald Robbie and Helen Smyth

McCavanagh. Pictures: David O’Shea

key to success: Clefs d’or serves up honours

Five-star gala for top concierges

T Valerie Bagnall, Rachel Meehan, John Goldrick and Jacqueline Goldrick

here was no sign of the Grand Budapest Hotel’s Gustave H at a recent gala dinner to pay homage to the work of the top tier of hotel concierges in the Clontarf Castle Hotel. But then the annual Les Clefs d’Or was an exclusive affair and confined to the Irish

hotel sector. Among those honoured on the night was Clontarf’s own Vijay Shetye, who was nominated for an award. Overall the night was a huge success with more than 100 guests in attendance and celebrations running into the early hours.

Paul and Laura Kavanagh Jason Ormston saying well done to employee Vijay Shetye for his work on the event

23390

Paul Fitzsimons, Antony Lynch and Jim Clayton

Tom and Teresa Doyle

Declan and Keiva Mc Farlane

19 March 2015 Gazette 11

escape the mayhem p13

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

asdfsdaf P27 interview P14



Gazette

diary p12

a day in the life: ireland’s number 1 Badminton player, Scott Evans

what’son

Courting a place at the top

a celebration of dublin’s music

 keith bellew

Dubliner and twotime Olympian Scott Ev a n s i s I r e l a n d ’s number 1 ranking Badminton player and following his recent performance at the AllEngland Open Championships has climbed to number 24 in the world.

This week, the Gazette caught up with Evans to find out what an average Day in the Life of a professional badminton player consists of.

He likes to get up at 7am and take his dog for a quick walk before he has his breakfast which usually consists of porridge, muesli and bananas. No greasy fryups for him as he needs to keep fit for competitions which he competes in very regularly.

Originally from Ballinteer, Evans now lives in Denmark where he trains.

He said: “My club is only about 10 minutes away. I normally train at 9am or 9.30 so I always

have to leave a little bit before because I have a programme I do to warm up which takes a bit of time.

“From 9 to 11 everything I do would be badminton based. That can be everything from exercises which are physically tough to technical exercises which are a little bit easier where you focus on the technical side of your game.

“That’s always normally two or two and a half hours.

“I probably get home around 12 or 12.30 and then I have lunch and relax for a while. I like going to cafes and having a coffee and meeting friends and stuff like that.”

He said that during the week he usually doesn’t get up to much because he has further training sessions later in the day.

“On the days that he has evenings free he goes to concerts or football matches to watch FC Copenhagen.

“Monday, Wednesday

and Friday I go to the gym in the afternoon at about 3pm to do a physical session, that’s like biking or running or weights.

“On these days I usually have dinner at about 7pm and go to bed a lot earlier because I have the whole evening to relax. “ O n Tu e s d ay a n d Thursday evenings I have another badminton session, so I won’t do anything during the day, I’ll just relax all day.

“There’s not much time to do anything during the day because otherwise you are not really rested for your next session. I usually eat about 5pm and then eat again at 9.30 when I finish training. I don’t normally get home until 10pm or 10.30 and then I’ve got to go out with the dog, so generally 11pm would be a normal time for me to go to bed.”

In the coming weeks Evans will travel to Asia to compete in competitions in Malaysia and Singapore.

Scott Evans: “There’s not much time to do anything during the day because you are not really rested for your next session.”

THERE’S a new music festival coming to town, and it’s set to take place in Dublin next month with more than 50 musical events taking centre stage.

The inaugural MusicTown Festival will run from April 10-19, with musical events for all ages and tastes – all inspired by the capital’s musical heritage and vibrant music scene.

Being organised by Dublin City Council, there will be live and contemporary opera performances from Wide Open Opera on the streets, while buskers will be celebrated in a Busker of the Year competition being organised by DublinTown.ie. The festival aims to develop a greater appreciation of Dublin’s music.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Larry O’Toole, said: “The festival is about discovery, exploration and education.

Whatever your taste, we want to encourage people to experience new genres of music and to journey deeper into their preferred music of choice.”

Some events are free, while others have a nominal charge.

For further information, see www.musictown.ie.

Gazette

12 Gazette 19 March 2015

dublinlife

DIARY

Novelist and TV personality Amanda Brunker was on hand at Il Posto restaurant on Stephen’s Green to launch the first ever PAWS for a Cuppa campaign, a week of tea in aid of PAWS Animal Rescue this April. PAWS founder Gina Hetherington (left) is encouraging people to register online to host a tea party. Picture: Susan Kennedy / Paul Sherwood Photography

Time to paws for a cuppa Novelist and TV personality Amanda Brunker was on hand recently to launch the first ever PAWS for a Cuppa campaign at Il Posto restaurant in Stephen’s Green.

PAWS for a Cuppa is a week of tea parties being held in aid of PAWS Animal Rescue running from April 13 to 19.

PAWS founder Gina Hetherington is urging people to register online to host a tea party and those who do so will receive an organiser’s pack containing everything needed for it.

She said: “At the moment, we have over 100 dogs in our care and as you can imagine that’s a lot of hungry mouths to feed!

“Hosting a PAWS for a Cuppa tea party gives you the opportunity to

spend some quality time together with family and friends, but the money you raise will help us in our never-ending struggle to find forever homes for wonderful dogs.”

To register online visit: www.paws.ie/paws-fora-cuppa/

bring your dream dress to reality What girl hasn’t, at some point in their childhood lives, drawn their dream Cinderella dress and wished they could see it become a reality?

Well Disney is giving Cinderella fans the chance to do just that.

To mark the release of the new film based on the classic fairytale, Disney is inviting fans to submit a creative design for their ultimate Cinderella dress and one lucky winner will

see their design brought to life when it is made to wear and keep forever.

Fans can also vote for their favourite dresses, with the top 10 being judged by a panel who will choose the dress they feel should be brought to life.

The winner will have their dress presented to them at an enchanting afternoon tea at London’s beautiful Langham Hotel.

View designs, vote and submit your dream dress at: www.disneycinderella.co.uk

volunteers sought for fundraiser Special Oly mpics Ireland’s national Collection Day fundraiser is coming up on April 24 and organisers are now looking for volunteers to

lend a hand.

This is the biggest fundraising event in aid of Special Olympics Ireland, as they aim to raise over €500,000 for athletes with an intellectual disability.

Special Olympics Ireland launched its Volunteer Recruitment Drive and needs over 3,000 volunteers for the fundraising day.

All the money raised on April 24 will be used to ensure that Special Olympics Ireland can continue to realise its mission of offering people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in sport in their area.

Special OIympics Ireland is looking for volunteers for the entire day, so whether you can commit to the full day or even just an hour, organisers

would be pleased to hear from you.

Volunteer by contacting Emma Horgan on 085 803 1112 or by emailing eastern. region@specialolympics.ie.”

National Yokes Day shortlived During the recent temporary legalisation of a number of class-A drugs including ecstasy, magic mushrooms, “head shop” drugs and methamphetamine, a strange individual appeared outside Leinster House wearing a sign which read “I have yokes”.

For those not familiar with the parlance of the drug trade, yokes is a slang term for ecstasy.

A Government regulation declaring these drugs illegal was found to be unconstitutional by

a ruling at the Court of Appeal.

The ruling provided a two-day window where it was legal to possess these drugs, though sale or supply remained illegal.

The ruling prompted Twitter users to dub March 10 as National Yokes Day. The madness didn’t last long however as an emergency Dail sitting recriminalised possession of the drugs on Thursday, March 12.

SAying farewell to a legend Celebrities of all sorts took to Twitter last week to pay their last respects to Tony Fenton, a legend of the Irish airwaves, who died on March 11 at the age of 53.

F r o m Ho l l y wo o d A-lister Chris O’Dowd to radio presenter Matt

Cooper, the stars came out to honour the memory of Fenton, who had been such a strong presence in their lives through his radio shows on RTE’s 2FM and more recently on Today FM. Chris O’Dowd tweeted: “Thanks for the chuuuunes Tony”, while The Script tweeted: “Just heard the sad news about Tony Fenton :( We grew up to him on our Airwaves. Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to his family X” and Pat Kenny, who echoed Dave Fanning’s tribute to Fenton: “He was a pilot of the airwaves.”

Others who took to Twitter to say farewell to Fenton, were Amy Huberman, Kodaline, Jason Byrne and Ronan Keating, all of whom remembered the well-loved DJ with great fondness.

19 March 2015 Gazette 13

escape the mayhem: celebrity stylist zandra Rhodes

Gazette

FEATURE

Cooking up a recipe to stay stress free  Laura Webb

Travelling between continents for work and pleasure, it’s little wonder that celebrity stylist and designer Zandra Rhodes needs to remember to take a break and cooking is one of her “escapes”.

Recently in town to promote her capsule collection for Colebrooke by Windsmoor at Arnotts, Rhodes took some time out of her busy schedule to sit down and tell The Gazette about what she does to take her mind off the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

“Cooking and gardening. In London, I look outside my terrace, and I

have a terrace and towering above it is the Shard and there is ivy on the walls and my camellias are sitting there in the rain, I have white camellias and pink ones – they are just lovely. I also have a cactus in my house that was in the wrong light.

So I got that moved and now have an orange tree in its place. I just love to sit around and watch them,” she said.

When it comes to cooking her favourite dish is simple yet tasty.

“I just love making soups, dead easy soups at that. I can make a pea soup where you use frozen peas. You put the onion in, lightly fry it, add

the frozen peas, water, a Knorr vegetable or chicken cube and I always add a teaspoon of fennel seeds, with a tiny bit of sugar, blend it – delicious.”

And what is the point in making such lovely dishes without enjoying them with friends?

Rhodes likes to entertain - and often.

“If I am in London, I would do a dinner party for about 15 people.

“The other day I had friends over and we had hot pea soup, salmon and salad and then homemade bread and butter pudding. It was great.”

If she’s not cooking or in the garden, Rhodes

likes to draw, something she doesn’t get enough time to do.

“I like cooking and I like drawing, I never get enough time to do it.

“In my spare time I am doing a book with my sister, like the flower fairy books.

“They were done in the 30s, I think, and I was given one when I was little and it helped me know all the flowers. I am in California a lot so I am doing one on the flower fairies of California.

“They are little baby flowers, tiny little flowers.

I am really enjoying it.”

Rhodes latest collection is available in Arnotts now.

Zandra Rhodes: ““I just love making soups, dead easy soups at that.”

14 Gazette 19 March 2015

politics ‘I gave a commitment to a full term in Europe’

Hayes steadfast to election vow

 laura webb

BRIAN Hayes, Minister for State at the Department of Finance, is happy with his current position and will remain in the European Parliament despite a General Election coming up next year.

“I will not be standing in the next Dail election.

No one believes me but I am not.

“I gave a commitment to a full term in the European Parliament,” he tells The Gazette.

The political system at home can, according to Hayes, be very “Punch and Judy-ish”, which is

not what he experiences in Europe.

“If you go and shout and roar and scream your head off in the European Parliament looking for a headline, they are just not bothered by it. It is a bit more serious than that.”

He says his former post as Minister of State for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works has helped him in Europe.

“I spent three-and-half years when in government, every second week in Brussels because of the negotiation we had with the troika, and I learned a lot from that.

“So going into the European Parliament, I had some background and experience in that, so that helps me understand what the bottom line issues are for Ireland,” he says.

The key task for Hayes in Europe is to represent the city and county of Dublin and the people who elected him. A key issue for him is social housing.

In recent months he has had meetings with the European Investment Bank to get funding for social housing initiatives.

“The Department of the Environment has to

plan out additional housing across the country and I am trying to argue that they should draw down European Investment Bank funding for that…

Up to now, EIB funding has been for things like Grangegorman and Luas.

This EIB funding is hugely important for Dublin right now, and the comeback of Dublin in economic terms.”

One regular complaint involves the steep prices for car rental abroad.

Hayes has heard this from a number of Dubliners and he is working to “get a better package” for people. He says the European Commission is bringing in a new voluntary code in May that will “make sure consumers in Dublin know exactly what they are entitled to” when it comes to such packages.

Hayes says he enjoys the “freedom” of the European Parliament. “There is a view that whatever your party says you will back it.

I believe I am fundamentally first and foremost, a Dublin MEP. Secondly I am a Fine Gael MEP so I see myself in the first instance trying to get the best outcome [for the people I represent].”

On water charges in Europe, he says a meter system is the most common way of charging.

Such charges, he says, are a reality throughout the EU but it is not up to Europe to tell us what to do here, it’s a national thing. Supply is a crucial issue in Dublin. Huge amounts of water are wasted, he says, and we need to invest in a public utility. He accepts that it is difficult for people to pay.

For Hayes, being an MEP means he has to work with the Government no matter who holds the reins. “The issues don’t change and the solutions, by and large, don’t change either. It is hugely important that you work with Government on the key issues, no matter who it is.”

Brian Hayes: “If you go and .. scream your head off looking for a headline, the European Parliament is just not bothered by it. It’s a bit more serious than that.”

12 March 2015 Gazette 15

Gazette

16 Gazette 19 March 2015

dublinlife

business

Dun Laoghaire company wins big at Dockland’s Innovation Awards A young company based in IADT’s Media Cube in Dun Laoghgaire has won the Best Investment Proposal 2015 award and a prize of €10,000 at the Docklands Innovation Awards last week.

CheckVentor y is a cloud-based auditing service for the banking industry to check that inventory at such companies as car dealerships tallies with loans acquired for them.

CheckVentory was a winner at the Docklands Innovation Awards, which is sponsored by PwC (audit, tax and advisory services), Docklands Innovation and DIT Hothouse. Adrian Walsh, the chief executive of CheckVentor y, made

his winning pitch at the PwC offices on March 11, 2015, competing against Artomatrix, an early-stage company that develops art tools, for the video game and animation industries and FenestraPro, which provide a software tool for designing building facades.

Adrian Walsh said it was “a real honour to win the Best Investment Proposal”.

“I would like thank my incredible team for their hard work over the last 12 months and Enterprise Ireland, DIT Hothouse and Media Cube, IADT for the support I received. I would recommend the New Frontiers programme to anyone thinking of starting their own business.”

Walsh, originally from Malahide but now living in Foxrock, told The Gazette he moved to the southside after marrying his wife Niamh, a director of CheckVentory. He said: “I crossed the Liffey for love.”

The company is currently working with 11 customers in Ireland and plans to expand to Britain by the end of 2015.

It is a graduate company from the 2014 Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme for entrepreneurs.

The company has also been supported by the Local Enterprise Board, Dun Laoghaire and has secured an investment of €50,000 from Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund.

Kevin Sheehan, Deloitte, with Oonagh O’Hagan of Meaghers Pharmacy at the awards. Picture: Jason Clarke Photography

management: high standards of excellence awarded

Companies honoured for top performance Eleven Dublin companies were among 110 companies from across Ireland honoured at the recent Deloitte Best Managed Awards.

Now in its seventh year the awards were attended by over 800 members of the Irish business community. Winning companies from Dublin included Extraspace Solutions Ltd, IT Force Ltd, Meaghers Pharmacy, Openmind Networks, IIS Ltd, System Dynamics and Eason and Son Ltd. Easons and Openmind, both of which are first time recipients of the award, were singled out for special recognition in the areas of commitment and excellence in strat-

egy respectively. Both of these areas are cornerstones of the Best Managed Companies Awards criteria.

Eighteen companies were also presented with the gold standard accolade having all secured Best Managed status for the fourth consecutive year. An additional 64 companies re-qualified as a Best Managed Company, having upheld the standard of a Deloitte Best Managed Company, following a comprehensive review process.

These companies have a combined turnover of almost €10bn and the largest proportion, 21%, are drawn from the technology, media and tel-

ecommunication industries. This group is made up of companies from all around Ireland, in industries including construction, manufacturing, ICT, hospitality and catering, among others. Former chief executive of Enterprise Ireland Frank Ryan chaired the independent judging panel that took a holistic approach to measuring the complete company performance that went beyond a focus on financials.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton congratulated the winning companies saying: “At the heart of our jobs plan is creating a powerful engine of Irish enterprise alongside the multinational sector. Over

the past three years we have seen major progress in this area, with well over 15,000 extra people at work in these companies over that time.

“The quality of management in Irish companies is an area which we have specifically targeted, as it makes a major difference to the performance of our indigenous businesses.

“This programme shows what is possible in Irish businesses with improved management and I congratulate all involved on their excellent achievement,” he said.

For a full list of winners, see www.deloitte bestmanaged.ie.

Bank survey shows lending rates are increasing Bank lending rates to SMEs increased in the first quarter of 2015 according to the latest ISME, Quarterly Bank Watch Survey.

This is the fourth successive quarter of improvement in the success rates of SMEs which apply for bank loans. The survey also showed that demand for credit

has remained high at 43%; which ISME says is proof that SMEs are attempting to expand and develop their businesses as the economy shows signs of recovery.

ISME chief executive Mark Fielding said: “Bank credit was largely unavailable to SMEs during the recession. This made a difficult business environment even

more perilous for small businesses. It seems improvements in the economy have inspired the banks to reopen their purses and move towards healthier lending policies. SMEs are currently exploring ways to improve and expand their businesses and greater access to credit will certainly help this process.”

19 March 2015 Gazette 17

style P20

asdfsdaf P27 arts P22

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



Gazette

travel P18

Pets

who is super sweet and brainy? Bailey!

Cinderella director Kenneth Branagh will be a special guest for the showing of his movie on Saturday

jameson film festival: Russell Crowe and Julie Andrews to attend event

Celebrating diverse cinema

 Keith Bellew

The 13th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival will take place from March 19 to 29, offering attendees the chance to visit over 38 countries including Korea, Denmark, the US, Brazil, and Russia from the comfort of their cinema seat.

Events will be held throughout Dublin in places like: Smithfield Square, the Pavilion Theatre, Riverbank Arts Centre, Movies@Dundrum, and the Board Gais Energy Theatre, showcasing both homegrown and international talent. With a galaxy of stars in attendance including Russell Crowe and Julie Andrews, it promises to be a fantastic few weeks.

This week the Gazette caught up with festival director Grainne Humphreys who filled us in on what’s new

about this year’s festival and what the main highlights are.

For her, what’s great about the festival is that every year the organisers try to make things different. She said: “One of the things that I’m really delighted about is that our South American strand is significantly bigger this year.

“That in a way kind of inspired the theme of the festival which is the idea you can travel to nearly 40 countries around the world without actually leaving Dublin.”

She went on to say that cinema is a very comfortable way to see new countries and experience new cultures.

“This year we’ve tried to find ways of giving people maps and pathways.

That’s the thing that’s interesting this year, that idea of celebrating

the diversity of it rather than putting things into various strands and focuses.”

Of the main highlights of this year’s festival she said: “The South American strand is fantastic, there are some beautiful films, August Winds for instance. We have Portuguese film maker Pedro Costa, who’s fantastic.

He’s going to be in with a film called Horse Money. Kim Cattrall is coming with her new series Sensitive Skin.

“We also have a wonderful programme of French films [like] Next Time I’ll Aim for the Heart – which is a really, really smart thriller. I think it will be one of the films everyone is going to be talking about in a couple of months.

“We have a really strong documentary strand, there is a doc called Last Man on the Moon about an a astro-

naut called Eugene Cernan who was the last man on the moon and it’s one of those huge, big epic 2001 [A Space Odyssey] like stories.”

Hollywood heavyweight Russell Crowe will once again grace the festival, this year with his directorial debut The Water Diviner.

Speaking about some of the other stars who will attend the festival she said: “Kenneth Branagh is coming for Cinderella. He is going to be talking about his films both in front of and behind the camera.

“We’ve got Danny Huston, we’ve got Alan Rickman, and we also have Julie Andrews who is going to be here for the 50th anniversary of The Sound of Music.”

For more information on the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival visit: www.jdiff.com

the Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week this week is handsome crossbreed Bailey, who is just over a year old.

He is a super sweet dog, who has been working really hard with his carers to build up his confidence.

He is a super brainy young man and playing fetch with his tennis ball is just one of his favourite things to do!

With the right family, we just know that Bailey will be a happy, loyal and lovable dog.

For more information on beautiful Bailey and his Dogs Trust pals, please call Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000 or pop into the centre. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

Gazette

18 Gazette 19 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

malta: a definite place for your bucket list

Sea, sun and culture, the Maltese Islands are like nowhere else

 Ian Begley

When I first revealed my plans of escaping to Malta for a three-day break the main response I received from people was “that’s an Island near Spain, right?” and “Isn’t Malta a very quiet holiday destination?”

To be perfectly honest I couldn’t give them a straightforward answer, but to be even more honest I was just thrilled about getting away from the bitterly cold climate of Ireland.

A quick Google search revealed that Malta lies 93km from the south of Sicily and its archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino

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‘The Ggantija Temples, which are the oldest freestanding structures in the world, are potentially Gozo’s single most marketable landmark, dating back to 3,500BC’

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with a total population of over 400,000 inhabitants. I was also delighted to learn that most of the locals speak English, use the euro and drive on the left-hand side of the road – sold!

I slept like a baby during the three-and-a-halfhour flight and when we landed my party hopped onto a coach which took us directly to the elegant

five-star Corinthia Hotel, which was a majestic spectacle overlooking the entrance to St George’s Bay in the seaside town of St Julian’s.

T he hotel offered breathtaking views of the bustling town of St Julian’s and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. I must have spent over 20 minutes the next morning gazing at the fantastic

sight before me, letting my mind wander and drift away from faraway Ireland.

We took a ferry to Malta’s sister island of Gozo, which according to legend was the home of the beautiful nymph Calypso depicted in Homer’s Odyssey. Here, Odysseus was imprisoned for several years, but given the remarkable cliffface views and dramatic orange-red beaches I found it very hard to pity him.

We were then treated to a Segway tour of the Qbajjar Salt Pans along the coastal regions of island. Exhilarated at the prospect of exploring the island on a Segway

The Corinthia Hotel offers spectacular views overlooking the entrance to St George’s seaside town of St Julian’s

our party took in all the charms that Gozo had to offer, while whizzing past the locals on our super high-tech vehicles.

Immersed in the marvels of the past and present, we then proceeded to the Ggantija Temples, which are the oldest freestanding structures in the world and potentially Gozo’s single most marketable landmark, dating back to 3,500BC. Building up a hearty appetite, we then found ourselves at Ta’Mena

Estate for an outdoor lunch and wine tasting session. This traditional Maltese estate welcomed us with a grand display of typical Maltese foods, wines and extra virgin olive oil. I found the food very rustic in character and full of the flavour, typical of a central Mediterranean island.

Proceeding onwards to Dwejra we then gazed upon the Azure Window - an impressive natural arch standing some 20m high. Being a Game of

Thrones fan I was also very pleasantly surprised to recognise this site from the TV series.

After a long afternoon, our party retreated to an Irish pub (of all places) in St Julian’s to see the second half of the England – Ireland rugby match. The bar was swarming with both Irish and English fans and in those brief 80 minutes we couldn’t have been further away from Malta.

Celebrating our landslide victory, we proceed-

Take a hands-on approach to relaxing  aishling phelan

THE drive into the picturesque village of Borris, Co Carlow was a treat in itself as the sun sliced through the clouds and beamed on the glorious mountains.

Sitting in the valley of the river Barrow, the Step House Hotel faces the main gate to the Tudorstyle ancestral home of the former Irish Kings of Leinster.

The spacious bedroom was of a dainty old-world design and the cream decor, with gold accents in every piece of furniture and sweeping mint-green curtains, made for the perfect atmosphere of

tranquillity.

I stepped out onto the large private balcony and took in the magnificent view. As small clouds floated across the expanse of Mount Leinster, it truly took my breath away.

Surrounded by luxury and character in every pocket of the hotel, it made for an extra special weekend trip away.

First, it was time for a hands-on bread-making demonstration in the ballroom with head chef Alan Foley: curry bread.

No, I hadn’t heard of it either, but I would later experience that culinary sensation at dinner.

Later, it was on to the

opulent surroundings of the private cocktail lounge for some bubbly treats and then the small but intimate restaurant.

After scanning the menu, filled with an array of local produce, I chose organic herb risotto and succulent roast plaice.

I passed on the luscious dessert offerings, and opted for the selection of ice-creams instead.

Sound boring? Not at the Step House Hotel, where I was presented with a divine combination of coconut, caramel and passion fruit flavours.

The following morning, we delved into the widespread woodlands

Enjoy perfectly pitched luxury at the Step House Hotel

of the 16-acre Blackstairs Ecotrails to take part in a foraging workshop.

We ducked under swinging branches, crossed wooden planks and tip-toed over mossy carpets, discovering the Celtic history of the towering trees and picking wild garlic, enjoying its tangy aroma.

We later returned to the workshop to make mouth-watering wild garlic pesto and sweet sloe gin.

Back at the hotel, I collected my brown bread made the previous day, and left feeling like a master chef after my culinary weekend at the Step House Hotel.

19 March 2015 Gazette 19

Ian at the Azure Window - an impressive natural arch

Bay in the The Ggantija Temples date back to 3,500BC

ed to nearby Paceville which is essentially Malta’s take on Ibiza. The strip was literally dotted with discos, lounge bars, and clubs which we vis-

ited for a few sensible drinks. If you’re looking for a wild holiday away then this place is certainly worth your while as most of the clubs have

free admission.

Up bright and early the next day, we took a trip to Malta’s capital city Valletta, which was nothing short of an

open-air museum. With an unsurpassed collection of original Baroque architecture, fortified city walls overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and the spectacular CoCathedral of St John, we were overwhelmed with the sights before us.

We took a short trip to the three cities of of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, via “dghajsa” a typical Maltese gondola shaped boat, used extensively at Grand Harbour to ferry sailors and seamen. Again, the sites of these towns were beautiful and the boat ride really gave us an authentic feel of the Maltese culture.

On the final day of my Maltese adventure my party proceeded to Mdina, which was Malta’s first capital city during the time of the Knights of Malta. The town itself was a joy to stroll around

and many of the alleys really gave the sense that nothing had changed here for more than a millennium.

It’s a mix of medieval and baroque architecture and its fortification walls and its location on high grounds make it one of the most enchanting places on the island.

The Maltese islands are like nowhere else I’ve ever been to.

Here you’ll find great prehistoric temples, fossil-studded cliffs, beautiful blue lagoons, and incredible nightlife and wonderful Mediterranean cuisine.

I found the people very warm, hospitable and it is definitely a destination to put on your bucket list.

Visit www.visitmalta. com for further information and details of events that will be taking place in Malta.

Gazette

TRAVEL

Tugs greet Stena Superfast X at Dublin Port

Stena Line ready to make waves with its new ferry  ian begley

STENA Line has officially launched a new ferry on its Dublin-Holyhead route at Dublin Port which will operate on an all-year-round sailing schedule.

The launch and naming ceremony of Stena Superfast X was performed by Stena Line chairman Dan Sten Olsson, and Irish broadcasting personality Kathryn Thomas, along with more than 170 guests at Dublin Port on March 9.

Welcoming the launch, Sten Olsson said: “As the leading ferry operator on the Irish Sea, we are confident in our ability to help stimulate this upward trend further.”

Stena Superfast X will operate a twice daily return sailing schedule departing Dublin Port at 2.15am and 3.10pm, and departing Holyhead at 8.55am and 8.30pm.

Gazette

20 Gazette 19 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Time to leave your orange streak behind, thanks to Elizabeth Arden’s help  mimi murray

SO MANY Irish wo m e n we a r t h e wrong shade of foundation and there is nothing worse than that orange streak running along the neckline/face – a faroff shade from the rest of the body!

Elizabeth Arden now offer a shade match service, which is absolutely brilliant if you are always looking for the correct foundation colour for your skin.

24 hours coverage Their Flawless Finish, Perfectly Satin make-up offers up to 24 hours coverage and I can attest to this.

This make-up stays on my face throughout the day, and when I scrub my face at night, it almost looks as good as it did at 8am. Unbelievable, but true.

It provides quite a lot of coverage, which I don’t normally like, but with the correct shade matching it really doesn’t look like I am wearing that much make-up.

It also feels lightweight and flawless on my skin, making it a winner all round.

This retails at €38 in Debenhams.

Duster jacket €50; lace crop top €56; culottes €47

Navy top €38; striped culottes €47

Abby Harris wears lemon lime crop top €35; lemon lime skirt €53 Krystal Mahon wears strawberry print dress €45

Fresh styles bloom in Oasis collection

 laura webb

Beige military shirt €42; khaki trousers €56

Pink floral dress €60

TO SHOWCASE its very colourful SS15 collection, Oasis Ireland teamed up with the winners of the Shoot Style Smile 2014 competition for a very stylish photoshoot.

Shot by Dublin-based photographer Alex Sheridan, the looks were styled by Laura

O’Brien and modelled by Krystal Mahon.

The trio were chosen from hundreds of entrants to shoot style and star in the Oasis Christmas campaign.

Professional model Abby Harris joined Krystal for her commercial shoot debut, and we think the results are fabulous, dahling!

19 March 2015 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

STYLE

White embellished shirt €47; floral midi skirt €50

Urban Decay manager at Debenhams Blackrock, Meg Young expertly tends to Laura Webb

Time to face some Urban Decay for a beautiful look  LAURA WEBB

The all-Irish, all-natural skincare range to refresh and revive skin  LAURA WEBB

NATURE is a wonderful thing and for some people, the only thing they look for in a skincare product is natural ingredients.

With this in mind, Irish-owned skincare company Bia Beauty, founded by Herbal Science graduate Tracey Ryan, use all-natural ingredients, including nut and seed oils, fruits, herbs, spices, cocoa butter and avocado butter in the range.

Basically, all of nature’s goodness is condensed into a delightful skincare range that feeds the skin with vitamins and goodness.

Two of their best sellers are Natural Skin Repair Cream – Skin Superfood 50ml (€12.95), and Orange and Grapefruit Exfoliant and Cleanser 60ml (€16.95).

The natural skin repair cream is being

used by a lot of people as a night cream or a serum.

This product is great for dehydrated skin, as it really moisturises and plumps up skin.

Meanwhile, the orange and grapefruit exfoliant and cleanser is gentle enough to use every day, yet strong enough to remove even the most stubborn mascara.

To find out more about their full range of products, as well as stockists or to buy online, see www.biabeauty.com.

WHEN there is a special occasion coming up, or you just feel like treating yourself before going on a night out, there is nothing better than getting your make-up done by a professional.

I recently had the opportunity to have my make-up done dation (€34) in 3.5 – a

by Urban Decay’s manager at light shade for a pale face like Debenhams Blackrock, Meg mine. Naked Skin Concealer Young.

(3) in light neutral and Naked Not only did I feel like a Skin Powder Foundation (2) star with my own make-up in light warm was also used for artist, Meg was also a bundle that matte finish.

Flushed Palette of knowledge, offering great advice about what products Naked (1, €29.50) to use and how each product was next; a great threesome with can benefit my skin type.

This is exactly what you bronzer, highneed when it comes to make- lighter and blush all in one. up – advice, rather than The brand’s trial and error – so leave it eyeshadow primto the professional to tell er potion original you what suits. (€21/€11) was put on For my look, Meg before colours from all prepped the skin with B6 the Naked Basics palette Prep Spray (€28/€14), (€30) were applied. with vitamin B6 which Then, 24/7 waterabsorbs oil, minimises proof liquid eyeliner pores and reduces redPerversion (€19.50) was ness. subtly administered for From there, she used my look and the eyes Brightening and Tightenfinished off with Subing Primer (€27) to make version eyelash primer sure the skin was prepped (€18.50) and Perversion before foundation was Mascara (€22). applied.

Not forgetting the The foundation used 3 eyebrows, Meg used was Naked Skin foun-

1 Brow Box Brow n Sugar €25 to enhance their colour and shape.

And the piece de resistance – the lips – were lined with Lip Liner in Rush (€18.50) and Lipstick in Rapture (€19,) before a little Lipgloss (€19) was

2

applied.

To set it all and make it last, Setting Spray Chill (€29) was lightly sprayed on. I loved the look, and it lasted the whole day and well into the night (excluding some more lipstick applications).

A make-up appointment with Urban Decay is €40, but the cost is redeemable against products based on a two-product purchase. Find out more from your nearest Urban Decay counter.

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 19 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

ARTS

Step up to a spectacular Chinese show  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

A SPECTACULAR Chinese dance show, Shen Yun, comes to the Convention Centre for two nights only this month.

Shen Yun performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance, with orchestral accompaniment and solo performers.

The show takes place at The Convention Centre Dublin on Wednesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 26 at 7.30pm.

Mythical lost land Shen Yun will take audience members on an extraordinary journey to the mythical lost land of the ancient Middle Kingdom.

The story is told through classi-

cal Chinese dance, which is one of the most rigorous and athletic dance forms in the world.

Not only is the event a unique treat visually, but also aurally, as the orchestra combines music of the east and west.

The show is backed with stunning animated backdrops and exquisite costumes which bring the magical Chinese legends to life, and 5,000 years of civilization.

Tickets cost from €53 to €126, through www.ticketmaster.ie.

The Harry Clarke original stained glass piece, Mr Gilhooley (above), has equisite detail throughout

ART: STUNNING HARRY CLARKE WORK ACQUIRED

Rare beauty wows  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

A “SCANDALOUS” stained glass panel by famous Irish stained glass artist Harry Clarke, which was recently acquired for €40,000 by the State, has gone on public display this week at the Hugh Lane Gallery on Parnell Square.

T he work depicts a scene from Liam O’Flaherty’s controversial novel, Mr Gilhooley, and was created by Clarke as a section of his Panel No 6 for the Geneva Window.

It was commissioned by the Irish Government for the League of Nations building in Geneva – the UN’s forerunner – in the late 1920s.

Clarke chose scenes of novels by contemporary Irish writers as his themes for the window.

Hailed as a masterpiece, the sumptuouslycoloured panel shows the figure of a nude female dancer draped in diapha-

nous pink. The work’s striking colour cannot be reproduced in print, and must be seen in person to be truly appreciated.

It is a glorious work, and a perfect physical rendering of the dancer, Nelly, described so beautifully by O’Flaherty in the novel as pale, slender, lithe and Bacchanalian with “a thick mass of sparkling golden curls”, advancing across the floor, barefoot, wearing “nothing but a veil”.

Dr Margarita Cappock, head of collections at the Hugh Lane Gallery, told The Gazette: “This is an acquisition that had been in a private collection in the UK, and the gallery acquired it before [last] Christmas. We bought it through the Fine Art Society.

“It’s a very important piece, because it was done for the Geneva Window, [and was] the first panel that was done for it in 1926. The window was a

commission that Harry Clarke got from the State [via] President Liam Cosgrave. He was asked to produce this window for the League of Nations in Geneva as a gift from the Irish State. “[Clarke] decided he would look at literary themes and ran into controversy with this particular panel, [inspired by] Mr Gilhooley by Liam O’Flaherty, and Cosgrave got cold feet because of the naked female.

“So, he was asked to redo it, and at that time Harry Clarke had been suffering from TB and had spent time in a sanatorium in Switzerland. He was reluctant to change it and was very disappointed [being asked to redo it],” she said.

“This panel was actually cracked – a hairline crack developed when he was making it, and it’s [still] a beautiful panel. He did a second panel, and that is the version that is in the

Geneva Window.

“Unfortunately, the Geneva Window never ended up in the League of Nations [building] in Geneva and instead, ended up being purchased back by Clarke’s widow in 1931.

“She bought it back from the State for the same amount they had paid [Clarke] for it: IR£450. It eventually ended up being sold [to a buyer] in Miami in the States, and that’s where it is now. So, it’s wonderful to have this little piece.”

Clarke had been given free reign by the Irish State for the commission, and wanted to represent a literary theme depicting the work of 15 writers.

WB Yeats was very enthusiastic about the Geneva Window at the time, but the Irish Government found that it wouldn’t have been an appropriate gift to the League of Nations for a number of reasons,

19 March 2015 GAZETTE 23

FESTIVAL: CELEBRATION OF FOOD HITS 10-YEAR MARK

GAZETTE

FOOD&DRINK RECIPECORNER CORNER

serves up Get ready for Taste M&S a dish that will  LAURA WEBB

IT’S the most anticpated food event of the calendar, and this year Taste of Dublin event has something extra to dish out as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

Returning to the Iveagh Gardens from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday 14,Taste of Dublin has an unbeatable line-up to celebrate the milestone event.

The four-day festival will showcase the best of Dublin’s culinary scene, including top restaurants and artisan producers, as well as home-grown and international chefs.

Due to popular demand,

Taste of Dublin is launching an extra session at 12pm on Thursday 11.

Chefs making an appearance this year include Clodagh McKenna, Edward Hayden, Kevin Dundon, Mark Moriarty, Michel Roux Jr, Monica Galetti, Neven Maguire, Paul Flynn, Paul Kelly, Rachel Allen, Richard Corrigan, Ross Lewis and Sunil Ghai.

Meanwhile, restaurants at the event include Brioche, Diep Le Shaker, East Side Tavern, Jaipur, Pichet, Rock Lobster, and The Chop House, to name but a few. Exciting features returning to the festival include the Electrolux

go swimmingly

Demonstrations by top chefs are set to return

Secret Ingredient, Chef’s Secrets, and Taste Theatre demonstrations, as well as Chapter One Dessert bar, Taste of Thailand, O’Brien’s Wine Experience and Aldi, as the exclusive retailer partner of Taste of Dublin.

New features in 2015 include the Sony Japa-

nese Dining Experience, Skillery by the National Dairy Council, Station Works Brewery, Rioja Tapas Fantastica, and more to be announced.

Food fanatics can buy a ticket to Dublin’s hottest summer social event from April via Tasteofdublin.ie.

THIS week, we have a delicious recipe from M&S that’s easy to make and thoroughly delicious.

Note that this recipe for Super Wheatberry with Roasted Carrots and Salmon serves four, and is ready in 40 minutes.

Ingredients 300g baby carrots 2 tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp cumin seeds 200g Super Wheatberry 125g Arbroath honey roast salmon slices, flaked 25g pack fresh dill, roughly chopped 50g pomegranate seeds 3 tbsp buttermilk

Preparation • Preheat the oven to 190˚C/375˚F/gas 5 (170˚C for fan ovens). Put the carrots in a roasting tin and drizzle over half the oil. Scatter over the garlic and cumin seeds, then season. Roast for 30 minutes, until the carrots are just tender.

• Cook the Super Wheatberry according to the packet instructions. Gently mix together with the carrots, salmon and dill, and arrange on a serving dish.

Scatter over the pomegranate seeds.

• To make the dressing, mix together the buttermilk, remaining olive oil and 1 tbsp warm water, then season. Drizzle the dressing over the dish to serve.

Gazette

24 Gazette 19 March 2015

OUT&ABOUT

GAMING

glittering ceremony shows WEEBYTES baftas: some surprise wins and losses

Baymax – a financial hero for Disney

Fat robot waddles to a global hit SEEING as it’s a computer-animated film, that’s enough of a link to this page to point out that Disney’s Big Hero 6 was the highestgrossing animated film of 2014, with a haul of $620m, which is about, oh, an awful lot of euro.

In fact, for a fairly low profile film, the tale of an unlikely friendship between a teenage genius and a fat, inflatable medical robot, BH6 has waddled its way towards the top with comparative ease and at a very quick pace.

Its six-month or so release window has seen it land in third place behind unstoppable Frozen, and the fondly remembered The Lion King, with its worldwide take.

That’s a massive achievement for the Walt Disney Animation Studios film, but a welldeserved result for one of the best-looking animated films of recent years.

With its fusion of Japanese design and very American details, its animators created not only the most visually-detailed animated world the studio have yet created, but also developed some cutting edge lighting and software programs.

Their next film should be even more visually stunning, and well worth catching.

A night for the underdog at annual awards

THERE aren’t many littleknown actors who could beat Hollywood and TV heavyhitter Kevin Spacey to win a best performance award, but that’s exactly what happened at the annual Bafta Gaming Awards, which have just been held.

I’ll return to Spacey later, but for now, the 2015 British Academy Game Awards threw up some surprises across the wideranging awards, which took in everything from the usual main categories (Best Game, Best Audio) to more esoteric topics (Artistic Achievement).

Let’s look at a few of the categories ...

With enormous amounts of people still insisting that they’re not gamers and don’t have any interest in games – before quietly playing the likes of Bubble Witch 2 on the bus/Luas home – the win for (best) Mobile and Handheld saw IOS/ Android title Monument Valley add yet another top

 shane dillon

sdillon@dublingazette.com

international award to its already sizable haul.

Mobile gaming saw further huge advances during 2014, with mobile gaming becoming ever more pervasive and creeping further into mainstream media – even President Underwood plays Monument Valley in the American remake of House of Cards (see pic, right) – so it was perhaps fitting that one of the finest and best known examples of mobile, tactile gaming took the top title.

Speaking of President Underwood – or Kevin Spacey – he faced stiff competition in the Baftas’ Performer category, where his much-hyped role in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare saw

him square up to some gaming heavyweights, such as Troy Baker, one of the best-known and most skilled gaming voices on the planet.

However, they were both defeated by outside bet Ashley Johnson, who, as teenage heroine Ellie in the marvellous The Last Of Us, helped to create a character that would be outstanding in any media platform, not just gaming.

With The Great War returning to public interest in the past couple of years, it was perhaps fitting that a puzzle adventure title set during World War One scooped Original Property.

It provided some real food for thought for the experiences of those on all sides during that war, Another surprise on the night was the comparative lack of success for Alien: Isolation; the night’s overall favourite at the awards, yet in the end it “only” won Audio

The team behind smash-hit Monument Valley were celebrating winning the Bafta in the Mobile and Handheld category – a game which even fellow Bafta gaming nominee Kevin Spacey plays in UV hit House of Cards (below). Main pic: Bafta

Achievement.

As someone who’s spent upwards of 15 minutes at a time hiding inside lockers or under tables in the game, listening to ... something crawling in the air vents outside the room, I can certainly vouch for its brilliantly unsettling use of audio, but unfortunately it didn’t win in its nominated Bafta categories.

Indeed, there was something of an underdog feel to this year’s Baftas, with “smaller” titles beating much bigger ones in a variety of categories. The latest Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed, Fifa and Horza Horizon releases were all defeated by lesser-known

titles in their respective categories, while Johnson’s win – against Spacey and Baker – was also unexpected, if richly deserved.

With these nominations and wins, it was clear that despite some severe turbulence during 2014.

The year saw the shuttering of several wellknown development studios, controversies over

underperforming Kickstarter-funded titles, some notable financial losses at major companies, and the industry’s usual spats and collapsed deals – still, gaming is still on the rise.

With the newer consoles now up and running, and some big games and exciting developments on the way in 2015, next year’s Baftas should be even more interesting ...

Android offers users Lollipop, but KitKat may still be sweeter FOR some time now, Android has been rolling out its latest OS update, Android 5.0, or Lollipop, in keeping with its naming conventions of picking sweet titles, with Lollipop succeeding KitKat. While Android is normally pretty good at global updates, Lollipop has been a little slow to roll out, having been available in India for several months now, yet only reaching our shores recently, for example.

Lollipop 5.0 promised users a wide range of upgrades and boosts; some of which are cosmetic – such as its slicker-looking, more swipe-friendly interface – while others are designed at integrating features better, streamlining some internal routines,

and extending battery life, amongst some features.

So, Android users should keep an eye out for news of the update’s availability on their chosen platform and device. And now a note of warning.

While users have been delighted with Lollipop, complaints about it are also emerging, too, with some who’ve upgraded to 5.0 highlighting subsequent complaints, from the trivial to the serious.

I can attest to that – last week, when prompted, I updated Android on my great budget smartphone, the surprisingly powerful and fast Moto G (first gen).

However, after updating from KitKat to Lollipop, my previously terrific phone has turned into a

barely usable device – one that’s endlessly prone to freezing, crashing and reboots, and creating huge personal frustration and annoyance – mine – making my phone now about as useful as a brick.

As such, with rumours of Android 5.01 being on the way soon – presumably, patching some of the problems that people have reported – it could be best to hold off on automatically updating from Android KitKat just yet.

After all, you wouldn’t want Lollipop to leave you with a sour taste...

19 March 2015 gazette 25

Gazette

CINEMA REELINGTHEMIN focus

Just about worth a look

chappie

Run, robot, run ...

ROBOTS take centrestage in a “family” with a difference in Chappie (Cert 15A, 120 mins), which sees the director of the brilliant District 9 (and the not so good Elysium) return with another sci-fi driven tale.

Here, the star is Chappie – an increasingly self-aware robot who one group of people are trying to protect, and another group are trying to destroy, in a film that doesn’t quite work.

Penn is great as ever, but despite the popularity of “ageing action hero” films a la Taken, this one isn’t a winner

the gunman: takes aim at too many genre points

Misses the target  dave phillips

WITH a career full of intense, left of centre performances, The Gunman sees Penn take an unusual turn, picking up the mantle of a middleaged action hero.

In much the same vein as Taken, The Gunman bases itself around that popular masculine myth wherein an ageing and dormant killing machine has a long buried murky past that’s suddenly reactivated.

Jim Terrier is the exkilling machine in question. Terrier’s murky past involves some assassination and espionage in the Democratic Republic of Congo – a mission which caused him to go on the run, abandoning his colleagues and love interest, Annie (Jasmine Trinca).

Fast forward eight years, and Terrier is back

in the DRC, this time with clean hands as part of a humanitarian mission. An attempt on his life makes him realise his past will continue to haunt him.

We then zip between Africa, London, and Barcelona as Terrier tries to sniff out exactly who is trying to take him out ...

Despite an exceptionally impressive supporting cast (Javier Bardem, Idris Elba, Ray Winstone, and Mark Rylance) there’s more ham and cheese on display here than a wellstocked deli – and that includes Penn too.

Sometimes, earnest attempts to bring more depth to a role can backfire and simply highlight the flimsiness of the affair.

As director, Pierre Morel is just as guilty of this. Interspersing the film with actual footage of violence and poverty

in the DRC, and with some subversive narrative undertones that point out the shady connections between businesses and governments, The Gunman tries at several points to escape its action film pigeon hole.

The attempts remain unconvincing – a thin cerebral veneer cannot hide the fact that it is all muscle underneath.

Perhaps the epitome of this is Terrier’s struggle with PTSD – a contrived plot device that effectively means a propensity for the camera to go blurry and cause him to drop his gun at just about every crucial moment.

It is quite unfortunate that the film takes itself so seriously because beneath the austere exterior there is some exciting action.

Penn may overplay his stern face, but there is no denying he is more

than physically capable of delivering the action hero role.

In the moments when it does come to life, the set pieces in The Gunman are vibrant, violent, and bone-shatteringly visceral.

A little of the genreawareness that is lacking throughout creeps in at the film’s finale, where Morel sets up a gloriously OTT face-off in a bullring.

Aside from providing a satisfying pay-off, it displays an indulgent and cartoonish attitude to the action that, had it been embraced throughout, would have undoubtedly made for a much stronger film.

It’s enjoyable on some level, but The Gunman provides more misses than hits.

Verdict: 5/10

WILL Smith (below) returns with Focus (Cert 15A, 105 mins), in a film that’s overblown, but has some undeniable screen chemistry between him and co-star Margot Robbie.

We’re on familiar ground here with a tale of a master con artist (Smith) crossing paths with an up-andcoming wannabe (Robbie).

However, who’s conning who? The plot loses its way halfway through, but the pair impress.

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28 Gazette 19 March 2015

SPORT

FastSport St Pat’s to run Penalty king competition: ST PATRICK’S Athletic will host an inaugural penalty king competition for Dublin schools. The competition is designed to find the best penalty taker among the secondary schools soccer players in Dublin.

The first competition will involve six invited schools and is open to all secondary level pupils to enter.

Each school will first run its own internal Penalty King competition. Then the six school champions will advance to the semifinals which will take place at the half-time interval of an important league game at Richmond Park.

The winner will receive two season tickets for St Pat’s plus the opportunity for their school team to play any of their own league or cup games at the home of the Saints.

Pat’s midfielder Killian Brennan, the official penalty taker for St Patrick’s Athletic, said: “It’s a free kick from 12 yards out, how hard can it be?”

cricket: lewis, little, garth and grassi set for elevated training

Four Dubs added to academy  sport@dublingazette.com

PE M BR OK E ’ S K i m Garth and Josh Little, YMCA’s Gaby Lewis and Nor th County’s Jamie Grassi are among eight additions to the Shapoorji Pallonji

Cricket Ireland academy.

The new inductees will join the existing 22 academy members as part of the pathway for the next generation of Irish cricketers as they look to continue the

improvements on the world stage.

Lewis, aged just 14, last year became the youngest player to represent Ireland when she lined out for the senior side in the 2014 ICC European Champion-

The Shapoorji Pallonji Irish cricket academy was launched last September

YMCA’s Gaby Lewis receiving her first international cap from Trent Johnston

ships in the UK. She will be joined by promising North County batsman Jamie Grassi who was the stand-out performer with the bat for Ireland Under-15s in 2014, whom he helped to victory in the European Championship as Ireland completed a clean sweep across all European competitions.

The National Academy players are under the stewardship of academy manager Craig Hogan, who said of the latest batch.

“Over the past 12 months since the inauguration of the national academy, performance coach Ryan Eagleson and the Cricket Ireland coaches have been iden-

tifying young cricketers who have demonstrated the ability, attitude and desire to learn and be challenged.

“With the suppor t from Shapoorji Pallonji [who have recently invested heavily in the academy] these young players have a unique opportunity to develop as people through a programme that we trust produces future Ireland international cricketers. It is ver y exciting for the players and coaching staff.”

Commenting on the new intake, Cricket Ireland performance director Richard Holdsworth outlined that the academy would play a key role in the future of Irish cricket on the

international stage. ”T he Ireland senior squad is putting in some excellent performances at the ICC Cricket World Cup, but we are not resting on our laurels.

“Of that squad, seven of the players are aged 24 or under which shows the future of Irish cricket is looking really strong.

“Hopefully we will soon see some of our academy players taking the step up to the senior set-up in all formats as we plan for the possibility of playing test cricket, for playing more ODIs as part of ICC’s 12-team rankings table, and for qualification to WorldT20 events in 2016 and 2020.”

Woods motivated by selection for Luxembourg trip  sport@dublingazette.com

DCU’s Sarah Woods

DCU Mercy’s Sarah Woods is looking forward to representing Basketball Ireland’s women’s select team following a superb year with her club.

She has been named in the panel from the Women’s Premier to travel to Luxembourg in May to take on a number of international sides preparing for FIBA Eurobasket 2017, including Luxembourg and Scotland.

This isn’t the first time the Women’s National League

has been represented. An Irish ladies Superleague select squad travelled to Luxembourg in 2013.

A member of the squad back in 2013, Woods added that her inclusion would provide huge motivation for the coming months.

“Going to Luxembourg was huge in terms of having something else to train for,” she said.

“There are plenty of players who don’t have playoffs to look forward to and now everyone has something to focus on. It

can be easy to go through the motions sometimes when you don’t have something to aim for.

“This will help players to compare themselves against the best in other countries in order to develop.

“I learned from that trip just how much work I had to do to be a better player,” she continued.

“They have a lot more of a running game in Europe and it’s a different level of fitness.

We don’t see a lot of that in Ireland and you need those

oppor tunities in order to improve.”

Captain of the squad back in 2013 Aoife McDermott added: “It’s great to be able to play against people you’re normally up against. It’s about the quality of the training and going hard in practice as much as going out there.

“That’s what makes you better. I hope the best of the best go for it. It’s a huge honour.

A squad of 12 players as well as management will fly to Luxembourg on May 22, playing three games over four days.

19 March 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

The Coach House’s active approach

ken’sDiary

Antonio Mantero is set to combine his coaching knowledge and experience to provide a unique after-school option that looks to get kids more active, writes Stephen Findlater THE BRAINS behind The Coach Diary (www. thecoachdiar y.com) , Antonio Mantero, is in the midst of setting up a new venture to get kids away from the television and on the road to a more active life.

Along with Robert Ryan, Mantero has recently developed The Coach House, a unique facility in the Rosemount Business Park in Dublin 15, an “after-school development centre” for kids aged five to 12.

The genesis came from his own experiences and his belief that, if we want children to be active for life, they need to develop movement skills at a young age.

“My daughter goes to an after school and the lady that runs it is fantastic,” he told GazetteSport.

“But, anytime I go to pick her up, there could be 15 to 20 kids watching a television, some are on their

touch screens. They aren’t really interacting and are all sitting down.

“Kids just aren’t moving enough. From the minute they wake up, they’re sitting. Sitting in the car; sitting in the classroom.

Some schools don’t allow kids to run anymore so have to stay in a small space.

“Fingal County Council were going into schools and giving exercise that kids can do in small spaces; it’s quite progressive by them but kids need to move to burn energy and improve themselves.”

To t h i s e n d , h e is launching a new approach to after-school centres which provide a work space for children to complete their homework before taking part in an hour of activity.

For this, the Coach House has a unique indoor Astroturf pitch where kids can take part in all-manner of activities

from football, volleyball, basketball to table-tennis and snag-golf – a sport played with soft balls and Velcro targets.

Television is out as are touch-screen tablets and phones are also left aside.

The emphasis is on developing children through play, both from providing the building blocks to movement, balance and core strength but also from the social interaction side.

Mantero’s background is initially as a PE teacher before getting involved in coaching six years ago. Quickly hooked, he started to educate himself to be “the best coach he can be”, rising to UEFA B standard.

That journey has seen him bring over coaches from Barcelona to Dublin for hugely successful workshops with as many as 250 coaches, working to raise the knowledge base of coaches within the

The unique astroturf play area at the Coach House in Dublin 15 where Antonio Mantero is looking to provide an active after school area for kids

NDSL and beyond.

The Coach House takes up some of the principles from Barca as well as Sporting Lisbon.

“European football clubs, in terms of how they educate children – it’s very much playercentred. It’s not all about winning although they do

for kids to do lots of different sports to develop their movement, co-ordination and balance.”

The Coach House will open fully next September for after-school sessions while they will have their first Easter camps in the coming weeks. At all times, the emphasis is on

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

‘From research, we know it is better for kids to do lots of different sports to develop movement and balance’

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

give the kids the tools to prepare them to win.

“I would look at a lot of what they do. They work with them in different areas, doing judo and yoga while education is the most important thing, like any kid involved in sport.

“My background would be soccer specific but this would be about introducing kids to all sorts of sports. Basketball, tabletennis, uni-hockey and so on; kids circuit-training for their core and even meditation.

“It is just to open them up to lots of things to maybe focus on sport in the future. It is very hard for parents to bring their kids around to lots of different sports and so they can tend to push them only into one. “ We k n ow, f r o m research, that it is better

creativity and exercise.

“This is about trying to get them up and moving.

They will move when they get here.

“We will do an hour of rigorous exercise every day; there will be a programme.

“But, if they are already active, there is no point in me disturbing them and messing up their games if they are being creative and imaginative which is also really important to help build their self esteem.

“When the child leaves here at 7pm, they will be tired, have their homework done and will have eaten a snack. That’s the aim, that the child will be tired and have got their exercise in.

“It is all about play and learning something every single day and preparing for life.”

Free For All as Ken makes high pace split from pack Olympic silver medallist and Irish boxing legend Ken Egan is to take part in this year’s Laurels Charity Crew Cycle from Galway to Dublin on April 19. In the run-up to the event, Egan has partnered with Gazette Sport to document his preparation for the big day, and here is his latest report from the road.

WELL, the headline for this week’s piece is “Free For All”.

We began again at the Laurels this time at the earlier time of 9.30am as the wether has picked up.

Saggart, Slade Valley, was the first hill and it would certainly put hairs on your chest. There were 30 bodies this morning at the start but not all 30 got to the top of Slade Valley as the remainder continued on towards Blessington.

The weather was perfect and I had filled my engine with a massive bowl of porridge this morning; I was going to make a statement.

We cycled through Blessington and on towards Naas where we took a quick pitstop.

We must be six weeks in as far as training is concerned and there were some new faces on the cycle so 100km on their debut was not an easy feat.

Kilcock was approaching and there was a break in the group; this was new to me. Six of us decided to motor on as we had a target to get back for the rugby match at 2.30pm.

The famous six picked up the pace and went on up through Celbridge and towards Newcastle and up to Rathcoole, down past Saggart and off to the Laurels once again. I covered 96km.

I picked up my sponsor card there on arrival so, people, if you see anyone with this type of card similar to mine, please donate because we are actually working hard for this charity.

Training for Galway to Dublin is truly on.

Watch out!

Gazette

30 CLONDALKIN gazette 19 March 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: after seven promotions, celtic push for inter

Clon’s second string into Towns quarters CLONDALKIN’S seconds reached the quarter finals of the Towns Cup in emphatic fashion with a 45-13 win over Naas last in Gordon Park.

Last year’s beaten finalists were up against a heavyweight Naas forward unit but fought hard to deliver some quality ball to a backline which inflicted serious damage on the scoreboard.

Dara Ward and Podge Murphy scored a brace each and Dave Gaule, Steve Costello and John Murphy all went over the whitewash in what was the seconds best performance of the season, coming just five days after putting Balbriggan to the sword in the first round replay.

The quarter final tie draw pits Clondalkin against Carlow and will be played in Clondalkin on Sunday, March 29.

It is part of a series of big days coming up in the club over the next week.

On Saturday at midday, Clondalkin’s fourths take on DLSP for the Metro Division 11 title. Never having won a Leinster Metro title, there is an extra incentive to win for Clon as the cup on offer is named after Chris Stapleton, a stalwart of the club, father of Eamonn and John, grandfather of Matt.

Clon were unlucky last year in their attempts to claim the trophy, losing out to a strong Kilkenny side in the final. But Brendan Ward’s men have built up a head of steam over the past three months and are determined to finish out this league campaign with the top honours.

The following day, Clondalkin firsts are in new territory when they take on Tullamore in the quarter finals of the Provincial Towns Cup. This is the 90th running of the Towns Cup, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, and on offer for the winner is one of the oldest trophies in Irish rugby, dating all the way back to 1889.

The club are encouraging all members and anyone who would like to see what club rugby is all about to get up and give Clondalkin their full support as they seek to continue their strong finish to the season and claim a semi-final spot.

Kick off is at 3pm in Gordon Park.

The Clondalkin Celtic side that won the Noel Ryan Cup last season

Clondalkin’s Sunday switch  nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

CLONDALKIN Celtic will be hoping that from next season onwards, Sundays will be “easy like Saturday mornings”.

After seven promotions in a row, winning the Noel Ryan Cup last season and claiming a number of major scalps in this season’s FAI Junior Cup, the Dublin 22 side are finally making the move to LSL Sunday football.

Celts manager Gavin Fleming delivered the news this week after the decision was made, finally answering the question of

when, rather than if, the move to Sunday football was going to happen for Clondalkin.

Many of the junior football community in Dublin have been left impressed, or cursing in many cases, this Clondalkin side’s ability on the pitch and switching from Saturday to Sunday seems to make sense for a side which should surely be cracking intermediate football before long.

Speaking to GazetteSport, Fleming said: “I think it just makes sense to go Sunday at that this stage.

“I mean we’ve been

castle barred Nolan strike not enough for Peamount United PEAMOUNT United’s Emma Byrne battles

for possession with Emma Hansberry, Castlebar Celtic, in last weekend’s Continental Tyres Women’s National League tie in Celtic Park, Castlebar.

Hayley Nolan’s second half goal for the Peas proved not enough, though, as Castlebar held on for a 2-1 win to take the spoils from the tie.

Picture: Pat Murphy/Sportsfile

promoted seven years in a row now and I don’t think we’ll ever get the recognition we deserve playing Saturday football, although we are getting a lot of Sunday opposition players facing us every week for clubs’ Saturday sides.

“For example, we’ve had six games called off this season and the six times the pitches we were supposed to play on have been private grounds belonging to opposition which were said to be unplayable.

“On some occasions, I’ve personally gone and checked those pitches

and they have been fine and it’s more or less once sides don’t have the availability of their Sunday players they don’t want to play us.”

On how the LSL have reacted to their wish to play on Sunday from the 2015-16 season onwards, Fleming was pleased with the reaction from both the league and the FAI. “The wheels are in motion to say the least.

The LSL have been speaking very highly of us recently, saying how well we’re doing in our cup runs. Especially winning the Noel Ryan Cup last year, which is from

the top Saturday division down, which means we were four leagues off the top teams in that last year and won it without conceding a goal.”

On where exactly Clondalkin will start their life in Sunday football, Fleming is unsure, but hopeful the club can begin as high as possible.

“I don’t think we’ll be put down in the lower divisions,” he said. “But we’re realistic too, we don’t expect to be placed in intermediate football straight away, we don’t even have a private ground but ultimately that will be the goal.”

19 March 2015 CLONDALKIN gazette 31

Gazette

Delany heroics inspires junior success  sport@dublingazette.com

ROUND Tower’s junior hurlers picked off a fine 3-13 to 2-10 win over Raheny in St Anne’s Park last Sunday to start the season in positive fashion in AHL Division 9.

The side lined out 19 players, thanks in no small part to the

persuasive powers of Fergal McDonagh, giving the side a big boost for what proved to be a tricky tie.

With a mixture of young players such as Darren Gilligan to more experienced campaigners like Connie Ryan the team had a balanced look to it from the start.

P l ay i n g a g a i n s t a strong wind in the first half, Tower’s goalkeeper John Delany very much kept his team in it while the forwards managed to get a few opportunist scores.

At half time, they trailed by 1-9 to 2-3.

The second half was one-way traffic as they piled on the scores with

Niall Corless in particular putting in a storming second half.

Despite the concession of 1-1 in the last few minutes, the Clondalkin club finished with a sixpoint victory.

Overall, it was a very positive star t to the league campaign with a good team performance all round.

hurling: clondalkin club start season in style

Club Noticeboard round tower, clondalkin A VERY good weekend for our adult

excellent party packages for celebra-

teams on the playing pitches. The sen-

tory functions. Packages provide for

ior hurlers defeated Thomas Davis in

no extra cost cake, balloons and deco-

their league opener, the junior hurlers

rations.

won their league clash against Raheny

We can also provide DJ and hot food.

and the minors defeated Naomh Fion-

Enquiries to Jimmy at 087 7453478. We

nbarra away from home in their league

ask members to advise anyone con-

match.

sidering a function to alert them to

Our senior and intermediate foot-

club as an excellent venue.

ballers require general logistical

Round Tower lotto draw, March 9.

match day assistance. Should you be

The jackpot was €10,000 and numbers

in a position to support, please con-

drawn were 5, 7, 18 and 19, the bonus

tact secretary Martin Ryan at 087

ball was 4. There was no overall winner

6741407. Assistance would be much

and no bonus ball winner; three €100

appreciated.

winners: Jem Morley, Mary Dardis and

Membership is now due for renewal

Rob Doyle.

and new members are welcome. It’s

The club lotto is a crucial fundraiser

easy to register online and takes just

and it’s very easy to support it. Play

a few moments - visit www.round-

online at www.roundtower.ie.

tower.ie. Alternatively you can pay in the club.

Again, we are spreading the words that we want new kids involved in the

Round Tower’s Easter camp will take

nursery! It takes place every Satur-

place Monday, March 30 to Thurs-

day morning at Collinstown College at

day, April 2. Aimed at boys and girls

present from 10am to 11.30am.

aged four to 12, it will run 10am to 2pm (1.30pm on Thursday).

Fun activities based around Gaelic

Open to four- to seven-year-olds who want to learn the skills of GAA in a fun environment.

Games will be hosted throughout the

Spread the word and contact club

week and the fee is €40. Contact James

GPO James Glancy at 086 4982561 if you

at 086 4082561 or Catherine at 086

want further information.

8303207 for further details.

Here’s a date for your diary. The bril-

You can register at the nursery this

liantly talented, US-based Brendan’s

coming Saturday (10-11.30am) or with

Voyage will visit Round Tower during

Betty Ward at Monastery Road.

its forthcoming Irish tour.

Round Tower is registered with Topaz

They will perform in the club on Sat-

Finn and Darbey light up strong Tower’s win

for its cash for club initiative and we

urday, April 18 from 8.30pm and then

ask people purchasing petrol to be

Sunday, April 19 from 5-8pm. Tickets

mindful of our registration number:

are priced at €5 and are available from

10525.

Sally Gilligan who can be contacted at

ahl division 3

mit it to info@roundtower.ie.

Round Tower began their season with a strong win over Thomas Davis last weekend

Round Tower 1-13 Thomas Davis 0-11  michael mcglynn sport@dublingazette.com

ROUND Tower got off to a winning start in AHL3 with excellent point scoring and a decisive strike by goal-getter Eric Finn enough to see off local rivals Thomas Davis Tower’s showed they had missed being out of the third tier, starting with great urgency. The game was a just minute in when Paidi Stapleton struck a point from the half-forwards and Jack Whelan then scored from the left

sideline.

Davis almost netted with their first attack but the strike went beyond the right post of keeper Fergal McDonagh.

Stapleton, in the half forwards, was stamping his authority on the game and, seizing upon a puckout, he pointed from distance. Davis pointed their first on 10 minutes before Alex Darbey registered his first from a tight angle on the left.

Eoin Walsh made a crucial interception with Davis forward but the visitors followed up well for a second point.

Centre-back Gar y

Quinlivan found Darbey in the corner and he found Eoin Moran to strike the fifth point for the home side. Darbey lined up a free but went short to Stapleton to create a 0-6 to 0-2 lead.

Davis tagged on two points before Stapleton again intervened, evading his marker from a Walsh sideline cut and driving over. Darbey struck a long-range free and then Finn sprung to life on 24 minutes.

He broke free on the 40 and struck powerfully beyond the keeper at his near post. Two minutes later, the goal was almost

replicated but the result was a Finn drive over the bar for a 1-9 to 0-5 lead.

The cushion was sufficient as the second half proved a more subdued affair. Brian McLaughlin registered a point on the run off his left and a pull back on Finn enabled Darbey to capitalise.

There was a 10 minute lull when Davis narrowed the deficit to five, 1-11 to 0-9, but an away success never looked likely.

Darbey extended the advantage to six and a brilliant piece of skill from Finn led to another free that Darbey pointed to ease them home.

With the new season underway, we

086 3741721.

are encouraging mentors to organise

Finally, are you on the Round Tower

team pictures for use on the website

mailing list? Receive clubnotes and

and for our records. A mentor or par-

details of club fixtures and news direct

ent with a camera or a decent phone

to your PC, laptop or phone.

camera can take a team pic and subRound Tower is delighted to offer

If you are not on the mailing, simply send your email address to info@ roundtower.ie for inclusion.

st pat’s palmerstown OUR U-9s footballers played Robert

three out of three, keep up the great

Emmett’s on Saturday, winning by

work girls.

a whopping 18 points. The future is bright.

An U-11 blitz took place and, although the weather was poor, the girls played two games, losing one and drawing another, but the effort was brilliant.

The U-12 camogie blitz on Saturday was held in St Anne’s GAA. It was a

The U-15 camogie side were away vs St Finian’s on Sunday; they stormed ahead in the first half and grabbed their third win.

Our senior hurlers suffered defeat at the hands of Balinteer St John’s losing by three points, unlucky lads. Our junior hurlers also lost; hard luck lads.

great success for the girls who worked

Lotto results this week: numbers for

hard as a team and enjoyed their day.

the first draw were 7, 15, 18, and 19. The

The U-14 camogie side were at home

second draw numbers were 23, 25, 28

on Saturday against Erin go Bragh in

and 30. There was no winner. Get your

their third league game with a brilliant

tickets this week and thank you very

win, keeping the opposition scoreless;

much for your support.

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

towering performance: Clondalkin club get season off to flying start with win over Davis P31

march 19-25, 2015

academy additions: Four Dubliners join Irish cricket’s elite group P28

The Liffey Valley Rangers side that will be looking to surprise East Wall Bessborough

Collinstown’s derby dream North Clondalkin clubs all set for big battles in the Leinster Junior Cup, hopeful that they can set up an enticing local derby in the semi-finals  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

IT MAY be the week of St Patrick’s Day but north Clondalkin may have its own mini parade this weekend if local football results go the right way on Friday and Saturday.

Three massive games kick-off in the space of 16 hours involving Collinstown FC’s Saturday and Sunday sides and Liffey Valley Rangers’ Saturday side which, if all go well, could see the week of our national holiday extended slightly longer on the Neilstown Road.

Friday night sees Collinstown’s first-team take on Willow Park from Athlone in the quarter-final of the Leinster Junior Cup. The Valley play in the

same stage of the same on Saturday afternoon when they host Town’s league rivals East Wall Bessborough while Collinstown’s Saturday side take to the AUL a little later in the final of the Paddy Cole Cup against Sheriff YC. Speaking to GazetteSport ahead of his side’s massive Friday night fixture, Kevin Carroll previewed the occasion for his side and his club.

“It’s a massive weekend for Collinstown Football Club.

“A quarter-final of the Leinster Junior Cup, and the final of the Paddy Cole Cup to follow, it’s massive. We’ve never won either of those cups, the furthest we’ve reached in the Leinster is this stage once before but to be beaten by Ballymun.

“It’s obviously a big game forWillow Park too, I’m sure their mindset is to come to Dublin and take back a win so I’m expecting a really tough test.”

Before the draw was made, many from both camps and neutrals in between from the area would have been dreaming about a local derby in the quarter-final, none more so than Carroll himself.

“Obviously we would have loved to draw Liffey Valley,” he said. “It’s a real local rivalry even though we haven’t played each other competitively yet. But they got East Wall who are a big, physical side who score a lot of their goals from set-pieces. It’ll be tough for a young, Valley Saturday side, it’s a step into the unknown for

them really but we all wish them luck.”

On the side they did draw, Willow Park, who are leading the Combined Counties Senior Division, Carroll is wary of the threats they will pose his Premier A outfit.

He said: “We know a bit about them from their history more than anything else. If you look back through the records of the Leinster Junior Cup they regularly reach the quarter-final, semifinal mark.

“They’ve won it before too so you have to respect that they are going to be a good side.

I’ve heard that they’re also a very good footballing side, with good quality in the side and they’ll be coming up here with intentions to win, no doubt about it.”