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July 3, 2014

Blackrock • Cornelscourt • Deansgrange • Dalkey • Glasthule • Monkstown • Glenageary

INSIDE: Beauty boutique Space NK takes up residence on Grafton Street P20

arrears: Noeline Blackwell advises those with mortgage repayment issues Page 6

What’s up? Free tours of Dalkey, that’s what!

Football: Feile joy for Foxrock Cabinteely Page 32

Sailing:

Local duo shine in European competition Page 30

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

Dalkey Castle residents keep a lookout as vistors arrive to experience 21st century technology interact with 15th century living at the castle and heritage Centre this summer. Travel back in time to the Murder Hole and a recreated medieval toilet! Actors from Deilg Inis Living History Theatre Company recreate past events before visitors return via the 21st century to browse an interactive timeline.

The free tours are on Monday and Thursday, from July 3 and September 4. Booking is advisable.

Council cuts costs on chamber revamp ‘It wouldn’t have been right to spend €1m at a time of austerity’

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain and Keith Bellew

DUN Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is getting a modest makeover at a cost of €59,000

to accommodate its additional 12 councillors, instead of a planned €1m new rooftop chamber.

The number of councillors has increased from 28 to 40 following local government

changes. A spokesperson for the council said work had already been carried out to accommodate the increase.

Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said: “It would not have been right to have

spent €1m during a time of austerity and business closures.

“The council recognised that fact.”

Story on Page 4

2 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3 July 2014

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Indpendent councillor Victor Boyhan is calling on his Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council colleagues to back a 15% property tax cut

Boyhan calls for 15% property tax decrease

A LOCAL councillor has called on his colleagues in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to commit to seeking a 15% reduction in the local property tax.

Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) has called on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County councillors to commit to cutting the local property tax (LPT).

He has written to Minister for the Environment and Local Government Phil Hogan seeking assurances regarding how much of the LPT will be invested in local government.

He said: “The council has the discretion to consider a cut in the LPT. “I am determined that commitments made by politicians in the recent council elections to cut this tax are honoured.

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

“I have written to Phil Hogan requesting him to confirm what percentage of the LPT collected from citizens of the county will be allocated to the council.

“T he Government cannot be allowed to renege on its promise to use 80% of the money generated through LPT in each county to fund local services.”

Cllr Boyhan said it was his understanding that the council was obliged to seek public submissions on the issue in mid-July and had to indicate to Revenue by September 30 its inten-

tion to cut the LPT. He said: “I intend to keep pursuing a 15% cut in the LPT on the top of the political agenda.”

In response to Cllr Boyhan’s statements, a spokesperson from the Department of the Environment said: “The Government is committed to the retention of 80% of monies collected.

“T he decis ion on whether to increase or decrease the property tax is a matter for each local authority.”

When asked if she would support a 15% reduction in the LAP, Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab) said: “Yes. All of the Labour group had that in our manifesto, so we would be in favour of that.

“But because we are not in the majority on Dun Laoghaire-Rath-

down County Council this year, hopefully the parties that have the majority: Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens will suppor t that.”

When asked about the Government’s promise to use use 80% of the money generated through LP T to fund local services, Cllr McCarthy said: “I certainly hope that is what would happen.

“When the property tax came out first we were led to believe that the takings from that would be given over to the county council for services.

“It’s something that we’re going to have to keep an eye on.

“We can’t allow the Government to roll back on that because that certainly would have been the understanding,

so we have to insist on that.

“I can only speak about Dun LaoghaireRathdow n County Council, but I think we need to look at this embargo about not hiring staff, or not being able to replace them.

“A lot of the work that needs to be done can’t be done, and it’s not always that the money isn’t there to do it, it’s that the council doesn’t have the manpower.

“The replies you get back from your council questions about a lot of schemes, in terms of roads or traffic in areas is: ‘Yes it needs to be done, but we don’t have the resources at this time to do it.’

“That doesn’t mean that they don’t have the money, and I think that needs to be looked at,” he added.

3 July 2014 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3

council Congrats to winning architects

alert: summer campaign to keep open spaces and parks clean

Councils join forces to combat dog fouling DUN LAOGHAIRERathdown County Council and the three other Dublin local authorities joined forces last week to launch a campaign to combat dog fouling on the beaches, parks and streets this summer.

T he summer campaign was launched in Newtownsmith, Dun Laoghaire, with council representatives, including Cathaoirleach Marie Baker (FG), in attendance.

The four local authorities will be working together to address the dog fouling problem which affects streets, parks and open spaces across Dublin city and county.

Cllr Baker said at the launch: “With the tour-

ist season upon us and schools getting their holidays, Dublin’s parks, beaches and open spaces are sure to be very busy.

This means it’s an ideal time to remind dog owners that they have an obligation to clean up after their dog.

Bin it

“We want everybody to enjoy the wonderful parks and open spaces Dublin has to offer over the summer so we’re reminding all dog owners to ‘Bin the Poo’. Your dog is your responsibility and not cleaning up after your dog is against the law.”

Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke (Ind), Mayor of Fingal Mags Murray (FF), and Mayor

NewPark camp: range of activities on offer

Summer fun keeps going  Ian Begley

DUE to popular demand, Newpark Sports Centre is running an additional eight weeks of its fun filled summer camp.

The camp, which runs until August 22, assures that children who attend will learn new skills, make new friends, and discover and grow with their highly trained and skilled instructors, who work with children in a professional, fun and safe approach.

All the camp leaders are Garda vetted and the child-to-leader ratio is low so that each child gets the best experience possible, according to the organisers.

Newpark said team leaders focus on chil-

dren’s individuality, “endeavouring to include all children of all abilities.”

The camp caters for children aged from three to 14 years.

The camp costs €90 for a five-day week or €75 for a four-day camp.

Camp will start at 9am and finish at 3pm.

The price can also be broken into a daily rate of €25 per day.

Children who sign up can expect to take part in a wide range of activities, including football, rugby, rounders, dodge ball, theatre, drama, dance, gymnastics, team building, baking, arts and crafts, volleyball.

Call in to the centre to book your children’s places or phone 01 2883720.

of South Dublin Fintan Warfield (SF) were also at the launch.

The campaign will involve Bin the Poo signs erected in public spaces being around Dublin city and county. The signs highlight the responsibility of dog owners to clean up after their dogs. The four authorities expect to erect 3,000 signs over the course of the year.

Each local authority will also broadcast an audio message at two public locations asking dog owners to dispose of their dog waste responsibly. The audio message has been piloted successfully by Fingal County Council.

The new anti-fouling signage can be viewed on www.dlrcoco.ie.

Lifesavers: Lifeboat charity salutes its fleet of courageous volunteers three local volunteers were awarded at the RNLI’s annual

presentation of awards, which recently took place at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park. The RNLI’s Dun Laoghaire station volunteers Robert Fowler, Frank McLoughlin and Billy Scully were recognised at the ceremony, which coincided with the 190th anniversary of the charity that saves lives at sea and on inland waters. Sixty-one volunteers from across Ireland received an award for their role in raising funds and awareness of the RNLI. Robert received an inscribed statuette, Frank received a certificate of thanks and Billy received a silver badge. Picture: Margaret Brown

TWO buildings, designed by architects in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, have been honoured at this year’s Irish Architecture Awards held in Wood Quay on June 25. Council architects won the prestigious awards for Deansgrange P ublic Library and Sandycove Lifeguard Hit and Changing Shelter.

Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said: “Both projects are fully operational and have received very favourable responses from the general public, which is great.”

Rather than naming the architects involved, the council said: “We prefer to recognise the department itself as the winner and not to [single out] individuals themselves.”

4 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3 July 2014

chamber Councillors make do with meeting space revamp

Council refit set to cost modest €59k  bairbre Ni Bhraonain

and Keith Bellew

THERE will be no new chamber built for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, despite the number of elected representatives increasing from 28 to 40 and a provision of €1m. Instead, the existing chamber where councillors gather to hold their meetings each month, has been allocated a modest refit for €59,000.

According to the council: “Works were carried out to the existing council chamber in order to accommodate the increase in the number of elected mem-

bers – from 28 to 40.

The costs of these works are €59,000, inclusive of VAT.” When Minister for Local Government Phil Hogan announced that the number of DLR councillors would rise by 12, the council sought to build a new chamber to accommodate the increased numbers.

Last April, the council released plans for the construction of a new sky-room chamber within the existing structure of County Hall, which included inserting a floor in the central concourse area to create a chamber in the upper space, under the roof.

These plans proved contentious when put to public consultation in May. Former councillor and minister for education Niamh Bhreathnach said at the time that council management should not go ahead with the new chamber building.

She was of the opinion that enlarging the existing chamber should be considered instead of that.

Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said: “The council abandoned plans to fork out up to €1m for a new rooftop chamber, so the option to make modest changes to the existing

council chamber was agreed.”

“These changes cost less than €100,000 and included essential fire safety exits, electrical works and essential repairs and repainting.

“It would not have been right to have spent €1m during a time of austerity and business closures – the council recognised that fact.”

T hese works were absolutely necessary to facilitate 40 councillors – an increase of 12 as a result of Minister Phil Hogan’s reform measures.”

Cathaoirleach Marie Baker (FG) said: “We’ve taken the decision not

Council chamber is being adapted to cope with additional concillors.

to build a new chamber and we modelled the chamber we have to include the extra councillors.

“That involved a lot of wiring and things like that to make sure everyone has a microphone

and adding in an extra desk for the extra councillors – everybody else got bunched up.

“In compliance with health and safety regulation, we have to put in a second extra door to the room next door so

that in the event of an emergency, the chamber could be cleared safely.

“The total cost of that is €59,000, including cleaning up afterwards.

“So we’re not out here wasting money in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.”

3 July 2014 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5

faith Church elders objected to ecumenical activites applicant took part in

Religious minister withdraws as a candidate  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

REVEREND CHRIS Kennedy, minister of Dun Laoghaire Presby terian Church, has withdrawn his candidacy for the role of minister of First Portadown Presbyterian Church in Edenderry, after elders objected to his participation in ecumenical meetings.

He had been tipped as favourite to succeed Dr Stafford Carson, who is now principal of the Presbyterian Union Theological College in Belfast. Rev Kennedy was due to deliver a sample sermon that would act as the deciding factor in his candidacy.

Instead, he withdrew his application following a meeting with elders of the church

who objected to his ecumenical activities, that is activities with several Christian churches. The chief action in question featured Rev Kennedy joining Church of Ireland rector Rev Asa Bjork Olafsdottir and other clerics from several denominations, including Catholic and Methodist, for a walk of light event held in St Michael’s Roman Catho-

Crime: Judge refuses to adjourn

Businessman O’Brien set for sentence in July BUSINESSMAN Breifne O’Brien will be sentenced on July 30 on multiple charges of multi-million euro theft and deception.

O’Brien (52), Kilmore, Mo n k s t ow n G r ove , County Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 14 sample counts last month.

They included stealing money and dishonestly inducing people to invest in bogus shipping and insurance schemes; and bogus property schemes in Paris, Manchester and Hamburg on dates between 2003 and 2008.

O’Brien, whose family home is in Carrigrohane Castle, County Cork, had denied all charges, but changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to start.

Patrick McGrath SC, defending, asked Judge Patricia Ryan to adjourn sentencing to October saying there had been family difficulties. Judge Ryan refused and set July 30 for the sentencing hearing. She remanded O’Brien on continuing bail until then. The deception involved five

Breifne O’Brien has pleaded guilty to theft and deception. Picture: Mark Steadman/Photocall Ireland

victims: Martin O’Brien, Naas, County Kildare; Dubliners Pat Doyle and Evan Newell; Tipperary farmer Louis Dowley; and Daniel Maher, Foxrock, County Dublin.

The charges say about €4m was stolen from Dowley, with an address at Carrick-on-Suir, County Kilkenny. O’Brien also admitted deceiving Doyle and O’Brien of €500,000; Newell of about €3m; and Maher of €450,000.

The deception against Newell related to the sale of lands in Dunshaughlin, County Meath.

The offences took place at National Irish Bank in Stillorgan and Donny-

brook and Ulster Bank, Donnybrook. Counsel said O’Brien had no previous convictions.

In 2013, O’Brien lost a High Court judicial review challenge arguing he could not get a fair trial due to adverse publicity in the media. He appealed to the Supreme Court, which ruled the trial could proceed after June 2014.

He made a separate application to bring a fresh judicial review challenge, arising from a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning rights of detained persons to have solicitors present during interviews.

lic Church during a week of prayer for Christian unity in Dun Laoghaire.

Rev Kennedy talked to The Gazette about his withdrawal from candidacy as minister for First Portadown Presbyterian Church.

“A number of weeks ago I was approached by the convenor of the vacancy of First Portadown Presby terian

Church (Edenderry), to consider the possibility of becoming the minister in that congregation. After open and prayerful discussion with members of Edenderry, including the Kirk Session, and also with family, friends and colleagues, I withdrew my name as nominee for that charge. I continue to pray for the ongoing life and witness of the First Por-

tadown Presbyterian Church family and commend any who profess faith in Jesus Christ to do the same.”

The Edenderry elders have said they do not comment on what goes on in session meetings. The vacancy remains in the care of Rev Peter Gamble, minister of the Mall Presbyterian Church in Armagh and clerk of Armagh Presbytery.

6 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3 July 2014

advice Help is at hand for those with repayment issues

You can take action to tackle your mortgage difficulties Despite problems with short- or long-term arrears, Noeline Blackwell advises readers to explore several options to help resolve matters MORTGAGE arrears is a serious issue in today’s Ireland. Central Bank figures from March tell us that 132,217 homes are behind on their mortgage payments.

Wo r r y i n g l y, t h e number in longer-term arrears of two years and over continues to grow, standing now at 35,314 accounts – a 5% increase on the end of 2013.

The average arrears on these mortgages has risen to €46,100.

So, what can be done if I find myself in arrears or in danger of falling into arrears?

First, remember that the situation is not hopeless – certain protections are in place. An important tool for tackling mortgage arrears is the Central Bank’s Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA).

While it was revised in 2013 in a way that FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centre) believes weakened the borrower’s position, it remains useful for anyone facing mortgage arrears.

The code sets down the rules by which lenders deal with borrowers in difficulty.

One month after a mortgage payment is either fully or partially missed, the lender must write to the borrower informing him/her of the arrears, and enclosing a copy of the lender’s mortgage arrears resolution process (MARP) booklet.

The idea here is to resolve the problem without needing to resort to repossession, if possible. The borrower must then fill out a standard financial statement.

This will be used by your lender’s arrears support unit to see if alternative repayment options are available.

FLAC recommends strongly that you document every interaction with your lender throughout the process, putting everything in writing, if possible, but also noting any phone calls.

How do I make a standard financial statement?

This is a lengthy document stating your current financial position. You can seek help in making it from the State-funded Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).

This document must be up-to-date and accurate. Unless it truly reflects your financial situation, your lender may move to declare you as “not co-operating”, which may mean you are open to immediate repossession.

What alternative repayment options are out there?

According to the code, the lender must explore its opinions for an alternative repayment agreement, but it decides which options to offer you.

So, you should familiarise yourself with all options your lender pro-

vides – this information is in the MARP booklet.

Interest-only repayments, or less than interest-only payments, are a possibility for shorterterm arrears cases.

Alternatively, payment of capital and partial interest may also be available, but if the problem is more long-term, these may not be appropriate.

It may be helpful particularly for younger people in long-term mortgage arrears to extend the mor tgage term, which will allow you to reduce the mortgage payment.

You might be able to capitalise your arrears and interest; but such alternatives usually arise only when your capacity to pay has returned and the arrears are temporary. Another longerterm option is the split mortgage.

What is a split mortgage?

As these become more common, it is important to fully understand their implications.

A split mortgage is when a borrower remains in the family home and the existing mortgage is split into two separate parts.

Interest and capital is paid on the first part as normal, while the capital sum of the second part is set aside, or “warehoused” for a specified time.

Some lenders charge no interest on this “warehoused” portion,

Noeline Blackwell, FLAC: “The number in longer-term mortgage arrears of two years and over continues to grow, standing now at 35,314 accounts – a 5% increase on the end of 2013.” Picture: Derek Speirs

but others do – you must verify this with your own lender.

The idea behind a split mortgage deal is that your circumstances will improve to the extent that you will be able to pay off some of the “warehoused” capital, so that when it comes to paying the “balloon” payment, it will not be unmanageable.

But if interest is charged on the ware-

housed amount, this may mean the balloon payment at the end of the set term is too great, unless you have sufficient savings or income.

Clearly, you should seek legal and financial advice if offered such an arrangement.

This is effectively a new mortgage and there are important considerations, such as how other unsecured creditors are affected or the size of

your future household income.

You should note that there may be a remainder balloon payment owed to the lender at the end of your mortgage, so include this in your calculations.

Who can give me further advice?

FLAC has a lo-call telephone line offering basic legal information and referrals; we also

operate local advice centres where you can speak to a solicitor.

Both services are free and confidential.

You can also download our guide to the CCMA and other information on credit and debt from www.flac. ie.

Noeline Blackwell Director general, Free Legal Advice Centre

3 July 2014 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7

tenants Politicians differ on changes

Teddy Bears’ picnic is top draw on council calendar

Mixed reaction for new housing benefit  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

and Keith Bellew

IT IS planned that the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), which will replace rent supplement, will be rolled out nationally in January 2015.

T here has been a mixed reaction to the move among local politicians.

One advocate of the scheme is Cllr Lettie Mc Carthy (Lab): “This replaces rent supplement, which simply wasn’t working, especially in my GlencullenSandyford ward.

“The new HAP is a valuable reform, replacing rent supplement and allowing recipients to take up employment and keep their entitlement to the payment.

“Claims that tenants will no longer have any chance of accessing social housing are

simply untr ue. HAP recipients who seek to apply for social housing may transfer into a local authority house when a suitable proper ty becomes available.

“They will keep the previous position that they had on the main waiting list, and will have no less favourable terms than before, so it should be good news for many of my constituents.”

The payment will be managed by the local authority, and there will be an improved inspection system.

These will give more power to Dun Laoghaire R a t h d ow n h o u s i n g department and provide a better quality of accommodation standards.

However, Cllr Sorcha Nic Cormaic (SF) opposes the scheme: “The most serious problem with the Bill is that

BLACKROCK Park is hosting the ninth annual DLR events Teddy Bears’ Picnic between 1pm and 5pm on Sunday, July 6.

The picnic is one of the most popular events on the DLR events calendar and everyone is invited to bring their bears and blankets.

There will be free bear care and checkups from Doctor Ted and the Teddy Bears’ Hospital for minor repairs to give ailing teddy bears a new lease of life.

This year, the Teddy Bears’ Picnic incorporates National Play Day so there will be a DJ, face painting, bouncy castles and much more fun to enjoy.

Award winning garden takes root at local school

Protesters at the Dail demonstrate against the law that will see people on rent supplement moved to the Housing Assistance Payment. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall I

tenants in receipt of HAP will be considered to have been housed adequately and so they will be removed from the housing waiting lists and no longer considered to have a housing need.

“This means that tenants who are in HAP are confined to private rental for life unless they experience a dramatic change in their living standards, which either drives them out of their HAP home or allows them to purchase on the private market.

“Sinn Fein completely opposes this. HAP is not social housing. It is simply support and a subsidisation of the private market.”

Minister for Housing and Planning Jan

O’Sullivan dismissed these claims, saying: “Opposition claims that recipients of HAP will be excluded from moving to other forms of social housing – such as traditional local authority housing or units provided by approved housing bodies – are misleading and grossly inaccurate.

“The new system will specifically provide a route for HAP tenants to apply for other social housing options.

“HAP tenants will exercise this option through inclusion on a transfer list that allows tenants avail of a range of housing options.

“In allocation schemes adopted when HAP is in place, local authorities will make provision to allocate available units

Two men charged over robbery GARDAI in Blackrock are investigating the robbery of a service station on the Stillorgan Road in Blackrock on June 24.

The robbery took place at about 6.25pm when two men entered the service station, threatened staff and demanded money.

One raider was armed with what was believed to be a firearm and the other had a hammer.

FastNews

They left the scene in a car with a sum of cash.

No one was injured in the incident.

A short time later gardai from Blackrock arrested two men on the Lower Kilmacud Road.

A sum of cash was recovered by gardai.

The men were taken to Blackrock Garda station where they

were detained until their court appearances.

The first man, aged 46 years, was charged and appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Wednesday, June 25.

The second man appeared at Dun Laoghaire District Court on Thursday, June 26. He was also charged in relation to the incident.

to people on the transfer list.

“HAP tenants will have access to local authority housing or housing provided by AHBs.”

DUN LAOGHAIRE gardener Joan Mallon’s first solo garden Cape Cod Escape, which won a prestigious silver medal at Bloom, has been kindly donated and painstakingly moved in its entirety and replanted in Monkstown Educate Together National School.

The Cape Cod Escape concept was inspired by a trip to Boston and Cape Cod in June 2013.

Garden designer Mallon was captivated not just by the natural beauty of the region but by the distinctive and romantic gardening style.

Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) and Gary Graham, Bloom Show manager, officially launched the garden on Tuesday, June 24.

8 dun laoghaire gazette 3 July 2014

gazetteGALLERIES

The Edge, Salman Rushdie and Misey Brody. Pictures: Conor McCabe

a woRdy CELEBRATION: DALKEY BOOK FESTIVAL ATTRACTS TOP AUTHORS

T

HE fifth annual Dalkey Book Festival once again attracted a number of high-profile guests to give readings and presentations when it was held at a number of venues in the pretty village recently. Adding to the calibre of previous festivals’ guests, this year’s line-up included John Banville, Salman Rushdie, Kirsty Wark, Joseph O’Connor and John Waters, to name but a few of the top authors and well-known literary faces taking part. The event was another hit with local literati, adding another fascinating chapter to the young but dynamic festival’s story.

Author Salman Rushdie with the Jump to it ... Members of “The Belmont Gang” found the run to be an uplifting experience. Pictures: Margaret Brown

festival’s organiser, David McWilliams

Broadcasters Miriam O’Callaghan

Guest speaker advertising guru

(RTE) and Kirsty Wark (BBC)

Rory Sutherland

As participants raced around the course, they were Street entertainer Ken Cusack with Oscar and Oisin O Haimhargin

Jack and Isla Conlon

doused in coloured chalk, creating a vibrant spectacle

3 July 2014 dun laoghaire gazette 9

Audrey Dalton and Joanne O’Brien

Paul and Maeve O’Donnell

Marvan Santos

health: 5KM RAINBOW RUN CREATES COLOURFUL FUN

A technicolour triumph for all A

HORDE of colourful characters were easily observed running around Dun Laoghaire recently, as thousands took part in the 5km Rainbow Run under glorious sunshine.

In the style of similar and equally popular

events held all over the world, participants attended in pristine white T-shirts and clothing, but finished the race looking anything but plain, as they were doused in vibrant chalk paint at several stages along the route. Everyone was delighted to take part in the fun run.

Barry Kelly

Mary Mulpeter, Ambrose O’Toole and Sonia Hallinan

Anne-Marie Coffey (second-right) with Leona, Amy, Sarah, Alan and Niamh Campbell

Taylor Byrne

10 gazette 3 July 2014

gazette dream wedding Couple delighted at surprise news

The moving story of Coolock couple Helena Skelly and her fiancee, James Beatty, saw them presented with a package to help them get married in September. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

bride and Groom: lucan spa hotel comes up with special gift for terminally ill woman

Helena’s winning spirit rewarded  laura webb

A DUBLIN woman’s dying wish to marry the love of her life will come true now that a local hotel has given her a wedding package.

Helena Skelly (34) wants nothing more than to wed her fiancee, James Beatty (28), and the Lucan Spa Hotel is making that happen in September.

Her friend, Deborah Mur phy, nominated Helena for a €10,000 dream wedding competition organised by the hotel and Dublin Gazette Newspapers.

Helena then contacted the organisers to retell her harrowing story.

W hen she was 14 weeks pregnant, Helena learned she had breast cancer.

Six weeks later, she had a mastectomy and six weeks after that, she

started chemotherapy.

The only thing on her mind at the time was her baby and whether it would be okay. Thankfully, her “little miracle” was.

Helena said: “She came all the way through the treatment with me, and she came out perfect.

“My biggest worry was that the treatment would affect her in some way.

Thankfully, she is now six months old.

“A great big sister” “I have another daughter, Rebecca – she is 16 and is absolutely brilliant. I would be lost without her. She’s a great big sister,” she said.

Helena has been with James for the past three years, and she would be lost without him. It means everything to her to be able to marry him: “He is the man I never

thought I’d meet.”

James proposed last July with a heart-shaped cake, bearing the words: “I Love You, Will You Marry Me?” Helena laughed: “It was lovely to look at and even tastier to eat!”

After a rollercoaster year, she then learned that the cancer had spread. Helena is now terminally ill.

She said: “They can’t tell me how long I have.

They just say they’d give me treatment to prolong my life. It has spread to my bones, my liver and my spine.”

When she heard about the competition, she thought this might mean she could finally marry James – and she didn’t have to go through a competition to get her prize.

Instead, the Lucan Spa Hotel were so moved by her story they wanted to

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

‘Getting this wedding has helped take my mind off things by giving me something to focus on, and help me push through the bad days’ --------------------------

Helena Skelly

On the unexpected news that the Lucan Spa Hotel was giving her a wedding

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

package, Helena said: “They came to the hospital and told me. I was gobsmacked!”

help her.

“They came to the hospital and told me they were giving me a wedding. I was gobsmacked!

“I just started roaring crying. I couldn’t believe there were such good people out there who would actually do that for me. We’re getting

married on September 5,” she said.

“James is over the moon. I just want to thank ever yone who helped to make this happen, especially Claire from the Lucan Spa Hotel; she’s been great.

“Getting this wedding has helped take my mind off things by giving

me something to focus on, and help me push through the bad days,” said Helena.

One reason she wants to get married is to celebrate her life with James and her family.

“This wedding will help make a happy memory, and give them something to look back

on and remember forever,” she said.

Her dreams and aspirations for her children are summed up simply – be happy!

Helena said: “I just want them to fulfil their dreams and do everything they set out to do. I just want them to go out there and be happy.”

3 July 2014 Gazette 11

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

A DAY IN THE LIFE: Artist Lisa Young on teaching and creating art

what’son

Everyday issues are an inspiration  keith bellew

LISA YOUNG is an artist and also a ceramics lecturer in the National College of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited widely: in Ireland, England, Scotland, Belgium, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and the US. Lisa spoke to The Gazette recently and told us how she manages to slot the artistic process into her everyday life.

She said: “Because I teach as well I wouldn’t be working on art all the time. I would be working on commission during time-out from teaching and it’s very dependent on what commissions come in.

“I would work straight through days but if it happens when I’m teaching I would work very late in my studio into the early morning.”

She finds her work has slowed down in recent years, but at her busiest time when she was doing a lot of work for public buildings she said: “On one commission there would have been about a 12-month running time of designing and working with the architect, and then between six and nine months of working and installation. A

tours of abbey theatre on offer

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‘I can go for three or four days without really talking to anyone’

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whole project would have been spread over 18 months to two years.

“There have been occasions when I would have worked on two things at the one time. But I would try not to do that because the work I’d be doing would be quite big, well over three or four metres, and my studio wouldn’t have the space to work on two large projects.

“Sometimes, they have overlapped and I would have been working full time on that, teaching two days a week and then the other five days working full time on commissions.

“I really like teaching and communicating with people. It’s really good to have discussions about art work and working with students. When I’m in the studio I can go for three or four days without really talking to anyone, so I like coming to work.

“It’s almost like having a rest, and then I come back fresh to my work.

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Lisa Young is an artist and also a ceramics lecturer in the National College of Art and Design

When I come in to teach it’s really good because I shut off from the work I’m doing at home so it actually balances out quite well. It’s great talking to students, tossing ideas around.”

She says her work is inspired by: “Everyday issues, the environment around me. A body of work I produced a couple of years ago was based on the experiences of post-traumatic stress of Irish nurses after the first World War, that sprung out of a family interest.

“Somebody in my family was connected with nursing during the war.

That was exhibited in the Pearse Museum in Rathfarnam.”

When she wants to relax after a spell of hard work, she retreats to her garden: “I’m a garden person. That’s where I can switch off into something completely different. It’s very physical work as well and I quite like that.”

An exhibition of Lisa’s latest work will be held in early September at the NCAD Gallery, Thomas Street.

THE Abbey Theatre is one of the most historic institutions of its kind.

Ever since it was founded by William Butler Yeats, Edward Martyn and Lady Gregory over 100 years ago it has been home to some of the most interesting scenes in Irish theatre history, and not just on stage either! Riots occurred there following the production of John Millington Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World, and the building was besieged next day by people who hadn’t even seen the play and weren’t entirely sure why they were so angry! These same scenes were repeated years later following a staging of Sean O’Casey’s The Plough and the Stars.

The Abbey is now inviting theatre and history buffs alike to an exclusive insight into the history and behind-the-scenes work with guided backstage tours led by knowledgeable tour guides.

Tours, costing €6 to €8, are available until August 2, last for about an hour and 15 minutes and start from the theatre foyer at 4pm weekdays and 11.30am on Saturdays.

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12 Gazette 3 July 2014

dublinlife

feature

entrepreneur: Harry bidding to change how ict is taught in school

Teen targets coders of tomorrow A TEENAGE entrepreneur from Kildare is bound for great things as he tries to change how ICT (information and communications technology) is taught in Irish schools.

Harry McCann recently made a speech at the Future Creators showcase event in the National College of Art and Design and talked to interested young people about creating his

education-based company Kid Tech.

T h e 15 - y e a r- o l d has been coding since age 12 and set up Kid Tech in 2013, providing courses and workshops in computer game development, web design coding and programming.

McCann told the Gazette that speaking at the Future Creators event was a “fantastic experience”.

He said: “I spoke to some of Ireland’s great-

est and youngest curators and thinkers who are currently doing some fantastic work. I spoke to them about my experience with business and technology and passed on some of the tips and tricks that I’ve picked up over the past few months.”

McCann, who was a mentor in the CoderDojo - a volunteer-led, global movement of free coding clubs for young people, said he set up Kid Tech to teach chil-

dren IT-related courses.

“I wanted to set up a CoderDojo for a younger age group and decided to set up Kid Tech.

We write unique courses from app development to web and game design in a fun, learning environment. We also encourage the use of every bit of technology at hand, whether it be through an iPod, phone, computer or tablet.

“We’ve received the backing support of Vivid Ad, the online advertising company; Norah Casey, former dragon on Dragon’s Den; Blackberry and British actor Stephen Fry.

“We have a premises in Clane, Kildare, and run 10-week courses. I teach there along with other like-minded teenagers my age.

“In the first five weeks we mentor the kids and teach them what they need to know, and in the next few weeks they come up with a product, whether it’s an app, website or computer game,” he said.

McCann believes a stronger emphasis is needed on how ICT is taught in Irish schools and he is confident that the Department of Education will reform the subject in the new Junior Certificate curriculum.

Teenage entrepreneur Harry McCann, from Clane, Co Kildare has been coding since age 12 and set up Kid Tech in 2013

He said: “I think it’s quite a poor system that is in place at the moment. I’ve yet to see how the new Junior Certificate looks on IT, but if it’s anything like the last one it would be extremely disappoint-

ing.

“I have good faith that the current Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn and Minister for Training and Skills Ciaran Cannon will put together a better course than is there now.”

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3 July 2014 GAZETTE 13

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

Posh Puppies

Summer of Flavour at Marks & Spencer Summer of Flavour at Marks & Spencer is all about bringing a host of fantastic ingredients and flavour combinations to life.

Our developers have travelled the globe, taking in bars, restaurant and street food stalls in Chicago, San Francisco, Mexico City, Tel Aviv and beyond, to deliver the most exciting range of summer foods so far.

For those looking to surprise and delight friends and family, we have introduced new fruit flavours such as yuzu, calamansi and hibiscus, as well as some delicious savoury flavours too, like za’tar, achitote and ras el hanout.

The aim this summer is to bring something new to classic favourites by using new cooking techniques, marinades and dressings.

For example chicken wings have added zing thanks to the inclusion of Mexican tequila and Sancho pepper and a

recipe, it’s perfect served with salad in a warm pitta and we think it’s one that even hardened carnivores will adore!

Highlights from the Summer of Flavour range include: The Chilli Cheese Posh Puppies (€6.49) Mini versions of our famous Posh Dogs, American inspired smokey hot dog-style British pork sausages

Edgy Veggie Burgers classic cream cheese has been given a modern kick thanks to added wasabi.

We’ve also created some great new gluten free foods for summer, including a quiche Lorraine and scotch egg as well as our first ever gluten free beers.

For those looking for healthier options this

summer, there are some new additions to our Eat Well range. This includes a range of savoury snacks featuring beetroot balsamic vinaigrette crisps, apple crisps and soy seed & nut mix.

And for those looking for a meat-free option, we think we’ve created the best veggie burger yet. Made to a top secret

Edgy Veggie Burgers (€5.19) With harissa, ras el hanout spices and a cucumber and mint yogurt dressing.

Ancho Chilli Chicken Wings (€3.89) Classic Mexican pairing of smokey marinade with refreshing lime flavours.

Please see in-store for more details

Ancho Chilli Chicken Wings

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

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14 Gazette 3 July 2014

dublinlife

diary

The curious case of the missing size 8s IT WAS A case of red alert at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport earlier this week after Minister Leo Varadkar’s assistant was found to be shoeless. An all-points bulletin was put out on a pair of black, size 8 Clarkes, and the Minister took to Twitter to alert

his 7,000 followers to form a search party and comb the Navan Road for the lost loafers.

H e t we e t e d : “ My assistant lost their shoes cycling in from Navan Road. If anyone finds a pair of black men’s shoes – please advise.”

The items seem to have

vanished without trace and Minister Varadkar must surely be kicking himself for not using his considerable influence to close off all roads leading from the area (he is Transport Minister after all!).

Can we expect a collection to be called for at the

office to provide the hapless assistant with a new pair of Clarkes? Want to donate? Feel free to send your offering to 37A Main Street, Ongar, Dublin 15 or 44 Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Get to work! big brother bob will be watching you …

A REVOLUTIONARY progression in office security may well prove George Orwell right in his predictions of 1984, albeit 30 years off time.

Big Brother is watching, and his name is Bob. Bob is a new droid that has been tested in the office of G4S Technology in Tewkesbury in the UK, using scanners and cameras to monitor what goes on in the office, storing any incidents to its hard drive before reporting it to the Thought Police… sorry, office bosses.

Big Brother Bob is being tested as part of a €9m Birmingham University project to see how robots work in the office.

The 6ft droid can plug itself into the mains when it runs out of juice, speak if it gets stuck, and is no doubt stored in room 101.

According to Stewart Agnell of G4S Technology: “It can make incisive decisions about changes in the environment.”

are you 99 or 100? we need to talk …

THE Centenarian Bounty, a documentary

Minister Leo Varadkar, Fingal Mayor Mags Murray and Minister Joan Burton on their bikes for the opening of the Ashtown to Castleknock Greenway recently. Are they keeping a lookout for a missing pair of shoes?

about people who have reached the age of 100 needs inter viewees!

Snackbox Films, which is producing the film, is on the look out for men and women from Ireland who have reached that milestone age and who would be willing to talk to them.

They want to find out what it means to have lived a century in this country and to be part of a very exclusive club of centenarians worldwide.

The Centenarian Bounty aims to tell their stories.

Award winning director Alex Fegan, whose widely acclaimed feature documentary The Irish Pub was released in 2013, will steer the film.

So if you’re 99 about to hit 100, over a 100 years old already or if you are a relative of someone who has hit the century mark then contact Snackbox Films – they’d love to hear from you.

Contact them via email hello@snackboxfilms.com or call +353 (0)1 4100500.

it’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s some drugs !

PRISON officials at Wheatfield Prison in West Dublin could have been forgiven for getting in a flap when a drugs-laden helicopter attempted to make an unusual (and highly illegal) delivery at the facility last week.

However, they kept their cool when the miniature ’chopper – remotely controlled by some birdbrained criminals or associates of inmates – struck wires strung over the prison yard, sending the sky-high hopes of inmates crashing to the ground, where the wreckage was promptly seized by officers (though not before some prisoners had pecked at its scattered cargo).

Without wishing to drone on about high-tech criminals, our eagle-eyed prison officials can be expected to be on the lookout for any more crooks winging it with similar schemes in the future ...

phoenix Fm’s development day PHOENIX FM is inviting all its volunteers, staff and board members, along with anyone interested in getting involved in community media, to attend its development day on Saturday, July 5 in Dillon House in the Coolmine Industrial Estate.

The event runs from 10am to 2pm and all volunteers, staff and board members are strongly encouraged to attend.

Station management promise that the day will allow participants to have a say in how the station is run. There will be informative inputs, workshops, facilitated discussion and feedback sessions. Lunch and tea, coffee and biscuits are on offer along with an assurance that the day will be fun and instructive.

Further details will be released soon, and those who wish to RSVP should contact fredahughes@ phoenixfm.ie, to secure a place.

3 July 2014 Gazette 15

Gazette

feature escape the mayhem: cathy hits the fairway to relax

Having a swinging time is key to unwinding  Laura Webb

WHEN THEY are not occupied making comedy gold on Mrs Brown’s Boys TV series or their latest work, D’Movie, Brendan O’Carroll and wife Jennifer Gibney can be found donning their tartan trousers for a round of golf.

This week, Jennifer, who plays Cathy, daughter of Brendan’s alter ego Agnes Brown, tells The Gazette how she and Brendan escape the craziness of their “Holly-

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wood” lifestyle.

“We play golf. We love golf and we get out on the course and escape from ever ything. We spend four hours which are just about hitting the ball and getting the ball in the hole.”

They live in Florida so the couple are lucky when it comes to choosing a fairway.

“Florida is a place where there are loads of golf courses to go to, so we are spoilt for choice.

That is what we try and do. Also reading a book

is a great switch off for us.

“Anytime we get a break we put the clubs in the bag and off we go to the golf course,” she said.

The sport is competitive, so the question had to be asked – who is better? Jennifer was not afraid to admit the truth: she gave Brendan kudos for being a little more skilled than her. “He is better, I have to give him that – he definitely is.

“A round of golf can take you four hours so

you would be there most of a day. So it’s great when we get to do it.”

Jennifer was not always a fan of the game but over the years its appeal has snuck up on her and now she can’t imagine a life without it.

“We bought a house in Dublin beside a golf course and we thought, god, we can’t be beside this and not play. Also, now that both of us are into it, it means we get that time away together.

“Brendan was asking

Brendan O’Carroll and wife Jennifer Gibney

me for years to take it up.

When he was off on his own he would be away for hours and then we’d have dinner after. So we thought if we both played we could spend that time with each other, just the two of us. And now, it’s what we do to switch

off.”

When they aren’t in Florida, the couple enjoy playing their favourite sport in Ireland, especially when it is in aid of a good cause.

“We do a lot of charity golfing. We have been very lucky to play

places like the K-Club with either Ronnie Whelan or Keith Duffy with their charities. So we’re fortunate to play on the best courses when we are back here,” she added.

Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie is showing in cinemas now.

Gazette

16 Gazette 3 July 2014

dublinlife

Q&A

business Surge in demand for Irish whiskey FARMING, distilling and executive representatives from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee of Agriculture recently to outline the contribution that sector makes to farmers across the island.

Each year the drinks

industr y provides dema nd for 50,000 apples, buys 200,000 tonnes of barley, utilises 300 million litres of milk and supports 12,000 farm families.

Speaking at the committee, Wexford farmer Willie Masterson said: “There were over 35,000

tonnes of malting barley sold to the drinks industry by farmers in county Wexford last year – and 500 tonnes of that came from our farm.

“I was delighted to hear of the surge in global demand for Irish whiskey, which is set to double exports by 2020

and double those exports again by 2030.

“The increase in the global demand will mean a fourfold increase in demand for the ingredients that go into producing whiskey.

“This would provide much-needed security for farms like ours.”

Sinead Quinn, Owner/Manager

Having designs on some top notch craft Having trained in hotel management, Sinead Quinn travelled around the world where she surely picked up a lot of her businesss savvy from working in New York City, Singapore and Australia, in the hotel industry and for the tech giant Hewlett Packard. In 2013 she won a Social Entrepreneur Award in the Vodafone Start Up Awards for Local Zone; a simple yet effective initiative offering local businesses the opportunity to show-

case their products or services on main streets, while breathing life into vacant shops in towns and encouraging community spirit that offers economic and social benefits to the area. Her latest venture was set up last July as a retail gallery in Powerscourt Enniskerry - The Design Loft showcases designers and their work from around the area. Every two months they change the designers and their work!

How long have you been in business?

surrounding area.

It has also brought out more designers and makers who may have previously been merely hobbyists they have now made this their main income.

What makes your business successful?

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

Exactly one year ago today we opened The Design Loft in Powerscourt Enniskerry - Happy birthday to us.

I think it is the variety we offer the customer covering all craft disciplines and also the collaboration we offer the designers and the obvious networking that stems from working together.

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

Our clients are both the designers and the customers so for the designers we offer them support, advice and an opportunity to meet other designers as well as the public, their customers. For the customer we offer a unique venue where everything is not only designed but made within a 50-mile radius of Enniskerry! This makes us very proud! Also the fact that we change the designers every two months keeps the customer popping back to see what we have on offer.

How has the recession affected your business?

Essentially the recession has made customers more aware of supporting local and buying from the

Some form of Government help to improve cash flow for start ups - this is the main stumbling block.

Some of the larger companies can take up to three months to pay and this is crucifying the smaller businesses.

What is your ambition for the business?

I would like to see The Design Loft in many other venues and we are in negotiations with various venues to pursue this. We are also working on bringing the products we offer in The Design Loft online by August this should be possible.

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

We’re so very proud of each of the designer’s work and we adore showing it to visitors to Ireland and locals alike! We also have the designers do one day a week in The Design Loft so it is lovely to see the customer thrilled to meet the designer themselves!

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton speaking at a conference entitled Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership - Opportunities for Ireland. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

national plan: corporate social responsibility

Warm welcome for launch of new forum  Keith Bellew

A NEW stakeholder for um on corporate social responsibility, key to this year’s Action Plan for Jobs, has just been set up and had its inaugural meeting on June 24 in Government Buildings.

The body aims to help develop the objectives in Ireland’s national plan on corporate social responsibility, Good for Business, Good for the Community, launched by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton in April.

Speaking from a trade mission to China, Minister Bruton said: “I launched Ireland’s first

national plan on corporate social responsibility earlier this year.

“It outlines a vision for Ireland to be recognised as a centre of excellence for responsible and sustainable business practices which can benefit both enterprises and their local communities. This supports the objective of making Ireland the best small country in which to do business.

“The forum’s objective is to increase awareness of corporate social responsibility [here] and encourage businesses to embed best practice into their mainstream operations. I welcome the level

of interest and participation in the forum by the business community, key Government bodies and wider stakeholder interests. I wish the forum well in its work and I look forward to hearing of its progress in due course.”

Tina Roche, chief executive of Business in the Community Ireland, said: “We welcome [this] forum and are delighted to see so many stakeholders from the private and public sector engaging on this important topic.

“Since 2000, we have been the only network in Ireland solely dedicated to pushing the corporate social responsibil-

ity agenda so today is a milestone for encouraging business in Ireland to truly embrace being sustainable and responsible.

“We look forward to working further with Government and all stakeholders on making businesses in Ireland leaders in sustainable and responsible practices.”

This national plan on corporate social responsibility sets out the general framework for how it operates in Ireland and outlines the key principles and objectives which underpin the Government’s approach to the area.

3 July 2014 Gazette 17

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May the force be with Zeus!

The French government has singled out John Banville for the knighthood for his contribution to contemporary European literature. Pictures: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

knighthood: Irish author singled out for contribution to literature

France honours Banville  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

AS FRENCH envoy Jean-Pierre Thebault bestowed the prestigious Ordre des Belles Arts et Letttres on writer John Banville last week, he said the honour was “a true sign of recognition of your talent by France and of your significance for all the works you’ve already achieved and all the works you’ve yet to create”.

The French government has singled out the Irish author for the knighthood for his contribution to contemporary European literature.

Also at the French embassy to celebrate with the renowned wordsmith were former U2 manager Paul McGuinness, businessman Harry Crosbie and US philanthropist Loret-

ta Brennan Glucksman among others.

Banville was delighted with the award: “I’m honoured to receive this wonderful prize. I don’t need to remark the links between Ireland and France. From now on you can call me the Chevalier Banville.

“France is one of the last bastions in the world that takes culture very seriously. Your literary tradition is almost as fine as ours.”

He told The Gazette: “When I was growing up in Wexford in the 1950s it was a dark time, a poverty-stricken time and I was thinking how little joy my parents had in their lives and I was thinking how delightful it would be if my parents could be here.

“Of course my mother would be ter-

rified and would have to be dragged in here but she would have been fiercely proud and I’m proud, I just wish it had happened when they were alive.

“The sacrifices they made and all of my generation’s parents made, were very large sacrifices for their children and many of them gave up their lives almost for us and decided that they would have subdued lives.”

He added: “I suspect my mother knew that her children would do wonderful things…

“She wasn’t educated but she was highly intelligent and she instilled in us that we could do anything.

“My brother tells the story that she brought the three of us into a local drapery store to buy our summer outfits and he heard the draper saying

to his assistant ‘Oh here they come, the royal family’. She, though coming from peasant stock, had very high standards.

“That generation tried to instil decency, honesty in us, they made us into good citizens.”

Loretta Brennan Glucksman, who has raised around $250m (€184m) for the arts in Ireland, told The Gazette: “As far as John Banville goes, there is no honour that is inappropriate to give to him.

“He’s done so much for arts and literature and not just for Ireland but elsewhere.

She added: “Any generation that has someone like Banville in it in Ireland is going to be very successful at keeping the highest standards alive.”

The Gazette Newspaper Group has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Zeus, a twoyear-old male Great Dane!

This young man is great in more ways that one. As well as being the most adorable gentleman you could possibly meet, he is a born entertainer who loves nothing more than playing hide and seek with his teddy bear.

This utterly handsome hound needs a little help with socialisation and basic training. He would love to go to an understanding family with big people only who definitely know how to meet the needs of a largebreed dog.

If you think you could offer Zeus the loving home he so deserves, please call the centre on 01 879 1000 and speak to our rehoming team. You can also pop up for a visit, we’re open six days a week from 12 noon to 4pm. The centre is closed all day Tuesday. You can follow the work of Dogs Trust on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland<http:// www.facebook.com/ dogstrustireland> or on Twitter @dogstrust_ie

Gazette

18 Gazette 3 July 2014

OUT&ABOUT

HEALTH

biking: a low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by everyone

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Get on track to a better you  suzanne sheehy

Cycling as an exercise has many health benefits. First, it’s a good form of aerobic exercise which helps build cardiovascular endurance, which refers to how efficiently your heart, lungs and vascular system carry oxygen to your muscles. Cycling uses the largest muscle groups – found in the legs – raises the heart rate (good for stamina and fitness). And it helps to lose those unwanted pounds. Steady cycling burns about 300 calories per hour. As a low impact activity, it’s suitable for beginners.

Cycling outdoors can reduce stress – and it can put us in touch with nature.

Discovering the benefits of cycling

Yes, it’s true: you never forget how to ride a bike.

Cycling is a great way to stay fit for the summer and to get in shape for the holidays.

Learning to cycle can be one of our fondest childhood memories.

Remember when those stabilisers came off? Or you managed your first wheelie?

There’s no denying, it gave great freedom and that childhood love of cycling can spur us as adults back into the

saddle. But a lot of things are dramatically different with the sport today from the types of bikes available, the riding gear necessary and the sportswear.

GazetteHealth is here to help the returning adult cyclist, beginners, or casual cyclists and guide you to the type of bike which will meet all your needs and expectations.

GazetteHealth consulted Andrew and Rory from Donnybrook Bikes in Donnybrook Dublin 4 for their best advice. In a nutshell, this is what they said to look out for when buying your bike: 1 From road, racers, mountain and hybrids the selection is huge.

But it all depends on what you’re looking for.

Going off road? Get a mountain bike! Heading up the Sugar Loaf?

Get yourself a light road bike! Nipping down to the shops for your daily essentials? Get yourself a comfortable city hybrid and don’t forget the basket.

2 Don’t buy until you try. Without worrying too much about colour or style you have to make sure you get the right fit.

In order to know if the bike really is a good fit for you a good test drive is necessary.

Take a trip dow n

to Donnybrook Bikes where they can tailor machines to suit your needs, your taste and your wallet. You can even try them out down a safe avenue.

The most important thing to consider when buying a new bike is to make sure you pop in for a test drive.

3 Bicycles consist of many parts. The major ones are wheels, frame, seat, handle bars, and components.

You get what you pay for! Cheap and cheerful may not end up being so cheerful in the long run. Try to avoid plastic hards and aim for alloy!

Steel frames are hard and heavy so a nice alloy frame will be light and it doesn’t rust.

If you really want something light then carbon forks or frame is your man! Although watch your wallet: carbon is super lightweight but comes at a cost.

Once you’ve chosen the machine for you, you should focus on hydration and nutrition.

Cycling makes you sweat so it is necessary to stay hydrated. A common cycling mantra is: “Eat before you’re hungry and drink before you’re thirsty.”

While riding, drink enough to match the

GazetteHealth has all the information you need to choose the right bike for you

Fuji Vevada 1.6 Mountain Bike €565

Dawes Duchess City Bike €459

Giant Defy composite 2 €1599

Kellys Cliff 70 Hybrid Bike €635

Clockwise from top left: Whatever your goals or needs are, you have a number of bicycle options above. Mountain, City (including basket), Hybrid and Racer bike.

intensity of the exercise, the heat of the day.

If you’re planning to bike for an hour or less, water is the best way to stay hydrated and to prevent drinking the calories you just burned.

When a ride is intense, pushes past an hour, or is in hot weather, consider a sports drink.

Good biking snack?

Biking snacks should provide energy but also be portable, give your muscles the nutrients they need and make sure they don’t melt.

Good energy foods for those of us on the move include dried fruits, nuts and seeds. In general, aim to have a few nibbles and a few sips every 15 to 20 minutes.

Next week: GazettHealth will focus on gears and accessories; a selection of routes to make good use of your new purchase along with go-to websites for affordable gear.  suzanne sheehy

Gazette Group advertising production manager, and award-winning athlete

3 July 2014 Gazette 19

Gazette

TRAVEL fast

TRAVEL French Way is a stunning Camino route

Prague is city that is both old and new with impressive 14th-century architecture, as well as fashionable shopping areas and plenty of bars and restaurants

czech republic: prague charms with its european mix of the old and new

Elegance and history galore  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A WEEKEND in the beautiful city of Prague – who could ask for more?

Although the Czech capital is renowned for being Europe’s numberone destination for stag parties, I was not deterred but, rather, more determined to see the place where Kafka was born and where, in 1787, Mozart came to conduct The Marriage of Figaro.

The Barcelo Praha Five Hotel, a new hotel and part of the Spanish resort chain, was our base.

Clean and colourful, it was located in a rather rundown area, so we found ourselves more or less sleeping there and making our way each day into the heart of Prague by taxi to enjoy the city’s more glamorous and romantic side.

On our first night, we headed for a fashionable area of Prague to sample the night life. Once we arrived at the Old Town

Square, everything was at our fingertips.

The streets were paved with ultra-glamorous shops, from Dior to Gucci, and there was an abundance of bars and eateries dotted around the square.

However, we were most impressed by the marvellous architecture dating back to the 14th century.

Such grandeur soothed the soul.

We fell in love with the place and the next evening, dined al fresco on the Old Town Square, facing the famous Astronomical Clock.

This tourist attraction is a huge draw and hordes of tourists milling around the square gathered each hour on the hour for a wonderful surprise, with every race and age represented in the square while we watched the show.

After all, when the great clock – that is decked in beautiful horoscope designs, golden creatures,

and figures representing the virtues and the vices alike – strikes the hour, a procession of Jesus and his 12 apostles emerges from a high wooden window, and they invariably get a round of applause.

Happily, the food at our second restaurant, El Toro Negra on the square, was excellent, with salmon perfectly cooked and skinny chips that wouldn’t be out of place in a Paris restaurant.

We dropped into the local Irish bar, Caffrey’s, and got talking to the many characters from Europe and further afield who, unlike us, preferred to congregate there to watch the World Cup matches.

Well fed and watered, we were ready for a nightclub. As far as cocktails go, The James Dean shook up the very best mojitos I have ever tasted, while its old-skool music had the place packed.

We then arranged to

return to the hotel the way we’d come, via the hotel’s taxi service. I couldn’t recommend this service highly enough, as it guarantees a set charge no matter what time you come home.

A weekend is nowhere near enough to take in the historical and architectural wonders of Prague, which has so many beautiful churches, and magnificent bridges spanning the River Charles, with their wide-sweeping elegance proving reminiscent of a fairy tale.

Prague is also full of charming superstitions.

For instance there is the Charles Bridge, from which a Jesuit saint, St John of Nepomuk, was thrown and killed.

A brass cross with a halo of stars marks the spot where he plunged from the bridge to his death.

It is said that if a tourist rubs the spot, any silent wish will come true.

The Barcelo Praha Five Hotel

Unfortunately, I did not get to rub the cross, so I will have to return for another visit some day ...

Rooms in Barcelo Praha Five, Prague cost from €82 per room per night for a superior room,

to €62 for a family room package.

Bookings can be made at the Hotel Barcelo Praha Five page on the www.barcelo.com website, under the Prague section.

LAST year, more than 12% of those who received their Camino de Santiago certificate completed the journey by bike.For cyclists, known as “bicigrinos” – from the Spanish “bici”, meaning bike, and “peregrine”, meaning pilgrim, one of the best routes to take is the French Way. To get the compostela as a bicigrino on this route, cyclists must at least start in the beautiful town of Ponferreda, home to the Templar’s Castle. From here, it takes seven days to reach your destination..

Available all year, prices start at €739pps in high season (April to October). This includes half-board accommodation, luggage transfer from hotel to hotel, holiday pack with route maps, and excludes bike rental and hotel upgrades.

For fnformation, see www.caminoways. com..

Gazette

20 Gazette 3 July 2014

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

Why not give Eylure’s range (€6.99) a lash?

Eye know you’ll love these new products  laura webb

SUPPOSEDLY, your eyes are the windows to your soul, so why not make them light up inside and out with the help of some new products dedicated to them?

New to Irish stores, NYX Cosmetics has launched a new and innovative shaped liquid eyeliner pen that’s easy to grip, making it easy to apply.

This curved-shaped product helps to create dramatic liner and cat-eye effects easily.

The Curve costs €15.99, and is available in pharmacies nationwide.

Collection Meanwhile, fluttering their way to an eyelid near you, Eylure – the expert in eyelashes – has launched a newlook collection with designs to suit any desired lash, including: Naturals, Lengthening, Volume, Dramatic and Texture.

What’s also super about the brand is that each product is hand-made, and each style is reusable – yay!

Prices range from €6.99 and the brand is available at independent pharmacies nationwide.

The Curve (€15.99) is an innovative new pen

Founder Nicky Kinnaird with Vogue Williams (right) at the official opening of Space NK in Grafton Street

Grafton Street welcomes Space NK’s new philosophy  laura webb

GRAFTON Street has a new face in town that its offering a new concept to the way people shop for beauty products by offering unbiased advice to its customers.

Space NK has opened its first flagship store in Ireland, choosing Grafton Street as the best location for them.

This week, Gazette Style & Beauty talks to founder Nicky Kinnaird about the new store, the concept behind Space NK and the inspiration behind it.

After years of looking, opening on Grafton

Street in Dublin is, for her, a “landmark occasion”.

She said: “We are super excited about the store and the reaction we are getting from the local population has been absolutely extraordinary – we are totally blown away.”

Describing Space NK to those who may not have heard of it, Nicky said: “It is a speciality skincare boutique where we offer hand-picked, edited assortments of the best-of-the-best skin care, make-up, hair care, accessories and fine fragrances sourced from all over the world.

“The real point of dif-

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

‘We offer hand-picked, edited assortments of the best-ofthe-best skin care, make-up, hair care, accessories and fine fragrances sourced from all over the world’

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

Nicky Kinnaird, founder, Space NK

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

ference [for the store] is that we have expert make-up artists, skin care consultants – people who are passionate about beauty are working in our stores, so they can really offer unbiased advice for the customer.

“It is all about what

the customers’ needs are, because I don’t believe any one brand offers the top-to-toe solution.

“It’s all about what works for you and your lifestyle. If you are looking for the latest high-tech ingredients or you are looking for green, clean,

organic solutions, we can cater across the board for every price point and every philosophy,” she said.

The business started back in 1993 with one store in London’s Covent Garden. What inspired her to start the business was the “dissatisfaction” she had with how beauty was being retailed in Europe and the UK at the time.

“You only had two options, really. You had the High Street chemist, with lots of different products with little ability to test, and the flip side of that was the department store environment, where

the sales associate is very well advised in what she represents, but is not incentivised to refer the client on to another area which may have a better solution for what issue the customer is dealing with.

“My whole thing was inspired by the perfumery culture in Europe, where it is all about what is the best solution for you as an individual, irrespective of what brand it comes from, what price point it has – it’s about how your key concerns are best fulfilled and also about educating the customer,” she said.

Space NK is now open on Grafton Street.

3 July 2014 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

FOOD&DRINK BITESIZEDNEWS

Saint

Cafe/sandwich Bar

St Andrew’s Street The Picky Eater sought out Saint on St Andrew’s Street for a spot of “soul food to share”

The Picky Eater LUNCHTIME again and the Picky Eater, along with three friends, sought out Saint on St Andrew’s Street for a spot of “soul food to share”.

Formerly Dublin City Food and open since December 2012, the renamed restaurant has a new menu which is only four months old. We were eager to give it a try, being a soulful lot.

With an interior that is a rather interesting work in progress, we took our seats at a functional wooden table and perused the menu.

Ve r y i n t e r e s t i n g !

Gumbo, truffled poached duck egg, jumbo gambas, mini lamb burgers, pork cheek, salmon ceviche … with a choice of sides such as poor man’s potatoes, sweet potato fries or Bretzel bread and butter … all undeniably different and appetising.

Plenty of hot sandwiches on offer too on either sourdough or granary bread.

It was busy. While we made up our minds quite

quickly (tight schedule – the usual midday story), it took the lone waiter a bit of time to make it in our direction.

We were on the point of leaving but his resolute cheerfulness and guarantee of speedy service persuaded us to stay.

One of our brethren opted out of the menu and into a bottle of craft cider which he declared refreshing but on the steep side at €6.50.

My gumbo with creole sausage, green peppers, rice and prawns in a spiced broth was €6.

Skimpy but flavoursome was the verdict.

The buttermilk fried free range chicken was outside our time limit – it takes 20 minutes to get from kitchen to table – so it was mini burgers and sweet potato chips with annatto aioli and ruby slaw garnish for one colleague who polished off the lot – but who was really generous with his fries!

At €10.45 he wasn’t complaining but said he

and Salad

Ham it up with this tasty Bord Bia dish

BORD Bia have dished up a delicious recipe for leftover ham – this Ham Tacos with Tomato Salsa, Chunky Guacamole and Salad dish is a twist on a family favourite.

So, why not pig out on this easy to prepare meal?

It serves four, and takes just 15 minutes to prepare.

You’ll need ...

400g leftover ham, cut into strips 2 heads of baby gem lettuce, shredded 1 lime cut into 4 wedges 4 tbsp grated cheese 8 taco shells Tomato Salsa 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half Half cucumber, cut into small cubes, or a mixture of black and green olives, chopped Half red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped Half red onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped 1 tbsp olive oil Juice of half lime Salt and freshly ground black pepper

The colourful exterior of Saint

wouldn’t want to spend that everyday on lunch.

The Pimlico sandwich on granary with turkey, cranberry, citrus mayo and tomato (with noodles and red cabbage a nice touch) went down a treat.

At €6 it was probably the bargain meal! Had said friend chosen to have soup, it would have cost €8.50.

Our schedule denied us desserts (€6.50 each) but we agreed we wouldn’t really have been tempted anyway: homemade chur-

Ham Tacos with Tomato Salsa, Chunky Guacamole

ros dusted with cinnamon sugar and dulce de leche or green apple tartlet, granny smith gel, tequila soaked apple and mango sorbet.

They seemed somewhat

Conclusion

on the unexciting side.

It might take a while longer to wean us off our weakness for the ubiquitous cheesecake or carrot cake or fruit salad. But we’re hopeful…

SAINT (at St Andrew’s Street, Dublin 2; tel 485 3273), is cheerful, boasts highly efficient service with a smile, delightfully airy but just a little on the wrong side of cheap. Music while we ate was of the 1980s variety and it was fun to rack our brains without the help of Soundhound. Overall verdict? We’ll be going back on payday.

Chunky Guacamole 2 ripe avocados, peeled and chopped Juice of half lime 2 scallions, finely sliced Half red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 2 tbsp low fat natural yoghurt Preparation • To make the tomato salsa: Place the tomatoes and cucumber in a bowl and toss with the rest of the ingredients. Taste for seasoning.

• To make the chunky guacamole: Then, in another bowl, mix the avocados, lime juice, scallions, chilli, garlic and yoghurt. Using a fork, roughly mash everything together; season.

• Heat the taco shells as per the packet instructions.

Then just bring everything to the table and let everyone help themselves.

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 3 July 2014

OUT&ABOUT

History

Tracing Irish soldiers in World War I  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

A NEW book that tells the tale of soldiers from South Dublin who died in World War I has just been released by Irish Academic Press/Merrion, priced €24.95 in good bookshops.

Out Of The Dark 1914-1918 sees author Ken Kinsella choosing the 100th anniversary of the Great War (191418) to write his history of South Dublin soldiers who signed up for the British army to fight, and the families they left behind.

Snapshot The book is both a social and local history, and provides a snapshot of a greater truth about Ireland’s involvement and losses in the first World War. Each chapter surveys the social, military and family histories of South Dublin’s main districts and expands upon the background of the families of the fallen.

The roll of honour includes individuals with riveting life stories, and with backgrounds of considerable power and wealth, such as the great merchant families of Dublin at the time – namely, the Dockrells, Findlaters, Lees, Martins and McCormicks.

ARTS

BOOKS: DAN BROWN’S LATEST OFFERING

Inferno’s one hell of a page turner  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

INFERNO, Dan Brown’s latest offering, is inspired by the eponymous section of Dante’s epic poem, The Divine Comedy.

T h i s l a t e s t n ove l , published by Corgi and €8.99 at all good bookstores, is ty pical of Brown’s brand of high octane codebreaking story-telling and presents the reader with another giant riddle requiring the expertise of symbologist Prof Robert Langdon.

It gets off to a cracking start and keeps up that pace from beginning to end. This time out, Rober t Landon finds himself in Florence, the cradle of ren-

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

‘The plot, as with other Brown plots to date, is silly in the extreme but unlike the roller-coasting escapism offered by the earlier books’

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

aissance art, and in the decidedly disadvantageous position of being pursued by a sinister and highly sophisticated organisation called the Consortium.

To further complicate

Langdon’s position, he has lost his memor y and initially has no inkling why assassins are trying to kill him.

The book is therefore composed of many riddles wrapped up in the overarching riddle of trying to regain his memory. The story is inspired by Dante’s original Inferno and is not a modern-day version of it.

Brown’s international appeal is incontrovertible as his three books to date, The DaVinci Code, Angels and Demons and The Lost Symbol have sold over 200 million copies.

T his latest in the Langdon series is more of the same as Brown merges history, art and

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

Dan Brown’s Inferno is available for €8.99 at all good bookstores

conspiracy in an enjoyable romp that spans a hectic 24-hour period.

Brown is excellent at what he does and is many a reader’s guilty, cheesy pleasure. Yet this latest instalment is nowhere near as enjoyable as his first three.

But though it falls a little flat and is repetitive at times, it still provides plenty of satisf ying problem solving and clever twists.

Brown has hit on a highly successful formula with his Langdon adventure series and its blockbuster appeal reaches not only fans of exciting thrillers but also readers who like to dip into great works of art without having to spend any time studying them.

Brown satisfies this quasi-intellectual need in many people who would like to become

more culturally and historically aware in an age of digital literacy and immediacy.

Inferno, however, is difficult to review because the danger of spoilers is everywhere; much like the traps set up along the Harvard professor’s journey to find the truth among t h e m a ny cl a s s i c a l codes and secret passageways.

The villain in Inferno is a crazed Dante-disciple who calls himself The Shade and sees overpopulation as the downfall of mankind.

He sets off a series of events targeted to take dire action against the menace of an overpopulated Earth and it is up to Prof Langdon to save the day once more.

The plot, as with other Brown plots to date, is silly in the extreme but unlike the roller-coast-

ing escapism offered by the earlier books, what he does in this latest novel lacks urgency and intensity.

His powers of description are also lacking making it difficult for this reader to visualise crucial and highly tense situations in the book.

One has to battle to stay with the story. But stamina and curiosity prevailed and this reader stayed with it. But not without some hope of seeing Dan Brown return to form, to that ingenious pulp fiction writer who seemed so purposeful and in charge in his previous publications.

H av i n g s a i d t h a t , Inferno is still a pageturner and would be ideal for a summer read by the pool but for fans who have waited five years, Inferno is a bit of a letdown.

3 July 2014 Gazette 23

Gazette

CINEMA

ReelReviews

how to train your dragon 2

This sequel soars high ITS predecessor was an unexpected delight, boasting terrific animation and great characters, so “Dragon 2” had a lot to live up to. Luckily, it’s turned out to be one of those rare occasions where a sequel is as good as the great first film (and possibly even better), with this gorgeous film about dragons, young Vikings and a shared enemy one of 2014’s best films.

Brendan Gleeson is the makeshift mayor of the tiny harbour of Tickle Head in Newfoundland, Canada in Don McKellar’s The Grand Seduction

the grand seduction: remake does its best to tickle the funny bone

Gleeson true to form in classic underdog story Brendan Gleeson returns to another isolated rural community struggling for a sense of identity, though this time in a much lighter role than the incredible Calvary.

Don McKellar’s The Grand Seduction is a remake of a Frenchlanguage film from 2003, and sees Gleeson as Murray, the makeshift mayor of the tiny harbour of Tickle Head in Newfoundland, Canada.

Tickle Head is an idyllic pastoral backwoods filled with the kind of merr y peasant that Patrick Kavanagh satirised – “in his little lyrical fields, he ploughs and sows, he eats fresh food, he loves fresh women”.

An opening scene sees a young Murray perched

 Dave phillips

on his roof watching his father and all the other fishermen trudge home from the sea to a steaming plate and buxom wife – a simple, but happy existence.

Fast forward to the present day, when international regulations have devastated the fishing trade and Tickle Head’s rustic charm is quickly turning to rack and ruin. The men idle about unsure of their place in the world, bobbing between the bars and waiting for the next

government cheque to arrive.

One by one, families start to abandon Tickle Head to find work in the city. Cue Murray and his grand plan to attract a petroleum processing plant to the harbour, a move that would secure employment for all and ensure the future of Tickle Head.

There are a multitude of problems to be solved – first and foremost is that the town needs a resident doctor.

Enter Taylor Kitsch as Dr Lewis, a young plastic surgeon staying in Tickle Head for a month, and a big fish that needs to be caught.

The Grand Seduction plays out like a version of the Truman Show set on Craggy Island. A tapped

phone line in Dr Lewis’ house acts as an inlet to his stream of thought, allowing Murray and the rest of the denizens to shape Tickle Head into a place that fulfils his every need – though with the unique kind of charm that only a shoddy, isolated, harbour community can offer.

It’s a classic underdog story, propelled a little further by the tension of whether Dr Lewis will cotton on to the ploy.

Gleeson, true to form, continues to dominate the screen with another incredible performance – bringing a depth to Murray that could have very easily been missed out on – and the same can be said for Kitsch.

In many ways, The Grand Seduction stays

near the surface, the plot unfolding through a series of comedic set-ups – but Kitsch and Gleeson’s relationship, especially as they drift into surrogate father and son territory, is a lifesaver. It brings a welcome level of moral ambiguity to the affair that just about saves the film from mawkishness.

McKellar manages to capture a gorgeous piece of Newfoundland – the rough coastal landscapes, angled fields, and the garbled dialect will be familiar to Irish viewers (the fact that this corner of Canada is a relative stranger to cinema probably works in this film’s favour as it is impossible to tell whether the accents are accurate or diabolical).

The downside of The

Grand Seduction is that it is a film that revolves around one gag – and at close to two hours, that starts to get a little tiring. You’d almost wish McKellar spent a little less time on some of the predictable set-ups, and lingered a little in areas that are zipped through, like Gleeson’s relationship with his wife.

Go to The Grand Seduction and expect the archetypal fisherman’s tale – one that is outlandish, exaggerated, and with plenty of struggles. Whatever it lacks in dramatic punch it tries to make up for with comedy, which makes it a somewhat frivolous but chirpy little film that will bring plenty of laughs.

Verdict: 6/10

the fault in our stars

A modern Dying Young?

THIS hit tale (based on the book by John Green) of potentially doomed young love between an amputee and a cancer victim sees the film’s makers tug strings like expert harpists.

Likeable leads put in decent performances, but this is still a polarising film that is likely to strike viewers as either life-affirming and thoughtful, or shmaltzy and manipulative fare.

3 days to kill

Your dad might like it KEVIN Costner hops into the kind of badass role Liam Neeson has made his own in recent years with this “me-too” film. Here, Costner’s a secret agent in Paris, where he’s trying to make things up with his estranged family and take out some terrorists over three hectic days. It’s a dull (and slightly odd) Eurocaper film that might appeal to your dad/Costner’s aging fans, but otherwise ...

GAZETTE

24 GAZETTE 3 July 2014

OUT&ABOUT

MUSIC

Caribou back in the hunt as Vicar Street date is announced ONE OF the best-ever live sets experienced was Caribou’s astonishing headlining set at the Evolution festival in Newcastle a few years ago, so it is with great pleasure that GazetteMusic can announce that tickets are on sale for the band’s live return to Ireland at Vicar Street on November 5.

Having been out of the studio for way too long, the band are also set to deliver long-awaited new album Our Love in October, and taster track Can’t Do WIthout You available at soundcloud.com/caribouband.

Recently featuring at the Body And Soul festival in Ballinlough Castle, Dan Snaith’s unique mathrock project continues to enthrall and entrance in equal measure as a live act, and we can look forward to their new methods of building intricate layers of rhythm and melody that build to epic freakouts at Vicar Street.

Guy Garvey’s connection with the audience and glorious voice made for a memorable night. Picture: Miki Barlock

REVIEW: MANCHESTER’S MAGNIFICENT SONS

Elbow’s artful live experience at Kilmainham  ROB HEIGH

NOT the weather, nor the grey skies could dim the emotional highlights that Elbow delivered at their Dublin date at Royal Hospital Kilmainham last week.

Always a magnificent live band, Elbow continue to develop as a band, and their song choices showed faith in their new material from the excellent Taking Off And Landing Of Everything album from earlier this year as much as in their peerless back catalogue.

Opening with new/ old fan favourite Charge, Elbow established the template for the night as Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter and Pete Turner provided the perfectly played backing for Guy Garvey’s voice, a sound like God talking.

Unabashedly romantic and nostalgic, the songs played went all the way back to their debut album, Asleep At The

Back, and all the way up to date, leading into the encore break with their next nailed-on anthem, My Sad Captains.

Garvey’s genial banter and utter personability have always made Elbow a cut above the somewhat serious-asserious-can-be acts that appear on the live circuit, and this evening was no exception, leading the crowd in swaying, singing and providing drummer Jupp with a selection of biscuits for his mid-set break as the Potter brother backed the singer in the lovely acoustic Great Expectations.

It remains Elbow’s eternal appeal that they can sum up an emotion in a phrase, musical or lyrical, and make it connect with so large an audience in such an open space as Kilmainham. The inevitable One Day Like This brought proceedings to a close, and soon may they return to make all our lives brighter again.

3 July 2014 gazette 25

Tiguan offers space, style and economy

 cormac curtis

In order to own a new car, and enjoy all the comforts and conveniences that a new car affords, you need to spend money.

This, as they say, is an unfortunate truth.

And from my point of view, the actual cost of any car can seriously sway my opinion of it. It’s unavoidable, especially at a time where value for money is paramount and people are more likely to keep their big purchases for much longer than they did in the past.

It’s for this reason, I do my best to avoid the price of any car that I am testing until I’m finished with it.

At least that way I know I’m basing the review on what I drove, without any “it cost HOW MUCH?” bias sneaking in.

Most of the time, I am not surprised by a price tag. You can tell when a manufacturer has gone the extra mile by using a quality interior, or just tried to compensate with some flashy gadgets thrown in.

So, as far as sticker price goes, the biggest surprise I have come across this year has to be the Volkswagen Tiguan.

In terms of sheer size, there is a lot of car here.

It may not be the biggest car on the road, but as far as the popular compact SUV segment goes, the Tiguan is a pretty beefy customer.

Nobody is breaking any new ground in terms of looks or styling, but that’s not really the point.

What we have is a very handsome, incredibly

Volkswagen has restructured the pricing system for the Tiguan and introduced two more spec levels, the Life & Leisure line and the Edition-R line which aims to give customers value for money

Gazette

volkswagen: plenty of extra goodies in Sport & Style edition

MOTORING road

NOISE

Ford’s servicing deal is helping to keep costs down Servicing costs are a key element in the overall cost of motoring for Ireland’s hardpressed motorists, so Ford Ireland’s launch of its Motorcraft 5+ Service offer targeted at owners of Ford cars, five years or older, is a very welcome development.

And just for the months of June, July and August, customers who have a Motorcraft 5+ Service carried out on their car will receive a free fuel voucher to the value of €20.

According to Dave Pimlott, Ford Ireland director of customer service: “We have heard anecdotally from our dealers around the country that many customers are postponing or skipping servicing of their cars mainly due to money worries; to any motorist who has been in that position, we are sure that our Motorcraft 5+ Service offering will be of interest – and even more so, when you take into account our €20 fuel voucher offer”.

Available in all Ford dealerships across Ireland, customers can book a service appointment at any time, by visiting Ford’s online service booking website: ford.ie/FordService/Servicing or by contacting their local Ford dealership.

In a C-Class of its own

well-built, spacious and practical car that has been very keenly priced with some serious specifications.

It was actually last year when Volkswagen restructured the pricing and spec of the Tiguan range to give customers more value for money.

This year there are two further spec levels, the Life & Leisure line and the Edition-R line.

Stuck between these two is the Sport & Style option, which I was lucky enough to test for a week.

The practical advantages of the spacious

interior a compact SUV offers are obvious, and VW have been careful to make sure seats adjust easily to offer maximum carrying ability.

Rock solid

On top of this, the build quality is exactly what you should get from VW – rock solid.

And where they have added some serious value for money in the Sport & Style edition, is with the extras.

On top of the multifunction leather steering wheel, radio with mp3/ CD-player and au xin, front fog lights and

air-conditioning that come in the entry-level Tiguan, this model also brings some real-world, useful technology. This includes Bluetooth connectivity, parallel Park Assist, including front/ rear park distance control, 65% light absorbing windows and a flat tyre indicator.

But the Sport & Style pack doesn’t end there.

There are also incredibly attractive New York 18” alloy wheels, silver-anodised roof rails, automatic headlamp activation with separate daytime lights, cruise control and a rain sensor.

T hat is a serious amount of extras considering the price of many cars goes up when you ask for the optional arm rest!

This is a well thoughtout set of specifications, with not a lot of money separating each level.

The entry-level Tiguan, with the Trend & Fun option, costs €26,995, whereas the Sport & Style model comes in at €31,405.

For my money, that is an awful lot more car for just over €4,400, making the Sport & Style Tiguan a very sensible option indeed.

Accounting for one in every five MercedesBenz cars sold in Ireland, the C-Class is available in four petrol and five diesel versions in a choice of three design and equipment lines. The Avantgarde version with grille-inset star is aimed at younger buyers, the Exclusive, with a distinctive bonnetmounted star, is aimed at the more conventional buyer while the AMG line is aimed at the sporty buyer. Prices start from €37,750 (ex works) for petrol models and €37,950 for diesel models.

S-Class like in appearance, it is larger and more spacious than before and comes with an array of high-tech communications and safety features.

Mercedes-Benz main dealer Enda Conefrey of Brady’s, Castleknock pictured with the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class which has just been launched

26 GAZETTE 3 July 2014

DUN LAOGHAIRECLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION

CLEANING

TRADESMAN

DVD’S

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RECRUITMENT

;lYc`e >Xq\kk\E\njgXg\ij Dublin Gazette Newspapers is Dublin’s fastest growing community weekly regional publisher, with 7 titles covering the M50 from Swords to Dun Laoghaire.

We are looking to recruit an

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES We are now seeking experienced media sales executives to work in our advertising dept in our Clarendon St. Dublin 2 head office on number of Dublin Gazette titles.

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Experience in newspaper advertising sales is preferable. Full clean driving license and own car required; fluent written and oral English essential. Excellent package on offer to suitable candidates.

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Please send your cv to: mmcgovern@dublingazette.com

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PLANNING NOTICE DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Josephine MacLaughlin, wish to apply to the above named authority for planning permission to build 1 nr. 1 ½ storey, 3-bed detached dwelling, new entrance and driveway, and all other associated site works at ‘Woodbrook’, 8 Cherrywood Road, Loughlinstown, Dublin 18.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Dun Laoghaire County Council, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire between the public opening hours Monday to Friday.

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3 July 2014 Gazette 27

sailing P29

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

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

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Gazette

weightlifting P28

DublinGazetteNewspapers 2014 dublin sports awards june winners

H STARof the MONTH

nicole owens Pictured at Stella Maris FC are Shelbourne Girls with Republic of Ireland international John O’Shea. Picture: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE

Soccer: mcdonald’s, fai organise skills development camps

St sylvester’s Owens proved herself to be an invaluable addition to the Dublin Under-21 ladies footballers, scoring a trio of hat-tricks as she helped the team secure the Aisling McGing All-Ireland trophy this month ending with a rout of Meath.

Clubs congregate for Future TEAMof the Football fun day with O’Shea H MONTH

EIGHTEEN local football clubs in north Dublin teamed up to host two free McDonald’s FAI Future Football Fun Days in Drumcondra and Coolock in recent weeks.

The Family Fun Day in Drumcondra took place on Saturday, June 21 at Stella Maris Football Club where Irish International and Sunderland captain John O’Shea was on hand to encourage the young players with their skills development.

The second Fun Day took place in Coolock on Sunday, June 22 at the Oscar Traynor Centre. Both days consisted of a whole host

of exciting, interactive activities from shooting and kicking skills tests, to speed ladders and soccer tennis, all aimed at developing skills in young players.

The Fun Day is part of McDonald’s FAI Future Football programme, which is in its second year and which supports the development of football at grassroots level in clubs nationwide.

In 2013, the McDonald’s FAI Future Football programme generated more than 35,000 additional hours of activity for over 4,000 children participating in the programme.

For 2014, 140 clubs have reg-

istered to participate and it is expected that up to 7,000 boys and girls in Ireland will take part, generating 60,000 additional hours of activity.

The McDonald’s FAI Future Football Cup Competition has also kicked off, with mixed boys and girls teams taking part in 4 v 4 and 7 v 7 games across three age categories (U-8, U-9 and U-10).

Each team will have the chance to progress to the McDonald’s Cup Final taking place in October in the Aviva Stadium.

Commenting about the event, Morgan McStay, owner/operator for McDonald’s in Coolock, Phib-

sboro, Navan Road and Swords said: “The Future Football Fun Day is a great way to inspire the local community to really get behind the initiative and support local football clubs to help develop the game at grassroots level.

“We are delighted to be working with the FAI to build the skills of the next generation of Irish footballers”.

This summer 24 McDonald’s FAI Future Football Fun Days will be held throughout Ireland as part of the programme and provide a fun, friendly environment in which players at grassroots level can develop their skills.

st joseph’s boys ST JOSEPH’S Boys’ Under-12s are destined to emulate some of their footballing heroes courtesy of a trip next November to Brazil for the Danone Nations Cup where they will be representing the Republic of Ireland.

Gazette

28 Gazette 3 July 2014

SPORT

FastSport meteors host pat clarke tournament: METEORS Basketball Club will host the annual Pat Clarke Memorial tournament for women’s Division 1 teams again this September.

This will be the seventh tournament in memory of the Meteors stalwart, and it will take place on September 12, 13 and 14 in Colaiste Iosagain, Stillorgan Road.

The tournament features teams from across the country, many returning for a second or third year with some competing every year. Previous winners include the hosts Meteors, Killester and Oblate Dynamos.

This year, organisers are opening the tournament with an exhibition game featuring the Meteors Masters team and a Meteors selection.

A full schedule for the tournament will be available closer to the tournament time on the Meteors website; www.meteorsbasketball.com

powerlifting: sandyford athlete wins second world title in germany

Arlette is on top of the world  sport@dublingazette.com

Sandy ford r e s i dent Arlette Bomahou recently won her second world powerlifting championship title in Dusseldorf, during which she broke the

world record in the equipped deadlift section of the competition.

The French-born athlete was competing in Germany after claiming the European championship title in Belfast

in May. Bomahou competes in the 90kg+ category and her combined totals in the unequipped and equipped deadlift phases netted her the world title in Dusseldorf. She came second in the

Arlette with her colleagues at Elite Fitness and Performance Academy

Arlette Bomahou crowned world champion in Dusseldorf last month

deadlifts unequipped with 167.5kg with a personal best in competition, while Galway b a s e d l i f t e r Ay s h e a Ullah secured a world record of 190.5kg.

In the equipped section, Bomahou’s raising of 162.5kg secured the overall title as well as a world record of her own.

She has represented Ireland internationally with the Irish Drug Free Powerlifting Association since August 2013, and won her first world championship title representing Ireland in the 90kg+ categor y last November in Glasgow.

Bomahou has already gathered an impressive array of honours given her short time in the

sport, including a silver medal in the national championship single lift competition in February, as well as golds in the national deadlift and bench press competitions last year.

P owe r l i f t i n g i s a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. As in the sport of Olympic weightlifting, it involves lifting weights in three attempts.

The German Drug Free Powerlifting Federation ( GDFPF) hosted the Single World Powerlifting Championship in Dusseldorf in June, which saw some 385 lifters competing.

Ireland and France had

the biggest teams with 90 lif ters each, and other countries represented included Australia, Belgium, Ukraine and the USA. The three days were divided per lift, Friday was for the back squats, Saturday for the bench press and Sunday, the deadlift.

Speaking after the competition, Bomahou said: “I learned a lot at this competition I know exactly what I have to do to become a better and stronger lifter.”

She will next compete in the European Single Lifts in Wexford in September before gearing up for the World Full p owe r p owe r l i f t i n g championships in Moldava in November.

Liberties Run set to light up the city for sixth time  sport@dublingazette.com

Sean Hehir crosses the line after last year’s St James’s Hospital Liberties run

The sixth St James’s Hospital Liberties 6km fun run takes place this year on Thursday, July 17 at 7.45pm.

Starting and finishing in the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art/Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the route takes in James’s Street, St James’s Gate, St Catherine’s Church, Thomas Street, the National College of Art and Design, Francis Street, The Coombe and the Guinness Storehouse.

A pre-race warm-up and post-

race massages will be provided by chartered physiotherapists from St James’s Hospital; and attractions will include DJs, music, FM104’s Beetle Bugs, face painting and more.

The event has grown in popularity over the years, last year attracting close to 1,000 runners, joggers and walkers. Irish 1500m athlete, Orla Drumm, winner of the 2013 women’s category, will be running again in this year’s event, and said: “Having the rather unique 6km distance is perfect for people building up towards a 10km run

later in the summer. The course was testing, but there was great support lining the route.”

The St James’s Hospital Liberties Fun Run is arranged by St. James’s Hospital Foundation, with the kind support of the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The event is funded by locally based companies Diageo and Momentum Support, ensuring that all entry fees and all sponsorship raised by participants are contributed to the development of St. James’s Hospital; this year they will go towards improving facilities for patients’

families.

Orla Drumm said: “The 2013 run was a superb event, the atmosphere was one of the best I’ve experienced and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I’d encourage everyone to come out and make the event even bigger and better this year keeping in mind that all the proceeds from this run go to a great cause.”

Advanced registration closes on Monday July 15, but registration is also available on the night for €25.

Runners can register online at www.stjames.ie/funrun

3 July 2014 Gazette 29

Gazette

Rio the destination for National’s flying Finn National Yacht Club sailor Finn Lynch has had a phenomenal rise in the sport in recent years alongside Olympian Annalise Murphy, and is hoping to emulate her international success JUST a few weeks since completing his Leaving Cert, National Yacht Club’s Finn Lynch is hoping he can match the success of club mate and training partner Annalise and drive forward his claims for an Olympic berth in 2016.

Exams done, focus is now geared toward September’s World Championships in Santander, Spain, the first of two potential qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Games.

Despite being still in his teens, his pedigree already has him well in the frame not just to qualify but also to contend. In 2012, he announced himself with a second place at the ISAF youth worlds in Dun Laoghaire, the best-ever finish for an Irish sailor in what was regarded as the most competitive class at the regatta.

He followed up with gold in the laser radial at the Under-17 Europeans

 stephen findlater sport@dublingazette.com

before landing first in the 2013 Under-21 world championships, earning third in the senior competition and European second place finisher.

Speaking about the prospect of Rio, he says that it is definitely a very real target even though training has been partially curtailed this year by Leaving Cert studies.

“Rio is definitely feasible and I think I would be one of the favourites to get the spot now,” he said. “There was certainly no rest. I am getting used to it but there were a few months up to the Leaving Cert where study had to be a priority but now sailing is the priority.

Finn Lynch has his eyes set on a place at Rio 2016

“It definitely set back the training a bit but I had to take it on the chin and do the best I could with both so I think I have done quite well to qualify for the worlds [he qualified in April],” he adds understatedly.

There are catches, though. Lynch is currently based in landlocked Carlow and, without a personal car, his commute to training can regularly get up to three hours on public transport, entailing trains or buses into Dublin, a walk or a Luas ride across town and then getting the Dart to his final destination.

Marrying that lengthy trip to Dublin and back, Lynch says it is a “major nuisance” but one he is looking to remedy by gathering votes in the Nissan Generation Next (www.nissangenerationnext.ie) – a competition designed to reward “ambitious people working hard

to turn their passion into a reality” and would benefit from a new car.

For Lynch, it would reduce travel time to one hour each way, allowing him much more time to pack in a gruelling training schedule “With fitness being so important, trying to get in a good two or three hour

This summer, he heads off to Croatia for a 10-day training camp before tackling the European Under-21s in Lake Garda.

More training camps ensue before switching to France in August and then on to the all-important date in Santander.

It is a full-on schedule, but Lynch believes that

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

‘Rio is definitely feasible now and after the Leaving Cert, sailing is the priority, not study’ - Finn Lynch

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fitness session and a three or four sail along with study, it is taking up a lot of time.

“The commute is a big part of my life. I try very hard not to let it affect me but life would be a lot easier if I had my own transport. Sailing is a very expensive sport so buying a car is not an option at the moment.”

His success as a youngster on Blessington Lake soon necessitated his move to the National, a club that has offered him great opportunities, especially being part of a training group with Annalise Murphy, the 2013 European champion and fourthplace finisher in the 2012 Olympics.

Similarly, Lynch has been part of the Irish Sailing Association’s performance group in recent years, and says the dream is coming ever closer.

mentors like Murphy have helped give him the background on how to succeed.

“I was on the ISA academy for the past few years which is a youth team that prepares you for an Olympic campaign.

Annalise trains with us and gives us an insight into the work you need to do. We pushed each other for the past few years and it’s been really good for both of our sailing.

“I have always said that, when I was young, the Olympics was a dream goal. After I came second in the ISAF youth worlds, a lot of people who win Olympic medals tend to have won them there too.

“So, ever since that happened, I knew this could be a reality. When I moved into the standard and started getting some results, it has definitely become a reality.”

FastSport

St Catherine’s crowned cricket cup champions ST Catherine’s, Rush were this year’s Leprechaun Cup champions after beating St Matthew’s, Irishtown by 80 runs at a sunny Kenure Park last week.

St Catherine’s were in control from the off, posting a dominant 130-2 from their 20 overs after being asked to bat by St Matthew’s skipper Michael O’Reilly.

The opening pair of Andrew Donehy (35) and (38) got the home side off to a flyer, putting on a 79 partnership, with both batsmen going on to retire.

It was a fine all-around performance by Donehy who capped a great day with a four-wicket haul as St Catherine’s bowled out St Matthew’s for 50 in the 19th over to claim their first ever Leprechaun Cup. The final was the last in a series of games played right across Dublin over the past eight weeks. To present the trophy, sponsored by the Leprechauns CC, was Joan Mahony, while also present representing the sponsors Antalis were Arthur Vincent, marketing manager Maura Hoey and Hilary Fleming.

The Leprechaun Cup continues to be the flagship for cricket development in Leinster with many new schoolchildren now being given the opportunity to play hardball cricket during their primary school years.

Running parallel with the Leprechaun Cup this year was the 11-team Super League and also the Leprechaun Cup Cailini for girls schools.

SDCSP’s weekly walks coming for the summer SOUTH Dublin County Sports Partnership is organising a series of weekly walks over the summer months.

The walks will take place on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm, will last for approximately an hour and will have a walk

leader present.

The walks are free of charge and the first 50 people to register their interest will receive a free pedometer. For more information, log on to www.facebook. com/sdcsp The first walk will take place on Wednesday, July 9 at 7.30pm in Corkagh Park, with the meeting point in the main car park off St John’s Road.

Gazette

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 3 July 2014

SPORT

FastSport

sailing: top 10 success in germany for local 49ers

Seapoint RFCs U-20s looking for new recruits SEAPOINT are looking for new recruits for their Under-20 team, led by the vastly experienced coaching duo of Ian Dumbleton and James Winstanley.

The team has been home to a number of players who have progressed through the side to earn professional contracts with Felix Jones (Munster), Peter Lydon (Stade Francais) and Aaron Dundon (Leinster) among those now currently in the paid ranks to have plied their trade in Kilbogget Park.

The club currently have connections with local schools including CBC Monkstown and St Andrew’s and aim to provide a high quality rugby structure for this year’s school leavers to play club rugby.

Speaking about his time with Seapoint, Jones said: “I have and still do find the levels of support from the club to be unrivalled. In many cases, I found the club went above and beyond what I had expected.

“What the club offers to all its players, whether it be a player for the minis, 20s, first team or the golden oldies, is an inclusion into its club community, something which I cannot describe here in a few words.

“My Under-20s season was certainly my most enjoyable season to date and that is regarding both my rugby playing and social involvements.

“At a time when I was at a crossroads of professionalism, Seapoint was regarded by many as ‘merely a junior club’ and I was advised by many to play at a different club.

“I firmly believe it would have been a major mistake in my career had I done that. I will always hold a huge degree of gratitude to the club in helping me achieve and still helping me achieve my goals.

“For the player who wants to progress his career to professionalism Seapoint can now boast some of the best facilities and coaching within Leinster. On top of that the clubs community will support the player regardless of what direction he ends up taking. It is something different to everywhere else” Seapoint will compete in the Leinster Under20 JP Fanagan league. For more information, contact under20@seapointrugby.com or call (01) 2854112.

Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey in their 49erFX skill class boat hope to repeat their success in Kiel. Picture: Brian Carlin

Glenageary duo on Rio run  stephen findlater sport@dublingazette.com

GLENAGEARY residents’ Saskia Tidey and Andrea Brewster produced a significant showing as their bid to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in sailing’s 49er FX skiff class with a strong showing at Kiel Week in Germany.

One of the largest European Olympic class sailing regattas, they notched up their first-ever race win since joining forces in August 2013, no mean feat against 32 other highly-experienced teams.

They sailed in the top third of the fleet throughout, earning a place in the

medal races reserved for the top 10 boats.

They got off to a solid start in the 13–17 knot north-westerly, finishing fourth in medal race one, before ending seventh overall, their best result to date on the circuit.

It is all building to the World Championships in Santander in mid-September, an event in which the first 10 nations will earn a ticket to the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Speaking about what it means, Tidey told GazetteSport of her delight at putting together such “consistent, lowscoring” sequence.

“It was a tough week’s racing in 25 to 30 knots

monks in green ’Town players feature in Wales international monkstown’s Stephen Cole, Kyle Good, David Fitzgerald, Davy Carson and Peter Caruth, pictured, were all part of the Irish men’s hockey team that beat Wales twice last weekend in Belfield.

The initial tie saw Ireland win 3-1 with Carson on the mark as Ireland struck twice in the second half to pull away late on. On Sunday, Ireland won 2-0 with Alan Sothern and Shane O’Donoghue scoring twin drag-flicks to completed a strong weekend’s work.

which are tricky conditions in the 49er to keep the boat upright,” she said. “It really tested our skills around the boat and understanding what needed to be done, so we’re absolutely thrilled.

“All the girls we’re racing against are on the same programme and trying to qualify their country as well. The whole fleet have been in Olympic campaigns before, some who hold medals in other classes and have changed boats.

“We are racing against the best in the world from extremely strong sailing nations, so it is a huge achievement.”

Tidey and Brewster

came together in the 49er class and lined out at the 2013 world championships at very short notice against teams who had been campaigning since 2012 with a view to the Olympics.

But the pair are confident they have quickly closed the gap and are going to challenge strongly for a place, despite being up to a year behind other boats’ preparations.

“We started quite late and so we’re the underdogs. We had been in different campaigns with different people but it came to August of last year where we realised that, through Andrea’s experience, and my youth,

enthusiasm – as well as being the correct size for the boat – and being a bit more physical for the crewing role, we combined well to make the best pair.”

As a result, it is a tough challenge and the pair has to self-fund their campaign and this week sees them on the road, driving to Helsinki for the next leg of preparations.

August sees them based in Santander to get a feel for the conditions where they will attempt to repeat their Kiel performance and reach the top 10 once again.

“We want to be world class sailors, not qualifying just to compete.”

3 July 2014 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 31

Gazette

Cuala’s Cronin nets as Dubs reach final  sport@dublingazette.com

CUALA’S Colm Cronin fired a first half goal as Dublin snuck by Westmeath 2-8 to 0-13 in the semi-final of the Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under-21 hurling championship in Cusack Park, Mullingar in midweek.

Half-time sub Cian Boland shot a goal and a

point in the second half which proved crucial as Westmeath came close to forcing an equaliser in the dying minutes.

They also had a penalty saved when cornerforward Niall O’Brien’s 57th minute effort was saved by keeper Conor Dooley.

Boland’s goal came in the 12th minute of

the second half when he cut in along the endline before angling his drive past Kieran Glennon to push Dublin in front after the sides had been level at the interval.

A massive 80m free from Paul Winters extended Dublin’s lead but Westmeath responded well and reeled in that lead with four deadballs

from O’Brien with six minutes remaining.

Then came the penalty save before Boland struck the winner following approach play from fellow sub Fiontan McGibb.

The Dubs will face Wexford, semi-final victors over Offaly, in Parnell Park on Wednesday, July 9.

feile: u-14s secure national, regional titles

Club Noticeboard cuala Last weekend was a busy one for

The Cuala Summer Camp starts

our adult footballers with our first

on Monday, July 7; all the details,

team getting an important 2-17 to

forms, etc are on our website.

2-11 win away to St Pat’s Palmers-

Well done to the minor B hurlers

town which keeps them in conten-

who progressed to the league final

tion at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, in AFL5, the second

last Sunday after beating St Brigid’s by 5-14 to 1-4.

footballers overcame Balinteer

Last Tuesday was a historic one

by 3-10 to 0-12 on Sunday while the

for Cuala when we had our first

third team got a walkover from

adult camogie home match for seven

Templeogue Synge St in AFL 9.

years. The girls rose to the occasion,

Congratulations to Martha Byrne

defeating Round Tower 8-13 to 3-4.

and the rest of the Dublin ladies

Thanks to all those who came down

footballers for their outstanding

to cheer the girls on.

7-18 to 1-7 win over Westmeath in the Leinster championship semi-final.

Well done to Mick Fitzsimons and the rest of the Dublin senior foot-

Hard luck to the ladies second football team who were defeated by Round Tower last Thursday by 2-8 to 3-7.

ballers on beating Wexford 2-25

The lotto numbers drawn were 9,

to 1-12 to reach the Leinster final

3, 4 and 17, and next week’s jackpot

against Meath.

will be €12,400. Our three €50 lucky

Good luck to Paul Schutte, Simon Timlin, Cian O’Callaghan, David Trea-

dip winners were Harry Roberts, Peter Dunne and Mark Daly.

cy, Colm Cronin, Oisin Gough and all

Well done to all our academy

the Dublin hurlers in the Leinster

teams who had their last Go Games

final against Kilkenny next Sunday.

before the summer break.

shankill Kilmacud Crokes Under-14 footballers secured their Feile title in Newbridge last weekend

Crokes at the double in dual code Feiles  sport@dublingazette.com

K ilmacud Crokes Under-14s secured a dual code double last weekend when their footballers won the regional Feile title in Newbridge to go with the Under-14B hurlers’ success at the equivalent event in Wexford the week before.

The footballers took to the field at the Kildare Centre of Excellence at Hawkfield last Saturday for their group games, which saw them face St Paul’s from Laois and Bryansford from Down.

After defeating both of those opponents, they went head-to-head with

Douglas of Cork to see which of the sides would reach the final.

Crokes won the encounter by a definite 3-6 to 0-2 margin, meaning that they topped the table and progressed to the final which took place at the main county pitch at St Conleth’s in Newbridge.

The final saw Crokes play Churchill from Tralee, and once again they put in an impressive showing, and pulled ahead early on with some good scores. Their dominance meant that they could give their complete 23-man panel a run out in the final through rolling substitu-

tions.

The performance from Kilmacud Crokes drew plaudits from both the Kildare hosts and Kerry opposition, with Crokes winning in the end on a scoreline of 3-9 to 0-4, earning them plaudits from mentors Fergal Keys, Ronnie Murray, Michael Veale and Philip Comerford.

The win completed a double for Crokes who a week previously won the national Division 1 hurling Feile at Pairc Charman in Wexford Town.

The hurlers faced off against Na Fianna from Offaly, a closely contested match that ended with Crokes narrowly

claiming victory.

Their next group game was against Ballynastragh Gaels from Gorey, and despite being behind at the end of the first half, used their skills and the elements to record a 3-8 to 2-5 victory.

Crokes’ final group game was against St Mary’s of Leixlip, which saw Crokes score good long-range points as well as producing some good passages of interplay.

The trio of victories combined to deliver them the title, and their mentors Shane Canny, Rory Murphy and Paddy Linehan praised their performances on and off the field.

The juvenile academy continues

Shanganagh Castle and every Sat-

every Saturday from 12 noon to 1pm

urday at 12 noon in the same venue

in Shanganagh Castle, catering for

when no match is scheduled.

children from four to seven years

Children must bring wet gear,

old at only €2 per session, covering

mouthguards, and both football

Gaelic football, hurling and cam-

boots and trainers for each train-

ogie. It’s a great hour’s fun for eve-

ing session. For more information,

ryone involved. New members are

contact Garry Cleary on 087 215

always welcome.

2170.

If your child is aged between eight

Club T-shir ts are available to

and 11 (born between 2003 and

purchase at our juvenile academy

2006) and would be interested in

every week for only €15.

playing for either team, then join

Our Chase the Ace Sunday night

now: no experience necessary, just

draw at Brady’s of Shankill is really

an interest in having fun with your

exciting with the jackpot at a mouth

friends. Training takes place every

watering €2,750. Tickets are only €2

Wednesday evening from 7 to 8pm in

each, so buy early and buy often.

naomh olaf Our senior footballers had a great 3-12 to 2-5 victory over Finbarrs In the league on Saturday.

Hard luck to our junior footballers who were beaten by Starlights on

away to Round Tower at 7.30pm.

Our minor footballers take on Ballyboden away in the league on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.

Sympathy is extended to the O’Malley family on the recent death of Kevin

Sunday.

Senior hurlers are in champion-

O’Malley.

ship action on Wednesday evening at

Congratulations to Eoin Kinsel-

7.30pm away to Kevin’s. Junior hurlers

la on his recent marriage to Lilly

in championship action on Thursday

O’Donaghue.

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

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GazetteSPORT all of your dun laoghaire sports coverage from page 27-31

tIDEY PERFORMANCE: Glenageary pair show big improvements in Olympic qualifier preparations P30

july 3, 2014

rio on the horizon: Finn Lynch on his road to the 2016 Olympic Games P29

The Foxrock Cabinteely Feile team secured their second successive Feile crown in Galway last weekend

Fantastic young Foxes Cabinteely footballers secure Feile double after smooth running to the final in Galway where they defeated Kilkerrin/Clonbere in the decider  stephen findlater

sport@dublingazette.com

FOXROCK Cabinteely produced a superb second half performance to see off Kilkerrin/ Clonberne in the All-Ireland Division 1 Feile final, completing an incredibly rare back-toback set of titles.

They were crowed a year ago in dramatic fashion, overcoming a series of group stage play-offs and miscounted scorelines but this year’s success was more clear-cut.

The Kilbogget Park club picked up strong group stage wins in Galway against eventual final opponents Kilkerrin as well as St Rynagh’s and host club Corofin all with at least six-points to spare.

Dunboyne were ousted 3-2 to no score in the quarter-finals while Cork champions Glanmire

were next to be swept aside 3-10 to 0-3 in the semi-finals.

Manager Paul Hamill described it as an “awesome performance” and laid the foundation for the final success.

“To beat the Cork champions by that score was some achievement and was probably the best we played over the weekend,” he said.

Kilkerrin had made their way through the knock-out phases too, aiming to exact revenge for their 2-5 to 1-2 in the initial group game.

But the final was a much keener affair. Roisin McGovern’s goal gave Foxrock the initial impetus only for the Galway side to reply quickly and tie things up at 1-2 each at half-time.

But a supreme second half performance saw Foxrock fire four points without response with Christina Hamill ending with three points in addition to scores from Sophie McDonnell and

Sarah Kelly.

“It was cagey and took both sides a bit of time to settle because we had a five-hour gap from the semi-finals. It was nip and tuck, they got a goal straight after us. The second half we got on top in midfield and took four really good points in a row and they didn’t score in the second half.

“Our experience told. Seven of the girls who played in last year’s national winning Feile team were back and had that experience to help us in the second half and we definitely got on top.”

In so doing, they became the first Dublin side to win back-to-back All-Ireland ladies football titles, emulating feat achieved by Claregalway and South Kerry and is the third time – the other came in 2005 – the club have been on this rostrum.

“This team has been very successful through

the age groups in its own right so we have stuck with the kids we have been using all along and have been together for a number of years.

“We have a couple of kids now who have three Dublin Division 1 Feile medals and two national medals which is a fair achievement – Eve Reidy and Christina Hamill.

“Most of these kids have been together since the academy and nursery in the club – we have had a team of mentors who are very committed while the players train hard and work hard.

There is a great bond between them as a group and they seem to rise to the occasion every time.

“When you got on a pedestal like that, everyone is trying to knock you down but, in fairness, to this group, they have held their own and risen to all the challenges. They are just a very cohesive bunch who get on very well together.”