Dundrum

Gazette DUNDRUM

February 16-22, 2017

Belts and buckles and corset-style bindings mix up fresh Spring looks

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Pages 16-17

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‘Toxic Taoiseach’ claim WIN prompts FG rebellion A pair of tickets to the Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show at the RDS SEE P13

Representatives turn on colleague who breaks ranks and blasts boss

 EMMA NOLAN A FINE Gael mutiny has begun in Dundrum – with a local councillor labelling An Taoiseach Enda Kenny as “toxic” following a week of political upheaval.

In a damning comment, Cllr Brian Murphy said the Taoiseach is a “danger and an obstacle” to Fine Gael.

Writing on the Young Fine Gael YFG National Discussion Forum, the Dundrum councillor, who was elected

in 2014, went on to say that the leader of the party is “pure toxic”.

Cllr Murphy went on to say: “Enda Kenny is now using the party for personal gain, I would go as far as to say that.”

Senator Neale Richmond said that he “can understand Brian’s frustrations, but that extreme language is unnecessary”. Several other party colleagues also criticised Cllr Murphy’s comments.

Full Story on Page 4

2 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2017

GLENALBYN | RISING TIDE OF QUESTIONS AS REBUILDING STALLS

Locals losing patience as pool delay drags on  EMMA NOLAN DELAYS over the rebuilding of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool are being questioned by locals – who are now more than three years without the facility.

September 2016 saw hopes raised as the council announced that their consultant’s report recommended the beloved pool be rebuilt on the same site.

However, there has been little action since then and locals are growing increasingly exasperated.

Local councillor Deirdre Donnelly (Ind) said she is “not impressed” with the lack of progress. She said: “We have been told the same story for the past

Closed since 2013 and now derelict – Glenalbyn pool

year. People are asking questions and are clearly not happy.”

Glenalbyn Swimming Pool closed suddenly in December, 2013, and has remained derelict since then.

Pool staff, locals and

politicians have been campaigning for the council to provide the amenities that have been lacking since the pool’s closure.

A spokesperson from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council told The Gazette that it is

“clear that there are issues with the site of the original pool”.

As the pool building was left idle since its closure for health and safety reasons in 2013, it was neglected and fell into a state of dereliction. Last January, an emergency decision by council bosses was made to cave the roof in due to the falling roof tiles, thus worsening the condition of the existing structure.

The council said that they are now in ongoing negotiations with Kilmacud Crokes (who own the land where the pool is located) to see if an agreement can be reached to resolve the issues in order to allow a Part 8 planning process to commence for the refurbishment of the pool on the existing site.

A council spokesperson said: “It has been agreed that Kilmacud Crokes and

the council would work together to address issues of concern that the club has regarding the provision of facilities generally for their members and proposals of the council to increase the availability of sports pitches in the county.”

However, Cllr Donnelly said this negotiation process has “dragged on too long”. Minister for Transport Shane Ross echoed Cllr Donnelly’s views.

He said: “I am very disappointed that the reopening of the pool does not appear to be a priority issue for the council.

“I appreciate there are significant issues that need to be ironed out with Kilamacud Crokes, but the council has dragged its feet for over three years now.

“The greater Stillorgan area has been without this amenity for far too long.”

FASTNews

A round of applause for an award-winning junction THE Leopardstown Link Road and Roundabout has won an award for best civil engineering project at the recent Council & Community Awards.

The design was managed in-house by the DLR Roads Projects Office, and according to the council it replaced the previous roundabout with “a safer and more efficient signalised junction to manage heavy traffic flows in the area and provide improved pedestrian and cycle connectivity”.

Accepting the award on behalf of the council were An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF), along with Michael Mangan, senior engineer with the council’s Infrastructure and Climate Change department, and Cllr Pat Hand (FG).

Cllr Devlin said: “Winning this award demonstrates the council’s commitment to upgrading its transport infrastructure for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses in the county. It is also a fitting reward for all the hard work put in by the council’s staff and its contractors.”

You’re growing to love these gardening classes THE Garden School in Marlay Park has an exciting programme of short courses for this spring, with gardening workshops and classes commencing this month.

Topics covered will include gardening for beginners; growing your own vegetables; container gardening, and garden design.

Classes will be held on week-day mornings at the Regency Walled Garden in Marlay Park in Rathfarnham, Grange Road, Dublin 16 .

For enrolment and further details of all the courses, see the website at www.thegardenschool.ie.

Get to Gub Dandy’s for the Life-saving help for returned Brady’s Sessions

Stepaside village

STEPASIDE village now has access to its own potentially life-saving defibrillator and it is available to anyone who may need it, 24 hours a day.

The defibrillator unit is located on the wall outside Stepaside Medical in Stepaside Village and was provided in trust by Oxygen Care.

The funds for the defibrillator came from fundraising by the local community and Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab) is hoping to set up a first responders’ team in the near future.

Defibrillators can literally make a life-saving difference for people having a cardiac attack. For further information on the unit, contact Stepaside Medical at 01 294 8988.

THE Brady’s Sessions returns after a ten-month absence on Friday, February 24 from 9pm to 1am in Gub Dandy’s at the side of Brady’s pub in Terenure, with a couple of singer/songwriters and one band.

Acts performing on the night include Jim Loughran, Ciaran Moran and The Black Overtones.

Admission is free and the gig is hosted by Keith McLoughlin.

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

16 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 3

 ALISON O’HANLON

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

PIctures: ALISON O’HANLON

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

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

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

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

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

4 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2017

POLITICS | ANGRY REPRESENTATIVES ROUND ON MURPHY’S MUTINOUS MUSINGS

Councillor’s ‘Toxic Taoiseach’ claim starts furious FG row  EMMA NOLAN and AISLING KENNEDY A LOCAL Fine Gael councillor has called An Taoiseach Enda Kenny “toxic” following a week of political upheaval.

In a damning comment, Cllr Brian Murphy said the Taoiseach is a “danger and an obstacle” to Fine Gael.

Writing on the Young Fine Gael YFG National Discussion Forum, the Dundrum councillor, who was elected in 2014, went on to say that the leader of the party is “pure toxic”.

Cllr Murphy went on to say: “Enda Kenny is now using the party for personal gain, I would go as far as to say that.”

While some members of the YFG group disagreed with Cllr Murphy’s comments, many agreed with him, with a fellow Young Fine Gael member saying:

Screengrab supplied (and edited) by a Young Fine Gael member showing Cllr Brian Murphy’s (above) contentious comments

“I can count more than 10 times in the GE [General Election] that he came up on the doors – the party was fine, the candidate was fine BUT Enda Kenny ... was not fine.”

The hashtag “#KennyOut” was also used.

Senator Neale Richmond [FG] said that he “can understand Brian’s

ie

frustrations, but that extreme language is unnecessary”.

“We all must remember how far Enda Kenny as Taoiseach has brought the country, and as a leader of Fine Gael has brought the party.”

Senator R ichmond added that Mr Kenny has

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his full support.

Other local Fine Gael representatives condemned Cllr Murphy’s comments. Cllr Patricia Stewart said: “I thought they were a disgrace, and he certainly doesn’t speak for me.

“I don’t think people realise at what personal

cost he [Enda Kenny] has led the Government and brought the country back from the brink of the worst recession we’ve ever seen.

“Enda Kenny has my full support. He’s said he’ll go when he’s made his mind up when it’s best for the party and for the country.

“Brian Murphy is not a wet week in politics and I just don’t agree with anything that was said. I don’t agree with a word of it.”

Cllr John Bailey said that he doesn’t “get involved in this sort of carry-on” but that Mr Kenny has his full support until such time as he decides to step down.

C l l r B a i l e y ’s D u n Laoghaire colleague, Cllr Mary Freyne, echoed her party colleagues’ comments, saying that “Enda Kenny is not toxic in most people’s opinion in Fine Gael”.

She added: “I don’t agree with him [Cllr Murphy] at all and I don’t think he should put things like that up because it’s not warranted and it’s not helpful,” she added.

The Gazette tried to contact Cllr Murphy several times for comment but he had not replied by the time of going to print.

FASTNews

Disappointment as Halawa trial delayed again LOCAL Green Party TD Catherine Martin has expressed her disappointment following the adjournment of Ibrahim Halawa’s trial in Egypt for the 19th time.

Ibrahim’s next trial date has been set for March 22.

Speaking following the news, Deputy Martin said: “This is a bitterly disappointing blow for Ibrahim after the visit to Egypt of the Oireachtas delegation recently.

“We have been told that Ibrahim will be returned home to Ireland as soon as his trial finishes, but this is a very hollow promise if a trial never happens.

“We will continue to work with the Government to ensure that the maximum pressure is applied to the Egyptian authorities by both our own diplomatic offices in Cairo, and through the EU’s representatives in Egypt.”

16 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5

SOUTH DUBLIN | PROJECT EXPECTED TO ACCOMMODATE ALMOST 15,000 OVER NEXT 3 YEARS Brian Moran, managing director of Hines Ireland, Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor, An Cathaoirleach Cllr Cormac Devlin, Minister Simon Coveney and Kate O’Connell TD

Work starts on new town of Cherrywood ‘Miserable’ 10% for social housing  EMMA NOLAN WHILE the sod was being turned at Cherrywood this week, People Before Profit (PBP) criticised the “pathetically inadequate” number of social houses included in the development.

800 social housing units are to be provided out of the 8,000 new homes which will constructed as part of the €500 million state investment at Cherrywood and PBP say that this is “totally unacceptable”.

TD Richard Boyd Barrett has now called for a dramatic increase in the proposed “miserable” 10% of homes that are allocated for social housing on the site.

Speaking at the ceremony last week, Deputy Boyd Barrett said: “Simon Coveney reaffirmed the level of investment that the state has paid for to unlock development at this site for Hines and other landowners.

“An enormous €500 million was spent by the state on infrastructure to facilitate the launch of the Cherrywood SDZ.

“Given this level of investment by the state, the return of a mere 10% of constructed homes by developers for social housing is pathetically inadequate.

“These private developers who got this site from NAMA stand to make and absolute fortune from Cherrywood.

“Given the enormous investment from the state we must insist that we get very considerably more than 800 social housing units.

“The state investment of €500 million if used directly to build council houses would deliver 2,500 social housing units at least.”

Deputy Boyd Barrett has called on Minister Coveney to ensure that 20% of the development is used for social housing “at an absolute minimum”.

“If this was done it would greatly alleviate the disastrous social housing crisis in the Dun Laoghaire and Ballybrack areas and bring some hope to families languishing on the waiting list for up to 20 years,” he added.

An artist’s impressions of the Cherrywood town

 AISLING KENNEDY CHERRYWOOD Town Centre will begin its first phase of construction in the next few months following the official “turning of the sod” ceremony last week.

As part of the first phase of the €160m project, the new Town Centre for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown will see 4,000 new homes built, 800 of which will be allocated to social housing.

The homes will be a mixture of houses, apartments and townhouses and they will accommodate almost 15,000 people over the next three years.

In addition, two primary schools, a secondary school, three major parks, retail space and office space are planned as part of the first phase of construction.

Building works will begin in spring this year and will initially see the development of a major road, cycleway and pedestrian pathway network as well as three very large parks.

It is expected that these building works will be completed over the next 15 months.

The construction of physical, social and educational infrastructure will be a condition of planning permission as the development proceeds.

Developer Hines Ireland has partnered with Jons Civil Engineering John Cradock JV Ltd to roll out the first phase of development which will be completed by Spring 2018.

In attendance on the day of the official “turning of the sod” were Ministers Simon Coveney; Mary MitchellO’Connor TD; Brian Moran, senior managing director of Hines Ireland and An Cathaoirleach Cllr Cormac Devlin.

Cllr Devlin said that Cherrywood will be an exceptional development of “residential, office, retail and multi-use parkland that will be at the vanguard of new town planning not just in Ireland but across the EU.” He added: “Eventually Cherrywood will support over 7,700 new homes, with a population of up to 30,000 people living in an area developed sympathetically with the landscape, supporting our natural heritage in a superb geographic location.”

Brian Moran from Hines Ireland said: “We are delighted that construction is now under way for this phase of development for the new town of Cherrywood.”

Senator Victor Boyhan also attended the ceremony and said: “It was great to see the detailed plans for the three new major parks for Cherrywood which are due to commence this spring.”

Senator Boyhan added, however, that he remains “concerned about the affordability of new homes at Cherrywood for first time buyers.”

6 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2017

R1

Out and About

Locals look to flex the ol’ noggin Quizmaster Brid O’Meara

Left: Chairman Billy Andrews

T

HE Goat Grill in Goatstown was the place to be for all local masterminds looking to test their brains as Kilmacud Musical Society held their annual table quiz. Around 40 tables of very enthusiastic table-quizzers were put to the test with questions on general knowledge, TV and film, music, sport, history and politics, and, of course, musicals. The event is always a fun night out for friends and family and also a fundraiser to help them put on their upcoming shows.

16 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 7

Out and About

Dundrum AIB manager Dorothy Beacom presents jerseys to students Troy Ajimokun and Emma Conlon with PE coach Niamh Barton

Dundrum AIB manager Dorothy Beacom with AIB student officer Fionnuala O’Brien and James Keane Custome with the students. Pictures: ROSE COMISKEY

Students have a ball with their new jerseys B

ALLINTEER Community School was the scene of a welcome presentation last week when Dundrum AIB branch manager Dorothy Beacom presented new jerseys to students from the under-19 and under-16 basketball teams in the school. PE coach Niamh Barton said they were delighted to accept the sponsorship from AIB who have a long record of supporting community events.

The students try out their new gear

Action on the court

Students Otilija Gerulskyte, Troy Ajimokun, Santiago Pompa, Emma Conlon and Dominic Diego

8 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2017

SAFETY | SENATOR SAYS INCREASING BLAZES ‘MUST BE STOPPED’

Rise in gorse fires spark hillside fears  AISLING KENNNEDY

With increasing gorse fires on the Dublin Mountains (above), locals are increasingly worried about a major blaze causing havoc

THE increase in the number of gorse fires around the Dublin Mo u n t a i n s ove r t h e past few months must be stopped, according to Senator Neale Richmond (FG).

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

In November, a large fire broke out in the Ticknock area of the Dublin mountains and on January 25, Dublin Fire Brigade sent three fire brigades from Dun Laoghaire and Rathfarnham stations to attend a gorse fire in Glencullen.

Senator R ichmond said: “For the second time in as many weeks, residents of South County Dublin have been confronted with the sight of the Dublin Mountains in flames.

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

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

One local resident spoke out on social media following the fires

and said: “All over these mountains from now until the summer there are fires set deliberately and those setting them are well-known locally.”

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

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

He said: “We need particular focus on this now before we enter the summer months when such fires are even more commonplace.”

FASTNews

Prestigious health literacy awards dispensed to Haven pharmacies HAVEN Pharmacy Greenes, Rathfarnham and Haven Pharmacy Brennans, Ballyboden, have been awarded the Crystal Clear Mark – Ireland’s first health literacy quality mark.

The programme recognises the critical role pharmacies play in helping patients understand their health issues, and the steps they can take to improve their health.

Commenting on their accreditation, manager Ann Doyle, from Haven Pharmacy Brennans, said: “What we have learned through this process is that simple changes can make a big difference to the health of our patients. We are therefore delighted to receive the CrystalClear Mark. This will enable us to provide an even better level of service to our customers in the local area.”

Take in a talk on the life, times – and money – of Jonathan Swift

THE latest talk at the Mount Merrion Historical Society will explore the life of Jonathan Swift.

2017 marks the 350th anniversary of the birth of Jonathan Swift, Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin from 1713 until his death in 1745, and the celebrated author of Gulliver’s Travels, and The Modest Proposal.

When Swift died, he bequeathed a fortune of more than £13,000 – comparable to several million euro today. This talk will focus on the understudied topic of Swift And Money and recount how Swift succeeded in amassing and managing such a large fortune. Brendan Twomey will deliver the talk at the community centre in Mount Merrion on Thursday, March 2, at 8pm.

Dundrum homes are helping to drive the country’s future transport needs DESPITE the rain nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of Gala Pete and Jamie Lynam as they helped Barry Colleary, head of transport modelling and National Transport Authority spokesperson

launch a new household travel survey, which will include 1,815 south Dublin properties in its research.

By using three-day travel diaries, Dundrum and nearby areas

will help to compile a picture of the whole country’’s transport needs and habits, helping to create policies and plans for the country’s transport needs for years to come.

Picture: Shane O’Neill photographer

16 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 9

RATHFARNHAM | SHOCK AT TRAGIC, SUDDEN DEATH The late Tonya McEvoy

ARTS | DARK COMEDY ENTERTAINS

Laugh and cry along with Little Bobby play  EMMA NOLAN

Club pays tribute to cyclist killed in collision with car  AISLING KENNEDY

TRIBUTES have been paid to the young cyclist from Rathfarnham who was tragically killed last Sunday morning when she was involved in a collision with a car.

Tonya McEvoy (34), was out cycling with the Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club in Kildare when she was involved in the accident.

It is believed that Ms McEvoy was at the back of the group when the accident happened on the

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

‘Cycling was a big part of her life and she loved every minute of it’

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

R408 from Rathcoffey to Maynooth.

She was taken to Naas General Hospital by ambulance following the accident.

The driver of the car who hit Ms McEvoy is believed to be a male driv-

er in his early 20s. He did not sustain any injuries in the crash.

Following Ms McEvoy’s death, the Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club said they were shocked by the tragic death.

A spokesperson said: “It was with deep sadness that we lost Tonya McEvoy on a Sunday spin yesterday. Tonya started as one of our talented beginner women last summer and took to club cycling with a passion.”

The club spokesperson said that her sister told

GOT A STORY?

them that “cycling was a big part of her life and she loved every minute of it.”

The club extended its deepest condolences to her family – her parents, Pat and Brian, her brothers, Brian and Keith, and her sister, Ciara.

“We remember also her friends and close clubmates, and thoughts to those also who were with her at the time of the accident.”

Ms McEvoy’s death marks the first death of a cyclist this year, following 10 cyclist deaths in 2016.

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A DUNDRUM playwright has written a play about mental health that is currently touring the country. Kelly Shatter’s (right) play, Big Bobby Little Bobby, is a dark comedy that will make the audience “laugh and cry” at the same time.

The 33-year-old Dundrum local, and daughter of former Minister for Defence, Alan Shatter, told The Gazette: “The premise of the play is, it’s set in rural Ireland and it’s about a woman called Bobby in her early thirties who has been living with her mother her whole life.”

The character even shares the same bed with her mother, so “it’s a very unhealthy and co-dependant relationship”.

“The mum has a drink problem, so then Bobby decides it’s time to move out so she moves in to her granny’s old place. She’s on her own in this house and now, she starts to hear this little voice in her head called ‘Little Bobby’.”

Kelly, who co-wrote and directed the

production, says that the “little demonic male” voice sound very cute but is also “very debased and crude”.

“That’s where a lot of the comedy comes from – the struggle between her adult self. Trying to just be in the world and finding a boyfriend and getting out there. She’s already socially anxious and then this little voice just keeps telling her that she’s awful and not good enough.”

This extremely dark comedy is intended to “make people cry from laughing and make people cry from crying” says Kelly. This one-woman show is performed by Camille Lucy Ross, who Kelly describes as “amazing”. Camille plays all characters in the show – sometimes up to even six or seven characters in one scene.

Having been performed in Galway, Longford and Tallaght so far this month, the play takes to the stage in the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray on February 17, and then again in the Axis Theatre in Ballymun on March 8.

10 GAZETTE 16 February 2017

Out and About

Jenny Buckley and Rachel Kavanagh

Kerri Nicole Blanc and Sinead Noonan. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Tripthi Rodrigues and Charlotte Doyle

Sinead Keary and Sarah Keary

Enjoying a girls’ night out in Dundrum T

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

Lianne Traynor and Michelle Reggazoli Stone

Avila Lipsett

Stephen Kelly and Fergus Daly

Lorna Duffy

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 11

Out and About

Ellen Waters and Jonathan Crawley

Enny Buono and Jade Hanlon

Therese Ryan and Cormac Moore

Wayne Cronin and Leah Kilcullen

Sean McEvoy and Amanda Reid

January Winters. Photos : BRIAN MCEVOY

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

Baz Ashmawy

Helen Clinton and Niall Clinton

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

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

12 GAZETTE 16 February 2017

GAZETTE

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

 EMMA NOLAN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Headquartered at

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Financial backing is key Ensure you have enough capital

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

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

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

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

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 13

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

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

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

and Share our Carole Nash Motorbike & Scooter Show post.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mixing footage of the

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dublin Behind the History is available to watch on YouTube.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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DIARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Currently featuring

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A survey by Durex has revealed that 26% of us

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

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

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

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

Rising pressure hasn’t

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

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

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

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

Aspiring Dublin-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

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

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 17

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

Pictures: Dara Munnis

Queen Diesel

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

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

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

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

Best of luck folks!

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River Island

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

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

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

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

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

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

Ana Mac is sew stylish  EMMA NOLAN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a teenager, Anna

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

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

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

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

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

River Island Lace up corset belt €25

River Island Foldover waist belt €30

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brown and blonde.

3) CAILYN PURE LUXE

BELT &

BUCKLE BEAUTY

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

LIPSTICK, DARK PINK

1) IDC ULTIME DECOL-

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

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

LETE (€79.95) For all skin

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

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

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

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

4) VICHY IDEALIA PEELING ( €30 ) A personal

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

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

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

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

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

Protects the skin against environmental irritants.

8) EUCERIN AQUAPHOR SOOTHING SKIN BALM (€8)

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

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DUBLINLIFE

Great offers at Bagots Hutton for February  AISLING KENNEDY

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

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

The restaurant, which is based on South William Street

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

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

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

For more see www. bagotshutton.com

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

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

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

Get spoilt for choice in food heaven  AISLING KENNEDY

LOCAL MATTERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 21

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TRAVEL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 SYLVIA POWNALL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

worth the 850m climb.

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

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

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

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

beaches, across rocks and along clifftop paths.

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

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

Stay: The 4-star Causeway Hotel.

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

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

geology and spectacular landscapes.

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

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

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

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

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FASTNews

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Citroën brings presence to stylish new C3

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

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

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

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

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

The 1.6 litre turbo-die-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Citroën C3 BlueHDi 75

SPECIFICATIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

16 February 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

MOTORING

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

GM and Honda to establish joint fuel-fuel operation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The engine gave impressively smooth acceleration but comes with a thirst

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

Kodiaq Act 1.4 TSI petrol model

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

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

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

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

GAZETTE

24 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE

ReelReviews

LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Wholly entertaining

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

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

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

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

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

50 SHADES DARKER Grey Steele strike back

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Film.

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

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

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

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

some politically charged moments.

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

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

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

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

16 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

CINEMA

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

HIDDEN FIGURES: A GREAT LOOK AT STRUGGLES FOR EQUAL RIGHTS

Well worth finding  ROMY CARROLL

The little-known key roles of African-American women in NASA’s early days finally gets a great film

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

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

the day-to-day challenges of America’s turbulent civil rights movement.

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

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

side of the campus.

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

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

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

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

We also follow Mary J a c k s o n ( p l ay e d b y Janelle Monae), who had a family of three to bring up but still passionately believed in her dream to become an engineer in the white, male-dominanted world.

Despite her lack of civil rights, she still believed in her dream, even though she wasn’t allowed to go to college, never mind be an engineer.

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

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

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

Verdict: 9/10

26 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2017

DUNDRUMCLASSIFIEDS ALARMS

DVDS

PLANNING NOTICE

PAINTING

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Permission is sought for a proposed new vehicular entrance, including gatepost and gate, to serve new dwelling approved under application DIIA/0388/E at 332 Meadow Grove, Churchtown, Dublin 16

by Marianne McGill.

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, County Hall, Dun Laoghaire during its public opening hours. A submission/observation may be made on payment of €20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority.

28607

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

CARPENTRY & CONSTRUCTION PIANO

PLANNING NOTICE Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Paul Finn and Ella Tyrrell intend to apply for permission for an attic conversion with 1 no. dormer and 2 no. rooflights to the rear of the main roof at 8 Alderman Road, Belmont, Aikens Village, Stepaside, Dublin 18.

This 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, County Hall, Dun Laoghaire, during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within 5 weeks of receipt of this application by the Planning Authority.

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DUNDRUMCLASSIFIEDS TREE CUTTING

WINDOWS

PLANNING NOTICE

PLANNING NOTICE

PLANNING NOTICE

DUN LAOGHAIRE – RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL Planning permission is being sought from Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council for extension to side and rear of dwellinghouse comprising the following: conversion of ground floor garage to playroom, proposed two number bedrooms to side of dwelling at first floor level, dormer to rear of dwelling at roof level together with site development works to front of dwelling comprising widening of entrance gates and provision of bin store At 15 Whitethorn Road, Clonskeagh, D14. The planning application may be inspected or purchased for a fee not exceeding a reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, during its public opening hours of Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority, payment of a fee of €20 within 5 weeks of receipt of the application by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

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Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Permission sought to demolish an existing garage at side and single storey extension at rear, erect new 2 storey extension at side with new hipped roof and 2 velux rooflights to front elevation, single storey extensions at front and rear incorporating a granny flat on ground floor, rear dormer extension, widening of existing front vehicular gate entrance, all at 17 Highfield Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14 for Josephine Keogh. This 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 during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on the payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application.

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Dún LaoghaireRathdown County Council We, Brian & Lisa Whelan, intend to apply for permission for development at this site 21, Highfield Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14.

The development will consist of a first floor extension to the side of the house, a dormer window and first floor window to the rear, the infill of the front porch area, some internal modifications, and all associated site works.

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, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire during its public opening hours. A submission/observation may be made on payment of €20, within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the Planning Authority.

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GAZETTE

28 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2017

SPORT

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

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

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

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

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

Shankill club giving it Sox for 2017 league campaign

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

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

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

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

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

The Black Sox are preparing for their 2017 Baseball Ireland season

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

it!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“T here are several teams in Dublin and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lucy McKee finished Ards’

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

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

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

16 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

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

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

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

injury.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

some of the fun out of it.

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

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

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

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

“I teach kids on

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aisling Daly, centre, with fellow SBG team members

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

Conor McGregor and Paddy Holohan

GAZETTE

30 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

ATHLETICS: JUNIOR SIDE STAR AT CLUB CROSS COUNTRY IN PORTUGAL

Ballinteer belles land Leinster soccer title

BALLINTEER Community School claimed the Under-19 ladies Leinster B title in dramatic fashion with a penalty shoot—out victory over Gaelcholaiste Cheatharlach from Carlow.

A highly competitive tie ended 1-1 at full time and, after extra time produced no winner, was finally decided on penalties.

The Ballinteer side featured, back row from left to right: Kerryn White, Ciara Walsh, Ava McGuire, Katelyn Mooney, Silvia Huelves Garcia, Rebecca Tyrell, Jamie McGrath Dempsey and Caitriona McGearthy.

Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are Rebecca Jones Williams, Lauren Reilly, Lynn Anderson, Jessica Menton, Karla Colley, Leah Molloy, Eve Colley and Caragh White Kelly.

The side qualified for the All-Ireland stage of the competition as a result, reaching the semifinal but they subsequently bowed out 1-0 at the hands of Cork’s St Peter’s Community School from Passage West.

Wesley through to junior cup quarter finals WESLEY College reached the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup quarter-finals with a win over St Andrew’s College at Anglesea Road.

With Wesley qualifying via the Fr Godfrey Cup and St Andrew’s playing at this level in the Junior Cup for the first time in years having claimed a first round spot through the league, this was always going to be a close contest.

And so it proved, with a tight first half ending 5-0 in Wesley’s

favour, Peter Costello getting the unconverted try. The Ballinteer school threatened to pull away when Jamie Metchette’s effort was converted by Max Collins to extend their lead to 12-0.

Nathan Murphy crossed for Andrew’s first score and converted his own try to narrow the margin with plenty of time remaining for a comeback.

Unfortunately for Andrew’s, Wesley rose to the challenge.

A Tadhg O’Neill try, followed by another score from Nathan Columb ended the Andrew’s fight back and sent Wesley into the Junior Cup quarterfinals on a 22-7 scoreline.

The DSD junior team, left, with coaches Donal Hennigan and Eddie McDongah; Sophie Murphy, in grey on right, in the leading pack

DSD close to Euro bronze sport@dublingazette.com

DUNDRUM South Dublin’s athletes produced a series of superb runs to come extremely close to landing medals at the European Clubs Cross Country Championships in Albufeira, Portugal.

The junior women finished fourth in the team event while the senior women were sixth in their best ever performance on this elevated international stage.

For the junior side, Sophie Murphy (fifth), Abbie Taylor (13th) and Jodie McCann (17th) were all involved in the top ten battle of a classy field, for

the first two laps.

Going out on the last lap, Murphy was in contention for the gold medal, as five athletes broke away, with Taylor about 20 metres back and McCann fighting grimly to hold on to the lead group.

In the second echelon, Grace Dervan (29th), Roseanne McCullough (31st) and Niamh Carey (40th) battled every step of the way to keep the team in contention.

Unfortunately, the rules allowed Turkey to have two teams in the competition, being the previous year’s winners, and they had the advantage of picking national squads to

MOTORING AHEAD Mount Merrion get big boost from Deerpark MOUNT Merrion received an extra boost with

confirmation of new shirt sponsors, Deerpark Motor Company, courtesy of Stephen Murray.

They are pictured following their recent LSL Sunday Senior 1A 1-1 draw away to Templeogue United.

Speaking about the new deal, a club statement said: “Sponsorship income is critical to the running of our club. If you’re in the process of getting your first car or replacing your existing car, please consider the Deerpark Motor Company.”

train together in Istanbul.

It gave them a big advantage over smaller clubs representing their national associations and, when the points were totalled, DSD were just beaten for the bronze.

They finished in fourth place ahead of teams from Finland, Lithuania, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Germany and the Czech Republic.

And the performance gives hope that they can go even better in the future.

Of the team, only Murphy is not qualified for the next two years and this young team can challenge for the top spot in Europe sooner rather than later.

In the senior women’s event, Olympian Maria McCambridge (26th) set a strong pace with Laura Shaughnessy (31st) in the top 20 while Sarah Mulligan (35th), Fiona Clinton (32nd) and Meghan Ryan (41st) strived with might and main half way down the field, knowing that every place counts for the final score.

McCambridge was as brave as a lion but could not match the top ten which contained a Kenyan-born winner and an Ethiopian in second place.

It is part of a controversial recent trend of European countries signing up African runners to

become more competitive.

This is the last time these teams will be allowed to sign up overseas athletes to boost their teams, as the ECCC has banned the practice indefinitely.

In ths US, meanwhile, Siofra Cleirigh Buttner produced a great one mile win in New York 4.33.16.

The former Colaiste Iosagain student and DSD runner – now with Vilanova University on scholarship – achieved the time at the Fast Track, Ocean Breeze Track and Field Complex.

She heads up the collegiate mile listings for the year thanks to this latest personal best.

16 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

HOUSING SUCCESS

Lisney extend support for Ballinteer St John’s

CLUB NOTICEBOARD BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S

BALLINTEER St John’s were thankful once

again for the support of Lisney’s Dundrum for their support of the Marlay club.

The company have sponsored the club’s annual mini leagues for the past five years along with the club’s nursery for the past three years.

For 2017, the company have now kitted out the Ballinteer Under-15 side with new jerseys for their upcoming campaign.

PLAYER of the year awards for 2016:

minor A: Eoghan Fitzpatrick, minor B:

hurling - senior: Fionan Clabby, junior A:

Andrew Timlin.

Thanks to all who supported our race

Oisin Power, minor: Patrick Watchhorn.

Ladies football – senior: Caitriona O

day in Leopardstown.

Bingo in the clubhouse each Monday

Brien, minor: Ruth Nolan. Camogie - senior: Breda Kennedy, junior: Sarah Mea-

at 8pm.

gher, minor A: Louise O Shea, minor B:

Congrats to Robbie Gaughan mem-

Freya Nathan. Football - senior: Robbie

ber of the victorious Dublin O’Byrne Cup

Gaughan, junior A: Aidan Tahaney, junior

team.

Bingo joker is now at €1,200.

B: Graham Dent, junior C: Brien Byrne,

CAMOGIE: NAGLE PLAYS BIG ROLE TO AID PURCELL WIN

KILMACUD CROKES

WELL done to the Division 1 U-15 football-

Annual club membership fees now due

ers who beat Ballinteer on a score of 3-5

– please use the link on the club website

to 1-9.

to pay online.

The Division 5 U-15 team also had a

Exciting building for the big fight night

good win over St Finian’s. The Division 6

on Saturday, February 25. Make sure

U-15 team lost out to Lucan Sarsfields.

you get involved.

The Division 1 U-16 footballers had a good

Details about the boxers and further

win in their opening league game against

training videos are being uploaded to the

Castleknock whist the U-16 Division 5

dedicated Kilmacud Crokes Fight Night

footballers beat Erin Go Bragh.

Facebook page.

The U-14 Division 1 footballers beat

Tickets are available from the 30

Templeogue Synge Street but the Divi-

fighters involved, the club shop, from

sion 3 and 7 Footballers lost out to St

Peter Walsh or Eventbrite. Please sup-

Patrick’s and Fingallians respectively.

port this great cause.

NAOMH OLAF

WELL done to the U-8 boys football team

Good win for the U-16 footballers last

and mentors who fielded for the first

Saturday. Useful challenge matches on

time at the weekend in Go Games.

Sunday last for the senior and junior

Well done also to the U-11 girls who braved the inclement conditions DIT celebrate their Purcell Cup success. Picture: Tommy Greally/Inpho

Boden star to fore in DIT colleges success PURCELL CUP FINAL DIT 1-8 Maynooth University 1-6  sport@dublingazette.com

B A L LY B O D E N S t Enda’s Sarah Nagle started in the final for DIT as they landed the Purcell Cup last weekend at the National Sports Campus.

The Dublin college was made to dig very deep before emerging victorious from the final at Abbotstown, prevailing 1-8 to 1-6 over Maynooth University.

The Dubliners had showcased their scoring capabilities in their

semi-final victory over IT Carlow when registering 3-15 but they had to rely on their fighting qualities with the silverware on the line.

Maynooth were involved in one of Saturday’s best games, but just held off Queen’s University, a late save by Niamh Doyle keeping the Belfast girls at bay.

Melissa Lyons was the key contributor for Maynooth and that was the case again in the final but she just had to give way to the magnificence of player of the match, Aoife Minogue.

Lyons opened the

scoring from a free but Meath shar pshooter Megan Thynne equalised for DIT. Thynne’s county colleague Minogue gave the Dublin-based crew the vital breathing space with a goal from a free and followed up with a point from a 45.

T here were four between the sides at that juncture but Lyons had that down to the minimum as she hit the target three times in succession, making it 1-3 to 0-4 at the change of ends.

And the Kildare star wasn’t done, slotting an equaliser soon after

the resumption before smashing the sliotar to the DIT net.

Maynooth were unable to deny Minogue though and she shot some remarkable points given the horrific weather conditions, including one from wide on the sideline and another from midfield, to reel in the deficit and edge DIT in front for their first Purcell Cup win since 2010.

It lays the base for a big 2017 with Dublin starting out their national camogie league campaign against Cork on Saturday in Group 1.

footballers and junior hurlers as the leagues and cups start very soon.

against neighbours Ballinteer St John’s.

There is still room for an act or two to

Best of luck to Clara O’Sullivan and

take part in the Lip Sync Legends fund-

the Dublin minor camogie team who

raiser in April. A group of members from

start their all-Ireland campaign in Cork

one team maybe? Don’t be shy, give it a

next Saturday.

go. Contact Jenny Murray please.

Also, to Chloe Ni Cheallaigh and Roisin

Lotto numbers this week: 3, 8 and 18.

McLoughlin and the Dublin premier jun-

The jackpot was not won. Next week’s

ior team who are also in action at home

jackpot is €1,600. See naomholaf.ie and

to Roscommon.

get your ticket.

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S THERE was no winner in this week’s

at 9.30pm. Please come along and show

lotto. Match first three winners are

your appreciation for the great sup-

Paddy Craven, Butterfield Ave, Rath-

port we receive from H@K.

farnham and Maura mulkerrin, Coolamber, Knocklyon.

The Boden News Annual 2016 is now available in the club, full of yearly

Congratulations to our U-12s and

reports, pictures and a whole lot more.

U-16A footballers on their victory to Na

It’s a great look back on a fantastic year

Fianna and Bs against St Sylvester’s.

for the club. Head down to the club to

The renewal of H@K as the club’s major sponsor will be launched in the clubhouse on Thursday, February 23

WANDERERS

get your free copy, they’re sure to go fast.

Membership for 2017 is now due.

THERE was no lotto winner. Numbers

resumed training; if you would like to

drawn were 5, 7 and 33; €25 goes to Alan

take part, please contact Keith on

Donovan, Fergal O Farnell, Molly & Claw,

087 9242974. Our ladies team will also

Monica Ledwidge.

resume shortly; please contact Louise

Next week’s jackpot is €4,100. Club

on 086 8333587 for more info.

membership is now due for 2017. Please

Our juvenile training continues on

check the website, Facebook or Twitter

Saturday mornings; please contact

pages for more details.

Fergal on 087 6213142 for more details,

Our adult mens’ teams has now

all new members welcome.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR DUNDRUM SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

EURO FOURTH: DSDAC come within touching distance of medal at continental clubs cross country races P30

FEBRUARY 16-22, 2017

AIS DALY’S NEXT BIG BASH: Following retirement, MMA star talks new horizons P29

UCD rider Eoin Morton at the launch of the 2017 An Post Ras which will begin on Sunday May 21 at Dublin Castle and finish on Sunday, May 28, in Skerries. Picture: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Marked man Morton UCD cyclist admits he will not have the element of surprise at the 2017 Ras after his groundbreaking 2016 victory on stage two over the professionals

 JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

UCD cyclist Eoin Morton has admitted he’ll be a “marked man” coming into the 2017 edition of the round-Ireland cycle tour the An Post Ras, but hopes to take another stage victory along the way.

He became the first man with a day job to win a stage of the Ras since 2013 when he took stage 2 last year.

And he told GazetteSport that his UCD team spend much of their year – from October onwards – preparing specifically for the Ras, and hopes that might give them an advantage come the race’s start on May.

“My name is on the radar after last year,” he explained. “I expect the competition will be watching me and won’t let me get away too easily. It was stage two that I won last year, and there was a similar scenario in stage five that went differently, probably because of stage two. I think this might be similar.”

Morton was speaking at the launch of the Ras, which will take in several stages in the hills of Donegal in 2017, making it one of the toughest courses of recent years.

Morton admitted that beyond the stage win, his main aim in such circumstances is “to make the finish,” and he doesn’t expect to keep pace in the hills.

Having recently won Cycling Ireland’s Rider

of the Year Award for 2016, Morton explains that his dad, former Ireland international cyclist Peter Morton, is still his main sponsor.

“He’s a huge supporter and really proud of my cycling,” Morton tells us.

“I started late at 22, and perhaps I could have been a pro if I’d start a few years earlier.

“I got a great job, a great education and a mortgage, and that kind of stability is fantastic compared to the world of pro-cycling. I still train 20-25 hours a week, which is as much as anyone does.

“The main difference is I train by riding to and from work, maybe an hour in and two or three hours back every day. It doesn’t give the same kind of recovery times that a pro rider

would get, but that’s the main difference. It is possible to compete.”

That’s particularly the case when the Ras is a key focus around Morton and his team, as it has very much become.

“Every other big race we do is about four days,” he concluded. “This one is eight and it’s our focus from October. The support on the sidelines from spectators is what really pulls you through.”

The 65th edition of An Post Ras runs from May 21 to May 28, starting in Dublin Castle and finishing in Skerries. The climbs over Donegal’s Glengesh Pass and Mamore Gap are expected to be critical in determining the victor.