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April 17, 2014

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Month XX, 2012 Palmerstown • Celbridge • Leixlip • Adamstown • Dodsboro • Liffey Valley • ballyowen

INSIDE: Top swimmer (and head of Dublin City Chamber) Gina Quin on how she relaxes See Page 12

Soccer:

Collinstown miss out in FAI Junior Cup semi drama Page 32

Football:

Sarfields go top of AFL2 with Fingallians win Page 31

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

all the write stuff: Celebrating the launch of Dublin Writers Festival P17

Body of man found in Liffey  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

The body of a man has been retrieved from the Liffey in Lucan this week. The discovery was made near the Hermitage golf course on Monday during a search of the area by gardai.

The Gazette spoke to a senior Garda source in Lucan Garda Station, who said: “We have found a body alright but it hasn’t been identified yet. The body was discovered

at around 2pm yesterday [April 14] and it was down at around the 11th hole of the Hermitage Golf Club at the Liffey around there. It was discovered as there was a search being conducted. We have to identify the body now and that could take a while.”

Cllr Guss O’Connell (Ind) said: “These are always tragic situations no matter whose body this happens to be, it is a tragedy for that person and their family.”

Telegu: Couple dance together for Hindu New Year celebrations husband and wife Ram Nair and Meena Ram team up in matching outfits to perform the traditional Indian dance Bharata Natyam at the Hindu New Year

celebrations Telegu, which were recently held at the Celbridge GAA Club. Picture: Jolanta Rossiter Full Gallery Next Week

2 LUCAN Gazette 17 April 2014

dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n Top Floor, Clarendon House, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes seven weekly quality free titles, covering the greater Dublin area from the city centre to Dun Laoghaire

higgins Language ‘clumsy and insensitive’

Traveller group unhappy with councillor’s apology  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

c o n ta c t s Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Editor: Mimi Murray mmurray@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Hiromi Mooney picturedesk@dublingazette.com Group Advertising Manager: Conor Mahon cmahon@dublingazette.com Direct Ad Sales Manager: Tatum Rooney trooney@dublingazette.com Advertising Production: Suzanne Sheehy ssheehy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch clynch@dublingazette.com

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www.dublingazette.com Dublin Gazette Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Fine Gael Cllr Emer Higgins has told the Gazette it was not her intention to “offend anyone” with comments that she made about plans for Traveller accommodation going in to an estate in Lucan last week.

She told the Gazette that the language she used was “clumsy and insensitive”.

“I supported the residents on their submission to the appropriate authority because the planning conditions of the original estate, including the provision of safety measures, have not been fulfilled and further development should not be permitted until they have been met. The ratio of housing schemes to privately owned units already exceeds that allowed for in the planning permission and is already in excess of what is provided for in legislation. That is why I believe that this location was an unsuitable choice for the proposed housing scheme,” she said this week.

The embattled Cllr also issued an apology on her website this week after she

Fine Gael Cllr Emer Higgins: “I regret that my choice of words was insensitive and I did not intend in any way to offend members of the Traveller community.”

sent out a flyer expressing her “delight” that 10 houses would not be purchased by the council for the Travelling community in Newcastle.

It said: “I apologise for offence caused by my comments in a recent letter in relation to the proposed traveller Accommodation Scheme in Ballynakelly, Newcastle.

I regret that my choice of words was insensitive and I did not intend in any way to offend members of the traveller community.”

Doreen Carpenter of Clondalkin Travellers’ Development Group said: “That’s not an apol-

ogy and she didn’t even recognise the need for Traveller accommodation.

There are 3,600 Travellers homeless. I’m not happy with it and it didn’t come across as sincere. She didn’t even spell Traveller with a capital ‘T’ and that says it all in a nutshell.”

Cllr Eamon Tuffy (Lab) said: “The reason it [10 house council purchase in Newcastle] fell through was that the developer couldn’t deliver.”

Cllr Tuffy said the builder had gone into receivership and so the housing project could not go forward.

CllrTuffy went on to say:

“I think it was maybe the pressure of the election campaign as there was a lot of concern around from residents and Emer came under pressure.

Her apology is acceptable to me as a member of the TravellerAccommodation committee.”

Lord Mayor of South Dublin Dermot Looney (Ind) said: “I’ve been a member of the LTACC [Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee] to oversee the Traveller accommodation plan and we agreed to a new plan in January.

Cllr Higgins didn’t express any opposition to the plan

at the time but puts this letter out [original flyer] a couple of weeks away from our election.

“I was very disappointed to read Cllr Higgins’ [original] letter. She attended a meeting I was at on housing issues on the Friday afternoon and she left the meeting and that evening that letter had been printed up and that was disappointing.

“When we talk about Traveller accommodation, we need to be very sensitive in how we approach it “I’m glad to see she’s apologised and I would encourage any councillor who has misgivings about any kind of accommodation to deal with it in the proper way.

“So when that plan was being discussed in the chamber and when councillors are dealing with plans of this nature they should really use the formal structures that are there to voice their concerns, so I was disappointed with the nature of it.”

17 April 2014 LUCAN Gazette 3

running

lucan: Traffic studies will be carried out within next two months

Annual 5k Byrne race set for May

Road widening verdict in July A DECISION is expected in July on whether or not Willsbrook Road in Lucan will be widened to accommodate a second lane.

The road is prone to heavy usage with resultant traffic congestion as it leads onto the Willsbrook Road/Grangecastle Road junction, an intersection linking Lucan with the N4 and leading to the flyover bridge for Ballyowen.

Cllr William Lavelle (FG) contacted South Dublin County Council’s roads section on behalf of Willsbrook residents on having the road widened to ease daily traffic.

He believes an additional lane approaching the Outer Ring Road traffic lights would ease matters.

In reply, senior engineer

John McLoughlin said: “Traffic studies will be carried out within the next two months as part of the Lucan Access Study. At present, a brief for the traffic study is in the process of being agreed with the NTA [National Transport Authority]. At that stage it is hoped to develop a brief to look at the R136 as it approaches the N4 at Woodies and Willsbrook junction. We would hope to have a decision on this junction by July 2014, if not sooner.”

Cllr Lavelle said: “The provision of an additional lane would tie-in very well with separate works planned to provide a new €70,000 system to coordinate traffic lights on the Outer Ring Road between

the Willsbrook Road junction and Woodies.”

At a recent meeting with council engineers, the council said it had received funding of at least €200,000 from the NTA for works along Willsbrook Road during 2014.

Cllr Caitriona Jones (Lab) said: “This is something a number of councillors have been looking for for a long time. Motorists are using the road as two lanes informally and we’ve had run-ins and clashes with the council over this as the council says motorists are contaminating the cycle lane.”

“I think it would be desperately unfair to penalise motorists by improving things for cyclists.”

The annual 5K Tom Byrne race organised by Lucan Harriers Athletics Club is set to take place next month.

Set to take place on Sunday, May 11, this year’s race is open to runners of all levels. The Tom Byrne memorial race is one of the longest running events in Dublin.

Blossoming: Coffee morning raises over €900 for Our Lady’s Hospice CLLR Caitriona Jones (Lab) and local election candidate Vicki

Casserly (FG) hosted a coffee morning to fundraise for Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services, Harold’s Cross at Carrolls Gastro Pub recently. Around 70 people came to support the cause, and over €900 was raised on the day. They are pictured with the pub’s manager James Roche under an artificial cherry blossom tree, which was set up as the centre piece to let people write and place a sentiment for those who availed of the services of the hospice. They thanked everyone who attended and supported the day.

Prizes

It is held every year in memory of Tom Byrne, one of the founding members of the club. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be served after the race and there will be spot prizes on the day.

For more information or to register for the race, visit www.lucanharriers. com.

4 LUCAN Gazette 17 April 2014

project: tender will be going out in the coming weeks - SDCC

Local politicians and election candidates welcomed the council’s go-ahead for a new zebra crossing in Lucan

Council green lights new zebra crossing  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

LOCAL politicians and election candidates celebrated this week after South Dublin County Council gave the go-ahead for a new zebra crossing in Lucan. The crossing is the result of several pilot projects run all over the county to discern whether or not non-traffic light assisted pedestrian crossings are safe.

Local election candidate Caitriona McClean (FF) welcomed the decision for a zebra crossing at St Mary’s Church on Lucan Road, the result of a year-long campaign.

The council said last week that the tender for the crossing would be going out in the coming weeks.

McClean said of the decision: “I am delighted that the council have finally decided to heed my warnings about the risk to people attempting to cross at a blind bend on an extremely busy road. We must put safety first and it’s not realistic to expect people to put themselves

in danger just to get across the road. It is an extremely busy crossing point used by both elderly people and schoolchildren. I am relieved that they will now be able to cross safely.”

Cllr Caitriona Jones (Lab) said: “The reason the possibility of installing zebra crossings is opening up is that councillors were successful in changing the minds of officials about the type of crossing that could be provided. Previously, because of safety concerns, traffic light crossings were chosen.

Recently, though, each councillor had to pick a pilot project in their areas to pave the way back to zebra crossing use.

“We chose Griffeen Avenue for our pilot project. From an economic point, it is much more efficient to have a pedestrian or zebra crossing. We estimated it as being something like five zebra crossings for every traffic light assisted crossing. Now we’ve opened the door for the council to install more zebra cross-

ings in various locations around Lucan.”

Cllr William Lavelle (FG) said: “I’ve raised this issue down through the years along with many other public representatives of all parties. We have discussed the issue with council engineers and in recent months I’ve worked with Cllr Eamon Tuffy [Lab] and Cllr Guss O’Connell [Ind] at the council’s bi-monthly meetings to see how this could be progressed. At a recent meeting, we finally got agreement from engineers that a zebra crossing could and would be installed at St Mary’s Church in Lucan.”

Cllr Jones added: “Some areas will not be suitable for zebra crossings and will have to have the traffic lights but other areas will be appropriate ... We did the pilot project on Griffeen Avenue to test out how safe the pedestrian crossing would be and we added ramps and warnings for motorists to show them that there was something different here.”

17 April 2014 LUCAN Gazette 5

support Local Enterprise Office for South Dublin

A new office to help future entrepreneurs  ian begley

A Local Enterprise Office has been set up in South Dublin County Council to encourage and support entrepreneurs thinking of starting up their own business.

The new offices, known as LEOs, will replace County Enterprise Boards and there will be 31 across the country located in local authority offices.

The LEOs will provide grants, offer mentoring and training like the

enterprise boards but will also utilise the business supports and assistance provided by councils.

LEO South Dublin was established on April 15 in County Hall, Tallaght, and the new initiative aims to be the ‘first stop shop’ for anyone who wants to start or expand their business and create jobs in South County Dublin.

This office will be at the forefront of delivering business growth and jobs, providing direct support to everyone with

a good business idea and strengthening the enterprise sector in the county.

Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Dermot Looney, said: “I welcome the formation of the LEO as a one-stop shop for those seeking to set up new enterprises in the South Dublin County area.

“There are obvious synergies between the functions of the council and businesses seeking to establish themselves here. As well as the for-

Mayor of South Dublin County Council Dermot Looney welcomed the establishment of the LEO

mation of the LEO, this council has shown its commitment to local jobs and enterprise by cutting rates, introducing business improvement grants and promoting retail support networks, amongst dozens of other actions,” said Mayor Looney.

County manager, Daniel McLoughlin, also welcomed the establishment of the LEO, saying: “The bottom line is that when

local people with an idea that will generate local jobs makes contact with their LEO they will get appropriate advice and support.

“Our aim here in the LEO is to guarantee a high level of customer service focused on client support in the interests of promoting entrepreneurship and creating jobs,” he said.

The Local Enterprise

Office will have the full backing of Enterprise Ireland.

Anyone who lives in South County Dublin and are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur but not sure how, talk to a member of the Local Enterprise Office in South Dublin at 01 4149000 or visit their new website at www. localenterprise.ie/southdublin

free event Easter fun for families at Maxi Zoo Families looking for something fun to do this Easter weekend need look no further than the Maxi Zoo pet store in Clondalkin where kids can enjoy an Easter egg hunt and an afternoon party.

The free event takes place at the store at the Liffey Valley Retail Park on April 19 from 12 noon - 2pm.

Children will be given a treasure map to help them find clues around the store and be in with the chance of winning Easter eggs.

Families are also welcome to bring their pets to the store and to talk to Maxi Zoo’s pet experts about how to provide for their pets.

6 LUCAN Gazette 17 April 2014

lucan We haven’t arrived at a decision - An Post

No site has been settled on for new post office  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

A NEW post office, due to open in Lucan at the end of February, has still not been built and An Post has yet to settle on a site for it.

At a recent Lucan area committee meeting Cllr Eamon Tuffy (Lab) asked the manager if a letter received by the council from An Post supplied any additional information or updates on the site of the proposed facility.

The council responded that it had no news to deliver other than that it had sent An Post a letter seeking an update on the new post office.

Angus Laverty, public affairs manager with An Post, told The Gazette: “We haven’t arrived at a decision in relation to the Lucan post office.

“We went through a process [of identifying sites] and that is still ongoing. As soon as we come to a resolution we will be in contact [with the council and residents] but there is no final decision as yet. The site of the new post office will be in the greater Lucan area.”

Cllr Caitriona Jones (Lab) said: “There has been political interference in Lucan about the site of the post office.

“People have been try-

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‘There has been political interference in Lucan about the site of the post office’

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ing to name specific locations but An Post has to put it out to tender and must deal with a retail outlet. Naming different locations slows the process down as prices are driven up for a given site when negotiations are attempted. In terms of commercial sensitivity it is sometimes better off not to be too specific on [naming] sites.”

Cllr William Lavelle (FG) said: “Councillors

were advised that An Post’s selection committee were to consider the location for a new post office in Lucan. They had three locations shortlisted; however there seems to be a delay regarding the decision by An Post. I hope the decision is made soon and I hope that when An Post makes it, I would ask them to consider the optimal geographical spread of the post office site across Lucan.”

TELL US YOUR STORY Call our news team on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 or email news@gazettegroup.com

Cllr Eamon Tuffy asked for an update on the site of the proposed facility

We would love WHAT HAS IT to hear it!

HAVE YOU WHO DISCOVERED? CHANGED WHAT YOUR DID YOU LIFE? INSPIRED FIND? YOU?

chinese: Confey College

Students are up to the test NINE participants from Confey College in Leixlip took part in the Confucius Chinese Bridge Test held in University College Cork recently.

The language has been an option from first year at the college since 2012 and in this year’s Confucius Bridge Test, it had the highest number of student entrants of all competing schools.

Huang Guannan, the Chinese language teacher at Confey College, was full of praise for the nine entrants, one of whom was first year student

Maya Kaikov who finished in third place. She built on Confey’s success of last year when Aishling Chambers won a trip to China for her efforts.

The competition is a Chinese language test aimed at promoting the work of the Confucius Institute in UCC along with co-operating schools around the country to encourage the inclusion of Chinese in secondary schools.

The event was attended

by Cork City’s deputy mayor Lorraine Kingston (Lab).

17 April 2014 LUCAN Gazette 7

it’s party time 25 years a-growing

Dancers entertain crowds at a previous Leixlip Festival.

Leixlip plans to host bigger, better festival  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

THIS June bank holiday, Leixlip will get into party mode again as the festival season begins.

The Leixlip Festival, now in its 25th year, is going from strength to strength, the event’s coordinator, Bernard C a l d we l l , t o l d T h e Gazette this week.

“The festival is sponsored by the council who contribute €10,000 and the rest is made up of donations by local businesses, publicans and multinationals in Leixlip. This year we want to add more events for families and children.

“We have loads of performers lined up like Brazilian dancers, a tugof-war and canoes coming in from the Liffey.

There will also be a big fireworks display which is being sponsored by Intel to celebrate their 25 years in Leixlip.

“As well as that, there will be historical talks and guided walks on different days so there will be a huge variety for all ages not just one

particular sector of the population. People can wander around at their leisure and enjoy themselves. It is better to have plenty of small events because that way, there is always something happening; wherever you turn your head you will see something new. “ We ’ l l b e h av i n g another dog show too as it was great fun last year. We don’t need to make the festival different each year, not when we do it properly. Festivals have been done the same way for hundreds of years. Today, we just have different, more

modern performers. A fire-eater is always a fire-eater but people enjoy seeing it and the whole show around it. “ We ’ v e a l s o g o t enough people in our catchment area so we’re not competing with any other festival whatsoever as we’ve established our festival well over the last 25 years. People come back year in and year out and now it’s hard to get accommodation [in the town and surrounding area] for visitors.

“The festival is very important for Leixlip and I’ve been told by publicans that festival time is the best time of

the year for public houses. The whole place is thronged with peo ple. All the businesses are very co-operative because if there was no festival, they would have to look at their businesses in a very different way.

“Something that always seems to happen too, is that the weather always seems to pick up for the festival each year,” concluded Caldwell.

Keep an eye on the festival website for what is in store in Leixlip this June bank holiday, Thursday, May 28 until Monday, June 2.

8 lucan gazette 17 April 2014

gazetteGALLERIES

Linda Keating (centre), director of fundraising, Marie Keating Foundation, was at Newcastle Community Hall recently to accept a cheque for the foundation from the new Ladies Social Group of Newcastle. The RAMS in Rhythm choir sang in Avoca on March 15 and raised €1,100. Pictured with Linda are Margaret Maher and Deirdre Dowling . Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

presentation: €1,100 presented to Marie Keating Foundation Ahmed Arshad, Ciaran O’ Connell and Niamh Mitchell. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

Mary Dunbar, Linda Keating and Moira Smyth

Matt Dowling speaking on behalf of the RAMS in Rhythm choir

Matt and Deirdre Dowling St Joseph’s students with their certificates

17 April 2014 lucan gazette 9

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Brian Murtagh, principal CBS

Gluais: Leadership Training Programme

Celebrating a year of learning C

olaiste Padraig CBS hosted an evening to celebrate the commitment, dedication and hard work shown by each and every student who took part in the Gluais Leadership Training Programme recently. Their initiative, resourcefulness and teamwork had been tested throughout the year, and these students have

Colaiste Chiaran students celebrating a productive year

passed with distinction. The event was all about celebrating and commemorating a year of learning and achievement of the Gluais groups from seven schools, all based in Ballyfermot, Clondalkin, Leixlip and Lucan. The students received certificates for their completion of the programme.

10 lucan Gazette 17 April 2014

gazetteGALLERY

Sensei Alex Meehan and Stiofan Conlon of Bujinkan Miyori Nonaka and Des Reynolds

Meehan Dojo

Farmleigh gets a Japanese twist T

HE Experience Japan Hanami Festival returned to Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park for its fifth year recently, attracting a large number of people to get a taste of all things Japanese.

The festival celebrated hanami - the Japanese tradition of appreciating the cherry

blossoms in full bloom during spring, as well as many aspects of the Japanese culture such as food, games, cosplay, traditional music and dance performances.

Visitors were also treated to a range of demonstrations, such as martial arts, origami and calligraphy.

Megan Munnelly, Jayden Creighton, Hue Hale and Erika Volodko in cosplay. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

Students Mariko Nijo, Ako Fujii, Natsuki Kido, Eri Atsuko Hogan

Iwamoto and Shuhei Tanabe

17 April 2014 Gazette 11

asdfsdaf businessP27 P16

diary P14

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

a day in the life: marissa carter, beautician and xpose expert

what’son

‘No two days are the same in a job I love’  natalie burke

MARISSA Carter is one busy woman. When she isn’t running her successful beauty salon, Carter Beauty, in Blackrock, offering expert beauty tips on TV3’s Xpose, or tanning Hollywood’s elite at the Oscars with her award winning Cocoa Brown Tan, she’s busy being a mum to her little boy.

It couldn’t be easy juggling such a hectic work schedule with family life, so for this week’s instalment of A Day in the Life, we caught up with Marissa to see what a typical day in her life involves.

She told The Gazette: “Now that my little man is finally sleeping through the night, we both rise a bit fresher!

“I usually get up at about 7.30am and we watch cartoons in bed for 15 minutes before he

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‘The great thing about working in an office with two other women is there is always chocolate to be found somewhere!’

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tells me he’d like some toast.

“We’ll have breakfast in our pyjamas, egg and toast, or Rice Krispies – I let him choose what we’ll both eat.

“He’ll usually play with his trucks on the bathroom floor while I shower. Come 9am, he waves me off to the office,” she said.

When Marissa gets to the office, she makes tea for herself and her Cocoa

Brown team, before she comes up to speed with the order of business for the day.

She said: “I feel very lucky to work in the beauty industry, because I’m so passionate about it.

“My typical day could be anything from testing and trialling new product formulas, working on artwork design for packaging, meeting with buyers or potential new stockists to filming my Ask The Expert beauty segment for TV3’s Xpose.

“I know it’s a cliche, but it’s rare any two days are the same. This is a fact I relish about being self-employed. I couldn’t bear to do the same thing day in, day out.”

While she sometimes skips breakfast, Marissa says she will never miss a lunch.

“I love my food! Most of the time I’ll have a



Gazette

feature P12

furry popular show returns to rte one SWINGING back to our small screens is The Zoo, which follows the team behind one of Ireland’s bestloved tourist spots.

The fifth series features 10 episodes which demonstrate the emotion and passion of zookeepers as they go about their daily business of caring for the animals at Dublin Zoo in the Phoenix Park.

Last week’s first episode welcomed a new arrival to the South American House – a newborn white- faced-saki, while a green iguana with a sore limb kept zookeeper Garth busy.

A busy mum with a busy working life too, Marissa said: “I feel very lucky to work in the beauty industry, because I’m so passionate about it.”

salad, but sometimes I treat myself to my f avo u r i t e s a n d w i c h which I make myself: bacon, avocado, cheese, lettuce and mayonnaise.

“The great thing about working in an office with two other women is there is always chocolate to be found some-

where!”

Marissa always aims to get home before 6pm, in order to spend time with her two-year-old, by either playing together or going for a walk in the brighter evenings.

“My husband and I have a night-time ritual with him where we’ll both take him up to bed

and read some stories.

“Once he’s asleep, if I’m feeling up to it, I’ll go for a quick run. I had a personal trainer for six weeks after Christmas and he whipped me into shape.

“That shape has gone a bit squidgy again now, so I might need him back,” she laughed.

Projects The new series promises to follow zookeepers as they visit conservation projects funded and supported by Dublin Zoo. Keepers will travel from the nest sites of barn owl chicks deep in the Irish countryside to Brazil’s rainforests to see highlyendangered golden lion tamarins in their native habitat.

Narrated by Tom Dunne, The Zoo is screened on RTE One at 7pm on Thursdays.

Gazette

12 Gazette 17 April 2014

dublinlife

Arts lovers prepare for a great Collision  natalie burke

THE streets of Dublin will be overtaken next weekend with the 2014 Live Collision, which is set to explode out of the Project Arts Centre and across the city from April 23 until April 26.

Dubliners can expect to see the live art exhibition leaping into public spaces, seeking out hidden locations, resting in basement flats and rooftop gardens and being spotted on mobile devices and GPS systems.

The Live Collision

International Festival brings the work of national and international contemporary artists to Dublin, with works never before presented in Ireland.

Established in 2009, Live Collision has grown a reputation as an excit-

ing festival of live art and performance, presenting genre-defying performance and live experiences for audiences.

For further information or to book tickets for one of the many events and performances, see www.livecollision.com.

Gina Quin, chief executive, Dublin City Chamber, with the prestigious Liffey Swim trophy, which she claimed in 2013

people: how gina quin relaxes

Nothing like a swim to cut off the world IN THIS week’s Escape The Mayhem, The Gazette asked the chief executive of Dublin City Chamber, Gina Quin, about how she escapes her hectic routine.

I’M very busy, as is anyone in full-time employment in the current [economic] climate.

We’re all doing more and going to more events to network, so life has become very, very busy.

But, that’s my style anyway – I’ve always liked to be very busy. When I spoke to my husband about doing this interview, he told me I don’t really escape the mayhem or relax! Even the things I choose to do to relax, I tend to do with a high level of intensity.

I’m very big into personal fitness, and feel it gives me the strength to

help me do my job better.

I swim a lot; both in the pool and in the sea. The sea is my favourite, and I go to the Forty Foot.

I also do competitive swimming in the summer, and I won The Liffey Swim last year. It was absolutely fantastic – there is nothing like swimming through the centre of your own city and going under the bridges, and seeing The Four Courts and such going by.

I think competition is good, but not to excess.

It gives us our desire to compete, our drive, energy and ambition, and is really important in life.

I’m also a very keen gardener, and I love to be out. For the past couple of years, I’ve attempted to grow my own vegetables, as well as flowers. I like to be connected with the

soil and the earth, and with Mother Nature.

Like the sea, it [gardening] has a lot of healthy properties and I completely lose myself in it. Swimming is the same, and when I put the swimming cap and goggles on, it dulls the senses and cuts off the external world.

I’ve often thrashed up and down the pool, thinking about a particular situation, and coming up with ideas. It’s useful time, and gives the mind some space.

We’re overburdened today by stimuli, and we have so much information coming in all the time from so many devices.

Although I absolutely love interacting with people, it’s also very important to give yourself the space to think.

17 April 2014 Gazette 13

Gazette

FEATUREs events: family fun for the holiday weekend

Getting ready for an Easter eggstravaganza WHETHER you’re planning to take your little ones on a chocolate egg hunt this weekend, visiting real-life Easter bunnies in a special animal petting area, or following an Easter-themed treasure trail around Dublin Zoo, plenty of egg-stra special events are available to choose from when thinking about an outing this bank holiday weekend.

Tayto Park is gearing up for a busy Easter, and is already packed to the rafters with excit-

ing attractions, things to do and animals to see over the mid-term break.

Guests can visit the new animal-petting area over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend (April 19, 20 and 21), or head along to one of the public viewings of the animals being fed.

From free Easter themed arts and crafts (for children under the age of six), tattoo artistry and face-painting, to a scavenger hunt and a free live magic show, an outing to Tayto Park over the

Easter holidays is attractive. For more information on event times and ticket prices, visit www. taytopark.ie.

Dublin Zoo has an Easter eggstravaganza in store for Dubliners for the holiday weekend with its annual Easter Treasure Trail. This event will keep visitors of all ages entertained as clues will be hidden all around the zoo.

In the meantime, what would Easter be without the bunny hopping around? Which is eggsactly what he will be

doing as he guest stars in the Bunny Hop Disco, which takes place on the Great Lawn.

There will also be festival keeper talks along with arts and crafts taking place throughout the day.

The Easter Eggstravaganza takes place on Sunday, April 20 and Monday, April 21 from 10am until 6pm in Dublin Zoo. Merrion Square will turn into a choctastic easter egg hunt when the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail takes over on Easter Sat-

MrTayto gives Easter treats to Nicole Reynolds from Tara, Co Meath, with Harry and Kathleen O’Dwyer from Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

urday, April 19.

Everyone who completes the trail will be receive a reward – a Cadbury Easter egg – and what’s notable about this trail is that money raised on the day goes to Barnardos.

There is also an abun-

dance of entertainment including storytelling, face painting, sack racing, three-legged racing, balloon modelling and Victorian games in the Cadbury Eggsplorer village.

What’s more, organisers are trying to set a new

world record for the biggest egg ’n’ spoon race.

This event takes place in two sessions: a morning event from 10am to 1pm, or an afternoon event, from 2pm to 5pm. Book your tickets through: www.barnardos.ie

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14 Gazette 17 April 2014

dublinlife

RTE’s Fair City teen star Niamh Quirke is supporting Childline’s campaign

Childline is calling Just because it’s quiet doesn’t mean that nothing’s going on.

So thinks RTE’s Fair City teen star Niamh Quirke who’s supporting Childline’s campaign Stay Silent So Children Can Be Heard to initiate a Sponsored Silence on May 2.

Niamh and Childline are challenging the people of Ireland to Stay Silent for a minimum of 30 minutes. In other words, no speaking, texting, emailing, or using social media to signify the isolation of children who feel they are not heard.

Last year, Childline received nearly 700,000 calls from children seeking help. It’s now trying to move into the online

world from its traditional phone listening service.

This is because more and more young people now turn to the internet for advice and support. Only 5% of Childline’s funding comes from the State, with the remainder having to come from public and corporate donations.

Due to a current lack of funding, two-thirds of all calls go unanswered.

raining on mary’s parade IT WASN’T a case of looking as if you’d just stepped out of a salon for those politicians who showed their support for the Dublin Fire Brigade protest recently and were rewarded for their trouble with a downpour.

They live in Ireland so you’d think our politicians would know the number one rule for going anywhere in this country is: Bring Your Brolly. Yes it might be sunny now, but expect to be lashed on whenever a protest is held outdoors.

L a s t we e k ’s DF B demo was ironically treated to a deluge of Irish weather.

Sympathetic politicians who took to the podium got wet, but none got drenched as much as Fianna Fail councillor and MEP candidate Mary Fitzpatrick. As soon as she started talking, the sky chucked it down leaving her and many others soaked to the bone.

So the Diary’s tip this

week – if you want to stay jolly, don’t forget the brolly.

celebrating world Autism EVERY April, World Autism Day is celebrated with fundraising activities nationwide.

This year Xtra-vision and HMV, now owned

by Hilco Capital, do the honours. Hilco has chosen Irish Autism Action as its charity for 2014 and for every rental pass sold in April they will pass on a donation to Autism Action.

Hilco’s chief executive, Larry Howard, said of the campaign: “We have a long-standing relationship with the organisation and have worked hard to

17 April 2014 Gazette 15

for 30 minutes of virtual silence develop a programme of activity that will both create awareness and generate much needed funds for the charity.”

Irish Autism Action receives no State funding for its services, and so relies entirely on support via individual donations and corporate sponsors.

Autism currently affects around 50,000 people in Ireland.

a question of pub life Three cheers from the Diary for Dublin pub owner Gar who’s started an online banter sensation. He’s gone viral on social networking site Reddit with his Ask Me Anything question and answer page.

Gar, who runs Thomas House near Christ Church, has already received over 4,500 comments from people wanting to know what it’s like owning a Dublin bar and handling tourist misconceptions about the Irish and our pubs.

Questions ranged from how many pints of Guinness he sold per day to how often someone greeted him with “top o’t’mornin”.

Many were interested in the strange ideas of the Irish and their pubs. Gar responded: “If there’s any misconception it’s that there will be musicians in the corner with fiddles and tin whistles and bowls of stew all over the place.

“That happens the odd

time. I think most of them get it when they walk in and see the decor of the place though. We’re always happy to point tourists in the direction of “traditional” pubs if that’s what they are looking for.” Keep it coming, Gar.

drop in dumping is rubbish CLONDALKIN’S Cllr Trevor Gilligan (FF) has delivered the news that reports of illegal dumping in South County Dublin are down by a staggering 90% compared with 2012.

Although this may seem momentous, the Diary is happy to clarify that Cllr Gilligan miscalculated. Slightly.

What he failed to notice was that the figures released by South Dublin County Council on reports of illegal dumping for 2014 were recorded for January only. And he went on to compare one month to an entire year.

Deputy Robert Dowds (Lab) commented on this novel arithmetic by saying: “He has compared the number of reports of illegal dumping from the entire 12 months of 2012 with the number of reports from one month in 2014, and is claiming it as a 90% decrease in the reports of illegal dumping.”

“If you’ll pardon the pun, it’s complete rubbish.”

Cllr Trevor Gilligan: The Diary is happy to clarify miscalculation!

Gazette

DIARY

Gazette

16 Gazette 17 April 2014

dublinlife

Brian Boru expands with an art gallery  lisa banks

THE Brian Boru pub in Glasnevin, Dublin is expanding its horizons this month with the launch of a new art gallery, which will be officially opened on April 23.

The gallery’s first exhibition will be a series of nine tapestries located on the first floor of the landmark pub, which will be formally opened by the Danish Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Niels Pultz.

The tapestries were created by the internationally renowned Danish artist Susanne Thea, who will fly in from Denmark to attend the event, and provide a perspective of the legendary Brian Boru, who lost his life at the Battle of Clontarf, 1,000 years ago.

Pub owner Michael Hedigan says that the new gallery will provide local and visiting artists with an opportunity to

display their works to a new and vibrant audience.

The Hedigan family, who have owned and run the pub for 110 years, believe that the gallery as an outlet for artists is a fitting move, as hundreds of wellknown painters, writers and poets have found company and inspiration in their local pubs. The present building dates from the 1850s, and was purchased by Patrick Hedigan in 1904.

Invested The Hedigans invested in the unique nine-piece tapestry collection as Brian Boru and his army camped at the site of the pub on the night before the Battle of Clontarf, which was on Good Friday, 1014. The exhibition is an exceptional example of a Dublin pub taking on a new venture as the Hedigan family is committed to investing in local culture and heritage.

business Q&A: geoffrey peat, peat wholesale

Staying switched on to customers’ needs BORN in Artane in 1969 – the same year that Peat Wholesale started business – Geoffrey Peat is the second generation of the family to run Peat Wholesale, after taking over the helm in 2005.

He joined the business the day after finishing his Leaving Cert, and did a two-year course in the College of Marketing and Design, along with spending a year in the UK working for various suppliers, before coming back home to spend time with the business.

With an equally busy family life, weekends are split between ferrying the kids around to various matches, parties and discos, and occasionally getting the chance to go for a bite to eat with his wife, Avril.

How long have you been in business?

We were founded in 1969 by Geoff and Isabel Peat, so we’re into our 46th year now.

DUBLIN Gazette newspaper HAVE OVER 200,000 READERS EACH WEEK *based on Industry agreed measurements

advertise your business to our readers call 60 10 240

What makes your business successful?

As a family-run business, we like to think that a large part of our success has been in the relationships that we’ve built up with our customers over the years.

Unlike big corporate companies, any customer can contact any member of our staff, from the MD down to the guys working in the warehouse, and get an answer to the question they want to ask.

We also never stop trying to re-invent what we’re doing, whether that’s sourcing new products or looking for new markets .

presence, and in just a few clicks of a button, you can see our lineup, what’s in stock, technical specs on our products to help you either place an order or make an enquiry and, again, our fast response times helps our customers get back to their own customers promptly and win business.

How has the recession affected your business?

Like a lot of businesses in Ireland, we’ve had to go through our own downsizing efforts over the past numbers of years.

This resulted in us reducing our staffing levels and taking other steps just to try to get through the times we’re living in.

We’ve also had to battle with customers closing down, and a lack of new entrants to our market, coupled with a greatly reduced consumer spend that hasn’t recovered yet, so it’s a pretty hostile environment to be operating in.

How do you use social media to help your business?

Strange as it may seem, we’re a bit slow on the uptake of the benefits of social media – probably due to us doing so many other things just to survive.

However, this is now changing within our company, and we are currently undertaking a process of seeing how best we can take advantage of these new forums to promote and grow our business further.

What living person do you most admire?

There are two, and these are my parents, who are the founders of this company. Both grafted long and hard over the years, struggling through the early days to build up what we have today.

Unfortunately, we lost mam last year; however, dad still comes in regularly to share his experience and wisdom with customers and staff, and long may this continue!

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

It’s very hard nowadays to be different to your competitors, as the range of products available now is, funnily enough, much smaller than a few years ago.

However, our constant drive to be innovative, allied to our friendly customer service and response to our customer’s needs, are key areas for us to excel in.

We also offer a huge and varied range of electronics products and accessories on display at our premises in the Westlink Industrial Estate, where customers can visit to view, try and talk with our team to see if they’ll satisfy their needs.

We’ve also spent quite a few years developing our online

Geoff Peat, who founded Peat Wholesale in 1969, and Geoffrey Peat

17 April 2014 GAZETTE 17

MUSIC P23

ASDFSDAF P27 TRAVEL P24

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

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TRAVEL P20

Pets HELP YOUNG, LITTLE CLARA

Actor Owen Roe, Raymond Keane and Michele Browne and (inset) and RTE presenter Keelin Shanley and director Liam Browne. Pictures: Michael Nolan

LAUNCH: PLENTY OF FAMILIAR FACES AT THE DUBLIN WRITERS FESTIVAL

Festival’s a page turner  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

DUBLIN Writers Festival got off to a great start this week as the annual international literary event was launched in The Liquor Rooms on Wellington Quay. There were plenty of familiar faces at the launch on April 10, including RTE presenter Keelin Shanley, author Mannix Flynn and actor Owen Roe. This is the festival’s 16th year and, as announced by the Dublin City Arts Officer Ray Yates on the night, the festival is expanding. There will be over 100 events in 23 venues across Dublin from May 17 until 25 with plenty on offer not only for the diehard literary fan, but also for those not as au fait with

the written word. To that end, festival director Liam Browne has enlisted the help of both musician Ray Davies from the Kinks and comedian Johnny Vegas, both of whom have written autobiographies.

Browne spoke to The Gazette about his vision for this year’s Dublin Writers Festival.

“It’s a bigger festival this year and in a sense that’s responding to a demand and writers like coming to Dublin. The way the programme has developed over the years is that now we have more music and more discussion because audiences want to be involved themselves.

“Some people still have a notion of a literary festival as a writer reading from his new book. One of the things

about this festival was to make it more accessible. Hopefully, it will be more conversational this year.

“We want people to get a sense of the writer by giving them a flavour of their work so that when they go away they might want to read a particular book.

“This festival is for pleasure for the audience and for writers too because they love to come together at these festivals, as there might be other writers there that they’d like to meet.”

“We are really excited about the diversity of the programme this year, from established authors to well-known faces who you perhaps wouldn’t expect to see at a literary festival. The world of books is so varied and I hope by dipping into the festival audiences will see

a snapshot of how exciting it is.”

Some of the writers, musicians and comedians lined up for the event include Ray Davies, Johnny Vegas, Gruff Rhys, Joseph O’Connor, Carlos Acosta, Joanna Trollope, Siri Hustvedt, Edmund White, Tim Winton and Arne Dahl. A host of over 130 established and emerging authors and artists will feature over the festival’s nine days in various interactive ways with their audiences. There will also be workshops and performances, as well as around 30 events lined up especially for children.

If you would like more information about this year’s Dublin Writers Fesitval programme, you can go to www. dublinwritersfestival.com.

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

Our Dog of the Week is Clara, a three-yearold terrier cross. Clara is a worried little girl and finds kennel life overwhelming. She would love a home with a really patient owner who will help her blossom into the wonderful little girl we’re confident that she could be!

If you think you could offer Clara the loving home she so deserves, then please contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50 and would love to show you around. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie

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WEDDING season is on the way and now is definitely the time to be looking for the relevant attire for guests and their plus-one. This week, River Island is showing just how easy it can be to go shopping for his and hers occasion wear, and we must say we are very happy with one such match.

Fresh colours such as coral brings out the best in summer dresses, while sparkling handbags shine brightly on any arm.

Tailored suits are a must for the male guest at any wedding, and they could be used again for a day at the races, making sure you get value for your buck.

Sharp waistcoats allow men to look dapper in their attire when it starts to get a little hot under the collar, meaning the suit jacket is more than likely coming off. So, whether it’s a wedding, a day at the races or a special day out – his and hers at River Island is definitely worth a look.

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SPRAY and Go? Yeah, right! Actually, they are right – Vaseline Spray & Go is a spray system that dispenses moisturising lotion quickly onto the skin while giving an all-over coverage.

The product’s ad sees a lady run out of the bathroom, spray one, two, three and four times around her body, quickly rub in the lotion, get dressed and then out the door – all in less than a minute!

Now, obviously, getting dressed is going to take longer, but when Gazette Style was asked to do the 60-second challenge, we were more than willing to test it out.

Timer? Check.

Spray? Check. Ready – go.

The spray disperses the lotion evenly from the bottle so you spray as if you are were putting hair spray in your hair, but instead it’s for your body. Then, once the lotion has been evenly distributed, rub it around the areas that may need extra attention et voila – you are instantly moisturised.

And how long did it take? Oh, just 55 seconds! So, that means an extra few minutes in bed – yay!

This product is available in three variants: cocoa, aloe fresh and oat extract, priced at €6.15, and is available at supermarkets nationwide.

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Gazette

18 Gazette 17 April 2014

Wingtip lace-up shoes €85

Cutaway collar long-sleeve shirt €40

17 April 2014 GAZETTE 19

BOOKS: FORGET LOVE/HATE – WILD CHILD IS AN EXCITING (TRUE) STORY

A road to redemption  BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

FOR the majority of his life, Coolock man Alan Croghan was a career criminal. Now, at 45 years old, he has written a highly entertaining and rocket-paced book – Wild Child – his memoirs, published by Penguin and on sale for €8.99.

Wild Child depicts a life lived in chaos and constant motion, where each day was a dangerous adventure, full of close calls and fuelled by adrenaline.

The story races along as Croghan’s powers of recall lend the whole a feeling that all of the

events are happening in real-time.

Not only does the author remember the actual events of each criminal escapade, but he recalls what everyone involved said, how they looked and, more importantly, what was going on in his own heart and mind during it all.

Croghan’s memoirs are told with an astonishing amount of honesty, some of which might have been left on the psychiatrist’s couch, but it is all based on a lesson that Croghan learned early on: when you grow up in harsh surroundings, you either sink or swim, and either

way, you lose.

From the time he was a young child, Croghan was dabbling in the forbidden.

His first introduction to drugs was before he was 12 years old, when he asked his father for some of his valium, which he duly delivered to his young son for free at first, but then began charging him for.

The young Croghan hardly ever went to school, but spent his time mainly robbing cars with his mates and playing cat and mouse with the gardai.

Indeed, Croghan’s early life reads like a movie

script, full of car chases, armed robberies and personal feuds.

However,the reality behind the scenes is candidly revealed by Croghan as he tells of his inner fear, which was a constant companion all of his life.

Like all professional thieves, prison became the number-one occupational hazard for Croghan, beginning with the juvenile facility of St Patrick’s before moving on to Mountjoy, Wheatfield and Portlaoise.

Croghan’s experience in prison is a fascinating insight into the day-to-day trials of life behind bars.

It was in prison that

Croghan learned how to read and write, and went on to win second prize in the Listowel Writers’ Festival for drama.

He also went on to appear on television and radio, speaking as an authority about the Irish prison system.

Croghan’s life was a very disordered and exciting one, where he knew most of the biggest criminals in Dublin’s gangland, past and present, as well as many IRA members.

However, there is a happy ending, in that he does find redemption in the book, and turned his wayward life around dramatically at last.

Published by Penguin and priced €8.99, Wild Child, by reformed criminal Alan Croghan (right) is a rocketpaced memoir that follows a chaotic life – and its redemption

GAZETTE

ARTS

Gazette

20 Gazette 17 April 2014

OUT&ABOUT

During their recent visit, President Higgins and his wife stayed at Windsor Castle

england: take a break like an Irish President

A royal holiday  Natalie Burke

With less than an hour’s travel time to reach the other side of the pond by air, and just a hop, skip and a jump by ferry, a trip to visit the very best parts of England is one holiday that can be planned without breaking the bank.

President Michael Higgins set the wheels in motion recently when he became the first Irish head of state invited by Queen Elizabeth on an official state visit to England last week.

While the president paid a visit to a number of well-known English spots, including 10 Downing Street, Windsor Castle and the Royal Albert Hall, England’s national tourism board, Visit England, has come up with the perfect way to holiday like an Irish president, giving holidaymakers a sneak peek into how to go about receiving a proper royal welcome.

Already a published poet, it came as no sur-

prise that President Higgins paid a visit to Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey. One of the best known parts of WestminsterAbbey, it was here that Seamus Heaney unveiled a memorial to Ted Hughes in 2011, and CS Lewis, born in Belfast, was officially inducted into Poet’s Corner in 2013. The Abbey welcomes over a million visitors each year and is open Monday to Saturday through most of the year.

A short stroll from Westminster Abbey is the House of Parliament, where President Higgins made a speech during his tour. Visitors can take guided tours of the Houses of Parliament on Saturdays throughout the year and on selected weekdays during Parliamentary recesses including Easter, summer and Christmas.

President Higgins also stopped off at London’s City Hall, home to London’s Lord Mayor, visitors can see parts of City Hall and its various Londonrelated exhibitions for

themselves Monday to Friday.

Meanwhile First Lady Sabina Higgins had the opportunity to indulge her long standing love of the theatre with a visit to the Royal Academy of Drama and Art (RADA).

Here there are three theatres which regularly host a variety of productions, where visitors might just catch sight of a rising theatre star. Lord Attenborough and Sir Anthony Hopkins learned their craft here. (www.visitlondon.com) During their recent visit, President Higgins and his wife stayed at Windsor Castle. While regular visitors will have to put themselves up in a hotel down the road, they can take a tour of the State Apartments where the president stayed, as well as watching the ceremonial changing of the guard inside the castle grounds.

Beside the castle is the bronze statue of an Irish Guard, which is dedicated to all Irish Guardsmen,

past, present and future.

Just in front of Windsor Castle is Windsor Great Park, 4,800 acres of beautiful parkland that provides the perfect place for picnics, walking, cycling and horse riding.

What the president missed out on however, are the numerous quintessential English villages nearby including Bray, home to the fine dining at Heston Blumenthal’s renowned The Fat Duck restaurant. (www.windsor.gov.uk) From here, President Higgins made his way to Warwickshire, a region already popular with tourists for activities and attractions. Being Shakespeare County, the president and his wife paid a visit to Stratford-UponAvon, which coincided nicely with the upcoming450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth on April 23. Events marking this occasion take place throughout the year.

For more holiday ideas in England, go to www. visitengland.com.

17 April 2014 Gazette 21

Gazette

TRAVEL&FOOD&DRINK

The secret to delicious dining Dublin’s newest outdoor pop-up restaurant, The Secret Garden Dublin, will open in Temple Bar’s Meeting House Square from May 5 to 9.

Brought by Harr y Colley and Cuan Greene, the brains behind Dublin Pop Up, the garden will be set under the canopies of Meeting House Square and will bring food and wine in an enchanting setting of verdant lawns, vintage elegance and live acoustic sets.

Harr y Colley and Cuan Greene are final year culinary arts students.

Together, they established Dublin Pop Up in November 2013 as a response to Dublin’s growing gastronomic curiosity.

Dublin Pop Up have hosted guerrilla eating events including supper clubs and cook clubs in homes all over Dublin city, which have gained a following through social media.

The Secret Garden showcases their nostalgia fuelled and visually striking cooking with a large audience.

The Secret Garden Dublin will open its ivy gates each day for lunch at 12 noon and 1pm and will offer customers a delicious lunch and escape away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city centre. Lunch at the garden is priced at €10pp.

D i n n e r i s s e r ve d under the stars and customers will be treated to a six-course tasting menu which is themed

Cuan Greene and Harry Colley. Pictures: Lynn Rothwell

around Irish nostalgia using Irish produce.

The 6pm dinner sitting sold out in just three days but a second sitting at 8.30pm has been created due to demand.

The dinner tasting menu is priced at €20pp which includes a glass of wine.

T he tasting menu features dishes like steak and bearnaise served with red pepper and rice melosso, tart green chilli, bearnaise sabayon and cress and Boora Bog which is a slow roast lamb in malt with crisp lamb straw, barbecue leg of lamb, parsnip skin, roast garlic, almond olive oil and Irish whiskey.

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Dinner is served under the stars and customers will be treated to a six-course tasting menu which is themed around Irish nostalgia

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Dessert lovers won’t be disappointed with The Secret Garden Dublin’s take on the swiss roll, a chocolate swirl with strawberry gel, praline and vanilla sponge.

The Secret Garden Dublin’s full menu can be viewed at www. secretgarden.ie Each day four SecretSeats will be given away to one lucky Twitter fan.

Fans on Twitter will be asked to tweet @secretgardendub using the

#SecretSeats to be in with a chance of winning dinner or lunch for four people.

The winner and their guests will be treated to a private dinner in the Secret Garden’s vintage airstream trailer.

Bookings for lunch and dinner are now being taken and can be made by emailing food@ secretgarden.ie, tweeting @secretgardendub or through Facebook at Facebook.com/secretgardendublin

Gazette

22 Gazette 17 April 2014

OUT&ABOUT

Cassia and Milo attempt to flee the doomed city without getting crushed, cooked, buried, gassed or suffocated by the exploding volcano – or having to share many scenes with an explosive Kiefer Sutherland

pompeii: audiences unlikely to lava this one

Cliched film fizzles with predictability SWORDS, sandals, and sizzling seismic activity are the order of the day in Pompeii, as Resident Evil director Paul WS Anderson takes us back in time in more ways than one.

Starring Game of Throne’s Kit Harrington, the film tells the story of Milo – a horse-whispering gladiator in the ill-fated Roman resort city.

Pompeii’s mash-up of natural disaster action and camp costume drama plays out as a nostalgialaced tribute to the simpler days of cinema.

The plot is achingly simple: Harrington plays Milo, a mysterious gladiator known as “The Celt”, who possesses almost superhuman strength and speed.

Shipped off to Pompeii, Milo shares a moment over a dying horse with Cassia (Emily Browning), daughter of some

 Dave phillips

Pompeii big-wigs.

Also in Pompeii, being wined and dined by Cassia’s parents is Senator Corvus (a wonderfully hammy Kiefer Sutherland) who Milo recognises as the man who killed his family years ago.

It’s formulaic stuff – the class-divided love interest, the revenge angle, the impending disaster – but it’s enough to set the stage for the action to unfold.

The pre-eruption scenes are focused on combat amongst the gladiators, as Milo fights through the ranks to buddy-up with champion Atticus (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje).

The violence is kept relatively clean in order to maintain the 12A rating; and the dire dialogue throughout ensures that eyes will roll far more often than heads.

However, post-eruption, the film takes on a different tempo – we are into Dante’s Peak territory with Milo and Atticus attempting to find love and right wrongs while the world crumbles.

The torrents of lava, subsumed buildings, and exploding fireballs are a delight to watch in 3D, but while the action is enjoyable, it is never enough to keep the film afloat.

Milo has a modus operandi that consists of saying little and doing good, and Cassia never graduates from being the damsel in distress.

Meanwhile, Sutherland’s Corvus is the kind of no-good villain you only get in pantomimes.

The only depth to the characters in Pompeii is the fact that they are shot in 3D. There are films that can show you something you’ve never imagined, leave you with a character that will accompany you for the rest of your days, or make you think about life differently.

And then there are films that just distract you – they throw enough pyrotechnics and flimsy costumes your way to pass some time.

Pompeii definitely belongs in this latter category – it is your garden variety action film – but what makes it endearing is that it never feels like it is trying to be anything more than that.

More of a fizzle than a full-scale eruption, it’s a flawed, but still entertaining film.

Verdict: 5/10

17 April 2014 gazette 23

Gazette

CINEMA&MUSIC MOTORING review: the rock documentary reinvented by the national

Brothers in arms make for a fascinating movie  ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com

THE ROCK documentar y has a long and memorable tradition of giving an insight into the invisible existence of musicians on the road, but few have taken such an unconventional approach to the form as the new film about indie rock heroes, The National.

Mistaken For Strangers is filmed verite style by Tom Berninger, younger brother of the band’s lead singer, Matt, as he joins the band on the road as The National embark on the tour in support of High Violet, the record that took them from indie rock’s best kept secret to an overground success story which now sees them play to huge audiences around the world (witness their show at the Sydney Opera House recently http:// ow.ly/vJV0k).

The film has a prescient title, in that from the outset, it appears that the Berninger siblings could not be more different. However, as the film progresses, there is a warmth and a deep affection clear between the brothers that is the beating heart of the film throughout.

Though the gig for Tom is originally as a road crew member and assistant tour manager,

A still from Mistaken For Strangers, with brothers Matt and Tom Berninger offstage with The National

a role he seems utterly unsuited for, he is also filming scenes and performances for a documentary he wants to create from the experience of being close to the flame of his brother’s fame. That is, until he screws up once too often, and is fired from the crew.

After Matt and his wife reach out to him, Tom picks up the threads of disparate material recorded through the tour across the US and Europe (you can spot the Olympia at one stage, and remember the iridescent performance they put on on a brutally cold December day a few years ago), and ultimate-

ly weaves together something more about him than it is about the band, though they provide the players on the stage as the main character, Tom, struts and frets about his place in the world and how he works to stake, understand and express his talent.

Although at times you get the sensation that there is a simmering tension only moments away from exploding into camera and backstagebreaking violence, there are moments when both Tom and Matt, and their parents, express what each means to the other, and those scenes can be heartbreakingly touching.

This is far from a rock movie in the sense that, although there are National songs throughout the film, the only complete performance comes right at the end, an intense and passionate Terrible Love that sees Matt go on one of his trademark venue walkabouts, all the way out through the crowd and into the empty lobby, while Tom, acting as security for the lead singer, makes sure he can still deliver his vocal and traverse his way to and from the stage unhindered. It’s a scene that makes you realise, like the story told throughout the film, that they may be diametri-

cally opposite as people but they unquestionably have each other’s backs.

Less a portrait of life on the road than a study of fulfilled and unfulfilled potential, it’s an uncomfortable watch at times, but one thing that shines through is Tom’s creative talent and that this film was finished at all is an achievement for him, and you can’t fail but wish him the best in the future.

The National come to Dublin on July 18 and 19 when they play the Iveagh Gardens in what is certain to be one of the gigs of the summer.

Tickets are €42 and are available from Ticketmaster.

FastMusic

Manchester legends lead Leopardstown line-up for 2014 A brilliant line-up of Irish and international talent is on the card for this year’s Bulmer’s Live at Leopardstown festival.

The festival, which runs throughout June, July and August, brings together top-class horse racing and live music, and the acts announced for this year’s event are beyond measure.

Assured highlights for the festival are a trio of acts from Manchester who have had a massive part in defining the legacy of music from the English city.

July 10 sees Joy Division and New Order founder member Peter Hook and his band, The Light, who have been stunning crowds on recent tours with their recreation of the classic hits from both of those acts.

Legendary guitar hero and former Smith, Johnny Marr, plays on August 7, as he continues the tour around his excellent debut solo album, The Messenger, and closing out Live at Leopardstown is seminal Manchester act, The Charlatans who have been knocking out audiences around the world for over two decades with their organdriven indie pop classics.

The festival also welcomes top Irish acts Raglans, Heathers, Hamsandwich, The Stunning and Sharon Shannon and Her Big Band completing the line-up. Ticket information can be found online at www.bulmersliveatleopardstown.com, or call the Leopardstown Ticketline on 01 2890500 for hospitality options.

GAZETTE

24 GAZETTE 17 April 2014

OUT&ABOUT

TECH DigiTape adaptor MANY of us still have a cassette tape player somewhere or other, either as a slightly-past-it home hifi system or in their trusty steed – the family car. Seeing as not everyone is running around with the latest tech, this is a nice bridge between old and new. Just pop your SD card into the tape, then the tape into the cassette slot, et voila: you’ll be able to play your MP3 files on the go, or at home, as well as some other functions. While not exactly an incredible idea, it’s a nice piece of simple tech that will definitely be appreciated by some. The Technaxx DT-02 DigiTape Adapter is available on Amazon.co.uk, priced £24.76 (@ €30).

APPSWATCH MEDIA ON THE GO

Free apps covering national and international news WHENEVER you’re out on the go, it’s common to see people reading the news on their phone or tablets, with almost all media outlets – including The Gazette – available online in one format or another; some just in part, others in full, and others yet behind a paywall.

While many people browse news sites using their phone’s/tablet’s internet browser, there are hundreds (well, many thousands) of news apps to skip straight to the point. Here are just a few some of the leading ones to get your started, both for home news and further afield.

And, best of all, they’re all free, on IOS and Android alike! What could be better than reading free news on the go (much like your Gazette)?

STARTING with some home news, and The Irish Times’s app is much as you’d expect – not the same as picking up the venerable publication, but a decent enough condensed version nonetheless.

There’s plenty here to get up to date with, and picture galleries are good enough to flick through on the morning commute.

Inevitably, the full-size paper gives you the full-fat treatment, whereas this is more of a skinny latte, but if you just want to get straight into what’s what, the IT app may very well be it for you.

ON TO The Irish Independent’s app.

Not to be confused with a larger, subscriptionenabled app, the Indo’s app is also a breezy, fastmoving look at the main headlines and bigger news stories of the day.

Also broken down in to several sections, there are no surprises here, as you get a decent look at the main day’s stories, making it a great app for idling away dull Dart or bus journeys.

As with the Times, its design isn’t going to win any awards, or hearts, but it’s perfectly fine for the task at hand.

LOOKING further afield, and for those with a hunger for more international news, Reuters, the international news agency, have an excellent app that covers a diverse range of international news, outgunning Irish newspapers’ apps with ease.

While some of the content has an Americaled focus, Reuters’ diverse sections and constantly updating news feeds take a pretty solid look at global news, making it a definite must-have. And, if you get tired of all that international and local news apps, who’s to say The Gazette app won’t join this list ...

StoreDot smartphone charger THIS is so new, there isn’t a standardised product just yet – or any product as such, bar a prototype shown off to the media – but this still seems like a very exciting new tech product to highlight that could be a must-have common gadget in the near future. StoreDot, a Tel Aviv university charger, has come up with a process that can fully recharge smartphone batteries in about 30 seconds, based on energising nano-structures in batteries. By recharging batteries at this extra teenie-tiny level, instead of just flooding their general structure with power, these new chargers could become commonplace in a few years, and see the days of phones (and other power-hungry gadgets) gasping on their last legs by 5pm banished. Great!

Looking forward, and also behind WITH a headline that suggests we’re following basic driving rules, this Tech section take a look at a couple of gadgets that address yesteryear’s technology, as well as considering some revolutionary new near-future ideas.

With mobile phones n ow u b i q u i t o u s – indeed, Ireland has one of the highest per-capita mobile phone ownership rates in the world – here’s a little-known

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

alternative to the Apple/ Samsung products that get so much coverage in the press.

And, lastly, as a distraction to modern stresses, why not comb South Park for the missing Stick of Truth?

Moto G PREVIEWED on this page some time ago, the Motorola Moto G has finally arrived in Ireland, and has been quite a success for Meteor, where it’s availble free on contract, or from €150 (online offer) as payas-you-go. While Apple and Samsung have been squaring up to each other, Motorola proved to be a dark horse with this budget-priced smartphone that’s a great contender in the phone stakes. As this happy owner can contest, the Androiddriven Moto G is packed with features, has a great HD screen that’s actually better than, say, the iPhone; a battery that easily coasts to the end of the day, despite heavy use; and a not-so-great camera. (Errr, that’s not such a great last feature, but it helps explain its surprisingly cheap price.)

So, for a powerful smartphone that packs a punch but won’t bruise your wallet, the Moto G is heartily recommended.

The Stick of Truth AND now for something different. It’s been out for a little while, but South Park: The Stick of Truth (multi-platform; generally €45, but price varies at retail) is a definite must-have for fans of the show – but, note that as you would expect, it’s also completely unsuitable for children. While there have been many South Park games (and almost all of them have been awful), this is not only the best one yet, but also a great game in its own right. Perfectly matching the look, sound, style and humour of the show, this RPG is a knowing mashup of many gaming tropes, as well as taking cheap shots at a number of South Park memes.

In other words, great fun for 18+ gamers.

TURRETS, TOWERS AND MINARETS POINT TO A RELAXING GAME THIS rather brief new game is a curio, but a beautiful one at that.

Monument Valley (€3.59, for IOS 6 or above, iPhone and iPadcompatible) requires you to guide a princess to the exit by traversing the structures in the levels, many of which have a distinct MC Escher feeling to them. Ida may find herself walking up walls, across ceilings and

down impossible stairways to reach her goal, by sliding the scenery apart, or rotating the level to create the visual illusion of traversable walkways – which then, impossibly, become traversable.

By swiping across the screen, the valley’s buildings becomes like an elaborate music box, with the delicate soundtrack adding to the mood.

Level 8, in particular, expands on this theme, as the simple turreted music box at the start of the level unfolds, origami-style, into a complex, impossibly-sized structure.

So, for those looking for a game that isn’t state-of-the-art in any department, but is more than the sum of its parts, Monument Valley is well worth visiting at your leisure.

17 April 2014 gazette 25

Feast your eyes on Peugeot’s sleek Exalt

 cormac curtis

Fans of Peugeot with an appetite for something a little different will want to feast their eyes on what the French car manufacturer has in store.

They have unveiled their vision of the future for the lion brand at the Beijing Motor Show, in the form of its radical new Exalt concept car.

Chiselled panels, a long bonnet, raked windscreen, a low roof and short rear overhangs give the Peugeot Exalt a sleek and athletic design. In homage to the art of the French motor car from the 20s and 30s, bare steel bodywork, seen also on the famous Peugeot Onyx concept, has been hand-formed by a master panel beater.

Powered by a HYbrid4 drive train with a total maximum power of 340bhp, efficiency is enhanced by the use of shark skin inspired material on the rear quarter, to ensure greater aerodynamic performance and thus reduced fuel consumption.

One of a kind, the Peugeot Exalt boasts a very slender profile that conceals a cabin that is both spacious and inviting, thanks to the combination of an array of natural materials – aged leather, natural wool-based mixed fabric and ebony wood.

The Peugeot i-Cockpit interior, already seen on the Peugeot 208, 2008 and new 308, delivers a driving experience dedicated to enjoyment.

A small steering wheel and the digital instru-

Peugeot have unveiled their new concept car, the Exalt, at the Beijing Motor Show to boast a slender profile, a small steering wheel (below, left) and a cockpit filled with natural materials such as aged leather, natural wool-based mixed fabric andebony wood

Gazette

get in the cockpit: new concept is unveiled in beijing

MOTORING road

NOISE

Volkswagen Golf Ireland is an online favourite It won’t come as any shock to anyone with even a passing interest in Irish motoring to know that the VW Golf is, as always, enjoying huge popularity in the Irish market, but it may come as a surprise to know how often the car is searched for online!

The Volkswagen Golf is the most searched for Car in Ireland according to the third bi-annual Carzone motoring report. The report found that the Volkswagen Golf was the most searched for used car in the second half of 2013.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Paul O’Sullivan, head of marketing, Volkswagen passenger cars, said: “We we were already aware that the Golf is Ireland’s bestselling car, but this report reminds us that it is the car that most people want to own – whether purchasing a new or secondhand vehicle. The Golf is celebrating its 40th year in production and it is clear from the findings of this report that it remains the nations favourite car – be it the Mark One which first reached Irish Shores in 1974 or the Mark seven which we proudly unveiled in late 2012.”

The report is a bi-annual index which tracks trends in both the new and used car markets in Ireland. Data has been compiled using the 60 million searches carried out on Carzone.ie during the last six months of the year, vehicle transactions listed on Cartell.ie and a survey of 2,187 motorists nationwide.

Kearney is Audi’s envoy

ment panel are arranged in front of the driver for improved control. Two folding touch screens emerge from the dashboard. The upper screen gives access to the onboard computer, the Hi-Fi and navigation systems. The second screen presents a permanently visible control bar to provide access to the automatic air-conditioning and Peugeot’s new Pure Blue system, an innovative air purification system.

Nine toggle control switches are located on the dashboard, arranged in two groups – two to the left of the small steering wheel, seven to the right. This distribution was adopted because of the human brain’s ability to easily remember up to seven elements, for their position and their function.

A black light system, particularly useful during the transition between day and night, has been built into the headlamps.

Visibility problems are reduced and driving becomes more relaxed, to ensure improved observation of road markings.

Versatile

The Peugeot Exalt also offers an exceptionally versatile boot with a low loading sill and wooden trim. It works with an innovative pantograph mechanism to allow maximum opening, while needing less space externally.

Weighing just 1,700kg,

the Peugeot Exalt is powered by a plug-in HY brid4 drive train with a total maximum power of 340bhp shared between the four wheels.

The bonnet houses the 1.6-litre THP 270bhp developed by Peugeot Sport. At the rear, the multi-link rear axle contains a 50kW electric machine for electric or hybrid phases of operation. This machine also intervenes to recharge the battery through energy recovery braking.

Taking time out from a busy rugby schedule that saw him earn a Six Nations Champions medal, newly appointed Audi Naas brand ambassador Dave Kearney is pictured picking up the keys to his new Audi A4 S-Line model at the state-of-the-art Audi Naas terminal showroom.

Throughout 2014, Dave will work closely with Audi Naas on planned events and model launches.

Dave will also run a local rugby clinic later on this summer as part of the Audi Naas partnership.

The sporty Audi A4 S-Line integrates outstanding performance and innovative efficiency with sleek design lines. The best-selling car in its class, it comes equipped with Audi’s innovative Xenon headlights, S-Line sports styling and leather/Alcantara sports seats. For further information, visit www.audi.ie

Audi Naas brand ambassador Dave Kearney

26 Gazette 17 April 2014

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fingal COUNTY COUNCIL Further Information We Conor O Dwyer & Helen Carbery have lodged significant further information on Planning Ref: FW14A/0014 for development on the existing dwelling at “Ithaka�, Astagob, Lower road, Strawberry Beds, Dublin 20. The development applied for consists of modifications to the existing dwelling elevations, construction of glazed front entrance lobby, removal of ESB pole and chimney stack, stabilisation works to the existing rear earth embankment to include soil terraces, new single storey utility room to the side elevation and all associated site development works. The significant further information in relation to the application have been furnished to the Planning Authority and are available for inspection 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. Submission or observation in relation to the further information may be made in writing the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee, no later than 2 weeks after receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice with the Planning Authority.

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17 April 2014 Gazette 27

hockey P29

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

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



Gazette

basketball P28

FastSport collins hails perfect bout:

Vivienne Connolly promotes Goal’s 2014 involvement in the Dublin Flora Women’s Mini-Marathon on the June bank holiday weekend

mini-marathon: sudan the beneficiary this year for international charity

Request for runners to take to the road for Goal’s efforts Women in Dublin are being called upon to help international charity Goal improve the plight of women in South Sudan by running in support of the aid agency in this year’s Flora Women’s Mini-Marathon on bank holiday Monday, June 2.

However, time is tight with the deadline for registrations coming on April 18.

By signing up for #TEAMGOAL in this year’s event, runners and walkers will be supporting the women of South Sudan, where conflict and displace-

ment have left hundreds of thousands of people in need of assistance.

The 10km race is the biggest allwomen’s event of its kind in the world, with over 40,000 ladies (and one or two men!) taking part in 2013. Close to €137m has been raised for charities across Ireland since its inception in 1983, and it is now the country’s biggest single day charity event. The event is tailored to people young and old, who can walk, jog or run depending on their level of fitness.

Dublin actress and model, Vivienne

Connolly decided to lead the Goal team this year after watching a video of some of the women who Goal are assisting in South Sudan.

“We tend to complain about a lot of things in this country, but I think it’s always good to look outwards at the lives of impoverished people around the world and realise just how good we have it here.

“In South Sudan, women are more likely to die in childbirth than receive a second-level education,” the former Fair City star said.

“That’s something we should all be trying to address. Forget country borders; we all live on the same planet and can do more to help our fellow man.

I see running the Mini-Marathon for Goal as my small contribution towards that, and anybody can join me and the rest of the team to do the same.”

For more information, or to get your Goal sponsorship card, contact Carmel in Goal on teamgoal@goal.ie, and log on to their website, www.goal.ie to find out more about the organisation’s work around the world.

PASCHAL Collins said Stephen Ormond’s defeat of Barcelona based Karim El Ouazghari last week was the “perfect performance” as the lightweight boxer from Quarryvale put on a good show as he continues to progress his career.

He stopped the Spaniard in the fifth round on the undercard of Carl Framption’s world title eliminator and trainer Collins was impressed with how Ormond stuck to his gameplan.

“He started the fight exactly how we wanted him to, slowly picking his shots with a lot of jabs to the head while also driving his right hand in under the elbow. Eventually, his left hand started to drop. The main thing was to land one or two power shots but not get hit.”

c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 Gazette 17 April 2014

SPORT

FastSport adamstown rider shines on orwell trial: ADAMSTOWN cycling team’s Roisin Kennedy took her second win of the season last Tuesday night with a strong ride in the first stage of the Stickybottle.comOrwell Crit League.

The 10-mile timetrial opened the 2014 series in Batterstown, and Kennedy showed she is still the one to watch, winning with a 12 second margin to the runner-up on the night, Catherine McAteer of Garda-Richie’s Bikes.

Ciara Kinch of the promoting club Orwell Wheelers rounded out the podium, just 13 seconds further adrift, in a field the numbered 30 riders on the night.

The next three Tuesdays sees criteriumstyle racing unfold on the purpose-built track in Corkagh Park, west Dublin, followed by a road race in Brittas Bay, on Tuesday, May 6, before the racing is completed with the concluding race again in Batterstown five weeks from now on Tuesday, May 13.

basketball: teams from all over the world converge on dublin

Masters on the court get ready  sport@gazettegroup.com

Sports halls all over Dublin are looking forward to hosting the second Dublin Masters basketball tournament on the weekend of May 16 to 18 which will see 27 teams from eight countries competing for the overall men’s and women’s titles.

The competition sees many of the top players from the Irish leagues from recent years taking part in what will be one of the largest Masters sports event to be held in Ireland in 2014.

Oblate Hall in Inchicore, Inchicore Community Centre and Colaiste Brid in Clondalkin will host

the matches, which seea strong Dublin representation as well as Irish talent from Cork, Mayo and Galway, as well as participants from further afield with teams from Australia, Belgium, Estonia, Sweden and Britain travelling to Dublin for the Masters.

T h e m e n ’s t e a m s involved are BC

Last year’s women’s Masters winners, Glasnevin

Jerome Westbrooks, pictured here in 2008, has brought the BNAF team together

Kulkroon from Estonia, Corinthians, Team BNAF , which is made up of players from Ireland and the USA, Gothenburg from Sweden, K illester, Rathmines, Gr umpy Old Bears from Sydney who are the current Over50 world champions having won that title in Turin last August, Nomads, Team Belgium, Cork, Galway, London Eagles, Templeogue, Trailblazers, Dublin Lions and St Vincent’s.

Women’s teams competing are Oblate Dynamos, Silver Girls which is a team made up of players from Germany, Finland, Romania and Russia, Sussex Ladies,

Pegasus, KUBs, Mayo Ladies, Dublin All Stars, Wild Rovers, Blarney, Galway and Glasnevin.

Team BNAF (Brothers Near And Far) is an interesting entry to the competition, being a team put together by Irish basketball legend J e r o m e We s t b r o o k s which features his lifelong friends and playing partners from the States and here in Ireland.

T he men’s tro phy is called the Tom McLoughlin Cup in memor y of a great servant to Templeogue Basketball Club and Irish Basketball and the women’s cup is called The Joe Kavanagh Cup in memory of Joe who

was a player and coach with Templeogue and St Declan’s before coaching Meteors to a number of league and cup titles in the 90s.

All profits from the weekend are donated to The Joe Kavanagh Foundation which provides sports clubs around Ireland with defibrillators.

Games begin on Friday at 6pm, all day Saturday from 9am-7pm and on Sunday with knock out games and finals from 9am finishing with finals at 4pm.

For fur ther information, contact John Walsh on 086 6021094 or email dubmastersbball@gmail.com.

Ireland relish prospect of visit of world champions  sport@gazettegroup.com

Clontarf will be the venue for the visit of the T20 world champions, Sri Lanka in May

IRELAND will lock horns with world champions for the second time in three months when Sri Lanka visit Dublin next month for two one-day internationals at Clontarf.

After beating the West Indies in Jamaica in February, the Boys in Green will be looking for another famous scalp when they take on the newly-crowned World T20 champions in a 50-over RSA Insurance Series on May 6 and 8 at Clontarf Cricket Club in north Dublin.

And for local fans it will be a fantastic first chance to see some of the superstars of the world game in Lasith Malinga, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene after their stunning win over India in Dhaka last week in the ICC World T20 final.

Cricket fans turned out in their droves last summer with superb crowds at the marquee Irish fixtures in 2013. In May, Clontarf was the scene of two epic battles with Pakistan that resulted in a tie and the narrowest of wins for the visitors while Dublin also

hosted an RSA Challenge match against England in front of a record-breaking crowd of 10,000 at Malahide on that glorious day in September.

While Clontarf cannot accommodate all the fans who packed into Malahide in September, captain William Porterfield is still expecting large and vocal support when his side take on Sri Lanka.

“The home crowds were simply outstanding last year,” Porterfield said. “There was an incredible atmosphere at both Clontarf and Malahide which made for

unforgettable occasions.”

Ireland coach Phil Simmons is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against the world champions and believes early season conditions could be a great leveller.

“It’s the type of challenge we’re crying out for,” Simmons said. “These are the sort of games that players love. It’s going to be a brilliant experience to play the best in our own back yard.”

Tickets for the matches are still available via www.cricketireland.ie and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

17 April 2014 Gazette 29

Gazette

Globetrotting Joyce on international duty Cricket and hockey star Cecelia Joyce is no stranger to representing her country in both sports - and says it is an honour to step onto the world stage whatever the code CECELIA Joyce has precious little time to relax.

Just 12 days since the T20 cricket World Cup concluded in Bangladesh, she is one of three players - along with twin sister Isobel and Kate McKenna - back on a plane, this time to the Netherlands with her hockey club side, Railway Union.

On both occasions, she is up against the world’s very best. In the cricket, it was the first time Ireland had reached a women’s T20 finals, taking on eventual winners Australia.

Next on the agenda is a Friday date with Den Bosch, the Dutch champions who won their 15th national title last Sunday. That is the toughest European club fixture an Irish club has ever encountered as Rail-

 stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

way qualified last spring for the Club Champions Cup for the first time, bringing together the top eight clubs on the continent in a straight knockout competition.

The Dutch club feature an array of Olympic gold medallists including twotime world player of the year Maartje Paumen.

As a full-time lawyer competing in two codes against a sea of fully paid players, it would be easy for Joyce to view this date with trepidation. But she comes from a family who strive for the best her older brothers Ed

and Dominick also play cricket for Ireland - and she says there is no reason to be fearful.

“For myself and Isobel, we have just played some of the best cricket teams in the world,” she told GazetteSport. “Our coach Nasir [Munir] is scared of nobody and thinks his coaching is up there with the best in the world. Our team philosophy - and this comes from former coach Mick McKinnon too - is we want to play the best and see where we stand.

“That’s our attitude; no matter what the score is, we want to play the best in the world and see how we get on. There’s no point being afraid.

We’re not afraid of failing. It is an honour to be there but we are playing to win.”

It is an attitude that

Cecelia Joyce celebrates a league win for Railway Union recently

has seen her teams break new boundaries. For Railway, she joined a club in mid-table in the Leinster leagues and has played a key part in their development to be Irish Hockey League champions three times in four years. A bronze medal in the second tier of Euro-

sports.

“Because we can bring 18 to Europe and a couple of players are not available, Railway said ‘if you still want to come, we would be glad to have you’. Having said that, it is not that big a crossover. Going from cricket to hockey is much eas-

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‘We want to play the best in the world. There’s no point being afraid. It’s an honour to be there’ - Cecelia Joyce

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pean club hockey last year was also a best for an Irish club.

Balancing elite sport with her work life as a lawyer who can work up to 70 hours a week is an onerous task. At times, she has contemplated stepping back but, as a utility player who has been used in each position bar “goalkeeper and centre-back”, Munir was keen to keep her involved in his panel of 18 for the trip to the Netherlands.

Joyce has been unable to make regular training since October but could prove invaluable in a Railway side that has endured a number of defensive changes in the past season. Given the short hiatus between the cricket and hockey tournaments, though, she doesn’t see it as too much of a problem adapting between the

ier than the other way around because your hand-eye co-ordination is better while your hand and fore-arm strength is also stronger.

“For tactics and game awareness, because I have been playing so long with the same team, it is easier than when I first came in six years ago.”

And she is hoping to play a big role in potentially her club’s toughest fixture and there is no thought of leaving anything behind against Den Bosch.

“In previous European trips, we have gone out to get the best result on any given day. That’s what we want to do, play them at their best and beat them.

Whether that’s likely or not against Den Bosch, it doesn’t really matter.

We want to beat the best in the world.”

FastSport

Dubliners play their part in Ireland tour success BELVEDERE’S Daniel McKenna and Jamie Hamilton, Cherry Orchard’s Aaron O’Driscoll and Tyreke Wilson, Raheny United’s Michael Murphy, St Kevin’s Boys’ Thomas Byrne and Shane Stokes were all included in the Republic of Ireland Under-15 soccer side that won 2-0 victory over Scotland at East End Park, Dunfermline.

It completed their second win of a twogame series against the Scots last week with Byrne and West Ham’s Anthony Scully on the mark for Colin O’Brien’s side.

Scully found the net in the 14th minute after excellent build-up play for the Irish through midfield.

Byrne added the second goal in the 39th minute with an excellent strike from outside the box.

“It was a very pleasing performance. Again we produced a very good first half display especially a 25-minute period where we built up the play very well,” said O’Brien.

“We scored two good goals with some excellent attacking play but with a bit more composure we may have scored one or two more before the break.

“Scotland had a bit of control in the second half and got into our half using direct play and direct running. Our keeper Ian Giltinan made a couple of good saves late on. The players had to defend well.

“We didn’t create as many chances after the break as we did in the first half but we made changes for this game and the players all acquitted themselves very well.”

O’Brien’s side beat the Scots 3-2 on Monday and overall he is delighted with how the squad performed in Scotland and over the season as a whole.

“It’s been a very pleasing week. The players all got further opportunities to play for their country and add to their experience,” he said.

“They go back to their clubs now and they’ve been a credit to both their clubs and the regional ETP centres where they have worked for the past year or two.”

Gazette

30 LUCAN gazette 17 April 2014

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: holders sheriff and collinstown bow out in semis

Lucan Harriers’ ladies get season off to start LUCAN Harriers’ ladies took part in the first round of the meet and train summer series last Sunday. This race was held in Lucan and was 5km in distance, running the Parkrun route.

First home for Lucan was Ursula Eaton in 16th position and a time of 22.23; Bernie Stapleton was next in 22.30 with Carol Kearney and Sharon Byrne battling it out for third and fourth home.

Eileen O’Brien was still fresh after running the K Club 10K on Saturday and finished in 23.57.

Siobhan Doyle was running her first race ever and earned a time of 24.28, Jana Rakociova was next in 24.30, with Una Cassoni in 24.31.

Lillian Whooley was another racing first timer home in 24.53. Sinead Murphy was home in 26.13, with Maria Donoghue home in 26.17, a personal best.

The club’s men took part in the National Road Relays in Raheny in the masters competition and were placed 13th. The team of Gerry Byrne Jnr, Derek Taylor and Karl Fitzgerald were a credit to the club in their first outing in this competition, Byrne running his mile in 5.04, Derek Taylor 10.48 for the second leg of two-miles and Karl Fitzgerald ran the third leg in 5.29 for one mile.

Zaidan returns from injury with good progress ARCANE cycling team rider Darragh Zaidan confirmed his return to competitive form and recovery from serious injury with an impressive start to the new season recently.

After two major crashes in France last season, the Lucan native struggled to regain his form in the saddle and the young rider was only able to

resume training less than a month before the domestic Irish season began recently in earnest.

Despite this, Zaidan has taken prizes in successive weeks with a fourth-place A2 finish in the Boyne GP, second place in the Ben McKenna Memorial race and second in a recent meet in Donore.

Zaidan will now focus on leading a very strong Arcane Cycling Team as they take on the Gorey three-day over the Easter weekend.

Sheriff YC ahead of their FAI Junior Cup Semi-final against St Michael’s in Clonmel last week. Picture: Matt Browne/ SPORTSFILE

Dublin teams exit the cup fai junior cup

St Michael’s Sheriff YC  sport@gazettegroup.com

1 0

BOTH Dublin sides bowed out of the FAI Junior Cup at the semifinal stages as Sheriff YC and Collinstown missed out on a final date at Aviva Stadium on May 25.

Tipperary outfit St Michael’s FC beat holders Sheriff YC 1-0 last weekend thanks to a late goal by Brian Buckley.

Unfor tunately, for the Dublin side they finished the game with nine men after having experienced defenders Paul Murphy and Anto Kavanagh dismissed in

the second half.

The Fair view Park club started slightly the better in a tense affair, but chances were few and far between.

Keith Dunne had a couple of opportunities but found one effort intercepted by Aaron Wall while another opening was well saved by the Michael’s goalkeeper.

When David Browne’s header went just over, it brought to a close a scoreless first half.

The second period followed in a similar vein with their defences well on top.

It meant one chance was likely to prove critical and it came late in

home with the bohs Lucan get half-time game at Dalymount LUCAN United’s Under-13 team were the guests of honour at Dalymount Park last week when they took to the pitch as the half-time game at the match between Bohemians and Limerick in the SSE Airtricty League. The side enjoyed their experience of playing at the home of Irish soccer, and also enjoyed the match between the senior sides, which ended with a surprise reverse for the home side which gave Limerick their first win of the season.

the day when Buckley latched onto a loose pass and found a brilliant trajectory to lift the ball over Paul Halpin from distance and into the goal.

Soon after, Murphy picked up a straight red card for a bad tackle with five minutes left, while Kavanagh followed him off for a second yellow card, stymying the Dublin side’s chances of making a late comeback.

Rovers progress St Michael’s will meet Limerick side Ballynanty Rovers, who beat Collinstown FC on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time and extra

time in the other semifinal at Jackman Park on Saturday.

Ballynanty won out 5-4 on penalties thanks to goalkeeper Steven McNamara’s heroics.

He saved three spotkicks to help send his side through to the final.

Anto McCormack put the visitors ahead in the first half but David Dunphy poked home the leveller for Ballynanty in the 76th minute.

Neither side looked like grabbing a winner before the game went to spot-kicks and McNamara’s saves from Michael Scully, Gareth Brogan and Daniel Matthews allowed Brian

Doran to step up and win the game for Ballynanty.

There was better news in the FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup Final for Dublin sides as UCD ran up a comprehensive victory over St Patrick’s CY at UCD Bowl last weekend.

Diarmuid McNally’s side will now meet Avo n d a l e Un i t e d – chasing four-in-a-row – thanks to goals from Timmy Molloy, Michael Whelan, Marc Whelan, Brian O’Reilly and Connor Cannon against Ringsend outfit St Pat’s in a 5-0 success.

The final will take place at Turner’s Cross on Saturday, May 10.

17 April 2014 LUCAN gazette 31

Gazette

Lucan Under-12s denied by late double  sport@gazettegroup.com

Lucan Sarsfields Under12 footballers were cruelly denied victory againt Raheny recently when the match at St Anne’s Park turned on two goals in injury time from the home side took the points away from the travelling 12th Lock team.

Lucan had been five

points ahead going into the last few minutes but those two goals turned the tie on its head.

This game was all about goals and Lucan themselves had a goal disallowed in the first half with the referee calling back play having already blown for an earlier infringement.

Raheny had looked

threatening on the break throughout and were kept at bay in the second half by a Mark Gormely save.

This was the first league outing for the Under-12s after a successful grading campaign and in spite of being short of players, still managed to dominate possession throughout.

It was a disappointing outcome to the tie, but

the team can take a lot of positives from their performance.

Lucan Sarfields: Ben O’Toole, Cian Duff y, Cian Hyland , Colm Walsh, Daragh Henderson, Derek Cahill, Eoin Power, Evin Dowling, Mark Gormley, Oisin Ryan, Oisin Twamley, Paul Tuite, Sean Casey

football: lucan and cuala lead AFL 2 after wins

Club Noticeboard lucan sarsfields Membership is now due for 2014. We

ballers who continued their winning

encourage all members to renew as

streak with a victory over Fingal-

soon as possible by following the link on

lians in front of a large crowd in the

our website. We particularly extend

12th Lock on Saturday evening. Our

an invite to parents and guardians of

Division 7 footballers followed suit on

our juvenile members to consider one

Sunday morning with a win over St

of our family options. All players up

Anne’s.

to U-21 are now included in the family options.

Places are filling up quickly for our

Games matches away to Ballyboden

Easter camp from April 22 to 24. This

St Enda’s. The U-13Bs lost at home to

is open to all in the Lucan area and is

Crumlin and the U-16As won away at

great value for just €30. Registration

St. Vincents. The Senior 1 and 2 teams

details on our website.

won their respective home matches

Congratulations to of U-14 ladies

The Senior 5 team lost away to Kilma-

semi-finals on Saturday. A great day

cud Crokes B while the Senior 6 team

was had by all.

lost at home to Good Counsel.

Congratulations to Aoife McKelvey

25 card drive every Friday night at

and Colm Hickey on the birth of their

9pm in the clubhouse bar – all wel-

baby boy, the latest addition to the

come. €5 entry with €50 first prize.

There were wins at the weekend for

Sarsfields go joint top after win against Fins

afl 2 Lucan Sarsfields 2-10 Fingallians 1-9  sport@gazettegroup.com

Lucan Sarsfields senior footballers put themselves top of the Adult Football League Division 2 last week with a comprehensive win against fellow high-flyers Fingallians at 12th Lock.

The initial tussles were toughly contended with both teams anxious to claim the opening score. In the end it was a Brendan Gallagher point at the end of a Lucan move that gave the scoreboard its first action.

Lucan played a fast flowing brand of football and it wasn’t long until Stephen Garbutt doubled the home team’s account after seven minutes, which was answered by a Fingallians’ free following the breakdown of another Lucan attack.

H o w e v e r, i t w a s between the 15th and 20th minutes of the match that the balance of this game turned in Lucan’s favour with a brace of goals from Gallagher and Ciaran McHugh.

The visitors continued to press and their efforts were rewarded with a

high free count, three of which were converted before the interval, along with two points from play. Gallagher led the Lucan attack with a point from play and one from a free to leave the scoreline at Lucan 2-4 Fingallians 0-6 at the break.

Lucan continued where they left off in the first half with the first two scores in the second, the first coming from Gallagher, the second from James O’’Neill.

With 10 minutes to go, Fingallians pulled back a goal which left a mere two points between the sides. The large home

support were encouraged to get behind their team and that extra support meant that Lucan were able to outscore their opponents four points to two in the last 10 minutes of the game, the final two scores coming from the boot of Garbutt, crowning a fine individual performance.

The result puts Lucan joint top of AFL2 with Cuala, with the Hyde Road side’s points scored being the only differential separating the teams, and the clash between the two table toppers not coming until September as the season draws to a close.

against Erin’s Isle and St Vincent’s B.

football Feile team who reached the

Lucan Sarsfields family.

Lucan Sarsfields took charge of the match agaisnt Fingallians at 12th Lock to go top of AFL 2

On the camogie front the U-12B blue and red squads won both of their Go-

Set dancing classes every Wednesday at 8.30pm.

our CCC2 hurling teams. Our U-16As

Strictly Sarsfields comes to Lucan.

put on a great display against Chroa-

Expect glamour, fancy footwork and

bh in from of a home crowd and came

lots of laughs at the Lucan Sarsfields

away with a one-point victory. Ear-

fundraising event in Westmanstown

lier, the U-13s prevailed over Skerries

on May 3. The fundraisers are in full

Harps and St Jude’s. Go Games last

swing.

weekend focused on football the U-12s

The U-10s have an Easter hamper

had good wins over Na Fianna and St

and Dublin jersey for raffle in the bar

Pat’s, with the U-11s taking on Cuala

in support of Maggie Mulqueen.

and Templeogue. Our U-10s were also

The senior footballers are holding a

in action against Templeogue com-

race night on Saturday, April 26 in sup-

bined with an away trip to St Jude’s.

port of Carol Gallagher’s campaign,

The U-8s hosted Ballinteer on our all-

with DJ Al Curtis on the mic.

weather pitch and the U-9s were in

Jenny Costello is conducting a Nurs-

action against Cuala and Crumlin. The

ery Skills Day for girls on April 26, plen-

skill levels on display across all games

ty of spot prizes and fun promised.

were excellent with this weeks Sars

Kenny Wade is holding a FootGolf

Stars nominations are posted on the

competition also on April 26. Please get

website.

behind these events and take advan-

Congratulations to our senior foot-

tage of the stretch in the evenings!

westmanstown/garda The intermediates were unlucky

The nursery is taking a time-out on

to go down to Scoil Ui Chonaill by one

Easter Saturday but will be back in

point in Westmanstown last Saturday

action on Saturday, April 26 and every

evening in Division 3 league fixture. The

Saturday thereafter (until further

final score was 2-10 to 0-15.

notice) from 10am on our all-weather

The junior league fixture against

facility at Westmanstown. Thank you

Robert Emmet’s was postponed. There

to everyone thatcontributed to the

are no fixtures next week due to East-

boy’s Feile fundraising event on Sat-

er weekend. Men’s training continues

urday morning.

at the normal times.

Well done to the U-14 girls that

The ladies season got off to a good

participated in the annual Dublin

start with a home win last Wednes-

Feile event. Many thanks to the team

day night in a league clash against St

mentors, players and parents and kit

Jude’s on a 5-11 to 5-7 score.

sponsor Astra Marketing for making it

If you are interested in joining the Gaels to play football, hurling and/or

a day to remember and a big thank you to the hosts, Naomh Meanog.

camogie (boys and girls from five to

The Gaels GAA Skills Easter camp

16), contact Declan Jennings at 085

runs from April 22 to 25 from 10am to

800 6101.

2.30pm.

GazetteSPORT all of your lucan sports coverage from page 27-31

sarsfields soar: Lucan AFl 2 side go joint top of league after home victory against Fingallians P31

April 17, 2014

twice the player: The busy sporting life of Cecelia Joyce in hockey and cricket P29

Collinstown’s Anthony McCormack, left, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal with team-mate David Dempsey, but it was not to be for the local side. Picture: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

So close for Collinstown

FAI Junior Cup campaign comes to an end as brave local side bow out against Ballynanty with the Limerick goalkeeper the only difference  Nathan kelly

sport@gazettegroup.com

Collinstown FC’s FAI Junior Cup dream was cruelly ended on Saturday night at the hands of Limerick side Ballynanty Rovers through the dreaded penalty shootout.

With the game level at a goal apiece after 90 minutes and extra-time, the lottery that is penalties was the only way to separate the two sides in Jackman Park, who gave everything throughout the tie.

Anthony McCormack’s first half opener for Town was cancelled out by David Dunphy on 75 minutes, before Rovers keeper Stephen

McNamara pulled off heroics in the shootout with three outstanding saves.

In the aftermath of the game, GazetteSport caught up with Collinstown chairman Stuart Goodall to reflect on the game.

“Obviously, we are disappointed not to be going to the Aviva,” he said. “But our day will come, I have no doubt about that. We have gone out in the cruellest fashion possible but the players gave everything and more for the jersey as always, we just came up against a keeper who had one of those days.

“The journey we have been on in the competition is over for this year but with the massive support we received from our own supporters and also from all the other clubs, we

will have many more big days out.”

Goodall himself gave a significant speech to the players prior to the game, hoping to inspire the win that would have taken them to the final in the Aviva stadium in May. He told the players to give everything for the club, just like the clubmen did who passed away during the past year. Men like Mattie Carpenter, who Goodall recalled, reminded him to make sure the club lotto’s were in, even in his final days.

It proved not to be on the day, but Goodall reflected on how well the team have performed this season so far: “We sit in fourth in the AUL Premier A, we were beaten in the semi-finals of the biggest cup in junior foot-

ball in Europe with the youngest squad in the league so it has been a good season. We have unbelievable young players in our squad and will strengthen in the summer, so the future is very bright for Collinstown FC. “I just want to thank everyone who travelled to Limerick, the noise and atmosphere created will remain fondly in our hearts forever.”

In what will now be the first year in seven that this side does not land silverware, the challenge for Kevin Carroll’s squad for the closing stages of the season will be to cement that fourth-place spot, which will be a significant achievement, given their poor start to the first season in the AUL’s top league.