Lucan

Gazette lucan

PLUS:

May 8, 2014

FREE

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

Gazette LUCAN

PLUS:

May 8, 2014

FREE

Month XX, 2012 PALMERSTOWN • CELBRIDGE • LEIXLIP • ADAMSTOWN • DODSBORO • LIFFEY VALLEY • BALLYOWEN

INSIDE: Let our guide help you to find some of the best rests and the right diet See Page 20

Rugby:

Barnhall named Leinster club of the year Page 30

Soccer:

All-Ireland joy for Cherry Orchard U-17s Page 28

Water utility is called to account  IAN BEGLEY

Find us on

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

RIVERDANCE AT 20: The smash hit is ready to set fans reeling at the Gaiety See Page 17

AN EMERGENCY motion has been tabled at South Dublin County Council following “a lack of clarity” on the part of Irish Water regarding changes to Lucan’s water supply, which now comes from Leixlip rather than Ballymore Eustace.

The motion was tabled by Cllr William Lavelle (FG) on May 6 at the annual/inaugural county council meeting. He said: “Following a lack of clarity of information from Irish Water

regarding changes to the water supply to Lucan, I today tabled an emergency motion at our SDCC meeting seeking an urgent report.”

Cllr Eamon Tuffy (Lab) is also concerned about Irish Water’s lack of clarity, asking the utility to explain why the council was not informed of the change. Irish Water previously said it had identified “a need” to expand the area within South Dublin County Council serviced by the Lexlip Water Treatment Works.

Full Story on Page 4

Strictly fever: Sarsfields swap football boots for dance shoes LUCAN Sarsfields recently hosted

their Strictly Come Dancing event at the Westmanstown Events and Conference Centre.

Maggie Mulqueen and Stiofan O’Conghaile battled against the

other couples in the dancing competition to be crowned the overall winners.

The show was hosted by TV presenter Brian Ormond. Picture: Cathy Weatherston

4 LUCAN Gazette 8 May 2014

dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n

lucan Emergency motion at meeting

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

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

Find us on

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.

Cllr Eamon Tuffy (Lab) asked Irish Water to explain why the council was not informed about the supply switch

Clarification sought on water supply changes AN emergency motion has been tabled at South Dublin County Council following “a lack of clarity” on the par t of Irish Water regarding changes to Lucan’s water supply.

The motion was tabled by Cllr William Lavelle (FG) on May 6 at the annual/inaugural county council meeting.

He said: “Following a lack of clarity or information from Irish Water regarding changes to the water supply to Lucan, I today tabled an emergency motion at our SDCC meeting seeking an urgent report.

“In response, council management were in a position to advise that the change in water supply from Ballymore Eustace to Leixlip (resulting in harder

 ian begley ibegley@gazettegroup.com

water) is in fact only temporary,” he said.

C l l r E a m o n Tu f f y (Lab) is also concerned about Irish Water’s lack of clarity about this supply switch, asking the utility to explain why the council was not informed.

He also said several local residents contacted him about water supply issues.

In an email to Irish Water, he said: “As a councillor and election candidate I am calling on many households in the Lucan area in the last two weeks.

“Several household-

ers, in Beech Park, Sarsfield Park and other areas have repor ted problems with their domestic water supply.

“These include water turning brownish after boiling, sandy residue [and] scaling of kettles.

“Could you advise me as soon as possible if their supply has been switched from Ballymore Eustace to Leixlip?” said Cllr Tuffy.

The Gazette made several unsuccessful attempts to contact Irish Water, but previously it said it had identified “a need” to expand the area within South Dublin County Council serviced by the Leixlip Water Treatment Works.

Expansion It added that an expansion in production capacity at the

Leixlip plant, meant pressure could be taken off the treatment plant at Ballymore Eustace.

From April 14 the change took place, affecting the Ninth Lock, Ashwood in Neilstow n, Rowlagh, St Loman’s, Ballyowen, Ballydowd, Esker, Earlsfort, and Foxborough.

Resident Eoin O’Neill told The Gazette that he has had issues with his water for the past several weeks, and now feels it is unsafe to drink.

He said: “I wouldn’t risk in the state it’s in now, and I have been buying bottled water for the past three weeks.

“It’s okay when you put it in the kettle first, but as soon as you boil it there’s a type of sediment at the bottom of the kettle and a scum appears around the sides.

“I’m not the only one that has issues with water from my area.

Anyone who I’ve been talking to around here says they have the same problem.”

O’Neill is still unsure about the cause of his water problem and is appealing to Irish Water to clarify its cause. “ [Irish Water] knows what the problem is and whether it’s dirt getting into the pipes when they were installing the meters or due to the change in the water supply – I don’t know, but it has never happened before,” he said.

Council water is mainly sourced from two water treatment plants at BallymoreEustace and Leixlip.

The water from Leixlip would be considered hard and from Ballymore-Eustace it is soft.

8 May 2014 LUCAN Gazette 5

animals Go batty at evening walkabout

Cllr Lavelle: ‘Park users should not have to look at this’

Anti-gay graffiti set to be removed  ian begley

Obscene and offensive graffiti on the N4 footbridge/ramp in Willsbrook Road will be removed shortly by the roads department.

The graffiti, which is of a homophobic nature, was brought to attention

by Lucan Cllr William Lavelle (FG) at the recent meeting of the council’s Lucan Area Committee.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Lavelle criticised the graffiti, which can be seen on the ramp and supporting columns on Willsbrook Park which leads to the N4 footbridge across to Woodville.

He said: “Park users should not have to look at this disgusting and

obscene graffiti which also fronts onto the pitch used by Lucan Sarsfield’s underage camogie teams.

“We should have a zero-tolerance approach to offensive graffiti. However, when I asked the council to remove this graffiti they say it’s the NRA’s responsibility, yet when I ask the NRA they don’t reply,” said Lavelle.

Cllr Lavelle also called on council managers to take charge of this issue and to ensure the graffiti would be removed as a matter of urgency.

Following the meeting, councillors were further advised by email that “the roads department have made arrangements to have the graffiti removed from the ramp

at Willsbrook Park. This work will be carried out next week.”

A volunteer from Lucan Tidy Towns said that graffiti isn’t much of a problem within the community and if an incident does arise the group have the knowhow and means to deal with it.

Speaking to the Gazette, he said: “We’re fortunate enough that we don’t have an epidemic [in Lucan] and have a lack of graffiti in our tidy towns areas. We’re very lucky in the sense that we have someone trained who is able to keep on top of it and if an incident of graffiti does arise we paint over it or have a chemical to remove it,” said the volunteer.

Go team, go: Ready to put in a performance at championships lucan’s Katelyn Doyle (right) will be proudly representing Team Ireland in the World Championships of Performing Arts 2014.

She will compete in the singing and drama competition. The prestigious event will be taking place in Hollywood, Los Angeles, in July. It is a splendid opportunity to represent Ireland with their tremendous singing, acting, dancing and modelling skills in this Olympic style competition. Over 50 countries will be taking part. Katelyn is pictured with fellow team members Susan Mary Ward, Darragh McArdle, Luke Andrew Feeney and John Power.

Lucan ecologist Sean Meehan is holding a bat walk in Griffeen Valley Park on Saturday, June 7 at 9.30pm.

The Bat Walk will include an illustrated talk on bats, dispelling all of the myths and provide interesting facts on these small mammals. The walk, led by Meehan, will consist of a walking tour around Griffeen Park in the hope of spotting and observing bats in their natural habitat.

This event is being held

by South Dublin County Council and Griffeen Tidy Towns. People interested in attending are asked to meet at the car park on Hayden’s Lane entrance to Griffeen Valley Park.

For more information, see the Griffeen Tidy Towns Facebook page.

6 LUCAN Gazette 8 May 2014

election Local candidates talk to The Gazette about what Lucan local election candidates Alan Hayes Non-Party Caitriona Jones Labour Caitriona McClean Fianna Fail Ciaran Byrne Non-Party Danny O’Brien Sinn Fein Eamon Tuffy Labour Ed O’Brien Fianna Fail Gerry Kennedy Fine Gael Guss O’Connell Non-Party Jim Doyle Non-Party

Liona O’Toole Non-Party Michael Finnegan Workers Party Michael Eugene Farrelly Non-Party Patrick Akpoveta Non-Party Paul Nicholas Gogarty Non-Party Ruth Nolan People Before Profit Tony Stafford Non-Party Vicki Casserly Fine Gael William Lavelle Fine Gael Zahid Hussain Non-Party

S e r v i ng 6 t h r i v i ng c o m m u n i t i e s o f s u b u r ban D u bl i n .

F OR U P TO D A TE N E W s V i s i t: www . fa c e b o o k . c o m / D u bl i n G a z e t t e N e wspap e r s

Contenders set out their stalls for ballot WITH the local elections just over two weeks away, The Gazette joined local election candidates on the campaign trail for election 2014,or spoke to them about their intentions if they are successfully voted in.

The campaign has been a tough one for this slew of candidates, with Government party

contenders having to explain themselves on water charges and property tax, as well as homelessness which is an issue to the forefront of many voters’ minds.

There have also been changes to the electoral boundaries, and many areas are gaining a number of council seats.

For those voters who still haven’t made up their minds, over the next three weeks Ian Begley will focus on the local election candidates running in your area, with candidates laying out their stalls and letting you know what they stand for and, hopefully, helping you to make your decision.

Caitriona McClean: Fianna Fail candidate for Lucan/Palmerstown

People’s reactions at the doors are very positive Local Area Representative for Lucan Caitriona McClean (FF) is currently trying to muster support in her electorate areas of Lucan and Palmerstown in the run up to the local elections.

McClean who has been living in Lucan for 22 years is running for South Dublin County Council for the first time as a member of Fianna Fail.

Speaking to The Gazette, McClean spoke of the reasons she joined Fine Fail and how her campaigning is coming along so far.

She said: “I grew up in a Fianna Fail household and joined them in 2007 because to be honest I knew there was something going wrong with the country

at the time.

“In 2011 I began to canvas for them and what impressed me was the genuineness of the members of the party and how they were dealing with a very, very difficult situation.

“They then asked me to be secretary of the cumann after my show of interest with the canvassing and then asked me to be local representative for Lucan two years ago.

“At the moment, people’s reactions at the doors are very positive. People are not giving out to me or about my own party, but they’re taking the opportunity to talk about issues personally affecting them,” said McClean.

Asked whether she felt at a disadvantage canvassing on behalf of a party that are largely responsible for Ireland’s economic collapse, McClean said: “No because if somebody is in difficulty and needs help they’re not interested in knowing who got them there - they need help getting out of the situation they’re in.

“If you find a person who is argumentative about the history of who did what the chances are that they’re actually alright,” said McClean.

Liona O’Toole: independant candidate for Lucan/Palmerstown

A real knowledge of local issues, especially education

First time election candidate Liona O’Toole (Ind) has been getting out and about with residents from her electoral area of Lucan and Palmerstown, trying to convince each and every one of them to give her their number one vote.

The Gazette followed O’Toole and her support team around Haydens Park and Roberry recently with the view of trying to establish what sort of candidate she is.

With an extensive knowledge of local issues, especially in the education sector, O’Toole certainly had a lot to say, but at times seemed to rush through technical and significant topics.

Being an Independent also seemed to bode well for her as no one could criticise

her for particular party related issues.

O’Toole even managed to shift one individual’s opinion of her in the most impressive turnaround the Gazette has seen so far.

The woman asked her what her knowledge of education in the Lucan area was, accusing O’Toole of not having done any prior research or keeping up-to-date with ongoing issue.

O’Toole refuted her claims, saying: “I do know about the education and school situation in Lucan at the moment. I know about the lack of schools that we have in Lucan, and the extensions that many secondary schools are struggling to get.

“There are also huge enrolment issues in Lucan at the moment. I’m currently

dealing with a parent who is struggling to get her children into one of the three Educate Together schools we have, then I have another lady who has appealed three times to get her child into Lucan Community College.

“Anyone who appeals is never successful so what’s the point of having an appeal system for the people of Lucan if they’re never going to be upheld?” said O’Toole.

The individual at the door was clearly impressed with O’Toole’s reply, promising her vote and saying: “You are the first person I’ve seen who has shown any sort of passion for educational needs.”

8 May 2014 LUCAN Gazette 7

they stand for, and the issues the electorate is raising Ruth Nolan: People-Before-Profit candidate for Lucan/ Palmerstown

The water and property tax is a huge issue First time local election candidate Ruth Nolan is running as the only candidate to represent both Lucan and Palmerstown, and is currently on a campaign trail to encourage local residents to give her their number one vote.

Speaking to The Gazette, Nolan said that she is getting an overall good response on the doors, but found that people are generally despondent and sceptical of politicians.

She said: “People seem to not trust politicians after being lied to so many times. They just feel they’re being robbed and very hard done by. They’re kind of delighted when I introduce myself as a People Before Profit candidate, and surprisingly most of them are very much aware of the party.”

Canvassing since the beginning of April with a campaign team of about 20, Nolan said she is out canvassing six times a week, twice a day.

Among the main concerns that people bring up at the doors, Nolan said: “The water and property tax is a huge issue that people bring up. When they ask what I can do about these issues if I get elected I promise them that I will not vote for anything that will impose any more austerity on people.

“What made me want to run as a People Before Profit candidate was because I knew that the Labour Party and trade union movement were about to sell out the people that they represented.

“I knew the party I’m standing for are genuine and didn’t have any alter-

Cllr William Lavelle: Fine Gael candidate for Lucan/Palmerstown

I don’t blame anybody for being frustrated Lucan Cllr William Lavelle (FG) was first elected in 2009 to represent the communities of Lucan and Palmerstown.

Cllr Lavelle said that his campaign this year has been very active and vibrant.

Speaking to The Gazette he said: “We’re trying to call to as many people in person as possible and it’s very important to make that personal contact when you’re asking for support.

“I’m getting a very good response with the work I have done over the five years I worked as a local councillor and I’m very happy to stand on my work record,” said Lavelle.

The Gazette recently tagged along with Cllr Lavelle while he was canvassing at SuperValu in Lucan with fellow party members Vicki Casserly and Minister Brian Hayes.

This might not have been an ideal location for Lavelle as many people who stopped to talk to him where not from his electoral area, and some were in such a rush that they did not have the time to stop and chat.

Those who did choose to engage

with the Lucan councillor were met with thorough and insightful answers to their queries on pressing topics, both local and national issues such as the water and property tax.

One passer-by even promised Lavelle five number one votes from himself and his family for getting a noise barrier installed near his home.

Asked about criticism he receives during the campaign, Cllr Lavelle said: “I don’t blame anybody for being frustrated or annoyed with the current situation.

“Most people realise that things are now going in the right direction and recognise the hard work Fine Gael has put in.”

native agenda. They were solely there to represent the people and it wasn’t about personal gain.

“I think there’s nobody here in Lucan or Palmerstown that is a voice for the people and I think they need a strong voice in the council to fight in their corner,” said Nolan.

8 LUCAN Gazette 8 May 2014

gazetteGALLERIES

Cllr William Lavelle and Stephen Byrne, chair of the local residents association

Cllr William Lavelle (FG), Cllr Guss O’Connell (Ind), Minister Frances Fitzgerald, Nuala Jackson and Deputy Mayor Cllr Eamon Tuffy (Lab) at the launch of the official logo for Lucan Village, which is hoped to play a successful role in promoting the area. The launch took place in Kenny’s of Cllr William Lavelle and Danny Kenny, Kenny’s Pub

Lucan, and was attended by representatives of local businesses, residents and community groups. Pictures: Jolanta Rossiter

Nora Proudfoot, Stephen Byrne, Mick Farley and Aoife Byrne

Minister Frances Fitzgerald and Emer Costello MEP, Bridget Meehan, Labour Party candidate, Kevin O’Lochlain, chairperson Lucan Tidy Towns, Deputy

Nuala Jackson, Lucan Village

Joanna Tuffy (Lab), Wendy Fair (Lab) and Catherine O’Loughlin, Lucan Tidy Towns secretary

Network

Mick Farley and Brian Grogan

8 May 2014 LUCAN Gazette 9

Kenny’s of Lucan: launching official logo

Promoting and enhancing village Cllr Lavelle and Ed O’Brien, Emer Costello MEP, Deputy

member of the local Chamber of

Mayor Eamon Tuffy

Commerce

Joe Byrne, chairman Lucan Festival, and Eddie Conroy, South Dublin County Cllr Caitriona Jones and Emer Costello MEP, both Labour Party

SUPPORT

Local BUSINESS



SHOP LOCALLY

Call the Gazette on

60 10 240

architect

Bridget Meehan, Wendy Fair, Sinead Carolan and Jim Doyle

10 LUCAN Gazette 8 May 2014

upgrades Improvements to be carried out during summer

Six more schools in line for repair works  Ian Begley

The Government has announced that six further schools in Lucan and Clondalkin will be able to undertake school improvements this summer.

The second round of funding will include 353 projects, fixing roofs and upgrading toilets within the county.

In Lucan, St Joseph’s College will receive roof renovations, while Lucan Community College will receive a toilet revamp.

In Clondalkin, Moyle Park College will get new toilets, while Deansrath Community College, Collinstown Park Communi-

ty College, and St Kevin’s Community College will receive roof refurbishments.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald said this announcement “forms an important part of this Government’s ongoing drive to improve facilities in schools throughout the country”.

“These works will be undertaken in schools during the summer holiday months so the disruption to the education of our children will be minimal.

“These projects should also stimulate economic activity by supporting construction jobs in the

local economy,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

This is the first summer works scheme to come into play since 2011, due to a lack of funding.

The Irish National Teacher’s Organisation (INTO) said in a statement that the announcement was good news following on from the reinstatement of the minor capital works scheme late last year.

In its pre-budget submission last October, the INTO condemned the non-payment of the grants to schools. Sheila Nunan, general secretary of the INTO said the announcement would mean many schools would be able to

provide much-needed employment in their own local communities. “[The] announcement will allow hundreds of schools to carry out essential maintenance of buildings. It does not make economic sense to build new schools and extensions while at the same time allowing others to deteriorate.”

The union acknowledged there was significant pressure to provide additional school spaces over the coming years to deal with the increased population, but Nunan said that work could not be done at the cost of leaving existing schools to fall into disrepair.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald says the improvement projects should stimulate economic activity in the local economy

“The Government had a responsibility to ensure that existing schools were maintained to a modern standard,” she said.

Chairperson of St Thomas’s National School and Independent candidate Liona O’Toole said that although she welcomes the refurbishments, she believes that

schools within South County Dublin need a lot more.

Speaking to the Gazette she said: “I suppose the difficulty here is that what’s needed is a lot more than refurbishments.

“All schools need refurbishing at some stage over a period of time, but the

crisis is that existing older schools are still waiting on proposed school extensions.

“The schools that I’m involved with show that the primary schools are over 10 years waiting for extensions, while Lucan Community College is waiting nearly seven years,” said O’Toole.

8 May 2014 Gazette 11

diary P14

asdfsdaf businessP27 P16

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



Gazette

feature P12

what’son celebrating a much-loved book: One of the

Ballinteer man David Gillick is one of Ireland’s most decorated athletes. Picture: Geraldine Woods

a day in the life: top irish athlete david gillick on a typical day

‘Life has changed a lot’  stephen finlater

SINCE returning to Dublin, life has been hectic for Ballinteer man David Gillick.

One of Ireland’s most decorated athletes – a two-time European indoor 400m champion – he has come back to Ireland following stints in the US and England and, while he is still intending to compete at a high level, he is currently pursuing a string of new challenges off the track.

“Life has changed a lot since I have come back and I am looking for other opportunities,” he said of his schedule.

“Right now, it’s straight up and start the day with my standard porridge in a bowl! I try to get my training done early; depending on the day, it could be a running session or be in the gym.

“That takes a couple of hours and then I look at my plan for the day, whether it’s looking at my schools healthy eating initiative or whether I am preparing for my TV slot with Ireland AM on healthy cooking.”

That part of his life developed from his star turn on Celebrity Masterchef, winning the title in August 2013 and is something that is forming a sizeable portion of his daily routine.

Recently, he helped launch the Aviva Healthy Schools Challenge while he also runs initiatives with local schools to promote healthy eating and nutritional information.

He has also been working with Athletics Ireland to liaise with their emerging athletes to give advice on managing their lives in an elite environment.

Once that is complete, though, it is straight back to the training paddock as the 2008 Olympian harbours hopes of qualifying for the European championships which take place later this year in Zurich, Switzerland.

“There’s always something big in

the middle of the day to keep my mind active which is important.

“In the afternoon, I am usually back into the gym for a core session of pilates or yoga or something like that.

“Then, in the evening, in recent times, I have been helping the St John’s senior team as a trainer in Ballinteer, taking them through drills. That would be the gist of most days.

“By the end of it, I am knackered but planning once again for what to do the next day!

“It goes pretty quick and there are not enough hours in the day but I am enjoying it. I am getting training done and have lots of other things going on.”

modern day’s best loved children’s books, the Gruffalo, is celebrating its 15th anniversary and to mark the occasion a Dublin bookstore is hosting a day of free activities.

Join the Gutter Bookshop in Cow’s Lane, Dublin 2, for the special day of celebration to mark the Gruffalo’s milestone birthday. On the day there will be stories and activities and all kinds of fun at this family event that is suitable for children aged one to five who must be accompanied by an adult. The event, which takes place at 11am on May 17, lasts about one hour and is free.

No booking is required, drop in only.

This event is part of a number of events taking place across Dublin this month as part of the Dublin Writers Festival. The festival takes place from May 17 to 25. The Gutter Bookshop is located in Cow’s Lane, Dublin 2.

For further information on other events see: www. dublinwritersfestival.com

Gazette

12 Gazette 8 May 2014

dublinlife

support: new social welfare strategy

Anti-fraud initiative is rolled out

 keith bellew

A N E W s t r a t e g y, apparently aimed at clamping down on fraud within the social welfare system, has just been introduced by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton.

Launching the strategy, Minister Burton said her department and the Revenue Commissioners now have a “very detailed capacity” to tie in data about people claiming benefits.

She added that around €10m had been recovered from such investigations on fraud, and an additional €23m in payments that would otherwise have been made in such cases had been saved.

She went on to say that her department’s recently published annual report said that the “vast majority” of people on social welfare are claiming the correct entitlement that is due to them, but added: “however, a small minority is not, and a range of measures is employed by the

department to ensure that social welfare fraud and abuse is minimised, and that its control activity is appropriately focused.”

However, Socialist MEP Paul Murphy has accused Minister Burton of spinning a cynical ruse. He said: “This latest plan is nothing more than a charade which is being used to prepare the ground for more attacks on unemployed people. “€10m has been ‘saved’ so far, apparently, and they plan to save €510m. These figures give the impression that there is massive fraud going on.

“In 2011, for instance, we were told that €645m had been saved through anti-fraud measures – yet when the figures were dug into, it emerged that 78.9% of that was due to errors on the department’s side in relation to overpayments, rather than fraud.

“The cases of fraud which she uses are to cynically demonise everyone on welfare,” he said.

The latest move to tackle social welfare fraud has attracted mixed reaction

Just some of the superb African fashions and make-up that will be among the From Africa With Love showcase. Pictures: Ricky Mangala Photography

party: sample the continent’s food, fashion and fun

Vibrant celebration of African nations

 keith bellew

FROM Africa With Love (FAWL) – a chic celebration of African people, achievements, cultural heritage, traditions and values – will take place at The Gresham Hotel on Saturday, May 31.

This annual event illuminates the beauty, creativity, innovative practices and diversity of the African people, and is inspired and influenced

by Africa Day. The celebration is aimed at educating, challenging stereotypes, and writing its own stories through a presentation of the continent of Africa’s diverse cultures.

F AW L o r g a n i s e r Tolu Omoyele said: “We believe the African community adds to the

vibrant, cosmopolitan nature of Dublin city, and From Africa With Love is the platform dedicated to showcasing the creative and enterprising African.

“Our mission is to use this platform for a positive representation of the people of African ancestry. This will be achieved by investing in ourselves, and the younger generation.

“FAWL seeks to highlight the diversity of African culture, and the creativity and innovation of African people using multiple mediums including arts, fashion, entrepreneurship, design, entertainment, culture and innovation,” she said.

The inaugural From Africa With Love took place in May 2012 at the Clarence Hotel, where the

event was a fashion and exhibition showcase presented by international high-end African fashion designers from across Europe. The guests were wowed with musical performances and enjoyed sampling of African finger food and drinks This year’s event will be an evening of fashion, culture and beautiful living hosted by former Mr World, Kamal Ibrahim, with Vanessa Stout.

There will be exhibitions of fashion, arts, and culture featuring local and international businesses, who source their Fair Trade goods from African nations, thus creating jobs there.

The Irish launch of the multi-award winning budget management book, Recession Buster:

10 Steps to Managing Your Household Budget: (A Little at a Time), by scholar Tokie Laotan Brown, takes place at the event, where guests will have the opportunity of meeting and greeting the author throughout the night.

Meanwhile, Afrobeats music will be performed by artists including Jazz Trio headliner Jess Kav, Kempes and DJ Daley.

The evening starts at 6pm, and continues until 11pm. At 7pm, guests will be treated to dancing demonstrations courtesy of Dance Dance Dance, and Kizomba, the Angola Rhythm.

A fashion show starts at 7.45pm and will feature local fashion designers Akani Collection, The Muffler - Clothing Line

Brand, FashionShed Int, Simply Glamorous, Tola Vintage and Mullalo, and special guest designer, Adella_Ma..keup.

Much of the clothing is made from traditional material sourced from African nations.

This will be followed at 9pm by the Irish Fashion Diversity Award. For the first time in the Irish fashion industry, FAWL will recognise outstanding contributions to diversity within the industry.

This special award will be presented to the couturist fashionista, Claire Garvey.

Tickets for this unique event are available from w w w.eventbrite.com, under the From Africa With Love Dublin section, and are priced €20, or €15 for students.

8 May 2014 Gazette 13

feature escape the mayhem: pieta house founder joan freeman

A Longford retreat to recuperate and relax IN THIS week’s Escape The Mayhem, Joan Freeman, the founder of self-harm and suicide prevention centre Pieta House, talks about her getaway in Longford A COUNTRY haven facing a lake in Longford is the place Pieta House founder, Joan Freeman, finds tranquillity from her demanding workload.

“We have a little cottage in Longford that overlooks a lake. It is the only place I can sleep a full night.

“There is no internet and the signal is rubbish for the phone, which is all the reasons my mind stops! I just slow down completely when I go there.

“It looks out over Lough Gowna. I haven’t been there since November; I used to be able to go down once a month, but we have opened three new centres, so it will probably be the end of May before I do get down there again.

“When I am there, I would cut the grass or I potter around. Pat, my husband, and I would usually go out for something to eat, looking like wrecks because we have been in the garden all day!

“We would eat in the local pub, [just have] a drink and that for me is

pure bliss,” she said.

“Sometimes I would go on my own just for the quiet, and I would recuperate there. I think everyone needs to do it; the ideal is to do it every day.

“One thing I am trying to do is to have 15 minutes or half an hour in the morning to meditate or pray – it is one way to start your day, and another way to end it.

“It brings that balance back and that quiet back.

It sets me up for the day,” she said.

The Darkness Into Light 5km annual fundraising walk/run in aid of the charity takes place this Saturday, May 10, starting at 4.15am.

In this, participants will begin their journey in darkness, but finish as the new day dawns.

Pieta House now has six centres across the country dedicated to the prevention of self-harm or suicide. For further information, see www. pieta.ie.

Support local business

A d v e r t i s e w i t h t h e G a z e t t e c all 6 0 1 0 2 4 0

Local

Matters

Gazette

14 Gazette 8 May 2014

dublinlife

Oisin throws his weight behind an old tradition Ahoy there me hearties – Lord Mayor Oisin Quinn tried out his sea legs on board the MV St Bridget to perform the Casting of the Spear ceremony recently.

Facing the camera for the photo opportunity, the Honorary Admiral of the Dublin Port – aka Oisin Quinn – gave a, doyou-seriously-want-meto-do-this-look before throwing the spear out into the calm waters of Dublin Bay. The casting of the spear is a Dublin Port tradition dating back 526 years.

The ceremony was reenacted last week as part of the launch of the Dublin - Land and Sea ticket

by Dublin Bay Cruises and Dublin Sightseeing.

This ceremony marks just one of the many famous moments in Dublin Port’s long and remarkable history since its establishment as a trading centre some 1,200 years ago.

teacher training opportunities available in uk Irish graduates and aspiring teachers can find out about attractive teacher training opportunities on offer in the UK at the upcoming Train to Teach event at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham on May 10.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet rep-

resentatives from both schools and universities that offer teacher training programmes, including those involved in the School Direct route, and discuss the different training options available.

The event will also showcase opportunities for career progression and provide information on the substantial taxfree bursaries of up to €24,000, scholarships of up to €30,000 for candidates who train to teach certain subjects, and a competitive starting salary.

The Train and Teach event will r un from 9.30am to 4pm at the Royal Hospital in Kil-

Launching Walk in My Shoes in support of St Patrick’s Hospital Foundation were Brent Pope, Adam Clayton, Alison Canavan, Original Rude Boys members Sean Walsh and Robert Birch, Ray Foley and ORB member Sean Arkins. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Lord Mayor of Dublin Oisin Quinn with Lucy McCaffrey, chairperson, Dublin Port Company, performing the five centuries old tradition of Casting the Spear into Dublin Bay

mainham, Dublin on May 10.

Entrance to the events is free. Registering in advance is advised by going to w w w.traintoteach.education.gov. uk/sign-up, however you can also register at the venue on the day.

big names put their funky feet forward U2’s Adam Clayton and a host of Irish celebrities put their best foot forward to launch Walk in My Shoes, an annual fundraiser in aid of St Patrick’s Hospital.

Model Alison Canavan, TV and radio presenter Ray Foley, rugby pundit Brent Pope and The Original Rude Boys joined the superstar to call on the Irish public to join them, in supporting the annual fundraiser by wearing funky or mismatched shoes on May 9.

Inspired by a 16-yearold in St Patrick’s University Hospital who wished his friends could “walk in his shoes” to

understand what he was going through, Walk in My Shoes raises funds to provide mental health support, information and services to vulnerable young adults in Ireland.

Support Walk in My Shoes by hosting a funky shoe day in work, school or in your local community; snap your shoes and share the pic online through #walkinmyshoes or text Shoes to 57802 to donate €2 Get involved/make a donation, visit www. walkinmyshoes.ie.

over 300 to get on their bikes for charity Three hundred plus people will participate in the 25th annual Willow Wheelers Cycling Club 160km cycle this Sunday in aid of water, health and education projects in the developing world.

The annual cycle has raised almost €2m in funding to date.

T he club engages directly with Irish missionaries working in deprived areas of the

world who are in need of funding for local projects.

Participants will leave Blackrock and travel via Trim and Ballivor en route to Kinnegad, where they will take a short rest-stop before returning to Blackrock where 1987 Tour de France winner Stephen Roche will greet them.

W i l l ow W h e e l e r s founder Christy McDaid said: “This will be the 25th 160km cycle since the club was founded in 1989. Since then, the number of participants has grown from just 20 to over 300, which has resulted in a significant amount of money being raised for the Third World projects we support.”

any excuse for a portion of fish and chips Chipper lovers would be well advised to loosen a couple of notches on their belt come May 28, as the 129-year-old tradition of a “one and one” will be celebrated

with the fifth annual Irish Traditional Italian Chippers Association (ITICA), National Fish and Chips Day. All members of ITICA nationwide will offer their customers half price fish and chips to celebrate the momentous occasion.

The Irish Italian chipper culture was started by members of the Irish Italian community who arrived in Ireland in the 1880s from the villages in Val Di Comino in southern Italy.

Established in December 2009 and n ow w i t h ove r 18 0 members throughout the country, ITICA was created to promote and build on the traditional values and ethos of the Irish Italian chipper community.

Peter Borza, chairman, ITICA, commented: “We are truly overwhelmed by the response each year and look forward to celebrating the tradition of a ‘one and one’ in our local communities again this May.”

8 May 2014 Gazette 15

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 8 May 2014

DUBLINLIFE

BUSINESS

The exterior of the new Cos store on Wicklow Street – the first standalone outlet in Ireland for the international brand; below, part of the interior

Boost for Grafton area as Cos opens  MIMI MURRAY

Dublin 15 mother of two and entrepreneur Christine Carolan (inset) has launched a range of reversible baby

THE first Cos standalone store in Ireland has officially opened in Dublin, marking a new chapter for the fashion brand.

The brand, known for its functional design, quality and affordability, opened the new store on Wicklow Street, taking over the former Tower Records site in the city centre’s main shopping area.

It sits alongside highend brands and boutiques.

The 574sq m store is laid out across two floors and features full collections of womenswear, menswear and childrenswear.

The store has opened with the fresh and dynamic Cos spring summer 2014 collection, com-

products, making them ideal for those looking to buy in confidence for expected babies, or as gifts

ENTREPRENEUR: COMPANY’S UNISEX CLOTHING RANGE

Beat the tricky baby gender guessing game  LAURA WEBB

prising bold shapes and soft colours.

Remaining aligned with the Cos aesthetic, the store’s interior focuses on the use of natural materials and stylish minimal features, creating a relaxing and enjoyable shopping environment for all.

Of the expansion, Marie Honda, Cos overall brand responsible,

said: “Since opening our first Cos concession in Ireland in 2010, we have been fortunate that the brand received positive response.

“We are pleased to have opened our first store in Ireland. Dublin is a unique, vibrant and exciting city, and the opening marks an exciting step for the brand.”

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

A DUBLIN 15 mother has turned entrepreneur with her new baby wear business, that aims to solve the problem of people guessing baby genders.

Christine Carolan, from Tyrrelstown, launched Happynest – a range of reversible baby products that are perfect for both baby boys and girls, meaning that passing down baby products to siblings is no longer a problem.

She came up with the idea when she was deciding what to do with the huge selection of clothes, sleeping bags and wraps that her two baby daughters (Eve and Sophie) had quickly grown out of.

She said: “I had some beautiful items that were practically new, and I would have loved to gift them to friends who had new baby boys – but they were all pink!

“I contacted one friend who was pregnant, and asked if she knew what she was having, as I had some lovely pink items.

“She didn’t know what she was having, and I thought to myself: ‘Isn’t it a shame there are no products out there that you could gift to people ahead of the birth of the child?” said Carolan.

She thought it would be great if baby products came in reversible blue and pink designs, and she began sketching ideas.

However, as a senior

communications manager with a multinational company, and juggling the demands of being a mother to two energetic girls, her ideas were little more than a hobby – until the economic downturn delivered a blessing in disguise.

In 2012, Carolan was made redundant. After the initial shock, she realised this might just be the opportunity she was waiting for.

She now had the time to focus on her idea and, before long, Carolan had designed a range of baby bedding and accessories in reversible pink and blue colours.

And so, Happynest was born, and after months of preparation, it was time

to launch its own website, too.

The business officially went live earlier this year on March 14, with three products to start off with – a super-soft fleece cosynest for newborns, a swaddle for babies from three months, and a warm, cuddly sleeping bag that grows with the baby.

Carolan has a complete catalogue of designs coming down the line.

She said: “I love managing the business and promoting the brand. My background is PR and communications, so I am always thinking of new ways of getting my new baby wear out there.”

For further information, see www.happynest.ie.

8 May 2014 GAZETTE 17

MUSIC P24

ASDFSDAF P25 P27 MOTORING

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



GAZETTE

FOOD&DRINK P18

Pets

A LOVING HOME NEEDED FOR FINN

Whether compared to the staid image of Irish dancing before its spectacular first showing in 1994, or when compared to the invasive creep of fake ringlets and wigs in subsequent years, Riverdance’s legacy cannot be underestimated – not least thanks to its central, bravura dancing from both Michael Flatley and Jean Butler (inset)

THEATRE: ICONIC PRODUCTION GEARING UP FOR ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Step back to Riverdance

 IAN BEGLEY

RIVERDANCE is returning to the Gaiety Theatre in June, and to celebrate its 20th anniversary, people are being asked to share their own Riverdance memories online.

From June 23 to August 31 the iconic Irish performance will emerge at the Gaiety Theatre and showcase an extensive line-up of Irish dancers and music.

Since its origins in Eurovision 1994, Riverdance has been experienced live by more than 23 million people worldwide across six continents, and boasts a worldwide television audience of more than two billion people.

Riverdance senior executive producer Julian Erskine spoke to The Gazette

about the show and the impact it has had since its beginning.

He said: “It just struck us that whenever there’s talk about Riverdance, and especially about the beginning of Riverdance in 1994, people always seem to remember where they were when they watched it.

“We thought it would be interesting to ask people for their thoughts or their memories, and we’re trying to build up a whole file of those on our website for people to read and enjoy.

“If you think back 20 years, it was even more stunning, because the only image of Irish dancing in those days was the competition dresses, the ringlets and the curls, and the boys in kilts, but what people experienced with Riverdance was just completely shocking.

“It was so different and so fresh, and when Michael Flatley burst out onto the stage – no one had ever done that before in an Irish dance production.

“What people sometimes forget is that before Riverdance, there was no such thing as a professional Irish dancer, and now there are people who make their living from Irish dancing and get paid for it,” he said.

Erskine got involved with Riverdance only several months after the Eurovision show in 1994, and he began to work on putting together a full-length show, which launched in February 1995.

He said: “There are certain parts of the show that we would never touch, and there are particular parts that people want to see when they come to it.

“There are also parts of the show that we changed over the years, but largely the show this year is very similar to the show that went on in 1995.

“The lead dancers are a guy from Cavan named James Grenan, and his female partner is a lady named Chloey Turner, from England.

“This is our 11th year in the Gaiety, which has proved to be an enormous success,” he said.

Riverdance, the full-length show, will run at the Gaiety Theatre from June 23 to August 31, and tickets are available now.

You can share your memories of Riverdance online at www.riverdance. com, or by using the tag #riverdance20 on a number of social media platforms such as Instagram.

THE Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is handsome crossbreed Finn. Finn is about five years old.

He arrived here at Dogs Trust recently and is quite overwhelmed after being in a loving home all of his life.

He absolutely adores his food and has a really sharp brain, so he would love to be engaged in training with tasty treats to help keep him focused. He just loves company and would love a home where he is the only dog. If you think that could be you, please contact Dogs Trust on 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

FOR UP TO DAT E N E W S FOLLOW US:

Gazette

18 Gazette 8 May 2014

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

La Maison

French restaurant

Castle Market Street La Maison makes a indulge in a little

EATING outdoors is so nice – I mean, it can be so nice, if the weather permits, and if the sun is beaming down on you as you sip a cold glass of rose, preferably in France.

Okay, so I have let myself drift off into one of my regular fantasies, about a life lived in Provence, or Ibiza, or anywhere that regularly guarantees four to five months of consistent sunshine.

In this fantasy, I am sitting overlooking the bay in the old town of Eivissa, with the orange trees lightly swishing in the breeze, and wearing very little ...

However, this fantasy is never going to become a reality in Ireland – and definitely not in Dublin – but I love when a restaurant attempts to make their outdoor dining space a place where I want to eat.

La Maison, a French

great impression from le start, with an inviting outdoor eating area making it a semi-secluded spot to bit of people-watching, whether waiting for or during your delicious meal

The Picky Eater restaurant on Castle Market Street, does just that. They have a lovely enclosed outdoor dining space on the walkway between Drury Street and South William Street – an area that’s choc-a-bloc with decent restaurants.

On a busy Saturday night recently, I was only too delighted to get a table in this area, which offers a good view for people-watching and snug blankets to throw over your person when the temperature drops.

The waiting staff really are lovely and go above and beyond. Bread and dips are always welcome to nibble on, and the restaurant offers this in abundance, almost leaving us not requiring a starter.

But, for the purpose of this article – and with downright greediness – we sampled the platter of mediterranean dips, with lots of tasty bits and

pieces from that region (which cost €7.50).

I decided to share Pat McLoughin’s Rib of Irish Beef with my sister.

This masterpiece comes with chunky chips and a green salad.

It was presented on a beautiful platter, and there was plenty of food left over, enough for a pretty tinfoil doggy bag!

The meat cut like butter, and was cooked exactly how we asked for it; medium-rare. This cost €59 to share.

The second sister dining with us went for a classic sole meuniere, pan-fried black sole with lemon and capers (€33).

She went for this dish on my recommendation, and I recoiled in horror when she told me she had never sampled this fish before.

However, she wasn’t disappointed, and she was chuffed with an interesting selection of

The interior is just as conducive to a good evening as the company-friendly outdoor area

potatoes and vegetables on the side.

All this was washed down with a bottle of Moulin Montarels sauvignon blanc, from the Languedoc region (€23).

This was a perfectly fine wine; nothing special, but very drinkable.

I really recommend trying this place as it offers value for money, insofar as you are guaranteed good-quality food with a decent food providence.

It may not be cheap, but what you are getting is worth every penny.

Conclusion THE prices might make some gulp a little, but you certainly get what you pay for at La Maison (at 15 Castle Market Street, Dublin 2; tel 01 672 7258). A great setting, good staff – and, of course, top-notch cuisine – make it an ooh-la-lovely spot for a great meal.

8 May 2014 Gazette 19

theatre: twelfth night at the abbey

Poetry

Audiences won’t grow Bard of this lively work  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

IT IS no surprise that it has been 30 years since one of Shakespeare’s plays was performed on the stage of our national theatre, the Abbey.

The Abbey was established, after all, to provide a platform for Irish plays and Irish players.

However, this month the Bard returns to Dublin with a decidedly Irish twist as the Abbey takes on one of Shakespeare’s most popular and accessible comedies, Twelfth Night.

The cast of this production is mainly young actors using their own accents, which range from working class Dublin to a northern-Irish lilt.

H owe ve r, S h a ke speare’s text is unaltered and the cast do a good job of interpreting it intelligently.

The whole production is modern – there are no period costumes but plain modern dress; the set is bare and nonintrusive, with four large speakers dominating the scene, which are moved about by the cast between scenes.

Mu s i c a n d dance play a large part in the show, too, with songs sung by Ger Kelly who plays the clown, Feste.

The story of Twelfth Night is a typical comedy of errors, replete with impossible coincidence, mistaken identities and playful trickery.

Love is the main theme as Viola (played by Sophie Robinson), disguised as a boy, must woo Olivia (Natalie RadmallQuirke) on behalf of her master the duke Orsino, as though she is herself in love with Orsino.

Complicate To further complicate matters, Olivia falls for Viola as the disguised boy, Cessario.

Viola believes her twin brother, Sebastian (Gavin Fullam) died during a shipwreck, yet he was rescued by Antonio, a sea captain (Conor Madden), who becomes his lover and is then rebuffed

by Sebastian.

This homosexual relationship is not depicted so clearly by Shakespeare, of course, but director Wayne Jordan has included it very

believably in the present production.

The play is a long one, lasting almost three and a half hours, and although the mainly inexperienced cast delivers a brave attempt to keep the audience captive throughout, the effort is sometimes unsuccessful.

Some reasons for this include a distinctly low energy at times during scenes, which loses the audience’s attention, and a static element which sees the actors all standing like statues while speaking or listening as a scene rolls out.

Those who do not fall into this trap are the two more mature and seasoned members of the cast – Nick Dunning, as the drunken reprobate Sir Toby, and Mark Lambert, as his comrade in cups, Sir Andrew Aguecheek.

These two bounce delightfully off each other and are the real comedy duo of the piece. Together they hatch a plot to ensnare the lady Olivia’s steward Malvolio (Mark O’Halloran) in his own delusions of grandeur.

Gazette

ARTS

The cover of Eavan Boland’s new book

Celebrate A Poet’s Dublin  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

Natalie Radmall-Quirke and Ger Kelly – two members of a cast successfully transferring Shakespeare into a contemporary Irish style

Along with a gentlewoman, Maria (played very convincingly by Ruth McGill), they hatch a device which convinces the preening Malvolio that his mistress, Olivia, is secretly in love with him.

This ends in disaster and shame for Malvolio to such a degree that everyone in the audience not only feels sorry for him, but also uncomfortable that they were in on the cruel ruse all along.

As Malvolio, O’Halloran really gets under the skin of the fastidious and superior character, and is one of the best actors in the play.

To sum up, the present Abbey production of Twelfth Night offers a

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

‘It is great to see a complete Shakespearian play attempted in our national theatre by Irish actors interpreting it in an Irish way, and the effort is a worthy one’

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

very enjoyable night out with plenty of laughs, songs and dance.

T his was a grand undertaking by the director and cast members as, unlike audiences in Shakespeare’s day, who stood in the pit eating and drinking and hanging on every word dropped from each actor’s lips, modern audiences tire a lot more easily and expect more.

It is great to see a complete Shakespearian play attempted in our national

theatre by Irish actors interpreting it in an Irish way, and the effort is a worthy one.

The attempt to introduce the play into contemporary life was largely successful, too, and I would recommend all go and see it.

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare runs until May 24 and tickets, available at the Abbey box office at www.abbeytheatre.ie, range from €13 to €45.

A NEW collection of poetry by acclaimed I r i s h p o e t E av a n Boland has now been published by Carcanet, and is available at all good bookstores now, priced €9.59.

A Poet’s Dublin was published to celebrate Boland’s 70th birthday, bringing together many of her best-known poems, and illustrated with her own striking photographs of her native city, Dublin.

The book also includes an introduction by Jody Allen Randolph and a conversation between Boland and Paula Meehan, in which the two poets discuss the important influence that Dublin has on their poetry.

Boland was born in Dublin in 1944 and studied in Ireland, London and New York.

Her first book was published in 1967.

She has taught at Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and Bowdoin College Dublin, and at the University of Iowa.

Boland is also currently Mabury Knapp Professor in the Humanities at Stanford University, California.

A pioneering figure in Irish poetry, her previous works include The Journey and Other Poems (1987), Night Feed (1994), The Lost Land (1998) and Code (2001).

Gazette

20 Gazette 8 May 2014

SPA+WELLBEING

State-of-the-art health club to revive or relax in The Pier Health Club at the Royal Marine Hotel is the perfect getaway for anyone looking to reenergise or get in shape this summer.

This club features state-of-the-art cardio and resistance equip-

ment, a luxury 18m pool heated to 31 degrees, steam room, sauna and hydro pool.

For those looking to get fit, individual fitness programmes and classes are also available at the health club.

The Pier Health Club features state-of-the-art cardio and resistance equipment, a luxury 18-metre pool, steam room, sauna and hydro pool

Their team of fitness experts provide programmes to suit individual requirements such as swimming, yoga, pilates and more.

Facilities

The team also offer fitness assessments and gym programmes. Facilities include individual TV entertainment; cardio and resistance equipment, steam room, sauna and hydro pool, pool, free weight area, complimentary car parking and all hotel residents have complimentary use of The Pier Health Club.

For further information, see www.royalmarine.ie/en/dublin-hotelspa/pier-health-club/ Johnstown House Hotel and Spa in Enfield, Co Meath, is situated just off the M4

getaway: getting your mind and body in focus

Get pampered with a top-to-toe massage  laura webb

Life in the 21st century is, let’s face it, busy and the best way to unwind for many is booking a welldeserved spa treatment to help get your mind and body refocused.

This was exactly what was needed recently and so off to the Johnstown House Hotel it was. Just 40 minutes from the city centre, Johnstown House Hotel and Spa in Enfield, Co Meath, is situated just off the M4. The picturesque setting offers tranquillity to those seeking peace, either for a night away or just a day break.

I was booked in for a top-to-toe massage at the hotel’s luxury spa.

Walking into the spa was like walking into an exotic rainforest where stones, candles and plant life greet you. There are a number of rooms in which to sit and relax before a treatment and to unwind afterwards too.

The team at this spa use Elemis products, which not only smell amazing, but offer products for all different skin types, whether you have dry or oily skin there are products available to help rejuvenate your skin.

First for the top-to-toe back massage. Although I only had one masseuse, it felt as though there were three people working on the knots and I think taking the time out to get

pampered is something that needs to be done every couple of months, or every month if you can.

Once I was revitalised, it was on to the hotel’s outdoor jacuzzi and a little swim. This hotel also offers a gym, for those who like exercising more than relaxing.

Thankfully, my crew opted for some relaxation. For anyone thinking of a night or day away with the girls, or a more relaxed hens’ party, this is the perfect spot for a bride-to-be who prefers pampering rather than crazy nights out.

We then watched a movie with afternoon tea, popcorn and sweets all catered for us in a spe-

cial suite that can hold six to 10 people, a great way to end a very relaxing morning. This is all part of The Spa Suite, a new experience at the hotel. It gives you access to your very own suite from 10am to 3pm where you can change for the spa, lounge in your robe and just enjoy.

The Spa Suite @Johnstown House Hotel and Spa recently launched and is available from €85 per person. Now open for bookings, vouchers can also be purchased as a gift. For more information, or to book, call 046 954 0000, email info@ johnstownhouse.com or visit www.johnstownhouse.com.

8 May 2014 Gazette 21

Gazette

healthy lifestyle: Nutritionist Paula Mee on getting your vitamins and minerals

Eating the right foods to fuel the body

 laura webb

Health and well-being are found through many different routes, but the first thing that should be on the list of things to do each day is eating the right foods and avoiding, where possible, the wrong ones.

Food is the one thing we can’t live without and with busy lifestyles, it can be hard not to eat for convenience rather than what is good for you.

This week, The Gazette talks to nutritionist, Paula Mee, about what foods we should be eating more of to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“One green vegetable

a day is a good motto to have, for folic acid and iron, as well as fibre.

“There are so many plants, chemicals called fighting nutrients that will protect us in fruit and vegetables that we don’t even know what their play is but the synergistic make-up of these fruit and vegetables help protect against disease and also fight inflammation, many of them. Berries, in particular in terms of fruit, would be great to have and they are available now coming into the summer.

Get your veggies

“Three vegetables a day would be good. Try to get

them fresh and try not to juice them. There is a big craze about juicing at the moment but more isn’t necessarily better, you just need a small glass of juice not pints of it.

“Anti-inflammatory groups like salmon and oily fish are always critical, and it is one nutrient we don’t get enough of – Vitamin D and Omega 3 – those two in particular we can get them from oily fish.

“With barbecue season coming, I would recommend that instead of putting on large amounts of meat, particularly processed meats, it would be great if people could look to barbecue or searing

tuna and some salmon steaks. They can be really nice with some lemongrass, chilli and ginger, or lime and coriander dressing, those kind of things.

You really can’t go wrong.

It is not supplying any of the wrong things, it is fantastic in terms of its nutrient profile. One to two portions a week would be brilliant,” she said.

Water please …

It goes without saying that water is important, but Paula what your body needs and obviously when active try to have that much more.

When it comes to avoiding foods, it’s anything burnt, particularly

meats from a barbecue.

Added sugars found in processed foods and cereals should also be avoided, and prepare salads yourself rather than picking up pre-packs.

Breads with low-fibre and added fat should also be avoided and alcohol should be taken in moderation – 11 units per week (a bottle and a half of wine) for a woman and 17 units for men.

If you can take up some – preferably all - of these tips maintaining a healthy mind and body will be easy to do.

For further information on practical nutrition see: www.paulamee.com Nutritionist Paula Mee

22 Gazette 8 May 2014

Gazette

8 May 2014 Gazette 23

OUT&ABOUT

FEATURE

Drew McIntyre (right) with fellow professional WWE wrestlers Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater

wrestling: scottish star speaks to the gazette ahead of wwe’s coming to dublin

Getting to grips with the O2 AT 15, Drew McIntyre was already training to become a World Wrestling Enter tainment superstar. By 22, McIntyre had skyrocketed from the independent scene to the big show, WWE contract in hand.

With the WWE Wrestlemania Revenge tour set to hit the O2 in Dublin this month, we caught up with the Scottish superstar for a chat.

stacks and Big Daddy. But I think the first match that had a big effect on me was Bret “The Hitman” Hart versus the British Bulldog at Summerslam 1992 in Wembley Stadium.

I was about seven, and I just remember being amazed by the Americanstyle wrestling, and the size of the crowd. That event, and that match in particular, just really got my attention as a kid, and I became morbidly obsessed.

You’ve had a long career in the ring at this point, what was your first encounter with wrestling?

I remember watching some British wrestling when I was very young – the ones with Giant Hay-

How soon after did you decide you wanted to be a wrestler?

I decided when I was way too young – probably when I was about 10 years old. I sent off to America for a series of books about wrestling,

 dave phillips

and I kept everything in a secret briefcase on top of my wardrobe, hoping to hide it from my parents.

I then tried to convince my parent to let me go to train in England, but they were having none of it.

So, I had to figure out things myself, I kept watching tapes obsessively. A few years later, when I was just turning 15, I finally convinced my mother to let me go train in a place in Portsmouth – which was just 12 hours away on the train.

How did people react to that?

Some of my friends thought it was normal, others thought it was odd – they thought it was a waste of my time. I didn’t take any notice. I suppose

I was so much bigger than everybody that there was only so much that they could say to me.

Once they started coming along to the independent shows, then they started to get behind it.

And then getting a contract with WWE in 2007 sealed it.

You’ve been very busy since then, what has been your proudest moment with WWE so far?

I have a few stand-out moments. [Denis]McMahon, [chief executive of WWE] personally introducing me to the show was one. Winning the Intercontinental title was phenomenal.

I’ve had some really special moments with

the shows in Scotland too, getting on the microphone to make fun of my parents, who were part of the sold-out crowd. I don’t think I could single one out.

Have you any favourite stops on the upcoming WWE tour?

I’m based in Tampa, Florida most of the year, and I really like getting away on tour. The UK and Ireland without a doubt are my favourite because it is a chance to get back home and see everybody.

Dublin is definitely a highlight, as I spent so much time there when I was younger with Irish Whip Wrestling.

The people are amazing – and the Guinness tastes like Guinness – and the

fans are nice and rowdy.

Was there anyone you were nervous about meeting in WWE? I suppose Mr McMahon himself. How do I describe him? He is a very competent individual, and he maintains viscous eye contact.I learned quickly to never break eye contact with the boss! I think he sees it as a competition.

The Undertaker [seasoned veteran] is formidable as well, especially when I wrestled him; I was a bag of nerves.

If you had creative control over the Dublin event, who would you set yourself up against?

That’s an easy one.

Dublin is going to be an

awesome event – there’s John Cena, Bray Wyatt and lots of other great guys there. But, of course, the man himself – big Sheamus – will be making a homecoming.

Sheamus and I have had many amazing battles through the years, beating the tar out of each other.

We’ve left blood and teeth behind in Dublin when we were younger, so 100% it would be that match again, for old times’ sake.  Tickets for the upcoming WWE show at the O2 at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 22 are still available, with prices ranging from €33.50 to €76. For further information, or to make a booking, see www. ticketmaster.ie.

Gazette

24 Gazette 8 May 2014

OUT&ABOUT

MUSIC

FastMusic

Singing legend Nana Mouskouri comes to National Concert Hall

Tickets are now on sale for the return of the legendary Greek songstress Nana Mouskouri at the National Concert Hall on Saturday, September 27.

The year-long Happy Birthday tour celebrates Mouskouri’s 80th year as well as her remarkable career in the music industry, which has seen her record over 1,300 songs on her albums that have delivered her over 300 platinum and gold discs.

Mouskouri has worked with the greats during her life in music, recording her first album with Quincy Jones and touring with Harry Belafonte before becoming a perennial favourite down through the years.

“Since I had the chance to come so far in my life, I thought it would be worth celebrating, singing songs from my favourite composers and writers, for all my dear friends, the audience,” said Mouskouri ahead of the 2014 tour.

For more information, contact the National Concert Hall via www.nch.ie.

Popular festival returns to celebrate all things folk The Spirit of Folk festival in County Meath has issued a call to folk, traditional Irish, bluegrass or country bands and musicians to make their applications to be part of the bill which will play at the event which takes place at Dunderry Park in September.

The popular festival, which took a Glastonbury-eque hiatus last year, is coming back to entertain event-goers with the finest and freshest acts that folk music has to offer at the festival which will also be a celebration of all things folk: folk arts, folk crafts, folk games, folk spirituality, folk lore, folk philosophy and much more.

For more information on the festival which runs from September 19 to 21, and to submit your information for consideration on the musical line-up, log on to www.spiritoffolk.com.

Tickets for the event go on sale at the end of June but due to a limited supply you can reserve in advance by emailing hello@spiritoffolk.com.

Got a story?

Call our news team on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 email news@gazettegroup.com



The brothers Dewaele, the Belgian duo collectively known to music lovers as both Soulwax and 2ManyDJs

interview: ‘We just feel if you don’t innovate you stagnate’

The Belgian brothers who keep breaking new ground It’s hard to estimate the influence of the brothers Dewaele, the Belgian duo collectively known to music lovers as both Soulwax and 2ManyDJs, on the landscape of modern music.

Their unparalleled ability to create, merge and remix tracks from the last five decades has led them to being hailed as the premier mixmasters when bands are looking for credible reworkings of their material, while they have maintained their place at the vanguard of innovation in music and the way we experience music.

They were among the first to use the smartphone app revolution to deliver Radio Soulwax, a 24-hour remix experience, and more recently created the Despacio sound system with former LCD Soundsys-

tem main man James Murphy, which delivers vinyl only DJ-ing via custom-built audio stacks that change the audience’s experience depending on the different environment that it is installed in and the listeners place in that environment.

GazetteMusic caught up with David and Stephen recently as they prepared to take their 2ManyDJs show out on the festival circuit over the summer, with a headline appearance at this year’s Forbidden Fruit in Dublin one of the many highlights.

How did your musical journey begin?

We were surrounded by music growing up because of our father, so somewhere between nature and nurture we became fully immersed from a very young age.

What was your first big break?

Well, our first release as Soulwax was the second Handsome Blues EP in 1995. Although it didn’t exactly set the world on fire, it did set us on a path we have been on ever since. Did we actually have a “big break”? I think we’re still waiting…

The live, festival and club set experiences are very different - do you prefer one or the other? What’s your approach to putting together sets for each environment?

Ever y situation is different which is why it’s also very important to react to the situation right in front of you rather than have a preconceived notion of what a crowd wants. If you’re in the moment, you can see it and feel it, you don’t need to

anticipate it. The audience will always inform you, you just have to respond.

How did the Despacio project come about?

It was originally conceived as an idea to do an old school sound system in Ibiza but evolved into something way beyond our expectations.

It has grown into a behemoth of a creation which seems to have a life of its own as it’s very reactive to the environment it is in. We are starting to worry that it might very soon become self-aware and star t to control itself… and then you can interview it instead.

The Despacio project is super innovative, as was the RSWX app project - how important is it to you to be at the forefront

of new ideas in presenting music to your fans and music-lovers alike?

We are always looking for something new and interesting to do.

We just feel if you don’t innovate you stagnate.

What’s the point of retreading territory you have already been in?

We want to explore and keep things stimulating for ourselves and for our audience.

It’s been a long time since the last album - can we expect any new Soulwax music soon?

We are trying to beat Axl Rose’s record for the longest gestation period for an album which was about 11 years…so as soon as that milestone is passed we will be releasing “Belgian Democracy”!

For more information, log on to www.forbiddenfruit.ie.

8 May 2014 gazette 25

Get comfortable with the new 308

 cormac curtis

In the coming weeks Gazette motors will feature a road test of the incredible Peugeot 308 – a car that really caught me on the hop with its extraordinary level of comfort and finish.

But just to keep up to speed on what’s coming up from the French brand, we’re giving you a taste of what else is happening.

The larger version of Peugeot’s 308, the 308 SW, has been completely restyled, sharing only its name with its predecessor, to reveal a modern and refined estate car with a low, classy and sporty allure.

Featuring the same innovative i-Cockpit as the hatchback version and indeed the same stylish front face, Peugeot engineers and designers have together conceived an estate with exemplary road holding, spaciousness and class leading

performance.

A n aw a r d - w i n n e r even before launch, it shares the prestigious European Car of the Year 2014 accolade with its hatchback sister and was awarded the maximum five star Euro NCAP safety rating. It arrives in Ireland this July.

Peugeot designers have created a sporty estate with a wide stance, the new size allows for more rear passenger room and of course, a bigger boot.

“Magic flat” rear seats allow instant folding of the rear seats, to result in a total load volume of 1,660 dm3.

The reduced height works to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Together with a longer wheelbase, the lower centre of gravity also assures better body rigidity and improves vehicle weight distribution, to offer better ride and handling, even when fully loaded.

Inside, the Peugeot

Peugeot designers have created a sporty estate with a wide stance which arrives in Ireland this July

i-Cockpit is made up of four elements: a compact steering wheel for maximum control and driver involvement, a head-up instrument panel so that information can be read without taking your eyes off the road, a tall centre console and a large 9.7”

touch screen for an intuitive drive.

The new Peugeot 308 SW has successfully passed many quality tests, including 2.5 million kilometres of test driving covered before launch, 2,500 hours on test beds, 250,000 tem-

perature cycle tests, 4.3 million presses on the touch screen without failure, etc. The quality of design and the care in the production of the new Peugeot 308 SW gives its occupants a feeling of safety and durability.

Gazette

peugeot: the latest sw estate is completely restyled

MOTORING road

NOISE

Rosanna helps celebrate Volkswagen’s new partnership with museum Well if the idea of Rosanna Davison and a vintage Volkswagen Beetle doesn’t grab the attention of the petrol heads then I don’t know what will.

To mark the new partnership of VW and the National Museum of Ireland, the former Miss World took advantage of the fabulous weather and posed up with the classic car this week.

The three-year sponsorship represents a six figure investment from Volkswagen Ireland and will see the automotive brand become official partner to the national museum. Volkswagen Ireland plan to support the partnership with a through the line campaign, including advertising, digital and PR support.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan attended the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History at Collins Barracks to launch the partnership.

Minister Deenihan said: “This new sponsorship deal is a wonderful example of how our cultural institutions can work with the private sector to improve services to the public. Since becoming Minister, I have consistently encouraged philanthropy in the arts and heritage sectors and I am confident that this new sponsorship deal between the National Museum and Volkswagen Ireland will prove to be a great success.”

Last year the museum welcomed over one million visitors to its four sites; the Museum of Archaeology, the Museum of Country Life, the Museum of Decorative Arts and History and the Natural History Museum. This summer the facility will exhibit a range of events and projects and details can be found on www.museum.ie

Tyred out: Specialists certified

Blanchardstown tyre dealer Robert Ferguson (centre) of Discount Tyres is one of 15 tyre specialists to have their status as Michelin Certified Centre operators endorsed. He is pictured with Michelin’s head of distribution Martyn Pointer (left) and account manager David Brassington at a recent seminar held in Mullingar. Established in 2005, Discount Tyres is a ninebay operation employing a staff of 10 persons.

Volkswagen brand ambassador Rosanna Davison and Simon Elliott, CEO, Volkswagen Group Ireland

26 Gazette 8 May 2014

LucanCLASSIFIEDS

attic

electrical

AMPTECH

ELECTRICAL & ALARMS

Installations - Repairs -Service

Alarm Systems from only â‚Ź499 Finance Option Available Weekly/monthly payment plan Alarm Upgrades Security Lighting Home CCTV

Call Robert on 01 6155980 or 086 2490807 rob@amptech.ie www.amptech.ie

windows

recruitment Roll No.12014D.

CINEFILMS PHOTOS SLIDES

all transfered to DVD with music and titles added.

building MM Construction Plumbing Contractor/ General Builder

Tel: 01-2807838 Mobile: 087 9132265 Email:alleventsvideo@eircom.net

4QFDJBMJTJOH JO GVMM CBUISPPN ĂśU PVUT

t1MVNCJOH )FBUJOH t&MFDUSJDBM t&YUFOTJPOT 3FOPWBUJPOT t(FOFSBM #VJMEJOH t(FOFSBM #VJMEJOH 4FSWJDFT

Full Time Permanent Special Needs Assistant required from 9th June 2014. General description of duties as per Department of Education Circular 0030/2014 Curriculum Vitae, evidence of qualifications, Written References Garda Vetting, OHS, to Chairman Board of Management

by Thursday 22nd May 2014 Following interviews a panel of suitable candidates may be compiled to fill any positions that arise within the period of a school year.

roofing

FOR UP TO DAT E N E W s follow u s :

/&8 -08&3 13*$&4 "-- /&8 %&/563&4 ."%&

t5IJO t -JHIUXFJHIU t5JHIU ĂśUUJOH t 'MFYJCMF t (VBSFOUFFE OPU UP CSFBL

*EFBM GPS QBSUJBM EFOUVSFT

"-40 5&&5) 8)*5&/*/( /FBS 4U "OHFT $IVSDI $SVNMJO %VCMJO

1I

'BDJOH -BVSFMT 1VC $MPOEBMLJO 7JMMBHF %VCMJO

1I

STUART MASTERSON P:01 4439398 M: M:087 - 7712463, 086 - 2006217 E:mastersonrooďŹ ng@gmail.com stuartjmasterson@hotmail.com W:www.mastersonrooďŹ ng.ie

WINDOWS AND DOORS FITTED IN APRIL

VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS UPVC ENERGY ‘A-RATED’ WINDOWS AND DOORS C ONTACT L ORRAINE ON 086 838 5014 OR 621 7639

SEE OUR DISPLAY AD ON PAGE 10

LUCAN SHOWROOM 01 6217639

$36.-*/ $-0/%"-,*/

3&%6$5*0/ '03 .&%*$"- $"3% )0-%&34 /&8 '30. ".&3*$" 6/#3&","#-& %&/563&4

• Felt work • Slating & Tiling • Organic Seedom • Guttering Fascia & SoďŹ ts

35% OFF

Weir Retail Centre, 40 Hills Mill Industrial Estate , Lucan Village, Co. Dublin

dentist

3FQBJST t 3FMJOFT t .JTTJOH 5FFUI "EEFE $ISPNF $PCBMU %FOUBM 1MBUFT 1BMBUF 'SFF %FTJHOT

Registered & Insured RooďŹ ng Contractor Flat RooďŹ ng Specialists Industrial, Residential & Commercial

GET UP TO

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK

XXX NNDPOTUSVDUJPO JOGP

%&/563& 4&37*$&

SALE

Under the Patronage of the C.I. Archbishop of Dublin.14 Teacher School.

services

DVD TRANSFERS

SPRING

ST ANDREW’S NATIONAL SCHOOL

Chapel Hill, Lucan, Co. Dublin

PLANNING AND LEGAL T o pl a c e a pl a n n i n g or le g a l n oti c e c a ll T A T U M on 60 10 255 or em a il n fee h a n @ g a z ette g ro u p. c om

LORRAINE 086 8385014

8 May 2014 Gazette 27

soccer 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

cycling P28

FastSport still time to enter minirugby fest:

Ireland star Elena Tice with players from St Gerard’s School in Bray and Cricket Ireland’s Brian O’Rourke at the announcement of the 2014 Leprechaun Cup

cricket: dublin player tice’s international status demonstrates value of cup

Elena shows how to graduate from Leprechaun to Ireland CRICKET Leinster received a timely boost with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship deal with Antalis Ltd. To launch the event, Ireland Women’s international Elena Tice was present. Elena, at 16 years old, is the second youngest member of the Ireland women’s squad that recently returned from Bangladesh for their ICC World Twenty20 event. She has already made over 30 appearances for her country.

The Merrion All-Rounder began her cricket in the Leprechaun Cup and sees the vital link in the Leinster Youth Competitions in getting kids

involved in cricket. “If it wasn’t for the Leprechaun Cup I would never have even started playing cricket and never received the superb opportunities I’ve been afforded by representing my country.”

The agreement will support the running of the union’s three main competitions for primary schools – The Leprechaun Cup, The Super league and the Leprechaun Cup Cailini.

Antalis’ involvement will lead to more coaches visiting new primary schools encouraging them to start cricket programmes within their schools and offer further support to

schools participating in these three events.

Marketing manager at Antalis Maura Hoey commented at the announcement: “Antalis is delighted to be involved with Cricket Leinster and Irish cricket in general, to help support their efforts to further develop cricket and encourage team sport in our schools.

“It is wonderful to see an increase in the number of primary schools participating and we would like to wish all players well in their forthcoming matches” Cricket Ireland development man-

ager for Leinster, Brian O’Rourke was clearly delighted with the new deal that will make big inroads into the Union’s grassroots development efforts.

“At this stage it looks as if there will be close to 70 schools participating in cricket events in the coming weeks and this reflects very well on the work of our development staff and schools coaches along with the assistance of the local councils.

“Now with Antalis on board we can take the schools programme to the next level offering hardball cricket to far more boys and girls during the April, May and June periods.”

Local rugby teams are being given the chance of a lifetime to play at the Aviva national mini-rugby festival will take place at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, May 17.

Rugby legends Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip and Peter O’Mahony were on hand to launch the festival, and teams hoping to take part still have time to register in the national draw to be one of the lucky 16 sides to take part.

Rugby clubs all over Dublin with Under-10 mini-rugby teams are encouraged to enter by sending an email with the club name and contact information to AvivaMinis@ IrishRugby.ie before midday on Friday, May 9.

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 LUCAN Gazette 8 May 2014

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: all-ireland success for local team in cup

Swiss test for local U-16 soccer stars LUCAN United’s Michael Dilger (above) has been added to the club’s growing international contingent with his inclusion in the Republic of Ireland Under-16 squad for the forthcoming UEFA Development tournament which takes place in Switzerland later this month.

He joins club mate Conor Masterson in an Irish panel that will face Austria on May 13, hosts Switzerland on May 14 and finish up against Croatia on May 16.

Ireland hosted the same tournament last year and topped a group including Germany and while team manager Tom O’Connor would be pleased to repeat that performance he is not focused on the results in Switzerland.

“It’s a different bunch of players so what happened last season will have little bearing on how we do this year,” said O’Connor.

“It’s a UEFA tournament. They are trying to replicate a qualifying tournament so it’ll be a great opportunity for the players who go Under17 next year to know what to expect when they have competitive qualifying games.

“The standard of opposition is very good, and the whole objective is that everybody gets playing time to learn.”

O’Connor has drafted two players from the Under-15 squad into his travelling party in the form of West Ham’s Anthony Scully, son of the former Cardiff player of the same name, and Cherry Orchard’s Aaron O’Driscoll, the son of former St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians defender Maurice O’Driscoll.

“We brought in Anthony and Aaron from the year younger and we’ll see how they perform a year up,” said O’Connor.

“You’ll only know whether they are up to this challenge by trying them out but a year can be a big jump mentally and physically for a young player. We’re bringing them in so they can become adjusted to that level.”

O’Connor has been pleased with the progress the players under his watch have made this year with four Under-16s already stepping up to Under-17 level earlier this season.

“We were in Holland recently without some of the players who were with the Under-17s and that test stood to the other players – they now know what it’s like to play against excellent opposition,” he said.

The Cherry Orchard Under-17 side celebrate their success in the FAI Umbro cup final in Turner’s Cross last week

Cherry on top after final win fai U-17 cup final Leeds AFC Cork Cherry Orchard FC  sport@gazettegroup.com

2 5

CHERRY Orchard FC secured the FAI Umbro Under-17 Cup for the eighth time in the club’s history after victory over Leeds AFC from Cork at Turner’s Cross last weekend.

The Dubliners led 3-0 at the break and went on to join fellow Dublin outfit St Kevin’s Boys at the top of the competition’s roll of honour after they secured the cup for the first time since 2003.

Leeds had been unbeaten all season, but

found themselves under the cosh from the start as Orchard gave them little time to settle.

Last year’s runners-up were denied by a brilliant Liam Coughlan reaction save, but erred in the 12th minute, spilling a cross for namesake Gareth Coughlan to gleefully hammer home.

Leeds were limited to shots from long range as keeper Coughlan prevented Derek Daly from adding to the lead.

But in drizzly conditions, Orchard scored twice in the space of four minutes before the break to establish the foundation for victory in the

hermitage heroines Dowling claims annual Scratch Cup crown new ross’s Mary Dowling claimed the 2014 Hermitage Scratch Cup title last week with rounds of 71 and 77 to take the title ahead of Forrest Little’s Julie McCarthy.

She was presented with the prize by Hermitage’s ladies captain Dolores Aird.

Also pictured are club captain Brian O’Connor and Hermitage prizewinners Ciara Casey and Niamh Prendeville.

Picture: Pat Cashman

second stanza. The first came from man-of-thematch Troy Carey who danced away from three Leeds defenders before shooting to the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Then Carey set up Coughlan to tap in his second, after Kyle McNamara had cleared Carey’s initial shot off the line.

Darren Butler and Eric Murphy had chances before the break, but Leeds got back into the tie four minutes after the restart when Stuart Murphy’s shot ran across the Cherry Orchard goal for Brendan Kenny to finish.

But Leeds’ glimmer of hope was quickly quenched after their captain Ciaran Hanafin brought down Carey to concede a penalty and earn himself a second yellow card. Josh Collins sent Coughlan the wrong way with the spot kick.

The Ballyfermot side were able to open up Leeds on the break and added a fifth in the 65th minute when Under-17 international Darragh Markey slammed into the roof of the net after Coughlan had saved from Daly.

Orchard coasted to the final whistle while Leeds managed a consolation

goal as Mark O’Donnell forced home a corner with eight minutes remaining.

Timmy Foley also hit the crossbar in stoppage time. However, Cork’s wait for an FAI Umbro Under-17 Cup winner goes on.

CHERRY ORCHARD: Lee Doyle; Josh Collins, Shane Whelan, Darragh McConville, Sean Gilbert; Maxim Kougun; Troy Carey, Craig Hanlon, Darragh Markey, Derek Daly; Gareth Coughlan.

Subs: Thomas Ilunga for Coughlan (68), Sean Tunney for Markey and Liam Collins for Daly (94).

8 May 2014 LUCAN Gazette 29

Gazette

O’Conghaile steps up to help U-21s to win  sport@gazettegroup.com

LUCA N S a r s f i e l d s ’ Emmet O’Conghaile played a significant role for Dublin in their AllIreland success as the Metropolitans gave a blistering performance to beat Roscommon 1-21 to 3-6 in the Cadbury All-Ireland Under21 FC final.

It adds to the 2012 minor All-Ireland title he was also part of as he stepped in after David Quinn was shown an early black card The Dubs incredibly led by 1-17 to 0-1 and while Roscommon did rally in the last 25 minutes with a trio of goals but there was no coming back after that devastat-

ing opening.

Roscommon had been dreadful to that point and Dublin had been outstanding, and it looked like it was going to be one of the most one-sided All-Ireland finals of all time.

The late spell granted them some dignity but it will scarcely detract f r o m t h e awe s o m e

nature of Dublin’s first half performance with for wards Paul Mannion, Cormac Costello and Conor McHugh doing a huge amount of damage to their stunned opponents.

M c Hu g h f i n i s h e d with 1-6 from play for the day, while Costello and Mannion hit 0-12 between them.

football: young jackies claim leinster title

Club Noticeboard lucan sarsfields Congratulations to our U-14 football

Congratulations to Emmet

Feile teams who had great perform-

O’Conghaile and the Dublin U-21 foot-

ances at the weekend. Our first team

ballers on their All-Ireland win at the

had an excellent win over league rivals

weekend.

in the semi-final on Saturday and were

Lucan’s favourite shop is now open

desperately disappointed to go down

on Thursdays from 7.30 to 8.30pm, and

by a single score to Raheny in the final

Saturdays from 12 noon to 3.30pm,

in Parnell Park on Sunday. Our second

with the online version open 24/7.

team played five games on Saturday

Many thanks to everyone who sup-

with all players making contributions.

ported our Strictly Sarsfields event

Our adult football teams had solid

on Saturday. It was a huge success

performances in the last week with

and congratulations to our winners,

our senior team drawing away to

Maggie and Stiofan. A special word of

Erin’s Isle. Both our junior teams had

thanks must go to everyone who sup-

excellent victories in the champion-

ported all of the fundraisers over the

ship with our intermediate team going

last few weeks and the dancers, cho-

down to a strong St Brigid’s.

reographers, video team, sound and

Lucan fielded four senior camogie

light team, ushers, vote sellers, voting

teams last week and recorded three

scrutineers, sponsors, advertisers,

wins, while our Division 6 squad per-

printers and particularly the organ-

formed well against good opposition.

ising committee.

This week, the championship action

Our Lucan District Credit Union

switches to hurling. Our senior team is

Academy continues every Saturday

in action on Thursday at 7pm in Rath-

from 1.30pm at the clubhouse. Check

coole against Crumlin.

out our website for more details.

st pat’s palmerstown

Dublin’s minor ladies celebrate after securing the Leinster football title against Westmeath. Picture: GAApics.com

Magnificent minors crush West in final

leinster minor final Dublin 7-12 Westmeath 0-2  sport@gazettegroup.com

Dublin’s minor ladies footballers produced a remarkable performance to win the Leinster championship with plenty to spare.

It concluded an incredible run that saw them run up big scores against Kildare, Westmeath and Offaly before seeing off Laois in the semi-finals.

The first match with t h e L a kesi d ers had ended 5-9 to 2-7 in Dublin’s favour, making them clear favourites

but they conceded the first score of the final.

But that was as good as it got for them and proved their only point of the first half while Dublin replied with a run of 3-5 unanswered.

Leah Mullins’ goal gave Dublin the perfect riposte before Katie Murphy weighed in with three points in quick succession to race into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead.

Murphy raised her first green flag while her impressive double-act with Mullins continued with the Brigid’s club member clearing the bar with her first point.

Rebecca McDonnell

was introduced as a first half substitute and, with one of her first involvements, tagged on a point before Holly Greer closed out the scoring before the intervals with the third goal, capping a dominant performance.

The Dublin back six did not give Westmeath a sniff and turned the ball over time after time while the blocking from Dublin was a sight to behold while the midfielders won all the breaks.

The second half produced more of the same as Kate Fitzgibbon and Murphy started the sec-

ond half scoring with a point each before Murphy nabbed her second goal though Westmeath did get a point of their own in between.

The hat-trick arrived soon later while Eabha Rutledge – one of the Colaiste Iosagain starlets – posted Dublin’s eighth point before Mullins’ second goal made it a half-dozen goals.

Fitzgibbon, Greer and Emma Colgan – part of a raft of subs – helped to extended the lead out to 28 points before another replacement, Kilmacud Crokes Kim Garth, fired home to close out the rout.

The club is holding a mentor’s infor-

Our U-14s competed in the football

mation night in the clubhouse on

Feile on Saturday but unfortunately,

Thursday, May 15, at 8.30pm. We would

it was not our day. Great effort, lads.

greatly appreciate if all mentors could

A big thank you to all the parents who

attend.

helped out with catering and also to

The club is holding two club informa-

Dee Lowry and Pauline Mooney for

tion nights in the clubhouse for all par-

the new flags, and to Trish McCrea for

ents of the juvenile section. The first

coordinating the catering with all the

meeting will be on Monday, May 12 at

parents. As always a fantastic spread

8.30pm in the clubhouse and will be for

and a great welcome for our visiting

all our CCC1 parents, nursery to U-12,

teams. Well done to Lucan Sarsfields

football, camogie and hurling.

who went on to play Maurs in semi-

The second meeting will be on Tues-

final in Glenaulin.

day, May 13 at 8.30pm in the clubhouse

Lotto: Bonus jackpot €10,000: Num-

and will be for all our CCC2 parents,

bers drawn were 8, 11, 18 and 23. Sec-

U-13 to minor football, camogie and

ond jackpot €4,200: Numbers drawn were 12, 15, 20 and 23. There was no

hurling.

Can all the mentors please email or

winner. There was no match three

text the parents of the players on your

numbers winner so a lucky dip draw

teams to attend. This is an informa-

was held and four people received €50

tion night for the parents and we need

each. The next draw is on May 11 in the

signatures from all of the parents. The

Palmerstown House at 10pm.

more parents that attend on the night

The Palmerstown festival will be held

will greatly reduce the follow up work

on June 26 , the club will be organising

that needs to be conducted.

a Club tournament in Glenaulin that



Got a story? we want to know!

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

or email sport@gazettegroup.com

GazetteSPORT all of your lucan sports coverage from page 27-29

rich pickings: Cherry Orchard secure Under-17 All-Ireland cup title against Leeds AFC in Cork P30

May 8, 2014

grass roots returns: Corduff testament to investment in local sport P29

NUIM Barnhall President Michael Mousley (right) is presented with the Canterbury Senior Club of the Year award by Billy Hilliard from Canterbury. Picture: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Barnhall club of the year

Parsonstown celebrates as rugby club receive prestigious honour at the annual Leinster Rugby Awards Ball at the Mansion House  stephen findlater

sport@gazettegroup.com

NUIM Barnhall were among the big winners at last weekend’s Leinster Rugby Awards Ball as they were honoured with the Canterbury Club of the Year.

It is part of a new lease of life for the Parsonstown club since linking up with NUI Maynooth five years ago, according to club PRO Peter Black who says it has been the major catalyst for the club.

“The spark was when we went into partnership with NUI Maynooth. We’re a club that don’t pay our players even though it is semiprofessional sport,” he told GazetteSport.

“When we went into partnership with NUIM, we offered rugby scholarships and, five years on,

we can now offer academic scholarships which has helped bolster our Under-20s and senior team squad.”

It has helped to significantly build the player base with new members attracted while they also are in a position to be one of just a few teams able to field seven senior teams.

The first team enjoyed a decent season in Ulster Bank Division 2A since promotion the season before while landing the Leinster Senior Shield. The second team won the Metro division two title while the third team finished third in their division.

With a fourth and fifth team, ladies team, Under-20s along with boys and girls youths and minis section, Black says the Blue Bulls “are one of only a few clubs that cover all aspects of rugby within Leinster”.

“We did expect to be this successful but not as soon. We had a five-year plan which we achieved by getting promoted this year and put in place another five year plan which we are now at the end of its first year and have won the Leinster Senior Club of the Year.

“For us, as a club it’s an unbelievable achievement as a club in division 2A, beating the likes of, say, Clontarf who won 1A and beat the Barabarians, St Mary’s and Terenure – all these very successful and very large clubs.

“It was about how we promoted ourselves throughout the year. We’ve invited touring teams from South Africa and University of Wisconsin while we also launched our new website which has been a great success, culminating in us winning PRO of the Month for April.

“President Michael Moseley deserves great

credit. At 30, he is the youngest president in Irish rugby club history and he was behind all that went behind the scenes in the club to bolster how we promote ourselves.

“We would always have been a successful club but not many would have known about us but we wanted to change that and let people know about us and have the knock-on effect so that players would actually come to us.”

“We also set up several in-house committees to micro-manage the way the club was run and to manage the finances, building new dressing room facilities for women’s rugby and a new gym. Investment has been put into the ground so that we never have to close; we have pumped in nearly €50,000 over three years into maintenance and drainage systems which adds to the overall attraction of players to the club.”