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YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER May 26, 2011

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ....... 2,3 and 8

MOTORS ........................18

BUSINESS ................... 20

TRAVEL ......................... 22

ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24

CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Soccer: Local lad signed by Dalglish at LiverpoolPage 32

RECYCLE THIS COPY. KEEP DUBLIN TIDY.

INSIDE: An offi cial welcome for our

Royal visitors P2

AWARDS: ITB celebrate theirBest New Society win See Page 5

Unsung Heroes get their just rewardsEvent raises €150k for worthy causes and organisations

LAURA WEBB

UNSUNG heroes of the local community were recognised at an event last week which raised a massive €150,000 for worthy causes and organisations.

Over 74,000 votes were cast for nominated heroes from areas in Dublin 15 and Finglas.

In total €150,000 was raised over the past month through corporate donations and raffle sales, with €25,000 donated by Blanchardstown and Finglas Ford – the company behind the campaign. Of the money raised, €40,000 will go to the Dublin 15 St Francis Hospice.

Speaking to the Gazette,

managing director of Blan-chardstown and Finglas Ford, Enda O’Connor, said there was an unprecedented reac-tion to the campaign, which showed the tremendous com-munity support to individuals working for their charity or organisation.

Full Story on Page 4

Work well done:Awards nightfor local youthsAMY Casey, Sinead Shepherd, Jemma Clarke, Danielle Mol-loy, Lauren Clarke, Phylisha Doyle and Evan Flynn from Blakestown Zone at the recent Blanchardstown Youth Citizen-ship Awards which took place in Draiocht.

The event, which was a huge success, awards young people for their huge contribution to their community.

Picture: Peter Doyle

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2 BLANCH GAZETTE 26 May 2011

An official welcome for our Royal visitorsH

ER Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and his Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, were

officially welcomed to Ireland by President Mary McAleese and Dr McAleese at Aras An Uachtarain on the first day of her historic State visit. The Queen and Duke were met on

the steps of the Aras by the President and her husband before going inside to meet Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The Queen received a 21-gun salute followed by a rendering of the British national anthem as part of a ceremonial welcome. And, to top it all, the Army Air Corps performed a

ceremonial fly-by. The Queen then inspected an Irish military guard of honour before planting a tree in the Aras garden.

President McAleese then hosted a luncheon for both the British and Irish delegations in the main dining room.

EVENT President Mary McAleese welcomes Queen Elizabeth

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, President Mary Mc Aleese meeting with An

Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Pictures: Maxwell’s Dublin

The Duke of Edinburgh and Dr Martin Mc Aleese chat with Robert Norris, head gardener, in Aras An

Uachtarain

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II The Queen inspects a guard of honour

The Queen, President McAleese, The Duke of Edinburgh and Dr Mc Aleese tour the

grounds

26 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

and The Duke of Edinburgh to Aras an Uachtarain

Queen Elizabeth signs the visitors’ book

The visitors’ book showing the signature of

the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh

Making their way out of The Aras

Having a cup of tee in Aras An Uachtarain

The Queen plants a tree

Walking back from tree-planting ceremony A fly-by by the Air Force over the guard of honour


ROYAL VISIT: MINISTER RECALLS QUEEN’S TRIP

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton

History in the makingDUBLIN West TD and Minister for Social Protec-tion Joan Burton “felt his-tory being made last week” when Queen Elizabeth II came as a “very honoured guest in Ireland”.

M i n i s t e r B u r t o n recalled the Queen’s visit and said there were some very signifi-cant moments for her, including the Queen’s words in Irish to Presi-dent Mary McAleese and guests during the State dinner, where the Minister also shook the Queen’s hand.

According to Minster Burton, the Queen was a “very welcome and a very honoured guest in Ireland and it was quite clear that the vast majority of Irish people were so pleased to have the Queen visit this country”.

“I personally was

delighted that she could come to Ireland and I very much felt history being made last week. I was also delighted that the Queen got a flavour of the different elements that go to make the patchwork that is Irish history and the Irish community today.

“The very significant moments for me, and there were many, included the Queen’s words in Irish, her visits to the Garden of Remembrance and the War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge.

“These moments struck me as being so sym-bolic, and the symbols were about reconcilia-tion, about peace being achieved and the warm relationship and future for two neighbouring islands,” Minister Burton said.

HIROMI MOONEY

FORMER Olympic ath-lete and Castleknock native Eamonn Cogh-lan has been named as one of the Taoiseach’s new appointees to the Seanad.

Coghlan is a three-time Olympian and former world champion of the 5,000m, and is the director of the Crumlin

Children’s Medical and Research Foundation. He is among the 11 new faces joining the Sea-nad, along with Presi-dent Mary McAleese’s husband Dr Martin Mc Aleese.

The appointment of Coghlan was welcomed this week by Dublin West Fine Gael TD, and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo

Varadkar, who said: “I would like to extend my warm congratula-tions and welcome to Eamonn Coghlan on his appointment to Sea-nad Eireann.

“As the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am very pleased that a sporting hero, athlete and Olympian will take up a seat in the new Seanad.

“Mr Coghlan is also a constituent of mine, being a resident of Castleknock in Dublin West, which makes his appointment even more welcome,” he said.

Many of the new can-didates chosen by the Taoiseach come from non-poli t ical back-grounds.

“By appointing a large number of non-political

Senators, the Taoiseach and Tanaiste have done much to restore the Seanad to its original role as an Upper House representing civil soci-ety, minorit ies and excellence,” said the Minister.

“Such a role was envisaged by the Free State Constitution, and the founding fathers of the State,” he said.

Coghlan is appointed to SeanadPOLITICS Taoiseach names his new appointees

Amazing work done by unsung heroes honouredUNSUNG heroes were recognised last week at an exciting final of a local initiative which raised €150,000 for worthy causes and organisations, while recognising the amazing work done by local residents.

Over 74,000 votes were cast for nominated heroes from areas in Dublin 15 and Finglas. In total €150,000 was raised over the past month through corporate donations and raffle sales, with €25,000 donated by Blanchards-town and Finglas Ford - the company behind the campaign.

Of the money raised, €40,000 will go to the Dublin 15 St Francis Hos-

pice, while €60,000 was divided between the 10 unsung hero finalists to give to a charity or organ-isation of their choice. A further 20k was spread out between 20 local chari-ties and organisations in D15 and Finglas. Raffle prizes worth €25k were won throughout the cam-paign, and the remaining €5k goes to the running cost of a minibus that one lucky organisation won for a year.

The winner of the Unsung Hero campaign was Valerie Murphy, of the East Finglas Scouts, who won €20,000 for her organisation. In second place was Ellen Cogavin, a nurse at Connolly Hos-

pital winning €12,000. John McGrath, member of the St John Ambu-lance came in third and received €10k.

But the winnings didn’t end there. Brian Flana-gan, of BeKind Ireland, received €8k, Fr Dan Joe O’Mahony was handed a cheque of €5k, while Ail-een Parsons, Terry Con-cannon, Francesca Palma, Ginny the guide dog and Seaghan Kearney each received €1,000 for their prospective organisations or charity.

Speak ing to the Gazette, managing direc-tor of Blanchardstown and Finglas Ford, Enda O’Connor, said there was an unprecedented reac-

tion to the campaign, which showed the tre-mendous community support to individuals working for their charity or organisation.

“A lot of hard work was involved, but for a dealer-ship to raise that sort of money is just incredible. It was just unbelievable, to give cheques worth up to €150,000 on the night was unbelievable.

“We achieved what we set out to do. The main charity we wanted to sup-port was the St Francis Hospice in Blanchards-town. Fr Dan Joe received €5,000 and Nurse Ellen Cogavin won €12,000 and she is donating eleven of that to the hospice, so

in reality the hospice got €56,000. Symantic, they won the mini bus and donated it to the hospice and Connolly hospital, to be used by both. The impact of the campaign was absolutely superb. There were massive cel-ebrations on the night,” Enda said.

He went on to con-gratulate all the winners, and thanked all their corporate sponsors who made the event happen including Ben Dunne Gyms, Ebay, Paypal, Keel-ings, Topaz, Ford Ireland, Blanchardstown Centre, Charlestown Shopping Centre, The Fixing Com-pany, Glenbay Fire and Flood ltd, Tesco Ireland.

CEREMONY: EVENT RAISES €150,000 FOR WORTHY CAUSES

John McGrath, member of the St John Ambulance, with Christy Kinsella and Albert Pierson


Two schools apply for extensions

PLANNING: CAPACITY ‘MUST REMAIN ON AGENDA’

LAURA WEBB

[email protected]

TWO Dublin 15 schools have lodged planning applications with the local council for exten-sions.

The planning depart-ment at Fingal County Council has received planning applications from Mary Mother of Hope National School, in Littlepace, and St Mochta ’s Nat iona l School, in Clonsilla.

T h e a p p l i c a t i o n lodged by Mary Mother of Hope NS is from the Departmetn of Educa-tion. In the application it seeks permission for a three- storey classroom / toilet accommodation extension to the existing school, the relocation of the staff car park and a new all-weather playing area with landscaping.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e board of management at St Mochta’s National School is seeking per-mission for the provision of a single-storey tempo-

rary classroom unit of 82 sq meters with associ-ated entrance, ramps and external works.

Both applications were lodged with the planning department at FCC this week.

Speaking on the appli-cations, local council-lor Patrick Nulty said: “Both applications are a sign that school capacity and facilities improve-ment must remain on the agenda in Dublin 15. Significant progress has been made on schools, especially with the green light being given to Tyrrel-stown Educate Together and Mulhuddart Nation-al School recently.

“The building of Lut-trelstown Community College remains an integral part of the edu-cational map for Dublin 15 and I have made the department aware of its importance. I hope both applications from Mary Mother of Hope and St Mochta’s will be proc-essed quickly,” Cllr Nulty said.

EVENT School’s first win since awards were founded

Celebrating their win is Siobhan Byrne, BICS Treasurer; Ciara Walker, ITB 1st year student from Dublin City Centre; Justine Bohan, ITB

2nd year student from Dublin City Centre; Mieke Klinkenberg, ITB 1st year student from Malahide; Claire Coffey, ITB 1st year student from

Drimnagh; Ciara Meldon, president LGBT Society ITB, ITB from Dundrum and Mary Davis, regional president and managing director of

Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia

ITB takes home Best New Society AwardTHE Institute of Tech-nology in Blanchards-town (ITB) celebrated its first win at the Board of Irish College Socie-ties Awards, after tak-ing home the Best New Society Award.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgen-der (LGBT) society in ITB recently won the Best New Society for the Dublin 15 college. This award is ITB’s first win since the BICS Awards was founded in 1995.

The LGBT society was set up to provide

an opportunity for les-bian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and friends of LGBT to meet and socialise together. The goal of the society is to raise awareness and challenge negative per-ceptions of the LGBT community within the college.

Commenting on their win, Ciara Meldon, President LGBT Society, ITB, said of their win: “The LGBT Society, ITB, and the commit-tee are thrilled to have won Best New Society

at the BICS awards. It’s a huge achievement and, as a Society, we are look-ing forward to what the future will bring.”

LGBT Society, ITB, entered in the Best New Society – Small College category. There were eight nominees in the category, including CIT – Student Musical Society, NCI Business Society, DBS – Radio DBS, DKIT – Laptop Music Produc-tion Society, ITTD – Har-ambee Society, IT Tralee – Airsoft Society and NUIM – Mental Health

Society. There was an applica-

tion and portfolio process followed by an interview that four members of the society attended. ITB has entered in the past, but this was the first win in any category for ITB since the since the start of the BICS awards.

The BICS (Board of Irish College Societies) is an organisation, founded in 1995, and recognises the huge effort made by the many individuals who run student societies across Ireland.

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LEARN French or Ital-ian before heading off this summer with Europe Direct courses taking place in the Blanchards-town Library.

The Europe Direct Centre in Blanchards-town Library is giving members of the public the opportunity to learn basic Italian or French before going on a dream holiday.

Ilaria Furlan teaches Italian for Holiday Mak-ers every Wednesday at 7pm for four weeks. The class teaches the basics of Italian and gives foun-dation in the language, which will get you by when holidaying in Italy. The first Italian class started on Wednesday, May 18.

Meanwhile, for any-one planning a holiday in France, the French for Holiday Makers’ course, with tutor, Sabine Maher, teaches the basics of French conversation in a four-week course on Tuesday evenings at 7pm. The first French class will be held on June 7.

Anyone interested in attending the courses should contact Blan-chardstown Library on 890 5563.

For further informa-tion about Europe Direct events log onto www.europedirect.ie.

Learning French or Italian before a holiday

CLASSES

LAURA WEBB

DEVELOPERS have given in to local pressure to act and cut growing grass in three of its Dub-lin 15 estates.

That’s according to Mulhuddart Council-lor Patrick Nulty, who says the pressure from residents in Linnetsfield, Beechfield and Allendale forced developers Menol-ly Homes to act.

Speak ing to the Gazette this week, coun-cillor Nulty said the three estates have not had their grass cut at all this year, and describes the areas

as being “overgrown and unsightly”.

This week, follow-ing pressure from local residents and politicians, the developers have con-firmed to the Labour councillor that the grass in the three areas men-tioned will be cut in the coming weeks.

Pressure

“I spoke to Menolly Homes again to put pres-sure on them and support the local residents. Their spokesperson informed me that grass cutting in Linnetsfield would start this week and all three

estates would be com-pleted within two weeks,” Cllr Nulty said.

Positive

“This is positive news and great credit is due to the local residents, associations and house-holders who have put tremendous pressure on the developer to act. This is the second year run-ning that this debacle has occurred.

“However, for resi-dents seeing is believ-ing, and we have had broken promises from the developer before. Hopefully this work will

be done in the timeframe promised and this saga can be brought to an end. Householders who have to pay sky-high mortgages should at least expect the grass to be cut, so their children can play safely in the open space.”

The local politician went on to say that the long-term solution for this situation is to “see the estates taken in charge by Fingal County Coun-cil”. He has now tabled a motion for the next area committee meeting to get a progress report on when such taking in charge might happen.

Developers cut grass in three D15 estatesSUPPORT Pressure from residents forced Menolly Homes to act

Mulhuddart Councillor, Patrick Nulty

IT’S YOUR STORY: AN UNBELIEVABLE TALE OF HAIR LOST AND PIG FOUND

Those bare facts CONOR LYNCH

MY father has always had a fine head of hair. Oh, how I envy him. Even now at 76, he can still boast to having a finer thatch than me over 30 years his junior.

Men can be very vain, quite like their female counterparts. And, nowa-days, with hair plugs and implants, the options to increase growth are end-less. For some of us, how-ever, the growth can be just like our economy at the moment, and equally as depressing.

This was never an issue for my oul fella’ however.

It was more the colour for him. He told me once he dyed it black. Well, he tried to dye it black. He said he put in this dye that you had to leave in for five minutes and then wash it out. Unfortunate-ly for him, the phone rang in those crucial five min-utes of transformation.

Even more unfortu-nate, was the fact that it was his mother-in-law wondering why her heat-ing wasn’t working.

Twenty-seven minutes later, he ran back up the stairs to the bathroom. The damage was done. His ears and lips had swollen up and he spent the next day-and-a-half in the eye and ear hospital. This didn’t faze him. He was more concerned that his hair hadn’t worked out. “I wouldn’t mind, but I looked like Tony Curtis,” was all he kept repeating, distraught.

Because of his luscious

locks, he always got great satisfaction in berating the less follicly enriched. He could always come out with a line such as “He has wavy hair…it’s waving goodbye” or if someone said they got a number three in the barbers to keep their hair tight he would say: “The last time he saw a number three was when he was bringing the kids out to Dollyer on the bus!”

However, the most memorable piece of ridi-cule was reserved for a work colleague of his

who was telling what would have been an unbelievable tale, if not

for the emotive state it was being told in.

Let’s call his colleague Chivers. Well Chivers, and his brother Norman, were both bald. As in Kojak. Not a blade. They had been this way from an early age.

Chivers became emo-tional as he told the story of how one day Norman

had gone swimming. He said: “Poor Norman was down by the canal. He loved to swim there.”

The assembled group, including my father, pulled their chairs around as they waited to hear a tale of drowning or some

equal tragedy that would befall poor Norman.

“Well this day,” contin-ued Chivers, “Norman dove straight in – head first. And in the bottom of the canal on the bed was a dead pig.”

The group looked at this bald man as he told this tale of woe about his equally bald brother.

“He crashed head first into the pig. Slap bang and it stuck to his head!”

The group looked in awe at poor Chivers as tears came to his eyes as he recalled how Norman stood up in the canal with the dead pig on his head.

Image

It was the next few moments that were the telling few moments in this tale. Everyone looked at Chivers as this image of Norman with the dead pig on his head ran through their mind.

My father was recalling how he had known Nor-man for many years after this and, for all of these years, he was blessed with a mounded dome not unlike the belly of a pig.

It was coming, but it had to be asked. As Chiv-ers wiped away a tear with the image of Nor-man with the pig on his head forever etched in his mind, my father asked: “And did he never take it off?”

Conor Lynch

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Cause to celebrate: Mentors receive certificates from Education MinisterGLEN LEAHY, Blakestown Community School, Min-ister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn TD and Rachel Dockrell, project Co-ordinator and Mentor at Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, attend-ing the Schools’ Business Partnership Mentoring

Celebrations at the Clock Tower in the Department of Education and Science, where students and their ITB mentors were presented with certificates by the Minister on completion of their two-year mentoring programme.

BLOOM 2011: FOCUSING ON MENTAL HEALTH

The gardening festival runs over the June Bank Holiday

Blooming with much wellnessA GARDEN design that focuses on mental health recovery and wellness will be featured for the first time in Bord Bia’s Bloom 2011; Ireland’s leading gardening, food and family festival.

The garden, Thermae Salute, otherwise known as Wellness Recovery, focuses on the message that there is hope and recovery for those who experience mental ill-ness. It was designed and built by the FAS students from the HSE’s EVE Plantmarket Train-ing Centre.

“We know that the vis-itors to our garden will enjoy a unique oppor-tunity to reflect on the organic nature of well-being and come away with a more positive and hopeful perspec-tive on mental health,” said general manager of EVE, Dr Margaret Webb. “We would like to invite visitors to come to the garden and to talk to the team involved in creating the garden.”

The garden reflects the recovery process from mental health diffi-culties using a metaphor of the ‘Optimist Sailor’ to show the journey through life. Visitors can experience the meta-phor of ‘the calm waters of wellness’ through plants like herbaceous perennials and sum-mer bedding; then move into the ‘choppy seas of distress’ through plants

like bramble and nettle rushes; and then eventu-ally find themselves on the transitional “path to recovery” through plants like ornamental grasses and ferns.

The students believe in the importance of raising awareness about looking after your men-tal health, and high-lighting that recovery is possible. The design team was led by John Sweeney and they drew on their personal expe-riences in designing this garden.

“Finding ways to over-come stigma and pro-mote understanding is one of the most impor-tant ways to recovery for people who experience mental health difficul-ties,” said HSE’s assist-ant national director for Mental Health, Martin Rogan.

“I would like to com-mend the trainees and the managers of Eve Plantmarket for taking this novel approach in an effort to overcome this stigma and ulti-mately bring the very important message that recovery is possible and is happening.”

Bloom 2011 takes place between June 2 and 6 at 10am-6pm in the Phoenix Park. Advance tickets cost from €15, and kids are free.

F o r m o r e i n f o r-mat ion v i s i t w w w.bloominthepark.com.

Family continue with fundraiser for Emma

LAURA WEBB

[email protected]

EMMA Dowling’s family started organising a small fundraiser to purchase a wheelchair for the vibrant 22-year-old only a few weeks ago, but when she lost her battle against an illness that had been with her for two years, they made the difficult decision to continue with it so they could help others while remembering her life.

On May 3, 2011, Emma lost her battle against Hodgkin’s Lym-phoma – a cancer of lymph tis-sue. At just 22, her whole life was ahead of her, but unfortunately her body never reacted positively to treatment for the disease. In the weeks before she died, her ill-ness deteriorated so much so that she was in need of a wheelchair.

Her cousin and best friend, Laura Dowling, and Emma’s mum, Noirin, from Huntstown, told her they were going to organ-ise a small fundraiser to get her a wheelchair. Not one for making a fuss, Emma was a little shocked but agreed to it. Unfortunately, the illness worsened and she died before the fundraiser on May 28.

But with a date and venue

at her local GAA club, St Per-egrine’s, her family decided they would still host the event in her memory, with proceeds going to St James’ Hospital for small tvs in the chemotherapy rooms there.

“Emma always wanted to do something – like the way breast cancer has the symbol of the pink ribbons, she wanted to do some fundraising for Hodgkins and her emblem for that was a purple butterfly. She was going to get a purple butterfly tattooed on her head and when her hair grew back she would be the only one who would know it was there. She got a tattoo only a while ago, across her shoulder and it said: One Life, One Chance. That summed her up.

“When Emma received treat-ment, she could be there from anything from two to five hours there. You just sit in a recliner chair, and there is a row of them,

you are looking at the people opposite you. She always said wouldn’t it be great if you had TV to look at. She would have wanted to do a fundraiser like this herself, I know she will be happy with it. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Laura. She was like Emma’s shadow, you wouldn’t see one without the other,” Noirin said.

Being the strong independent woman she had always been, Emma refused to let the illness get her down and refused to be a “victim”. She was treated for the disease in three different hospi-tals before being transferred to St James’ Hospital where she was treated for 18 months before she died. Sadly, no treatment agreed with her.

“It is unusual not to take to these treatments. When she was diagnosed we were told it was very curable, and I remember one

of the doctors saying that out of all the cancers to have it is the most curable. That is obviously if it [the treatment] works for you, unfortunately it didn’t work for Emma.”

Emma was never told how long she had to live, but Noi-rin believes her only daughter knew but remained positive and upbeat. “I think she knew. She is a very strong character. We all thought she was going to get bet-ter, she portrayed being healthy so well. It was so hard to see her go through it all. We all miss her so much,” Noirin said.

The fundraising event takes place this Saturday, May 28 at St. Peregrine’s GAA club in Blakes-town. For children there will be face-painting, storytelling and a cake sale from 2-4.30pm. A €2 entry fee applies. Later that night grown-ups can enjoy live music til late, the Champions league final, sponsored waxing and shaving, raffles, an auction and lots more surprises. A €5 entry fee applies. Noirin and Laura thanked all their sponsors for their help and donations to prizes. A stand showcasing all the sponsors will be on display at the event on Saturday.

EVENT: FAMILY DECIDES TO DONATE PROCEEDS TO HOSPITAL

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‘She always said wouldn’t it be great if you had TV to look at. She would have wanted to do a fundraiser like this herself, I know she will be happy with it’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Making a differenceT

HE Blanchardstown Youth Citizenship Awards took place recently in Draoicht. The initiative was part of the Foroige

permanent tsb Youth Citizenship Awards. It is about young people becoming aware of their community and taking action to improve it by undertaking projects under various categories. The night was a huge success and was enjoyed by everyone. Chair of Foroige, Mairi McMahon and the VEC Youth Officer, Martin McEntee praised the young people on their achievements during their speeches. Ms. McMahon congratu-lated the young people on their huge contribu-tion to their community.

Amy Casey, Sinead Shepherd, Jemma Clarke and Danielle Molloy, Lauren Clarke, Phylisha Doyle, Evan Flynn all from Blakestown Zone.

Picture: Peter Doyle

Mark McMahon, Ryan Tracey and Eric Hughes from

Flashy Clicks

Kelly O’Connor, Ann Adekonle and Lauren Riordan

from Mountview Drama Group

Josh Maligalig and John Lagman from The Computer

Club House

Una McAuley, Ian Smith, Tony Conroy, Philip Bergin, Jk Onwumereh, Sarah Kearney, Gorana Jelovina, Naoimi

Marie Rose, Keith Silvester and Daragh Elliot all from Mar Shampla group

Brianna Fitzsimons, Shauna Beatty, Marie Nulty, Amy

O’Reilly and Emma Meehan from Super Crew

Ryan McKenzie, Joanne McDonnell, Brian Fitzsimons, Paul Snyth and Lauren

Whelan

EVENT The Blanchardstown Youth Citizenship Awards


With Jim LaceyPhone: 087-2401308

Email: [email protected]

Laurel LodgeCarpenterstown

CASTLEKNOCK Lions Club are holding a Table

Quiz in Castleknock Lawn Tennis Club on Wednesday, June 1, in aid of Lions’ charities.

Tickets are €10 per person with a maxi-mum of four contest-ants per table. The quiz will commence at 8pm and there will be a full bar service. Readers of this column will readily recognise the quizmas-ter. This quiz is always a good night out and the Tennis Club is a lovely venue. It has to be said that Castleknock Ten-nis Club has always been generous to a fault in extending the use of their facilities to charities for fundraising events.

Come along on the night , before 8pm, or telephone Sean at 0872837167.

Table quiz in aid of charities

Slan leat banrion eilis a doW

ELL, haven’t we had an exciting week I reflect as

I sit here scribbling on a wet Sunday afternoon? By the time you are read-ing this the President of the United States and his lovely wife, Michelle, will have come and gone.

Didn’t Queen Eliza-beth give us all a right surprise? What a gra-cious lady, and wasn’t her husband, Prince Philip, a good-humoured person-able gentleman?

At this stage some peo-ple who know me well are probably looking for the medicine cabinet or a stiff whiskey. You see I do have certain views on royalty and repres-sion, and monarchy and money, together with a slight tendency towards republicanism.

I never could figure out how the British peo-ple, who had a lot to do with setting up the tem-plate of parliamentary democracy that we and other countries enjoy, held on to the royal fam-ily and all its trappings. Republicanism is about liberty, equality and fra-ternity so I accepted

that liberty requires me to respect other people’s traditions and political beliefs and fraternity is to be friendly in accepting them. I won’t complicate the argument further by dwelling on equality.

I know that nasty man from Huntington, Oliver Cromwell, gave the Brit-ish a turn-off against republicanism – but he was more an anti-royal dictator than a republi-can. Today some peo-ple in Ireland measure republicanism by how much they hate England I feel it more appropri-ate to measure it by how much we love Ireland.

I was proud of my country this week – prouder than I have been for a while, but let’s put any negativity behind us for the moment.

I watched the televi-sion pictures of Queen Elizabeth arriving at Casement Aerdrome out of curiosity and histori-cal interest, saw her com-ing down the steps in the green outfit and thought, wow, she’s got a job in Aer Lingus!

I copped myself on and realised she had gone to

some trouble with her choice of dress to give us a message and, from then, the visit got my attention.

Everywhere the cam-eras brought us we saw the wonderful work of the Gardai, the Defence Forces, council workers, civil servants, all much-maligned public sector workers doing a superb job and doing it tactfully in a good-humoured way.

Sure there were pro-tests – it takes time for people to realise some-thing new is happening. Genuine friendship com-ing to this island from the

immediate east of us is new but it’s welcome, very welcome, and can be, and will be, reciprocated.

The end of war, trou-ble and woe has to be a good thing. We hold our freedom and independ-ence dearly, we treasure our language, our distinct culture, we are a small nation in terms of size and population but we are a large and mighty nation in the world of lit-erature, music, learning, science and generosity.

While other nations were colonising and e x p l o i t i n g n e w l y explored territories we were bringing to these

territories education, medical care and relief. We have always given more per capita to inter-national relief than many wealthier nations, and continue to do so even now with a struggling economy.

Our export trade has been picking up – our multinationals engaged in pharmaceuticals and information technology, etc., are doing well. Our export trade in foodstuffs is now showing great strength.

The Irish fashion industry has been quietly making a name for itself and is poised to flower at the moment. Meanwhile, the research field, as witnessed when Queen Elizabeth visited Trinity College Dublin and the Tyndall Institute in Cork, is going to be a driver for the future.

The Queen’s visit did a lot to showcase the nation, it did a lot to boost the economy and it got us walking tall again while cementing a new friendship with an old neighbour. President McAleese has served this nation very well indeed

and is a credit to her office.

On a lighter note, with tongue tucked firmly in in cheek – what about this for a scenario – let’s pretend we invite Queen Elizabeth to contest the forthcoming Presidential Election; of course she would have to stand as Elizabeth Windsor and we would have to give her Irish citizenship. It is worth recalling that President De Valera was born in New York and President Childers in London.

On the Queen’s present standing after a most suc-cessful visit is there a pos-sibility that she could be elected? If so, she would be President in the South, Queen in the North – one head of state for the whole island with no loss of sovereignty. Arthur Griffith, founder of Sinn Fein, had a somewhat similar policy 100 years ago.

I am not suggesting it, just speculating in humor-ous way an incredible option – it could never happen! Could it? Did I hear someone say Paisley and McGuinness?

President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese welcome Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, and HRH, the Duke of Edinburgh to The Aras. Picture: Peter Doyle

US President Barak Obama in Hayes Bar in his

ancestral home of Moneygall. Picture: Maxwells Dublin

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LIONS CLUB

26 May 2011 GAZETTE 11

Working as hard as ever, nearly 30 years on

PAUL HOSFORD

NOBODY really notices a 29th birthday. It’s a bit like having a big party for a 20th or a 15th, it’s just not the done thing.

With that in mind, it would be easy for a band like Aslan, just a year shy from celebrating their 30th year as a band, to take the foot off the gas for the 2011 calendar year.

But really, that is not, and never has been, the style of the Dublin heroes. Their voracious appetite for live shows is legen-dary, with Aslan arguably covering more ground now than was covered in the Showband era.

With that much effort gone into gigging, it must surely get old. Not so, says the group’s guitarist, Billy McGuinness, who, along with Christy Dignam, Joe Jewell, Alan Downey and Rodney O’Brien, will rock the Clarion in Liffey Val-ley this Saturday.

“Not at all. We’re about

to enter our 30th year as a band and there is only one reason for that. We gig everywhere because we love playing live. We love the buzz that we get from playing our music live.

“We play a lot of places that other bands would ignore. When you play places, like Midleton in Cork, or Donegal towns that wouldn’t get a lot of gigs, people appreciate it.

“It means that when you’re playing a bigger gig – a Vicar St, Olympia or Point for example – peo-ple will come out for it.”

The mantra of play any-where and everywhere is one that many bands are beginning to adopt in an Irish music scene more and more reliant on live shows for both exposure and money, but most bands will never see some of the venues that Aslan have.

“I suppose the weird-est gigs we’ve ever played were in Mountjoy and

ASLAN Dublin heroes make time for Champions League

Wheatfield Prisons. “We were asking when

they wanted us, the war-den told us we could play whenever, the audience weren’t going anywhere.

“We also played a gig for Irish troops in Kos-ovo, which was odd. We really enjoyed it, but couldn’t go anywhere because there was still fighting going on.

“But really all gigs are brilliant. Even the last

time we played the Clar-ion, Bernard Dunne was there, we had a drink with him and that was great.”

The ability to appeal across age lines, as well as to the Irish Diaspora, are also key reasons for Aslan’s enduring stint at the top of the Irish music pile.

“The age range that we see can be nine to 90 and we see so many young people at gigs, knowing

the lyrics to our songs.“Anywhere there’s Irish

people, we can play. We did a tour of Australia last year, we were playing in Sydney, Canberra, Mel-bourne and that’s because anywhere you go, there’s an Irish bar that will either have Crazy World or This Is on it.

“I think we’ve done everything, including break-up!

Continues on Page 12

Aslan, top, Billy McGuinness, above left, and Christy Dignam

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12 GAZETTE 26 May 2011

A magnificent challenge for Fianna Fail

MICHEÁL MARTIN TD

FOLLOWING a difficult General Election, Fianna Fail faces a magnificent challenge in the months ahead, particularly in Dublin.

I believe that we will meet this challenge, renewing the party and reconnecting with com-munities across our capi-tal city, because Fianna Fáil stems from a great tradition. It stems from a tradition where the needs of the people and the country come first. It will be no easy task, but it will be done.

I have been the leader of Fianna Fáil for less than four months and, in that period, I have travelled the length and

breadth of Ireland. I’m currently meeting mem-bers of the party and the public all across Dublin in every constituency. The message I am getting from the thousands of members and supporters is loud and clear.

It must now be our objective to do our out-most to rectify past errors and to secure a better future for every single person on this island.

If we return Fianna Fail to the core principles that for so many years won the support and loyalty of the Irish people, we will not only renew our party, we will renew a vital, posi-tive force in the life of our nation.

For example, in the area of education, Fianna Fáil was founded as the party

of the ordinary work-ing person 85 years ago and became a vehicle for educational opportunity and social advancement across Ireland. Almost every major milestone in education expansion at all levels owes its origins to visionary Ministers for Education, such as Paddy Hillery and Donogh O’Malley, to name but a few. As the new leader of Fianna Fail, educational advancement for all citi-zens is at the core of my political philosophy.

I want Fianna Fáil to be the great party it once was and to be in touch and responsive to the needs of people in Dub-lin and across Ireland.

For this reason, I am determined to open up the Fianna Fáil Party and

COMMENT Leader of the opposition reconnects with the party

30 years of musicContinued from Page 11

“I think people like us because we’re so real. Every mistake we’ve made, we’ve been honest about. People see X-Fac-tor, and those people aren’t real.

“People see everything we’ve gone through, we’re honest that we’ve made mistakes. Christy’s book, and the Aslan book, are both very real. And then people see us give 110% to everything we do.”

At the minute, it is all systems go for Aslan, as they prepare to mark an historic 30th year in the business, looking to “tell the story of Aslan”.

These celebrations will be marked with a film, a new studio album and, possibly, a 30th anniver-sary gig.

ASLAN

Micheal Martin TD talking with Cllr Cormac Devlin

I want to see more young people and women becoming active in our organisation.

Eamon de Valera said when Fianna Fáil was founded: “We hope in particular that the young people of the coun-try, the young men and women, who have not yet definitely affiliated themselves to any politi-cal organisation, will join Fianna Fáil and use it as

a medium through which they will give their servic-es to the community and to the nation.”

I am determined that, in today’s Ireland, Fianna Fail will nur-ture and promote the involvement of more young people in poli-tics. In Dublin this will be particularly impor-tant in the years ahead. For people interested in making a positive differ-

ence in their community, and for those who want to improve the quality of life in this country, my message is clear: Fian-na Fáil is the party of opportunity - where you can help shape policy and where you can make a real difference. Fianna Fáil wants to hear from you. Email your ideas or get information on join-ing the party at [email protected]

“We want the album to be perfect so we’re taking our time over it. Years ago, we’d lock ourselves away for weeks at a time to do an album, but we can now take our time over it and do days here and there.

“It would be nice to mark the 30th anniver-sary.”

Aslan play the Clarion Liffey Valley on Satur-day, May 28, taking to the stage after the Champions League final. Tickets are €15 and available from the hotel on 01 628 5000. On July 2, they take to the stage in Vicar St, with tick-ets available from Ticket-master, priced at €33.60.

Rodney O’Brien, Joe

Jewell and Alan Downey


GazetteBEAUTYBEAUTY Edited by Dawn Love

AN Ultimate Girl’s Night Out will be held in Embody Wellness Centre on May 27.

Free mini-massages, tarot and angel cards, five-minute make-up transformations, wine- tasting and cool cup-cakes will all be avail-able on the night.

Admission is free and all are welcome from 7pm.

For information, phone Grainne on 01 8076795 or find out more on www.embody.ie

Ultimate Girl’s night out in May

Keeping skin healthy and radiant the natural way

Some 60% of what we put onto our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream, so

natural products are an option for giving skin a natural glow

DO you want to be a na tura l beauty? With a reported 60% of

what we put onto our skin absorbed into the bloodstream, it’s easy to see why Hollywood stars, such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Anniston, are big fans of natural skincare brands.

Amongst the most pop-ular is leading German range, Dr Hauschka.

For more than 40 years Hauschka, which is free from synthetic chemical fragrances, colours and preservatives, has estab-lished itself as one of the leading natural skincare brands.

Already famed for its Rose Day Cream, Hauschka recent ly launched its Melissa Day Cream (€23.85) which

is designed to help com-bat combination skin prone to shine. Its daily moisturiser is perfect for those with oily and sensitive skin, helping it regain a healthy balance by stimulating the skin’s natural activity.

The fast-absorbing, oil-free moisturiser with lemon balm provides lasting hydration and oil control, leaving you with a balanced matte com-plexion. It features other ingredients, including kidney vetch and carrot designed to help smooth the skin’s surface to min-imise pores, while witch hazel and revitalising daisy helps refine the skin and leave your com-plexion soft and even.

In addition to its Melis-sa Day Cream, Hausch-ka has also released

three new additions to its Regenerating range this summer, includ-ing Regenerating Eye Cream (€65), Regenerat-ing Neck and Decollete Cream (€60) and Regen-erating Body Moisturiser (€40).

According to Hausch-ka, the Regenerating Eye Cream formulation keeps the delicate skin around the eyes, which is thinner than the rest of the face, smooth and supple and minimises the onset of early wrinkles.

The company, which also includes Madonna and Julia Roberts as its devotees, says its Regen-erating range helps slow down the skin’s ageing process and restores your natural radiance. Other products include its oil-free Regenerating Serum and Regenerating Day Cream.

Tantastic

And with your skin in tip-top natural shape, it’s time to make sure its Tan-tastic.

Founded by Dragons’ Den success, Noelle O’Connor, TanOrganic, has is a 100% natural moisturising fake tan. Noelle originally set about creating her range of products when she couldn’t find a 100% natural moisturising tan on the market.

“Being a pale, fair- skinned, freckled Irish woman, and having worn fake tan for over 20 years, I noticed my skin was drying out prematurely. I did not notice it on my face, as I had only ever applied fake tans to my body.

“Being a beauty thera-pist, I have always looked after my skin. On my quest for a sunless, tan-ning product that was nourishing, moisturising and healing on the skin,

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I noticed there were little or none. There were very few organic tans and, on closer research, there were no 100% natural tans. Hence TanOrgan-ic was born. I spent 17 months and a lot of cash researching and test-ing formulas until the final formula was c racked and that is now TanOrganic.”

O n t h e i n c r e a s i n g number of people turn-ing to organ-ic fake tans, Noelle says: “Consumers are becom-ing increas-ingly ingredi-ent-conscious

these days. We are now in the same place with organic cosmetics as we were with organic food in the 1990s, and the trend is growing year on year.

“Like food, people want pure ingredients and the knowledge

that what they are using is natural and organic. Many cli-ents have allergies

to mainstream tanning prod-ucts and they

can cause irri-tation, where n a t u r a l a n d organic tans can be worn with nearly always no reactions.

“Because TanOrganic is genuinely 100% natu-ral and organic there are no synthetic ingredients in the tan. There are also no perfumes, which are the number one cause of allergies in skin care.

“I am constantly work-ing on improving my for-mulae and love to get feedback from my con-sumers as to what they like and don’t like,” she said.

And, on people who may be dubious about trying organic tanning treatments, Noelle says: “Unfortunately, we have to educate them about the negatives of not using natural and organic, and that many ingredients in mainstream tan can be bad for the skin and cause undue irritations and allergies.”

TanOrganic is priced €34.99 per 240ml bottle. For more information on TanOrganic visit www.tanorganic.com

For details on your nearest stockist of Dr Hauschka log onto www.drhauschkaireland.ie.

Dr Hauschka Regenerating Range

100% natural

TanOrganic


GazettePETSPETSBrought to you by Miriam Kerins of

the DSPCA

THE FACTS: WHEN, AND WHEN NOT, TO INTERFERE WITH FLEDGLING BIRDS AND NESTS

Time for baby birds to leave their nestT

HIS week I ’ve received many calls regarding f ledg-

ling birds. This morning alone, I received at least five and all from inexpe-rienced members of the public who’ve discovered that, hey, it’s summer and it’s the time of year when birds tend to breed, with fledglings appearing in some of the most peculiar places.

Of course, all of these caring callers wanted to know how to help these cute, fluffy little “aban-doned” creatures!

First of all readers, thank you so much for your calls and for your concerns regarding fledgling birds, we really do appreciate them. As a humane society, and the country’s oldest and larg-est animal rescue shelter, we strive to promote the compassionate treatment of all animals – baby birds included.

However, the fact is, the baby birds don’t need your interference. They are not as helpless and clumsy as they look and for you, a human, to intervene is not neces-sarily the best course of action to take.

So, if you’re a con-cerned citizen who hap-pens to come across a baby bird, here’s what you should do!

Difficult though it is…LEAVE IT ALONE! It is not abandoned. If you discover a nest, under no circumstances should you touch or move it. This will cause the parents to abandon their babies and such an action by you could be deemed to be illegal.

A Few Facts

Young birds usually leave the nest about two weeks after hatching, just before they’re able to fly. And round about now,

we’re nearing the end of the first batch, with the second clutch about to be laid.

The fledgling birds will have all, or at least most, of their feathers and will be mobile enough to walk, run and hop from branch to branch. They are being fed by the parent bird, who will not be far away col-lecting food and will not return to the babies until you, the human intruder, has gone away.

Please bear in mind that the parent bird, (and usually in the bird world it’s both mum and dad who take care of the babies) will encourage the fledglings to disperse into different areas or hideaways, but they still carry on feeding and tak-ing care of them.

They move the babies around because they know predators, such as other birds, cats and foxes will attack them, so

Please bear in mind that the parent bird will encourage fledglings, like this baby thrush, to disperse into different

areas but will still take care of them

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they try to limit the risk and hide them in various locations around your home and garden. This is a natural system and it has worked successfully for thousands of years. Do not touch them, move them, or try to “rescue” them.

If you’ve got a cat or a dog who is a danger to the baby birds, then keep your pet indoors or on a lead – this is a temporary measure, the birds will be gone in a couple of days.

And another thing …

If you come across an owl or a hawk that’s on the ground, is alert, is

standing and has feath-ers, even a few, do not approach. Mum and dad are nearby and teaching him to hunt for ground insects. However, if he’s still there the following day, something may be wrong, so speak to your local vet or animal rescue shelter before you inter-vene.

If there’s grounded waterfowl in your area – geese, ducks, etc., this is normal. They’ll head off within a few hours of hatching, so don’t worry if you spot little downy babies running around – it’s normal, but you must leave them alone.

I know members of the public have good inten-tions but, think about it, would you want your new-born babies taken away from you? No! Nei-ther do the birds’ parents.

So, when should you

interfere?

• If the bird is clearly in harm’s way, is on a road and there’s a danger of being knocked down, then gently move him to safety to the nearest hedge/bush/garden, but no further and then walk away.

• The bird is clearly injured/incapacitated – call your local vet or res-

cue shelter or the Dublin SPCA – 01-4994700 for help and advice.

• You know for a fact that both parents have been killed or are inca-pacitated. Again, call your nearest vet/rescue shelter for advice and help.

• If a wing appears sub-stantially droopier than the other wing, if the bird is unable to grip with one foot or if there’s blood, then seek professional help from your vet or ani-mal shelter.

For more information, log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at [email protected]

Yes, he most certainly can!OPINION An historic day in an extraordinary week for Dublin

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MIMI MURRAY

IS FEIDIR Linn. Yes we can. Those were the words that sent the most rous-ing of cheers through an already captive audience listening to the words of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

He took to the stage with his wife, the First Lady, Michelle Obama, around 5.45pm on Mon-day and the crowd went wild for the man whose great, great, great grandfa-ther first set off from Mon-eygall in County Offaly over 150 years ago in order

to seek his fortune.The crowd had queued

from around 12pm, while some hardy souls spent the night on College Green, eagerly awaiting the man who made his-tory by becoming the first black president of the United States of America.

A cheery crowd were kept upbeat by an array of Irish artists, actors and sports people, all intro-duced by RTE’s Ryan Tubridy.

Whilst waiting for the main man, several musi-cians, including Ryan Sheridan, Imelda May, Westlife and the unstop-

pable Jedward warmed up the crowd, which was good as there was a wind blowing on the day that made the First Lady’s hair resemble the blond duo’s wacky quiffs.

The crowd waited with bated breath, wondering if they were going to have an opportunity to shake the hand of someone who has made history.

Tubridy, who spoke excitedly about Obama’s visit, kept giving the crowd regular updates on his impending arrival.

In the meantine Daniel Day Lewis, Stephen Rea and Brendan Gleeson

said a few words or recit-ed poetry. Saoirse Ronan also drew huge cheers from the crowd.

The President’s seal, seen so often on televi-sion and in the movies, was placed on the speak-ing platform and the audi-ence knew it was almost time.

Then, quite suddenly Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnuala walked on to the stage, and the weather-beaten masses knew the wait was almost over.

Kenny gave a rous-ing speech and looked as proud as punch as he

introduced the most pow-erful man in the world to the waiting Irish audi-ence.

Barack and Michelle walked on stage, holding hands and looking happy and relaxed. Perhaps it was the drop of the black stuff that he had sampled earlier in Moneygall but Obama couldn’t stop grinning and protectively rubbed Michelle’s shoul-der as Kenny finished his speech.

The chant “Obama, Obama, Obama” rippled through the crowd and finally everyone got their first words from one of the world’s great orators.

“Hello, Dublin, hello, Ireland. My name is Barack Obama – of the Moneygall Obamas. And I've come home to find the apostrophe that we lost somewhere along the way.” Yes, the man certainly knows how to charm an audience.

From there he went on to say that both our nations have faced great trials in recent years, “including recessions so severe that many of our people are still trying to fight their way out”.

However, he left the audience with this part-ing shot: “Ireland… if anybody ever tells you that your problems are too big, or your challenges are too great, that we can't

do something, that we shouldn't even try, think about all that we've done together. Remember that, whatever hardships the winter may bring, spring-time is always just around the corner. And if they keep on arguing with you,

just respond with a sim-ple creed: Is féidir linn. Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Is féidir linn.”

With that note the crowd started to disperse, looking weather-beaten but with a lighter spring to their step.

President Barack Obama charms the Dublin crowd

GazetteGAMINGGAMING26 May 2011 GAZETTE 17

WIN a Kinect sensor for Xbox

THE Gazette is continuing its incredible Xbox Kinect sensor competition this week, as we give away the

second of four prizes. Kinect for Xbox 360 brings

games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways, with-out using a controller

With Kinect, technology evap-orates, letting the natural magic in all of us shine. Controller-free gaming means full-body play.

Kinect responds to how you move. So, if you have to kick, then kick. If you have to jump, then jump. You already know how to play.

All you have to do is get off the couch, “plug in” to your Xbox 360 console, and jump in to experience game play.

Kinect Sports allows you to say goodbye to the buttons and controllers, and play six full sports games just as you always

have, using your entire body.Become the heavyweight

champ of the living room with boxing, or take to the sand with some high-flying beach volley-ball action.

EveryoneWith soccer, field and track

events, and even bowling, Kinect Sports has something for every-one.

Meanwhile, Kinect Adven-

tures will have you jumping, dodging, and kicking your way through 20 pulse-pounding adventures, set in exotic loca-tions around the world.

Kinect Adventures gets you to work with your friends and navigate through roaring rapids, challenge obstacle courses, and even save a leaky underwater laboratory.

The spirit of adventure awaits!

WIN A KINECT SENSOR AND TWO KINECT GAMESTo be in with a chance to win a Kinect Sensor and two Kinect games,

to use with your XBox 360 console, just answer the following question.How many adventures are contained in Kinect Adventures?

Post your answer to Kinect Competition, Gazette Group Newspapers, Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan, Co Dublin. Alternatively, you can email [email protected]. All entries must be received before Wednesday, June 1.

LAST WEEK’S WINNER:

Congratulations to Clive

Stone of Dublin 15, who

was the Week One winner

of the Xbox Kinect

Sensor and games

GazetteMOTORSMOTORS

LEXUS and qual-ity have been syn-onymous, but that emphasis has been

at the more expensive and bigger car end of the market. Enter the CT200h, a car with more compact dimensions that’s still comfortable on the quality street.

This new car is a hatchback that retains the Lexus premium badge. Lexus see the car as a solid competitor to smaller diesel cars, where running-cost efficiency is so important.

I had seen photographs of the car long before I took it for a lengthy test drive. The photographs didn’t give the feeling for its size and style – it was a little smaller than

I had expected, a little less SUV or crossover in appearance.

This is a neat, five-door hatchback that has all of the features you expect, topped off with Lexus smooth and very quiet driving style. To me, it’s a real competitor with some of the current die-sel-powered small hatch-back cars.

Like all Lexus models, there’s loads of technolo-gy in the CT200h. I would prefer if they could think of a better name – there’s no ring to the CT200h, it just doesn’t roll easily off the tongue.

The CT200h is a petrol hybrid car designed to compete against the likes of the diesel-powered Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and even the Volkswagen Golf. Lexus has set new and impressive petrol-efficiency standards with this car.

The 1.8-litre petrol engine is incredibly smooth to drive. The hybrid system engages without effort to give a power boost that’s lively but not trend-setting.

But you will notice

when you want the engine and hybrid drive to work together; the car sort of roars at you, but not in a strong way, more as a way of telling you that it’s doing some work. That’s the only time that you realise that there’s an engine under the bonnet.

The car scores well in terms of economy. With an achievable figure of 26.3 km/litre (3.8l/100km) this is the envy of diesel power.

In terms of running costs, the CT200h is a match for modern diesel engines.

Add to that the low annual tax rate of €104, plus a once-a-year serv-ice or 10,000km, and you have a car that can com-

pete in cost terms with the diesel competition.

And all that is achieved with a 0 to 100km/hr rating of 10.3 seconds – that’s fast enough for most of us. That’s a shade slower than the BMW 118d, Audi A3 2.0-litre TD Sportback and the VW Golf 2.0-litre TD, but there’s only a mere sec-ond in the difference.

I took the CT200h for some lengthy drives covering almost 600km through a range of roads. The outstanding feature is its smoothness. The comfort is good, if not a shade soft, on some of the smaller rural roads – that’s not really a com-plaint.

The car drives through an automatic gearbox

that’s controlled by a short stubby lever on the centre console. I found that it was very sensitive and took a little getting used to, and then it was a pleasure.

The car is smaller than I had expected from the photographs. I found that the headroom front and rear was a bit tight. Rear legroom is not over-generous either, but that’s the same for the BMW 118d, with which it competes.

This car can truly com-pete in purchase price, and running costs, with the diesel competition. The car is competitively priced at €28,450 or £23,485 in Nothern Ire-land, but it just doesn’t seem to look expensive.

Lexus hatches CT200hThe new Lexus CT200h is a premium smaller car that has a quality-build feeling to it in terms of smoothness. With an entry price of €28,980 it’s still competitive in price

and running costs with some of the other turbo-diesels on the market.

AUDI Ireland turned the sod for a new Audi dealership in Sligo scheduled to open at the end of the year. Audi Sligo will be owned and operated by Kevin and Neil Connolly, who have invested €5 million in the dealership, which hopes to create 20 new jobs in the

Sligo region.The future Sligo dealership is major

part of a five-year investment plan by Audi in Ireland to become the number one prestige car brand in Ireland by 2015. Audi is undertaking a restructur-ing of the franchise retail network with

a collective investment of €80 million over the next three years. This will result in a nationwide network of 10 dedicated Audi dealerships servicing the whole country.

Andrew Doyle, managing director, Audi Ireland said: “Together with our

franchise partners, we will continue to make significant long-term investments in people, facilities and systems, here in Ireland. Today’s announcement is an important part of our drive to become the number one prestige car brand in Ireland by 2015.”

Audi Ireland turns the sod for new Audi dealership in Sligo

MERCEDES BENZ HAS NEW VAN FINANCE DEAL: MERCEDES-BENZ in Ireland has launched a new van purchase finance scheme, which opens up a line of funding that would assist small businesses planning to upgrade their transport fleet. The finance scheme has been designed to unblock the lending logjam that has pre-vented many owners from acquiring or replacing their van fleet.

This new scheme provides finance over periods from three to five years, upon pay-ment of a “modest” deposit. Confined to the purchase of new vehicles only, the scope of the plan can also be extended to include maintenance costs. Mercedes-Benz van dealers can facili-tate buyers by agree-ing a residual value that would be placed on each vehicle after the finance term has expired.

NEW SAAB DEAL WITH CHINA’S PANGDA AUTO-MOBILE: IT’S been a difficult few weeks for Saab and for its owners the Dutch Spyker Cars NV. Last week, they had a deal with one Chinese investor, which fell through at the last minute. The latest news is that China’s Pangda Automobile Trade Co Ltd has entered into a deal, which it said would secure Saab’s medium-term funding needs and with EU approval.

The deal involves an agreement to buy Saab vehicles for as much as €45 mil-lion and to take a 24% equity stake in Spyker for a total of €65 million.

RoadRoadSignsSigns

Top speed: 180 km/hr

0 – 100km/hr: 10.3 sec

Economy: 26.3 km/litre

(3.8l/100km)

CO2 emissions: 87g/km

Road Tax Band: A (€104)

Scrappage Eligible: Yes

Warranty: 3 years

Entry Price: €28,450

SPECS: LEXUS

CT200H HYBRID


MICHAEL MORONEY has been out in the new Lexus CT200h, which is a compact, hybrid petrol hatchback and here he gives his verdict

C O O N A N E s t a t e Agents are bringing Number 52, Straffan Gate in Straffan village to the market for an ask-ing price of €560,000.

The property is a five-bedroom dual-aspect detached house, located in a sought-after devel-opment in the heart of Straffan village.

Finished to the high-est standards and pre-sented in pristine con-dition throughout, this property boasts large, bright spacious living accommodation.

The accommodation comprises entrance hall, with reception area and guest bathroom, sitting room with bay window,

A Gate to comfort and securitySTRAFFAN: FIVE-BEDROOM HOME FOR ASKING PRICE OF €560,000

feature fireplace with a granite hearth, dining room with a double bay window, and a kitchen/dining room with solid wooden f loor, patio door to garden, recessed lights, wall and floor units, a granite work-

top, NEFF extractor fan, hob and double oven, and an integrated dishwasher.

The first f loor fea-tures a large master bedroom with built-in wardrobe and en suite with shower, four more

Number 52, Straffan Gate has an asking proce of €560,000

GazettePROPERTYPROPERTY

bedroom with built-in wardrobes, and the family bathroom.

The property also has wooden, double-glazed windows throughout, stainless-steel light fit-tings and sockets, a pressurised shower sys-

tem and a maintenance- free exterior.

The property features a large south-facing gar-den and a cobble-lock driveway with parking spaces for up to three cars.

Located only a short walk from Straffan Vil-lage and only a short drive to the University town of Maynooth, Cel-bridge and Clane, and only a 40-minute drive to Dublin City, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

C o o n a n E s t a t e Agents can be con-tacted to arrange a viewing of Straffan Gate on 01-6286128 or 01-6288400.

Discerning buyers drawn to bargains

There are a number of home types at Adamstown Square

FOR discerning property buyers looking for real value, Castlethorn’s popu-lar development at Adam-stown Square in Lucan is well worth a visit.

The price of a two-bed apartment is €135,000, and it boasts an extreme-ly high level of specifica-tion, is located close to the main attractions of Adamstown, including local shops, schools and its train station.

For those looking for a larger home, there are new, three-bed duplex units located on the sec-ond and third floors, with over 1,000 sq ft accom-modation and a spacious balcony at an asking price of €165,000.

S i m i l a r l y - s i z e d ground-floor, three-bed duplexes with private amenity areas start from €185,000. In addition, there are a small number

of three- and four-bed houses available from €235,000 and €249,950 respectively.

In total there are six fully-fitted showhomes on view at Adamstown Square, ranging from two-beds right up to four-bed townhouses, so there is plenty of choice for the price-conscious home-hunter.

Adamstown Square has an excellent level of specification in all the homes. All master bed-rooms are very generous in size and are fitted with en suites.

In addition, purchasers will benefit from modern, fitted kitchens, complete with oven/hob, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer. All homes are designed to comply with Sustainable Energy Ireland’s House of Tomor-row programme in terms

ADAMSTOWN: ATTRACTIVE PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE

of their energy- efficient ratios and the BER rat-ing of each home is very high.

Taking cognisance of the difficulties and con-cern’s that today’s house purchasers may be facing, Castlethorn is providing a wide range of options that will assist the homeowner in purchasing their new home, including a home-

deposit advance option, which lets purchasers reserve their home today with no deposits payable until closing, and Easi steps is also available, which lets purchasers move in today and pay monthly instalments for a period of up to two years.

These instalments are then taken off the pur-chase price of the home

when the purchaser clos-es the sale.

The Adamstown mar-keting suite and show units are open everyday, weekends from 3-5 and weekdays from 10-5.

For further informa-tion on the great value available at Adamstown Square phone Leah’ys 6011800 or log onto www.castlethorn.ie

Round up a property coup on Texas LanePROPERTY Team Noel Kelly Auctioneers are bringing 2 Texas Lane, Chalfont, Mala-hide, a four-bedroom semi-detached fam-ily home offering bright and generously proportioned accomodation and a flexible layout, to the market with an asking price of €545,000.

The property has been extended though-out and is situated in a much-sought after location.

The accommodation comprises entrance hall with guest wc, which has a cermaic tiled floor, garage conversion with wooden floors, two reception rooms and an extended kitch-en/breakfast area which has fitted wall and floor units - all electrical appliances are included in the sale.

The landing offers access to the attic, and the upper level features the four bedrooms in the property, the larger of which have built-inn wardrobes, while all have timber flooring.

The family bathroom has a tiled floor and walls and a Triton T90i shower.

Thr garden of Texas Lane has a deck area, a timber garden shed, and is fully walled.

To the front, there is a cobblelock drive-way as well as a side entrance.

Located beside Malahide estuary, the property is within walking distance of Mala-hide village, local schools and the Dart sta-tion.

Viewing is by appointment, which can be arranged by contacting Darren Kelly of Property Team Noel Kelly Auctioneers on 01 8462752.

MALAHIDE: ASKING PRICE OF €545,000

Number 2, Texas Lane, Malahide


SARAH Carberry, of Secretchic.ie, an Irish Online Designer Dress Rental service, grew up in Malahide and now lives in Portmarnock. She went to school in Scoil Iosa in Malahide and then to The Insti-tute on Lesson Street. Sarah started her career in PR six years ago with McGovern Public Relations, one of the longest established marketing and PR firms in Ireland, and is an industry she is still involved with. “PR is a passion and I love what I do but, like most girls, I love fashion!”

Two years ago she was at various events and weddings and was spending a lot of money for dresses she usually only wore once. “I thought to myself, there has to be a way you can rent dresses.” But, at that time, she was not aware of any other options. It was then she came up with the idea on an online rental store – and www.secret-chic.ie was born. No one seemed to be doing it in Ireland, but it is big business in the USA and UK.

Secretchic.ie features casual and evening styles (sizes 6-16) from labels such as Just Cavalli, Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, By Malene Birger, Juicy Couture, D&G and many more.

Interview: Sarah Carberry, Secretchic.ie

Q&A

No secret to Sarah’s online dress success

Sarah Carberry, of Secretchic.ie

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?A: A singer – mind you I don’t

have a note in my head.

Q: What was your first job?A: Worked in a coffee shop in

Malahide.

Q: And your first pay cheque?A: Blew it on clothes.

Q: How many people do you have to talk with every day?A: Up to 20 people.

Q: What is the greatest thrill of your working week?A: To hear someone loved the

dress or hat that they rented.

Q: And what part of your job do you dislike the most?A: There isn’t really much I dis-

like. There will always be likes

and dislikes of running your

own company, but that is what

makes it interesting.

Q: What air carrier do you use when going on holidays?A: I am not really loyal to any

particular air carrier. I always

try to get the best deal I can

Q: What car do you drive?A: Mercedes

Q: Can you swim?A: Yes – I love it and should do

it more often.

Q: Would you ever bungee jump?A: I used to want to do one but

now I don’t think I would –

way too scared.

Q: Do you play any sport?A: I run and go to Curves and

Hot Yoga

Q: What is your favourite food and drink?A: I don’t really have a favour-

ite food. I love most food and,

in particular, food that is bad

for you. My favourite drink is a

Cosmo… yum, love them.

Q: How many times each week do you go to the ‘hole in the wall’?A: Too many!

Q: How many times each year do you shop for clothes?A: I shop for clothes on a regu-

lar basis.

Q: What is the name of your favourite shop?A: River Island and Forever

21 – I can’t choose which is my

favourite!

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?A: Over 20, and I don’t even

wear most of them.

Q: Where is your favourite holiday destination?A: Italy – amazing, love the

food, scenery and the people.

Really interesting place.

Q: What other job in the whole world would you really like to have?A: I would like to possibly be a

marine biologist.

Q: When do you wish to retire?A: I am not sure.

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?A: I am not sure but I will have

to be doing something, as I get

bored quite easily.

GazetteBUSINESSBUSINESS Supported by AIB


SAVING FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Q – We have two girls aged seven and five.

We have not made any provision for their

education, though they will both be going to

a non-fee paying local secondary school. But

already the extra-curricular activity costs

are mounting up and we need to motivate

ourselves to start saving. What do you sug-

gest ? Colette – Lucan Co Dublin

A – According to a recent UK insurance company

study, it will cost over € 246,000 from the time

your child is born until the time they finish their

third level education. You have already spent a

great deal of money on your girls – since they

were born, probably, around € 130,000, but are

unaware of it! €10,000 a year per child is the esti-

mated ongoing cost. It is no wonder you cannot

save.

However, it is not going to get any better for the

next few years so you MUST start saving, and now.

A recent bank report stated third-level costs

alone, from start to finish, at € 42,000 for ONE

child, and that’s without the fees.

To put this into perspective, if you save the

current € 140 monthly Child Benefit for your five-

year-old, add € 110 per month to it and keep saving

until your child is 18, at 3% interest rate each year,

over those 13 years, the monthly saving of €250

will amount to that target of €42,000, and that’s

just for ONE child.

Therefore, you have to plan and plan to save.

Just like Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries

– they come around every year and you have to

provide for them. You certainly do not want to be

the parent that stops your daughters going on

that special school trip, those two weeks in Irish

College, that summer camp – even that hockey

stick costs at least € 70!

I would recommend that you immediately start

putting the Child Benefit into a Regular Saver

account (saving between € 100 and € 1,000 per

month for 12 months and attracting rates up to

4% - most deposit takers offer them) and when

you have accumulated at least € 2,000, deposit

this into a high-yielding, 12-month fixed rate

account.

Look for savings on everything from careful

budgeting to looking for bargains – everywhere.

Remember also the Money Doctor mantra – STOP

SPENDING, AND IF YOU MUST, ENSURE BEST VALUE.

Ask yourself when buying a product or service,

do you really need this and, if you do, is there a

better or cheaper alternative ? The best of luck

with your saving.

Contact John with your money questions at

[email protected] or visit his website at

www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the

Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing

director of Money Doctor

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS

Chevron Training launch innovative mobile training unitsCHEVRON Training, Ireland’s largest pri-vate training provider, is renowned as the leading provider of renewable energy and environmen-tal training courses.

Chevron Training’s career-focused approach to the provision of training courses was instrumental in securing the coveted Best Training Company

and Overall Business of the Year accolades at the Wexford Business Awards in 2010.

This continued rec-ognition is illustrated by Chevron Training being shortlisted for three prestigious awards at the 2011 Wexford Business Awards, namely the Wex-ford Training Provider Award, Wexford Green

Business Award and the Wexford Employer of the Year Award.

Innovation

Chevron Training is honoured to have been shortlisted for each of these awards, as they acknowledge the individ-uals and businesses that represent the entrepre-neurialism, innovation,

diversity and the talent in Wexford businesses.

Chevron Training’s innovative approach towards the delivery of training programmes is illustrated by their sig-nificant investment in the development of Ireland’s first fleet of mobile train-ing units.

These next-generation training venues allow

the practical renewable energy and environmen-tal training programmes to be delivered in any location nationwide, thus facilitating increased access to further educa-tion.

For further information about Chevron Training courses, lo-call 1890 252 647 or visit www.chevron-training.ie

The west is the best for a romantic getaway trip

MIMI MURRAY

IRISH weather, as we all know, is not to be relied upon. When Americans and Italians holiday here, they come well-prepared, not batting an eyelid when the downpour inevitably ensues.

However, for we Irish holidaying at home, it is another opportunity to screw up our noses, give the grey skies the evil eye, and curse the country of our birth.

The French and Ger-mans throw on the wind-cheaters, and nod know-ingly at each other when another torrent threatens, but we Irish despair as yet another trip falls foul of the weather.

For that reason, it is proper order to book yourself in somewhere luxurious, so that, when the inevitable happens, the plush indoor sur-roundings will more than make up for the goings on outside.

That’s not to say that we can’t button up and head for the open air on a grand, soft day – just like our foreign visitors – but for us Irish, who are so used to the constant grey and drizzle, we just expect the gods of sunshine and blue skies to shine on us when we decide to take a trip at home.

For this reason, my husband and I decided

to stay somewhere rather nice when we took a trip to the west, earlier this month.

The Atlantic coast can be stunning, but the ocean also likes to make its presence felt from time to time, as we were about to discover on our roman-tic weekend.

On our first night we stayed in Gregan’s Castle, which is situated in the heart of The Burren, and is surrounded by stunning gardens, with breathtak-ing views of Galway Bay. We arrived early on Fri-day, to be greeted by our host, Simon Haden. We

were taken straight to our extremely spacious room, which had very pretty views of both The Burren and the ocean.

We decided not to rest on our laurels, and to make good use of the slightly blue sky on offer. The Cliffs of Moher are stunning, but a word of warning – wear winter clothes, even if it is the height of summer.

The wind whips around the headland, and our

friendly host in Gregan’s said that should I find myself being lifted by a swift gust, to make sure to take the hubby with me. He was only half-joking.

It was back to the hotel for some much-needed warming up, and a pre-dinner drink, before tak-ing our table at the pretty restaurant, which, again, had lovely views of Gal-way bay.

The menu seemed adventurous, but my hus-band and I were not pre-pared for what was about to come. Why does this place not have a Michelin Star, we mused?

The chef, Mickael Vil-janens, who is Finnish, has been with the hotel for six years. Simon says that Michelin are watching them at the moment, but no stars have appeared just yet. I am certain this will be resolved in time.

My husband’s starter of cheese and onion was a delicious broth and cheese combo that was warming on a chilly day, and my lobster was deli-cious.

The pigeon, which I ordered with some trepi-dation, as it was to be cooked very pink, was stunning. I am still dream-ing about it. My hubby’s lamb was equally good, and all of the flavours are experimental, but work really well together.

A pre dessert of lime panna cotta with fennel was extraordinary, and the entire meal was a triumph. I would highly recommend this place to gourmands looking for somewhere fantastic in the west.

After a delicious meal, we took a seat beside the open fire to pore over the Queen’s visit, before retir-ing early.

On Saturday, we awoke to torrential rain and gales, and a surfing lesson which we had booked for that day was looking extremely unlikely.

My brave other half decided he was going to give it a lash anyway, but I decided the open fires and beautiful views at our next hotel, Moy House, were calling to me instead.

He went off to Lahi-nch beach for a lesson with Ben’s Surf Clinic, as I reviewed the Saturday papers, while sipping a peppermint tea.

We were staying in the Well Room, which fea-tures an original under-ground well, and a free-

standing bath tub, as well as an open fire – all you could need for a roman-tic weekend in the west of Ireland.

Our well-lit conservato-ry offered amazing views of the ocean, and the din-ner area also overlooks the sea, and we were to be treated to a sunset of sorts after the weather cleared – slightly.

Salad of crab and Dublin Bay prawns was very nice, as were his scallops. My lamb was delicious, and my husband said the turbot was a lovely light dish. The staff were really attentive and lovely as well.

We retired early, but the Atlantic had other ideas for us, and it made an almighty racket that night, but that made us appreciate the plush sur-roundings and our open fire all the more.

For information on both properties, see www.irelands-blue-book.ie.

A lovely break in Gregan’s

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‘We retired early, but the Atlantic made an almighty racket that night – but that made us appreciate the plush surroundings and our open fire all the more’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Travel to the stunning north of Spain on a luxury train this summer on the Gran Lujo TranscantabrianIMAGES of Hercule Poirot, cocktail hour and afternoon tea spring to mind when luxury train travel is mentioned. This mode of transport is a stunning way to see Northern Spain this summer, with several options available to the discerning traveller.

From May to September, the luxury Cross-Cantabrian train will travel between San Sebas-tian and Santiago de Compostela, an eight-day journey, with seven nights on board.

The Gran Lujo Transcantabrian is one of the five best tourist trains in the world, and the oldest in Spain. It has been transformed into a spec-tacular and seductive five-star train-hotel. It has seven sleeping cars, four lounge cars and a kitch-en car. There is an attractive panoramic lounge containing televisions, library and video library, a restaurant car and tea salon where the gastro-nomic specialities of each area through which the train passes are served. The four sleeping cars contain 14 elegant Privilege Suites, each of which boasts a large double bed, ample wardrobe space for clothing and suitcases, a small lounge, two TV sets, a video player, a games console, a music centre, a computer with free internet connec-tion, cordless telephone, double air conditioning, minibar, and a full bathroom with hydromassage shower and steam sauna.

The La Robla Express in another train that has been improved and upgraded for 2011 and offers travellers fascinating visits to the world-renowned Romanesque towns of Carrion de los Condes, Fromista and Villalcazar de Sirga. The trip, which takes four days and three nights oper-ates from March to November.

The Las Robla Express carries 54 passengers in nine coaches, with comfortable lounge cars, and a bar with large projection screens. Sleep-ing compartments have couchette style fold-out beds, wardrobe, music and telephone connec-tions and bathrooms with hydromassage shower. For maximum comfort, the train remains station-ary overnight in the stations its visits.

Further information from www.trenesturisti cosdelujo.com

FastTravel

GazetteTTRAVELRAVEL22 GAZETTE 26 May 2011

Castle (above, and below) was followed with an equally delightful break at Moy House (below, right)

Mary Black performing at Bridge House Hotel in JuneMARY Black is back and performing in the Bridge House Hotel in Offaly this June.The singer has just released her new album after a six-year gap and to celebrate, the hotel is offering guests the chance to dine, see the show and stay overnight. At her concert in the Bridge House Hotel, Mary will give a taste of her new material along with some classic hits including No Frontier, Woman’s Heart and many more.

Tickets are available for €25, but guests can treat themselves to an overnight stay and din-ner in the Bridge House’s Michelin Guide rec-ommended restaurant, including a ticket to the show for €109 per person sharing.

Also coming to the Bridge House Hotel on August 1 is a night with the Wolfe Tones. Tick-ets are available for €25 or stay overnight with dinner and a ticket to the show for €99 per per-son sharing. For more information, contact the Bridge House Hotel on 057 932 5600 or visit www.bridgehouse.com.

Mustard Seed Hotel offers a special Box Room offerTHE Mustard Seed Hotel in Limerick has a special Box Room Offer running at the moment. One of the Blue Book’s stunning hotels, the package allows guests to stay in one of the smaller, but perfectly formed rooms at a reduced rate. Relax during the evening and avail of the hotels excellent overnight rate. Rooms include en suite with power shower, TV, telephone and regular size double bed. Rate also include full Irish breakfast. Four course dinner costs €63, or there are special value menus available. Rooms cost €65 per person sharing. For more details contact 069 68508 or email [email protected].

Park Hotel offers two-night pack-age during The Tall Ship RacesTHE Tall Ships are set to sail into Dungarven this June, with three extraordinary days of festi-val taking place, and the Park Hotel is the per-fect place to stay in order to be in the thick of the action. After three exciting days from June 30 to July 3, a Parade of Sail will take place along the Waterford and Wexford estuary, as Ireland once again hosts The Tall Ships Races.

This is one of the most spectacu-lar and colourful events in the world, and Waterford is gearing up to host over 70 majestic Tall Ships; 1,500 sail trainees and an anticipated 500,000 maritime, music and festival fans on the quays of Ireland’s oldest city. The Park Hotel has a two night package with full Irish breakfast each morning from €129pps, subject to availability. For information visit www.flynnhotels.com.

TravelBriefs


Edited by Mimi Murray

R1


Not awesome/awfulKate’s heavyweight opinion squares up to A Wimpy Kid – but, she says, the kid’s not brilliant, but he’s all right ...

KATE CROWLEY

WHILE older Gazette viewers may rejoice at the release of The Hangover: Part 2 –

Sorry folks, that’s not what I’m reviewing.

Instead, as tempting as it is to wander along with shmucks with bucks and drinks, I’m going to wimp out, and talk about Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, instead.

After all, it’s been a while since we’ve had a kid movie, so, let’s tag along with an American-style “wimpy” kid ...

To use its full title, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is the sequel to an earlier chil-dren’s film which, being 103, I haven’t seen, which means I’m approaching this with fresh, if some-what lined, eyes.

In a somewhat busy film, a young kid Greg (Zachary Gordon) is hav-ing a typically awful time with his older brother,

FILM OF THE WEEK:Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 (G) 98 mins

OUR VERDICT:ALTHOUGH, perhaps, a little baffling to older viewers who may have forgetten the trials and tribulations of trying to fit in at school, and deal with older/younger siblings, as well as being steeped in Americana, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is okay. Neither brilliant nor awful, it’s a middling film that should entertain well enough, until something better comes along ...

Director: David BowersStarring: Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, lots and lots of ordinary children, US movie-style

the much-hated Rodrick (Devon Bostick), whose sole purpose in life seems to be to torment him. So far, so older brother.

Greg’s life is hard enough, seeing as he’s firmly locked into his school’s nerd squad; a gang comprising the usual suspects of Fat Kid, Indian Transfer Student, Bizarre Geek, and so on.

Compared to this bunch of carefree “losers”, Greg is positively normal, but he just can’t get along with Rodrick.

When their parents disappear for a weekend, leaving the boys behind

to bond (social workers can step back from the rescue wagon, as I should point out that Rodrick’s old enough to be Greg’s responsible guardian for a few days – in theory, at least), an inevitable house party sees the house filled with unruly teens, while the geeks also use Greg as their Trojan horse to get inside, and chaos ensues.

The next day, with their parents’ inevitable call to say they’re coming home early, the boys have to frantically cover up the evidence of the party, and just about get away with it, too, earning Greg

some respect from his big brother.

For a while. But, Fer-ris Bueller-types they are not; lacking that char-acter’s guile, the party is soon uncovered, and the boys are immediately back to their battling selves, with Greg trying to become cool at school, and Rodrick trying to impress with his band.

Events roll along, all leading up towards a cli-mactic talent show that both brothers want to win. Now, how can Greg impress with a magic act that might make Paul Daniels hesitate, and is Rodrick really someone that his band still want playing along in their chance for a big break?

Perhaps it’s time for “a wimpy kid” to show that other people don’t know the things he can really do, and that he can even impress his older brother. Now, that really would be magic ...

Despite my great age

and immediately obvi-ous wisdom, I confess that I’m still permanently baffled by the American grade system, or how their schools work, or how or why the kids in these films are always obssessed with break-ing out of their school’s caste/social strata system, so, in my worst nu-speak, I can’t find many of these situations “relatable”.

It’s all harmless enough family fare; predict-able and inoffensive, but I imagine that plenty of children will find it amus-ing enough – though not, I’m sure, to be really great.

On the plus side, even though it feels like a glorified TV movie, rather than a must-see children’s film, at least it’s not A) another lame computer animated film; B) presented in clumsily implemented 3D; and C) is unlikely to give any older viewers a headache. Or a hangover.

“You better think how to hide the evidence of a house party before mom comes home ...” Greg (Zachary Gordon) temporarily has the

advantage over his older brother, and chief tormentor, Rodrick (Devon Bostick), in an inoffensive new family film

GazetteENTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENTGoingOUTGoingOUT

THE HELIX 01 700 7000YOPS and friends

MUSIC returns to The Helix with a delightful performance from Young Orchestral Pops orchestra, and friends. The Young Orchestral Pops – also known as Yops – will be demonstrating the skills that has seen them performing in such notable venues as Dublin Castle, the Salt mines in Krakow and St Nicholas’ church in Prague, and will be joining with St Clare’s PS children’s choir, Harold’s Cross, and flute group, Flutistics, to perform a selection of light classical, popular and traditional favourites

With tickets priced at €12, the concert starts at 3pm on Sunday, May 29.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Time Warp

TAKE2 Performing Arts School will draw upon the members’ considerable talents to present Time Warp – A Trip And Tweet through the decades.

Using song, dance and performance, the Take2 members will present a memorable trip through time, presenting some memorable events and eras with ease, giving the audience something to think – and Tweet – about. Time Warp runs at 6pm on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, with admission priced €12.50/€8.50.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622Bealtaine 2011

THE annual festival that commemorates older members of the community, Bealtaine is once again being commemorated at Draiocht with a range of events, before drawing to a close on Tuesday, May 31. With a wide-ranging programme of events, Draiocht has imaginatively marked and celebrated the wit, wisdom, skills and contribution of our elders, with events in everything from cinema to dance to highlight the importance of older citizens. To see the remaining events, and to help mark Bealtaine, see www.draiocht.ie.

PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929Gala Summer Concerts

WITH summer just a ray of sunshine away, the Pavilion Theatre plays host to Dun Laoghaire School of Music, who are hosting their 18th annual gala summer concerts, marking a musical treat for all.

With students ranging from the very young to mature musicians, the School will showcase some of the varied activities and musical styles studied and practised, all presented in a delightful programme that will cover a wide range of music, ushering in the summer in style. The concerts will be held at 5pm and 7.30pm, on Friday, May 27, with admission priced at €16, €12 and €9.50.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477 Grumpy Old Women

THESE ladies are not to be messed with, as they are treading the (creaking) boards to bring some middle-aged mayhem to life and settle some scores they have with aging, men, the way things work and much more, in bad-tempered, contrary and hilarious ways.

They don’t come much grumpier than Adele King, Flo McSweeney and Una Crawford O’Brien, who are presenting their version of the hit West End show with a distinctly Irish version. Grumpy Old Women is running until Saturday, May 28, with tickets priced from €25 to €30.


ENTERTAINMENT

ROB HEIGH

[email protected]

MANAGED by the guru behind the rise of Suede, and with a safe pair of hands on the mixing desk in the form of Muse and Foo Fighters producer, Rich Costey, the self-recorded and self-produced, self-titled debut album from Nash-ville’s Mona finally hits the streets this week.

Having been tipped as ones to watch since last autumn, the Tennessee tyros first platter arrives with 11 tracks that drip with attitude.

The immense weight that comes from the NME, MTV and BBC

voting you as ones to watch in 2011 hangs in the background, but you sense that there is some-thing in the mix that might just see Mona rise above the hype.

The album does not hang about in making its point – clocking in at a brisk 35 minutes – that this is a band packed with an infectious ener-gy and the tunes to drive it home.

Lead tracks, like Lis-ten To Your Love, and Trouble On The Way, show their straightfor-ward rock leanings, but Lines In The Sand demonstrate that Mona already know their way around an anthem.

MUSIC: ONES TO WATCH

As with all good debuts, the question is, where do they go from here?

They have a formula that does not need tink-ering with; their power pop/alt rock shapes will have an immediate audi-ence, and their support slot at Slane next week-end will give them a shot at a wider base than their recent gig at Whelan’s allowed.

Comparisons will endure with Kings of Leon – the Followills also being from Mona’s

home state of Tennessee.There is a certain

similarity, but they have more in common with Rocket From The Crypt – propulsive rock deliv-ered with a snarl, and hearts-on-sleeves, and looking like they are the coolest gang in town.

Given the space and time to develop their obvious strengths , there’s every chance that they will achieve their intention of being the purveyors of romantic rock‘n’roll for city folk for years to come.

Mona are releasing their debut album

Mona make a brisk debut

ADAM MAGUIRE

IN WHAT is one of the biggest ever tech deals, Microsoft has bought video and voice chatting service, Skype, for €8 bil-lion.

The deal raised plenty of eyebrows, and is sure to have left Google and Facebook, both of whom were rumoured to be interested, too, scratch-ing their heads.

So, what does Micro-soft want with Skype?

There are plenty of ways to chat with people online, but Skype is one of the best.

Over the years, it has developed a robust sys-tem to let people talk via voice and video calls, and it even rivals standard landline phones when it comes to quality.

Microsoft will use this as a feature to add to its own products. It will likely become a built-in feature of Windows. and even the Xbox 360 con-sole in the future.

Skype will integrate well with the webcams Microsoft sells, and it will probably tie in with Microsoft’s mobile phone platform eventually too.

Millions of usersSkype has more than

660 million registered users of the service and, while Skype has a free option, a handful of them pay to gain extra features, such as calls to landlines.

Microsoft will likely try to encourage those users to try out other things it makes in the future.

Talk is socialMicrosoft has not done

too well in social media so far – Facebook, and Twitter, have stolen the

show, there.While Skype is not a

social network in itself, it is certainly full of poten-tial as a part of a wider social network in the future.

If Microsoft can inte-grate Skype into a web-site of its own, it could gain an edge over others on the market

Playing defence

Reports were swirling around in recent weeks that Facebook and Goog-le wanted to strike deals with Skype to integrate the product into services they already had.

Microsoft, which sees both these companies as its main online rivals, swooped to snatch up Skype before anyone else could. In the long run, it might prove to be the smartest move they have made in a long time.

HP Photosmart Pre-mium c310a

The HP Photosmart Premium c310a (above) packs in a whole host of features that will make you wonder if you have a computer, as opposed to a printer, as it is a “web connected” printer.

This device’s unique

selling point is its direct access to smartphone-like apps, which offer unique and printable content that can be downloaded and installed straight onto the printer, mean-ing you do not need a computer to be con-nected, and offers some novel features and handy resources.

For example, one app will let you print off pic-tures of cartoon charac-ters for children to colour in; another will let you print off maps, and so

on.

T he p r in t e r is also AirPrint-ready, meaning it will print doc-uments and files directly from an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, without any setting up required.

Of course, you can still print something the “old-fashioned way” – it is easy to connect to a computer, or even across a network, while the device also accepts USB keys and SD cards at the front.

The device is quick and quiet and, as the name suggests, it does a good job of photos, too. It is a bit pricey, though, and may not appeal to every-one. The HP Photosmart Premium is available online for €200 at www.store.apple.com/ie.

Visit teic.ie for the lat-est tech news, reviews and views.

Talking about Microsoft’s Skype deal




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I, Derek Bacon, intend to apply for permission for development at this site at 2, Belgree Drive, Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15. The development will consist of construction of single storey extension (5.73sqm) at ground floor level to rear of existing two storey semi-detached dwell-ing house and conversion of garage (13.9sqm) to playroom and all associated site works.The planning application may be inspected or pur-chased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of mak-ing a copy at the offices of the planning authority dur-ing its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Plan-ning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

PLANNING NOTICE

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AN CHUIRT DUICHE THE DISTRICT COURT

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APPLICANT - PETER QUINN

TAKE NOTICE that on Thursday the 23rd day of June 2011 at 10:30am an Applica-

tion shall be made to the District Judge sitting at Court

No. 23, The Old Records Building, Four Courts, Dublin 7, for the renewal of a Certifi-cate of Qualification to hold an Auctioneers Licence on behalf of Peter Quinn Auc-

tioneer whose principal place of business is at 1 Luttrell Park Close, Carpenterstown Road, Castleknock, Dublin 15 in the City of Dublin in the aforesaid District. Dated this 26th day of May 2011 SIGNED: P.J.

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I Elizabeth Cunningham intend to apply for planning permission for development at this site 14 Rathmore Ave-nue, Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15.The development will con-sist of a proposed new roof over the side entrance of the existing house and a proposed ground floor onlyextension to the rear of the existing house extending the full width of the existing garden and 4m from the rear of the existing house. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or obser-vation may be made to the authority in writing on pay-ment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application

PLANNING NOTICE

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We, The Adroit Company, intend to apply for permission for devel-opment at the site to the north of Waterville Housing Development, Snugborough Road, Blanchard-stown, Dublin 15.The development will consist of the demolition of the existing disused former hospital boiler house complex (previously permitted Ref F99A/0379) and the construction of a new nursing home facility comprising 1) Two storey entrance building with reception, dispensary, oratory, therapy pool, meeting rooms and office spaces; 2) Three storey nursing home wing with 104 single ensuite bedrooms, associated living and dining spaces and therapy rooms; 3) Two storey secure unit accommodating 60 single ensuite bedrooms, associated living, dining and therapy rooms. 4) Basement with services facilities including kitchen, staff canteen, staff changing facilities, laundry and stor-age rooms, 5) landscaped gardens, conservatory/cafe, surface car park-ing, attenuation pond, additional site works to include bored well and entrance off the Waterville Loop Road. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy between the hours of 09.30 - 16.30 Monday to Friday at the offices of the Planning Authority: Fingal County Coun-cil, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Fingal, Dublin 15. A submission/observation in relation to the application may be made in writ-ing to the Planning Authority on payment of a fee of €20. Submis-sions must be made within 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the Planning Authority.

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PLANNING NOTICE

ED1


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GazetteSPORT

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COLAISTE Iosagain’s Siofra Cleirigh-Buttner produced yet another starring performance at last Saturday’s AVIVA Leinster Schools’ Track and Field Championships in Morton Stadium when she bagged both the 800m and 1,500m titles.

The intermediate run-ner has been one of the stand-out performers at underage level over the past few years and the

Irish international added this double to a series of cross-country titles won in the winter season.

The longer distance was slightly closer than the first, coming home with 11 seconds to spare on Pres Kilkenny’s Megan Mor-rissey in a time of 5.02.48 with Mount Sackville’s Aoibhin Dowdall taking bronze.

In the 800m, she kept the challenge of Dublin underage ladies’ foot-baller Sarah Hawkshaw

– a Mount Sackville rep-resentative on the day – with a time of 2.08.27.

It means the Cleirigh-Buttner will compete for All-Ireland glory in early June in Tullamore.

Elsewhere, the second day of competition was an impressive one for the Rathdown school in Glenageary who claimed three gold medals, excel-ling in the pole-vault.

Leinster school’s hock-ey representative, Orla Macken, won the senior

ATHLETICS: LOCAL COMPETITORS TAKE TITLES AT THE LEINSTER SCHOOLS’ EVENT

Siofra Clerigh-Buttner, who claimed both the 800 and 1,500m titles in the schools’ track event

Buttner claims track and field double at Morton

title while Eve Blake led a one-two at intermediate level.

Ailbhe Kelleher – in the intermediate triple jump – made it a hat-trick with a best final distance of 10.19 metres.

Her clearance of 2.30m saw her home by one level from schoolmate Rachel Swan who recorded a jump of 2.20m. Mala-hide CS’ schoolgirl Lizzie McDowell was third.

Blackrock College’s

Oliver Jager continued his glittering school’s sporting year as he added a couple of medals to the JCT title he helped annex for his school in March over St Michael’s.

The back row showed

his strength once more in the throwing disciplines. His shot distance of 14.09 metres was well clear of Rathangan’s James Mul-ligan, while Jager added bronze with a 35.32m length in the discus.

MAY WE SUGGEST? MAY WE SUGGEST? This month’s Sports This month’s Sports Awards nominees Awards nominees are announced: are announced: Page 29Page 29

GazetteSportSport


RugbyRugby

WestmanstownFun blitz for new recruitsO

VER 170 youths descended on West-manstown last Thursday to compete in a tag rugby blitz, organised by the Leinster

Branch. Teams from 5th class in local schools Castle-heaney, Ladyswell, St Pat’s and St Francis all took part in what proved to be a very enjoyable day for all. The blitz was organised to introduce youths to the game of rugby and the basic laws and skills it entails. Garda RFC, who have in recent years begun a youths section, Westmanstown Minis, were delighted to play host and hope some of those who attended may even join the mini’s section, which trains every Sunday at 11am. See www.gardarugby.com for more informa-tion.

Over 170 children from local schools took part in the tag rugby blitz

Leinster Branch arranged the rugby blitz

The club’s coaches were on hand to provide guidance to new players Great fun was had by all who attended the blitz

Westmanstown Minis are hoping for new recruits

For some of the children, this was their first time playing rugby

in association with


WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s May sport-ing achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation.

With spring’s awakenings making way for summer sun, we’re delighted to once again

be able to celebrate the fin-est achievements in Dublin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some less promi-nent sports.

Every form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and

gives an impression of the diversity of sporting commit-ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.

Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240 or [email protected] to tell us all about your suc-cesses in the month of May, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/gazettesport.

You can also check out the latest stories from Gazette-Sport at our new website, www.gazettegroup.com

STARof the

MONTHRYAN O’DWYER

KILMACUD Crokes’ star Ryan

O’Dwyer produced a truly

outstanding performance

to help Dublin annex their

first National Hurling League

division one title since the

1930s. He was named man-

of-the-match in the Dubs’

comprehensive 0-22 to 1-7

success over Kilkenny.

SIOFRA BUTTNER

THE COLAISTE Iosagain stu-

dent continues to set the

pace in Leinster schools’

middle-distance running,

adding the 800m and

1,500m titles at the recent

Track and Field champion-

ships to her collection. She

goes in search of national

glory in early June.

NUALA MURPHY

RECENTLY returned from

a year out injured, Trojan

swimmer Murphy shone at

the National Long-Course

swimming championships

at the NAC. She romped to

the 1,500m freestyle gold

as well as medalling in the

400m event in the face of

top class opposition.

TEAMof the

MONTH

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - MAY NOMINEES

SWORDS CELTIC

SWORDS Celtic enjoyed a

memorable month, claiming

nine league and cup titles

across the various NDSL

and DDSL competitions in a

bumper three-week period.

The titles ranged from U-8

up to U-17 level, with sev-

eral Premier gongs.

BLANCH FC

FC BLANCH secured their

second league title in a

row, adding to a famous

year for the club in their

first year in the AUL, the

newcomers celebrating

their 10th anniversary in

style, reaching the last 32

of the FAI Junior Cup.

LUCAN CAMOGIE

LUCAN’S dominance in

Community Games camogie

continued to an unprece-

dented fifth year as the vil-

lage produced yet another

emphatic display. In their

semi-final and finals, they

notched and astonishing

11-7 to no-score.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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FastSport

Special course for budding TriathletesIF YOU’RE female, over 18, and would love to do your first triathlon, the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership and Triathlon Ireland are hosting a beginners’ workshop to provide you with all you need to know to take part in your first event, on the weekend of June 11 at Meadowbrook Leisure Centre in Ballinteer.

Triathlons have grown from 30 events in 2007, involving 600 members, to 131 events and over 5,500 members in less than five years according to Triathlon Ireland. Both newbies and members contributed to a target of 20,000 participants in 2010.

Events take place across the country from early spring to late summer and, last year, Athlone hosted

the first Irish ITU championship which drew an international crowd. There are high hopes for our own fine athletes to be among the top competitors in London 2012.

Patricia Murphy, a local sports and health and fitness consultant to the houses of the Oireachtas, is calling on people interested in taking part in a triathlon to come along to this special event, at which she will give guidance on equipment, training and nutrition advice, biking, running and swimming techniques, and race preparation.

You’re then ready to take part in your first local race and put your new skills into action - the Focus Ireland Triathlon - on July 31 in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

To register for this one day workshop or for more information, contact DLRSP at 01 271 9502 or [email protected]

LOCAL stars, captain Leo Cullen, Luke Fitzgerald, Brian O’Driscoll, Shane Jennings and Devon Toner were among the Leinster stars who claimed the Heineken Cup in Car-diff last weekend, coming from behind with a mammoth second-half performance to outstrip Northampton.

The side were given a hero’s welcome on their return to Dublin on Sunday at the RDS and were presented to the faithful support-ers unable to make the trip to Cardiff.

Locals lift Leinster to Heineken Cup glory

GazetteSportSport

FastSport

AN exciting two weeks of cricket festivals commenced this week with blitzes being held throughout Fingal.

The Dublin 15 Cricket Blitz for 4th classes will be held on Thursday, May 26 and the 5th class event will be Thursday, June 2. The two events will be played at Corduff Sports Centre and will run from 10am to 2pm.

The schools participating will be Mulhuddart NS, Tyrrelstown Educate Together, Ladyswell NS, St Patrick’s NS (Corduff), St Mocha’s NS, St Philips NS, Scoil Mhuire NS, St Patrick’s NS (Diswellstown), Castaheany Educate Together and Castleknock Educate Together.

All these schools have received regular coach-ing this year in a new coaching initiative brought about by funding being made available to Lein-ster Cricket Union by Fingal County Council.


Coolmine give out honoursCoolmine RFC held their club AGM last week and honoured those who have given their time and energy to ensure the club’s ongoing success.

Club Woman of the Year was Karen Keogh, who looks after the mini’s and youth registrations, as well as being involved in many social and fundraising events during the year, including organising the very successful Walk in the Park.

Club Man of the Year was Peter Taffe, responsible for the upkeep of the club grounds in recent years and keeping the playing surfaces in fine condition for all the teams who take to the field at Ashbrook.

Mountview set for league finalMOUNTVIEW United will have to take part in a play-off game against Baldoyle in order to claim the AUL Division 1 title, after they were held to a 1-1 draw last week against Oatfield FC.

The league leaders were looking for a win to seal the title, but could only draw with the promotion contenders at Col-linstown Park.

Mountview prob-ably felt they should have clinched the game with the chances they had in the last ten min-utes, but Costigan was in great form between the Oatfield posts and made two crucial saves at the death.

[email protected]

MOUNTVIEW’S U-10s produced a remarkable run to eventually claim the Dublin title on the eve of the Europa League final, as part of UEFA’s celebration of the marquee soc-cer event at the Dublin (Aviva) Stadium last week.

T h e c o n t i n e n t ’ s governing body ran a grassroots initiative for Under-10 and Under-12 age groups through-out Dublin, with local, regional and, subse-quently, county-wide games played in a novel four-vs-four format, with three goals, one for

shooting through and the others for dribbling through.

No goalkeepers were used, and there was a strong emphasis on passing and technical ability.

It appeared to suit the Mountview Under-10 community team, who qualified through the Dublin 15 regional play-offs for the right to represent D15 in the Fingal area in Corduff Sports Centre three weeks ago.

After games versus Darndale, Balbriggan and Skerries, they won all three matches to progress to the Dublin finals, held in Irishtown

stadium in Ringsend, on Tuesday May 17, the eve of the Europa League final between FC Porto and Braga, which ended with the Portugese champions claiming the plaudits with a 1-0 win over their countrymen.

Ringsend matchesThere, Mountview

won their group com-fortably, beating teams from Lucan, Pearse Street, and Ballymun in the Under-10 Commu-nity group stages.

And then, in front of UEFA President, Michel Platini, FAI CEO John Delaney, ex-Ireland and Liverpool

star Ronnie Whelan, and a UEFA delegation, they beat Ballymun in a tense final which was so close that a golden goal was required to decide the game.

Team coach Mick Harrop was understand-ably delighted with the progress the kids made over the duration of the competition.

“The kids were great throughout the quali-fiers and today in the finals. The kids did fan-tastic, and they are a credit to the Mountview area for going on to to win the tournament.

“UEFA’s Respec t campaign was very evi-dent throughout, with

each player and coach going the extra yard in sporting behaviour.

“Special mention to the two girls, Emma and Molly, who played their hearts out throughout the tournament.

“Just getting to the final was a massive achievement and all the kids here today were winners, as are each of the 141 kids who took part in the tournament. The team each received two Europa League Final match tickets and a limited edition set of Europa League Adidas kit, and got to meet two soccer legends in Michel Platini and Ron-nie Whelan.”

Mountview’s Euro glory

EUROPA LEAGUE: DUBLIN 15 SIDE WIN CITY-WIDE TOURNAMENT

Mountview’s Under-10 side who won the UEFA-sponsored Dublin tournament ahead of the Europa League final

Trap s the Gazette:

Ireland boss launches

FAI press awardsREPUBLIC of Ireland manager Gio-vanni Trapattoni showed where his allegiance lies at the launch of Three FAI Communications awards at the Hilton Airport Hotel last week.

The awards have been introduced to acknowledge the excellent work at local, regional and national level by clubs, leagues, affiliates, jounalists, photographers and media organisa-tions in their reporting of soccer.

For more information about the awards, contact [email protected] of cricket being

held at Corduff Centre

in association with

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

CONGRATULATIONS to the U-16 foot-

ballers who beat Sylvester’s in a ter-

rific A shield final win.

U-13A hurlers beat Sylvester’s to go

top of the league. U-13B beat Clontarf.

Senior 1 and 2 footballers had league

wins over Kilmacud and Ballinteer.

Junior A and B teams were edged out

by Castleknock and Margaret’s.

Junior Cs beat Liffey Gaels. U-15 hurl-

ers beat Crumlin.

Senior hurlers are away to Crokes

on Saturday at 6.30pm.

Best of luck to Daire and Alan this

Sunday vs Offaly in their champion-

ship opener.

Special return bus from Croker

straight back to the club for Tipp vs

Cork. €5 for the bus. Finger food and

craic back in the club. Contact Willie

Bourke on 087-645-9571.

Best of luck to Jack Kelly, Dabhach

Dineen and Aodhran McCann this week

vs Wicklow with the Dublin juniors.

Junior B footballers’ fundraising quiz

will take place this Thursday from

8.30pm in Russell Park.

Special thanks to everyone who sup-

ported the Junior hurlers’ fundraiser.

Best of luck to all students who com-

mence their Junior and Leaving Cert

next week.

Congrats to Father Dan Joe on win-

ning the D15 Unsung Hero.

Annual fundraising club golf classic

takes place on Friday in Royal Tara;

to enter a team, contact Phil Kelly on

086-7733-693.

ERIN GO BRAGH

ST BRIGID’S

BEST of luck to the Mary Mother of

Hope senior hurling team in Croke

Park. They play at 11.30am next Mon-

day, May 30.

Fun quiz night is this Friday, May 27

at 8.30pm, upstairs in the Vineyard.

Table of four costs €40. Contact Cecil

on 086 259 7789.

We have some great offers in our

Club shop for the next two weeks. For

more information, contact Finbarr on

086 383 7411.

Annual club dinner dance is tak-

ing place on Saturday, November 5 in

Park Plaza, Tyrrelstown. Tickets are

€60 per person (Strictly over 18s).

Five-course meal, band and DJ. Bar

extension until 2am.

Deposit of €20 required and people

can pay in instalments over the com-

ing months.

Contact Natasha on 087 959 50 48,

Maria on 087 238 0741 or Carol - Ann

on 087 629 20 24.

There was no winner of last week’s

lotto jackpot. Numbers drawn were 3,

14, 19 and 29.

This week’s draw jackpot will be

€11,600.

The draw will be held this Friday in

The Vineyard.

To be in with a chance to win the

jackpot, please return your com-

pleted lotto tickets to the box in the

Paddocks before 9pm this Friday.

It is so easy to forget to return

your Lotto tickets, so why not sign up

to the annual drawe membership?


Congratulations to our Adult A foot-

ballers who had a great win over St

Brigid’s in Russell Park.

Well done to local hero Fr Dan Joe

on the success for raising €57k in aid

of the Dublin West Hospice as part of

the Blanchardstown Ford unsung hero

competition. Many thanks to all club

members who supported Dan Joe.

Hard luck to our U-16 footballers who

were narrowly beaten in their cham-

pionship final this weekend.

Don’t leaf it until the last minute to

have your name etched in the roots

of Somerton. Personally tagged trees

only €20 from club mentors.

The club has launched a bond

scheme, where club members and

friends will take out 10-year bonds and

loan the club the value of the bond at

zero interest. All bonds are repayable

after the 10 years. A positive response

is required to complete the develop-

ment of Somerton and ensure all our

members enjoy top class facilities

for many years to come. Information

nights on the bond scheme will be held

for each team and the support from

the membership will determine the

future facilities in Somerton.

Text information for club notes to

Dave please on Sunday evenings on

0872559559. Remember they are your

notes!

Lotto jackpot stands at €2,600 and

the draw is in The Carpenter this

Thursday.

Can everyone please be more secu-

rity conscious regarding club equip-

ment and facilities. We all need to

appreciate the expense of replacing

stolen or damaged gear.

CASTLEKNOCK

MINOR CHAMPIONSHIPRound Towers 2-11

St Brigid’s 3-4

[email protected]

DYNAMIC duo Eric Finn and Alex Darbey were Round Towers’ heroes when 14-man St Brigid’s threatened their unbeaten status in the Community Centre last Sunday afternoon.

The front pair scored all but four of the host’s scores in a tense and somewhat ill-tempered affair, as the Clondalkin side went to the top of the table.

The league leaders didn’t have all it their own way, however, as a late Saints flurry ensured a tense finish to the tie, but superior Towers finishing saw them record the win.

A b lu s t e r y w ind hampered both sides approaches early on, but Brigid’s slightly dominated.

Paul Winters was a dominant force at cen-tre half-back for the visitors in a stop-start

opening, but Brigid’s couldn’t turn posses-sion into points.

They hit five succes-sive wides, the major-ity from frees, during a scoreless opening ten minutes.

Darbey eventually broke the deadlock for-Towers with a brilliant score after great defen-sive Graham Bolger work and a clever Finn pass.

The full-forward then doubled his tally before Shane Young push Tow-ers lead to three. Win-ters eventually split the posts for Brigid’s via a long-range free before Chris Kavanagh restored the host’s goal cushion.

By this stage, Finn had moved from the full forward to the half forward line and was wreaking an abundance of havoc.

S o o n a f t e r , t h e impressive Darragh Doyle pointed for the visitors the forward burst was the catalyst behind a Darbey goal.

By that stage, Towers looked like they were going to pull away, but when Mickey McDon-ald’s effort dropped short, Cian Ryan bat-ted the sliotar home to leave just two scores between the sides as half-time approached.

Darbey and Doyle then exchanged efforts to leave it 1-05 to 1-03 be fo re the buzzer sounded.

RarityJust like the start of

the first half, scores were a rarity in the early exchanges of the second.

Again, the tower-ing Winters was key in breaking up the host’s attacks whilst Kevin O’Neill was defensive-ly solid in front of the other posts.

Darbey eventually pointed, and Towers embarked on a scoring run that included points from Dublin minor Jack Whelan, Finn and Darby, as well as superb Finn goal.

The forward, who scored a hat-trick in the intermediate champi-onship the week previ-ous, latched onto a deft Kavanagh flick, before making the score 2-9 to 1-3 with 15 minutes to go.

Ciaran Dolan then received his march-ing orders for chop-ping down his opposite number, and things looked ominous for Brigid’s.

However, the player reduction prompted an increase in the visitors’ action in front of the posts.

St Brigid’s got back to within two points of Towers with a quick-fire goal double for Doyle and Mikey McDonald.

Sensing that their comeback was paying dividends, they then upped the tempo, but points from Finn and Whelan, who had been employed in the back line in the latter stages of the game, saw Towers over the line to claim the points.

Late charge not enough for Brigid’s

MINOR HURLING: ST BRIGID’S MISS OUT ON POINTS

St Brigid’s minor hurlers came close to victory with a late surge that saw them come within two points of Towers

ALL OF YOUR BLANCHARDSTOWN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31 MAY 26, 2011

NEW GANG IN ’TOWN: Westmanstown host Leinster schools’ rugby blitz P28 G

azetteSPORT

ROB HEIGH

[email protected]

Amid the hoopla of State visits, rugby miracles and Jedward, a story that might have slipped your attention was Kenny Dalglish’s first sign-ing as permanent manager at Liverpool FC.

The subject of the signing is Alex O’Hanlon, a 15-year-old star from Huntstown.

Alex has been drawing attention from a number of sides in recent years, but that atten-tion has become more intense recently as he has grown in stature, playing as a part of the DDSL which won the Kennedy Cup last year, and recently captaining the Republic’s Under-15 side against Belgium.

Speaking exclusively to GazetteSport last week, Alex’s father, Dominic, was understand-ably thrilled about the most recent develop-ment in Alex’s soccer career.

“The last 12 months has been frantic, with some 23 clubs looking to get his signature. The

list was then whittled down to the top seven. He spent a week at Real Madrid, and was the first boy from Ireland or England to go on trial at Real, which is amazing.

“He spent time at Chelsea, he was there three times, and played with their youth team. He also had Liam Brady take him under his wing [as head of Youth Development at Arse-nal], and there was an offer on the table from Arsenal, from Manchester United, Everton, Aston Villa, Manchester City. But he got a good feeling at Liverpool, and they said that, no matter what it took, they wanted to have him as a part of the Anfield set-up.

“Kenny Dalglish called me yesterday, and said in passing that we have created a little bit of history, as Alex is the first player that I have signed since becoming the permanent manager at Liverpool, which he will have for the rest of his career.”

Alex has been on a meteoric rise since the start of his soccer career.

“He started out playing for Home Farm’s Under-7s and Under-9s. From there, he start-ed playing for Shelbourne. He played for St Kevin’s where he has been playing since he was 12, playing for their Under-13s. He played for the DDSL side who won the Kennedy Cup,” said Dominic.

“He has also played for Ireland, and he captained the Irish Under-15 side who played against Belgium a few weeks ago.”

Brendan Bermingham, secretary of St Kevin’s Boys, said: “Alex is very highly thought of. He’s an excellent full-back and, hopefully, he might turn out like Gareth Bale.

Dominic continues: “Alex is a very down-to-earth kid, and this attention won’t turn his head at all.”

O’Hanlon will move to Liverpool in July, and, before that, he will travel with the club to the Amsterdam Cup, where Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United’s Under-17 sides will be playing.

Red heaven on the Red heaven on the

horizon for O’Hanlonhorizon for O’HanlonHuntstown Under-15 star makes Anfield history as Dalglish’s first signing of his new era as manager

Alex O’Hanlon, seen here captaining Ireland Under-15s aganst Belguim recently, has been the target of several large clubs in England and further abroad

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