dun laoghaire

Soroptimists’ style: Looking great at an annual luncheonIMMACULATELY presented Kate Whitty and Betty White gave The Gazette a warm welcome at the Royal St George Yacht Club recently, where the annual soroptimist charity luncheon was being held. The ladies, and their fellow

soroptimists, enjoyed the delight-ful event, which was a great way to network, meet friends, support some worthy causes, and celebrate the self-less work of Ireland’s soroptimists.Full Gallery on 0

Parking Angels ‘save’ drivers €20,000

DAWN LOVE

AN ESTIMATED 500 motor-ists in South Dublin have been saved in excess of €20,000 in parking fines in just one month, a local company claimed this week.

Padraic Hanley, the owner of the Ouzo’s restaurants in Blackrock and Dalkey, decid-ed four weeks ago to employ a group of “Parking Angels” to come to the aid of motorists –whose parking tickets were

about to expire – to save them from a hefty fine.

“We have incurred more than €4,500 in parking fines ourselves in a relatively short space of time.

“When we noticed cus-tomers rushing through their lunches in order to make it back to their cars on time, I realised it wasn’t just a prob-lem for us,” said the local busi-nessman.

Full Story on Page 4

YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER November 24, 2011

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INSIDE: Hat’s quite a stylish look at a

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SAMHAIN CELEBRATION: Coming together to share DLR event’s fun P2

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2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 24 November 2011

SAMHAIN Spooky fun at a Marlay Park transformation

Creating a magic night outM

ARLAY Park was transformed into a spooktastic setting with the Samhain festival, hosted by DLR Events. In fitting with the Halloween theme, the

famililar setting of the Marlay grounds were transformed into a creepily entertaining landscape, where a haunted forest, populated by all manner of ghosts and ghouls, witches and warlocks, and eerie figures and sights,

helped to entertain local children and adults who dared pass through the forest.

The free evening event was a big hit with locals, with fire performers, stilt walkers, and even some “spooky fog” helping to entertain on the night, creating yet another memorable community gathering, courtesy of DLR Events.

MICHAEL HANNAN

A DISPUTE has bro-ken out between mem-bers of the Marley Grange Residents’ Asso-ciation (MGRA) and Dun Laoghaire-Rath-down County Council (DLRCC) over plans for the proposed Slang River Greenway.

The Slang River Green-way is a route for pedestri-ans and cyclists between Sandyford Road and Marley Park, which aims to improve links to local schools and leisure facili-ties in the area.

Two routes have been proposed. The first, known as the Green Route, would run through Llewellyn Park and Manor Green, ending up at Marley Demesne.

The second, the Red Route, would take a route through Llewellyn Park and then cross two bridg-es before going through Grange Wood Estate. The existing path on Grange Road would be upgraded to a two-way walkway.

Gay McGrath, chair-person of the MGRA, said that the council’s report on the public con-sultation did not include the Red Route, which was included in the original proposal.

According to McGrath, DLRCC has said that there would be great-er construction costs involved with the Red Route through Grange Road, as two existing pedestrian bridges would need to be widened.

He said the council had also advised that it would be detrimental to the safe-ty of cyclists and pedestri-

ans, as they would have to cross Grange Road at a less safe location.

However, McGrath disagreed with this assess-ment, saying: “One of our committee members car-ried out a survey, and his findings indicated that if they [DLRCC] use the existing pathways and cycle ways that exist on the Grange Road, there would be no need for the expense that the council is talking about, on this alternative route.”

When contacted by The Gazette, DLRCC said that the Grange Road cur-rently has off-road cycle tracks on both sides.

If cyclists are required to travel contra flow on the same side of the road, which it is currently illegal to do, the existing cycle track would need to be widened.

McGrath said that the findings of the survey also indicated that by taking the route through Llewellyn Park and Mar-ley Estate, they [DLRCC] would be crossing far more roads for these pedestrians and cyclists than if the route went through Grange Wood.

A council spokesperson said that “every effort was made to consult with the public on the Greenway project, especially as the route crosses a number of estates.

“Whilst full consen-sus can be difficult, even with schemes that are designed to enhance public amenities, we are pleased to report that the overall feedback to the council’s proposals has been extremely positive,” said the spokesperson.

ROUTE: OPPPOSING VIEWS ON PLANS

Dispute over Slang Greenway

Some of the colourful characters found in the haunted forest

Emily Mahon, of Bui Bolg Productions, demonstrates her mastery of a fire hoop

Look behind you ... Chloe and Ciara Geoghegan, and friend

Aoife O’Malley and Caitlin McKeon

Kevin and Stephen McCabe

24 November 2011 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

DUN LAOGHAIRE town centre will be host to a spectacular Xmas Festival this year.

The Local Businesses Association, in conjunc-tion with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Coun-cil, Dun Laoghaire Har-bour Company and ALA EVENTS say that the fes-tive event will run from December 9 until Janu-ary 8.

Along with a varied selection of traditional log cabin stalls selling food, drink and seasonal items there will be a live crib, fireworks display and an ice rink, and much more.

Amongst those look-ing forward to this year’s event is Independent Cllr. Victor Boyhan who said: “Snow may not be fore-cast but I can guarantee the craic will be mighty.” For available stalls con-tact Andre : 0879017693

Town centre festival

EVENT: MARKET

WHEN Dun Laoghaire native, Moira Griffin, took her 12-year-old daughter on a week-long holiday to Lanzarote at the beginning of Novem-ber, little did she know the drama that was about to unfold.

Once the plane had landed on the popular Canary Island and the pair had disembarked the aircraft, Moira and her daughter realised that the girl’s much-coveted teddy bear, Besta, who had accompanied them on the trip, had disap-peared.

The precious cuddly toy was a gift from a rela-tive 10 years previous, who, unfortunately, has since died.

Moira immediately began to search for the “irreplaceable teddy” and spent hours a day ringing the airline and erecting posters in Lanzarote.

She even contacted a local radio station who eagerly joined the cam-paign and launched an appeal for the safe return

of the bear.R e t u r n i n g h o m e

empty handed, a week late, Moira was unde-terred and even took an advertisement out in The Irish Times, offering a reward for the return of the bear.

Last Monday week, Moira received a call from Ryanair in Lanzar-ote, informing her that they had found the bear and would fly it home free of charge.

Re-uniting the valuable teddy bear with its 12- year-old owner proved to be an emotional moment for all, with Moira saying: “It’s not leaving home again, that’s for sure.”

SEVILLE WINNERS: John and Klayre touring the olive grovesIRELAND’S number-one olive oil Don Carlos, recently held a Win a Trip to Seville and meet Don Carlos competition.

There were two winners from South Dublin, Eoin Gibson, from Sandycove and John Fit-zpatrick from Blackrock, who brought their wives also.

They enjoyed a four-day trip to Seville to experience all the region had to offer, and visited

the Don Carlos Hacienda, where Don Carlos Olive Oil is produced.

There, they got to press their very own olive oil, and of course, meet the man himself – Don Carlos.

John said touring the massive olive groves in an off-road bug-gie was the highlight of his trip, while Eoin said the trip was an “unforgettable experience”

No picnic, but Teddy Bear is safe and well

DRAMA: IRREPLACEABLE BEAR GOES MISSING ON A HOLIDAY TRIP

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‘I spent hours every-day ringing the airline and erecting posters’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Mother, Moira Griffin- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John and Klayre Fitzpatrick


Angels save over €20,000

HELP: OUZO’S HELPERS SAVING CUSTOMERS FROM PARKING TICKETS

DAWN LOVE

[email protected]

AN ESTIMATED 500 motorists in South Dub-lin have been saved in excess of €20,000 in parking fines in just one month, a local company has claimed this week.

Four weeks ago, the owner of the Ouzo’s res-taurants in Blackrock and Dalkey, Padraic Hanley, decided to employ a group of “Parking Angels” to come to the aid of motorists whose park-ing tickets were about to expire to save them from a hefty fine.

Hanley came up with the idea of the Ouzo’s Parking Angels as a result of various problems fac-ing businesses in both vil-lages. “We have incurred over €4,500 in parking fines ourselves in a rela-tively short space of time. When we noticed cus-tomers rushing through their lunches in order to make it back to their cars on time, I realised it wasn’t just a problem for us,” he told the Gazette this week.

“There’s a 15-minute grace period, but one

minute over that you will be fined. Our Park-ing Angel will keep an eye on the streets around the village centres. If you get delayed while visiting and you’re parking ticket

runs out they will try to spot it and put 50c in the meter, giving you a fur-ther 15 minutes plus the 15 minutes grace you are entitled to saving you a possible €40 fine.”

Hanley is hoping this initiative will be adopted by other businesses in Blackrock and Dalkey and, perhaps, even across Dublin city. “We’re not looking for free park-ing, just ways to avoid fines. Perhaps a system where they could be sent a text message giving an advance warning about the expiration of their ticket.”

Cllr Richard Humphreys (inset) was surprised to discover that the vast majority of council-

sponsored sculptures were on the Dun Laoghaire side of the county

DAWN LOVE

A LABOUR councillor in Dun Laoghaire Rath-down has accused the local authority of hav-ing an arts policy that is “seriously skewed against the Dublin South constit-uency”.

Speak ing to the Gazette, Councillor Richard Humphreys, said that at a recent council meeting he submitted a questioned to the local authority, which request-ed a list of the council-sponsored sculptures or public art, broken down by area.

The Labour Cllr said the results showed a “startling imbalance in the distribution of public art”.

“Less that 25% of the sculptures (10 out of 42) are located in the Dub-lin South Dail constitu-ency. The vast majority of sculptures are located on the Dun Laoghaire side of the county,” he said.

“Of the six local elec-toral areas in the coun-cil, the Stillorgan Ward fares the worst in terms

of council-sponsored public art, despite having two large parks and many green areas suitable for sculptures,” he said.

“The council lists two sculptures in the Stillor-gan Ward for which it is responsible. The first of these is stated to be in Ard Lorcain in Stillor-gan. However, there is, in fact, no sculpture in Ard Lorcain. The sec-ond sculpture is listed as Eden Park Drive/Goat-stown. However, Eden Park Drive is not in the Stillorgan Ward – it is in Dundrum. Furthermore there is no sculpture on Eden Park Drive.

“I am somewhat sur-prised at the inaccurate nature of the council’s list but, more signifi-cantly, I am disappointed that Dublin South in general, and Stillorgan in particular, have been short-changed in terms of public art. I am calling on the manager to rectify this situation for future locations of statutes or other public art,” he said.

A council spokes-person confirmed that

DLRCC was aware that the majority of perma-nent public artworks are located in the Dun Laoghaire electoral area.

However, the council said “it should be noted that the vast majority of these works were com-missioned in the 1980s and 1990s and therefore do not reflect current policy.

“Stillorgan was, until the mid-1990s, part of Dublin County Council and did not fall under the remit of the old Dun Laoghaire Borough. The most recent public art

programme, Place and Identity, focused on all six electoral areas equal-ly. The new public art policy, which is currently being developed, aspires to ensure as broad a geo-graphical spread as is feasible across the county for public art commis-sioning.”

However, Cllr Hum-phreys said: “To add to the unsatisfactory situ-ation, Dun Laoghaire does not seem to know

what to do with all of its abundance of art. The inability to agree on a location for the magnifi-cent Gateway sculpture in Dun Laoghaire town has meant that this sculp-ture remains in storage.”

“We have also seen a series of arts events con-centrated on the Dun Laoghaire side of the County. The wards in Dublin South need a fair crack of the whip,” Hum-phreys added.

Art policy is seriously skewed - Humphreys

Gazette

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Hanley is hoping this initiative will be adopted by other businesses in the area- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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‘It should be noted that the vast majority of these works were commissioned in the 1980s and 1990s and do not reflect current policy’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

DLR Council accused of having a Dun Laoghaire bias


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SHOP LOCALLY

FOR the third year run-ning, the RNLI is hold-ing the popular Reindeer Run in Dublin.

The organisation is actively looking for eager participants to take part in the fun event, which will take place at Marley Park, Rathfarnham this December.

The action-packed event will take place on Sunday, December 4.

Sending out their own SOS, the organisation, which operates 43 life-boat stations in Ireland, is giving runners and walkers the option of a 5K or a 10K route.

For younger partici-pants, a special “Santa Saunder” will be there on the day, and all par-ticipants in the event get their own set of antlers and flashing red nose, along with a t-shirt and a medal for everyone who completes it.

The entry is €20 for the 5K run, €22 for the 10K route, and €9 for the Santa Saunter, with under-fives free.

RNLI crewmember Craig McIntosh said: “These events are really important for the charity.

As well as giving people a great day out and fun for all the family, they help raise much-needed funds for the RNLI.

“Lifeboat volunteers around the country are ready to launch to help someone in difficulty on the water, day or night, in any conditions.

“The funds people raise ensure that we do that with the best train-ing and equipment that money can buy,” he said.

The RNLI charity pro-vides a 24-hour search and rescue operation around Ireland and Brit-ain.

Since it was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 137,000 lives.

Although last year’s event had to be post-poned until the New Year, due to the snow, the RNLI’s Keelin Gib-bons is confident that this year’s run will be a great success.

“Despite the change of plans last year, the Rein-deer Run was a great success.

“Hundreds of peo-ple took part and got into the festive spirit by sporting antlers and red noses. I hope we can do even better this year,” he said.

“I hope people will sign up and secure their place. The festive event is always a visual spectacle, with some runners don-ning fancy dress for the occasion, and spectators and participants all join-ing in with the sense of fun.”

For further informa-tion, and to register for the RNLI Reindeer Run, you can visit www.rnli.ie/reindeer, call 01 895 1800, or email [email protected].

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‘The RNLI organisation, which operates 43 lifeboat stations in Ireland, is giving runners and walkers the option of a 5K or a 10K route’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FUNDRAISER: CALL FOR ENTRANTS FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT

RNLI looks to make a splash with annual Reindeer Run

Picnicking pleasure: Enjoying a fun indoors event at a DLR exhibitionTHERE was fun for all members of the com-munity at a recent party held at the Mill Theatre as part of the Open Submission fes-tival, organised by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Supported by DLRCC, the well-attended “indoor picnic” drew a large number of artists and citizens from across the DLR region, who dis-cussed the issues raised by the exhibition, which explored the hidden stories of the people of the Dundrum area.


THE new Carrickmines Luas park-and-ride is set to open ahead of schedule this weekend.

Although the much-needed facility was sup-posed to open in Decem-ber, the Railway Procure-ment Agency said it had been completed ahead of schedule, and would be opened to members of the public this Saturday, November 26.

The new park-and-ride will have a total of 352 car spaces and 4 E-charge car points.

Welcoming the RPA announcement, Dublin South TD Olivia Mitchell (FG), said that, along with facilitating local users it

would extend the Luas catchment area to include commuters from the N11 and the M50.

“The park-and-ride facility will also help make the Luas more user-friendly for the many young families in the area. A novel and welcome feature of the park-and-ride is the provision of a number of electrical charge points. This will allow the growing number of electric car owners to recharge their cars whilst they finish their journey by Luas,” she said.

The facility will be operated by Apcoa as part of the Luas parking network.

CARRICKMINES: 352 CAR SPACES AND FOUR E-CHARGE CAR POINTS

Park-and-ride facility set to open

THE Carlisle suite in the Royal Marine Hotel was the venue for the Dun Laoghaire VEC Youth Grant Award Night which took place last week.

E a c h O c t o b e r , volunteer-led youth work clubs and groups can apply for assist-ance under the grant scheme.

T he loca l You th

Club Grant Scheme aims to support youth work at a local level and present on the night were 33 Volun-tary Youth Groups who were awarded cheques to support the wonder-ful work they are doing within the community.

At present, the groups collectively work with over 2,500 young peo-ple.

“This grant aid is used towards rental and insurance costs, replac-ing old equipment and accessing training for voluntary leaders.

“The Youth Club Grant Award night also provides Dun Laoghaire VEC with an opportu-nity to say a heartfelt thank-you to the volun-teers and youth groups and to acknowledge

the positive impact and value of the work that is being done in the com-munity.

“It is great to see new groups being estab-lished each year in the area,” said Aisling Crowley, youth officer for Dun Laoghaire VEC.

“These groups pro-vide a huge range of activities and services

to young people. “We have uniformed

youth groups which are made up of the Girl Guides, Scouts, Order of Malta, and St John’s Ambulance.

“We also have Youth Clubs and Youth Groups providing dance, drama, music and personal development opportu-nities to young people,” she said.

Dun Laoghaire VEC Youth Grant Award NightEVENT Work in the community is acknowledged

STAFF REPORTER

A DUN Laoghaire-based company, which has developed a unique pric-ing service that simplifies competitive intelligence for retailers, has raised a massive €750k in a fund-ing round led by the Bank of Ireland Start-up and Emerging Sectors Equity Fund.

The fund is managed by Delta Partners and Enterprise Ireland.

Profitero, which is based in the Media Cube at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT),

says its pricing platform reduces the manual effort involved in collecting and assessing pricing informa-tion, helping retailers to increase sales and profit margins.

Retailers use the soft-ware to monitor online prices, stock availabil-ity, shipping costs and benchmark product prices against their com-petitors; retailers can also duplicate the online prices in stores.

With more and more retailers moving online, the company is also replacing the need for in-

store price checks, which are done by offline retail-ers, with its robust, effi-cient online price collec-tion model.

Currently monitor-ing 27.5 million products across 2,500 retail web-sites, the company hopes to grow this number to 100 million by June 2012.

Profitero customers include, among others, market research group, Nielsen, and leading retailers such as Tesco Direct and Worten.

Vol Pigrukh, CEO at Profitero, says they are focusing on the Euro-

pean retail market, with plans to expand into the US soon.

Profitero has 13 staff with plans to expand this number over the next 12 months.

The Dun Laoghaire company was one of five start-ups selected from Britain and Ireland to participate in IBMS-martCamp in London on November 17.

The event showcases early stage entrepreneurs, who are developing busi-ness ventures that align with IBM’s Smarter Plan-et vision.

A winner in the Seed-camp 2010 competition, and finalist of Dublin WebSummit 2010, Prof-itero also claimed the Irish Innovation Cubed award, which provided them with one year of free office space in Media Cube, a campus-based digital media incubation centre in Dublin.

The energetic young company is also associ-ated with the newly open DogPatch Labs incuba-tion facility in Dublin; it is the first European facility of US-based Pola-ris Ventures Partners.

Local company leading the way in retail pricing

PROFITERO: HELPING RETAILERS TO INCREASE SALES AND PROFITS

Profitero’s founding members Volodymyr Pigrukh, Dmitry Vysotski and Kanstantsin Chernysh

Fundraiser for local area at rugby clubMONKSTOWN Church of Ireland Parish is hold-ing a fundraiser in Strad-brook Rugby Club on Friday, December 2.

In line with the long tradition of fundraising, the parish have decided to change the usual “sale of work” theme slightly, by holding a “Dream Auction” on the night.

Some of the many gifts and services up for auc-tion include painting classes, babysitting, trips to the airport, wine and a large variety of other tal-ents, services and gifts.

The money raised will be in aid of the parish and also the many missionary activities in other coun-tries which the Church of Ireland is actively

involved in including the Church of Ireland Bish-op’s Appeal Fund, which provides famine relief in other countries.

The purchase of an auction catalogue is €5 and included in this price is a free glass of wine.

The Dream Auction is available for viewing from 7.30pm, with bid-ding beginning at 8pm.

The Church of Ireland parish in Monkstown has a strong tradition of giv-ing and are renowned for their continuing generos-ity.

For more informa-tion, you can contact the Reverend Canon Patrick Lawrence on 01 2806596 or email [email protected]

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email [email protected]

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LOUISE HALL

FEARS are growing that the popular and much-loved Tram Yard Market, situated off Castle Street in Dalkey, is under threat of closure.

Stall holders are con-cerned about the mar-ket’s future following the lodgement of an applica-tion with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Coun-cil’s planning depart-ment.

The market, which is a hive of activity, takes place every Saturday in the heart of the heritage village and it boasts over 26 stalls, including organ-ic food and coffee as well as, a music section where musicians can play.

Local residents and market stall holders had expected that a proposed development for apart-ments on the site would not to go ahead as the five-year grant of planning permission was about to lapse.

However, a new appli-cation to extend the dura-tion of planning permis-sion was lodged with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council last month.

The council is due to issue a decision on the application by December 1, 2011.

Locals fear that, if the application gets the go-ahead and works com-mence on site then Ire-land’s last tram yards and series of tram sheds, will be demolished and lost forever.

Subsequently, the markets would also shut down.

The popular indoor and outdoor market pro-vides an income for many stall holders who display a varied selection of Leba-nese, German and Italian foods, along with some local produce, arts and crafts and garden goods.

A spokesperson for the council confirmed that an application for exten-sion of duration of plan-ning permission for the Old Tram Yard site was received.

They also added that, the planning authority, “when making a decision in relation to such an application, must be cer-tain that the development for which the extension is sought is consistent with proper planning and sus-tainable development of the area”.

DLRCC: EXTENSION TO PLANNING PERMISSION

Dalkey tram yard market may close

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‘Locals fear that if the application gets the go-ahead and works commence on site then Ireland’s last tram yards and series of tram sheds, will be demolished and lost forever’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

WE WANT TO KNOW!Call our SPORTS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email [email protected]

LOCAL TEAM WIN?

Apps show the way: Historyof areaLOCAL history buffs and tourists alike will benefit from two free multime-dia Apps showcasing Dun Laoghaire town, which were launched recently as part of the Innovation Dublin Fes-tival, with support from Dun Laoghaire-Rath-down County Council, DL Harbour Company, and the Heritage Council.

The apps offer a fasci-nating history of the area and as users walk along the East Pier and take in the picturesque Metals route, they can see photos that match the audio tour and view a map of their route.

See dunlaoghaire.ie for more info.

Tim Carey, DLRCC Heritage Officer (left) is pictured with Ail-een O’Meara, producer of apps, and An Cathao-irleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Coun-cil, Cllr John Bailey.

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ADVERTISE YOUR YOUR BUSINESSBUSINESS TO OUR READERSCALL 60 10 240

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FAIR Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board’s

DLR wonderland of local artisans’ craftsD

ALKEY Castle and Heritage Cen-tre was full of fascinating stalls and booths at the recent Dalkey

Winter Fair, which highlighted the diverse range of skills and crafts that local artisans and enterprises have mastered.

Hats, jams, jewellery, scarves, toys,

art, photography, books and much, much more were on the stalls, creating a feast for all the senses, and showcas-ing the suprb arts and crafts, and busi-nesses, mastered by so many locals.

Now celebrating its seventh year, the two-day event attracts more than 7,000 visitors, with perfect Christmas

– or, indeed, year-round – gifts to be found at the bustling stalls.

This year, Jack Kearney, designer and woodturner, won an award for Best Stand, thanks to his hand-crafted table lamps and wood designs. However, for locals and the retailers, all the stalls, and their proprietors, were winners.

Laragh McMonagle, of Laragh McMonagle Jewellery

Some of the lovely hand-knitted hats on sale

Marianne Flood Showcasing some delightful knitted pets. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Susannagh GroganJenny Toland, of Hats by Hot Head Nancy McCarthy, showing

ENTERPRISENEWS

Growing Your Food BusinessARE you an established SME food business owner or manager, or a potential entrepreneur considering a new food business idea? If so, an innovative evening workshop on Tuesday, 29th November, could help shape your business devel-opment strategy for 2012.

Co-ordinated by the recently-launched Dublin Food Chain, in association with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board, this practi-cal two-hour information seminar aims to high-light new and emerging opportunities in the retail and food service sectors.

The free event is designed to help attendees plan for 2012 by analysing forecasted food busi-ness trends. Other aspects of business develop-ment that will be examined on the evening will include: how to select and research new product ideas, identifying cost-effective quality food pro-duction methods, the importance of branding and packaging and finding a market for new and existing ranges of food products.

Dublin Food Chain is a new business develop-ment framework initiated by the Irish Exporters Association and the four Dublin City & County Enterprise Boards, along with the support of AIB and Bord Bia. It aims to promote awareness of food sector-specific training and development programmes. Since its launch earlier this year, the collaborative network has also enabled Dub-lin food businesses to discuss joint strategies to capitalise on emerging market trends, as well as providing a chance to explore opportunities to reduce costs associated with marketing and pro-moting the local food industry.

‘Growing Your Food Business’ at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire will be particu-larly beneficial to food producers, food manufac-turers, restaurateurs, food distributors, specialist retailers and ‘concept-stage’ food business entre-preneurs.

Admission is free, however attendees are asked to pre-register by emailing [email protected]


Dalkey Winter Fair was a bustling treat for all the senses

Maggie Lynch

The Gazette some beautifully designed soft furnishings Fan Regan Ellah and Sophie Stokes

Val Reid, of Little Miss Molly

handpainted designs

Heather McKay, Illustration and Design

Jackie Bennett Jack B Kearney shows his prestigious award


A celebration of soroptimists’ workT

HE annual Soroptimist Charity Luncheon attracted lots of sorop-timists, and friends, to the Royal St

George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire recently, where author and Bray Per-son of the Year, Emma Hannigan, was the guest speaker.

Given the selfless work undertaken by soroptimists at home and abroad,

which sees women helping other women on a wide range of issues, ranging from health to education and networking, Emma’s speech was a ter-rific and uplifting event, as she can-didly discussed her battles with cancer, and how this motivated her to write four best-selling books.

The fundraising luncheon was

helping to raise funds for a number of charities, including Bray Cancer Sup-port, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and the Wicklow Dementia Support Group.

The soroptimists also received a goody bag, with gifts from Airtricity, Oriflame Cosmetics, RTE 2FM, Lyric FM, Irish Tatler, Nivea and more, with a raffle adding to the upbeat mood.

Kate Whitty and Betty White

Katrina Farrelly-Cooke, President of Bray and District Soroptimists; Phyl Farrelly and Barbara Harrison, National President, Soroptimist

International Republic of Ireland. Pictures: Joe Keogh

Tiffin MCGuire, Patricia Walls and Jane Blackely

Dolores O’Flaherty and Helen Dunne

Gillian Morgan, Carol MacMeaney and Jackie DugganCatherine Kilbride Janet Cooke

WOMEN Gathering for an upbeat annual fundraiser luncheon

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

Up to 60% of total calories from takeaway meals come from fat

Healthier way to takeaway food

LEILA JOHARI

THIS month there is plenty of reality TV hitting our screens. Between the X Factor and I’m a Celeb-rity Get Me Out Of Here, there are several excuses to stay in and curl up on the couch, phone in hand, surrounded by dozens of takeaway menus.

Pizza, burgers, Indian, Thai or Chinese – the choice is endless! Take-aways are a convenient meal on a cold, dark winter’s night when the last thing you want to do

is go outside to shop for ingredients. What could be better than getting a hot meal delivered right to your doorstep that you can just throw in the bin afterwards? No need to spend time cooking and cleaning up – imagine missing the latest performance!

Unfortunately, this is not beneficial to our health. These shows go on for weeks, so we must not make this a weekly habit! The question is how can we make these nights a little bit health-

ier, so we don’t have to feel guilty about making the delivery boy venture out in the rain? Here are some facts and tips on how to make your favourite takeaways more nutritious and take that guilt away.

Take this away for thought…

Every single person in the country eats one type of takeaway at least once a week

In general, up to 60% of total calories from takeaway meals come from fat, with three quar-

ters of meals analysed over the recommended fat limits. Saturated fat and salt content is high.

Meals are short on a wide variety of nutrients such as fibre, vitamin C, E and the B group vitamins. In addition to the main meal, it is very tempting to order starters, side dishes and drinks. A milkshake, for example, can add up to 300 calories to your meal! Not to mention onion bhajis, samosas, chips and spring rolls, which are all deep-fried

GazetteNUTRITIONNUTRITION

and high in saturated fat.

Takeaway the Guilt

Pizza: Pizza can be reasonably heal thy depending on which you choose and the size of the portion. Most pizza is high in cheese, which is high in fat, but also protein and calcium. The carbohydrate base provides a good source of energy and the toma-to sauce contains caro-

tenoids, such as lyco-pene-powerful phyto-chemicals that protect us against cell damage. Avoid meat-based pizza and choose a vegetable pizza instead.

Burger in a bun with chips: Meat burgers in a bap are high in total fats, saturates and calo-ries. Many are them are made with poor qual-ity meat and topped with processed cheese, which is high in fat and

salt. Burgers are low in fibre and vitamin C and chips are deep-fried and high in fat. When order-ing a burger, ensure that the meat is lean, prefer-ably organic. Request a wholemeal bun if avail-able and avoid cheese and mayonnaise, stick-ing with tomato relish and salad.

Chinese/Japanese: Chinese and Japanese takeaway choices can be one of the worst, as they are high in salt, fat and calories and can contain flavour enhanc-ers such as monoso-dium glutamate and other additives. Higher fat dishes include sweet and sour pork in batter, duck dishes and special fried rice. For a lower-fat meal go for stir-fried vegetable dishes with lower fat protein such as chicken or beef in chilli sauce and choose plain, boiled rice or noodles.

Indian/Thai: Indian and Thai are one of the nation’s favourites and the spices used can pro-vide many health ben-efits. However, all the meat, spices, onions and other vegetables are fried in oil, which later rises to the surface so the dishes are quite oily. When choosing curries, it is best to opt for tomato-based sauces rather than high- fat sauces that contain coconut milk or cream such as “tikka-masala”. Tandoori (dry) chicken with mango chutney or raita is a delicious meal and an excellent source of protein.


GazetteBEAUTYBEAUTY Edited by Dawn Love

Look glowing this seasonIF YOU fancy a natural, bronzed glow this festive season, then check out He-Shi, the award-win-ning tanning range.

The premium tanning brand has three deluxe gift sets for the festive period.

For Christmas, He-Shi has introduced the Liquid Mitt set (€26)

with the iconic He-Shi Express Liquid Tan in 150ml, along with a pat-ented applicator tanning mitt from He-Shi – a per-fect stocking filler for the tan enthusiast.

Meanwhile, the He-Shi Gold gift set was a favour-ite stocking filler last year, and is the ultimate for any tanning enthusiasts, as it

includes a range of deli-cious He-Shi products to achieve the ultimate golden tan.

This luxurious gift set includes the prestigious exfoliator (with scrump-tious strawberry scent, to prepare skin ahead of tanning), the best-selling Express Liquid Tan, tan-ning mitt and souffle

moisturiser – three steps to an eviable glow this winter, and beautifully soft, moisturised and tanned skin, even if a sun holiday isn’t on the cards this Christmas.

This gift set is also a perfect little treat for yourself while you shop for others. The He-Shi Gold Gift Set is priced

the swirl of your brush.It’s ideal for indulging

in a glamorous, tanned look, to sparkle at every party thoughout the sea-son.

The He-Shi One Day Bronzer gift set is priced at €37.50, with a value of €52.50.

The He-Shi gift sets are

available now from lead-ing department stores, as well as from selected salons and day spas nationwide.

For your nearest stock-ist of He-Shi, contact Euro Products at 0044 028 9044 9744, or see the website at www.euro-products.ie.

One of a number of He-Shi tanning products which

could make a wonderful Christmas gift this year

at €37.50, with a value of €61.50.

Finally, the He-Shi One Day Bronzer gift set makes an ideal gift for any girl or guy interested in tanning.

Including He-Shi’s One Day Tan – an instant tan that offers a sophisti-cated and healthy glow – this gift set is the perfect Christmas gift for those in a hurry, or with last-minute parties to attend.

The product is also wash-off, so is ideal for an instant application, while the set also includes the He-Shi Multi-Fuzion Bronzer, a mosaic of bronzing powder mixed with a golden shimmer-ing palette, to allow for contouring the face.

The He-Shi Bronzer Brush completes the set, and ensures all-night radiance is guaranteed at

ROB HEIGH

THERE are some artists you listen to at certain times in your life, and mean certain things to you. Some pass the years as constants, some you fall out of love with, some diminish their vibrancy as their output equates with diminishing returns, and some disappear to leave a sweet memory of brief but blazing impact.

And there are the rare few who stand all test of time. The ones who disap-pear for years on end but whose return is like the return of a comet - blaz-ing, epic and anticipated like little else.

We have so far been blessed this year with one Kate Bush record,

GazetteMUSICMUSIC16 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

Kate Bush’s 50 Words For Snow is a record that

captures the season with ease

No words to say how good this isREVIEW: A SECOND ALBUM IN SIX MONTHS FROM THE LEGENDARY KATE BUSH

although the revisiting of the Red Shoes and Sen-sual World albums on The Director’s Cut set in June might not entirely count as new, although it did showcase a more mature vocal style from Kate on songs that have become so beloved to her fans.

The arrival of 50 Words For Snow, however, is one of those comet-like events, an entirely new set of songs that were developed on the back of a creative rush that came after the Director’s Cut recordings. Where previously there would have been poten-tially years, even decades, between the release of that record and this new one, the theme of winter that informs every track, as well as the immediacy that

shines through the record-ing, means that Christmas has come early.

Within seconds, those first four notes of the piano phrase at the start of Snow-flake, catch your breath and capture you wholly for the next 65 minutes.

It’s a concept album of sorts, each song being in some way related to snow and winter, but that is merely a thread on which to hang themes that are familiar to fans, such as love, sensuality and moth-erhood, as well as Kate’s playful way with words and almost theatrical con-structions in musical form, such as on the title track, which features the unique tones of Stephen Fry.

As on Kate’s previous records, various guests

appear on the tracks, with the lead track, Snowflake mostly voiced by Kate’s son, Albert, while Elton John appears on Snowed In At Wheeler Street, and gives the kind of perform-ance that you wish he would more often — utter-ly focused and intoning more than he has in dec-ades - initially, I couldn’t believe it was Elton sing-ing, he is that good.

Not one track is less than seven minutes long, and the detail and space they inhabit within this unconstrained structure means that the songs and the stories they tell live and breathe, and each one is no less than perfect.

Del Palmer’s recording has allowed an almost free-jazz approach to emerge,

with wisps of strings or sim-ply Kate’s expressive, unique voice and a piano, to say as much as the lyrics impart.

The white canvas of winter has been used here to paint song-stories that are more expressive, more emotional, and more bril-liant than most artists achieve in their entire careers.

Kate Bush is like the character in Snowed In At Wheeler Street, the one who returns occasionally throughout time to set the life of the other protago-nist alight with love and beauty and the experience of something magical. That experience is what listening to this record is like, and that is why this is the best record you will hear this year.

GazettePETSPETSBrought to you by Miriam Kerins of

the DSPCA

THE FACTS: WHEN WINTER SETS IN WILDLIFE CAN SEEK SHELTER IN YOUR HOME

Keeping out our unwanted house guestsIT pains me to admit it, but last weekend I morphed into the quintes-sential, frenzied, desper-ate housewife complete with rubber marigolds, old t-shirt and leggings and embarked on the sea-sonal ritual of what I call, winterising my home.

You see each winter I scrub, wash out, air, hoover, clear out, turn over and block up every square inch of my home, inside and out… whether it needs it or not.

I have to explain at this stage, ladies, that it’s not usual practice for me to do housework on a regu-lar basis; I’d rather write a novel in the dust on my TV screen than run a cloth across it but there’s something about winter that brings out the Mar-

tha Stewart in me – with-out the criminal record I hasten to add.

Now as this ritual involves some deep clean-ing and maintenance, poor old “he who must be obeyed” was dispatched outdoors in order to combine such exterior tasks as gutter cleaning and vine trimming with a comprehensive inspec-tion list, (drawn up and laminated by me) to make sure he “prepared and winterised” our nest with a view to preventing our “wild” neighbours, from becoming unwanted house guests.

Let me explain. When the tempera-

tures drop and the days get shorter, wildlife, that often, through no fault of their own, have nowhere

Squirrels can damage your home

else to go, start to seek winter accommodation.

This usually means in your attic, under your decking, down your pipes, in wall nooks and cran-nies, or up your chimney.

So, with that in mind, here’s what happens in my household.

I’ll first make sure no animals are trapped inside and if any are, I

gently remove them and place them either in an area of my garden that’s already set aside for wild-life or rehabilitate them back to their natural hab-itat before I permanently seal any entries.

I also use binoculars to check the roofline or high up areas like the eaves, inspecting hallows and cracks large enough to

allow animals to enter; checking for loose tiles on the roof.

I then inspect those areas I don’t use regularly – attic, crawl spaces, etc., – checking for any signs of daylight. If you can see daylight, you have a cavity that requires filling.

Remember, when checking the attic, look out for animal droppings, signs of chewing and nesting materials and pay special attention to the intersection of the roof and the trim.

If there is evidence of any of the above, assume an animal is present and never seal a gap until you are one hundred per cent sure the animal has safely gone. Look behind radia-tors or anywhere that pipes enter the building

for potential entry points for wildlife.

Inspect the chimney to make sure it’s not home for any small animals or birds prior to lighting the fire and installing a safety guard. Hire a professional if you’re unsure how to do this. Trim branches away from the house to limit access for climbing wild-life.

Remember to clean up any debris left lying around the garden.

We adore all animals in our house, especially wildlife and enjoy noth-ing more than watching the birds feed and bathe from our homemade feeders.

The little squirrel I noticed in my garden recently was such a cutie, however, if she gets herself

trapped inside my walls via any loose roof tiles, digs her way through my attic and raises her furry family in the box where I keep my now vintage wedding dress, especially as I’ve just managed to evict my own human offspring, then I’m cer-tain she’ll lose a bit of her rustic charm and appeal pretty quickly.

So, keep this thought in mind, prevention is the best and easiest solution. However, you must make absolutely certain you do this humanely and com-passionately. It is a crimi-nal offence to hurt, injure or cause distress to any animal.

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


MOTORINGM50M50

KIA are here to com-pete, no question. The new Rio has just been released to the Irish

market and it must surely be making the suits in Toyota and Ford shift uncomfortably in their boardroom seats.

Even before this quality Korean brand caused an indus-try upset by taking home the 2012 Continental Car of the Year award last week, the Rio was turning heads.

The terrific looks, perform-ance, spec and price of this car will impress even the most jaded petrol head.

This is a brand that is bring-ing some serious quality to their cars, and adding extras as standard with a smaller price tag than much of the competi-tion.

For example – compared to the 1.3-litre VVT-i Toyota Yaris – the 1.25-litre Rio is not only 16cm longer, it comes in over €600 cheaper.

And then there’s the car’s green credentials.

The CO2 emissions for the Rio range start at just 85 g/km, putting the Rio EcoDynamics model ahead of all other B-seg-ment vehicles currently on sale in Europe.

But let’s talk about this car in practical terms.

At first look, the Rio is a looker.

If you read through the com-pany spin, they’ll tell you that their engineers and designers worked tirelessly to produce a car that “combines European finesse with Korean spice to create a form language that also communicates Latin flair”… Yeah, I don’t know what that means either.

But, what I do know is that this car looks damn good.

In this already-crowded seg-ment, it is difficult for a car to look unique without appear-ing gimmicky. But the Rio has brought bags of character to the table, with styling all of its own, while at the same time adopting some classic rally-car accents.

The look of the front grille and bumper owes a lot to the body kits that adorned many of the modified boy-racer cars of recent years, but the batman-like character of the headlight clusters elevates this front end to something far more attrac-tive.

The low, chrome-rimmed fog lights on the EX model add a nice touch to the “air scoops” below the headlights.

The company likes to make some noise about how this version of the Rio is the same weight as its predecessor, even though it is longer, wider, lower and features a wheelbase extended by 70mm.

This may be true, and it cer-

tainly contributes to the very roomy interior in the front, rear and boot – but the new design makes you think that, if this car were in a wind tunnel, it wouldn’t cause so much as a ripple in the smoke lines.

It is an exercise in aerody-namics, that is, no doubt, key to keeping the fuel economy figures as low as possible.

I’m no speed freak behind the wheel, but I do like to have a little fun – and even this 1.25-litre has all the performance need to put a smile on your face when the road is clear.

The five-speed gearbox in the car I tested was smooth, quick and definite, even though, I must admit, the clutch and accelerator pedals were a little uncertain and took some get-ting used to.

The overall interior of the car is another success for Kia.

Even though the test car didn’t feature leather seats, the feeling in the driver’s seat was one of pampered comfort. And the look and feel of the

dashboard doesn’t disappoint either.

It may be a small feature, but when you turn the key, the clean, bright dials light up and the various needles come alive by swiping all the way to the top and back before resting at their actual settings.

Like I said, it may be a small feature, but it made me smile every time I started the car, and it really shows the kind of atten-tion to detail Kia are putting in to their latest models.

Finally, I must mention some of the standard safety equip-ment thrown in to the range.

This includes six airbags (front, side and curtain), ESC (electronic stability control), VSM (vehicle stability man-agement), HAC (hill-start assist control) to prevent roll-back when moving off on gradients, and three-point seatbelts for five occupants.

So, on top of everything else, it looks as though the new Rio should score very well in the Euro NCAP tests.

King of the road 2012The new Kia Rio took home the The Continental Irish Car of the Year award for 2012 last week


After a week driving the new Kia Rio, CORMAC CURTIS could see why it took home the Continental Irish Car of the Year award

Top speed: 172km/hr

0–100km/hr: 12.6 secs

Economy: 5.1l/100km

CO2 emissions: 119/km

Annual Road Tax: €104

Price: From €15,295

SPECS: KIA RIO 1.25L

RoadRoadSignsSignsRENAULT’S ELEC-TRIC CHALLENGERENAULT Ireland’s managing director, Eric Basset, has set a challenge for his dealer network and team that will see 1,000 Renault electric vehicles sold in Ireland next year.

The Renault boss, who has overseen the marque’s market share double since his arrival in Ireland in 2009, is confident that one in 10 Renault vehicles sold in 2012 will be electric.

He has also stood by his commitment to make electric vehicles affordable to all, and reminds those in any doubt that Ireland is leading the way in Europe for infrastruc-ture and availability of electric vehicles.

The Renault Kangoo ZE was launched last week and is available to test drive at dealer-ships, priced from €16,400 incl. VRT ex VAT and including the Government grant of €3,800.


Family fare at Henley Park is a fantastic find

Number 43, Henley Park is on the market for €450,000

MCGUIRK Beggan Property in Terenure are bringing 43 Henley Park, Churchtown, a three-bedroom semi-detached family home with a pri-vate west-facing rear gar-den and quiet cul-de-sac location, to the market for €450,000

The property, which extends to 1,360 sq ft, been extended and also has the added benefit of a garage, offering ample potential to convert.

Nestled in a quiet and leafy cul-de-sac, the prop-erty is ideally located just off Churchtown Road Lower and only a short stroll from the LUAS.

The accommoda-tion comprises entrance porch with a tiled floor, a carpeted entrance hall with ample understair storage.

The l iving/dining room has an expansive layout, with a large pic-ture frame window and interconnecting doors that provide the room with natural light.

It features two tile-surround fireplaces, and double sliding doors that allow access through to the family room, which overlooks the rear gar-den.

The kitchen features an array of fitted wall- and floor-level units, a built-in breakfast bar, lino flooring and tile splash back.

There is a utility room off the kitchen, which

CHURCHTOWN: THREE-BEDROOM SEMI-DETACHED FOR €450,000

CARTY Property Advi-sors are bringing No 32, Steeple Manor in Trim, a superbly designed five-bedroom detached residence per fect ly positioned in a modern and much sought-after residential estate of fine detached homes, to the market for an asking price of €349,950.

This family home, which was constructed to a high standard, was extended in 2002.

The property, which has been stylishly deco-rated and maintained in meticulous condition throughout, benefits from a walled entrance with tarmac driveway, allowing

A magnificent ManorCO MEATH: FIVE-BED DETACHED HOME FOR €349,950

for off-street parking, as well as two side entrances to the professionally-land-scaped garden, which fea-tures a decking area.

The accommodation comprises entry hall, liv-ing room, a study, kitchen, dining room, family room, TV room, utility room, as

well as five large bed-rooms on the upper level, with the master bedroom featuring a walk-in ward-robe, en suite and study. Two of the bedrooms share a Jack & Jill-style en suite facility, while the fourth bedroom has an en suite. There is also a large

Number 32, Steeple

Manor in Trim is on the

market for €349,950

GazettePROPERTYPROPERTY

family bathroom.Properties at Steeple

Manor were constructed approximately nine years ago of timber-frame con-struction, and the devel-poment is situated beside Newtown. There is an excellent host of ameni-ties and historical sites on is door step.

Viewing is highly rec-ommended and can be arranged by contacting Carty Property Advisors on 04694 86860, or see www.carty.ie for more information.

features a tiled floor, sink unit and additional stor-age presses. It is plumbed for a washing machine and there are two sepa-rate accesses to the rear garden.

The bedrooms are all well-sized and feature carpeted flooring and fit-ted wardrobes.

The master bathroom comprises bath with elec-tric shower, WHB, WC,

and is fully tiled.Outside, the front gar-

den is fully cobble-locked, so offers ample off-street parking, and it is shielded with mature shrubbery. The rear garden measures 50ft in length, is walled and has a laid-in lawn. It is not overlooked so offers good privacy. The garden also enjoys an enviable westerly aspect, captur-ing all the afternoon and

evening sunshine.This wonderful home

is sure to attract strong interest so early viewing is highly recommended.

The property is availa-ble for viewing, which can be arranged through Sine-ad Beggan at McGuirk Beggan Property on 01 419 0600.

For more information, see www.mcguirkbeggan.ie.


LORRAINE O’Neill is known both for her skills as a make-up artist and for her success developing businesses such as LA Make-Up Academy and the Irish Federation Of Make-Up Artists (IFMA).

She has worked as a make-up artist in London, Paris and Sydney as well as her native Dublin, and has travelled all over the world, to destinations as diverse as Africa and India. Highly respected by clients, photographers, stylists and fellow make-up artists, Lor-raine established an early reputation for catching trends while warm and transforming them red hot onto the faces of Ireland’s top models. Her work has been featured in numerous titles,

including Image, Social & Personal, The RTE Guide, and she has appeared on TV programmes such as RTE 1’s Off the Rails.

Lorraine was aware that no facility existed in Ireland to provide top-tier training to make-up artists. Lorraine then began training make-up artists, engaging the services of other leading artists to provide high-quality tuition.

In 2005, she was keen to realise the full potential of her training business and she opened LA Make-Up Acad-emy. To date, thousands of students have benefited from instruction from Ireland’s top make-up artists.

See www.lamakeupacademy.com for details.

Interview: Lorraine O’Neill, founder and owner of LA Make-Up Academy

Q&A

Facing up to a challenge

Lorraine O’Neill, founder and owner of LA Make-Up

Academy

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?A: A truck driver or a ballet

dancer!

Q: What was your first job?A: Picking potatoes age 11

in the farm next door....hard

labour from my mother! It was

strawberries the next summer

but I kept eating them so they

fired me

Q: And your first pay cheque?A: 20 pence per bag and I was

rich!

Q: How many people do you speak with every day?A: I work from London every

second week so as many as

will listen to me. When I’m in

Dublin, my entire team daily

at our check-in meeting bright

and early

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: Seeing our students inspired

and realising that their dream

is coming true. Infectious.

Q: What about your job do you like least?A: Wanting to run when I must

walk

Q: What air carrier do you use?A: Whoever will take me the

furthest! Can’t beat BA for

customer service and also

Singapore for just about eve-

rything

Q: What kind of car do you drive?A: Jeep

Q: Can you swim?A: I can swim; however, appar-

ently I look like I’m drowning

Q: What is your favourite sport?A: Kayaking around Dun

Laoghaire and Dalkey,

marathon running and my first

squash game this weekend!

Q: What is your favourite food and drink?A: Love food, any food, unfor-

tunately. Jameson

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

A: Cards only, I don’t carry

cash

Q: How many times each year do you shop for clothes? A: I gladly see this as part of

my job, so lots - great career

perk!

Q: What is the name of your favourite shop?

A: Run Lola Run in London

for beautiful clothes... and

Lorna Fitzgerald in Dublin for

the most amazing handbags in

the world

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?A: Enough for my nickname to

be Mrs. Marcos

Q: Where is your favourite holiday destination? A: Safari in Africa

Q: What other job in the whole world would you really like to have? A: To work with the mentally

handicapped

Q: When do you wish to retire?A: A busy mind never retires

Q: What do you plan to do then? A: I will do what I always

do... appreciate every day

that comes and live it to

the full

GazetteBUSINESSBUSINESS Supported by AIB

WHERE TO INVEST THE SAVINGS

Q – I have c. €120,000 in savings and am “risk-

averse” – being in my mid-sixties, caution is my

middle name - can you advise me on where best

to place this sum ? Catherine – Raheny Dublin 5

A – I would say over 95% of investors today irre-

spective of age would be risk-averse given what

has happened in particular over the last five years.

However, as I have often stated, all investment is

risk – the greater the return, the higher the risk

– and when the stock market is involved, you have

to think long-term rather than trying to make the

quick buck.

Your personal circumstances are going to dictate

some of your investment decisions – your age, your

family situation, current income levels and your

personal goals.

In your mid-sixties now, you are going to be that

little bit more cautious with your money than a mid-

twenties investor. Generally, the older you are, the

more likely it is that you will keep your funds liquid

– cash deposits, guaranteed short term invest-

ments. You also have a choice of investing in some

alternative investments (eg art, philately, rock ‘n

roll memorabilia, etc) or the stock market itself

(Exchange Traded Funds – ETFs. the cheapest form

of stock acquisition – managed funds, government

bonds, commodities such as gold ) or even to use

your money as seed capital for your own or a family

member’s start up business.

€ 120,000 is a large sum and you should expect a

return of c. € 4,000 NET in to your hand each year at

the minimum.

All deposit takers regulated by the Financial

Regulator carry a € 100,000 guarantee – even insti-

tutions like Investec and Nationwide UK are similarly

covered by the UK Financial Regulatory Authority.

State savings ( the National Treasury Management

Agency – a government body that manages An Post,

prize bonds, the two National Solidarity Bonds,

NAMA etc ) are deemed sovereign debt and have no

limit – though some of the products have thresh-

olds.. e.g. Savings Bonds €120,000 per person – and

no expiry date. As long as you believe the euro will

not fail, the government will not default, your money

is safe and it is a question of receiving the best

return on your money. The current best return on

a demand account (in today, out tomorrow where

you can email transfer instructions for same day

value) is AIB Direct – now the Irish Banking Resolu-

tion Corporation - up to € 100,000 attracting 3.35%

(net 2.4455%) They also offer the best 12 month

fixed at 4.1% - email me for details. Be safe but

ensure good return.

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

146,000* PEOPLE IN DUBLIN READ OUR PAPERS EACH WEEK

TO ADVERTISE CALL 60 10 240


LA Make-Up Academy offers world-class programmes span-ning make-up, beauty therapy and fashion styling.

With studios in Dublin, Lon-don and Los Angeles, LA Make-Up offers truly unparalleled edu-cation taught by award-winning tutors who are leaders in the industry.

To celebrate the launch of LA’s ITEC Honours Beauty Therapy Course, LA Academy and Der-

malogica are giving readers the chance to win a year’s supply of Dermalogica products. To enter this amazing competition, all you have to do is ‘like’ the LA Make-Up Academy/Agency Facebook and answer a simple question in the competition tab to win.

Always ahead of the industry, LA Make-Up is the FIRST Col-lege in Ireland to offer this ITEC Honours Diploma in Beauty Therapy. This course has the

unique ability to train students as expert beauty therapists and high fashion make-up artists, with the added bonus of train-ing in all the latest techniques in the industry. These include facial, electrical, body treat-ments and advanced skincare. The beauty students are also trained to a Module 2 stand-ard in make-up, which qualifies them as a professional bridal, catwalk and high fashion make-

up artist. Full and part-time beauty courses will commence January, 2012.

LA Make-Up also offers world-class FETAC and ITEC accred-ited programmes. LA Make-Up graduates are now successfully working all over the world in locations such as London, New York and Los Angeles!

For more information visit www.lamakeupacademy.com or call 01 675 1999.

And now... it’s competition time

Enjoying a winter break in the south-west

NATALIE BURKE

I’M ashamed to admit that it’s not very often I get to enjoy a few days away in Ireland, so I can’t help overlooking just how much our country has to offer.

After taking up the opportunity for an early winter break in the won-derful west, however, it’s something I plan on doing again very soon.

The Malton Hotel (formerly the Great Southern Hotel) was our home for two nights in Killarney, and is located in the heart of the town just a minute from the train station.

The tall windows, mar-ble columns and tradi-tional furniture of the 150-year-old Victorian building were comple-mented by the contem-porary-styled reception area and the staff were incredibly welcoming, warm and helpful.

We stayed in a Junior Suite in the West Wing of the main house, one of the hotel’s 171 guestrooms, which continued to boast its old-fashioned charm with high ceilings and Victorian-style interior.

The spacious suite was, unsurprisingly, spotless and had a second-floor view of the hotel gardens and a backdrop of the Kerry Mountains.

The hotel prides itself

on letting time slow down a little for its guests and I can promise the days we spent there seemed to last forever – in the best way possible.

How we managed to fit so much into one day I’ll never understand, but we did, while still find-ing time to relax, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, din-ner and seeing the local sights.

Dinner on our first night was spent in the Garden Room Restau-rant where we sat at a window overlooking the garden and ordered from the reasonable table d’hote menu,

which included a four-course dinner and a sor-bet between courses.

The fried mozzarella, tomato and chickpea stew, and jumbo prawn cocktail with cucumber pearls, were enjoyed as starters while the fillet of Hereford beef and mush-room butter was definite-ly a favourite.

Breakfast was also served in the restaurant, where a buffet of both

continental and tradi-tional Irish favourites were available as well as a choice of vanilla pan-cakes, French brioche toast and fish specials from the a la carte menu.

The amenities in the hotel included the relax-ing Punchbowl Bar, where we enjoyed a pre-dinner drink, the resi-dent’s library and read-ing room, as well as its six acres of landscaped gardens.

The Health and Beau-ty Rooms offer a range of treatments but with a long to-do list, we could only pay a quick visit.

Despite the chang-

ing rooms being a little small and slightly dated, the swimming pool was a good size and appeared very family-friendly.

Seeing the Sights We looked at some

bargains at the Kil-larney Outlet Centre, which was right next door to the hotel, and took a wander through the town, discovering its many treasures, includ-

ing Qui l ls ’ fashion house and vintage store, Retro Rose Bazaar.

We found some of the best locally-sourced food products at The Markets on Old Milk Market Lane, and paused for tea at the century-old Miss Courtney’s Tearooms.

Driving along the N71, we took in some must-see spots on the way to the picturesque Moll’s Gap, including Torc Waterfall, Avoca and Ladies’ View.

Driving towards Ken-mare, we paid a visit to Molly Gallivan’s tradi-tional cottage and Lorges chocolatiers found along Glengarriff Road.

We enjoyed our sec-ond night’s dinner at The Smokehouse, a cosy res-taurant with a laid back atmosphere, an open kitchen and a quirky menu.

Despite a limited des-sert selection, a huge effort went into the fresh-ness, quality and taste of the food where we enjoyed good wine, great service and a delicious meal.

Before heading home, we took a horse-drawn carriage through Kil-larney National Park with Killarney Jaunting Cars.

With five generations of the Tangney Fam-ily running the business, we took an informative and entertaining guided

jaunt through the Park-lands, past the Lakes of Killarney and on to Ross Castle.

Tours with Killarney Jaunting Cars are avail-able all year round, with winter sleigh rides avail-able during Christmas time.

Full-day tours and boat tours are also avail-able and can be booked through your hotel or by visiting www.killarney-jauntingcars.com.

Two nights B&B plus one evening meal are available at The Malton, Killarney, at €159 pps at weekends, €139 during midweek.

The hotel is also offer-ing great festive breaks for Christmas party nights, as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day pack-ages and New Year’s Eve breaks.

For more information, visit www.themalton.com.

The luxurious Malton

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‘Driving along the N71, we took in some must-see spots on the way to the picturesque spot of Moll’s Gap, including Torc Waterfall, Avoca and Ladies’ View’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A great week on and off the slopes in the Frech AlpsBLACKROCK-BASED company, Highlife, is offering some decent ski packages this snow season.

There is no doubt that the right resort can mean the difference between a mediocre ski holiday and a refreshingly good one. Highlife has several destinations that will guarantee a great week both on and off the slopes.

They continue to focus solely on the French Alps because of the expansive, well-maintained ski areas and the superb infrastructure and facili-ties on offer.

With Morzine, Meribel and Val d’Isere, on offer, each boasts a great snow record and also offers a wide range of skiing terrain suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

Val D’IsereVal d’Isere has earned the reputation of being

one of the greatest ski resorts in the world as a result of its sensational high-altitude skiing and chic village setting.

Linked with the neighbouring resort of Tignes to create L’Espace Killy, the combined ski area offers an astounding variety of terrain, both on- and off-piste, for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. It is no surprise that this resort has hosted Olympic and World Cup competitions.

Dating back to the 11th century, Val d’Isere still retains much of its traditional Savoyarde architecture and authentic village atmosphere. The town is a shopper’s paradise, with upmarket boutiques and traditional French patisseries lining its sophisticated main street. Visitors are spoilt for choice by the resort’s renowned range of cafes, restaurants and apres ski bars. As many of the pistes come right into the centre of town, non-skiers can choose a sunny terrace to enjoy the fun from the comfort of a deck chair.

Ski areaVal d’Isere offers a good range of nursery

slopes as well as extensive skiing for intermedi-ates. For more advanced skiers and snowboard-ers, the Espace Killy area is well-known for its challenging black runs and sensational off-piste skiing. From Val d’Isere, you are within easy ski-ing distance of the base of the Grand Motte, one of Europe’s largest pisted glaciers. At 3,400m, the glacier offers over 40km of huge, sweeping runs and breath-taking views out over the Alps.

Go to www.highlife.ie for more information.

FastTravel

GazetteTTRAVELRAVEL22 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

Hotel is located in the heart of Killarney and just a minute from the train station

Visit Santa and his elves inKillarney this Christmas WITH so many festive treats happening in Kil-larney this Christmas, it’s no wonder Santa will be visiting his Secret Christmas Village during the month of December, and children will have the chance to visit and see his mischievous elves in action.

See Mrs Claus baking in her Gingerbread Kitchen, or the elves working hard in the Toy Makers’ Workshop.

Take a peek at Santa’s sleigh before Christ-mas Eve and see where the elves sleep at night in the Elf Dormitory.

Take a wander through Santa’s Farm Yard and see his reindeer in training. And, finally, meet the man himself and get your picture taken with Santa in his Holiday Cottage.

The Secret Christmas Village is open for visits from December 2 – 23.

Prices range from €15 per child or €50 for a family ticket (Two adults, three children). Booking is essential and can be booked with local hotels or made at www.santasvillage.ie.

TravelBriefs

Edited by Mimi Murray



Building tensions ...Peter Ward ( Daniel Craig), his wife, Libby (Rachel Weisz) and their daughters (Claire and Taylor Geare) seem to have a great life ... However,

they soon begin to suspect there’s something unnerving about their seemingly perfect house – what is its mysterious past?

GoingOUT

GazetteENTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENT

This tale of a house with a mysterious past is interesting, but it’s also unlikely to haunt viewers’ minds for very long

KATE CROWLEY

ANOTHER day, another film, and another house of horrors for your con-sideration. (Speaking of which, dear readers, be grateful you’ve never seen home videos of Mr Crowley’s wedding danc-ing – or Dad-Dancing, as darling Crowleyetta bluntly puts it.)

Just what is it about mysterious old houses that directors seem to find so fascinating, in this case, Jim Sheridan?

I’ve yet to see some-thing that’s truly horrify-ing – such as the desper-ate problem with pyrite foundations that so many Dublin householders, and our rural cousins, are facing – but the perils of swelling building materi-als don’t seem to interest directors quite as much as spooky goings-on in base-ments.

And so, plumbing the depths of an old formula, we arrive at this particular

Dream House; the kind of place that Mr Blandings would steer well clear of (that’s a nod to our older readers, and hello there, mammy), yet which crag-gy Peter Ward (Craig), wife Libby (Weisz) and little girls are living in.

It’s the kind of cosy, comfortable house that we’re all so used to see-ing in the movies – you know, happy children, plenty of space, nice fur-niture, aloof neighbours, mysterious figures stand-ing around outside in the midnight snow, a gang of strangers in the base-ment – so far, this almost

sounds like the Crowley household at Christmas, but with somewhat less Dad-Dancing.

Still – and perhaps the preceding paragraph has tipped my hat at where review this is going – all is not well in the Ward house, as Peter and family are, shall we say, alarmed at the strange figures and goings on that are taking place around, and focused on, their dream house.

It’s soon clear that another family once lived there – but it’s a family that seems to have met an unfortunate end.

Once Peter starts to

look into the history of the house, and what may or may not have happened to the former occupants, it’s clear that it was any-thing but a dream house.

Err... I’m now at the point in this review where, if I was giving you the low-down on a big ol’ boat, heading at a jaunty clip towards America in April, 1912, and what the sud-den sighting of a chunk of ice might have meant for that titanic vessel, I’d have to either tell you a little too much about the film’s outcome, or totally change tack.

In other words, I’m stuck with what I’ll call “The Twist Is That Bruce Willis Is Already Dead In A Certain Film” syn-drome, or TTITBWIA-DIACF, for short, and, here, there’s definitely a TTITBWIADIACF lurk-ing just below the film’s surface, ready to spring several serious leaks in the Ward family’s lifestyle – or, more specifically, in

Peter’s very sanity.Well folks, there ain’t

no sanity clause that I can think of to exploit to avoid saying much more about the film without spring-ing secrets that you don’t need to know just yet, so I’ll cut the plot summary there.

It’s an interesting twist on the haunted house for-mula, with the point here being that, rather than being a tale of a haunted place, perhaps there’s nothing more wretched than a haunted figure, with ghosts of the past lingering, half-felt on the edge of memory, with a doorframe, or a hallway, capable of springing an unexpected surprise.

Thanks to that ear-lier TTITBWIADIACF I mentioned – and that’s the last time I’ll wield that acronym, like a house brick – I can’t say much more, other than it’s an okay film, but can’t com-pete with the true horror that is Dad-Dancing ...

FILM OF THE WEEK:Dream House (15A) 91 mins

OUR VERDICT:HERE we go again – don’t go down into that cellar, or digging around into the past! It’s an interesting take on the haunted house formula, where the main figure is a haunted figure, in the psychological sense of the word. However, the film soon descends into standard shlock-horror routine, turning the film into something that you could just as easily pass, and carry on down the street ...

Director: Jim SheridanStarring: Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Two Cute Kids and A House’s Mysterious Secret

PAVILION 01 231 2929Alexej Gorlatch

CONTINUING its eclectic range of superb music, the Dun Laoghaire theatre presents Alexej Gorlatch in concert. The young Ukranian pianist has collected a string of international awards, with his skills delighting listeners all around the world. His programme will include works by Beethoven and Chopin, with popular and challenging pieces to enthral all audiences. Alexej’s performance can be enjoyed at 8pm on Friday, November 25, with admission costing €17/€15.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Trading Faces ...

DUNDRUM theatregoers can be counted upon to give Adele King a warm welcome when she stars in Trading Faces... Or Who Gives A Tuck?, which follows a dowdy 50-something Dubliner who decides that cosmetic surgery is the answer to all her prayers for a new and exciting life ... but is it? Described as a hilarious and moving production, the production runs at 6pm and 8.30pm on Saturday, November 26, with admission costing €25/€20.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622Paddy Cole

PERENIALLY popular musician, Paddy Cole and his All Stars are ready to delight audiences with an eclectic evening of music, with everything from jazz, rock and roll, swing and sounds of the Sixties set to bring something for all tastes to the night’s entertainment. A legendary musician, Paddy has been delighting audiences for decades, and is all set to entertain on the night and, best of all, the night is a fundraiser, being held in aid of St Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Impaired – Ireland’s only centre for blind children. The concert is at 8pm on Tuesday, November 29, with admission costing €22/€18 conc.


SHANE DILLON

IT’S been a very long time since I’ve found a game experience to be daunt-ing, in the best sense of the word, but that’s the one word that kept coming to mind with the recent cross-platform release, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Despite its former, for-midable popularity on older consoles and plat-forms, the roleplaying/adventure genre has largely died away on mod-ern consoles, save for con-tinuing – if niche – popu-larity as, generally, Mas-sively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, such as World of Warcraft.

However, although MMOs continue to enjoy significant success, and are very popular in other parts of the world, here, MMOs and their con-sole counterparts are something of an acquired taste.

Still, Skyrim is a title that should easily wander its way up the charts as, despite seeing an a w f u l lot of

media stories concen-trating on the console “showdown” between the Battlefield and Call of Duty rival series, Skyrim’s pedigree makes it a signif-icant contender for Game of the Year, regardless of the games’ platform it’s played upon.

But first, back to that particular word I picked out: daunting.

It really seems to be the most appropriate word for this title, as I can recall few other titles with the vast range of gameplay options, as well as the sheer size of the world, that Skyrim comes with.

In fact, the only other games that compare with it are its predecessors, as well as spiritual counter-parts that were also devel-oped by Bethesda – a games company that can truly lay claim to the title of “building worlds”.

Here, as with its broad-ly similar pred-

ecessors, the player finds themselves in a new land – new to them, but one that’s

filled with a wide

GazetteGAMINGGAMING

Whether wandering over to one of the region’s towns, exploring mountain

peaks, or finding abandoned ruins, Skyrim’s epic world is truly vast, and full of detail

Saying Halo to a big anniversaryALTHOUGH gamers are very used to seeing sequels churning out almost identical versions of the same title, where each sequel is barely an evolutionary step forward from its predecessor, it’s very unusual to see any title revisited.

However, that hasn’t stopped Microsoft from presenting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniver-sary, marking the ten-year anniversary of the iconic XBox title.

I’ll be reviewing that just-released title next week, as well as looking at how it’s been per-forming at various global markets.

The Halo series has been one of the powerhouses of the XBox empire, on both hardware platforms, and a key title for Microsoft. The original Halo was a breath of fresh air in the First Person Shooter genre, and, coupled with some terrific enemy AI, made a major quality mark that even its sequels never quite matched.

To celebrate this key title’s anniversary, Micro-soft have released the ten-year-old title again – but with a very interestingtwist ... Look out for that full review, next week.

Bytesandpieces

b

Months needed to trulyexplore Skyrim

variety of races, towns, ruins and history.

After choosing, and editing, a unique charac-ter type – such as, say, a character that’s particu-larly skilled at sneaking quietly, healing quickly and adept at one-handed combat – the player is free to wander the world.

And what a world it is, too. What initially may not look like a very large area, on the nicely-mod-elled map screen, turns out to be vast.

Walking for five or ten minutes towards a dis-tant peak – only to real-ise you’ve barely moved across some foothills in an obscure corner of the map – make the world seem even more impres-

sive, given the wealth of detail, random

occurences, ruins and fortifications, changing weather

and cycling days and

Want to craft a fireball-wielding ninja lizard

mage? Each players’ character is truly their own.

Whether wandering over to one of the region’s towns, exploring mountain

nights experienced upon the way, coupled with chance encounters with friendly or hostile charac-ters and wildlife.

Of course, there’s an overall story to follow – or to ignore. Don’t feel like talking to the Jarl (king) of a city, to get the next, cru-cial bit of information in the deepening plot? Then forget it, and simply pick a distant hill at random, and set off.

An almost equally involving adventure is likely to await, with odd characters, bandit attacks, and much more along the way, with every chance encounter, or player deci-sion, affecting how your journey and character skills develop.

Frankly, after a lot of time spent plugging away at Skyrim – with sev-eral hours usually being enough to blitz through, and finish, most new releases – I’m well aware that I’ve only seen about 40% of locations on

the map – and that’s by almost totally ignoring events and characters met along the way.

Instead, rather than “playing” Skyrim, I’ve immersed myself into the adventure it offers, find-ing, noting, and then not even attempting a great many missions, diver-sions and opportunities along the way – and all this, within the same, half-discovered parts of the world. My world.

After all, despite Skyrim having a number of tech-nical issues and occasion-ally jarring bugs, which the developer, Bethesda, is famous for in many of its games (with, at the time of writing, my most recent game save having simply vanished), it’s an outstanding title.

Occasionally gory, fre-quently chaotic, generally interesting and always involving, Skyrim’s epic nature make it a must-have title, offering months of gaming, not hours.

GAZE

TTE

GAZE

TTE

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MONKSTOWN hock-ey club provided five players to the Leinster underage sides that won both the Under-18 and Under-16 interpro-vincial hockey titles last weekend in St Andrew’s, making for a rare double for the Boys in Blue.

At Under-18 level, brother Lee and David Cole were key men while Aaron Bailey, David Nolan and Jazze Henry were involved with the younger age group.

It was a famous victo-ry as the 18s looked all but out of the competi-tion after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ulster – Ross Canning cancelling out an Adam Fallis goal – despite a 9-1 victory

over Munster on Satur-day afternoon.

I t l e f t j u s t o n e sequence of results on Sunday which would break Ulster’s three year winning streak; the Red Hands falling to Mun-ster and the blues get-ting a second success over the southern prov-ince.

But that transpired in incredible fashion as Munster’s U-18 boys picked up a memorable 1-0 victory to set up the day as Andrew Colton’s drag-flick from his side’s only corner of the game proved the winner.

T hey rode the i r luck, surviving the ball bouncing off both post and crossbar as well as seeing Ulster miss a final second penalty stroke. It allowed Lein-ster to gleefully step into

the breach.They duly grasped the

opportunity with both hands as Corinthian’s Jordan Sutton got Lein-ster off to a flier against a flagging Munster in their second tie of the day.

Clubmate Jonathan Roberts rebounded after Jeremy Duncan broke through and David Cole dragged in a third to ease any nerves.

Sutton added another pair while Cole got his second to copper-fasten the victory in the sec-ond half before Nath-an Eacrett and David Whitaker got consola-tion goals.

Under-16sEarlier in the day,

Leinster’s U-16s contin-ued their excellent form at youth level with a fifth

title in six years. On Sat-urday, their title hopes looked to be rocked as Ulster produced a bril-liant performance to run up a 2-0 victory, but they were ultimately left to rue Hugh Lavery’s superb performance.

But for the Sandford goalkeeper, the damage might have been much greater, as Ulster, cre-ated plenty of chances.

Thanks to Friday’s 1-0 win over Ulster and a rampaging 6-0 win over Munster on Saturday morning, it left Leinster ahead going into day three on goal difference by three goals.

Again, there was a helping hand from Munster as Julian Dale continued his fine scor-ing form with a fourth of the tournament as his side fell to a 6-3 loss

but did enough to leave Leinster needing any sort of win over Mun-ster in the tournament’s final game.

Double strikes for Three Rock’s Luke Madeley and Jack Ryan — two of the key men all weekend, along with a towering show from David Nolan in mid-field — saw them net a 4-1 victory to claim the title.

M a d e l e y ’ s p a i r brought his tally to four drag-flicks in the com-petition while Ryan also got four, his pair in the final game were expertly taken, roofing the first sharply while his second – the side’s third – came from the narrowest of angles as he spotted a gap as Munster scrambled to realign their defences.

Monkstown’s David Cole celebrates after scoring for Leinster in their interprovincial win over Munster last weekend

Locals lift Leinster

HOCKEY: PROVINCIAL SIDES CLAIM A RARE DOUBLE IN DUBLIN

FastSport

A memorable season captured in colourONE OF the most cherished sporting books of the year, A Season of Sundays, celebrates its 15th year of publication this year, and the latest instal-ment features a selection of images from Dublin’s in the collection.

Each year the book captures the very heart and soul of GAA life in Ireland, from the players and teams themselves to the officials, volunteers and supporters. The collection of images has been compiled by award-winning photographic agen-cy, Sportsfile, and features captions from GAA Communications Manager, Alan Milton.

The book captures the spectacular journey that saw Dublin finally raise the Sam Maguire again after a 16-year wait, including the now famous Stephen Cluxton kick that sealed the win over Kerry on that memorable senior football final day at Croke Park.

The book’s creator, Ray McManus, said: “All of the talking points from another great season are relived in the book. From the worthy winners throughout the championships to the surprise packages, such as London’s great run in the football. It also looks at the less high-profile moments that capture the essence of Gaelic Games up and down the country.”

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Cri-ostóir Ó Cuana welcomed the publication of the latest instalment, saying: “The end of another GAA season would not be complete without A Season of Sundays. As ever, the memorable moments from what was another fascinating year are captured in glorious technicolour.”

A Season of Sundays 2011, sponsored by Ulster Bank, retails at €29.95 and is now available at bookstores nationwide and online at www.sportsfile.com.

in association with


FastSport

DUNDRUM cyclist Nicolas Roche added another title to his already impressive string of achievements last week when his book, Inside The Peloton, was named as the Irish Sport Book of the Year at the at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards at the RDS.

Roche himself was in attendance, having got the permission of his Ag2r La Mondiale team to leave the team training camp at Montgenevre to come to see the award presented, missing two days of training in the process.

Roche beat the competition in the category from Tony McCoy, Paul Kimmage, Donncha O’Callaghan, Philip O’Connor and Ronnie Whe-lan to claim the prestigious prize.

The cyclist has had a more successful and promising winter this year, last year having been blighted by injury that hampered what surely would have been a more successful 2011 season in the saddle.

“Everything is fine so far,” Roche said last week. “I haven’t started hard yet, I am just taking it easy until this point. Unfortunately, the weath-er hasn’t been great but I’ve got some training in anyway. I didn’t run this winter and have stayed clear of injury. I’m ready to step things up now.”

Roche adds book award to list of achievements

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

We’re delighted to once again be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dub-

lin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some, less prominent, sports.

Every form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and gives an indication of the diversity of sporting commit-

ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.

Let us know!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, 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

MONTHEAMON ZAYED

THE former Dundrum

native and ex-Sporting

Fingal star was named

as the Airtricity’s Player

of the Year this month

after an heroic showing

for Derry City, netting 22

goals for the Northern

side in the process.

GARY THOMPSON

THE North Dublin star

of the track has been

marked as a possible F1

star of the future, and

continues to impress with

his progress on the Asian

circuit, shining on the

Japanese F3 championship

over the last two years.

GLENN WHELAN

THE Clondalkin man’s

presence as part of the

Republic Of Ireland soc-

cer team has been the

sole constant of the

campaign that ended this

month with an aggregate

win over Estonia to see

Ireland reach Euro 2012.

TEAMof the

MONTH

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - NOVEMBER NOMINEES

LUCAN SARSFIELDS

THE 12th Lock side made

Dublin history this month

when they claimed the

last of an impressive

run of camogie titles at

Parnell Park; the club’s

ladies now own the Under-

13 to minors crowns in

the county.

ST BRIGID’S

RUSSELL Park’s finest

were on fine form to

win the Dublin Senior

Football championship

title for the first time in

eight years recently, and

are impressing in their

progress in the Leinster

championship as well.

ST SYLVESTER’S

THE Malahide ladies once

again proved their mettle

on the field of play and

reached the semi-final

of the All-Ireland jun-

ior ladies’ football club

championship, only to be

denied a shot at the title

by a determined Aherlow.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Get running to help reach GOAL’s 30th GOAL is asking people from all over Dublin to help them celebrate the 30th birthday of one of the country’s most popular annual fundraisers by organising a GOAL Mile somewhere in the county this Christmas.

Last year, GOAL Miles were scheduled to take place at thirteen

locations across Dublin, but with this being a special anniversary year for the event, GOAL is hoping that even more people will get involved across the county, and across the country in general.

If you would like to organise a Mile near you to assist GOAL’s various humanitarian programmes across the developing world, email Karen at [email protected] or call GOAL at 01 280 9779.


GazetteSportSport

FastSport

DSDAC’s reward: Athletics club get national awardDUNDRUM South Dublin AC — repre-sented by Lucy Moore, Liz McDonagh, Eddie McDonagh, John Eves and Claire Bergin — recently received the Athletic Club of the Year award from CEO of Woodies DIY, Ray Colman, at the National Athletics Awards in Association with Woodie’s DIY and Tipperary Crystal which took place at the Crowne Plaza Dublin, Northwood.

Picture: Barry Cregg / Sportsfile

KILMACUD Crokes and Dublin player Kevin Nolan, along with his fellow All-Ireland winners, Eoghan O’Gara and Paul Flynn, were on hand to help launch the Dublin book, A Rare Auld Season, which captures in pictured the road to Sam Maguire. They signed a copy for for nine-year-old Chloe Collins, from Sandyford, in Easons on O’Connell Street.

Picture: Ray McManus/Sportfile

Dubs sign up for Sam and Chloe in Easons

Hopkins bros chosen for Irish panelTROJAN swimming club’s Christopher and Tim Hopkins have both been pan-elled by the Irish Wheelchair Associa-tion with a view to selection to swim at the DSE National junior champion-ships 2012 which takes place in Shef-field in March 2012.

The team selection will be ratified by the National Sports Executive commit-tee.

Meanwhile, club members picked off a string of medals at the recent Leinster schools’ gala. At minor level, there were gold medals for Ellie Scott, Ava Tormey-Murphy, Hannah Inglis, Philip Towns and Jack Grant.

In the senior sec-tion, Leo Kurevlov

also took gold.

Meteors U-20 side into next round of cupMETEORS Basket-ball Club’s Under-20 team advanced to the second round of the women’s National Cup with a 69-46 victory over Glanmire in Cork last weekend.

Eimear Browne notched 22 points, while Rebecca Nagle also weighed in with a dozen of her own to ease their passage into the next round.

The SuperLeague side, however, came unstuck last Sunday when they fell 66-47 to Team Monten-otte Hotel. Nagle and Browne were again in scoring form, dropping 19 points between them but Claire Rockall inspired the Cork side with a haul of 24.

[email protected]

WAYSIDE CELTIC’S run of two consecutive league wins came to a crashing halt at Jackson Park last Sunday when Tolka Rovers raided their hosts for a 5-1 vic-tory as their title reten-tions hopes look to be over at the halfway stage in the season.

A fourth success in six outings for Tolka saw them leap-frog the Kilternan side, with Paul Ryan netting a double, while Eamon Moylan, David Somers and Andy Hartford also weighed in to put five

goals between the sides before Wayside got a deserved late consola-tion.

With Bangor Celtic not in league action, and Mount Merrion falling to a heavy home defeat to Phoenix, it made for a tough weekend for the local sides in the LSL Sunday Senior.

Wayside Celtic had been on a decent run, adding two cup match successes to their pair of wins in the league, but this latest setback against Tolka leaves them looking anxiously over their shoulder in a share of ninth with

Bangor after 13 games this term.

Rovers returnIn Sunday Senior

One, Broadford Rovers’ travails continued with a 5-0 loss at Edenderry on Friday night to see them sit bottom of the division at the midway point and needing to make up points on the likes of Celbridge Town, Pos ta l Uni ted and Drogheda Town.

T E K Un i t e d a r e slightly better off, lying in ninth place, but a 3-1 setback at Strad-brook to Peamount/Moyle Park scuppered

a chance to rise five places in the standings in a congested middle of the table scrap.

With St Joseph’s Glasthule enduring tough times in Sunday Senior 1B, currently without a point to their name and having to play their games away from home until their Loughlinstown home recovers from damage caused by weed killer, it is making for tough times for intermediate clubs in the borough.

St Joseph’s Boys, however, are looking at a promotion push and with just one loss from

their first nine games this season, the Tivoli Terrace side are looking onwards and upwards.

They are currently lying in fifth place in Senior 1B with games in hand over Lucan United and Templeogue United, though Tymon Celtic have blazed an impressive trail at the top of the division.

With LSL newcomers Killester United bring-ing their AUL form to the table, it makes for a competitive few months with all the sides in this division left with plenty of fixtures in which to make their mark.

Tough week for local sides

SOCCER: TEAMS STRUGGLE IN LEAGUE TIES ACROSS SOUTH

TEK United faltered in LSL Sunday Senior League 1 when they fell to a 3-1 defeat at Peamount/Moyle Park


in association with

a CLUB NOTICEBOARD

STARS OF ERIN

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter and at www.gazettegroup.com

THE Under-8 and Under-9 football-

ers both played a challenge game

against Cuala in Glencullen on Sat-

urday morning, in what was a real-

ly good game, and plenty of great

skills being displayed by both sets

of young players.

Special thanks to Cuala for trav-

elling up for the game.

The Under-11s had an impressive

win in a challenge game away to

Ballyfermot DLS.

The nursery continues every

Saturday morning in St Patrick’s

National School, Glencullen.

The nursery alternates between

football and hurling each week, and

promotes an early introduction to

gaelic games in a safe and fun envi-

ronment.

Adult ladies’ team continue train-

ing each week in Glencullen. Anyone

interested in playing, please con-

tact Paudge McHugh 086 309 2327.

There was no winner of the weekly

lotto. The three no jackpot winners

were 1st: Rita O’Reilly, 2nd: Rhian

Maguire, 3rd: Michael Hunt.

The jackpot next week will be €300.

The club are holding the annual

Christmas draw on December 17 in

the Step Inn.

Raffle tickets are now on sale

priced at €10. This is a limited draw

so please purchase your ticket

early to avoid disappointment.

Please see any club official or juve-

nile mentor for tickets.

Please visit www.starsoferin.com

for further news.

CUALAGood luck to our reigning Scor na

nOg champions of Dublin who have

made it back to the Dublin final tak-

ing place in Craobh Ciaran.

Well done to the senior footballers

who beat Erin’s Isle by 2-12 to 0-08

on Sunday morning in the league.

Hard luck to the U-21 footballers

who came up against a strong Na

Fianna side on Saturday in the A

championship.

Well done to Lorraine Hayes, who

was named as Volunteer of the Year

by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County

Council. Very well deserved recog-

nition.

Congratulations to the U-12A hurl-

ers who won their League 2 play-off

game for second spot on Saturday,

and will now play in the top flight

when they move to 15-a-side in

2012.

The minor section will be hosting a

table quiz in the Cuala Hall this Fri-

day, November 25. All are welcome.

Tables of four cost €40.

The club AGM will take place on

December 8 in the club. All fully paid

adult members are encouraged to

attend on the night.

A concert of Christmas music will

be held in Cuala Hall on Saturday,

December 17. Entertainment will

be provided by The Dublin Concert

Band who already played in the Hall

this year to rave reviews.

All helpers and volunteers at all

levels within the club are invited to

come along for what should be an

enjoyable festive occasion.

There will be no entry (or exit)

charge – all compliments of Cuala.

THE club held its annual dinner

dance last Friday night in the Stil-

lorgan Park Hotel.

Guests of honour were the County

Board Chairperson, Maureen King,

as well as local TD, Mary Mitchell

O’Connor.

A special presentation was given

to Sinead Goldrick, who is the club’s

first All-Star nominee.

Over 200 club members attended

the very successful night.

The club has been awarded the

Large Club of the Year award this

year by the London Ladies’ County

Board. The award will be presented

at the County Board dinner-dance

to be held this weekend.

The club hosts its AGM this Thur-

day, November 24 at 8pm, at Cab-

inteely Soccer club. All members

are requested to attend.

The Gaelic 4 Mums team takes

part in the Kilmacud Crokes blitz

this Sunday at 11am.

Good luck to all the girls taking

part in county trials over the next

few weeks.

FOXROCK/CABINTEELY

AFL3 PROMOTION FINALWhitehall Colmcilles 0-7

Kilmacud Crokes 0-9

[email protected]

KILMACUD Crokes’ sec-ond team returned to sen-ior league football at the first time of asking when they dug deep to claim a two-point win in White-hall last week in their crucial AFL 3 promotion play-off final.

The Silverpark side dropped out of AFL2 a year ago, but a brilliant second half of the season saw them register eight wins from their last nine games to steal their way into the play-offs in fifth place in the division.

A narrow 0-9 to 0-8 vic-tory over Ballyboden St Enda’s – who ended the regular season second – in the semi-final set up Kilmacud’s shot at pro-motion and, once again, nine proved their magic number.

While Kilmacud found themselves once again travelling away from

home for an important tie, Whitehall endeav-oured to use some of their local knowledge to create an advantage, and played with the wind in the first half and led by two points to nil after ten minutes.

But Crokes’ solid defence kept them at bay for the next quarter of an hour, and the midfield got a grip to secure plenty of possession in the first half.

Conor Noone got the first point following a fine run by the hard-working Dillon Mulligan, and Conor Burns nailed two massive points from play to keep Kilmacud within striking distance at half time, Whitehall leading 0-5 to 0-3.

Whitehall added two points early in the second half to put four between the sides but Kilmacud dominated the rest of the game.

David Higgins, intro-duced as sub, converted two monster frees, Kevin O’Cearbhaill added a fine

point from play and then fed Noone who put the sides level with ten min-utes to go. O’Cearbhaill scored another from play with five minutes to go, and Joe Cluxton Mooney finished off the game with a super 45.

It was a comeback which mirrored their league form as their start to the campaign was ini-tially a stop-start affair with three losses in the first four games and just a win over basement side O’Dwyer’s, to their name.

Further losses to St Finian’s and Naomh Olaf threatened to make the season a relegation

battle but form picked up midway through the campaign as play-off con-tenders Clontarf, White-hall, Ballyboughal and Clan na Gael Fontenoy were all dismissed before a place in the top five was confirmed on the last day of the regular campaign with a comfortable vic-tory over Lucan Sarsfields in mid-September.

Their success could see the same fate as befell St Brigid’s in 2010 as the first team is still embroiled in a relegation battle in AFL1 which, should they drop down, would leave Kil-macud with two sides in the same league.

FOOTBALL: STRAIGHT RETURN FOR KILMACUD

Kilmacud Crokes are back up into AFL2 following their playoff win over Whitehall

Crokes bounce back up to senior status

ALL OF YOUR DUN LAOGHAIRE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31 NOVEMBER 24, 2011

Ga

zetteSPORT

St Joseph’s Boys’ club remains a hotbed of underage talent, with the club’s latest products, Liam Traynor and Sean Burke, picked to represent Ireland

Joey’s pair travel Joey’s pair travel with Ireland select with Ireland select Traynor and Burke picked as part of Ireland U-16 squad who travelled to Britain for training camp

STEPHEN FINDLATER

[email protected]

ST JOSEPH’S Boys’ rising stars, Liam Traynor and Sean Burke, from the club’s DDSL U-16 Premier panel, were last week selected for the Republic of Ireland Under-16 squad who travelled to the North East of England for a week-long training camp.

During the week, the duo played friendly match-es against Sunderland and Leeds United, with head coach John Morling expressing his delight at the productive nature of the camp.

During the five-day programme, the Irish panel were based at Sunderland’s Academy of Light.

Ireland lost the opening fixture 2-1 against Sun-derland’s U-17 side and won the duel against Leeds 3-1, courtesy of strikes by Eoghan Stokes, Jake Mul-raney and Dean O’Halloran.

On the other days during the week, training sessions were held for squad, proving extremely

valuable for Morling, who also has one eye on next season’s Under-17 UEFA campaign.

The purpose of the Under-16 season is to pre-pare a pool of players for their first taste of com-petitive action next term, when Morling will also be in charge.

From that perspective, the opportunity to inte-grate newcomers into the set-up was most welcome for the manager, as well as providing the chance to assess the core group that played in the earlier games against Estonia and Latvia.

“We are very grateful to Sunderland FC for allowing us train at their facility and also Leeds United FC for hosting our friendly match,” said Morling.

“The two games enabled us try out a few differ-ent things in terms of personnel and systems. The players that didn’t start against Sunderland were in the line-up for the Leeds United fixture two days later, meaning they all got plenty of game-time.

“We faced two good teams in England and these tests will stand to our players.”

Next up for the Republic of Ireland Under-16s is a double header away to Portugal on January 17 and 19.

It continues a strong international representa-tion for Joeys, with Dan Casey being called into the Ireland U-15 squad for their trip to Qatar in December, the U-15 Premier player having been with club since U-8 level.

A further eight of his Joeys’ team-mates, mean-while, were selected to play in the FAI Regional Centre Friendlies earlier this month.

Six were selected for the South Dublin Centre who played the Kerry Regional Centre in an enter-taining 3-3 draw. The players involved were Dean Mahon, Lee Mitchell, Ian Coone, Sean Byrne, Dylan Watts and Miliake, while two more of the team’s number were selected to play for the Wick-low Centre against Cork.

DUBLIN SPORTS STARSNovember nominees announced P29

PROVINCIAL PIP: Local players steer Leinster to interpro hockey success P28

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