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Hi everyone and welcome to your second Apriledition of InTallaght magazine.

It's another exciting issue this month as we speakto Aslan member Billy McGuiness ahead of theband's stadium gig in Tallaght this summer. Aslancelebrates 30 years together this year and thegig in Tallaght Stadium will be the icing on thebirthday cake. Aslan are well-known for stayingtrue to their roots and despite their fame, andwell-publicised ups and downs, continue to tourup and down the country to this day. Billy, agentleman and character, spoke to me regardingjust about everything and I think you'll find theinterview an interesting read.

I also had a very funny chat with Tallaghtcomedian Ian Perth who is writing his next showfor the Edinburgh film festival. Ian recently had asuccessful run in the Civic theatre and is openinga new comedy club in town - he's a goodhumoured lad and is going places so watch thisspace!

In news RTE journalist Barry Cummins tells usabout his new book, 'The Cold Case Files.'Another fascinating subject researched andrelayed by Cummins. Never afraid to tackle theheart-breaking family issues he keeps theseimportant cases to the forefront. The book is outnow so pick up a copy when you get the chance.

Tallaght's Kevin Keeley got booted off The VoiceOf Ireland this week and his Mam Liz speaks ofher pride in him and his future plans while aformer Game employee tells us about theturnaround on the company redundancypackage.

All this and your usual favourite columns, newsand reviews to get you through the next fortnight.

As always drop me an email oneditor@genesismedia.ie if there's anything you'dlike to discuss or see in the magazine - other thanthat I'll catch up with you in two weeks time!

---------------------------------------------------Emer Mulvaney - Editor

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“Kevin Will Be A SuccessNo Matter What” Tallaght singing sensation Kevin Keeley sang his last song onThe Voice of Ireland stage on Sunday when he was voted off.

The talented lad, who sang Bruno Mars’ I Think I Wanna Marry You, madeit to the final 12 after weeks of campaigning both on and off the air.

His mother, Liz, told InTallaght that she is incredibly proud of him andwhatever happens he won’t be giving up.

She said: “We’d just like to say a huge thanks to everyone. The whole ofTallaght has been so supportive. Never in a million years did we think thathe’d get this far and we are just absolutely so proud.

“He did everything that was asked of him, he went out there and sangeverywhere gathering support and he did himself proud.”

Coach Brian Kennedy said on the night that Kevin was a “joy to watch” whileKian, who has had plenty to say about him each week said: “It was a lovelyperformance, there was a great fun element and it was great to see you dosomething different. Every week I know I haven’t been the most positiveabout you but someone said tonight that you are 19 and that says it all really.It feels like a lack of experience. You’re a lovely singer but your performanceside needs to build in order for you to own the stage.”

Kevin’s own coach Sharon Corr who forged a bond of friendship with himthroughout the series described him as “a cheeky chappy personified,” butfollowed it up with “It was a great performance, a beautiful vocal - great jobKevin.”

It wasn’t enough to save him though and Kevin was voted off but Liz hopesthat Sharon will be a source of advice and help to him in his future career.

She said: “We don’t know at the minute what’s going on, I know he hasbeen talking to her but we’ll see. All I know is that he’s not going to stop.You know what they say, when one door closes another one opens.

“The thing is Kevin has been doing this kind of thing forever and he’s stillonly 19.

“He’ll pick himself up and move on and he’ll be a success no matter what.”

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Game OverTHE OCCUPY Game protest in The Square ended on Friday 13thApril after ex- workers reached an agreement with Game/PWC.

Nine staff members had been occupying the empty shop since March 26thin adispute over redundancy entitlements.

Store manager of Game in The Square Tallaght Damien Costigan told InTallaght:“The protest is over now, we got all the paper work that we need to claimstate redundancy and PWC Ireland are in contact with the ex employees.This is the best outcome we could get due to the law.“Thanks for the coverage, interest and support you showed to all theex-Game employees” he said.

The Tallaght protest was one of eleven sit ins in Game stores nationwide.On Friday night a statement was released on the “Game Ireland Fight forYour Rights” Facebook page confirming the protest was over. The statementalso said that payments owed are in sight:“Our full time staff have now been paid their due wages, with part timestaff being paid two of their three weeks wages owed. The final weekswages have been scheduled to be paid on 20th April.

“We never could have gotten this far without the support of the people ofour local areas, and nationwide, who stood by us, encouraged us, fed us,lobbied for us and simply came to talk to us in the stores.”

Eco-urse it makes sense to recycleCounty Hall will be a hive of activity next week with the launchof the eight annual Eco-Week.

On Tuesday, April 24th, Mayor Catriona Jones will mark the start of SouthDublin County Council’s awareness week where an anti-litter recycled flagparade will take place – participants in which will be the finalists of the SouthDublin County Council-funded Garbo Productions Code Name Green Warpanti-litter Drama workshop programme.

Over 1,200 primary school students from around South Dublin County tookpart in this anti-litter drama workshop when students role-played being amember of an anti-litter clean kid’s task force. They created their own anti-litter slogan and anti-litter flag, made from recycled, materials and evenelected their own junior mayor who wrote an anti-litter speech to the headof the anti-litter task force .

Mayor of South Dublin County Catriona Jones said “Eco –Week events havesomething for everyone and provide people with simple actions that can re-duce costs in the home or in a business and ideas which help you savemoney by growing your vegetables or by composting.

“These activities really do show people that it can pay to be environmentallyfriendly, that you can really save money by managing your waste at homeand in businesses efficiently.”

Environmental Awareness Officer Sorcha O’Brien said “Eco Week is all aboutspreading an important message that it’s our environment, let’s protect it.We want to inspire the people of south Dublin county to think about howthey affect the environment and what they could do differently to protect it.”

“Eco-Week has an exciting variety of free events to appeal to everyone livingand working in south Dublin county. Through these events we hope to raiseawareness of environmental issues and solutions in a fun and practical way.”

For more information log onto www.sdcc.ie.

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Excitement reached fever pitch in Tallaght recently when boyband JLS made an appearance at the Plaza.

Marking the end of their tour the four hunks made a stop off at the OBarafter their gig in the O2 arena where 100 lucky fans got to meet with them,have a quick word and get their photo taken.

The event resulted in huge queues into the club and a mad dash once thebarriers were opened into the private function room where Marvin, Ortise,JB and Aston awaited the crowd -hugs at the ready.

JLS, who were the 2008 XFactor runners up, have clocked up five number

one hits and sold over three million records in their short career.

To their credit they have several awards between the Brits and the Mobosand despite not cracking America after signing to Jive Records in 2010 theycontinue to be a huge success in the UK and Ireland.

The guys were running late at their Plaza apearance but assured InTallaghtthat they would be up for a full interview in the near future so watch thisspace!

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The Cold Case Files, which was be released on April 6th, takes a look atsome of the most horrific cases – still unsolved, in Ireland today includingthe murder of Grace Livingstone, who was found shot dead in her Malahidehome in 1992, the abduction and suspected murder of Brooke Pickard, whowas last seen in Co. Kerry in 1991 and the devastating murder of 12-year-old Stephen Hughes Conners from Tallaght, in 2001.

His fifth offering Barry is well-known for his previous focus on missingpersons and says that The Cold Case Files will serve as a permanentreminder to people of the facts of cases which have run out of new avenuesfor investigation.

Barry told InTallaght: “The book is partly based on the work of the GardaCold Case Unit but I had long had an interest in cold cases before that. In aprevious book, ‘Lifers’ I wrote about one cold case - Phyllis Murphy whowas killed in 1999. There was a charge for her murder after advances inDNA and I started thinking are there any more cases out there that can besolved? The idea that there could be a killer of 20 years out there who couldstill get that knock on the door fascinates me and I believe that the more wehighlight these cases the more likely that is.”

One of the oldest cases the book focuses on is the 1981 shooting of LorcanO’Byrne who was targeted by robbers of his home above The Angler’s Restpub in Castleknock. Lorcan was shot in front of his family and his new finacethe night on which they announced their engagement.

Barry said: “There was one man caught very quickly but he hadn’t physicallycarried out the shooting so he got done for manslaughter but he never gaveup the name of the shooter and so he (the shooter) has never been caughtbut I believe he is still out there.

“This man who took Lorcan’s life has never been brought to justice and allLorcan did was stand up as they burst in the door.”

The Garda Cold Case Unit was started up in 2007 and from 1980 until 2007there were 207 recorded unsolved murders. Today that number hasescalated with gangland murders rife over the past few years.

Barry said: “There is so much going on now that cases can be put on theback burner within months and especially nowadays as there is so muchmurder taking place. The cases might be reviewed again every year or fiveyears, there may be a switch over in the unit and a fresh pair of eyes mightdecide to take another look at a case but generally there will be somethingnew that comes to light before a case is kick-started again.

“The thing is there is a human dimension to all this and loyalties change sosomeone who may have lied and given an alibi to someone years ago, buthas no allegiance to them now and wants to come clean,may confess. Itdoesn’t have to be out of the goodness of someone’s heart that a case ismoved on.

“Even with gangland, not everyone in gangland is cold-hearted, they all gohome to their kids at night and sometimes that can really make them think.”He added: “It’s so terrible when you think about what people have had to gothrough in the aftermath of a murder and to have it unsolved can beunbearable that’s why we have to keep putting the information out there. Ihope that this book will serve as a permanent reminder of the fact becausethere are literally hundreds of killers out there walking the streets, livingamong us and it is possible for that knock on the door to catch up with them.

“The victim’s families will never let the cases go and neither should we.”

The Cold Case Files is published by Gill&Macmillan and is available in allgood bookshops.

A fascinating new book by RTE journalist Barry Cummins will focus on the unsolved murders ofpeople in Ireland and the effects on the families that were left behind.

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They’re one band hugely synonymous with the Irish music scene,gigging up and down the country every weekend, and with theirfair share of trials and tribulations over the years – from splittingup to sacking their front-man over his out of control drug problem,Aslan has weathered the storm managing to notch up platinumselling albums and sell-out shows.

Now after thirty years the massively popular group will celebratethree decades in the business with a gig to 20,000 people inTallaght stadium this June.

Guitarist Billy McGuiness took time out to tell InTallaght how excitedthey all are to not just play there but to front their first stadium gig– supported by none other than the Kaiser Chiefs & Royseven toname a few.

Billy congratulations first of all on 30 years in the business – howdoes it feel to have come this far?It’d absolutely amazing, a great feeling. Our single has been really wellreceived, it was single of the week on Ian Dempsey’s morning show after itwas released and the album is out at the end of this month (April 20th) whichwe are really excited about.

How are you feeling about the Tallaght gig?We’re over the moon. The timing is perfect for us. We’ve never done astadium gig which we were headlining and we decided that if we were evergoing to do one then this is the perfect spot.

Any confirmed support?Yes we’ve got The Kaiser Chiefs, Royseven & Red Empire which I can confirmbut we also have other exciting and talented bands which I can’t reveal yetbut I can guarantee that it is going to be an amazing bill. It’s something thatwill include the whole community and beyond. The school’s will finish theday before and to have this kicking off the summer is going to be fantastic.

You’ll play to a crowd of 20,000 – is that one of the largest crowdsfor you?Well we’ve played the likes of the Point Depot and Slane that would havebeen the biggest level for us so we’ve done the huge crowds but to havethem there for us, as the headliners, is something else.

Have you always had good support from Tallaght and surroundingareas?Tallaght people have been absolutely key to our career, if you break it downwe’ve sold more albums here and around Clondalkin over the years than

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anywhere else and we are proud to be bringing something back there.

What can people expect from the gig?Well we’ll be playing two hours ourselves and it will be a trip down memorylane as well as stuff from the new album. It’s not like we’re saying goodbyeor anything we’re celebrating 30 years of success and saying thank you.We have never put a time on ourselves we basically started out and decidedto see how far we could go with it.

You’ve had some fantastic success over the years – what’s beenthe highlight?There has been so many. For me it was releasing the first single ‘This Is’that was an amazing highlight. Most bands release music firstly for theirfriends and family and if it gets air play then great but this made single ofthe year and led to our signing with EMI. Playing Slane with David Bowiewas another huge highlight, alongside our first visit’s to America andAustralia – and the highlights are still coming – playing in Tallaght Stadiumwill definitely be one too.

What has been the worst period for the band?We have had tough times and people respect that. Christy went throughdrug addiction but he was always upfront and honest about it. People cansee that that’s real, they knew exactly what was going on in the band andhonesty is very important. It stands to us because when people come to seeus we always give them 110 per cent and they respect that no matter whatelse is going on. I think it’s why we have such a big fan base.

Did Christy’s drugs past affect you going to the US?No we go to New York, Boston, Australia and all around – because Christy’sdrug addiction has been so well publicised everyone knows about it andwhat he has to do when we go away is a full interview before he is allowedinto that country.

So you manage yourselves which responsibility goes to whom inthe band?Well I do the PR (public relations), Joe produces, Christy is the front man,we are all songwriters and Alan looks after the accounts. We have managedourselves for years – it’s a massive industry and this is the way we like it.

You’ve had such huge highs in your career as a band, yet youcontinue to play so many small towns in Ireland. Why is it that youkeep gigging everywhere from Kells to Cork?We could go to the Headfort Arms (in Kells) and play to a crowd of a fewhundred and do you know something? Sometimes those intimate small gigsare when you think – it just doesn’t get any better than this. Tallaght Stadiumwill be great, there’ll be a mosh pit, there’ll be big screens and thousandsof people which will be fantastic - but in a much smaller setting, when youcan look down and see the white in somebody’s eyes, you can see exactlywhy we still do it. It’s what being a band is all about and I think that somebands, when they make themselves exclusive to the bigger venues, lose outon that. We never have and we never will.

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So you aren’t sorry that you haven’t moved on from the small towns– do you feel that this was your path?This is definitely where we are meant to be. If we had kept going the waywe were going, especially in the early days, Christy probably wouldn’t stillbe alive. It took Christy getting sacked by the band for him to go away andget himself sorted before we got back together and on the road again.

Was that a difficult time for you all?Absolutely but all we wanted was for him to get better. We knew he wasreally sick but we never really know quite how bad it was until he wrote hisbook – I have to say that was very hard for me to read.

But you are long back on track and happy?Oh yes, we wouldn’t be here if we weren’t meant to be. This is our path. Ifwe entered the stratosphere we wouldn’t still be able to talk to people aftergigs and carry on – we love things the way they are. I’d rather have a30-year career than be a flash in the pan.

Where is your favourite place to gig?It’s a toss up between Vicar Street and The Olympia. Both have that bigvenue capacity but that intimate vibe.

What album is your personal favourite and why?We recorded Made in Dublin in Vicar Street, everyone told us we we’re maddoing a live album but we followed our hearts and it was the biggest sellingalbum of our career.

Which songs get the best reaction at gigs?This Is and Crazy World, both of which enabled us to go to America andAustralia. They are great songs to play abroad too.

So what’s next for Aslan?Well this year we have our celebration which will see us do a run of gigswhich will finish up at Christmas in Vicar Street then we are abroad nextyear – it will be the first Paddy’s Day we won’t be around.

We also have our documentary out around this September (see next editionof InTallaght for a review of the premier), Aslan Please Don’t Stop. We’vehad cameras following us around for the past year and it will include footagegoing back to 1979. We’ve also got the makings of a new album there too.

And the next 30 years?[Laughs out loud] I’m 51!! If we go on for another 30 I’ll be 81. When weformed Aslan we’d said we’d give it a couple of years or so. We neverexpected to make 30 – now we’ll just keep seeing how far we can take it…

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More than 1,500 people have applied for 85 full and part-time jobsat the new IMC Tallaght cinema at The Square Shopping centre,which has just opened in south west Dublin.

The new six million euro complex is one of Ireland’s largest multiplex cinemaswith 13 digital and 3D screens and seating for over 2,200 people. 70 extrajobs were created for the building of the venue which began last year.

IMC has said it was overwhelmed with the enormous response to its joboffers for general assistant and management roles at its new Tallaghtcinema.

The multiplex chain hired human resources firm Excel Recruitment to helpassess the 1,500 applications in recent weeks and the 85 positions werefilled after processing.

Mr Paul Ward, Director, IMC Cinemas said that the opening has been asignificant moment for the IMC Group. “Everyone at IMC and in the Tallaghtarea are really excited about the opening of our new 13 screen multiplexcinema,” he said.

“We’re overwhelmed by the response from job seekers for our 85 full andpart-time positions in Tallaght. When we opened our cinema in Thurles, CoTippeary three years ago, we had 100 applications for 20 jobs. In Tallaghtwe’ve had over 1,500, so that puts the huge response in perspective. Theaverage age of the applicants were 22-23 and were mostly huge moviefans. Most of our staff for the new multiplex at The Square are from westDublin and even include some people who worked at the old cinemathere. Our employees are passionate about movies and have been trainedat our Dun Laoighaire cinema while building was continuing in Tallaght.”

Mr Ward also said the project has run on schedule and on budget. “Sincewe began rebuilding the cinema at The Square we’ve been inundated by

requests by members of the public about when it would open. So we’redelighted that we finished the project on schedule for the Easter holidays.The cinema has been packed every day of the school mid-term break. Welook forward to a busy summer at IMC Tallaght.”

The finishing touches to the cineplex are being made over the coming weeksahead of a gala opening on April 25th. The new features that will be launchedthat day include a new VIP pre-movie bar and VIP-specific seating in anumber of theatres.

IMC Tallaght’s new development of the 13-screen cinema is one of thebiggest building projects in the country since the property crash.

Management at The Square shopping centre in Tallaght has said it’s receivedthousands of calls from members of the public enquiring about the newcinema.

Mr Ward added that the complex is a huge boost for the local economy inTallaght: “This is a brilliant facility that’s providing over 150 jobs and I’m sureother businesses will now begin to thrive again in The Square Tallaght sincewe’ve open our doors.”

About IMC Cinemas:

Founded in 1998, Irish Multiplex Cinemas has complexes in Athlone,Dundalk, Mullingar, Thurles, Ballymena and Dun Laoghaire with a moderncinema experience. IMC has been at the forefront of introducing digitalcinema technology to Ireland following the rebirth of 3D in the movie industryglobally. Our Tallaght venue is the newest member of the IMC family, bringingto two the number of our cinemas in Dublin. IMC cinema employees aredrawn from the communities around each cinema and are provided withopportunities at every level of the company’s structure.

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At just two years old the four-piece hasalready released a couple of singles –one of which will feature in ChristianSlater’s new movie Playback, already re-leased in the states – and have got ravewithin media circles and across thewater – all without even completing theirfirst album.

This month we caught up with guitaristNeil Nevins who shares the secrets of theband’s impending success.

So tell me about the band Neil, when didyou form?Well we started back in 2010, and have beengoing ever since. We released our EP,Misanthropy, about three months after weformed. It got a lot of radio play and we gotfeatured in Hotpress as well as a huge Americansite called whatstheruckus.com.

In January we released our latest single WideEyes, which is going down really well for us.

Who plays what?Darren Mullarkey on guitar and lead vocals,myself on guitar, Gerry Ryan on bass and WillyGray is our mental drummer!

Where did the name come from?I saw a sign outside a church in Cabra advertisinga Youth Mass – we're not religious or anythingthough!

What sort of a band are you?That’s a hard question but I suppose in general

With Hollywood stardom around the corner indie outfit Youth Mass are preparing to take the world by storm.

terms we are an indie band. We are influencedby the likes of other indie bands such as The Foldand MacDees.

Who have you been compared to?Well we have been compared to Mogwai, aGlaswegian band who are actually veryinstrumental, which we wouldn’t be, but it hasbeen said that we do sound very similar.

And already you are on the cusp of superstardom we hear – tell us about featuringin a Hollywood movie?Yes it’s fantastic for us – our single Tony Don’tYou Worry is being used in the movie Playbackwhich has been released in America and it willhopefully be out over here very soon. We’re blownaway to be honest. We really hope that it’ssuccessful obviously but we are just delighted tohave been asked to be a part of it.

So how did it come about?Well when we featured on whatstheruckus.comthe American exposure would have given us agreat boost. We have Tony Don’t You Worry onfree download too so it’s out there!

Who writes your stuff?I write it and I do all the interviews! Darren, who’sthe good looking one, then gets to sing them andhave all the women falling for him [Laughs].

What do you use as inspiration for yourmusic?A lot if it is about everyday life. Things that happenalong the way and then it’s a great way forescapism when writing too. Everyone is so

depressed these days that it’s nice to be able toget away from all that and get lost in the writing.

Is this full-time for you or have you all gotday jobs?We’ve all got 9-5 jobs as well as this. Ideally we’dbe able to put full time into it but we have to beable to support ourselves while we’re working atgetting there. It can be tough time-wise as wepractice four times a week and when we are gig-ging we’re gigging twice a week on top of that.

Speaking of gigging, you’re taking a littletime out at the moment to write thealbum – how’s that going?It’s coming together very well. We have about halfof it recorded. We’ll be going back into K9 studioin Deansgrange with Shane Cullen now, heknows just how to get the best out of us, and wewill hopefully get it finished by the summer.

So what can we expect from the album?It’s a painful process, with not having all dayeveryday to work at it, but the aim at this stage isto liven things up a bit. We want the album to befairly upbeat. The EP was kind of dark and nowwe’re aiming for something that will get peopleup and out of their seats.

What’s the best gig you’ve played so far?We supported The Naked and Famous in TheOlympia last year and that was absolutely amaz-ing. It was our first time in The Olympia, playingto a crowd of 1,000 and it was amazing.

So where’s your favourite venue?Well we love our own gigs and regularly play Whelans, The Button Factoryand The Workman’s Club which is a great venue. We also have regular spotsin Trim, Dundalk and Drogheda, places where new music is really welcome.

We’ve also played Captain America’s in Tallaght which is a great spot fornew music and we’d hope to get back there soon again.

Who would you like to support next?Well we’d love to support The Naked and Famous again but any up andcoming band we’d be open to because they are the type of gigs that realmusic lovers go to. They are the type of people who will come see the supportact because they want to find the next big thing and we respect that.

And where can we catch up with you soon?Well because of recording the album we don’t have that much lined up atthe moment. We are getting a lot of airplay in Sweden and will probably haveto head out there to do a few gigs but the main focus will be the album forthe next few months. We will play though and those interested can keep aneye on our Facebook and website for gigs and stuff.

What are your hopes for the band for 2012?Get a new single out soon, then the album and hopefully gig at any or all ofthe major festivals like Electric Picnic, Reading and Leeds.

For more information and for gig listings log onto facebook.com/thisisyouthmass or www.thisisyouthmass.com

The band’s single Wide Eyes is available for download now oniTunes.

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Funnyman Ian Perth got into comedy to get over a fear of publicspeaking – it was all part of the midlife crisis he experiences everyyear – now two years on the Killinarden native has countless gigsunder his belt including a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival andhas a comedy club to his name. InTallaght Editor, Emer Mulvaneycaught up with the straight-talker who told her about wallpaperinghis copy books, tricking his friends into listening to his newmaterial and that stint in the Special Olympics….

So Ian – gigging to get over stage fight, what’s that all about?[Laughs] Yeah, it just kind of happened! I had this list of things I wanted todo that I thought I wouldn’t be great at and speaking in public was one ofthem so I came up with the idea of comedy as a way around it. I wrote a fiveminute set, practised it in front of the mirror and took it too Anseo – theLaugh Out Loud Comedy Club – and performed. Afterwards people weresaying that they liked it and that encouraged me to do it again – now I’mperforming three or four shows a week – it’s fantastic!

So was it one of these – ‘things to do before I’m 30’ type lists?Well yes kind of. I’m only 28 but I have a mid-life crisis at least once a yearwhere I challenge myself to take on something new. I basically googledcomedy, found a guy who was running the place (Anseo) and got it. Afterthat night I was hooked, I wanted to do it again and again and after a fewgigs people started throwing me a few Euro here and there to do it which isreally unheard of that early on in comedy so I was encouraged.

And how long were you doing it before you went to Edinburgh?I took it to Edinburgh after a year. I wrote a one-hour show and I got a veryjunior slot - 1pm but it went really, really well for me – most of the days. Iwas just thrilled to be there to be honest.

And how do your family feel about your comedy?Ah my family are great. Actually when I was going to Edinburgh last year Iwas trying to explain to my Dad what it was exactly and I was saying to him“It’s like the Olympics of comedy,” and he’s great but he’s a doddery 60-year-old and he was saying “You’re what?” and I was repeating myself andso on. Anyway off he went eventually and I thought ‘he’s got it now’ but lateron I overheard him on the phone to my aunt in Australia and he’s saying toher “Oh yes, the kids are grand……Ian’s off to the Special Olympics!” Hecracks me up.

So will you head to Edinburgh again this year?Yes definitely. I’m writing a show at the moment about the differences andsimilarities between Irish and Scottish people, for it. It’s different fromSchoolbooks in Wallpaper but then that’s what it’s about, bringing somethingdifferent.

So what’s Schoolbooks in Wallpaper about?Well a lot of the show is about the comedy of the situations we have foundourselves in recently. The madness and the craziness. The way we thought

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it was ok to sell property to each other for crazy money and about how thetimes we were living in brought the classes together. All of a sudden therewere working class people in the same office as well-to-do professionals,each doing their own work and how they connected.

The wallpaper bit is a nod to my childhood and how all our books werecovered in wallpaper. I argue that that’s the realreason we are all so messed up. I mean eachsubject represented a different room for God’s sake!

So where do you source your material and isit difficult to find new stuff all the time?I draw on things that make me laugh all the time. Ithink the world is a hilarious place and there’snowhere more hilarious than at home. I’ve stayed inmy Mam’s recently for two nights and she insists atnight in plugging out all the plugs. I’ll say yeah I’llswitch them off but she’ll insist ‘no plug them out…except the radio, leave that on,’ which I think iscompletely bizarre. I mean what would happen – theburglars are in the middle of breaking in and theyhear the radio [pauses] “Eh Anto don’t think weshould do this gaff, I think it might be Joe Duffy’s” Imean how’s the radio going to save us?!!! But that’sthe kind of thing I look at and watch. I’ll write thingsdown and I tell you there is no greater feeling thana gag occurring to you in the middle of the day,scribbling it down and using it that night only for itdo get a great reaction.

So do you test your stuff out on people?[Laughs] Ah well yes I used to but now all my familyand friends are sick of it so I have to try and trickthem into listening and if they laugh I know it’s good.I did it with a mate yesterday but he was no fool –he said to me straight after ‘are you trying out newmaterial on me?’ And I had to say ‘yeah, you caughtme!’

You set up your own comedy club inKillinarden – tell me about that.Yeah Kusanta – I was only a month doing comedyand I started that. It’s a great location just over theMace there and we sold every gig out for the firstfew months. Then we took a break for a couple of months and back to it.Now we do it about every six weeks and it’s always sold out every singletime we do it.

Do you get any big names in there?Yeah we’ve had Karl Spain and Des Bishop – he loved it. Barry Murphy fromApres Match too and Neil Delamere has said he’ll definitely do it but he’s

very hard to pin down as he has a mad schedule. It isn’t an easy thing to seta proper club up. Sometimes you go places to gig and they shove you inwhere the band were or into the middle of a room with no lighting oracoustics and it doesn’t help but this is a great set up and I’m very proud ofit.

Have you gigged with any big names so farthen?The great thing about Irish comedy is that you do getthe chance to do it with major acts. I’ve supportedNeil Delamere and I’ve done gigs with PJ Gallagherand David O’Doherty too. It’s fantastic for me.

What’s the most embarrassing gig you did?It was a 30th birthday party in the Plaza and forstarters it wasn’t the right context for it but I walkedin to the function room and shortly after I was up. Iliterally stood there talking for 20-minutes andnobody listened to me. The odd person looked at mewondering what the hell I was doing no doubt butstill no one was listening. It was terrible. The settinghas to be right for comedy – it has to be why peopleare there.

What’s the funniest thing that ever happenedto you?Last Summer I was walking somewhere throughSmithfield and this child, of about 11, came up tome with an iPhone. He was all kitted out with theBurberry hat and all – I was a bit scared – and hesaid, in a real thick inner city accent, “Hey Mister, doya like me music?” I’ll be honest I was shitting it, Ididn’t know what he was going to do, and I saidnothing for a minute while I thought of a plan. ThenI realised I was slightly tanned at that time so Idecided to pretend I was Spanish and I looked at himand said ‘No Englaise, me Spaniol’…blah blah. Nextthing this kid totally changed and as I stormed pasthim he started saying after me “No way…really?Mister, Mister me…Santa Ponsa….every year…..”

I couldn’t believe it but I thought it was hilarious.

So were you the class clown then?Not at all! I spent every day laughing alright but at the two funniest lads inthe school – neither of who are comedians now! The funniest person I knowthough is my brother Stephen but he won’t follow me into comedy…I’ll seewhat I can do though!

Ian is set to open a new comedy club called Loft, he will be the resident MC.

Well, as disappointed as you can be by songs thatyou already love but there was just nothing freshand new here. If anything it’s a sleepy record onwhich the only indication of its unplugged-nessis the sparse rounds of applause towards the endof some of the tracks.

I was hoping for something a bit more mixed up.An album of typically Florence tunes but laid outin such a way that some tracks make you wantto get up and move – with the exception maybeof the Jackson duet with Josh Homme this onejust sent me on a snooze fest. I wanted a reasonto be even more disappointed that I missed theO2 gig back in March but in reality this only mademe feel a little bit better about it.

Reviewed by Emer Mulvaney, Editor

Florence + the Machine has been a firmfavourite of mine since the launch of theband’s debut album Lungs in 2009.

The band, fronted by London singer FlorenceWelch, brought about a fresh new sound withmoving tracks like You’ve Got The Love, CosmicLove and Dog Days Are Over which set the barhigh for anything that was to follow.

The group’s second offering Ceremonials, whichwas released in October last year, debuted atnumber one in the UK and was a commendablefollow up to Lungs.

The Unplugged album, therefore, was somethingI was very much looking forward to having a listento – but I was bitterly disappointed.

She's the woman whose career had beenbuilt on writing hits for artists such asCheryl Cole, Cher Lloyd, Susan Boyle andLeona Lewis to name a few.

Now Emeli Sandé has emerged as an artist in herown right - and it just might be the best decisionshe’s ever made.

There's a sheer magic in Emeli's voice and in anutshell her debut album is an absolute joy.

From her first single Heaven, which was releasedin August last year, to the more recent numberone Next To Me, you would be forgiven for think-

ing that it couldn't get much better than that –but 12 other tracks say different.

Not only has Sande a magnificent voice she is alyricist with talent beyond her years.

With beautiful songs such as My Kind Of Loveand Clown there is nothing samey about any ofher tracks. She brings something new and freshwith each one and coupled with a voice that'ssweet as honey one minute and sharp as a knifethe next there is every reason to pick up thisalbum.

Reviewed by Emer Mulvaney, Editor

Critically acclaimed at Film Festivals last year, at home as well as abroad, Parked is an uncompromising depiction of life on the margins in modern Ireland.

Fred Daly (Colm Meaney) returns to Ireland withnowhere to live, but his car. He leads a quiet,isolated life, having lost all hope of improving hissituation.

That all changes, however, when 21-year-oldCathal (Colin Morgan), a stoner with a positiveattitude parks beside him, and brightens up hislonely world. The two ‘neighbours’ form anunlikely friendship, sharing laughs and supportingeach other through the hard times too. Fred andCathal find the simple, free pleasures of life.

Then Cathal decides to make Fred sort his lifeout, and it works. Fred modifies his car, beats thewelfare system and makes a friend in Jules, anattractive music teacher who lives alone nearby.

However he struggles with his pride in tellingJules about his ‘home’, and Cathal’s life isthreatened by his escalating drug habit. As theygrow closer, the influence of these three outsiderson each other will change their lives.

Meaney gives a superb performance, walking thetightrope between sentimentality and cheaplaughs without ever falling into either trap. Helends a quiet dignity to the role of Fred, while ColinMorgan is all twitchy, nervous energy as Cathal.

Morgan, best known as Merlin in the BBC TVseries of the same name, shows huge promiseas a big screen actor.

PARKED is triumphant story of friendship, hope,and perseverance.

Release Date: Out NowDirector: Darragh ByrneStarring: Colm Meaney

Colin MorganMilka Ahlroth

Genre: Drama

Jason Segel reprises another slacker role, alongside Ed Helms (who played the dentist with the missing tooth in The Hangover) in this offbeat comedy.

Set in Louisiana, this film follows a day-in-the-lifeof Jeff, an unemployed 30-year-old who lives inthe basement of his mother’s (Susan Sarandon)house. Segel plays a pothead ‘man-child’, whohas watched the M Night Shyamalan movie“Signs” so often that he is convinced there areno "wrong numbers" in life - everything is a signleading us to our destiny.

After the latest "sign" (a phone call for an un-known Kevin), Jeff heads out to complete a sim-ple task for his disenchanted mother. On his wayfrom buying wood glue, Jeff looks for signs fromthe universe to determine his path.

A series of comedic and unexpected events leadshim to cross paths with his family in the strangestof locations and circumstances. He getssidetracked on his quest for Kevin, and stumbles

into his brother Pat (Ed Helms). One thing leadsto another and we are soon watching Jeff andPat stalk Linda and her male lunch friend ... or ishe more?

Despite the fact that none of the characters areextremely likable: Jeff is borderline goofy, Pat iskind of an arse, Sharon (their mother) just seemsfrustrated, but the story moves along so that eachof them grows a bit and their relationships evolve.

Jeff, Who Lives at Home brings big-studiomoviemaking and big-name stars to the Duplassbrothers, embracing their sensibilities and stylewithout smothering them, and we in the audiencebenefit.

This not a broad, raunchy comedy, like the onesHelm and Segel are known for, it is a thinking

man’s movie, with smart humour and likablecharacters.

The lives of these sweet, confused, basically de-cent people wrap around one another in waysthat are funny, far-fetched and touching.

Release Date: April 20, 2012 Directors: Jay Duplass

Mark DuplassStarring: Jason Segel

Ed HelmsJudy GreerSusan Sarandon

Genre: Comedy

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Recently an image was leaked from an unknown source that showed us the new hero of Assassin’s Creed III...

The image was a man dressed in whatlooked like native American war gearholding a tomahawk and a revolutionarypistol. In the background is an Americanflag from the American War ofIndependence.

So from this image we know that the game is setduring the American War of Independence. Theman in the image is called Connor. He comesfrom an English father and Native Americanmother and was raised among the Mohawk tribe.His gear can be upgraded much like Eizo’s in theprevious games.

The game will be set between 1753 and 1783and will include historical events such as TheGreat Fire of New York and the winter at ValleyForge. Famous historical figures including GeorgeWashington, Benjamin Franklin and Charles Leewill be in the game.

You can explore the frontier between New Yorkand Boston. You can also find Connors Mohawkvillage. The Frontier map is 1.5 times larger thanthe map featured in Assassin's Creed:Brotherhood. Good news also that with Ubisoftsnew engine over one thousand characters can beon screen at once as opposed to just onehundred therefore allowing much larger scalebattles.

You will be on the side of the Americans fightingagainst the monarchy English army. We don'tknow initially why he chooses the American side,seeing as how his Father was English but I'm surewe will find out soon.

Players will be able to hunt animals, selling peltsin order to earn money and survive. Fast travelbetween locations will be possible, and the gamewill also feature weather effects in both summerand winter. The notoriety system will return,players will still be able to earn money and

property like in Assassin's Creed II.

As previously thought, Desmond will be involvedin the game in the present day. He will no longerbe in a coma and will use the Animus 3.0 to in-terface with Connor.

A press release stated that Assassin's Creed III is"the largest project in Ubisoft's history" and thatit had a development time of "over three yearsand twice the production capacity of any previousUbisoft game."

Assassin's Creed III will hit PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox360 on October 30th.

Release Date: 30 OctoberPublisher: UbisoftGenre: Action/AdventureAvailable On: PS3, PC, XBox 360assassinscreed.ubi.com for more information

By Keith Cashin

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The Sportage is living proof that first impressionslast. This breath-taking urban-friendly and sleekCrossover is exhilarating. Ecologically aware, theSportage delivers the style and performance tomatch our modern, hectic lifestyles.

A range of highly efficient engines are availableincluding an all-new 1.7 CRDi diesel engine. With2WD as standard, an intelligent Stop & Go systemand a 6-speed manual transmission, this enginedelivers up to 54.3 MPG on the Combined cycleand CO2 emissions of just 135g/Km.

At first glance the new Sportage is not what youmight expect from a KIA. In fact it’s not evenremotely an Asian-looking car. It’s very muchsporting a European look both front and rear.

The design elements come from former-Audidesigner Peter Schreyer‘s KIA revolution which

has already taken form on the Cerato andSportage (and soon on the RIO and Optima).Despite Schreye’s influence, the Sportage wasdesigned by one of KIA’s chief designers,Massimo Frascella who works at the KIA designcentre in California.

When you have the likes of Schreyer andFrascella (who has previously worked for Jaguarand Aston Martin) you begin to see why theSportage looks so good. Frankly, it’s amazing howmuch looks can persuade opinion. It’s hard notto admire the Sportage for its clean, crisp moderndesign. The package could be perfect under theskin but if doesn’t appeal to the visual senses, itsimply won’t work.

The KIA Sportage is based on the same platformas the Hyundai ix35. That means it shares thesame overall dimensions as well as all engine and

transmission systems. However it does use acompletely different AWD system developedjointly between Magna and KIA.

The new Sportage marks the third generation ofthe SUV. Having originally launched in 1993, sofar over 1.5 million buyers worldwide have takenone home. KIA expects the new model will findan additional 1.4 million buyers during its lifecycle and given the overall package appears tobe a certain winner on paper – it probably will be.

For more information contact:Michael Tynan MotorsTel: 01 4036700Email: www.kiamotors.ie/michaeltynanmotors

The Kia Sportage builds dramatically on the success of its predecessor. It has a raft ofintegral safety features, a sleek, aerodynamic body, fantastic specification, a superior qualitycabin – and most significant of all – an industry-leading 7-year warranty.

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IngredientsHerbs de ProvenceNewbridge Meats Leek & Pork Sausages x 22oz Diced Onion2oz Diced CeleryBatons of CarrotsTomato PureeBay LeafTin of TomatoesChicken StockLeekOlive Oil

3oz ButterBeans (dry beans must be soaked overnight)Black Eyed BeansBorlotti BeansPea Navy BeansBaby Green Lima BeansWhite Kidney Beans

SideMashed PotatoesOr Boiled New Potatoes

InstructionsPlace oinion, carrot, celery and bay leaf in a potwith the olive oil or 3ox of butter and fry until soft.

Add tomato puree, 2oz of flour and cook untilcombined. Add chopped tomatoes and chickenstock. Next add Herbs de Provence, stir and bringto the boil. Add beans (pre-soaked).

Pan fry sausages and place in the sauce andbake for 40 minutes in a medium oven.

Serve with grainy mustard mash and Spanish redwine. This dish is served every Friday for 9 in theInterval Bistro at The Civic Theatre.

Braised Leek & Pork Sausage

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Hi Everybody,

So Tallafornia season 2 has been given the greenlight! Rumour has it we are heading to a sunnydestination to record but unfortunately nothinghas been discussed or confirmed yet – it is justrumour !! It’s very exciting as I know we canexpect more drama, more fights and more crazyantics from the Tallafornia cast, and with apossibility of some new faces!

I think season 2 will bring a lot more bitching anda lot more diary camera honesty, but thats justmy opinion! Keep posted on my twitter andFacebook for all the latest news on the show!

I have officialy launched my own website allthanks to Snazzy Designs, www.kellydonegan.ie.The website has been a huge hit, reaching 2000views in its first week of going live!Kellydonegan.ie also feautures a blog that I willbe updating all the time with my juicy gossip!

With summer fast approaching I am hitting thegym even harder than ever, training withTallafornia star and also my boyfriend DavidBehan three times a week doing weights as wellas attending his bikini bootcamp twice a week!

Its never to late to start, so for anybody lookingfor the most amazing body for the summer start

now!!! Get stuck in, join a gym or take up walking!

Diet tips for summer 2012 :Drink more water. Choose healthy carbs, not nocarbs!! Like sweet potatoe, brown rice and porridgeand instead of sugar substitute it for honey ormaple syrup and always eat breakfast!!

For any advice, tips or tricks follow me on twitter@KellyDonegan3 or like my fanpage Kelly Doneganon Facebook.

Until next time Kelly xxx

much as I was by this book, and finds herself ina mansion on the moors, taking notes as Vidarecounts her life story.

The story is complex, revealing Margaret'sdeepest secrets along the way, as well as Vida’s.This layered tale, stories within stories, unfurls ata sometimes maddeningly steady pace. You'regiven hints that a big reveal is on the way, but youmust move through all the context and buildup ofthe story in order to reach it.

The depiction of Margaret's bookishness strucka chord with me. The way she feels about booksand stories and reading rings true for those thatcan understand the enjoyment of a good novel. Isaw a bit of myself in that aspect of her character.It is a book lover's book, with much of the actiontaking place in libraries and bookshops and thewritten word is central to the plot.

One of my favorite passages of the book perfectlydescribes the attachment you can feel towardsparticularly well-written characters and narratives."Do you know the feeling when you start readinga new book before the membrane of the last onehas had time to close behind you? You leave theprevious book with ideas and themes–characters

even–caught in the fibers of your clothes, andwhen you open the new book, they are still withyou" I certainly felt this way toward Margaret andVida and the vaguely spooky mansion in themoors in which this atmospheric and hauntingtale takes place.

About The AuthorDiane Setterfield is a former academic,specializing in twentieth-century French literature.She lives in Yorkshire, England. This book was aNew York Times #1 bestseller.

There is a quote on the front cover of this bookthat reads: "Anyone picking up this novel will notbe able to put it down. Pick it up." I couldn't agreemore. I have not been so captivated by a story inquite a while. The debut novel by DianeSetterfield, "The Thirteenth Tale" is described asa gothic suspense novel. I don't know about thatbut it's an intricate, spell-binding read. The storyflits between the present, told by narratorMargaret Lea, and the stories told to her by VidaWinter, a famous English novelist, now in poorhealth and wishing to tell her true story before itis too late.

Margaret is a shy and retiring bookworm,daughter of a bookshop owner who hasoccasionally dabbled in autobiographical worksin the past. The novel begins with her return toher apartment above her father's antiquarianbookshop. She finds a handwritten letter fromMiss Winter, asking to meet her with regards tothe possibility of helping her to write her life story.Miss Winter is a very popular author but Margaretis not familiar with her large body of work.

In the interest of research, she reads a collectionof short stories by her, called "Thirteen Tales ofChange and Desperation". She is captivated,

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I Won’t Tell You Again

I won’t tell you again - get in the house,Your dinner’s on the table and getting cold.

I won’t tell you again - get in the house,It’s time for your tea, let your friends go home.

I won’t tell you again - get in the house,It’s your turn for the bath and the water’s near cold.

I won’t tell you again - get in the house,If you’re not in quick, your father will be out.

I won’t tell you again, she will repeat.It’s a constant sound heard on our street.I won’t tell you again - get in the house

In unison all the mothers shout.I won’t tell you again - get in the house

It’s a threat, a challenge, a reassuring sound. I won’t tell you again - get in the house,

The old familiar call that your mother would shout!

Dave Molloy

About ‘Connections’‘Connections’ is designed for people who have suffered a serious medicalsetback. The creative writing workshop is facilitated by Antonia Hart in theNational Learning Network on the Broomhill Road. These poems were writtenduring the workshop and we will have more poetry from Connections nextissue.

For more information about National Learning Network go to www.nln.ie

This month’s Writer’s Corner showcases poems from ‘Connections’,a group in the National Learning Network.

I am From

I am from ashes,I am from splinters of trees,

I am from water,I am from a cool breeze,

I am from freedom,I am from pain,

I am from sunshine,I am from rain.

I am from flowers, thorns and weeds,I am from multiple kinds of seeds,

I am from images past,I am from time,I am from soil,I am from air,

I am from here,I am from there,

I am from everywhere.I am from life,

I am from death,I am from each passing breath,

I am from old,I am from new,I am from many,I am from few.

I am from present,I am from past,I am from slow,I am from fast,

I am from sooner,I am from later,I am from now.

Anthony Hayes

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The LawnThe application of a spring-type of lawn fertilizershould perk up the lawn and improve its overallcolour and appearance. If there is moss growingin the lawn, use spring lawn fertilizer that has themoss-killer included, so you can do both jobs inone easy application.

Spring is also a good time to rake and over-seedthe lawn. Thatch build-up can smother your lawnand provide an environment for diseases. Rakethe lawn with a wire rake before cutting the grass.Any runners of buttercup and clover will be raisedand cut off reducing the rate of spread.

Over-seeding will help fill in the lawn and deterthe re-growth of moss and weeds. Use about onepound of quality grass seed for every 300 squarefeet of lawn area. Apply a light compost or soilover the seed to keep it moist and in place.

Aerating the lawn will allow water to penetratedeeper into the lawn soil and reduce the need towater during the dryer months ahead. Use agarden fork and punch holes over the surface ofyour lawn.

As mowing becomes necessary, be certain thatthe blade is sharp to prevent tearing the grasstips. Set the blade on your lawnmower to cut thegrass at 2 1/2 inches to avoid scalping. Wherebindweed is a problem among shrubs, insertcanes. The weed will grow up the canes where itcan be sprayed with weed killer withoutdamaging the shrubs.

Perennials, Annuals, and BulbsApril is the month for planting summer floweringbulbs like Dahlias, Gladiolas and Lillies. Mix bulbfertilizer, processed manure and peat moss intothe planting soil. Tuberous Begonias should notbe set outdoors until all danger of frost haspassed, so wait until next month.

Plant annual seeds of Asters, Cosmos, Marigoldsand Zinnias in the garden.

When all frost danger has passed you can moveyour stored Fuchsias and Geraniums outdoors.Trim them back, feed and re-pot if necessary.Water them well.

When they have finished blooming, you shoulddeadhead your spring flowering bulbs. Do not cutoff the green foliage yet! These green leavescontinue to grow for a few weeks, and providethe bulb with food for flowering next year.

Hybrid Tea Roses should be fertilized prior to budsbeginning to bloom. Using a systemic fertilizer willhelp prevent insect infestation later in thesummer, as it feeds your rose. Put a birdhouse inthe garden to attract insect-eating friends. Plantnew rosebushes before growth starts and budsswell.

House PlantsRotate your houseplants so that each sidereceives its share of light, for even growth and abalanced shape.

As the sun's rays strengthen, some plants, suchas African Violets, may need to be moved awayfrom a south-facing window to avoid leaf scorch.

Pinching back the tips of foliage plants willstimulate new growth and make your plant fullerand bushier.

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Hello again, hope you enjoyed my article lastmonth on “Different Cardio Exercises” andsome of you got some benefits out of it.

Going to keep it simple this month and startwith walking, minimal equipment and costsnothing, well apart from a good pair of runnerswhich I’ll be talking about later. So we aregoing to look at the Aerobic phase ofCardiovascular exercise. Aerobic meaning“with oxygen/air”.

Aerobic exercise is physical exercise ofrelatively low intensity and long duration. Nottoo long though.

What are the benefits from walking?? Notgoing to complicate things, the short of it,improves over all fitness and burns body fat.Also a good way to relax and de-stress. It helpstone lower body as all the major muscle groupsare used. Glutes(bum), Quads(front of legs),Hamstrings(back of legs) and Calf’s.

People often ask me how long should theywalk for?? This depends on fitness levels, while

one person could walk for an hour anotherperson might struggle with this. Anywherebetween 30-45 mins is plenty. You must makesure it’s a brisk walk, push yourself and paceotherwise it will be “a stroll” and the benefitsand results won’t be as good.

Like anything you do, what you put in is whatyou get out. I recommend walking 2-3 timesper week.

As it says in my profile I am also a self defenceinstructor. Why am I telling you this?? Well asthe bright evening s are disappearing thismeans alot of you will be walking when it’sgetting dark.

I would recommend a few simple points, walkwith a friend, not only can the two of youmotivate each other but two sets of eyes andears are better than one.

I would also recommend not walking with yourIPod in. You cannot hear anything around youand as you have no eyes in the back of yourhead you won’t have a clue if anyone is there.

No harm in glancing behind you every now andagain. Without your IPod in at least you canhear if someone is coming up behind you. Trystick to areas you know and also walking alongbeside major roads where there is traffic andpeople traffic. Make sure a loved one, whetherit be a family member, friend, or partner knowsyour route and how long you’ll be. Just staysafe.

If anyone as any questions on this article orfitness and self defence in general don’thesitate to contact me, as advice is free.

Until next time, stay safe.

Olympian Gymnastics Club was founded in 1965in Trinity College Dublin, when a few students andenthusiastic adults started training together to alimited gymnastics programme. CharlesAppenzellar was among the founding membersof Olympian Gymnastics Club. The equipment atthat time was basic and primitive, however theenthusiasm was great and the members madethe best of the facilities.

The Club membership grew in size and began toattract younger gymnasts. After two years the hallin Trinity was no longer available and the clubrelocated to a small scout hall in Donnybrook. Thehall was unsuitable for many activities yet the clubproduced good gymnasts who won medals atbasic National Championships.

Luckily after a few years in the Scout Hall the clubmoved to Templeogue College and has remainedthere since 1971. A fine hall with a storeroom,changing rooms and showers, Templeogue wasa perfect place for training. This encouraged thegymnasts to buy equipment of their own mainlyfor men’s artistic gymnastics the strongestdiscipline of the club.This enabled the club to

organise a dedicated training programme whichmade it one of the leaders in men’s artisticgymnastics. The women were not neglected,though their numbers continued to grow and theysoon made up the majority of the membership.

In the early 1990’s the National Governing Bodyintroduced a formal General Gymnasticsprogramme and Olympian established itself asthe base for that discipline. Since then there havebeen many training courses and seminars heldin Olympian in Templeogue. General Gymnasticsbecame extremely popular because of thephysical and mental health benefits especially foryoung children. The training times were extendedand a substantial amount of new equipment waspurchased.

In early 2000 a younger team of coaches startedin the club to cater for the growing demand inGeneral Gymnastics. Classes were increased anddivided into different age groups. A gym tots classwas introduced to teach physical coordination toyoung children through stretching, use ofapparatus (mainly foam shapes) and games. Thenumber of gymnasts competing at regional andnational competitions also increased as small

groups of gymnasts trained intensively.

Many of the present members are already of thesecond generation as their parents were clubmembers in their youth. The clubs recreationalclasses include a fantastic range of fun activitiesthat promote social, mental and physicaldevelopment. It caters for gymnasts from the ageof 3½ upwards and some of the older gymnastshave competed at national and International level.Olympian also has a growing number ofcompetitive gymnasts some of whom are on thenational squad.

There is 4 different types of gymnastics on offerfor gymnasts between the age of 3 - 20 years,recreational gymnastics, mens artistic, womensartistic, and display gymnastics.

All of the clubs coaches are past members andhave come through the club and trained tobecome coaches - some of them even stillcompete.

To find out more about olympian gymnastics clublog onto www.olympiangymnastics.com or findthem on facebook

Olympian Gymnastics Club

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Shamrock Rovers unbeaten 16-game domesticrun of games, dating back to September of lastyear, came to an end earlier this month as Roverssuffered their first defeats of the season.

Following the first loss, 5-1 to St Patrick’s Athletic,the team bounced back to first beat SD Galwayin the EA Sports Cup and then get a win overDundalk in the league. However, Rovers then suf-fered a 3-0 defeat in Tallaght in the first leg of thesemi-final of the Setanta Sports Cup. They haveall to do in the second leg against Derry City ifthey are to retain their all-Ireland crown.

Four days after the loss in Inchicore, Roverstravelled west of the Shannon to play their firstever game against SD Galway. That match sawHoops progress to the quarter final of the EASports thanks to two Gary McCabe first-halfpenalties.

Rovers were then involved in another six-goalleague game but this time they scored all thegoals as they demolished Dundalk 6-0.

That win in Tallaght Stadium was on the week ofthe 25th anniversary of Shamrock Rovers’ lastgame in Milltown. The club’s heritage trustorganised a walk for fans from Milltown to Tallaghton Friday April 13.

Publicising the event prior to the 10km walk,Rovers organised a photocall with the scorer ofthe last Rovers goal in Milltown, Mick Byrne, andthe scorer of the first goal in Tallaght, Gary Twigg.Both players would play their part on the night.

Mick Byrne addressed the fans gathered at themonument in Milltown during a short ceremonyto start the walk. “My fondest memory here isjust scoring goals,” recalled Byrne. “It was a fab-ulous place to come and play football. LeavingMilltown was really sad for the club, sad for theplayers but especially sad for the supporters. Tosee their faces going in for the last time was reallysad. We are in a better place now. Let’s get toTallaght and win another game tonight.” Roversdid get that win as Gary Twigg helped himself tohis first hat-trick in Tallaght.

After suffering their first loss of the season, Rovers bounceback in style as they celbrate the 25th Anniversary of theirlast game in Milltown.

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Left-back Conor Powell joined Shamrock Rovers at the start ofthe season. Powell has the task this year of replacing EndaStevens who Aston Villa signed at the end of Rovers’ EuropaLeague campaign in December.

At age 24, Powell is in his prime and brings a wealth of experience with himto the Hoops. He has won every domestic trophy on offer in Ireland withleague winner medals, FAI Cup medals, a Setanta Sports Cup title and aLeague Cup win.

Powell started his career with Bohemians and it was there that he won twoleague titles along with an FAI Cup earlier. Early in 2011, Powell was withColchester United in League One in England before returning to join SligoRovers where he only made five appearances. He has already exceededthat number with the Hoops (despite getting a two-match ban for a red cardin Cork earlier in the season).

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