blanch

Charity: Raising funds and spirits with pop-up shopThe hoT Fuzz Leadership Group recently opened a pop-up shop in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre’s Superquinn. The group sold many items such as belts, bags, bangles and ties with all funds raised going to

respite services at the Daughters of Charity.

Pictured here are some of the team who helped on the day. The group is open to anyone over the age of 16 with a learning disability. Full Gallery on Page 6

Connolly slips as site for hospital Laura Webb

ST JameS’S Hospital is favoured as the best site for the much-anticipated National Children’s Hospital, by pass-ing Dublin 15’s Connolly Hospital as a preferred location.

according to reports, the unpub-lished Dolphin Report considers the city centre hospital as being the loca-tion that best meets the criteria to be the co-located adult hospital for the

children’s facility. Connolly Hospital in Blanchard-

stown remains a contender, but the report says it would need substan-tial investment of human and capi-tal resources and could take several decades to achieve the standards of clinical and research excellence required.

The report’s recommendation on the location of the NCH is due to go before Cabinet next week.

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................6

DUBLIN LIFE ...................11

OUT&ABOUT ..................17

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

SPORT ...........................27

Month XX, 2012

November 1, 2012 Find us on

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Apple has some big ambitions for its latest gadget, the iPad Mini

SEE PAGE 21

Soccer: Former Verona player makes Watford debutPage 32

Football: St Peregrine’s finish AFL6 run with a flourishPage 31

INSIDE: Community Counts Fashion show at the

Crowne Plaza Hotel P6

REFERENDUm: Minister Varadkar on why a Yes vote is crucial for children Page 8

2 BLANCH GAzette 1 November 2012

council ‘Patronising’ stance criticised

Councillor Ruth Coppinger says: “We shouldn’t be lecturing parents”

Walking bus ‘impractical’ for Dublin 15 parentsLOCAL councillors call-ing for parents to encour-age and facilitate “walk-ing buses” to schools throughout Dublin 15 have been accused of being “patronising” to parents who may have no choice but to take their children to school by car.

At a recent area com-mittee meeting, the sub-ject of a walking bus facil-ity - a group of primary school children who walk to and from school, supervised by adults - in schools in Dublin 15 was brought up.

According to Fingal County Council, there is no walking school bus in the D15 area, even though efforts have been made with “several schools to

Free music workshop to be held in Blanch libraryHIBERNIA Academy of Music is offering a free music work-shop in Blanchardstown library on November 10 at 2pm.

The workshop is suitable for children and adults, and is an introduction to a host of musi-cal instruments and the sounds

they produce. It aims to give participants an opportunity to listen to the instruments played and even try them out.

Academy teachers will be on hand to answer any question on music or just to see what instrument may best suit par-

ticipants.On the day, the academy is

offering discounted lessons for those who show interest.

Hibernia Academy of Music is based in Dublin 15 and offers music lessons to all ages and abilities. Its teachers are

fully qualified, experienced and enthusiastic, and lessons can be one-to-one or in small groups. Contact 087 645 0549 for further information, or email [email protected] to book a place at the free workshop.

encourage set-up”. A number of council-

lors commented that par-ents need to be encour-aged to get their children involved, and that they should speak directly with Parents Associa-tions and schools to dis-cuss the benefits of such a scheme.

However, Socialist Party Councillor Ruth Coppinger said she found comments “utterly patronising” that council-

lors think parents need “a good old talking to” about the issue.

Labour’s Castleknock Councillor Peggy Hamill said it was a shame schools had not consid-ered the walking bus to try to promote “healthy lifestyles”: “Parents need to be encouraged. The council can only do so much… parents need to understand it is the best.”

Councillor Eithne Loftus (FG) said she has noticed a drop in the number of people walking to school in Castleknock since the start of the new school term, but said “by nature”, people will take their cars if it was raining and that more parking is needed for schools.

“We live in an age where people use cars all the time. With par-ents working, they don’t have time to walk their children to school… I don’t know how [Fingal] can promote [the walk-ing bus] but perhaps we should do a better job, maybe we should go to the school and try to pro-mote it.”

Reacting to the com-ments, Cllr Coppinger said some parents have no choice but to drive to school: “Cllr Loftus did hit on a point, there is a reality that parents don’t have time to walk to school because they live so far away from their schools, that’s one key problem for some

areas. To walk from Mul-huddart to Tyrrelstown, you would be risking life and limb because there is no proper footpath… so we shouldn’t be lec-turing parents when the planning system partly created by councillors here has lead to this situ-ation.”

She went on to say some parents in areas across from St Mochta’s school have to travel to bring their children to school elsewhere because they couldn’t get their child in because of catchment restrictions, and parents from Castle-knock were travelling to that school, leading to a “car crossing” situation there.

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1 November 2012 BLANCH GAzette 3

Library to host art showDIFFERENT Strokes Amateur Art Group is showcasing their work in a free exhibition at Blan-chardstown Library in the coming weeks.

The art exhibition takes place from November 2 to 17 in the local library.

The art group meets every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm in the Huntstown Community Centre.

The local amateur com-munity based art group is for people wishing to improve their skills in the art world. It is open to new members with simi-lar aims who might bring something new and excit-ing to the group.

For more information, contact Janice on 086 821 0174.

exhibition

Small firms urged to use €90m fundSMALL local businesses that have been refused credit by the banks are being urged to apply to a new microfinance scheme which is being offered by the Govern-ment.

The €90 mill ion scheme was first made available in the begin-ning of October, and businesses can apply for loans up to €25,000.

Mulhuddart Coun-cillor Kieran Dennison (FG), who is also a direc-tor of the County Enter-prise Board, is urging small local businesses to avail of the scheme.

According to Cllr Den-nison, over the 10 year lifetime of the scheme it

is expected that over €90 million will be provided to 5,500 small business-es, with the creation of up to 7,700 jobs.

“The Government rec-ognises the challenges facing small businesses which are desperately struggling to stay afloat. Access to credit has long been identified as one of the biggest hurdles for micro-enterprises.

target“Through this new

scheme we are directly targeting those small businesses and traders who want to grow their business and create jobs, but who are finding that they are being blocked

from credit,” he said.The local councillor

went on to say: “Small businesses play a vital role in our economy. They are an outlet of innovation and crea-tivity, as well as being an essential source of employment in local communities.

“County and City Enterprise Boards will actively help applicants to get their business cases together, and I am confi-dent that thousands of small businesses across the country stand to ben-efit,” he added.

Further details about this new scheme can be found at www.microfi-nanceireland.ie.

What a ball: A night of glamour and glitz for charity in Dublin 15piCtured At the recent charity masquerade ball in aid of St John’s Ambulance Castleknock, Blanchardstown and Ongar are glamor-ous duo Ashleigh and Ally Howard.

Up to 140 people from across Dublin attended the fundraising ball at the Carlton Hotel in Tyrellstown.

There was a lot of elegant fashion on the night, and the event was thoroughly enjoyed by all as the guests had fun while helping a charitable cause.

loAns: plAns to lenD up to €25,000 set to creAte 7,700 jobs

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Dublin West tD Patrick Nulty (Lab): “the public private partnership model has been tried without success in

Corduff by the last Fianna Fail government”

HSE begins process for Corduff centre LAurA WeBB

THE HSE is now con-sidering the “optimal solution” for the provi-sion for a long-awaited primary care centre in Corduff, which residents have been waiting some 30 years for.

To assist in their deci-sion-making process, the HSE is progressing a “feasibility study to estab-lish costs” which, once completed and after a suitable location for the centre has been identi-fied, the HSE say they plan to meet with the rel-evant local stakeholders.

According to a spokes-man for the HSE: “Pro-gression by way of direct HSE capital funding is one of the options cur-rently being considered, and the HSE do own a site in Corduff which

would be suitable for such a development,” he said.

In June of this year, the health centre proposed for Corduff was ranked 13th in the Department of Health’s top 200 pri-mary care locations to be delivered, before it moved to number 14 after a revised list was conducted in July.

It was also revealed that it would be delivered by way of direct invest-ment, rather than under a public private partner-ship (PPP), which could see it delivered quicker than under a PPP.

The list of top primary care locations was com-posed by former Minister Roisin Shortall and her team at the Department of Health and the HSE.

“Of the original list, the first location selected

to be delivered by way of public private part-nership was Wexford at number 23,” a Depart-ment of Health spokes-person said.

“Corduff was ranked at number 13 in June. In that original list, Corduff was to be delivered by way of direct investment.”

A new list was then devised in July by Min-ister Shortall based on a multiplied effect of deprivation. In that list Corduff was ranked at number 14 and the pro-posed delivery method was still by way of direct investment.

“In July, there were six suggestions for public private partnership in the first 20 rankings. These changes were made by Minster Shortall’s team at the suggestion of the director of estates in the

HSE.”Dublin West TD Patrick

Nulty (Lab) commented on the issue saying: “It seems crystal clear that former Minister Short-all believed direct pub-lic funding to build the health centre was neces-sary. The public private partnership model has been tried without suc-cess in Corduff by the last Fianna Fail government.

“The community has waited 30 years for a health centre which is needed and this should be built directly by the government to create employment and get the health centre built as soon as possible – any-thing short of this equals further delay, something which should not be tol-erated by the local com-munity,” Deputy Nulty said.

HEaltH ‘Feasibility study to establish costs’

LAurA WeBB

AN APPEAL to get a second teaching post at a Dublin 15 school has been provisionally upheld by the Primary Staffing Appeals Board, which will consider fill-ing the post.

That’s according to Dublin West TD and Minister for Transport, Sports and Tourism Leo Varadkar, who wel-comed news that Gaels-coil Ui Chuillinn in Tyr-relstown has a chance of obtaining the second teaching post.

T h e M i n i s t e r explained that the Tyr-relstown school required 20 pupils at the end Sep-tember to get a second post. At present, it has just 14 pupils.

Gaelscoil Ui Chuillinn submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board because it expects a further seven pupils to be enrolled by December 31.

The appeals board have agreed to recon-sider the application if pupil numbers do increase.

“This is a positive step for Gaelscoil Ui Chu-illinn which now has a good chance of obtain-ing a second teaching post, to the benefit of all its pupils,” said Minister Varadkar.

“Although it only had 14 pupils by the agreed deadline of September 20, the Primary Staff-ing Appeals Board has provisionally upheld an appeal from the school because pupil numbers are set to rise. This is a positive move and shows a welcome degree of flexibility,” he said.

GaElSCoil: StudEnt numbErS

School post appeal upheldDunboyne Castle gets

first artist in residenceTHE first ever artist in residence at Dun-boyne Castle Hotel has been announced as acclaimed Dublin artist, Deborah Donnelly.

As part of her residency, Deborah will host special painting classes and her work is being exhibited in the hotel’s Ivy Brasserie.

Deborah’s work has gone global and she graces the walls of art enthusiasts including Keanu Reeves, Pat Kenny and Louis Walsh.

Deborah is hosting her popular ‘Paint & Pinot’ classes in the hotel on November 9 and 10 at 7.30 pm. She will also host her Cof-fee and Cupcakes class on November 8 at 10.30am.

For more information see www.dunboyne-castlehotel.com.

FastNews

Road upgrade works have commencedWORK on the Mulhuddart N3 interchange upgrade has commenced, as the council gets set to construct a new two-span bridge and a looped ramp onto the N3.

These are just some of the works that will take place during the upgrade.

The upgrade is hoped to address a number of issues, including removing current queues which tail back to the eastbound N3 carriageway, with the intention to reduce journey time for traffic travelling between the N3 and the Blanchardstown Road north and south.

Further details of the upgrade and a full list of what works are involved is available at www.fingalcoco.ie


Aoibheann, Ailbhe McGonagle, trisha enright and Aoife Branigan. Pictures: Una Williams

Laura Dempsey, Marian Rafter and Niamh Dempsey

Puttin’ on the ritz for charitiesTHE Community Counts Fashion show recently took place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in

Blanchardstown. The glamorous event helped raise funds for the Hope Foundation, Concern, and Suicide

Awareness Dublin 15.98FM’s Teena Gates took her turn on the catwalk with organiser and hostess of the moment,

local WeightWatchers’ leader Vera Baker. They are both flying to Uganda next month to embark on a tri-adventure challenge in aid of Concern.

Nadya Gaughran and Annalie Conneely

gazettegaLLeRIeS

CATWALK: CommuniTy CounTs FAshion shoW

Maureen O’Halloran, Vera Baker and teena Gates

Aisling O’Mahony and Laura Byrne

Jack Conneely and John Feighery

Laura Byrne with her mother

Mary

Jerome Moran, Paul Mullen and Conor Howe. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

the Hot Fuzz Leadership group sold a range of items in their pop-up

shop to help raise funds for the Daughters of Charity

THE Hot Fuzz Leadership Group recently hosted their own pop-up shop in the Superquinn in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to raise funds for respite services at the Daughters of

Charity. The group sold many items such as belts, bags, bangles and ties.Membership of Hot Fuzz Leadership Group is open to all

individuals over 16 years of age who have a learning disability. The group allows members to explore opportunities, learn new skills, develop talents, think for themselves, get involved in their commu-nity while having fun and making friends.

ChAriTy: hoT Fuzz rAises Funds WiTh Their oWn pop-up shop


Sandra Howard and Rhonda Dillon

Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only €6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com

Adrienne and Leah Mc Loughlin and Katie Ryan

Annia and Stephanie Marsella

Margaret, John and Jonathan Dempsey

Valerie McGann, Lieutenant Martin Durkin, Fionnuala Sugrue and Lieutenant Commander Stephen MurrayMelissa Moloney and Septa Igoe


ON Saturday November 10, you can make

an important decision for the children of Ire-land. That date is polling day for the Referendum on Children’s Rights. We will all have a chance – for the first time ever - to change the Constitution for the sake of all our children.

All referendums are important, but very few will have the same positive impact on thou-sands of young lives, far into the future. Most of us are fortunate enough to grow up in a loving and caring environment. However, the reality is very different for a small minority of children who are abused and neglect-ed. This referendum will offer a second chance to those children, and to those that follow. Nine-ty-nine per cent of Irish children never come into contact with State care. But for the 1% that do,

your Yes vote will make a real difference.

This referendum has some simple goals: to protect children from abuse and neglect, to support families through early intervention, and remove inequalities in adoption. Geoffrey Shannon, the Govern-ment’s Special Rappor-teur on Child Protec-tion, has made it clear: This referendum won’t bring more children into the State care system. It will mean that the right children come into the system.

The referendum sets out clearly how the State can only intervene in a child’s upbringing in exceptional cases. This would occur if a child was being abused or neglected. Any action by the State would have to be proportionate to the risk facing the child.

This means that a proper assessment would have to be conducted in

every single case to find out whether the child is in danger. And because the focus is on early intervention, the care services will be able to address problems when they happen in families, rather than afterwards.

This should help to keep children in the home, and out of State care.

A Yes vote would also remove inequalities in adoption. As things stand, the marital status of a child’s parents will determine how that child is treated with regard to adoption. This means

that even if a child has been abandoned, they can still be denied the chance to be adopted into a safe and happy home.

More than 90% of children in State care in Ireland live with a foster family, and 2,000 children have been liv-ing with the same foster family for more than five years. Voting Yes will give many of these chil-dren a second chance to be adopted into a secure and loving environment.

Importantly, a Yes vote will allow everyone one of us, and the country as a whole, to respond to all the damning child protection reports. These reports have left us feel-ing shocked, disgusted and ashamed. Voting Yes certainly won’t solve all of the problems revealed in these reports, and it won’t erase the past. But it will ensure that in the future, a more child-centred approach will be

taken. Children will be listened to, and their best interests will be central to every decision about their welfare.

I know there is genu-ine interest in this refer-endum. I have attended meetings in west Dublin with crowds of more than 200 people.

However, this level of positive interest isn’t necessarily reflected in the media, because there hasn’t been much of a debate so far. That’s why we cannot afford to take anything for granted. By this stage, a refer-endum booklet should have been delivered to most households. And we want to make sure that everyone has all the information they need, because we need a good turnout on the day.

So I would urge all readers of the Gazette to cast their ballot on polling day. If we all to say Yes to this referendum, we are taking a very important

step for our children.Some of those who are

opposed to this referen-dum, those who don’t want children’s rights to be strengthened, claim that voting Yes will give the State too much power. For an answer to that, we should turn to groups like Barnardos and the ISPCC, which work on child protection issues every day. These child protection groups are unanimous in their support for a Yes vote.

On Saturday Novem-ber 10 we all have a chance to make a dif-ference. By voting Yes we can ensure that we play our part to protect vulnerable children, support families and give every child a second chance of a life in a safe and loving home.

Leo vArAdkAr

Minister for Transport, Tour-

ism and Sport

A Yes vote will ensure a more child-centred approach

Pizza bases in competitionPIZZA lovers are being asked to cast their vote for their preferred pizza base as part of an inter-active campaign from Chicago Town by Dr Oetker.

The campaign, which is currently running in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, uses interactive posters to allow passers-by to vote between the two alterna-tive pizza bases, Sauce Stuffed or Classic Thin Crust.

Free dog dental check-upsBLANCHARDSTOWN Veterinary Hospital is supporting Dental Care Month, an oral health campaign for dogs, by offering a free oral check-up.

The campaign is sup-ported for Pedigree Den-taStix and is dedicated to improving the health of dogs’ teeth and gums. Free oral care check-ups to dogs are being offered in Dublin throughout the month of November.

Get writing for Fingal festivalFINGAL’S annual writing festival gets under way this week with events happening across the county.

Writing 3.0 takes place from November 2 to 10, and focuses on the writing process. This is the eighth year of the festival.

The programme includes workshops and performances on com-edy and improvisation, songwriting, screen-writing, and perform-ance poetry, as well as the festival’s traditional focus on writing and reading poetry and fiction.

Log on to www.fingal-coco.ie/yourlocalcoun-cil/events to see what’s on in the area.

FastNews opinion Ballot to protect children from neglect

Minister for transport Leo varadkar is pictured (above) at the Fine Gael launch of the Children’s referendum Campaign with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Frances Fitzgerald; chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Charlie Flanagan; An taoiseach, enda kenny and Minister for Justice and equality Alan Shatter

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‘We will all have a chance - for the first time ever - to change the Constitution for the sake of all our children’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


sport teens’ alternative social night

safe fun at Late Night soccer Leagues

tHe Late Night Soccer League initiative promotes sporting activities in the area

LAurA weBB

[email protected]

THE Late Night Soccer League initiative contin-ues to be a success as it promotes sporting activi-ties in the area while helping to reduce anti-social behaviour.

The FAI, in conjunc-tion with local authorities such as Fingal County Council, youth groups and local community Garda, set up the Late Night Soccer League, which is open to boys and girls aged 13 to 15 and 16 to 21. It aims to provide a safe, fun and healthy social alternative for teenagers on Friday nights.

Speak ing to the Gazette this week, FAI development officer Paul Keogh said the initiative has really taken off.

“It was set up about four years ago, when it was piloted in Bally-mun. The gardai linked

in with it early on, and saw the benefits of the programme – late on a Friday night, [having] youth off the streets and having them all in one place doing something productive rather than anti-productive.

“It was quickly expand-ed to the areas in Fingal, such as Skerries and Bal-briggan – with Balbriggan being one of the most suc-cessful to date, with up to 100 youths on any given night. It has grown from one of two little pockets of late-night leagues to a co-ordinated programme – now, it is being rolled out in 18 to 20 different venues across the city at the same time.”

The Blanchardstown programme started over two years ago and it rotates from sports cen-tre to centre in the area.

“We run it two to three times a year, so in Mul-huddart, then it could be Corduff,” said Keogh.

Tyrrelstown for warden schemeT YRRELSTOWN National School is being considered as a suitable location for introduction of a Junior School Warden pro-gramme for the Dublin 15 area.

Currently the programme is in operation at Rush National School, and has been there for 13 years.

The aim of the scheme is to promote civic responsibility and pride amongst the participating

children. The Junior School Wardens are

made up of five teams of six pupils, aged 11 and 12 from fifth and sixth class.

They are trained and equipped with specialised PPE (personal protective equipment) to carry out their crossing duties, but they have no authority to stop traffic on the roadway.

According to Fingal County Council, for this reason, location is “the most important factor when setting up the service” and to date, no D15 school has been identified as suitable for the service.

However, the council’s road safety section is currently assess-ing Tyrrelstown National School as a possible candidate for the introduction of the service.

A survey conducted last year demonstrated a drop in the number of calls made to the gardai during the time the Late Night Leagues were being played across Dublin.

“There is evidence out there that calls have been down 25% in terms of incidents at many hotspots, so the gardai are keen to get involved and keep promoting it.”

Funding is based on sports capital and from local councils, but the group are always actively looking for companies or organisations with social responsibilities to offer sponsorship.

Niall McGuirk, senior sports officer with Fin-gal County Council said: “The joint partnership between FCC, the FAI, An Garda Siochana and our venue providers has enabled the programme to develop around the county. Late Night Soc-cer provides a positive sporting activity for young people to take part in; studies have shown it has helped in reducing anti-social behaviour and it gives the youth of Fingal something to look forward to on a Friday night.”

Calling all bookwormsBOOK enthusiasts are being called on to go to their local library to find out more about book clubs, and in Blanchardstown Library, there are several such book clubs.

The Wednesday club meet on November 7 at 11am to will discuss When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman.

The Thursday club meet on November 8 at 6.45pm to discuss The Painted Veil by W Som-erset Maugham, and the Thursday morning club meet on November 15 at 11am to discuss Mistaken by Neil Jordan.

FastNews

Manga class in libraryA MANGA art workshop takes place at the Blanchardstown Library on Friday, November 2. The workshop will cover the basics of the Japanese comic book art, and will include the construction of body and face, proportions of the body and the facial features. The event is open to children aged 11 to 14 years.

Places are limited, and they can be booked at the library’s reception desk or by calling 01 890 5563.

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‘[The initiative] aims to provide a safe, fun and healthy social alternative for teenagers on Friday nights’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“

Let our advertisers tell you why:

Why advertise with the Gazette?

“Dlr Leisure Services has been using Dublin Gazette Newspapers for a number of years to communicate with our customers on our programmes. We find the service we received excellent and they always offer us good value for money. The personal touch of having an account manager makes our life so much easier. The Dundrum & Dún Laoghaire Gazette covers the areas in which our centres are located. Dlr Leisure Services would have no hesitation recommending the Gazette to others to promote their company.

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Adam Dalton was top banana in the stands, with friends Mikey Lovett, Matthew Nolan and Jack Dalton

WITH the continuing popularity of Celebrity Bainisteoir, there was every-thing to play for when the final rivals hit

the pitch at Parnell Park recently, with Roz Purcell’s Newtown Cashel team going head to head with Calum Best’s Moy Davitt’s.

With everything to play for between Tipper-

ary and Mayo, the RTE show mixed things up a bit in this series with its The Rivals, which saw each celebrity paired against a rival celebrity from their own world, so that, for example, X-Factor took on The Voice, with singer Mary Byrne against Richie Hayes, and so on.

Bainisteoirs kick off in a fun final

Calum Best and Roz Purcell. Pictures: Una Willliams

Martina Maheady and Sarah Cruse with Dermot and Karen Washington

Singer Mary Byrne

Amy Murphy

1 November 2012 GAZETTE 11

DUBLINLIFEGA

ZETT

ESCHOOLS P14COOKERY SCHOOL P13 ASDFSDAF P27BUSINESS P16

Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools

Uniquely Dublin contest seeks original entriesDUBLIN City Council and the Little Museum of Dublin are offering local people the opportunity to win an overall prize of €10,000 in a new compe-tition to find what makes Dublin so unique.

The Uniquely Dublin contest is a search for the most creative demonstra-tion of what makes Dub-lin so special, and entrants can depict this through any of seven creative

methods of music, film, animation, photography, graphic design, visual arts and the written word.

The judging panel will make a shortlist of 14 entries of two from each category, and these entries will be displayed in cinemas, on buses and on billboards all over the city and will be put to a public vote.

There will be €1,000 for each of the winners of

the seven categories, and the overall winner will be chosen by the public and will have their work dis-played in Dublin through-out 2013.

Last week, author Roddy Doyle set the whole thing off by supply-ing the first competition entry with his homage to the Why Go Bald sign on South Great George’s Street.

George Boyle, found-

er of creative business association Fumbally Exchange and Maeve Higgins, comedian and author, artist Robert Ballagh and economist David McWilliams are among the judges of Uniquely Dublin which also includes and more.

You have until January 28, 2013 to get your entry in, and can do so by going online to uniquelydublin.ie.

Fiona Ross, left, of the National Library with comedian Maeve Higgins, both judges

for Uniquely Dublin

COMPETITION: €10,000 FOR OVERALL BEST ENTRY

12 Gazette 1 November 2012

Bookmark dates for Book Festival

Get a unique view of the literary life in the city when the Dublin Book Festival kicks off

at the Smock alley theatre on November 13

BIBLIOPHILES across the city should take note – the Dublin Book Festi-val is set to open its pages later this month.

The festival, which will feature book launches, debates, interviews, readings and workshops for adults and children, is centred around the Smock Alley Theatre in Temple Bar, which his-torically was a home to printers and publishers.

Running from Novem-ber 13 to 18, the festival

features an array of most-ly free events featuring an impressive array of speak-ers and contributors, including Roddy Doyle, Patricia Scanlan, Fintan O’Toole, Vincent Browne and Jimmy Magee.

There will also be events for children, with readings, treasure hunts and a cartoon workshop with author and cartoon-ist John Joyce, as well as literary walking tours of the area around the thea-tre.

For more information and the full itinerary of events, log on to www.dublinbookfestival.com

FreNch Film FeStival iN iFiTHE Irish Film Institute will be hosting its French film festival this month, which is set to take place from November 14 to November 25.

The festival will open with Love by contro-versial director Michael Haneke, and gallic star

duBlinlifeGaze

tte

diary

presence will be out of this world, with special guests including actress Beatrice Dalle, who will introduce a rare screening of cult classic Betty Blue, and Oscar winner Juliette Binoche, who stars in Another Woman’s Life.

Other h i gh l i gh t s include Cannes successes Laurence Anyways, Xavi-er Dolan’s vivid melodra-ma of an impossible love story, and the engaging documentary, The Invisi-bles. The packed itinerary also features the docu-mentary Step up to the

Plate and the animated Ernest and Celestine.

The festival is sup-ported by the French Embassy in Ireland, the Institut Francais, Uni-

france Films, and the IFI’s principal funder the Arts Council. For more information on films and events, visit www.ifi.ie.

KNittiNG aND StitchiNG Show iN rDS For DSPca THE DUBLIN Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has reported an infestation of cuddly mice and other furry little creatures at their Rathfarnham hub as craft-makers flood the shelter with knitted toys for pets.

Supporters of the Knit-ting and Stitching Show, which takes place in the RDS this weekend have responded ‘pawsitively’ following an appeal by the shelter for knitted toys which help socialise kittens and dogs housed in the centre.

As part of ‘Pawsitive Knits’ campaign, easy-to-follow patterns for cat’s toys - including knitted mice - have been avail-able to download on the Knitting and Stitch-ing Show website, www.twistedthread.com, and at the DSPCA home page, www.dspca.ie.

The knitted toys and coats can be brought to the RDS during the show, or sent directly by post to the Dublin SPCA.

The Knitting and Stitching Show is the largest, family-focused textile and craft event in Ireland.

It is expected to attract a record 23,000 people this year.

1 November 2012 GAZETTE 13

COOKING

The impressive interior of Robyn’s Nest, with inset,

owner of the Cookery School Linda Callan during a

demonstration on how to bake scones

Dinner made easy at cookery school HIROMI MOONEY

AFTER a long day in work, you’re most likely not in the mood to cook up a meal at home. But sometimes you simply just don’t want the junk food option and would prefer to have something healthy, as long as it’s quick and easy to make. But what can you make and where do you start?

These questions were in my head until I got the answers at the new Robyn’s Nest Cookery School in the Town Cen-tre Mall in Swords.

The cookery school has just recently opened, and is run by mother and daughter Linda and Emma Callan. Linda told me that their cookery school places “emphasis

on relaxed learning and it’s sociable”.

On arrival I was greet-ed with a choice of tea or a glass of wine by the owners and the teacher for the night, Lily Ram-irez-Foran. Lily writes her own blog, A Mexican Cook In Ireland, in which she shares both her own Mexican recipes and her family’s traditional reci-pes.

She sells many of the ingredients necessary for Mexican dishes from her online food shop, MyMexicanShop.ie.

The menu for the class that evening was a variety of healthy tacos, refried Mexican beans, home-made green tomatillo and avocado salsa served with tortilla chips, and a frozen strawberry marga-

rita to top it all off. Now, I am no Jamie Oliver, so at first all of this seemed impossible to make. But I do know the basics of what to do in a kitchen, so that was a good start to the cookery class.

The class was very interactive as it was a combination of watch-ing Lily’s demonstrations and cooking some of the dishes yourself.

My favourite dish of the evening was the cour-gette flower and sweet corn tacos. Lily demon-strated how to cook this by frying up an array of ingredients, which included dried oregano, feta cheese and a finely chopped onion. I was surprised by how easy it was to prepare and make these meals. Not only

were they healthy, but they were bursting with flavours and very quick to make.

Every week there will be baking classes and

guest chefs at The Cook-ery School. There are courses to suit all levels. For bookings and more information, visit www.cookerycourses.ie.

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

GOT A STORY?

14 Gazette 1 November 2012

dublinlifeGaze

tte

schools

Celebrate science in our lives eleaNor o’dea and

erica ryaN

Notre Dame School

SCIENCE Week is Ire-land’s biggest annual pro-motion of science to the general public. The aim of the week is to promote the relevance of science, tech-nology, engineering and mathematics in our every-day lives, and to demon-strate just how important it is to the future develop-ment of Irish society and

the economy.For the week begin-

ning November 12, Notre Dame School will be run-ning a series of events to promote Science Week. These events will include all staff and students of the school and surround-ing primary schools.

The events will include a science fair, exhibiting a range of projects, and interactive, fun experi-ments along with many competitions.

even a soft drink has a role to play in science, as will be revealed at Notre dame

O n We d n e s d a y , November 14, the Transi-tion Year students will be hosting the science fair in the hall. There will be a variety of different inter-active experiments for everyone to try.

At the fair, there will be 18 projects covering biology, chemistry and

physics, exploring all the mysteries of life that you always wanted answered - from electricity and magnetism to the human mind, all of which have an interactive element.

There are prizes to be won, and fun to be had for everyone who gets involved.

On top of all this, there will be a quiz for the whole school to enjoy. We have invited a large number of primary school students from our local area, so it should be a great day.

It’s going to be a fast-paced science extravagan-za, and you won’t want to miss a second of it!

fair: experiments

AS pArT of the relaunch of the Dublin Gazette Newspapers, we are reaching out to all the schools in our catchment areas to become a closer part of our community than ever before.

Schools are the beating hearts of communi-ties, one of the last places around which a com-munity can gather.

We are calling on budding writers and pho-tographers from all of our schools to help fill the pages and, in order to encourage the next generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Nor-man to present the Dublin Gazette Newspa-pers Cub reporter and Cub photographer of the Year awards.

For more details, contact me at [email protected], or on 01 601 0240.

Get involved with our new Gazette schools pages

schoollife

1 November 2012 Gazette 15

Gazette

Hot tips to stay warm in an energy-efficient wayWITH November likely to feature some below-average temperatures as a whole, and the weather set to become progres-sively colder as we go through the month, the winter chills are here, and keeping warm is definitely going to be a priority.

These cooler periods of weather could be accom-panied by snowfall across higher ground, and these are also likely to develop across some lower levels of the country at times – so, don’t think you are going to get away without being affected by the cold

conditions.Keith McGouran, of

Topaz Local Fuels, is well aware of the cold weather, and passed on some tips about energy efficiency at this time of year.

He said: “Our custom-ers depend on us most in adverse winter weather conditions. We under-stand that the oil distri-bution business is an inte-gral service all year round, but especially so when it’s colder.

“Our promise to cus-tomers is that we will not leave them in the cold, and this year will be no

exception.“With Christmas edg-

ing ever closer, getting the expense of home heating out of the way now will leave you with a clearer view of your financial position come the festive season – not to mention the reassurance it brings that you and your family won’t run out of oil on a truly cold winter night.”

With that in mind, here are a few cost-saving energy efficiency tips that you can follow.

Programme your heat – get a programmable thermostat, or program-

mable radiator control, so you can vary temperature throughout the day, keep-ing the heat down when not needed.

Service your boiler each year, and improve your overall efficiency by 10% – the benefits of an annu-

al service include a longer life, and the reduced like-lihood of breakdown, along with added safety and maximum efficiency. An efficient boiler creates more heat from less fuel, reducing energy costs.

Follow the 30-minute

rule – set the heating to switch off 30 minutes before bedtime, and set it to turn on 30 minutes before you get up in the morning.

Keep radiators and heaters free from obstruc-tions, to allow maximum

benefit.Only heat the rooms

you are using – turn off the heating when you’re not there, or if you’re going away for a few days. For further information and advice, see www.topazlocalfuels.ie.

even a soft drink has a role to play in science, as will be revealed at Notre Dame

feature

16 GAZETTE 1 November 2012

DUBLINLIFEGAZE

TTE

BUSINESS

Q&A

Setting standards in home care excellence

RETAIL sales continued to disappoint during the third quarter of 2012 (Q3, 2012), according to Retail Excellence Ireland’s (REI) Irish Retail Industry Per-formance Review for the period.

The worst-performing sectors for Q3, 2012 included IT and comput-ing (down 19.90% on Q3 in 2011), garden centres (down 8.54% on Q3 in 2011), and photography and camera stores, which were down 7.10% on Q3 in 2011.

The recent digital TV changeover gave a small boost to some industries, as the best-performing retail industry sectors included consumer elec-tronics and home appli-ances, both increasing sales levels in Q3, 2012

compared with Q3, 2011.Overall, year-on-year

sales levels fell by an average of -1.04% during Q3, 2012. This continued the longstanding trend of falling sales in Ireland’s retail industry, and saw Q3, 2012 become the 14th consecutive quar-ter of consecutive sales decline.

Speaking at the pub-lication of the Q3, 2012 retail figures, REI chief executive, David Fitzsi-mons said: “There were mixed fortunes experi-enced by different sectors in Q3, 2012.

“It is no surprise that non-discretionary sec-tors, including grocery, pharmacy and hot bever-ages, enjoyed a reasonable trading period, while the inclement summer weath-

When negative equity strikes

TARA Shortall is the owner and managing director of Home Instead Senior Care.

“Our vision is that everyone should be entitled to remain in their home for as long as possible with comfort, independence, and dignity,” she said.

In five years, the company has prov-en there is a great need for its service,

working with private pay clients, as well as acting as an approved home care provider to the HSE. Home Instead Senior Care is also proud to be a significant local employer.

For further information, or for a free confidential care assessment, contact Shortall directly at 01 895 0010, or see www.homeinstead.ie.

How long have you been in busi-ness?

We started our Home Instead Senior Care office in March 2007. My husband, Ken, and myself now run the business alongside our wonder-ful office team and 100-strong team of loyal, trustworthy and caring care givers.

What makes your business suc-cessful?

Firstly, we are passionate about caring for and serving our clients and their families, giving them the oppor-tunity to live in their homes for longer than would otherwise be possible. Secondly, we are always looking to improve our business and standards of care we provide. Thirdly, rigorous business planning and disciplined cost, cash and financial management.

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

We offer a premium home-based care service, ensuring we match the most compatible caregiver to the client’s personality and care needs. We also work in partnership with our clients and families to deliver care, advice and support at, what is for most, a very difficult time

How has the recession impacted your business?

We’ve grown our business year on year since 2007. There is a growing need for our services, in light of Gov-ernment cutbacks and the desire by families to get the best possible care

for their loved one at the right price.

What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?

We have a culture of continuous improvement. In an industry that is currently unregulated with no barri-ers to entry, we are at the forefront of leading the development of stan-dards and processes in the industry. We take very seriously our role of “thought leader” in the global and Irish home care industry.

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

Regulate the home care market and register all home care work-ers so there are only reputable and approved operators and care staff in the market, ultimately meaning that vulnerable older adults in our society are protected to the maximum.

How do you use social media (Face-book, Twitter or LinkedIn, etc) to help your business?

We use Facebook and Twitter daily with updates and feeds. We use Facebook for many promotions, and special initiatives we are working on. We also have a blog on our website, and this also feeds into Facebook and Twitter. I have my own personal LinkedIn account, which I am cur-rently working on to reconnect with the large group of great people I’ve worked with and got to know over the past 20 years.

TARA SHORTHALL, HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

Retail sales disappoint as IT, computing dip 20%

Continuing the trend of falling sales in Ireland’s retail

industry, levels fell by an average of -1.04% during Q3

er negatively impacted on ladies’ fashion sales and garden centre activity.

“Consumer electronics enjoyed a buoyant period, helped for the most part by the digital switchover, while computing sales were hit with price defla-tion and purchase post-ponement.

“It is disappointing that the quarter gradually dis-improved – primarily due to Budget 2013 specula-

tion – indicating that a return to growth is less likely than first thought.

“Home-dependent sec-tors, including furniture and flooring, and home and giftware, continue to suffer, due to the lack of a functioning residential property market. If mat-ters do not significantly improve in the run-up to Christmas, further failure is assured,” said Fitzsi-mons.

CONSUMER ACTIVITY: ELECTRONICS FARE BEST

Supported by AIB

DID you buy in the boom? Wanted to get on that hous-ing ladder at whatever price, no matter what the obsta-cles were?

Perhaps you bought an apartment that was more than adequate seven years ago, but you have since had two children and you only have two bedrooms in your apartment.

The biggest obstacle, to date, for young families looking for a larger home is negative equity – that’s when you owe more than the property is worth.

Blackrock, the US company which analysed €100 billion-worth of mortgages for the Central Bank, believes that negative equity is the primary predictor of arrears. Negative equity seems to play a bigger role than even unemployment, which used to be the main cause of arrears.

Moody’s recent report says that loans with high neg-ative equity have an estimated default rate of 21.7%. The bond credit rating experts expect default on all mortgages to peak at 20% in early 2013, and have cal-culated that negative equity makes a mortgage holder 1.7 times more likely to default.

“Principle modification” (which is a nicer way of saying “debt forgiveness”) is, according to Moody’s, the only solution, and endorsed by Blackrock.

My view is that it’s not “debt forgiveness”, but “debt reality”, and the sooner we face up to this, the easier it will be for us to take the medicine.

Of the 780,000-plus mortgages in Ireland, half of

them are in negative equity, and 11% are in arrears. If you fall into these categories – you are not alone.

If you are young (under 40), have permanent employment, and you are happy where you are living, then you don’t have a problem. As long as those repay-ments are being made every month – capital and inter-est, not interest only – your mortgage will inexorably diminish and, eventually, be paid off.

Even if that is in 25 years, this is not a problem and, please God, values will surely have returned by then, and you will have an unencumbered – mortgage-free – home for your twilight years.

Trouble raises its ugly head when you either a) lose your job, or b) need to move because the current accommodation is inadequate.

So, what happens then?

Part Two continues next week.

Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoc-

tor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fel-

low of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director

of Money Doctor


From Broadway to Dublin BairBre Ni BhraoNaiN

IF you’re feeling the new kind of tension all across the alien-nation, and if you know where that line comes from, the place to be this month will be the Bord Gais Energy Theatre when American Idiot, the hit Broadway musical based on the music of rock heroes Green Day, runs from November 5 to 10.

Dublin is one of only eight venues chosen for the tour of the show, which has won two Tony awards and a Gram-my, and the Gazette caught up with one of the stars, Alyssa diPalma, ahead of the show’s arrival, and she explained her journey into the spotlight.

“I got into performing because my mother was a singer in a band called Northern Lights for 13 years. They were

very popular around the New Jersey area, and I used to love seeing her rock out every night. So she and I would then do acoustic duets together.”

Alyssa is of Irish, English and Italian descent, and is a graduate of the Univer-sity of the Arts in Philadelphia. Though she claims some Irish heritage, it’s very minimal but she says that a small drop of Irish blood is better than none.

She was keen to join the show when she saw it in New York: “I’ve only been involved with the show since July and it’s really a dream come true. I saw it [on Broadway] and turned to my friend and said, ‘I’m going to play that part’ and it came true. It’s incredible, but with hard work and belief you can make your dreams come true.”

According to Alyssa, the themes

American Idiot deals with are very rel-evant to today’s youth. “It absolutely speaks to my generation. Because it was written after September 11, with all the media saturation that existed, everyone was glued to their TVs and afraid to go outdoors. I was 12 years old when it happened so I grew up amid fears and all my memories are of fear and anger. The show tells us that it’s okay to break through and make mistakes and find your way back to who you’re meant to be.”

Although Alyssa was new to the cast, and not around last year when Green Day singer Billy Joe Armstrong played the lead, she met the band in New York. “We were back from tour and had some time off and got to meet Billy Joe. He was so kind and humble and it was truly

a surreal night.”A movie of the show has been moot-

ed on many media websites, with Tom Hanks named as producer. If it goes ahead, Alyssa would love to reprise her role for the silver screen.

“I would audition for it, for sure. I love the character I play [Whatsername], she’s way cooler than I am. She’s very urban and passionate and headstrong. She’s a freedom fighter and a survivor.”

She regards the show as bringing a message of hope to the audience. “In the final monologue, there is a question about whether it’s the end or the begin-ning. It’s really saying that as one chap-ter ends another begins and the next time, you can make different choices.”

Tickets are from €20 and are available through Ticketmaster at 0818719377.

the cast of the american idiot musical will take to the Dublin stage this month

OUT&ABOUTMOTORS P22MUSIC P19 aSdfSdaf P27

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

azeT

Te

MUSIC: GReen day’S aMeRICan IdIOT ShOw TO ROCk bORd GaIS eneRGy TheaTRe

TRaVel P24

PetsdSPCa’S PeT Of The week: bOaBOA is two years old and as you can see he’s a very handsome chap! In his own words: “I’m black and white in colour and a very friendly fella who is full of chat and loves to make new friends.

“I was very scared when I first arrived here in the DSPCA, but it didn’t take me long to see that this was a nice place and the folks here were giving me plenty of TLC!

“I can’t wait to be part of a loving home and I know I am sure to melt the heart of anyone who takes the time to get to know me.

“I love to follow you around and watch what you’re doing - I am a great companion.”

The DSPCA is Ireland’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity and was founded in 1840. It takes in stray, sick, injured and cruelly treated animals. You can see more of the animals looking for a home and the DSPCA’s adoption policies by visiting www.dspca.ie/AdoptaPet.

Next €19

Penneys €40

Dune €120

Next €111

Oasis €TBA

Penneys €15

Next €81

Marks & Spencer €47.50

Debenhams €34

Dunnes €50


Awear €60

OUT&ABOUT GAZE

TTE

BEAUTY news

LAURA WEBB

ONE of the world’s biggest record-ing artists Jennifer Lopez was in town recently to stage her Irish concert debut, but before the big performance her make up team headed into Brown Thomas to pick up 10 pairs of Shu Uemura false eyelashes.

False lashes are a great way of enhancing the eyes, there are subtle kinds, outrageous kinds and the fancy dress kind, so there is a style for everyone. This week Gazette Style found out just what J-Lo bought, so we can try to copy her eyelash style!

• Three pairs of Shu Uemura Dazzling Diamante false eyelashes. Inspired by Shu Uemura ’s dia-mond-lined false eyelashes, this classic false eye-lash design with a black diamante band helps cre-ate a voluminous lash effect, with a delicate flare.

• Three pairs of Shu Uemura Farfallina false eye-lashes. The triple layers of brown and black tones boast different levels of curls and longer lashes toward outer edge, enabling a natural delicate look and ideal volume on the lash.

• Two pairs of Shu Uemura Smoky Layers, layers of thin black lashes, which add volume to the lash line, creating a sultry eye look reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour.

• Two pairs of Shu Uemura Slant Black, a full set of dramatic lashes that extend and flare outwards. Alternating lengths and delicate wispy lashes add a touch of subtlety for a voluminous and feminine finish.

Check these great lashes out for your-self at Brown Thomas.

Marks & Spencer Marks & Spencer €47.50

STYLE

Pure Luxury Feel a million dollars with deeply luxurious fabrics such as

lace, fur and velvet, like this blazer from Dunnes for €55.

Add extra decadence with jewelled trims and accessories

Slant Black

Smoky Layers

Farfallina

Get J-Lo’s sexy eyes with the Shu Uemura eyelash range


Compton’s latest discovery, Kendrick Lamar, who has released one of the rap records of the year

CONCEPT albums are still occasionally in vogue, though thankfully have progressed out of the prog-rock arena and into a less stratified realm.

Even rap occasionally offers up concept clas-sics, like Kanye’s College Dropout, but few main-tain a consistent theme throughout.

That’s where Ken-drick Lamar’s official debut release, Good Kid, mAAd City, diverges from the path. Described on the cover as a “short film about Kendrick”, it essentially and com-pellingly takes you on a journey through the life of this prodigal star in the making.

A prodigy of Dr Dre and signed to his After-

math Records imprint, Lamar takes a micro-scope to the concerns that fuelled the fury of the breakout album by Dre’s NWA, Straight Outta Compton.

Kendrick comes from the same streets as Eazy-E, MC Ren, Ice Cube and DJ Yella, but that was then, and this is now... or so you would think.

There is the same aural density and invention on Good Kid that marked Compton out as some-

thing unique in rap at the time - what was, in 1988, an East Coast version of the channelled rage of Public Enemy, but with a call to arms being a real call to arms, not a call to vote and be politically proactive and aware as Chuck D was advocat-ing.

Racist cops, gang vio-lence, the catch 22s and traps of living in the pov-erty gap with its attend-ant narcotic escapes - all the concerns from 20 years ago are patently still there for Lamar, and he approaches the descrip-tion of life and how it’s lived with a dynamic and precise flow and one of the best and most focused productions on a rap album in many years.

Good Kid, mAAd City is easily one of the records of the year. com-ing close but just missing out on catching the tails of Frank Ocean’s Chan-nel Orange.

The production work by the likes of Pharrell, Just Blaze and Scoop DeVille is exemplary, evoking the journey that young Lamar takes and that is best summed up by the voicemail mes-sage from his mother on penultimate track, Real: “If I don’t hear from you by tomorrow, I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes...When you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement. And that’s the best way to give back to your city.”

Gazette

FASTtachesMUSIC

IT’S NOT music but it is an essen-tial announcement: men of Dub-lin — prepare for Movember, when moustache is king and knowledge is power.

This is the fifth and biggest year yet for the Irish Movember mission, which is the month to raise aware-ness and funds for men’s health.

All Irish Mo Bros have to do is simply register at Movember.com, start the month clean shaven then work on your fine moustache stylings for the remainder of the month.

All of the money raised here in Ireland will go directly towards the Irish Cancer Society’s initiative, Action Prostate Cancer.

Movember is not just for the boys. Girls can get in on the action by taking on the role as a Mo Sista for the month and encouraging the men in their life to grow the Mo.

Amongst some of the men join-ing the Irish Mo Bros are Irish rugby international players, Jamie Heaslip and Cian Healy, Italia 90 stars Ray Houghton, Packie Bon-ner and Tony Cascarino.

MUSIC ReVIeW: a ModeRn odySSey fRoM the hood

Coming straight outta Kendrick

Are you ready to grow a mo for cancer research this year?

ROB [email protected]

OUT&ABOUT Gaze

tte

CINEMA

GazetteGAMING

1 November 2012 gazette 2120 gazette 1 November 2012

theatremore

THE idea of perfection is a tough one to nail down, particularly when it comes to a relation-ship.

The idea of the perfect man or woman is, essen-tially, a fallacy perpetu-ated by Hollywood.

The notion that there is a person with all of the positive items on a checklist who comes free of negatives is, quite hon-estly, ridiculous.

Most people know that, yet somehow romantic comedies still turn great business and Matthew McConaughey still makes a better living than me from them.

In Ruby Sparks, the notion of perfection is taken and turned on its head, and it makes a cau-tionary tale.

Screenwri ter and star Zoe Kazan turns

OUR VeRDICt:THE biggest concern that there was around this film was whether the quirky rom-com had run its course, or whether you could make one without Joseph Gordon Levitt and still succeed. However, Ruby Sparks is more honed in on its darker side and in creating a perfect girlfriend, creates some imperfect characters. If you can get past that, you’ll love it.

Director: Jonathon Dayton, Valerie FarisStarring: Paul Dano, zoe Kazan, antonio Banderas, annette Bening, Chris Messina, Steve Coogan, elliot gould

in a script that is deftly nuanced, startlingly assured and refreshingly different.

Kazan, the daughter of screenwriters Nicholas Kazan (Payy Hearst) and Robin Swicord (Matilda) and the grand daugh-ter of Elia Kazan (who directed the seminal On The Waterfront and A Streetcar Named Desire), shows that the talent for writing is certainly a hereditary thing.

Writing her first film, Kazan gives the leads to both herself and her

real life boyfriend, Paul Dano.

The pair are directed by Dano’s Little Miss Sunshine directors Jona-thon Dayton and Valerie Faris, who are helming their first picture since the 2006 breakout hit.

Any doubt that the pair would turn away from their indie roots is quick-ly dispelled in this tale of a frustrated writer whose latest creation comes to life, as his girlfriend.

Dano’s Calvin origi-nally puts Ruby’s appear-ance down to a mental breakdown of sorts, giv-ing the film some of its funniest moments.

But, as it becomes clear that Ruby is not just a fig-ment of his imagination, he settles into the rela-tionship.

Of course, telling his cynical older brother

This Ruby sparkles

(Messina) that he is dat-ing a character he made up is somewhat difficult.

As the pair go through the early stages of a rela-tionship, complete with parental introductions, the film sparkles.

The hope that these two characters can be as perfect as they appear on paper is part of the pull of the film.

But, as the film eases into the third act, Ruby Sparks sets itself apart

from its indie-romance brethren.

As the obvious cracks in the relationship start to deepen, Calvin reveals himself to be not entirely sympathetic.

It is a brave move on Kazan’s part to make her male lead so cloying and needy.

Many won’t root for him as his girlfriend pulls away, leaving him with the option of writing to control her or letting her

Dano and Kazan indulge in what appears to be the opposite of skinny dipping

cinema: Paul dano and zoe kazan star in this offbeat romantic comedy

PaUl [email protected]

excercise her free will. As he pursues the

former, the film comes uncomfortably close to the bone.

Watching two people effectively set out to hurt each other is grim, but it is carried off with enough charm and imagination to cover most, if not all, of the film’s flaws.

In the end, this is less a romantic comedy than it is a study of the nature of relationships and com-patibility.

If you could draw up a list of perfect character-istics for a partner, would it match your current beau?

C h a n c e s a r e , i t wouldn’t, but sometimes things that shouldn’t work on paper do any-way, just like Ruby Sparks.

And that’s just fine.

Film OF The Week: ruby sparks h h h h (12a) 103mins

the Pavilion theatre 01 231 2929Port authorityA young boy leaves home for the first time, a man begins a job for which he is not qualified, a pensioner receives a mysterious package. As each man confronts the significance of these events, they are forced to take stock of themselves, their feelings, and of the decisions they have made. Painting a vivid picture of life in contemporary Dublin, this is a gripping tale of love, loss and family. November 2 and 3, tickets are priced at €18/€16.

draiocht01 885 2622 i, elizabethAt a vital crossroads in history a young queen steps from the shadows to unburden herself of her many troubles and reveal her innermost thoughts on marriage, succession, religion, war, and the challenges to her throne. But time is against her... Elizabeth I, queen at 25, political phoenix and famously unmarried, she was the most educated woman of her age – but who was the woman beneath the crown?November 8 at 8pm, tickets are priced at €18/€14.

civic theatre 01 462 7477ride onA Honda 50 bike-run forms the background of a hilarious new play by writer Seamus O’Rourke. Five members of the Drumkarren Honda Club are sitting in a run-down shed in Co Cavan, ready to embark on a bike-ride, awaiting the other 20 members (seemingly “stuck” in a pub in Killeshandra). Running from November 6-10 at 8pm, tickets are €20/€16.

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CINEMA

GazetteGAMING

1 November 2012 gazette 2120 gazette 1 November 2012

tech: ipad’s ‘tablet-tablet’ challenGer finally arrives

meet the new-new ipadsuprise reveal of an updated platformSINCE this week’s page has turned into something of The Apple Show – and why not, for a change, as tons of people use their tech – at the same launch of the iPad mini, Apple surprised lots of people with the unexpected reveal of the iPad 4.

Barely half a year on from the release of the iPad 3, the iPad 4 was also revealed at the mini event, with the main difference from its predecessor being its greatly souped-up power, which will doubtless be exploited by developers soon after its imminent release.

While consumers are, by now, used to Apple’s periodic updates of its tech, the swift reveal of a new iPad was not automatically welcomed by everyone, given that the vast majority of people buy such a device in the expectation that it won’t be superseded soon afterwards ...

BYTES&PIECES

shaNe dilloN

THE biggest story of the tech week, and one of the biggest for the year, had to be the unveiling last week of the long-awaited iPad mini (or mini iPad, as I’d bet my bottom dol-lar it’ll be called by most people from now on, but I’ll just call it the mini for the remainder of this fea-ture).

In a move which sur-prised precisely nobody, anywhere, Apple finally produced its champion to tackle the growing tablet market.

Sure, tablets devices have been around for ages – just look at the bazillion sales of the iPad, and all its iterations, for example – but sales of what I’ll call the tablet-tablet (or, a more porta-ble-friendly tablet, with a typical screen size around the seven-inch diagonal mark) have grown legs and started making big-ger impacts in the past 18 months in particular.

So, although it’s com-ing a little late to the tab-let-tablet party, Apple has finally waltzed through the door and immediately grabbed all the attention with the mini – though

not necessarily for all the right reasons, as I’ll explain ...

Firstly, the mini is very much what it sounds like – a smaller version of the iPad, drawing on many of the legacy elements that made that tablet such a success.

Ranging from a very similar physical style to its compatability with all iPad apps (while having beefy enough power under the hood), the mini is, in many ways, “just” a smaller iPad.

However, in rec-ognition of markets that don’t necessar-ily think that bigger is better, its s m a l l e r size gives it a greater appeal for s o m e m a r -k e t s , making i t a more

Apple’s mini commotionportable-friendly device to take off to work.

With this launch, Apple has finally moved to tackle rival tablet-tablets, such as the Kindle Fire HD, or the Nexus 7, which have been slowly but surely carv-ing out a reliable market share for themselves in the past year.

Indeed, once rarer than hen’s teeth, such devices are now commonplace on Dublin Bus, the Luas,

etc, with

eBook readers also quite commonplace, now

I could continue, but you get the point – the mini seems like a sure-fire winner for Christmas, and beyond, as Apple prepares to muscle in on Google and Amazon devices.

However, despite its charms, there have been criticisms, too – for start-ers, its price point, which is notably more expen-sive than rivals, hasn’t impressed many, as ana-

lysts and consumers a l i k e

had expected something more budget-friendly. Instead, this premium product retains a premi-um price.

Techheads also noted that there’s little that’s truly revolutionary about the mini, which shares similar specs to the iPad 2, but doesn’t have a dra-matic design on its own basis.

Still, despite having an air of “me-too”, there’s no denying that the mini should make a big impact when it goes on sale from

this Friday, Novem-ber 2.

shaNe [email protected]

despite being seen by some as a bit of a “tweener” device - lying between a

smartphone, and a full-sized tablet device - the iPad mini will appeal to a great

many consumers, and help apple attack their rivals’ territory

THE iPad mini shares many traits with its big brother, incorporating a number of legacy features that have served Apple so well. Its specifications make for interesting, if predictable reading, including:

• Colours: Black and white

• Available in 16, 32 and 64GB models

• Wi-fi (with 3G, 4G models to follow, soon)

• H: 7.87in (200mm), W: 5.3in (134.7mm), D: 0.28in (7.2mm)

• It’s a notable lightweight, weighing in at just 308g

• 7.9in (diagonal) LED-backlit touch screen, with 1024 X 768

resolution at 163 PPI (Note: not Retina-quality display)

• Full HD recording, with a 1.2MP front-facing camera, and a

5MP rear-facing camera; tap for focus/exposure controls

• Rechargable battery offers potential 10-hours of use

• Finally, its price – from €339 (16GB model) upwards ...

SPECS


OUT&ABOUT GAZE

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MOTORS

Experiencing the best of both Fords

CORMAC CURTIS

TWO exceptional cars came on the market from Ford this year – both very similar, but at the same time very different indeed.

To be clear, I’m not say-ing Ford just released two exceptional cars, but for me these stand out.

I am talking about the Focus Ecoboost and the Focus Titanium X mod-els. Fortunately, I was able to test these cars one after the other to get a real feel for what each had to offer.

I was lucky enough to test the Ecoboost model for a day back in July when it first landed here – and it was a revelation.

The experience really drove home to me just

how different two indi-vidually spec-ed models can be.

The engine was hailed as remarkable by the jury that this year awarded it International Engine of the Year with a record score, and it’s no sur-prise.

This engine simply flies in the face of accepted wisdom, it is a 999cc direct injection turbo-powered engine, but offers a choice of 100PS and 125PS output and is the most fuel-efficient petrol engine in its class, with the 100PS version promising 4.8litre/100km (58.9 mpg) and emissions of just 109g/km, or 22g fewer than the current 1.6 petrol.

The lively 125PS ver-sion claims a top speed

of 193kmh (120mph) yet with a frugal appe-tite of just 5litre/100km (56.5mpg) and emissions also in Band A, at 114g/km. And it doesn’t half move.

Ford believes that this engine in this car will help keep the Ford Focus as the No 1 selling car in Ireland, and I wouldn’t care to bet against them.

Generally speaking, cars striving for seri-ous economy tend to go with diesel engines, but Ford feel there is a latent demand out there for a petrol-engined car in this segment which can match a turbo diesel for punch and economy, but which is quieter and has less vibration, and the Focus fits that bill to the letter.

The EcoBoost range starts from €21,485 for the Focus 5-door entry level model, rising to €22,335 for the Focus Edge. The EcoBoost 125PS debuts on the Focus Zetec, from €24,235.

At the same time, there is always an appetite for a car that offers the driver high levels of comfort and specification, something that sets it apart from the crowd – enter the Focus Titanium X.

This is a model with a distinctively sporty and premium feel.

The new Focus Tita-nium X provides an addi-tional level of premium quality to the Focus range.

It is available in four and five door models and is powered by the same

1.6 TDCi diesel engine as the Zetec S and has a 95PS output. The Focus Titanium X spec includes the features such as 17” titanium alloys; deflation detection system; active park assist (Ford’s auto-matic parking system for getting the car into tight parallel parking spots); visibility pack; Blue-tooth voice control and USB connectivity; and full size spare wheel.

This is the kind of car that will appeal to a loyal Ford customer who wants to reward themselves with something a little bit spe-cial.

This limited edition has been carefully thought out by Ford, and goes far beyond simply bolting on accessories; it is a distinc-tive and stylish motor.

The Ecoboost engine was hailed as remarkable and won International Engine of the Year with a record score

CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED FOR CAR AWARDS: A FIELD of 36 can-didates for the Con-tinental Irish Car of the Year 2013 awards was announced by the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association (IMWA) today.

The Continental Irish Car of the Year and Continental Irish Van of the Year will be revealed at a gala event in the Conven-tion Centre, Dublin, on Thursday, November 22.

Gerry Murphy, chairman of the IMWA, commented: “In spite of the general economic slowdown, we are still seeing the arrival in Ireland of a lot of innovative new car models brim full of

new automotive tech-nologies and the field of runners for the 2013 title certainly doesn’t disappoint.”

The 28 voting mem-bers of the IMWA assess each vehicle, attributing points on the basis of criteria ranging from innova-tion and safety, to space, comfort, build quality, driving quality and value for money.

“As with each year, the IMWA car jury provide a great service for Irish motorists in helping them to make sense of the bewilder-ing array of new cars that has been launched in Ireland this year”, commented Paddy Murphy of Continental Tyres Ireland, Irish Car of the Year sponsor.

DS5 Hybrid4 named Best Eco CarEARLIER this year I drove what was probably the coolest car of the year, the Citroen DS5.

Now to add to its already bulging awards cabinet, the distinctively styled flagship has another exciting achievement as the DS5 Hybrid4 was named Best Eco Car at the recent Scottish Car of the Year Awards, as voted for by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers.

“Out greening” three other contenders to the title, the DS5 stood apart from the competition with its innovative and ecologically considerate drivetrain, which delivers impressive performance combined with fuel and CO2 efficiency.

The advanced, 200hp full hybrid diesel powertrain combines several technologies to deliver outstanding CO2 emissions as low as 91g/km.

John Murdoch, president at the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, said: “Making the most of every drop of fuel is the perpetual quandary of car makers. Whilst some try to go further by skimping on equipment or driving pleasure Citroen DS5 offers all this and much more.”

CAR COMPARISON: FOCUS ECOBOOST AND THE FOCUS TITANIUM X

NOISEroad

The Citroen DS5

1 November 2012 BLANCH gAzette 23

24 BLANCH gAzette 1 November 2012

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Enjoy some seaside tradition with a twist DAve PHiLLiPs

British seaside holi-day. Once heard, this unlikely combination of words can trigger an array of mental images which may include striped deck chairs, knotted handkerchiefs on bald heads, and a young Barbara Windsor.

But a recent trip to Bournemouth revealed that England’s south coast has left behind the stereotypes to embrace a revived seaside expe-rience that stretches far beyond the beaches.

Under two hours from

London, Bournemouth has long been a popular spot for a break from the city, and with a recently revitalised airport and new Aer Lingus region-al route, it is now a great getaway option for Dub-liners.

Aer Lingus regional run daily flights from Dublin and one imme-diate appeal of flying direct to Bournemouth is that you bypass the lengthy queues found at larger airports.

the town itself is a unique space and, since its beginnings in 1810,

has been cultivated as a place of bathing, leisure, and relaxation.

A 10-minute walk through the Victo-rian Pleasure Gardens divides the town centre from the pier and sea-front that throng with people in the summer months.

the 12km of beach is kept busy year round with walkers, cyclists, and surfers. A colour-ful, cutting-edge restau-rant Urban reef serves locally procured food stylishly, while next door sorted surf shop offers

Bournemouth’s 12km beach is kept busy all year round with walkers, cyclists, and surfers

goHoP’s got greAt offers to PortugAL: POrtUGAL has always been a favour-ite for irish holiday makers, thanks to the amazing architecture, sublime beaches and charming countryside towns.

Whether it’s the pic-ture perfect beaches of the Algarve, the beauty of the Lisbon Coast or the breathtaking island of Madeira, Portugal can offer the ideal break away even during the winter months.

Gohop.ie are cur-rently offering flights from Dublin to Por-tugal, with four nights

accommodation on a room-only basis from just €115, travelling during December 2012. travel in January 2013 and spend five nights on a room-only basis from just €295 per person or spend 12 nights in February from just €316 per person. Price includes return flights from Dublin, accommoda-tion as stated in three and four-star hotels and all taxes and charges. these prices are based on current airline prices and are subject to availability and dates of travel.

For more informa-tion or to book, visit www.gohop.ie.

Spectacular setting for a deserved breakAUtUMn is not the season for hibernating but a time when ireland looks at its very best. As one of the country’s most spectacular settings, the mountain resort of Aherlow house hotel and Lodges in the Glen of Aherlow, Co tipperary, has breathtaking views of the Glen and the Galtee Mountains and is the perfect destination for a well-deserved break. Enjoy two night’s accommodation and a full irish breakfast each morning at a hotel full of character and warmth. the hotel’s special autumn package includes a warm picnic for exploring the surrounding forests, mountains and unspoilt countryside as well as a delicious evening meal by chef Jose Vega. End your day of exploration with a complimentary hot toddy next to an open fire.

the autumn package at Aherlow house hotel & Lodges is available from €129 per person sharing. For more information, visit www.aherlowhouse.ie or call 062 56153.

Bournemouth: enGland’s south coast offers more than BeachesTRAVEL

fast

rental and tuition. From i ts current

ultra-modern and viva-cious state, it’s difficult to imagine the Bos-combe pier area derelict - around four years ago major funding went into rejuvenating the area.

the idea of marrying the traditional seaside holiday with a more modern and nuanced feel has been carried over into much of the accom-modation and food on offer in the area.

the Green house is a popular hotel which sits in a quiet residential area within comfortable walking distance of both Bournemouth town and Boscombe.

it operates a strict eco-friendly philosophy, but refreshingly achieves this in a very upmarket way.

it is enlightening to see the lengths the owners have gone to in order to retain the green ethos.

From the chemical-free paint used through-out the hotel to the bar stocked with beers from nearby micro-breweries, local trade and business are always a priority and style and comfort are in no way compromised.

the Green room, a restaurant housed within the hotel and open to non-residents, is definitely one of Bournemouth’s culinary highlights and features a menu which changes on the organic ingredients available daily.

right in the centre of Bournemouth town, the norfolk royale is another four-star hotel which is guided by a philosophy, this time to embrace its Edwardian heritage and offer guests a distinctly indulgent seaside experience.

Especially recom-mended are weekend high teas where you’re encouraged to spend the the Norfolk royale Hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the promenade

1 November 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

Travel

WHETHER it’s taking a cruise on a gondola in Venice, visiting the famous sites of the Italian capital or seeing an opera in northern Verona, Italy’s favourite destinations could be the ideal location for a much-needed win-ter city break.

And with fantastic offers from Citalia by Travelmood up for the taking, the only thing left to do is to pack your weekend bag.

Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks and is a city which is in its entirety listed as a World Heritage Site.

Visit St Mark’s Basilica, take a gondola trip down the Grand Canal and see the Piaz-za San Marco from just €299 per person.

Travelling on November 17, 2012, the price includes a three-night stay at the four-star Bonvecchiati Hotel on a B&B basis.

Or visit Italy’s capital of Rome and see some of Europe’s most beautiful and renowned historic sites including the Colis-seum, the Sistine Chapel and the Pantheon. Travel on December 1, 2012, and spend three nights at the three-star Augustea Hotel on a B&B basis from just €264 per person.

Verona is one of the main tourist destina-tions in northern Italy, owing to its artistic heritage, several annual fairs, shows and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans.

The city has been awarded World Herit-age Site status by UNESCO due to its urban structure and architecture.

Travel on December 8, 2012 and spend three nights at the three-star Mastino Hotel on a B&B basis from just €276 per person.

All prices include return flights from Dub-lin, taxes and charges.

For more information or to book, visit www.travelmood.ie, or call their dedicated team on 01 4331020 or visit the Travelmood store in Duke Street, Dublin 2, just off Grafton Street.

Bournemouth’s 12km beach is kept busy all year round with walkers, cyclists, and surfers

afternoon relaxing in the sumptuous lounge with tea, coffee, or a Martini cocktail and enjoy enor-mous platters of cake.

The summer months offer lunchtime specials of lobster and chips, and champagne is half price every Fizzy Friday.

While the sea and beaches remain the main attractions, there is still plenty to see and do on a weekend trip.

Fans of history and lit-erature will enjoy a visit to St Peter’s Church, wh ich houses the remains of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, along with the heart of her husband.

While being a con-venient walkway to the pier, the Victorian Pleasure Gardens also house a tethered hot air balloon, which rises to 500ft to give a brilliant, but potentially terrifying view of Bournemouth, the seaside, and its sur-

rounds.There is a lot in the

immediate area to see, and while Bournemouth makes an ideal weekend break from Dublin, it could also serve as a base for a longer stay in the region.

A short drive inland is the New Forest area, a 56-hectare national park, famous for its wild ponies, which can be explored by foot or by hiring bicycles.

Another worthwhile day trip explores the Jurassic Coast, England’s first natural World Her-itage Site, where fossils are common from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.

Bournemouth is one of the most popular areas in Britain for retired people to settle, but also boasts a growing surf community and an active university population, making for an interesting mix of old meets new.

The result is a place that is at once mature and full of history and at the same time fresh and modern.

It’s this air of “tradi-tion with a twist” that makes Bournemouth a great tourist destination. Coupled with the regular affordable flights, mild south coast weather, and year-round attractions, it’s a short trip that can offer a far different sea-side experience.

Aer Lingus Regional operate daily flights from Dublin from €29.99, www.aerlingus.com.

Rates and information for the Green House hotel and Green Room restaurant at www.the-greenhousehotel.co.uk

Rates and information for the Norfolk Royale hotel www.peelhotels.co.uk

For more information on Bournemouth and surrounding area www.bournemouth.co.uk

The result is a place

The Victorian Pleasure Gardens house a tethered hot

air balloon, which rises to 500ft to give a brilliant view

of Bournemouth

GAZETTE

TRAVELfast

Citalia’s offersfor a fantastic winter city break

BlanchclaSSIFIEDS 26 blanch gazette 1 november 2012

Want to talk to your local markEt?

Talk To us firsT!

call your local sales person,

Imelda armstrong on 01 [email protected]

Fingal County CounCil

We, Littlepace Devel-opments Ltd., intend to apply for permission for development at Lit-tlepace Shopping Centre, Littlepace, Blanchard-stown, Dublin 15, con-sisting of change of use of Unit 2 Block 2 from use as a dental surgery to a café. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of mak-ing a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the author-ity in writing on pay-ment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the author-ity of this application.

planning notice

16774

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National Sports Campus Devel-opment Authority intends to apply for permission for develop-ment at this site National Sports Campus, Abbotstown, Dublin 15. The development will con-sist of a revision to existing mas-terplan, permission granted Reg Ref FW09A/0061, consisting of retention of existing agricultural shed and toilet block previously proposed to be demolished, change of use of agricultural shed to athletic training facility, external refurbishment works to roof and doors of agricultural shed, internal refurbishment to agricultural shed and toilet block, internal alterations to agricultural shed and the instal-lation of 8 windows in north elevation of agricultural shed and provision of new car park-ing on existing concrete slab. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reason-able cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observa-tion may be made to the author-ity in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks begin-ning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application

planning notice

16801


National Sports Campus Development Authority intends to apply for permissionFor development at this site National Sports Campus, Abbotstown, Dublin 15The development will con-sist of alterations to existing agricultural barn including demolition of lean-to struc-ture on North side of shed, construction of new external walls, internal alterations, the provision of new car parking on existing concrete slabs and a change of use from agricul-tural barn to athletic training facility. The planning applica-tion may be inspected or pur-chased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of mak-ing a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

planning notice

16800


DataPlex Irl are apply-ing for permission for a change of use from factory unit to data cen-tre, with raised parapet height, boundary fenc-ing and office extension at Building B10, IDA Business Park, Bally-coolin Industrial Estate, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The planning applica-tion may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reason-able cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority dur-ing its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the author-ity in writing on pay-ment of the prescribed fee (20 euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the author-ity of this application.

planning notice

16799


We Lituanica Ltd apply for planning permission for modifications to the exist-ing approved planning permission FW12A/0018. The modifications include only the revision and addi-tions to, the external signage placed to the front and side elevations at Unit 400, Northwest Business Park, Dublin 15. The Planning Application may be inspect-ed or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during the pub-lic opening hours of 9.30 - 15.30 Monday – Friday at: Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchard-stown, Fingal, Dublin 15. A submission or observation in relation to the Applica-tion may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of a fee of €20, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by Fingal County Council of the Application.

planning notice

16807

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

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soccer: United’s star striker honoUred for her five Goals in three Games

keNNedy wiNs HANdBALL titLe: EUGENE Kennedy, father of multiple All-Ireland win-ning St Brigid’s star Eoin, completed the double last week as the world handball championships in Citywest.He claimed the dia-mond masters (Over-60) singles title while he grabbed the dou-bles, too, in tandem with Wexford’s Ned Buggy.

Played over 10 days in west County Dub-lin, over 2,000 players contested the cham-pionships over a host of grades across the fantastic purpose-built Citywest Arena, where an amazing cauldron of action and excitement was created for the 3,000 additional fans who pack into the amphi-theatre style seating for the event.

Peamount’s lawlor named women’s player of the monthPEAMOUNT UNITED striker Sara Lawlor has been named the Bus Eir-eann Women’s National League Player of the Month for September/October.

Lawlor was voted player of the match when she scored for her club in the recent FAI Umbro Women’s senior cup final against Raheny United.

The 24-year-old has three Ireland caps and was presented her award by Republic of Ireland women’s interna-tional team manager Sue Ronan.

Dubliner Lawlor scored five goals in her opening three games in the Bus

Éireann Women’s National League, which sees Peamount top on goal dif-ference from their rivals Raheny United in the preliminary phases of the mar-quee competition.

Lawlor admitted she was honoured to get the award but felt that a number of her club-mates could have been in consideration.

“It’s lovely to get an award like this but I was a little surprised because lots of the girls played very well over the last month,” she said.

“We were very disappointed not to

win the cup but the great thing is that we didn’t let it get to us and we’re very focused on the Bus Eireann Women’s National League.

“Our next game is on Saturday November 3 at Raheny so we have an excellent opportunity to bounce back and look to maintain our 100% start to the season.”

Lawlor also scored three goals in two FAI Umbro Women’s Senior Cup games in the same period.

“Bus Éireann congratulates Sara on winning the player of the month award.

“Sara has continued her incredible form from last season with some impor-tant goals in Peamount’s unbeaten start to the 2012–2013 season,” said Andrew McLindon, Bus Eireann PR manager.

Peamount’s Chloe Mustaki and Emma Cahill were both part of the Republic of Ireland U-19 side that won their UEFA U-19 Women’s European Championship group, winning all three of their games to qualify for the next phase of the competition. They beat Cyprus, Latvia and Serbia in order to advance.

sara Lawlor with her Bus eireann women’s national league player of the month award for september/October

boxinG P28 athletics P29 asdfsdaf P27

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peter carroll

[email protected]

DARRAGH O’Conaill, Ire-land’s youngest brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, continued his fantastic recent form by claim-ing two gold medals in the mid-dleweight division – one at the London Open and the other at the Nogi European Champion-ships, which was also held in the English capital.

As well as his personal glory, O’Conaill’s East Coast Jiu Jitsu Academy - based in Dun Laoghaire - took another haul

of medals as Dean Barry and Stephen Byrne took gold, John Sheridan won four more includ-ing one silver and Marcus Phe-lan and Daniel Ha claimed bronze honours too.

O’Conaill, who had been eye-ing these tournaments all year shared his disappointment that the challenge was over.

“I’ve just been building up to this tournament all year,” said the European champion. “Every training session and every com-petition was just a warm up for this and now that it’s over I’m genuinely sad.

“It’s a strange feeling that I haven’t had before, I loved every second of action in the matches and I could see a huge improve-ment in my game when I faced off against some people that I had fought before.”

Now in preparation for the Nogi World Championships in Los Angelos, O’Conaill is in confident mood, despite the organisation of accommodation still being left up in the air for the Dun Laoghaire coach.

“I’ve been in great form all year and I think I’ll be able to keep it up. To stay there, I’ve

been enquiring with friends of friends – a life of competing is an expensive one to live,” he said.

With his constant jet setting and his commitment to his students competing, O’Conaill believes that jiu jitsu is his call-ing and the 25-year-old believes he is going some way to turn his lifestyle into a career.

“If I wasn’t competing so much, I would be living com-fortably. It’s just an expensive sport, but what I’m trying to do at ECJJA is allow people to make the sport their career.”

O’Conaill lands European and London Open wins

east coast Jiu Jitsu academy’s Darragh o’conaill

celebrates his victory at the london open

28 BlaNcH gazette 1 November 2012

HSTARof the

MONTH

2012 dublin sports awards october winners

dublinGazettenewspapers

[email protected]

NEILSTOWN’S Kenneth Egan claimed his fifth gold medal in five tournaments on Finnish soil as he was one of four Irish win-ners at the 33rd Tammer Elite Multi Nations.

The 2008 Olympic silver med-allist was joined on the winning rostrum by David Oliver Joyce, John Joe Joyce and Conrad Cum-mings while Con Sheehan and Ross Hickey took home silver from an exceptional team per-formance.

For Egan, it completed the

hat trick of wins over the hosts at the expense of Tomi Honka. The 10-time Irish elite cham-pion, boxing well within himself, was rarely troubled in this light-heavyweight decider en route to a 16-8 decision.

It followed earlier wins over England’s Lawrence Osueke in the quarter-finals tonight to book his ticket into the semi-finals where he met Finland’s Niklas Räsänen who he duly beat by 10-points.

“The entire squad boxed superbly all week and it is fantas-tic to be taking home four gold

and two silver medals in our first Elite tournament since the Olym-pic Games in London, he said.

“Overall, the entire squad pro-duced some fantastic displays – young Michael Nevin also won one bout here – and we’re delighted with their perform-ances.”

Talented Portlaoise BC pros-pect Michael Nevin – appear-ing in his first Elite tournament – won one bout for Ireland in Tampere.

David Oliver Joyce also scooped the Best Boxer Award in Finland.

egan lands gold again in Finland

boxinG: neilstown man triumphant once more

Kenneth egan was one of four Irish boxers to land a winner’s prize at the tammer elite Multi-Nations event

HTEAMof the

MONTHkilmacud crokesthe Glenalbyn club bridged a 27-year gap to claim the dublin senior hurling championship in excellent style. they came within one step of a rare double as the club’s senior footballers fell at the last hurdle in the dublin county final on monday evening

john brophythe phoenix striker’s recent form with his club and with the leinster senior league panel was good enough to earn him a first-ever republic of ireland amateur call-up, a just reward for his excellent start to the season with the scribblestown club

Gazette

IT WAS something of a family affair for Maria McCambr idge , the former Dundrum South Dublin AC runner, as on the day she claimed the women’s Woodie’s DIY Irish national marathon title on the streets of Dublin her 17-month-old son Dylan completed his first marathon.

He was pushed around the track in a buggy by her husband Gary for the entire 26.2 mile route, albeit three hours slower than McCam-bridge’s time, a personal best of 2.35.28, one sec-ond better than the time she produced in Paris in 2009.

It was good enough for seventh place overall for

the 37-year-old and cre-ated a new record for any Irish woman in the Dub-lin marathon, bettering Sonya O’Sullivan’s time from 2000.

Speaking about the race in its aftermath, McCambridge – who has run in Letterkenny AC colours for the past cou-ple of seasons since relo-cating there – explained that it was a “very satis-fying” outcome in the wake of a tough year

that saw her miss out on a place at the Olympic Games despite achieving the qualifying time.

“As soon as the Olym-pics weren’t on, for me, I just put it behind me, and put my head down in preparation for this,” she said.

“So it is very satisfying, and that’s the great thing about being a runner – there’s always another race. It’s not the Olym-pics but I’m delighted,” added McCambridge.

Barbara Sanchez, (Raheny Shamrock AC) took the silver medal in 2.42.10 and Pauline Curley, (Tullamore Har-riers) took bronze in 2.45.49. The women’s race in Dublin was won

by Magdaline Mukunza of Kenya in 2.30.47.

On the men’s side, Rathfarnham AC proved one of the stand-out clubs on the day as Sean Hehir took second in the men’s Irish national title while club mate Barry Minnock claimed third

place.It laid the base for the

club’s ultimate success in both the national and

Marathon success for local runnersLocaL runners produced a series of superb runs at the Dublin marathon last Monday with athletes from DSDAC and Rathfarnham AC medalling in the Irish championships

Maria McCambridge, left, with her son Dylan and Georgina Drumm

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

‘That’s the great thing about being a runner. There’s always another race. It’s not the Olympics but I’m delighted’ - Maria McCambridge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FRIDAY Night late night soccer leagues will kick off on November 2 across Fingal.

Open to boys and girls aged 13 to 15 and 16 to 21, the games will take place in Corduff Sports Centre, Round Tower, Lusk; Skerries Community Centre, Rivervalley Swords and Glebe North FC Balbriggan, on Fridays from 9pm to 11pm.

The leagues will run for five weeks with the winners from each group qualifying for the Dublin finals, which will be held in early December.

The Late Night League (LNL) is a five-a-side tournament that has taken place in numerous venues around Fingal over the last number of years and has proven very suc-cessful.

It is run in conjunction with local authori-ties, youth groups and Community Garda policing units, and aims to provide a safe, fun and healthy social alternative to teenag-ers on Friday nights.

Niall Mc Guirk, senior sports officer with Fingal County Council added “The joint partnership between Fingal County Coun-cil’s sports office, the FAI, An Garda Síochá-na and our venue providers has enabled the programme to develop around the county.

“Late Night Soccer provides a positive sporting activity for young people to take part in; studies have shown it has helped in reducing anti-social behaviour and it gives the youth of Fingal something to look for-ward to on a Friday night.”

Interested participants just need to turn up on the night to register their interest and there’s no cost to participate.

For further information on the Late Night League initiative, or any football programmes, contact the local FAI develop-ment officer: Balbriggan/Lusk/Skerries area - Paul Keogh (FAI) T: 086 044 4435 E: [email protected]; Blanchardstown Area – Sha-ron Boyle (FAI) T: 087 132 3260 E: [email protected]; Swords area – Mick Pender (FAI) T: 087 127 3258 E: [email protected].

Late night leagues back in action in November

Dublin team categories as Brian Furey also ran well to finish in 2.33.06 to finish 27th overall.

The men’s race, from an Irish perspective , was won by Paul Pollock who had earlier raised much cheer when he raced into the overall lead eight

miles into the marathon. The Annadale Striders runner had to settle for ninth place in the end as Kenyan and Ethiopian runners dominated the event won by defend-ing champion Geofrey Ndungu of Kenya in 2.11.09.

This was a big break-through performance though for Pollock who won the Woodie’s DIY national Titleincorporat-ed in the Dublin event in 2.16.30, the fastest time in Dublin by an Irish athlete in 13 years.

Both Paul Pollock and Maria McCambridge now plan on turning their attention to cross country. Both athletes have ambitions to gain selection on the Irish teams for the European Cross Country Champi-onships in Budapest in December.

stephen [email protected]

Fastsport

1 november 2012 BlanCh Gazette 29

Glenn Whelan at last year’s launch

30 blanch Gazette 1 november 2012

SPORTGaze

tte

aul PRemieR bCorduff 3

Dingle United 0

peter carroll [email protected]

THE CORDUFF sen-iors have bolstered their chances of getting back into the top flight of the AUL, remaining unbeat-en since August with another win last Friday over Dingle United who they beat convincingly 3-0, with all of the goals coming in the second half on a cold night in the ITB grounds.

There was no lack of commitment to the cause as Corduff put

their opposition on the back foot from the first whistle. Six attempts that smashed the bar and an outstanding performance from the United goalkeeper had Dublin 15 manager Keith Mooney scratch-ing his head as the two sides went in level at half time.

With nothing really to change as far as the Blanchardstown side’s approach was con-cerned, once again the side attacked from the beginning of the second instalment, but this time they enjoyed some fruits for their labour.

Paul McCullough broke the parity on 55 minutes for Corduff, but not before Jay Morgan gave the bar another rat-tling when he got on the end of a Robert Burke pass. McCullough got on the end of a loose ball and finished to give the home side the edge.

The lead was doubled 10 minutes later when Paul Power, a man who has been with the club since nursery, dinked the ball over the flail-ing United stopper with a deft touch from the creative midfielder.

Eighty minutes were on the clock when

Corduff finished their scoring, and this time it was substitute Larry Harmon, brought on for Burke, who volleyed home a spectacular effort that rooted into the top corner after getting on a cross that zipped in from the left hand side.

Speaking after the game, manager Mooney seemed confident of his team’s chances of bouncing back up to the Premier A league.

“The objective at the start of the year was to go straight back up, and we can certainly do it the way we’ve been play-ing. The work from John

McGuinness, Sammy Donnelly and Declan Quinn has helped a lot and we’ve put some results together.

“We have a few games in hand because we were playing in all of the cups.

“Obviously we want to do well in the likes of the FAI Junior Cup, but I’d prioritise the promo-tion over any Cup.

“Collinstown are the last team to beat us back in August, they’re a great team but I don’t think they’ll get the same result against us when we play them at home next time,” said Mooney.

Duff thrash Dingle

soCCer: CorDUff ContinUe Unbeaten rUn in the aUl

eamonn Coghlan was on hand last week-end at Coolmine swimming pool to present club coach Afric Creedon with the Dun Laoghaire Harbour race first prize which she won last month in a time of 44.15 min-utes.The presentation took place in conjunc-

tion with the Coolmine SC’s annual Hal-loween gala where the majority of the club’s 100 youth members took part in a series of races.

local coach Creedon excels in open water

Coolmine swimminG

corduff’s premier b side have now gone two months since their last league setback following some excellent recent results

Fastsport

DUBLIN’S football clubs are being encouraged to get involved and put themselves forward for the Aviva club of the month competition that was launched last week in Dublin by Irish inter-nationals David Meyler and former Portmar-nock AFC, Stephen Ward.

The overall club of the year award was won by St Joseph’s Boys in 2008, with monthly awards going to Rivervalley Rangers FC (2006), Peamount United (2008), Crumlin United (2008), Skerries Town (2008), Firhouse Carmel FC (2009), Esker Celtic FC (2009), St Paul’s FC (2010) and Kilbarrack United (2012).

The awards have become the benchmark for how clubs are performing up and down the country and are run from October through to May with a different club selected every month, receiving €1,500 to assist in their overall devel-opment.

Each of the monthly winners then goes for-ward as finalists to the club of the year which is chosen at the FAI Festival of Football and AGM.

The clubs will then have a final opportunity to submit presentations on their clubs to the judging panel before the winner of the club of the year is announced and a cheque of €5,000 presented.

The judging panel for the award, which is headed up by Donal Conway, chairman of the FAI underage committee, includes representa-tives from FAI club development, Dublin City Council and Aviva, select the winners based on six different criteria including administration, coaching, participation numbers, performance and contribution to the community.

The FAI’s John Delaney said of the scheme: “Since its inception eight years ago, it has been clear that the importance of the Aviva club of the year award comes from the fact that it reaches out to the football family all across Ireland.

“It provides our clubs with an incentive to improve and a reward for the efforts of many fantastic volunteers to make their clubs better. Each winner of the Aviva club of the year award has been justly proud of a fabulous achievement and the FAI places great value on the award.”

More information about the Aviva club of the month awards and details on how to submit an entry are available of www.FAI.ie and www.Aviva.ie/localsports

Dublin clubs encouraged to get involved in Fai awards

1 November 2012 blaNch Gazette 31

ASDFASDSAF

football: blakestown club soard into afl5

club noticeboardGREAT wins this week for our junior

hurlers in the league, U-14B hurlers

in their league final and to our minor

footballers who beat Ballinteer in the

A championship.

Several important fundraising

events coming up: November 9 – wine

quiz night and November 16 – race

night. Tickets now available from

Michelle at stbrigidsgaa.treasurer@

gmail.com for the wine night or from

Tim O’Mahony for race night.

Please make sure you support each

event. St Brigid’s GAA Club Nursery

for four-to seven-year-olds runs

every Saturday from 9.30am to 11am.

New members and families welcome.

Contact Paul on 087 9154748 or see the

website for more info.

A new GAA show featuring a weekly

Brigid’s round-up every Monday

evening is on Phoenix FM at 7.30pm.

The club lotto is €12,400 this week and

takes place in Myo’s on Friday evening.

Plenty of important games this week

with our U-14 and U-16 camogie girls’

championship finals on Saturday, while

our U-16 hurlers are also in champion-

ship final action on Saturday.

Our U-21 hurlers also face OPER on

Saturday in round one, see website

for more. Our club AGM takes place on

November 25; nominations/motions

must be in by November 3.

conor Mackey and ben Keyes celebrate with the aFl division six trophy last weekend

saint peregrine’s

garda/westmanstownperergrine’s Harte praises huge effort

st brigid’s

WELL done to all connected to the

junior A footballers on winning AFL6

last Sunday, defeating Finbarr’s in

their final game to clinch the title, just

rewards for all the hard work during

the year.

Hard luck to our senior camogie side

who lost out to Clanns in a great league

final; the girls were brilliant and will be

back stronger next year.

The U-13 footballers have a League

semi final against St Mary’s this Sat-

urday at 3pm in Hartstown Park.

Friday, November 9 is Player’s Night;

all members welcome and music on

the night from Dakota 5.

The Penguin Ball is on December 8 in

the Carlton Hotel; tickets are €50 and

deposits need to be paid asap to Lor-

raine, Ciaran or Fiona.

Our club shop vouchers are now

available. Details and contacts are on

the club website CNP.ie. Follow us on

Twitter @peregrinesgaa. Entertain-

ment this Sunday comes from Desire.

Bingo continues this Wednesday at

8.30pm. The jackpot is €1,000.

Ladies night this Wednesday, music

from Mr Hollywood games and prizes

on the night.

THE end of year fund-raising event

takes place on Saturday, December

8 from 7.30pm.

All club members are required to

get at least one minor sponsor for

the night. The deadline is November

10. Good luck to the U-14 boys play-

ing in their divisional semi-final next

weekend against Ballyboden.

The U-12 girls play in a blitz compe-

tition hosted by Na Fianna on Novem-

ber 4.

Congratulations to Paul Curran

and his Ballymun Kickhams charges

for their Dublin county final win and

good luck in Leinster.

gazette

[email protected]

ST BRIGID’S minor A footballers put in a superb team performance in their championship to defeat Ballinteer in a must win game away in Marlay Park last Sunday.

They got off to a great start to the game with a well taken goal by Kieran O’Sullivan setting the

foundations of a domi-nant Brigid’s perform-ance.

This was followed up with some excellent points by Mark Kavan-agh, Keelan McAnerin, James O’Reilly, Liam Campbell and Fiachra O’Meara to give Brigid’s a half time lead of 1-7 to 0-3.

Ballinteer responded

in the second half with a goal of their own but the Russell Park men gave a great display of team tacking to turn over the ball numerous times, led in part by the excellent Eoin Kyne.

Vital scores in the sec-ond half then came from O’Reilly, Campbell and O’Meara to seal victory with a 1-12 to 1-4 final

scoreline. St Brigid’s will complete the group stage of this competition against Naomh Barrog on Sunday, November 11.

st brigid’s: K Mc Govern, R Fox,

C Murray, C Hawkes, M McDonald,

E Kyne, S O’Malley, M Kavanagh,

C Dolan, J O’Reilly, F O’Meara, K

McAnerin, K O’Sullivan, L Camp-

bell, B O’Malley.

Brigid’s minors ease past Ballinteer

peter carroll [email protected]

ST Peregrine’s chairman, Paul Harte heralded the “fantastic achievement” of the AFL6 league win-ners, both players and coaching staff, as the club have gone one step further to completing their goal for their foot-ball scheme – one team representing the club at junior level, another at intermediate and anoth-er senior level.

Gaining promotion two weeks ago with a victory over St James Gaels, the Blanchard-stown side claimed the

league title with a win over St Finbarr’s last weekend.

Set to play AFL5 ball next year, the team are now one league away from intermediate com-petition and manager Robbie Keogh’s belief that the side can gain another immediate pro-motion has been echoed by Harte.

“We’re looking for-ward to a big year next year, and the lads are very enthusiastic and capable of gaining back to back promotions.

“We were in that league for nine or 10 years and I think we’ve

come third on three occasions – it was vital we got out.

“We had a division 10 team a few years back now, and they were stuck in a similar situa-tion for years. Eventu-ally when they won the league, they went on to gain promotion from the ninth division the year after so I have every faith,” said Harte.

T h e B l a ke s t ow n boss also commended the work of the “bril-liant” coaching team of Bernard Owens, John Nolan, Declan Patton and managerial debu-tant Robbie Keogh.

“There was a lot of work done toward this brilliant achievement. Declan Patton from Donegal came in recent-ly and his defensive sub-tleties helped the side no end. Bernard is one of the longest serving managers at the club, a great servant and John Nolan came up from the minors and made a big difference.

“Robbie, in his first year as part of the man-agerial set-up, was very good. He worked so hard for the team and he went out of his way to help the cause,” he said.

THE club’s nursery is run every Sat-

urday in Tir Na nOg, the green out-

side Castleknock Community Col-

lege, at 10am, and we would like to

welcome all new players and families

to join in.

Another very successful weekend

for both minor football teams, with

the first team getting a good win

against Naomh Barrog in Somer-

ton, and the second team securing a

place in the quarter-final with a good

win away to Scoil Ui Chonaill.

Our intermediate footballers also

kept their provincial hopes alive with

a good win against Kilmacanogue of

Wicklow.

And hopefully they can keep up

that winning habit in their poten-

tial league decider against Scoil Ui

Chonaill in Somerton next Saturday

afternoon.

Throw in time is to be confirmed

during the week and, as always, all

support is very welcome.

Our U-13 girls are also in the cam-

ogie division one final at 1.30pm this

Sunday in Trinity Gaels.

This is the first team from Castle-

kock to reach a division one final in

camogie with many more to come.

They will play Lucan in a repeat of the

opening group game. Please support

the girls.

castleknock

all of your blanch sports coverage from page 27-31 november 1, 2012

peregrine’s grin: Blakestown club presented with the AFL6 silverware after big Finbarr’s victory p31

gazetteSPORT

former verona fc player connor smith in Watford colours recently - he made his full debut for the vicarage road side last weekend. Picture: watfordfcpics.co.uk

peter carroll

[email protected]

Former Verona Football Club player, Con-nor Smith, made his full debut for Watford last weekend in a 1-0 loss for the Hornets when they travelled to Blackburn rovers in an N-Power Championship clash at ewood Park.

Smith, who grew up close to the Blanchard-stown club in mulhuddart, played for Verona from U-8 level to U-12 under manager Dave Per-disat before moving with his family to mullingar, where he continued to pursue his ambition to become a professional football player.

When Smith appeared on Sky one’s reality TV show, Football’s Next Star, the young Irish

teen’s talent was clear to see, and he donned the famous black and blue stripes of Inter milan as part of the show, scoring regularly and keeping himself in the running right until the end.

Former manager Perdisat remembered the young talent immediately when he saw him on the television programme, and claims he always knew that the talented 19-year-old had what it takes to reach a high level in the beauti-ful game.

“As soon as I saw him on the television, I knew it was him,” said Perdisat. “He was a fan-tastic talent, even at a young age. He played as a centre forward or as an attacking midfielder in my team, and I’m happy to see he is still used in a similar role at Watford.

“Connor made numerous appearances for the [Verona] team and he scored plenty of goals. He stood out in comparison to a lot of the play-ers he was playing with and against, and it’s no real surprise that he’s gone on to do so well for himself.”

After the reality TV show, Smith went on to be signed by Watford. Perhaps not quite ready for the championship pace, the teenager was loaned to the local north London side, Weald-stone, where he assisted the team during a fan-tastic unbeaten run, scoring three goals along the way.

Capped at U-17 and U-19 for the republic of Ireland, Smith made his debut for the Hor-nets in August of this year when he came off

the bench in place of Sean murray and, having now clocked a full appearance, the future looks bright for the young Irishman.

Speaking on behalf of Verona Football Club, coach Ann Colgan spoke of the club’s pride in the heights that Connor has reached and how all at Verona hope that his achievements will go on to inspire a new breed of Irish internationals.

“We are all delighted here at Verona,” said Colgan. “Connor is a fantastic talent and hav-ing shown great development in his early years training at our club, it’s no surprise that he’s gone on to play professionally.

“Verona wish Connor all the best in the future and we hope that he will inspire local children from the area to get into the game.”

Home-grown HornetFormer Verona star Connor Smith graduates again as he makes full debut for Watford FC in the Championship after journey from Grove Rd

DuBLin mARAThOn DeLiGhT: Annual race around the citysees local runners star p29

blanch

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