Dun Laoghaire

A roaring success: Face-painted family fun at the 174th regattaOLIVER Green was having a tigeriffic time at the the 174th Dun Laoghaire regatta, held at the weeked at the Royal Saint George Yacht Club. Sponsored by Frank Keane BMW of Blackrock, the day saw Oliver, and a great many people, come along for what was one

of the busiest and best regattas in the club’s history, with 184 entries taking part in a wide range of events.

Landlubbers were thrilled by activi-ties both on and off the water, with the racing complemented by a great range of family-friendly activities, too.

TDs in firing line for travel costs� BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

OGRA Fianna Fail Dun Loaighaire have severely criticised two local TDs’ trav-el expense claims. Deputies Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) claimed €11,141, and Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP), €11,865 – close to the maximum travel and accommodation expenses amount of €12,000 allowable for Dail deputies.

Ogra Fianna Fail’s Dun Laoghaire chairperson, Jim

McCann, criticised the TDs’ expense claims because of the relative proximity of their con-stituencies to Leinster House.

McCann said: “They need to be doing laps of the con-stituency all day long, every day of the year, to run up that amount.”

Deputy Mitchell O’Connor responded: “All of my expenses are vouched for.” Deputy Bar-rett Boyd had not responded at the time of going to print.

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2 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 12 July 2012

HOBBIES Celebrating wacky, zany – and useful – bicycles

A wheelie creative bike initiativeH

ELD as part of the recent national Bike Week, Shanganagh Park, Shankill recently played host to Active 8 – a celebration of everything to do with

bikes, including some unusual uses of pedal power.In addition to a cycle trail around the park, a myriad

bike-related activities saw bicycle checks, circus bike

riders, bike-powered smoothie makers, multiple-people carrying bikes, and much more showing the sheer fun and diversity of cycling, and modern bicycle design. Organised by DLR Events and Diffusion Events, the event was a great way for all bike lovers to celebrate their wheelie great transport, and encourage others to cycle.

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RESIDENTS in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown were asked to be patient over the coming months as the ongoing upgrad-ing works involved in the Dublin Region Water-mains Rehabilitation Project are set to cause interruptions and distur-bance to water supplies.

The project will replace leaking Victorian water mains in Dun Laoghaire, Monkstown, Sallynoggin, Blackrock, Mount Mer-rion and Roebuck, with state-of-the-art pipes.

An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tom Joyce (FG) said there would be inevitable disturbances caused by the improve-ment work.

“We ask residents, business people and commuters for their co-operation and patience during these vital works that will strengthen and secure our water supply into the future.

“We thank them for

their patience, and regret the inevitable inconven-ience people will experi-ence while the works are ongoing.”

The council is con-tinuing with the battle to save water in the county by upgrading more water pipes as part of the project.

A council spokesper-son said: “During the works, there will be some unavoidable interrup-tions to customers; water supplies.

“Every effort will be made to minimise the inconvenience and, where water has to be shut off to facilitate the works, notice will be pro-vided to homes and busi-nesses 48 hours before-hand.”

The council claims that the benefits of the scheme will far outweigh any inconvenience as leaks will be reduced, water pressure to homes will be improved, and old, lead connections on public supplies will be improved.

WORKS: LEAKING PIPES’ UPGRADE CONTINUING

Warning of disruptions over water

Cork circus performers found 12-year-old Ben Coughlin, to be a natural unicyclist

Blending bike usage with learning about energy consumption,

this boy uses pedal power to create a refreshing smoothie drink

It took John two hours to make this balloon bike

These boys had an unusually light bike

Gerry, Dearbhla, Caoimhe and Brenda Ivory Patrick Curran

12 July 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 3

TDs’ travel expenses blasted by Fianna Fail� BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

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THE expenses claimed by two Dun Laoghaire TDs have been called into question by Ogra Fianna Fail Dun Laoghaire (DL).

Both People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett and Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor have spent more than €10,000 in expenses on travel and accommo-dation in their first 11 months in the Dail.

The maximum travel and accommodation allowance that can be claimed by Dail deputies is €12,000 a year.

Ogra Fianna Fail DL claims that both Boyd Barrett and Mitchell O’Connor live too close to Dail Eireann to merit such large claims.

Apart from the travel and accommodation allowances claimed by the two TDs, a further €20,000 was claimed by both deputies in Public Representative Allow-ance.

This allowance pays for offices, constituency newsletters, room hiring, secretarial support and other items.

Deputy Boyd Bar-rett and Deputy Mitch-ell O’Connor claimed €31,865.51 and €31,141 respectively in overall allowances for 2011.

Speaking about the travel allowances claimed, Jim McCann, chairper-son, Ogra Fianna Fail DL said: “Both TDs live in Dun Laoghaire, with no more than an hour com-mute to Leinster House.

“It’s just not possible that they could run up

travel expenses of that amount – they’d need to be doing laps of the constituency all day long, every day of the year, to run up that amount.”

McCann said there was a need for further changes in the expenses system.

“The rules, at present, state that deputies only need attend Dail Eireann at least 120 days a year in order to claim the maxi-mum travel and accom-modation allowance of €12,000 per annum.

‘Ridiculous amount’“That’s a ridiculous

amount, especially for Dublin-based TDs for travel to and from Lein-ster House and around their respective constitu-encies.

“Surely, as a resident within Dublin, you don’t need another residence,

and you already have a free car parking space in the city centre.

“I would call on both deputies to explain their need for this level of allowance and why they are claiming it in full,” said McCann.

Responding to his com-ments, Deputy Mitchell O’Connor said: “All of my expenses are vouched for, and have been accepted by the standard in public office.

“I drive a car to work and there is an expense around that. I also drive to people’s homes and clinics, and it all adds up. You should look into county councillors’ expense claims, and those of the VEC.”

Deputy Boyd Barrett had not responded to McCann’s statements by the time of going to print.

POLITICS: LOCAL OGRA FF GROUP CRITICISE COSTS


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A REDUCED target of 2,700 parking fines per month is to be issued by Dun Laoghaire-Rath-down County Council (DLRCC) next year.

The council published the new target to poten-

tial companies seeking the upcoming tender for parking services in the county.

DLRCC said: “The baseline performance target of 2,700 valid park-ing fines per month rep-resents a reduction in the level of enforcement from the current position.

“This is a deliberate policy adjustment, in response to complaints by business about vigor-ous parking enforcement by the council.”

The “vigorous” enforce-ment mentioned alludes to the situation which occurred in Glasthule recently, when local

businesses and residents protested against what they felt was an excessive amount of ticketing in the village.

According to the DLRCC statement: “A reduction in the level of enforcement under the new contract will be fur-ther applied in Glasthule

and Dun Laoghaire, but it will include Dalkey, Blackrock and Dundrum and other retail areas.”

Last year, there were 3,100 parking fines issued in the county, and in 2009 the figure was 3,500.

The proposed park-ing fines figure for next year “represents a reduc-

tion of nearly 23% in the number of fines being issued”.

However, Councillor Victor Boyhan (Ind) said: “I am totally opposed to a quota for parking fines. It’s grossly unfair, and confirms citizens’ real fears that this source of income for the council is

now a stealth tax, and has little to do with the man-agement of traffic and car parking.”

A DLRCC spokesper-son said: “It is normal practice for the council to include performance objectives and targets in seeking tenders for the supply of services.”

Parking fine quota to fall in tender process

Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) defended her expenses, which she said were all vouched for, and added:

“You should look into county councillors’ expense claims, and those of the VEC”

COUNCIL Lower target a response to complaints on parking enforcement

Councillors clarify urban beach stance� BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

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THE bade schiff (urban beach) devel-opment, which is being funded jointly by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company to the tune of €3 million, is being treated as an “interim measure” by local councillors.

Last week, The Gazette reported that some councillors were viewing the pri-oritising of the bade schiff project as a rejection of the refurbishment of the old Victorian Dun Laoghaire Baths.

Councillors Patricia Stewart and John Bailey (FG) stated on July 6 that council funding for the new scheme “in no way affects our commitment to the develop-ment of a swimming baths at the existing

baths site”.“The proposed bade schiff in the har-

bour was for an interim measure to give an immediate facility to the people of Dun Laoghaire.”

A motion without notice to reinstate the baths project for the manager’s attention was accepted unanimously by all councillors at the July 2 council meet-ing. The statement went on to clarify both councillors’ position.

“In addition, we stated that, as agreed at several ward meetings with all ward councillors, we asked for salt-water baths and full access for people with disabili-ties.

“We did not vote against Dun Laoghaire baths. We are aware that the funding is not available at the moment, but we fully support this development.”

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On the ongoing wait for a women’s refuge in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area, Councillor Denis O’Callaghan (Lab) said: “Little or no progress

has been made since the need for the provision of a women’s refuge was first identified in the Greater Dublin Area Homeless Action Plan in 2007”

Failure over women’s refuge draws fireA FIVE-year wait for a women’s refuge in the Dun Laoghaire-Rath-down area has angered a local councillor, who is calling for the Health Service Executive (HSE) to prioritise its establish-ment.

Labour councillor for the Ballybrack and Shankill electoral ward, Denis O’Callaghan, expressed his disappoint-ment with the HSE’s response to his motion for a women’s refuge in the DLR area.

Cllr O’Callaghan, who is chairperson of the Dub-lin Mid-Leinster Health Forum, is urging the HSE to give precedence to the provision of a refuge.

Speaking on the motion he tabled at a meeting of the HSE forum held in Tullamore on June 18, he said: “I am extremely dis-appointed with the reply to my motion.

“Little or no progress has been made since the need for the provision of a women’s refuge was first identified in the Greater Dublin Area Homeless Action Plan in 2007.

“This need was again identified in a feasibil-ity study carried out and launched in late 2011 in which both the HSE and Dun Laoghaire Rath-down County Council (DLRCC) both partici-pated.

“I am calling on both

DLRCC and the HSE to pursue this much-needed facility. The motion was unanimously agreed and will now be passed on to the CEO of the HSE for further consideration,” said Cllr O’Callaghan.

The second study was undertaken late last year by a coordinated group including DLRCC, Sonas Housing, and Save, who fund homeless projects, and it found that there was an urgent need for such a shelter in the county.

The report from the feasibility study, entitled A Safe Space, was launched in November by Senator Ivana Bacik.

The comprehensive report collected all data

relating to domestic vio-lence against women and children in the DLR area, and the local services available to them.

It also researched inter-national best practice in this field, and liaised with relevant groups, includ-ing the gardai, domestic violence support workers and the HSE.

Gerry O’Neill, area manager of the HSE, gave the following reply to Cllr O’Callaghan’s motion.

“The Greater Dublin Area Homeless Action Plan, A Key to the Door, published in 2007, recom-mended that DLRCC led on the development of a feasibility study on the need for a women’s refuge

in the DLR area.“The HSE participated

in this feasibility study when it was carried out.”

He went on to say that the findings of the report would be addressed, in time.

“This report recom-mended the development of a women’s refuge and support service in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, and a proposal in this regard was made by Sonas in late 2011 to the Home-less Agency.

“This proposal has not been formally addressed by the Homeless Agency and the HSE. The matter has been raised with the Children and Families Childcare Directorate.”

FACILITY Politician points to unacceptable five-year wait

Population up 6.3%, Census shows� BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

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EMPLOYMENT, popula-tion size, house ownership and health in the Dun Laoghaire region were some of the issues addressed in the results of the 2011 Census, which were recent-ly published by the Central Sta-tistics Office (CSO).

The CSO figures show the total population number in the area is 202,261, an increase of 12,223 – or 6.3% - since the last census (2006), and Dun Laoghaire-

Rathdown’s workforce has increased by 5,725 – or 6.2%.

The total number of DLR resi-dents currently in the workforce comes to 98,561, with 11,071 people unemployed at the time of the census (April, 2011), or 11.2% of the eligible workforce.

The number of private house-holds in the DLR area is 75,819, with 202,594 people living in them, which averages out at 2.7 persons per private house in the county.

In terms of status, there are 108,775 single people in DLR,

almost evenly divided between men and women. Married males in the county number 39,646, and married women, 40,099.

DivorcedRemarried people amount

to 2,084, and there are 3,861 divorced people in the area, of which 1,436 are men and 2,425 women, but more men are separated (2,850) than women (1,888).

The number of men aged over 70 came to 8,040, while men liv-ing alone came to 1,888.

There are 11,005 women over 70 in the county who are still in households, and 4,286 are living alone.

In a new question, 90.6% of the residents of DLR said their health was good to very good, and this number was the highest in the Dublin area.

Women far outnumber men in the whole country, with 981 men to 1000 women nationwide – a disparity at its highest ever recorded. In Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, the numbers are 98,567 men to 107,694 women.

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VEC site contract is signed� BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

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THE new contract for the construction of Dun Laoghaire VEC’s college campus at the old town hall site in Blackrock was signed last week by Collen Construction.

The new enterprise will be created for the VEC, in agreement with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Refurbishment work will recommence on three of Blackrock’s old-est civic buildings: Black-rock Town Hall, Carnegie Library and the former Blackrock Technical School, around August 7.

Councillor Victor Boy-han (Ind) said: “This is great news for Black-rock.

“With more than 1,130 full-time and 500 part-time students, Blackrock will have one of the larg-est Further Education colleges in the country.”

EDUCATION

US firm invests in needle safety� BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

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DUN Laoghaire-based technology company, Becton Dickinson (BD) was applauded by the Tanaiste Eamon Gil-more, after announcing it would invest €14 million in new technology and equipment at its local manufacturing facility.

The company has spe-cific plans in place to expand the production of the BD AutoShield Duo device.

This is a new pen nee-dle designed to help elim-inate accidental needle-stick injuries, thanks to safety mechanisms that activate automatically after use.

“Sharps” injuries are frequent occupational hazards in the healthcare sector, and can transmit life-threatening blood-

borne pathogens, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

BD is working towards a May 2013 deadline, following an EU Direc-tive on the prevention of sharps injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector, which must be transposed into national law in all EU member states.

Speaking to BD asso-ciates at the facility, the Tanaiste said: “Your com-pany is an international success story whose achievements extend far beyond economics.

“Your commitment to investing in your work-force and in Ireland is very welcome and reflects the wider success story that is the medical technology sector in this country.”

The US company opened its facility in Dun

Laoghaire in 1969, and now employs 330 peo-ple.

Work on the manu-facture of the new pen needle will begin in Dun Laoghaire next spring.

This development fol-lows previous investment by the company in 2011 in new buildings and new sterilisation equipment.

Cormac Reynolds, director of diabetes care manufacturing with BD in Ireland, said: “We are delighted that this impor-tant new safety product will be manufactured by our highly-skilled and dedicated team here in Dun Laoghaire.

“Our company is dedi-cated to helping all peo-ple live healthy lives, and Autoshield Duo will con-tribute to more efficient, and safer, injection man-agement for those living with diabetes.”

Brushing up: Preparing to help launch the Stillorgan Cleaner Towns CharterCAROLINE Jolly, Stillorgan Community Garden; James Perry, owner-operator, McDonalds Stillorgan and Dundrum; Frank Murphy, Gleeson McGrath Baldwin Solicitors, and president of Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce and Yvonne Little, Little Flowers, were ready to brush up on their tidying skills when they helped launch the Stillorgan Cleaner Towns Charter in Stillorgan Shopping Centre recently.

HEALTHCARE: COMPANY PUTS €14M INTO SAFER INJECTION MANAGEMENT


NATURE Entire 1.6km East Pier set to host images

Marine photo exhibition to make a splash� BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

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THE longest-ever pho-tographic exhibition of marine life, which stretches the entire 1.6km length of Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier, was launched on Satur-day, July 7.

As part of the Europe-an City of Science 2012 festival, the Tara Oceans Expedition has created the exhibition, which extends along the whole length of the pier.

Tara is a 36m-long aluminium sailing boat which has been navigat-ing around the world for the past 30 months.

The expedition crew

visited the Mediterrane-an Sea, and the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Ant-arctic oceans studying plankton in marine eco-systems, and a number of other, lesser-explored ecosystems.

The photographs comprising the exhibi-tion’s subject matter were taken on a recent scientific expedition by the schooner, Tara, and is entitled, Tara Oceans: A Worldwide Portrait of Marine Plankton.

The exhibition opened on July 7 and will run until August 3, and is the first-ever outdoor photo-graphic exhibition of the ongoing Tara scientific explorations.

There will also be an exhibition on the East Pier by students of New-park Comprehensive School entitled, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea: A School Project.

The Tara arrived in Dun Laoghaire direct from her home port of Lorient in France on Tuesday, July 10, and will be moored on the East Pier until Friday, July 13.

Members of the pub-lic can go aboard the schooner on Thursday, July 12 at Berth Number 1 on the East Pier, from 1pm to 7pm.

The newly refurbished National Maritime Muse-um in Dun Laoghaire will be hosting a photo-

The National Maritime Museum will feature a photographic exhibition of corals and

coral reef species photographed in remote areas

graphic exhibition of cor-als and coral reef species photographed in remote areas during the Tara Oceans Expedition.

This exhibition will be run in collaboration with Kahi Kai, a marine-related image database, from July 7 to the end of August.

Entrance to the muse-um is priced €5, or €10 for families, and €3 for unemployed. The Mari-

time Museum is also hosting a free public lecture by Dr Emmanuel Reynaud on Thursday, July 13 at 7pm.

A marine biologist from UCD, Dr Reynaud said that scientists are hoping “to better under-stand the functioning and diversity of marine life and its response to climate change”, and added: “Studying plank-ton is like taking the

pulse of the planet”. A film, Planet Ocean,

will have its Irish pre-miere on Thursday, July 12, in County Hall as part of the celebrations.

It will be staged in conjunction with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, the French Embassy, UCD, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Comhairle Na N’Og and Dun Laoghaire Brand Company.

Book on Martello Towers� BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

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A BOOK about Dublin’s Martello Towers has been published by the heritage officer in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, in associa-tion with Fingal County Council.

The book was launched by Her Excellency, Emmanuelle d’Achon, the French ambassador, in County Hall on July 10.

Written by heritage officer, Tim Carey and his staff, the book details the fascinating stories behind the building and inhabitants of the towers throughout the years.

The towers were built between 1804 and 1805 to repel a possible Napo-leonic invasion.

The book features a large amount of photo-graphs and is intended to raise awareness of and increase appreciation of the unique heritage fea-tures.

HERITAGE

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So, who’s the finest? Search is on for Dublin’s

best supporter in annual Vodafone contestTHE 2011 winner of the prestigious title Dublin’s Finest Supporter, Andy Slater, from Palmerstown, was joined at Parnell Park by Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan and Dublin Hurler Ryan O’Dwyer for Vodafone’s launch of the 2012 search for, of course, Dublin’s Finest Supporter.

As part of Vodafone’s ongoing sponsor-ship of Dublin, Bernard and Ryan urged sports fans across the county to make nominations at their local GAA club for figures who, like Andy, have shown remark-able loyalty, dedication and commitment to supporting their local team and players.


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AS PART of their four-year anniversary cel-ebrations, Seapoint Fish and Grill restau-rant in Monkstown has launched a new menu and a new look, thanks to its patrons.

In a novel move, the restaurant spent six months collecting infor-mation from its diners, taking their constructive feedback and sugges-tions as to what changes they’d like to see imple-mented.

NameThe first change was

the name of the restau-rant. Seapoint Restau-rant has been rebranded as Seapoint Fish and Grill, and this re-brand-ing takes in the food, logo and additional services, including take-out, interior decor, fur-nishings and signage.

RangeThe menu now fea-

tures an expanded range of market-fresh shellfish, which includes oysters, mussels, gambas, crab, lobster and scallops, with new pricing on the a-la-carte, set dinner and lunch menus.

If you’d like to sample the all-new Seapoint Fish and Grill, you can book a table by calling the manager, Chad Gug-liotta, at 01 663 8480.

Patrons help to redefine eatery’s menus

DINING: FISH GRILLREBRANDED

SuperTones’ super show� BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

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DUN Laoghaire-Rath-down children’s choir, The SuperTones, performed an end-of-year concert in the Harold School in Glasthule recently.

The Sing for our Sum-mer concert on June 24 was performed by the choir’s 30 boys and girls, who are aged from seven to 12, and who hail from all across the local area.

The concert took in a wide range of songs, including Karl Jenkins’ Adiemus, Adele’s Some-one Like You, traditional Irish songs such as Nead na Lachan, and other well-known pieces from musicals such as Les Mis-erables and The Wizard of Oz.

The choir was led by conductor, Michael Daw-son, who performed in New York’s Carnegie Hall with US composer and conductor Eric Whitacre in 2010.

The SuperTones was created by musical direc-tor, David Brophy, who was the principal conduc-

tor of the RTE Concert Orchestra and the director of Dun Laoghaire Choral Society, in 2011.

His operatic work has led to partnerships with Lyric Opera Productions, NI Opera, Opera Ireland, Glasthule Opera and Opera Theatre Company.

Brophy had a desire to establish a very exciting and original children’s choir which would focus on music education with-in a creative environment for local children.

The choir received fund-ing from Dun Laoghaire-Ra thdow n Coun ty Council’s (DLRCC) Arts Department, as part of an overall DLRCC grant given to the main choir, Dun Laoghaire Choral Society, for the purposes of establishing a local jun-ior choir.

T h e S u p e rTo n e s rehearse once a week at the Grainstore in Cabint-eely. New members are encouraged to attend the auditions which will be held this September.

If you are interested in auditioning, email [email protected].


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A NEW report detail-ing work on 45 previ-ously unfinished hous-ing estates in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area was published last week by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan.

Minister O’Sullivan’s report, The Final Report

of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, details a comprehensive list of actions that have been taken in response to the rash of unfinished hous-ing developments left after the boom times.

Minister O’Sullivan said the report aimed to tackle the “scourge of ghost estates and improve the quality of life for the

residents living in or near them”.

A council spokesperson confirmed that, of the 60 unfinished developments identified in the area, 45 are now considered to be complete.

The spokesperson added: “ The remaining 15 unfinished developments are at different stages of completion, with only one development not yet

started.”The progress on the

issue of unfinished hous-ing estates in DLR was welcomed by Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore last week at the report’s launch.

Minister Gilmore said: “This is welcome progress. While Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown doesn’t, in the main, have the extensive ghost estates seen in other parts of the

country, even relatively small-scale problems can disrupt the lives of resi-dents and neighbours.

“It’s important for the whole community that unfinished developments are tackled and that is now happening.

“I will continue to liaise with Minister O’Sullivan on this issue over the coming 12 months.”

Speaking about the

problem of unfinished developments in the country, the Tanaiste said: “The unfinished housing estate problem inher-ited from the previous Government is a serious issue.

“For families living in these estates unfinished estates can be a night-mare. It is an issue that the Government is deter-mined to resolve.”

End in sight for ghost estate nightmareHOUSING New report details the problems of unfinished estates


Robert Viowqlkowski Jimmy Carleton

Maria Palaaos Nuria Hijano

Lisa Glennon and Ailbhe Ni Mhaoilearca, The Natural Sauce Company

MARKET DAY Treats and arty collectibles at the People’s Park despite the gloom

Warm greetings at rained-out marketW

ITH July threatening to turn into as much of a wash-out as June, retailers could be forgiven for wondering if local interest in

supporting produce providers at the People’s Park would be dampened.

Thankfully, this wasn’t the case when The Gazette called to the Sunday market at the popular park, as plenty of locals were out to browse the wares and support their local pro-duce providers and artisans.

Not even the “summer” weather could wash

away their interest in the great selection of wares at the market, where the bright, colourful stalls and warm greetings from the stallholders helped to create an upbeat feeling.

Despite the challenging economic climate – and the dreary weather, of late – the market remains as popular as ever, thanks to the terrific range of produce and wares, the friendly stall-holders and the loyal local customers.

See more pictures next week


Birthday bash for the USA O

N July 4, US Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia celebrated American Inde-pendence Day by hosting the Third Irish Ameri-

can Flag Football Classic. Over 2,500 guests were in attendance for the Independence Day celebrations. The football was delivered by professionals who sky dived from a plane overhead.

Then it was time for The Phoenix Park Pirates to take on the Dublin 8’s.

The Dublin 8’s took the title this year winning 44 to 37. Guests of all ages enjoyed hamburgers, hotdogs, red, white and blue cupcakes and other traditional American treats. The Kids Zone was a huge success with face painting, story-telling, science demonstra-tions and the giant inflatable slide.

William Cummins, Eddie Goggins, Ref Tony Rivers, Dan Rooney and Barry Bolton. Pictures: Peter Doyle

Peter and Mary Tiernan

Dublin 8’s Youth with Martin Kane, head coach, and Heather Sanchez, team

manager

The game featured plenty of end-to-end action

Dave Duffy approaches and then lands with

the Steelers’ FlagUncle Sam with Avril and Nathan Byrne

CELEBRATIONS The Phoenix Park Pirates take on the Dublin 8’s

Phoenix Park Pirates Youth with head coach Gerry Bourke and team manager Elizabeth Morrisson

Katrina Morrisson, US Ambassador to

Ireland Dan Rooney, and Aidan Kelly

Jimmy Kloda, Zoe Gibson, Karen Doyle, Alan Munnelly, Justyna Kloda and

David Vincent French

Louise McKiernan, Margaret McKiernan, Mairead Butler, Dylan

Butler and Conor Butler with Snap, Crackle and Pop

Lee Gibson was a favourite with all those red, white and blue cup cakes

Hadar Levy from the Israeli Embassy

enjoying the celebrations

Blaithin Ruadh, Sinead O’Neill and Sarah Daly

Little Caoimhe McDonald,

three months old, on her first

Independence Day

Peter Killalea

Derek Byrne and Andrew Bradford

Zoe Gibson, Karen Doyle and Justyna Kloda

in American football game to mark USA’s birthday

12 July 2012 GAZETTE 11

Letting celebrate � PAUL HOSFORD

OVER 2,000 people gathered at the resi-dence of the American Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney, last week, to celebrate the birth of the USA.

The residence fea-tured a taste of eve-rything American on the day, with hotdogs, burgers and American Football taking centre stage.

The residence, on 62 acres of ground was completed in 1776.

Built by Col John Blaquiere, chief secre-tary of the British gov-ernment and bailiff of the Phoenix Park, it has been the home of the American ambassador to Ireland since 1928.

Extensive renova-tions to the house and property were made by the U.S. Government in 1952.

The property now consists of orchards and gardens on which are located three cot-tages and a gate lodge.

The lower ground floor of the residence has a ballroom, recep-tion and dining room, library, office, kitchen’s pantry, staff room and laundry.

S ix su i te s which each have a bedroom, bathroom and dress-ing room, plus a sitting room are located on the upper floor.

The residence has fur-niture and equipment obtained in Ireland, the United States and many other countries.

This year, the staff of the American embassy in Ballsbridge, their families and assorted guests, American, Irish and otherwise, were in attendance for the American national day.

S i n c e A m b a s s a -dor Rooney owns the most successful team in American Football history, the Pittsburgh

Steelers, it is hardly surpris ing that the showpiece event of the day should be a gridiron game.

The third Irish Amer-ican Flag Football clas-sic was played on a spe-cially constructed pitch in what is, essentially, the ambassadors back yard.

The pitch, complete with American Foot-ball goalposts, two big screens, bleachers and impressive pitch mark-ings that included a 4-metre wide ambassa-dor’s seal at midfield.

Patrick McKenna and Alan Gallagher from Croke Park both put immense work, with their team.

They made sure the pitch was ready and up to the standard a man whose team plays in a $300 million, 65,000 seater stadium would expect.

There was much jok-ing that the Rooneys could pay Croke Park back by securing a Steel-ers game for HQ in the future, as has long been rumoured, but official word on such a move is still not forthcoming.

The game itself is a non-contact version of the gridiron game.

Many players on both the defending Phoenix Park Pirates and chal-lenging Dublin 8’s had never played the game before at all.

Not everyone, how-ever, was a pigskin neo-phyte.

Taking the reins at quarterback for the 8’s was a young man by the name of Dan Rooney.

The ambassador ’s grandson has just fin-ished a stint as the backup quarterback at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and was coached on the 8’s by his uncle, Dan Roon-ey Jr.

Along with some US Marines and other

embassy staff , both teams had a mix of new-comers and vets, with some Irish American Football players thrown into the mix as well.

The game itself start-ed with the arrivals of the teams as announced by Today FM sports reporter Paul Collins.

Then followed armed forces from both Ireland and the US marching the colour (or, on this day, color) before the singing of the national anthems.

T h e n , t h e g a m e ball was delivered by

members of the Irish Parachute Club, who jumped from high over the residence.

A typically low-key arrival for such an event as this, then.

Game onThe game itself was a

thriller, with the young Rooney leading his team into an early lead by finding Joe Grey for an early touchdown, before finding Danny Ferens Jr, whose father is a member of the Steelers’ front office.

The Phoenix Park Pirates, led by Eddie Goggins, were strug-gling to get into the rhythm as they sought to defend the crown which they wrestled

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

‘The relationship between our two countries is stronger than ever...we never stopped imagining a brighter future’------------------------------------------US Ambassdor Dan

Rooney- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

US Ambassador Dan Rooney with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Aidan Prendergast of the Mayoman’s Association

(top) and with Social Protection Minister, Joan Burton

INDEPENDENCE DAY Over 2,000 get together to mark July 4

12 GAZETTE 12 July 2012

freedom ring to a special friendship

from the 8’s last year.Just before half time,

Shaun Douglas, a player with Castleknock’s own West Dublin Rhinos, caught a pass before weaving his way through the despairing reaches of the 8’s defence and in for a touchdown.

That left the score at 23-14 at the break.

At half-time, a group of youngsters from both Ireland and America took part in a small-sided game, thrilling the crowd in a 14-7 win for the 8’s.

The Pirates would receive the ball to start the second period and after one play, Douglas had hauled his team back into the game.

election this year, it is unclear if this will be the last year of this event or whether Mr Rooney will be returned to the Chief Secretary’s Lodge by Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.

It is clear, however, that Rooney has the appetite to stay in the Phoenix Park, praising the strong relationship between the country of his birth and the nation of his heritage.

“Our relationship is stronger than ever,” he said before echoing the words of Barack Obama who, during his visit to Ireland last year, spoke of countries that have “never stopped imagin-ing a brighter future”

“I have travelled all over Ireland and visited every county. US confi-dence in Ireland’s econ-omy has never wavered and our investment in Ireland’s future remains strong,” Mr Rooney said.

In the end, all that was left to do was sit back and look at how well put-together the day was.

Embassy staff had worked long and hard at producing a special day and they certainly suc-ceeded.

Many in attendance, particularly those from this side of the pond, remarked at how over the top it all seemed, but were reminded swiftly that over the top is what America does.

The teams would go back and forth before the Pirates would level things with just under two minutes to go.

With consummate c a l m n e s s , R o o n e y

showed why the family business was American Football and led his team into the endzone with just seconds to go.

In the end, joint-Most Valuable Player Ferens

would show why he is being highly touted for some major colleges in the States with a stun-ning interception to end the game.

With a presidential

The victorious Dublin 8’s team

the American way - with football and hotdogs

AN annual motorbike charity run is set to take place later this month, when a group of motor-cyclists will travel from Dublin to Tullamore in order to raise money for a very worthy cause.

After a successful charity event last year, the fundraising motor-cyclists “15 to 1” are set to hit the road again, but this year in aid of spina bifida.

The group is inviting any motorcyclists who wish to take part to come along and donate €20 towards the fund-raiser.

Any motorcyclist who would like to join in the run is asked to meet at the Mansion House in Dublin at 9.30am on Sunday, July 29.

The run will official-ly start at 11am with refreshments available on arrival to Tullamore.

Motor bike run for spina bifida

CHARITY



Antibiotic use must be curbed, says study� SUZANNE BYRNE

SCIENTISTS are call-ing on the government to step up their current campaign to curb the use of antibiotics in humans and animal healthcare.

According to an Envi-ronmental Protection Agency (EPA)-funded report detailing new links between water quality and health, the problem of antibiotic resistant bac-teria has become increas-ingly widespread.

The study, Enhancing Human Health through Improved Water Quality, demonstrates the extent to which acquired anti-microbial resistance in E. coli and Enterococci bacteria has spread in Ireland’s water sources.

Lead author of the

study Professor Mar-tin Cormican told the Gazette the health risk lay in the fact that these bacteria, which live in humans and used to be sensitive to antibiotics – had now become resist-ant – primarily due to the overuse of antibiotics.

These bacteria are then spread between humans and animals through contaminated water sources – as well as other inter-animal contact, and can turn up in others that have not been on courses of antibiotics – thus accel-erating their spread.

The study further details the potential role of intensive health care settings, such as hospi-tals as a focus for phar-maceutical and bacterial contaminants.

The hospital super-bug MRSA is a strain of bacteria that has become resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Among the report’s key findings is a connection between heavy rainfall and sudden changes in water quality – as bacte-rial contamination gets washed into groundwater from farm sources and septic tanks.

Researchers have also stressed how poorly-protected wells or water treatment facilities can have an adverse impact on the health of families and business owners.

In light of this, the report recommends the classification of water sources to highlight those at risk.

It further advises the

implementation of a total quality management sys-tems approach to water treatment plants, where operational failure is identified as a major risk.

During the period of the study, some rural populations were exposed to piped water that was substantially contaminated with fae-ces all of the time, with the additional problem of exposure to E. coli that had an array of acquired antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.

It noted in this regard however, that overall improvement in drinking water quality was reported in the recent EPA report The Provision and Qual-ity of Drinking Water in Ireland – a Report for the Year 2010.

Capital comes up roses in garden world

TOP 100 Author updates guide to our horticultural gems

� SUZANNE BYRNE

WICKLOW may be the Garden County – but Dublin’s gardens are still among the best in the country.

That’s according to writer Shirley Lanigan, who’s just published an updated edition of her book, The 100 Best Gar-dens in Ireland.

Airfield Garden in Dundrum, Ardgillan Demesne in Skerries and Dillon Garden in Rane-lagh all make the grade

in her 100 best list, which has now been made available as a pocket guide for wandering gar-den enthusiasts.

The latest edition explores the history of Ireland’s gardens, their design, flora, fauna and

includes interviews with owners, curators and gardeners themselves.

It’s also a great guide to practical information on fees and opening hours and quite simply bursts with information on the cornucopia of horticul-tural gems just waiting to be dug up.

Speak ing to the G a z e t t e , L a n i g a n explained her idea of what made a garden truly great.

“My favourite gardens are big wandering ones

where you can get lost. “Where you actually

have to sort of turn left and right and go down laneways and tunnels. For me, they’re the Mecca of great gardens,” she said.

“There’s an untam-edness about the best of Irish gardens, they always give you the feel-ing it sort of happened by mistake.

“I think it’s because of all the rain our gardens tend to be extremely lush

and it’s easy for an Irish garden to develop a jun-gle-like feel – unlike Brit-ish gardens where they go in for much more for-mality that’s more man-nered and hemmed in. Ireland’s a bit scruffier,” she said.

Explaining how she drew up the list, Lani-gan said she initially made her selection from memory and experi-ence and then revisited the gardens. Some still made the grade – and

Dublin’s gardens are still among the best in the country, according

to writer Shirley Lanigan (left)

some didn’t. “What I like now is the

wall-planting. There’s a lot of good design now, using the walls of a new buildings as a vertical build – it gives you the chance to let plants look as if they have the upper hand.”

Of the Dublin gardens on her list, she said the Dillon garden was a par-ticular wonder.

“It’s one woman and her husband’s garden. There’s this most extraor-

dinarily beautiful garden behind their home. She really is an amazing woman with plants.”

As for the ideal recipi-ent of the book, Lanigan said: “Anyone who likes to go out for a drive. Very often, you’ll pick one or two things. Though you’d be hard pressed to repro-duce them.

“But we can all dream,” she said.

The 100 Best Gardens in Ireland is published by Liberties Press.


CHAMPIONSHIPS 350 sailors set compass for title success

Sailing elite to drop anchor in Dun Laoghaire� SUZANNE BYRNE

THE cream of the world’s young sailors are set to drop anchor in Dun Laoghaire this week as the borough plays host to the International Sail-ing Federation’s (ISAF) World Youth Sailing Championships.

Dubbed the Youth Olympics of Sailing, the event is taking place in Ireland for the first time in its 42-year history at locations across Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Bay between July 13 and 20.

The 350 budding sea-farers, all aged between 16 and 19, are represent-ing 63 flags from across

six continents.Accompanied by 120

coaches, they will sail 250 boats across five classes in their race for the eight available world titles.

Brian Craig, who’s chairing the event, told the Gazette the organ-ising committee first made its application to host the championships back in 2008 and faced stiff competition from six other countries.

The key factor in their successful bid, he believes, was that Dun Laoghaire “had it all”: “A marina, plenty of hotels, a yacht club – all within short walking distance – while other venues may have had two of these,

but not a third.”Organisers hope the

championships wil l bring €5 million into the local economy with 100,000 visitors expected to attend over the dura-tion.

Along with the com-petitive events, the week-long championships, sponsored by Four Star Pizza, will double up as a music and cultural fes-tival, offering visitors the chance to peruse market stalls, enjoy street music and take in the bracing sea air on a trip around Dublin Bay.

The opening ceremo-ny takes place on July 13 at 7.30pm and will be addressed by Tanaiste

The cream of the world’s young sailors are set to drop anchor in Dun Laoghaire for the International Sailing

Federation’s (ISAF) World Youth Sailing Championships

and local TD Eamon Gilmore (Lab), Cathao-irleach Cllr Tom Joyce (FG) and ISAF President Goran Petersson at the Harbour.Plaza.

The welcoming of the teams will be followed by the ceremonial raising of the championships flag and the mixing of the waters brought from the homelands of the 63

competing nations.The ISAF World Sail-

ing Championships have long provided the world with its first glimpse of future sailing stars and Olympians – with 15 of the competitors who won medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games past medallists at the youth champion-ships.

Expected to top the medal table this year are the French, New Zealanders, Americans, English and Spanish – although local girl Sophie Murphy from the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire is thought to be in the running in her category, the Laser Radial Girls.

The week’s events will

conclude with a fire-works display which will crown the closing cer-emony.

After the medals are awarded, the official flag will be lowered in readi-ness to be handed over to Cyprus who host the event next year.

For further information on the events logon to http://www.dlrcoco.ie/

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GazetteBEAUTYBEAUTY Edited by

Laura Webb

GETTING the perfect smile could take just one day, thanks to a revolutionary treatment by a Blackrock clinic.

Seapoint Clinic launched a brand new product that will revo-lutionise treatment for denture wearers or those with broken or missing teeth.

Teeth in a Day is a clinically proven prod-uct that allows patients to have their smile transformed in one day.

This clinic is the only clinic in Ireland offering this treatment, which is proving quite popular in the UK and USA.

Typically, when a patient decides to have implants to replace missing or decayed teeth they could be waiting six months, and have to wear temporary dentures in the interim, causing discomfort and unease. This new procedure means that appointments which normally take place over a six month period are condensed into one visit.

For further infor-mation and prices at Seapoint Clinic check out on www.seapoint-clinic.ie or phone 1800 92 7770.

Getting the

perfect smile

in just a dayFashion week celebrates four unknown stylists

Trendsetters Gavin Norton, Leanne Woodfull, Laura O’Brien and Roisin Flanagan (top) and their creations

THE finale of eBay Online Fashion Week ended on a high thanks to

four unknown stylists who were chosen to style the end of week catwalk show, Ireland’s first eBay fashion show at Smock Alley Theatre.

Leanne Woodfull , Gavin Norton, Laura O’Brien and Roisin Flan-agan were handpicked by TV personality fashion guru Darren Kennedy, founder of helpmystyle.ie.

The four young stylists were given the chance to showcase their style ideas by creating three of this summer’s hottest trends for the catwalk show.

The trends included sport luxe, printastic and tea party. Each stylist used clothes from eBay’s fashion gallery.

Gavin Norton’s take on preppy chic for men combined varsity jackets with bow-tie suits and mixed a patterned slim fitting trouser (€31) with a cardigan (€22) – add-ing a leather varsity jack-et to prep up this look (€46).

Laura O’Brien nailed the tea party look keep-

ing it feminine and sweet. One of her looks show-cased a cute yet styl-ish peter pan-collared, orange polka dot dress (€22) teamed perfectly with a flower headband (€7) to give it that sum-mer chic feel.

A printastic themed look by Leanne Woodfull stuck to the brief by high-lighting a Versace print shirt (€42). She themed the amazing summer printed shirt with retro denim shorts (€12) and a simple black belt (€65). The printed scarf used as a headband, added to the look giving it a real 80s feel.

Roisin Flanagan made sports clothes look luxu-rious. One of her looks teamed a baseball vest (€31) with a black leather skirt (€22), turning a top usually associated with lounging around into a sport luxe statement piece.

Over 300 fashionista’s took to their seats at the finale show recently including make-up artist Joanne Larby and Kellie Dalton of Burberry.

Not only did the show delight the Irish audi-ence, but it was viewed


by thousands who watched through a live stream online from areas like Singapore, USA and Italy.

Commenting on the event, eBay’s Laura Wilkinson said “eBay.

ie’s Online Fashion Week celebrated every-thing about Irish fashion and enabled everyone to be involved. The fashion talks engaged the live and online audience with over 500 Twitter interac-

tions and questions post-ed to the industry insid-ers. Showcasing emerg-ing talent of Ireland’s upcoming stylists was a great end to the week.”

The upcoming styl-ists were applauded for

their work and looked like they were having the time of their life.

To watch any of the talks or the fashion show go to: http://www.you tube . com/use r /eBayIEofficial

Always be ‘photo ready’ with Revlon’s affordable foundationBE photo ready with Revlon’s afford-able foundation that is light enough, yet tough enough, to stay intact all day and night.

Whether you plan to stay in, or enjoy a night out on the town, Revlon’s PhotoReady make-up (€19.40) will stay on skin through even the hottest summer days and nights.

Tested under the harshest lights and high-definition camera lenses, the make-up provides poreless, air-brushed skin in any light. Accord-ing to its makers, the PhotoReady foundation contains “photochro-matic pigments that bend and reflect light to help erase any flaw”.

It also contains SPF 20, protecting the skin from sun damage.

This product is also extremely easy to apply, so anyone who doesn’t have a foundation brush will love this foundation. Just press the pump to disperse formula – two to three times is enough – then apply with fingertips. Start at the center of the face and blend out-wards. Once applied, users imme-diately notice the soft luminous finish. It’s fragrance and oil free. This product is available in four colours – Shell, Nude, Natural Beige and Cool Beige.

For anyone who might need a little help with a more even and

smooth complexion, then try Rev-lon’s PhotoReady primers. The Per-fecting Primer (€19) is for anyone who thinks pores and fine lines are an issue. It can be used alone for a more even and smooth complex-ion or as a great surface area for make-up application under Rev-lon’s PhotoReady foundation.

Anyone who wants to reduce the appearance of lines and creases on lids and under eyes should try the Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener (€14.80). It brightens the entire eye area and ensures eye shad-ows and concealers stay in place.

Meanwhile, Revlon are giving lips a burst of colour with their lip

butter. The ColourBurst lip butter (€11.25) softens and hydrates lips, which is a much needed ingredi-ent during warm weather and cold weather periods. This lip butter glides on easily and leaves lips with the great long-lasting colour. There are seven shades available includ-ing: Peach Parfait, Cotton Candy, Candy Apple, Tutti Frutti, Lollipop, Strawberry Shortcake and Sweet Tart. Test out the whole range and find the perfect colour to make the perfect pout. For the month of July, this product is reduced to €7 at participating stores.

Revlon products are available at pharmacies nationwide.

ColorBurst Lip Butter in Lollipop

PhotoReady Makeup in Shell

PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener

Tall Ships are coming

Lord Mayor of Dublin Naoise O Muiri (FG), Minister for Transport, Tourism and

Sport, Leo Varadkar, and ‘First Mate’ Keith Duffy at Grand Canal Square in Dublin

as they announce details of the The Tall Ships Races 2012

TO mark the first day of the International Tall Ships Races, “First Mate” Keith Duffy was joined recently at Grand Canal Square by Minister for Tourism Leo Varadkar and Dublin’s newly elect-ed Lord Mayor Naoise O Muiri (FG).

The Bugle Babes, a 1940s-style vocal trio, provided the music as details were announced of the line-up for the cap-ital’s free four-day festival this August 23-26.

The fleet of 50 ships, which sets sail from St Malo, France, for the first race in the series, arrives into Dublin – final host port in the race – for what promises to be this summer’s biggest float-ing festival.

One of the most antic-ipated nautical events of the year, the Tall Ships Races 2012, which is supported by the Polish city of Szczecin and organised by Sail Train-

ing International, docks in Dublin on Thursday, August 23, when the city is expected to come alive with a festival atmos-phere both on and off the water.

Local organisers , Dublin City Council and Dublin Port Com-pany, are delighted that Dublin was chosen as the final host port for this year’s race and have programmed an impressive entertain-ment line-up to cater for all tastes.

Minister Leo Varadkar commented: “It’s great to see the Tall Ships Races back in Ireland again, following a highly successful visit last year. This fantastic event is set to attract thousands of people into the capital.

“It’s a rare opportunity to see so many of these great ships against Dub-lin’s striking city skyline. Events like this are very important for tourism

companies and I’d like to congratulate every-one involved in bringing it to Dublin. It’s fun, it’s free of charge and open to everyone.”

Over the week, there

will be music with Ash and the Undertones set to perform on the Bul-mers Music Stage along with other high-profile music acts as part of the spectacular free four-day

line-up. The Bulmer’s Music Stage will host a jam-packed line-up of performances from some of Ireland’s hottest upcoming acts to musi-cal stalwarts.


SNAPSHOT The local stories of the day

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GazetteBUSINESSBUSINESS

THE COMPLEX WORLD OF INVESTMENT: PART 2

Continued from last week’s Gazette Business

Keeping it simple therefore, uncluttered and easy

to understand is the key for the average investor.

What is also key is that changing nature of invest-

ment. Currently government bonds have been the

star performers over the last few volatile years.

However, they cannot continue to perform as they

have and therefore having the flexibility to be able

to swap into a different investment vehicle without

cost and without fuss is essential.

First things first – work out what is your attitude

to risk. On a scale of one to five, where one is lower

risk and five is higher risk, where are you ?

Once you have established this risk attitude,

then the choices become a little clearer. One option

launched recently is Standard Life’s MyFolio funds

where you simply choose between one of the five

funds that match five risk levels. Each fund is

designed to maximise potential returns within the

investor’s chosen risk level and is then monitored,

reviewed and actively managed by the investment

team in Standard Life.

Based on the same scale of one to five, each

MyFolio of multi-asset funds is risk based. Originally

launched in Britain over 20 months ago, the fund

has so far attracted over €1b with 40% invested in

the MyFolio 3 (the balanced choice) and c. 20% each

in the MyFolio 2 (lower to medium risk) and MyFo-

lio 4 (medium to higher risk). Annual management

charges range from 1.15% for model 1 to 1.35% for

model 5 and for those wanting to see precisely the

make up of every investment in these models, you

can access the factsheets on www.standardlife.ie or

email me for the factsheets.

This type of investment is not suitable for those

investors who do not wish to take any risk on their

money.

� Contact John with your money questions at

[email protected] or visit his website at

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

Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing

director of Money Doctor

DAVID “Warren” Venter has been in love with hairdressing since 1985, and says that the one thing he loves the best is the ever-changing trends and interesting people he meets.

He says: “It never gets boring. Over the years, I have worked on photo shoots, fashion shows and TV productions. I have worked for a leading hair care company as an educator.

“If I had to sum up all my experience in one word, it would be the word that I start all my training with, and that word is: Lis-ten.”

David adds: “When you listen to the wants and needs of the client – and I mean really listen – the client will tell you all you need to know to meet all of her or his requirements.”

On building up an extremely successful business and name, he says: “I have been in Ireland for 11 years now, and I have embraced this opportunity [to establish my business] with both hands.

“[For our clients], a good experience and advice is what I base my career on.

“As well as good hairdressing, I will be offering a range of beauty services.”

Interview: David ‘Warren’ Venter, owner, David Warren Hair And Beauty, Kinsealy

Q&A

Listening to what the client wants

Known as ‘Warren’, South African David Venter has established himself as a leading name in

hairdressing and is also diversifying into beauty services too

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?A: A postman, because post-

men could ride on the bus for

free

Q: What was your first job?A: After two years in the South

African army I started hair-

dressing

Q: And your first pay cheque?A: Although it’s all relative,

my first pay cheque was €6 a

month

Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?A: No.

Q: When did you start your present job?A: I started hairdressing in

1985

Q: What is the best thing about your job?A: Making a client feel and

look good

Q: What part of your working day do you delegate?A: Where possible, answering

the phone

Q: What sport do you follow?A: What’s that?

Q: What sport can you play?A: As a challenge, I was told

to bounce a golf ball off a tree

on the other side of the field,

which I did on the first swing.

I think I am a natural.

Q: What is your guilty music/TV or movie pleasure?A: Classical music, and horror

movies, all the way

Q: Who best represents mod-ern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?A: David Norris, of course

Q: What music/pictures/mov-

ies do you have on your iPod/iPad?A: A serious mixture of music

for me: Rory Gallagher, Lady

Gaga, Madonna, Tony Bennett

– you name it, I’ve got it

Q: Who do you follow on Twit-ter/Facebook?A: Lady Gaga. I love the looks.

Proof that changing the way

you look and dress changes the

way people see you.

Q: What was your last Tweet/status update?A: Sanctuary Hair and Beauty

all the way

Q: Describe your dream meal?A: Pasta all the way

Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?A: Dame Edna – because she

is real

Q: Where do you enjoy spend-ing money frivolously?A: Shoe and stationery shops

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?A: Last count, including slip-

pers – about 106. (I have a

thing...)

Q: What was your worst holi-day experience?A: None at all. I try to make

the best of every situation.

Q: Describe your dream holiday?A: Going to South Africa to see

my family, who I haven’t seen

for about eight years

Q: What would be your dream job?A: I have my dream job

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?A: Look for a job ...

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GETAWAYS!

UNIQUE PILGRIMAGESUNIQUE PILGRIMAGES P22P22 TOP CLASS DESTINATIONSTOP CLASS DESTINATIONS P22P22

SUMMERSUMMERHOME & ABROAD.....FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Summer sale offers even more reasons for a car-cationKIDS will go half-price this summer with Stena Line, which have launched a summer sale offer-ing families even more reasons to enjoy a car-cation this summer.

This latest offer is available on all crossings with Ireland’s leading ferry company, from both Dublin Port to Holyhead and Rosslare to Fish-guard, with children travelling from only €8.50 for a single fare. Children apply to 15 years and younger, while infants travel for free.

This offer is available on travel up until August 31 when booked by July 12, and fares are subject to availability. For further information on the lat-est sale offers, click on www.stenaline.ie, call 01 204 7777, or visit your local travel agent.

Enjoy a weekend of wellbeing and escape to County CarlowIF THERE has ever been an excuse to escape the daily duties of everyday life, it appears Sand-brook House in Co Carlow may be just that.

The period country home has come up with the ideal break away with a weekend of well-be-ing this August, where you are invited to stretch, strengthen and meditate your way to pure relax-ation with sessions of yoga, pilates and medita-tion in the stunning Carlow setting.

From August 17 to 19, Sandbrook House are hosting a Wellness Retreat in the tranquil and picturesque surroundings. Set on 25 acres of mature parkland, it is the ideal place to forget the stresses of daily life.

As well as classes given by talented instruc-tor Rachel Gaffey, founder of MyWellbeing.ie, guests will also enjoy breakfast, lunch and evening meals packed with home-cooked, local, organic vegetarian food and a cookery demon-stration full of delicious recipes that will help you to maintain your healthy lifestyle at home.

To take a proper weekend break and retreat to Sandbrook House, call Rachel Gaffey on 086 845 3864 or visit www.sandbrook.ie

FastTravel

SPAIN: THE DELIGHTFUL COSTA DAURADA IS A FAMILY FAVOURITE

HOLIDAYMAKERS have been flocking to Spain from Dublin, and the island of Ireland, for many years now, with a holiday in Spain still delighting families and holidaymakers of all ages.

With so many sun-drenched beaches, his-toric cities, cultural sites and remarkable scenery to take in, some holi-daymakers might almost fear they have too much choice when trying to find a great holiday in Spain.

However, one thing is for certain – with so many

wonderful resorts and regions to visit, you’re vir-tually guaranteed of hav-ing a wonderful holiday, whatever part of Spain you visit.

Catalonia remains one of Spain’s most popular regions for Irish holiday-makers – and with good reason, given the area’s mixture of sights and resorts.

Catalonia’s Costa Dau-rada (literally,“the golden coast”) is a particularly family-friendly destina-tion that has become increasingly popular with Irish holidaymakers, with families comprising 60%

of visitors to the region.Hotels there are par-

ticularly in tune with family needs, with hotels and restaurants offering high chairs and nappy-changing tables.

The area’s leisure options are endless, and include a wide range of facilities to help visitors enjoy the perfect day at the beach, from children’s play areas to the sand itself, with such delights as outdoor libraries to relax with a good book, or shops renting equip-ment for water sports.

The Costa Daurada’s natural resources mean

visitors can go for relax-ing strolls or bring the kids for one of the area’s many exciting excur-sions.

There are also a wide range of activities and adventure sports for young people, helping to cement the area’s appeal for visitors of all ages.

A l l s e r v i ce s a re designed with families in mind, meaning that the resulting accommoda-tion venues, restaurants, infrastructure and theme parks will guarantee that a family stay in Costa Daurada is set to be the most pleasurable family

experience of the year.So, for golden memo-

ries, and for a wonderful holiday in Spain, whether for a first-time or experi-enced visitor alike, the Costa Daurada promises you a wonderful holiday.

For further information on the Costa Daurada, and on one of Spain’s most enchanting regions, as well as information on hotels and activities, see www.costadaurada.info, www.costadauradae-vents.com or www.ter-resdelebre.travel (select-ing the English language site versions, where nec-essary).

Make golden memories

Whether travelling alone or with your loved ones, the Costa Daurada – “the golden coast” – is an increasingly popular Spanish treasure

Tipp has it all for a top trip away from the city� DAVE PHILLIPS

THERE seems to be a predisposition towards heading for the sea when

GLEN OF AHERLOW: ENJOY THE FRIENDLY AND INVITING ATMOSPHERE

Enjoy a couple’s break

away in magnificent Cavan

GETAWAYS! Enjoy a couple’s break

SUMMERSUMMER

Tipperary’s Glen of Aherlow offers stunning views and fantastic walking trails and the Aherlow House Hotel (right)


ENJOY a child free zone with a Couple’s Retreat at Radisson Blu Farnham Estate, Cavan, this sum-mer. Located in the heart of a magnificent estate just 3km from Cavan town, the Radisson Blu Farnham Estate is a contemporary and stylish hotel, full of country charm and character, surrounded by natu-ral beauty among acres of rolling countryside.

To enjoy a break away this summer, the Radis-son Blu is offering the Ultimate Couple’s Package with spa treatments and lunch as well as one night’s accommodation. Start the experience with a gom-mage marine scrub on the hamman table before a relaxing hydrotherapy bath to leave you refreshed and relaxed. Next, you will both enjoy the serial mud chamber, where you are covered in mud as the chamber gradually warms.

As the mud dries, it removes toxins from the skin. Steam then gently fills the chamber to soften the mud, before a warm shower is dispensed from the ceiling to wash away the mud, leaving your skin feeling luxuriously soft and smooth. Complete this wonderful experience with a massage each side by side. The Couple’s Retreat includes overnight luxury accommodation and super buffet breakfast from €210 per person sharing midweek/€235.00 per person sharing at weekends. For more informa-tion or to book, visit www.farnhamestate.ie or call 049 4377700.

looking for an escape from the city.

Perhaps the attrac-tion is part and parcel of being an island nation; or maybe it is down to the fact that for many people, the quaint coastal towns and villages of the West offer the kind of low-key, slow-living comforts that can’t be found in the city.

Until recently, I was part of the drove that left the inland counties largely unexplored in my quest for a country break, but after stumbling upon Tipperary’s Glen of Aher-low, I’m a card-carrying convert.

Set between the Galtee Mountains and Slievena-much in South Tipper-ary, the Glen of Aherlow is just a short trip off the M8, making it a relatively painless journey from Dublin.

We’d arranged to stay at the Aherlow House Hotel, which with its ivy-laden exterior and overflowing flower bas-

kets, comfortably melds into the lush green sur-rounds. As well as a large restaurant and bar, the hotel offers self-catering options in purpose-built lodges, making it a popu-lar wedding venue.

Located on the cusp of the Glen of Aherlow Nat-ural Park, it’s also a top spot for walkers, acting as a great base for the more challenging peaks of the Galtees, as well as for the multitude of gentler loop walks.

If putting your feet up is more appealing than putting them into boots, you won’t be disappoint-ed. The hotel is charming and the abundant little touches – freshly baked cakes along with the newspapers in the room – go to show that real effort has been made to facilitate a relaxing expe-rience.

Gastronomically, Aher-low House Hotel is spe-cial. The recently recruit-ed head chef, Jose Vega,

has brought culinary flair honed in his native France to locally pro-cured produce. The result is an amazing menu that is simultaneously elegant and earthy. Particularly tasty was the braised fil-let of Aherlow river trout, served with vegetables in a Sancerre butter sauce; and a wonderfully ten-der fillet of beef from the nearby Lewis farm.

After dinner we traded the mountain views of the Treetop Restaurant for the open fire and cosy confines of the Hunting Lodge Bar, which serves as a watering spot for both guests and the surround-ing community. As it was a Friday night, some of the locals were set up next to us for a small seisun. The relaxed atmosphere (and a Bulmers or two) had us pitching in on a few songs, after which we got talking to Michael Moroney, the Glen’s resident walking guide.

Having taken in an

early morning walk, we discovered the hotel can arrange plenty more activities, including fish-ing, golf trips, equestrian outings, heritage tours, or a trip to Mandy Parslow, the local potter. Aherlow House Hotel is full of character and characters.

Outdoor enthusi-asts will be in their ele-ment; food-lovers will be intensely satisfied; history and heritage buffs will enjoy its close proximity to Cashel and Cahir cas-tle, as well as the multi-tude of smaller glimpses of history that can be gleaned from the area.

Maybe it’s down to the stunning location, or perhaps it’s that sense of community pride seeping into everything that hap-pens at Aherlow House Hotel – whatever the cause, you’re bound to enjoy the honest, friendly and inviting atmosphere.

For rates and specials see: www.aherlowhouse.ie

Get more from your pilgrimage � NATALIE BURKE

FOR anyone interested in adding a little extra to the run-of-the-mill pil-grimage, Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimage and Sun Holi-days are offering you the chance to not only soak up the unique atmos-phere and spirituality found in the ever popular shrines of Italy’s San Gio-vanni Rotondo and Ben-evento, Portugal’s Fatima or Medjugorje in Bosnia Herzegovina, but also to embrace the sunshine and

� NATALIE BURKE

FROM the tropical sands of Thailand to exclusive shopping in Dubai, Trav-elmood are giving you the chance to explore some of the world’s most beautiful locations this summer while staying in top class resorts around the globe.

Stay in the three-star Golden Sands Apart-ments in Dubai for five nights from only €693 per person.

Placed at the heart of fashionable Bur Dubai, visit the exclusive shop-ping malls, the Dubai Museum, the fashion-able night spots and the new Metro Junction.

Departing from Dub-lin on September 7, the price includes return f l ights , f ive nights ’ accommodation on a B&B basis, taxes and charges.

Visit the four-star Viva Wyndham Maya resort in Mexico for seven nights on an all

inclusive basis from just €935 per person.

Be immersed in pris-tine beaches and coral reefs while being just five minutes from bars, restaurants and the shops of Playa del Car-men.

Departing from Dub-lin on December 6, prices include return f lights, seven nights’ accommodation, taxes and charges.

Relax at the five-star Anantara Resort and Spa in Thailand for seven nights on a B&B basis, followed by the four-star Bel-Aire Prin-cess for three nights on a B&B basis from only €999 per person.

The luxurious seclu-sion of the Anantara Hua Hin Resort is rem-iniscent of an ancient Thai village, surrounded by tropical gardens and private beaches as well as being just a short dis-tance from Hua Hin’s best golf courses and the lively town centre.

Top class destinationsTRAVELMOOD: BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE

Departing from Dub-lin on September 6, pric-es include return flights, 10 nights’ accommoda-tion, taxes and charges.

The final offer invites you to stay at the four-star Cape Town Ritz Hotel for seven nights B&B for just €999 per person.

T h e p r i c e a l s o includes return flights, taxes and charges and departs from Dublin on November 2.

Stay at the modern Ritz resort, just 300m from the beach.

Dine at The Top of the Ritz, Cape Town’s only revolving restaurant and consider the option of adding a unique Safari experience to your trip.

For more information on these offers or to book, visit www.travel-mood.ie, call their team on 01 4331020 or visit the Travelmood store in Duke Street, Dublin 2.

Antara Resort and Spa

Kevin’s class gets him to top: New head chef at Herbert Park HotelKEVIN Ramen, has been recently promoted to head chef at the four-star Herbert Park Hotel, Ballsbridge. Kevin is originally from Mauritius and has worked at Herbert Park Hotel since 2006. He had previously worked in various hotels in Mauritius before moving to Ireland.

local cultures in the idyl-lic coastal settings of Alba Adriatica, Sorrento, Lis-bon Coast or Dubrovnik.

The unique combina-tion of a religious and sun holiday allows you to spend three or four days

on a peaceful pilgrimage before moving on to a calming holiday by sandy, sun soaked beaches.

Departures from Dub-lin this summer include a four-night pilgrimage in Fatima, followed by three nights in Estoril at €649 per person, leaving Dublin on July 26, August 23 or August 30 for seven nights. The pilgrimage from Dublin departing on August 31 includes a one night stay at Benevento, three nights in San Gio-vanni Rotondo and three

GETAWAYS! SUMMERSUMMER22 GAZETTE 12 July 2012

St James’s Church,

Medjugorje

nights in Sorrento, priced at €824 per person plus tax, while the pilgrimage departing on September 17 will take you to Alba Adriatica for four nights and to San Giovanni Rotondo for three nights. The seven night trip is €784 per person plus tax.

All prices include direct flights with Aer Lingus from Dublin, one stand-ard piece of check-in lug-gage subject to airline’s conditions, all transfers and tours by luxury air-conditioned coach, a full religious programme and services of a Joe Walsh Tours representative throughout the tour.

For further information, visit www.joewalshtours.ie or call 01 241 0800.

12 July 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 23Commercial Feature

Summer Family Holidays at The 5*Heritage Golf & Spa ResortLOTS of FREE 5* Fam-ily Fun. Pack your bags & head to The Heritage Resort for your family Staycation Vacation!

Book your August 3 night Family break with The Resort by July 20th and stay a 4th night for FREE and also receive a complimentary fam-ily pass to The National Stud & Gardens. (T&C apply).

The resort offers a pic-turesque setting, comfort-able surroundings and spacious family & inter-connecting guestrooms, self catering apartments, Kids Club Fun Club, health club with leisure

pool, a choice of restau-rants, championship golf course, world class spa and an abundance of on-site & nearby activities.

With a variety of Sum-mer Breaks to choose from your will be sure to find what you are looking for.

A three night stay with breakfast in a family gue-

stroom with family din-ner in the Arlington res-taurants on one evening starts from only €290per adult sharing (based on two adults & 2 children sharing).

A two night self catering break in a two-bedroom penthouse apartment overlooking the champi-onship golf course with

access to all resort facili-ties start from €540 per apartment per stay (maxi-mum 2 adults & 3 chil-dren per apartment).

Your family will be spoilt for choice with the selection of on site activities. The popular Kids Club Fun Club runs each week (Mon to Sat) up to the 28th August 2012 where the little ones can enjoy Arts & Crafts Classes, Fun Fit, Giant Games, Basketball, Table Tennis, Bouncy Castle & Hip Hop Dance. Tennis Court, Family Movies, Fishing, wii room, walking track & much more!

Just a short drive from

the Resort, families can explore a range of fun-filled days out including; the National Stud & Japanese Gardens, Outlet Shopping at Kildare Vil-lage, Lullymore Heritage Park, Emo Court, Pet Farm along with explor-ing the wild & wonderful Laois Countryside and nearby horse-riding.

Nestled in the beauti-ful countryside of Co. Laois, the Resort is only an hours drive from Dub-lin City and 45 minutes from the M50 making it’s a hassle free staycation! To book & enquire please call 057 8645500, www.theheritage.com


Sisters are doing itJack (Mark Duplass) learns a harsh lesson when the two ladies say that they are “fine”.

GoingOUT

GazetteENTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENT

Carefully constructed, tenderly performed and well-written, Your Sister’s Sister just never catches fire

�

� PAUL HOSFORD

YOU don’t get a lot for $120,000 these days.

The moderate sum is barely enough to fund a purchase at a distress auction, never mind a film that would cap-ture the imagination the week that Spider-Man swings back into action.

That is the challenge set for Your Sister’s Sister, the follow-up to Lynn Shelton’s Hump-day, which was one of the finest comedy dra-mas of recent years.

In that f i lm, two men drunkenly agree to make an adult film together and are faced with the prospect of going through with it because of their male pride.

In this film, Shelton has brought Humpday star Mark Duplass back, but left the naughtiness behind.

She instead has made

a very similar film, but for women.

Instead of pornog-raphy, male pride and machismo, the issues of sibling relationships, love and who can or cannot make a good parent.

All in all, it is refresh-ing film-making in that it’s made for very little, but still manages to be engaging in a way that many big-budget films are not.

But, coming af ter such a film as Hump-day, it almost feels like a let-down.

Although Humpday was not Shelton’s debut,

this film feels like the quintessential “difficult second album” in that it tries to hit the same notes as its predeces-sor when a unique take would be more wel-come.

This is less Neon Bible than it is whatever The Darkness’ second album was called.

Actually, compar-ing the film with The Darkness is unfair as it is credible, likeable and put together by extreme-ly talented people who all seem lovely.

Loveliest of them all is Emily Blunt, current-ly stretching her main-

stream legs in The Five Year Engagement.

Here, Blunt plays Iris, who in an effort to help her best friend Jack out of mourning for his brother, suggests he take a trip to her par-ents’ secluded cabin.

There, he stumbles across Iris’s lesbian sister Hannah. A night of drunken passion between the two trig-gers an unexpected entanglement of rela-tionships when Iris suddenly arrives at the cabin the next day.

From there, the film becomes an interesting and somewhat caus-tic look at what makes relationships tick and, honestly, whether men and women can ever be truly just friends.

Although the cast is experienced and likea-ble, the film just fails to fire. Whereas Humpday felt like its 90 minutes sped through, there is the sense that every

sinew is being strained to haul Your Sister’s Sis-ter to the finish line.

When it is good, how-ever, it is very good, and when Shelton is on form, there aren’t many directors who capture the human condition as readily.

At the heart of it all, comes Shelton’s seem-ingly unshakable faith in people. She genu-inely seems to like her characters, f laws and all.

Shelton gives Duplass, star of the criminally overlooked The League, the best lines and he seems as close to a muse as the director has, but DeWitt and Blunt carry a neat three-hander to its inevitable, and well-telegraphed conclu-sion.

It won’t change lives, but this is neatly posi-tioned counter-pro-gramming to the span-dex, swinging and web-shooting.

FILM OF THE WEEK: Your Sister’s Sister�� (15) 90 mins

OUR VERDICT:IT’S a good film. There is no doubt about that. But, and it’s hard to put my finger on why, it just doesn’t feel complete. It’s a well-told, interesting story and a neat look at a very complex set of relationships and some deeply flawed people. Shelton deserves credit for her writing, but the third act lets the film down.

Director: Lynn Shelton Starring: Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mark Birbiglia

THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929Singing Nina

SINGING Nina is the fabulous new show brought to you by the Chicago Jazz Queen, Karen Underwood and her band. Karen brings to you in narration and song the engrossing life story of the great legend Nina Simone, from her struggle against racism and exile from her homeland to her flamboyant and troubled relationships and her poignant life. Karen sings all the classic Nina songs, Mississippi Goddamn, Sinnerman and My Baby supported by a live band. For one show only, July 13 at 8pm, tickets are priced at €18/16.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Somewhere under the Rainbow

THIS award winning, one woman, musical theatre extravaganza has captured audiences around the country. Now, in preparation for the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Biscuits for Breakfast are delighted to bring “Liza” to the Mill Theatre for one more performance before she leaves these shores. Sharon Sexton’s Liza recounts stories, memories and secrets that make up a fascinating career and an even more intriguing personal life. As she belts her way through Minnelli’s infamous song book, the audience are invited beyond the footlights. July 14 at 8pm. Admission: €20.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477Johnnie’s Britches

BEEZNEEZ, the popular company that brought you Tuesdays with Morrie and Don’t Dress for Dinner return to the Civic with a lovely old Irish comedy, Johnnie’s Britches. A runaway, nationwide hit when first produced in the 1940s, Beezneez bring their distinctive production values to this gentle comedy of another time. Anxious to be rid of their accident prone servant girl, Ned and Bridget are willing to allow her to be married to almost anybody, including Johnnie. July 13 and 14 at 8pm. Admission: €20/16.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622The Connect Club 2012

THIS July, Draíocht is delighted to be back, once again, working with the Daughters of Charity’s Summer Camp The Connect Club in Laurel Lodge. The summer camp is filled with social and recreational activities catering for young people with varying degrees of intellectual disability, with the aim of providing an outlet that is fun and focused on the individual’s likes and interests.

GazetteGAMINGGAMING

� SHANE DILLON

I NOTICED this week that one of gaming’s Grand Old Men – in the grizzled, scarred, battle-weary and cynical form of Solid Snake, chief protagonist of the end-lessly-reinventing, multi-platform and cross-genre Metal Gear series – is now 25 years old.

Well, I mean, the series is now that old, but Snake himself is much older, as befitting someone who’s been around the block in his day.

That “day” has jumped around, with Snake’s adventures playing out in eras ranging from the 1960s to the present day, through contemporary settings with wildly dif-ferent global politics at play to slightly-futuristic places with impossible tech and gadgets.

A true cross-platform character, Snake’s been caught up in the coldest of Cold War realpolitik scenarios; fought fringe terrorist groups that were backed covertly by global superpowers;

tackled paranoia and rogue international agen-cies attempting to sub-vert political processes; uncovered – and buried – bizarre secrets at one hid-den base or secret loca-tion after another; saved the world, lost allies and fought former comrades – you name it, Snake has wiggled his way through one high-stakes drama after another.

Although largely pre-sented as a curious blend of James Bond, Snake Plissken, Robert Fisk and a masterless samurai,

Although Solid Snake’s adventures in the Metal Gear series have taken him around the world and through

several decades, Snake – and his younger self (inset) – has always been wearily fighting what amounts to

the same battle, as he has fought against Man’s casual willingness to corrupt, rule and destroy others ...

Bytesandpieces

Snake keeps growing

LEST readers think that picking up any of the Metal Gear games is about as light-hearted as a three-hour lecture on Middle-East politics, the series has always had a dash of pure slapstick, such as in its brilliantly daft idea for camouflage – the cardboard box.

Yes indeed, when patrolling a top-secret military base full of guards on high alert, mere hours before an illic-it nuclear launch is due against the world’s main cities, every self-respect-ing master infiltrator needs the perfect fools-everybody disguise: an ordinary cardboard box to hide under.

Simply by slipping a cardboard box over his head, and then inching/dart-ing around playing the old “Huh? Did something just move?” game with con-fused nearby guards, Snake is gener-ally able to sneak on by.

True, my attempts to sneak around, and then out of The Gazette an hour or two early in this fashion haven’t quite worked out as well, but it remains a fondly-remembered gaming sight to see, regardless.

Boxing clever with a brilliantly daft camouflage idea


A spacewalk could be a cake walkHERE’S one of those “Ronseal” IOS games – you know, they do exactly what it says on the tin or, more exactly, what the title says – in the form of Astronaut Spacewalk.

Here, a deep-sea diver has 24 hours to uncover a global conspiracy involving cats, a secret Soviet undersea base, a rusty codex from 1640 and a deadly female French assassin who –

Nah, only kidding – it really is just what the title suggests, as you take an astronaut on a spacewalk through a variety of orbital missions.

It’s a pretty simple idea, yet executed with style and, um, precision. Precision? Yes, indeed, as pre-cision is key to the title, as you guide an astronaut on their spacewalk by tapping to release just the right amounts of gas, while considering your direc-tion and inertia, as well as suit power reserves.

After all, one wrong tap in the wrong direction could send you drifting serenely towards, say, Madagascar on the planet below – and your cer-tain death, helplessly following a trajectory away from the space shuttle docking bay.

A neat little title executed with flair, Astronaut Spacewalk is available on iTunes.

Snake has remained one of gaming’s most com-plex, yet popular, char-acters.

This, despite the Metal Gear games’ tendencies to practically slap play-ers about the head with political commentary as the game plays out.

For example, one moment could find Snake creeping through the engine room of a hijacked container ship carrying biological bombs deep into the heart of a bustling city – the next, a 20-minute cut-scene could play out, as Snake, and others, discuss over his radio link European foreign policies in the 1970s, and the complex ties between the military, commercial and political wings of, say, China.

At least you c a n a l w ay s count on regu-lar breaks to go and make a cuppa, then.

It’s all pretty far-out, head-s c r a t ch -

ingly complex (and, quite simply, frequently daft) stuff, and can feel more like an abstract com-mentary on global poli-tics, and The Way Things Work, than being just, you know, a game.

All of this heavy-hitting wackiness has largely been down to the leg-endary figure of Hideo Kojima, the singularly-fo-cused figure who’s driven Snake, and sidekicks, on across the years, with each new adventure becoming increasingly out-there.

Still, Snake’s adven-tures have remained high-ly popular, as Kojima-san has always driven the games along with plenty of conventional gaming tropes, from stealth sec-tions to all-out blazing action set-pieces.

While occasionally irritatingly dense to wade through, as well as cover-ing stuff that even a con-spiracy theorist would roll his eyes at, here’s hoping that Snake’s maverick adventures in the Metal Gear universe keep grow-ing for many more years.

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SKIP HIRE

DUN LAOGHAIRE/RATHDOWN

COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Colm Leary, intend to apply for permission for, (a) the widening of exist-ing vehicular entrance to 44A Balally Park, and for, (b) the creation of new vehicular entrance to 44B Balally Park (onto Balally Park) to existing houses, 44A and 44B Balally Park, Dundrum, Dublin 16. The planning appli-cation may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Plan-ning Authority, County Hall, Dun Laoghaire, during its public open-ing hours. A submission/observation may be made in writing on payment of €20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority.

PLANNING NOTICE

16026

MUSIC SCHOOL

HOUSE MAINTENANCE

WOOD

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HANDYMAN

DECOR

DRIVING

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LOCAL MARKET?

TALK TO US FIRST!

Call your local sales person,

Imelda Armstrongnow on

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COUNTY COUNCIL We, Declan and Siobhan Roche, intend to apply for additional planning permis-sion to include the construc-tion of a non-habitable attic conversion with dormer and windows to the rear of the property and velux windows to front. Revised dimensions to previously granted permission for rear extension. Obscure window in proposed new gable wall at attic level. Proposed flat roof extension to existing din-ing room with velux type roof windows and with all associ-ated site works At No 204 Barton Road East, Dundrum, Dublin 14. The planning application may be inspected or purchased during normal opening hours i.e. Mon - Fri 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. [excluding public holidays] at the offices of the planning authority: Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Planning Department, County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to Dun Laoghaire County Council on payment of a fee of €20 within a period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

PLANNING NOTICE

16031

BUILDING

BATHROOMS

PAINTING

DVD SERVICES

DENTAL


COUNTY COUNCIL I, the undersigned, wish to apply for planning permission, on behalf of “the Assets of Alan Hanly (in Receivership)”, for modifications to the residential development known as Carrickmines Green permitted under Planning Reg-ister Ref.: D11A/0312 on lands, measuring 0.18 hectares, at Gle-namuck Road, Carrickmines, Dublin 18, within the townland of Carrickmines Great. The development will consist of the construction of a block of 3 no. 3 storey terraced houses in lieu of the 5 units which were to be omit-ted under condition 5 of planning ref D11A/0312. There are also slight changes to the location of the adjacent block of 3 houses to accommodate this revision. Park-ing layouts are also altered slightly. The planning application may be inspected or purchased during office hours 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday at the offices of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the County Council of the application. Signed: Liam Loughrey BE C Eng (Agent)

PLANNING NOTICE

16036


COUNTY COUNCIL Permission is sought for the provision of a single replace-ment dwelling structure and associated garage to include, a) demolition of the existing two-storey habitable dwell-ing and adjoining carport; b) provision of a new three-sto-rey over basement dwelling structure; c) provision of an associated garage structure to the front garden connected to the proposed dwelling by covered walkway; d) associ-ated landscaping and external works to the front and rear of the proposed dwelling; at Rodela, Mart Lane, Foxrock, Dublin 18, by Des Winter.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, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire during its public opening hours. A submission/observation may be made on payment of €20 within a peri-od of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority.

PLANNING NOTICE

16035PET SERVICES

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DONABATE’S Pa t Doran played superbly but was just pipped at the semi-final stage of the ILGU Irish Senior women’s close cham-pionship at Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club last week.

P lay ing even tua l winner Helen Jones, from Strabane, she was undone on the 21st hole of her final four tie last Thursday to agonisingly miss out.

Jones had earlier pro-duced a stunning come-back. She was dormie two down against Doran but showed her true fighting spirit to win both the 17th and 18th with pars and bring the match down tie holes where she eventually won out on the 21st.

A round ear l i e r, Doran had knocked out defending champions Sheena McElroy, from Grange, who had put up a gallant defence of her title and a three in a

row record.Doran has been

knocking at the door in recent years and she maintained her compo-sure in an edgy match to win with a par on the 18th while McElroy found the water left of the home green.

McElroy had earlier dismissed Killarney’s Mary Geaney on an emphatic 6&5 scoreline to show she was in rude form.

The Island’s Gertie McMullen was another

GOLF: DORAN BRINGS MCELROY’S IRISH SENIOR CLOSE REIGN TO AN END IN BUNCLODY

Donabate’s Pat Doran reached the semi-final of this year’s Irish Seniors’ Close championship

Donabate woman reaches Senior Close final four

local golfer to traverse the competition in dra-matic fashion as she reached the quarter-fi-nals, too. There, she was one up against Portum-na’s Suzanne Corcoran playing the 18th but a

par from the Galway woman was enough to take the final hole and she birdied the first tie hole to win a semi-final berth.

Earlier in the com-peti t ion, McMullen

had beaten Headfort’s Pauline Walsh 4&3 and Adrienne Crowley, from Woodbrook, one up.

D u n L a o g h a i r e duo Marie Igoe and Niamh Giblin were also involved in the competi-

tion and made it safely through the first round.

Igoe bowed out to Jones in round two while Doran dismissed Giblin 4&3 in the third round of the competi-tion.

GazetteSPORTFEILE FEVER:FEILE FEVER:Dublin plays host toDublin plays host toannual U-14 festival annual U-14 festival of hurling of hurling Page 28 and 29Page 28 and 29



GazetteSportSportFeile fever descends on DublinT

HE annual Feile na nGael made its way to Dublin for the first time in over 30 years as over 3,000 hurlers, camogie players and hand-

ballers from around the country came to the capi-tal for one of the highlights of the GAA calendar. They competed in three days of competition at clubs around the city before taking part in social activities including a parade from Croke Park to O’Connell Street while Saturday saw the finals take place across the divisions in Croke Park and Par-nell Park.

Members of St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh were among huge crowds to gather in O’Connell St to support the Feile na nGael

The referee inspects the Newport team’s hurleys

Ballinteer St John’s camogie team enjoy the Bus Eireann Feile na nGael Parade from Croke Park through Dublin CityKilmacud Crokes in action against Buncrana in Silver Park


parade. Pics: Martina McGilloway/ilivephotos.com

Ballyboden St Enda’s Eoin Featherstone and De La Salle’s Lee Wall in the division one hurling competition

The St Brigid’s handball team enjoy the parade

Lucan Sarsfields’ Emily McIntyre and Newport’s Ciara Floyd

The Clondalkin Youth Band lead teams down O’Connell Street

Handballers Hannah Dagg, Fiona Tully and Anna Ni Odhrain Ni Mhurchu Kilcormack/Killoughey in action

Stephen Smith and Thomas Donohoe

Dublin hurlers Peter Kelly and Johnny McCaffrey with Peter Flannery



NATIONAL YC’s Sean and Tadhg Donnelly (open skiff, 29er) and Finn Lynch (laser radi-al) along with Royal St George’s YC’s Sophie Murphy (laser radial) will all take on the best in the world this weekend.

They will compete in six intense days of rac-ing at the ISA Mitsubishi Youth National Champi-onships on Dublin Bay out of Dun Laoghaire.

The event involves 380 sailors from ten nations competing across seven classes with Murphy put forward as one of the favourites for the her

competition.At just 18, Murphy

will not only bring her knowledge of her home waters to the regatta, but her big event experience, that cannot be rivalled. Murphy first sailed at the ISAF Youth Worlds in 2010 before heading to the inaugural Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

The following year she sailed at the 2011 ISAF Youth Worlds in Zadar, Croatia followed by the World Laser Radial Youth Championship in La Rochelle, France. With none of the top ten from Zadar competing in Dublin, Murphy is the

highest placed finisher from 2011 coming into the regatta. With her 11th place finish and experi-ence behind her, added to knowledge of Dublin Bay a podium finish will be on the cards.

“Sailing has been my favourite sport and the memories and friends I have made are the best part of the sport,” said Murphy.”Every time you sail the circumstances change. It’s so exhilarat-ing.

“To sail for Ireland is really the ultimate privi-lege for me. I want to thank all those people who have made it pos-sible, namely my fam-

ily, my coach Milan, the ISA, my team and all the friends with whom I love sailing.”

Her main opposition are likely to be the return-ees from previous ISAF Youth Worlds include Maria Cristina Boabaid, Celine Carlsen, Milda Eidukeviciute, Natalia Montemayor, Khairun-neeta Mohd Afendy, Stephanie Devaux-Lovell and Julia Carlsson.

Murphy qualified in April when she leap-frogged Georgina Povall and Ellie Cumpsty to take “first girl” and secure her place on the Irish team at the Irish youth national championships in Dub-

lin Bay. As par t o f tha t

announcement of the team, Niamh McCutch-eon, ISA President said: ‘The ISA is delighted with the team for the Youth Worlds where 64 nations will compete.

“ We are equally proud of the exceptional stand-ard of the team and their commitment to repre-senting the very best of Irish youth sailing on the world stage. We wish them fair winds and excellent sailing.”

Events start on Thurs-day with racing getting under way on Saturday and running until Friday, July 20.

Youth worlds come to townRoyal St George Yacht Club’s Sophie Murphy is one of the favourites for the girl’s ISAF Youth World Sailing championships in the laser radial class

GazetteSportSportSAILING: DUN LAOGHAIRE TO STAGE SHOWPIECE YOUTH EVENT

McMillan back in UCD fold after Olympic tripFORMER Mount Merrion youths player David McMillan is returning to UCD foot-ball club following his travels in Australia as they seek to lift themselves from the foot of the Airtricity Premier Division.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the forward was looking forward to his return to the club:”I am delighted to be back in Belf-ield. I know plenty of the lads from before and I am itching to get back playing.

“I still have time left on my college course and again it is the perfect opportunity to play top level football and study at the same time” he concluded.

Whilst on his travels, the 23-year-old played in the Brisbane Premier League with Olympic FC, for whom he scored three goals in just six appearances.

Since returning, though, he trained with his team mates on Monday afternoon and could provide a timely boost for Martin Rus-sell’s side.

Before moving to Australia, McMillan had been part of the St Patrick’s Athletic side, playing with his brother Evan, after rising quickly through the ranks at UCD.

He started out there in the Leinster Sen-ior League selection before moving into the senior team that won the First Division title back in 2009 and promotion up to the Premier Division, scoring 20 times in three seasons.

The Dublin born striker could make his UCD comeback against Bohemians on Sun-day where he could potentially play against his brother who moved to Dalymount Park in the close season.

Next on the agenda for the students is a game against St Pat’s, making for what could be a tumultuous return for McMillan against two sides with European campaigns on the mind.

Following Monaghan’s withdrawal from the Airtricity Premier Division, UCD have dropped to the bottom rung of the division but are hoping the addition to their forward options with McMillan up top can see them overhaul the likes of Dundalk and Bray Wan-derers in the coming weeks.

FastSport

First cap: Loughrey receives first Irish senior hockey cap FORMER St Andrew’s College student Stu Loughrey was honoured with receiving his first cap from the IHA’s Brian Caruth last Thursday before Ireland’s game against Belgium in the UCD 3 Nations tournament in Belfield.Loughrey, now based in England, had

made his debut in 2011 and was part of Ireland’s selection that won the Champi-ons Challenge II in Lille, France. Formally receiving his first cap was part of a ceremony for Ireland’s foreign-based players.


CLUB NOTICEBOARD

AHL DIVISION ONECuala 1-8

Naomh Mearnog 3-5


CUALA’S senior and jun-ior hurlers both recorded losses last weekend show-ing to put dents in their respective league charg-es.

The senior side have been on a fine unbeaten run since promotion, a streak which this year was kick-started by their victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s in the senior hurling championship, ultimately eliminating the reigning five-in-a-row champions.

For the juniors, it was their first loss of the year in AHL5 but they remain in a share of the lead in the division with four rounds of games to play.

On Friday, the sen-iors fell 1-8 to 3-5 to a relegation-threatened Naomh Mearnog in weather conditions akin to a monsoon. John Dermody warned his players that this would

not be a game of hurling but a battle.

So true were his words but it was Mearnog’s greater desire to win that drove them on to take a 2-2 to 0-0 lead in the first 20 minutes. Cuala finally woke up in the 21st minute with a well taken point from Scotty O’Brien.

And things got better as Dan Keating helped himself to two further points with brother Luke chipping in with a stylish individual point.

With 30 minutes on the clock Cuala would have settled for 2-3 to 0-4 as a half time score but with virtually the last puck of the first half Cuala lost concentration in the full back line and Mearnog drove home a goal off a breaking ball to lead 3-3 to 0-4.

Mearnog only scored two points in the second half, one with eight min-utes to go and their last in the final minute.

Cuala improved consid-erably in the second but

with Mearnog dropping a man back, and long dis-tance points at a premium due to the extreme condi-tions, scores were hard to come by.

Shortly after Mearnog had a goal chance, which came off the post, Cuala started to press harder and the continual pres-sure resulted in the Mear-nog corner back deflect-ing a cross ball into his own net.

With 12 minutes to go Mearnog had a man sent off but Cuala couldn’t turn their dominance into scores. Brian Fitzgerald took three points from frees and Shane Kiely added another before time ran out.

With two games to go Cuala are still well placed at the business end of the table and this result should only be seen as a blip as they look forward to the championship quarter final.

For the junior, their momentum in AHL5 was stalled by Scoil Ui Cho-naill’s 3-14 to 0-11 victory

in Clontarf as a late volley of 3-1 in the closing three minutes of the game even-tually saw them home after a huge tussle.

Cuala’s total of 11 points only included one scored from play while Scoil only had to rely on four points from frees out of their 17 scores showing perhaps the key difference between the sides.

In the first half Cuala toiled hard with Jack Phelan, Eoin Cronin and Rory Cole to the fore and on several occasions threatened to push ahead of Scoil. However, an evenly contested first half ended with Scoil edging ahead 0-6 to 0-4.

After the break, the two to three point margin stayed intact.

Eoin Sheanon was impressive in setting up most of the Cuala attacks whilst Breathnach and Brennan threatened.

Eoin Cronin kept slot-ting over the frees but at the end Scoil grabbed their chances to claim the points.

HURLING: CUALA SENIORS SUFFER AHL1 SETBACK

Cuala’s senior hurlers saw their title charge pegged back as Naomh Mearnog picked off a surprise win

Cuala charge dented by Mearnog monsoon

CONGRATULATIONS to our five new

Leinster champions in the club who

played their part in the minor hurl-

ing provincial decider at Croke Park

on Sunday.

Cian O’Callaghan was captain of the

side and took great pride in raising

the trophy after the sides four point

win over Wexford. Colm Cronin and

Sean Treacy both contributed to the

scoring while Ross Tierney and Jack

Behan have played vital roles in get-

ting this far. The lads are now into an

All-Ireland Semi Final.

Well done to the senior hurlers

who briefly topped division one last

week after victory over St Vincent’s.

Defeat to Naomh Mearnog on Sun-

day and a draw for Vincent’s against

Crumlin edged them back in front but

the club hurling season is proving to

be very exciting and club members

are encouraged to support the club

teams as they continue a great cam-

paign.

The next away game for the hurl-

ers is on July 18 at St Brigid’s and the

next fixture at Shankill is on Saturday

evening, July 21 against O’Toole’s.

Well done to the minor A footballers

who recorded a 1-13 to 0-13 win over

Kilmacud Crokes last week and con-

tinue to mix it at the very top of the

Dublin minor tree.

A massive thank you to all those

involved in the club’s successful

hosting of three teams from around

the country at the weekend’s Nation-

al Feile na nGael tournament.

It was one of the biggest opera-

tions and one of the best club events

for many years with members from

every section lending a hand for what

was a very special occasion.

The players from St Dominic’s of

Kilcroghery, St John’s of Belfast and

De La Salle of Waterford will hopefully

have made friends for life with our

players from the U-14 boys and girls

groups and their host families.

Congratulations to St Brigid’s on

their remarkable achievement of

winning National Division One titles

in hurling and football.

NAOMH OLAF

ANOTHER significant milestone in our

club’s history was reached when we

successfully hosted a division of the

2012 National Feile na nGael for hurl-

ing and camogie on July 5 and 6.

Our executive chairman Liam

Kavanagh stated: “I would like to

express my own and the executive

committee’s appreciation to the

many club members and volunteers

who contributed to ensure that the

event was an outstanding success.

The amount of praise and congrat-

ulation that I received from officials

and supporters from our two visit-

ing clubs St Patrick’s from Keady,

Co Armagh and Carnew Emmets, Co

Wicklow.

“It was a testament to all the hard

work that went into organising the

event”.

Our junior hurlers exited the

championship following a defeat to

St Jude’s midweek and also lost out

to St Sylvester’s in an AHL6 game on

Sunday.

Intermediate footballers lost out

to Crokes in their mid-week Loving

Cup game.

Congratulations to Shane and

Elaine O’Connor on the birth of twin

boys, Oisín and Riain, a choice of

goalkeepers in the future.

The lotto winning numbers were 5,

7 and 27; there was no winner. The

jackpot is now €1,600. More detailed

news and full lotto results on naom-

holaf.ie

CUALA

THURSDAY, June 5’s lotto draw of

€3,800 was won. Congratulations

to the winner.

Next week’s draw wil l be for

€1,000. Tickets are available online

at www.ballinteerstjohns.com or

from the usual outlets.

On Wednesday night, the club

hosts a great night of traditional

music, no cover charge.

Why not come up and join in or

enjoy a night of music and craic.

Spread the word to your friends,

family and neighbours.

Singalong in the bar on Tuesdays,

singers and musicians welcome.

Well done to all involved in the All

Ireland Feile which the club host-

ed this weekend and which was

received very well.

Congratulations to the senior

hurlers on their league victory over

St Jude’s.

As part of a strategic review of

the club’s overall direction we are

holding an open meeting in the club-

house next Thursday night, July 12

at 8pm.

We would welcome as many play-

ers (14 years to adult), parents,

mentors, committee members to

join us.

BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S

ALL OF YOUR DUN LAOGHAIRE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31 JULY 12, 2012

MURPHY’S LAW: Sailor Sophie one to

watch at youth championships P31 Ga

zetteSPORT

� PETER CARROLL

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ROB Hartnett has praised the “heroes” both on the playing field and in the community that helped the Dalkey side to “the best weekend in the club’s history”.

Selected as one of the hosts for last weekend’s All Ireland Feile na nGael, with Dublin being the county hosts for the first time in over 30 years, Cuala’s performance was exemplary in a situation which Hartnett, the club’s PRO, described as a “once in a generation opportunity”.

“It was eight month’s worth of planning and it really brought the whole club together, everyone chipped in and helped accommodate the travel-ling clubs from Belfast (St John’s), Waterford (De La Salle) and Roscommon (St Dominic’s) and I think we all made some very good friends along the way.

“Our hosting of the Feile was the biggest logisti-cal exercise the club has ever undertaken and I’m so proud of the way everyone got involved.

“It really made all the hard work and standing out in the rain on cold nights worth while, and despite the horrendous weather that we had, we got an amazing turnout and the people that came as spectators deserve a pat on the back.

“We have 1,600 members at the club, and a lot of them only really supported one team – which-ever one their sons or daughters played for – but after this weekend they definitely understand the depth of the club, and it really acted as a commu-nity building exercise for us all,” said Hartnett.

While Cuala were relishing the honour of being hosts, and performing accordingly, the Sunday brought with it another glory, with five mem-bers of the Hyde Road club – Cian O’Callaghan, Colm Cronin, Sean Treacy, Ross Tierney and Jack Behan – wining the Leinster championship with the Dublin minor hurlers.

“Seeing Cian lifting the Cup really was the icing on the cake,” said Hartnett. “Between that, the senior hurlers knocking Ballyboden out of the Dublin championship and Mick Fitzsimons play-ing so well for the Dublin footballers, it has to be

one of the best year’s in the club’s history. “The minor hurlers really are heroes, they

played the game on the Sunday and they were the first lads out on the pitch on Monday teaching the kids different skills with the hurls and making sure they were having a great time at the summer camp.

“They’ve used their victory and their raised pro-files in the locality already in giving the children role models to look up to, we’re all so proud of them and we know they will go on to even better things in the future,” said Hartnett.

The Dublin minor hurlers took the Leinster Championship on Sunday after a hard fought battle with Wexford.

In a very tight game, the scores were level at half time,1-8 each, before the Dub’s pressed on in the last 15 minutes to claim the first back-to-back victory for the county in nearly 60 years.

O’Callaghan lifted the trophy as captain of the Dublin side, with Sean Treacy finishing the game off for the Boys in Blue with a goal, scoring a total of 1-1 on the day.

Dalkey celebrate Dalkey celebrate Feile fever in styleFeile fever in styleHartnett hails the ‘best weekend’ in Cuala’s club history as Feile and Dublin minor success intertwine

Cuala celebrated an excellent few days in the club’s history as they hosted their leg of the Dublin Feile while five club members won Leinster MFC medals

DUBLIN’S FEILE FEVER:The capital welcomes the country’s U-14 hurlers P28-29

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