Clondalkin

YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER June 2, 2011

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ................8-10

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

BUSINESS .................... 21

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

ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24

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

Rugby: Cullen named as new Clondalkin captain Page 32

RECYCLE THIS COPY. KEEP DUBLIN TIDY.

INSIDE: Happy about the opening of a new school (really!) P10

THEY’VE BIN THINKING: Refuse company rolls out new services P5

Drop in number of anti-social actionsCouncil figures reveals a fall-off in reported events

PAUL HOSFORD

THE number of incidents of anti-social behaviour report-ed to South Dublin County Council fell in the first quar-ter of 2011, new figures have shown.

There were 26 incidents in the first three months of the

year, compared with 47 for the last part of 2010. In total, 45 complaints were record-ed to the council, with 388 actions taken throughout the county.

The council said that resi-dents were invited to make complaints in a number of ways.

“People are invited to report incidents of anti-social behaviour through the Freephone 1800 200 245, calling 01 414 9000, through the customer care system, by visiting County Hall, or the Clondalkin Civic Centre.”

Full Story on Page 2

Feeling Gleeful:Preparing to put on quite a showTHIS happy crew had every rea-son to look relaxed as they pre-pared to stage a terrific show at Colaiste Bride. After all, the Glee club members had put in many hours and days of rehearsals for the show, which was staged to showcase just some of the many diverse skills and talents of the club’s members, all presented in style and with real razzmatazz in their performance, creating a real treat for fellow students and all who attended.

Full Gallery on Pages 8-9

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Sports Awards: May’s Dublin Awards winners are announcedPage 29

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COMPETITION: P12.

2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 2 June 2011

A MAN has been given an eight-year jail sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of nearly €2 million worth of cannabis resin.

Stephen Grant (37) of Neilstown Avenue, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at Celtic Truck Wash, Gree-nogue, Rathcoole, on September 1, 2009.

Judge Martin Nolan handed down an eight-year custodial sentence to Grant, who he said was involved in the transpor-tation of the drugs.

He said he was taking Grant “as a man with no previous convictions,” as his other previous offenc-es were minor.

“I must come to the conclusion he must have entered this with his eyes open,” said the judge, adding that it was a huge amount of drugs.

Judge Nolan said he would take into account Grant’s early plea but noted that he was “a man well into his 30s, involved in a huge oper-ation” and the court still did not know why he did it.

Detective Garda John Dunning told Mr Tom O’Connell SC, prosecut-ing, that a surveillance operation was carried out at Rathcoole where a white van was seen going into Greenogue Industrial estate.

He said a large quan-tity of cannabis worth €1,976,244 was seized in the operation.

Man is jailed for transport of drugs

COURTS: EIGHT-YEAR SENTENCEInfo sought

on murder

GARDAI: RONANSTOWN

GARDAI in Ronanstown are appealing for infor-mation in connection with the murder of Dean Johnson. The 20-year-old was slain as he sat in the rear seat of a friend’s car at Moorfield Avenue on Wednesday night last week.

Detective Superintend-ent Walter O’Sullivan said the attacker is described

as being of stocky build, wearing a grey hoodie and bottoms, possibly in his early 20s. The attacker is believed to have left on foot, in the direction of the Neilstown Road.

Anyone with any information can contact Ronanstown Garda Sta-tion on 666 7700, or the Garda confidential line on 1 800 666 111.

Anti-social incidents are down for quarter

PAUL HOSFORD

[email protected]

THE number of incidents of anti-social behaviour incidents reported to South Dublin County Council dropped in the first quarter of 2011, new figures have shown.

The number of inci-dents numbered 26 in the first three months of the year, compared with 47 for the last part of 2010.

The incidents are pri-oritised based on their severity, with 12 Priority 1 cases reported to the council.

Of these, four were drug-related, with eight com-ing under the violence/intimidation/harassment

heading. In Priority 2, there

were small numbers of incidents under vandal-ism, vacant homes, physi-cal condition of property and neighbour disputes.

There were eight Pri-ority 3 complaints, with five under the heading of noise disturbance and three of children nui-sance.

In total, 45 complaints were recorded to the coun-cil, with 388 actions taken throughout the county.

These included 122 house calls, 100 phone interviews and 20 Garda consultations.

The total number of actions taken by the council rose, from 263

in the fourth quarter of 2010, to 388 in the first part of this year, though council representatives did say that figure was mitigated somewhat by the closure of the offices over the Christmas period and the poor weather in the late part of last year.

The council, through the office of its Estate Management Team, hosts weekly Housing Clinics every Tuesday in Ronans-town CYC, from 11.30am-1pm and every Thursday, from 10am-11am in Civic Offices, Clondalkin.

The council said that residents were invited to make complaints in a number of ways.

“People are invited

to also report incidents of anti-social behaviour through the following means – freephone 1800 200 245, telephone 414 9000, through the Cus-tomer Care system, by vis-iting County Hall or the Clondalkin Civic Centre.

“Members of the public are encouraged to utilise these clinics and avenues for the purpose of discuss-ing housing-related mat-ters, including incidents of anti-social behaviour in respect of which all such matters are treated with confidentiality. The clinics are attended by the Allocations Support Officer for the area and the local community Garda.”

COUNCIL Complaints treated in confidence

The South Dublin County Council offices

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or

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2 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3

CELEBRATION Fun and interesting line-up of events

Week-long festival to take over village

PAUL HOSFORD

[email protected]

A WEEK of events and activities, funded by South Dublin County Council, has been organ-ised for the community of Clondalkin, with the week-long event getting underway on June 7.

The festival will see numerous events organ-ised for the town, includ-ing open days in Aras Chronain, Knockmitten and Bawnogue, jewel-lery-making workshops, set dancing classes, face painting and balloon modelling.

Sunday, June 12, will see the entire village being taken over by local residents and community groups in a celebration of culture. There will be live bands, choirs, a reptile

zoo, a puppet theatre, Irish dancing, theatre, tea dance, a Family Fun Day in the Round Tow-ers’ GAA Club and an Intercultural Day in Clondalkin Garda Sta-tion.

Local Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, was delighted with the news, believing the festival to be a huge boost for the area.

“I am delighted that South Dublin County Council is launching a Clondalkin Festival. It is something I have been campaigning for, and I believe it will be a huge boost to the area. The successes of the Lucan Festival have proved how valuable local com-munity festivities are and the establishment of a Clondalkin Festival, it is great news for the people

of Clondalkin, our com-munity centres and local organisations,” she said.

Lobbying“Together with my

Fine Gael councillors for Clondalkin, I have been lobbying for the creation of a Clondalkin Festival for some time now, and am delighted that the council have been able to put together such a fun-filled itinerary. Festivals like this are a great way of boosting community spir-its and creating cohesion among residents. I am really looking forward to the festival and urge local residents to mark the events in their calen-dars,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald went on to point out that the impact of such events, particu-larly in economic times

such as this, can be of huge benefit.

“In these recession-ary times positive com-munity events, espe-cially ones provided to the community free of charge, lift spirits. As this year’s festival is a pilot programme the coun-cil are fully funding the initiative, but the devel-opment of this event into an annual festival is wholly dependent on the success of this year’s cel-ebrations and the estab-lishment of a fundraising committee.

“It is really important that locals come out in force to support the fes-tival and, with such a fun and interesting line-up, I am sure that people will be more than willing to get involved,” said Minis-ter Fitzgerald.

Clondalkin will be taken over by local residents and

community groups in a celebration of culture

FINE Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West, Deputy Derek Keating, has received confirmation from the Department of Social Protection that back-to-school grants – which were awarded in 2010 – will be paid in mid-June.

He said: “This grant is a vital support to many families in Dublin Mid-West. Those who did not apply last year, or who are entitled to grants this year, should immediately submit their application.

“To qualify for the back-to-school grants, appli-cants must be receiving social welfare payments, or a health service pay-ment, and be in receipt of children’s allowance.

“If you received a grant last year, you will not have to re-apply. Applicants are entitled to €200 per child, aged between two and 11 years of age, and €300 for older children,” said Deputy Keating.

Grants’ funding approval

EDUCATION: SCHEME


SOUTH Dublin County Council and South Dub-lin Chamber have come together on an exciting and innovative initiative to support the local busi-ness community and are delighted to host a special conference, entitled Social Media Means Business.

This conference is one of the first events emerg-ing from the Sustaining Business Programme – a joint initiative of South Dublin County Council and South Dublin Cham-ber. The programme aims to support local business-es and reduce the cost of doing business in South Dublin County.

The conference will demonstrate best practice in the use of social media, such as LinkedIn, Face-book and Twitter.

Social Media can be used very effectively to promote and market your business, increase web-site traffic and provide new ways to interact and communicate with your customers.

Chaired by Ms Krishna De, a leading exponent on the use of Social Media in Business, the conference will feature case studies from Irish businesses, which are successfully using social media – Lady Umbrella, Donegan Landscaping, Leopard-stown Racecourse and Flowers Made Easy.

Mayor of South Dub-lin County, Cllr Marie Corr said: “The council is delighted to support local businesses through this initiative, and we are very excited about the com-mercial potential of social media. This collaborative approach between South Dublin County Council and South Dublin Cham-ber will not only benefit the companies in attend-ance, but will also deliver a real competitive advan-tage to South Dublin County.”

The Conference cost is €20 and can be booked online through the Con-ference website http://smmb.ie

Showing social media means business

COUNCIL: CONFERENCE

DEAR EDITOR,

THIS morning I was shopping at the Mill Centre and decided to post some letters in the post office while there.

At the door into the post office, it became clear that it was full to capacity, with people actually queuing along by the glass partition facing the door.

In other words, the only way I could have accessed the letter box would have been to take my place in the queue and work my way along two lengths of it before eventually reaching the post box.

From day one, it was obvious that the current post office premises were inadequate for the needs of the people it is meant to serve.

However, to add insult to injury, last Tuesday’s national daily papers carried page-long ads extol-ling the virtues of the myriad services available through our local post offices, with the slogan: “Do More Where You See This Sign”.

In my case this morning I did indeed have to do more, I was obliged to take my letters elsewhere for posting!

At a time when the foyer of the council offices across the road from the post office itself is actu-ally more spacious than the post office itself, it is clear that the best possible use of local space is not being made.

Anne CahillAddress with the Editor

There is no space for more

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

CHIP-ing in: A new home for local businessMINISTER for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, has opened the new premises of the highly successful Clondalkin Home Improvement Project. Due to expansion, the business is moving to new premises at 2, Craig Cres-cent, in Clondalkin. The company now employ 22 people, 90% of whom live in the Clondalkin area.

“I am always pleased to see success in Irish business, but it is especially gratifying to see a local business become so success-ful it has to move to larger premises,” said Minister Rabbitte.

CHIP is one of the original companies involved in the Warmer Homes Scheme, and has been operating since 1998.

These new premises encompass a large workshop area, offices and a boardroom. The jobs created here by the Clondalkin Home Improvement Project are for both skilled trades people and administrative staff.

Pictured at the event are Alan Breathnach, chairman, CHIP; Minister Pat Rabbitte TD; Claire Ryan, chairperson, Fuel Pov-erty Forum and Michael Mahady, general manager.


New footpath a possibility

COUNCIL: SPEED LIMITS TO BE RECOMMENDED

SOUTH Dublin County Council has confirmed it is examining the pos-sibility of putting a con-tinuous footpath from the Mill Centre to Colaiste Chilliain.

But they have warned that the current recom-mendation of speed limits will be implemented.

Councillor Breda Bon-ner had put a question to the Clondalkin Area Committee meeting for the second month ask-ing “if the manager has had an opportunity to look at the Nangor Road, between the Mill Centre and Colaiste Chilliain in

Clondalkin, to assess the possibility of ensur-ing that there is a con-tinuous footpath in that location as discussed at the last meeting.”

In its response, the council said that a plan was forthcoming. “Vari-ous options are current-ly being considered and a report of the findings will be presented and discussed at the June Area Committee Meet-ing.

“However, speed limit signs and repeaters have been recommended for this section and will be installed shortly.”

Greyhound offering a suite of new services

PAUL HOSFORD

[email protected]

LOCAL waste recycling company, Greyhound, has announced the intro-duction of a suite of new services aimed at improv-ing the waste collection service that it offers to over 70,000 household customers across South County Dublin.

The launch of the new services follows the crea-tion of 15 jobs at a new customer service centre situated at the company’s Clondalkin headquarters, and an investment of over €250,000 in new infor-mation technology.

Greyhound , who recently purchased the

waste service collections in South Dublin, is now offering customers the opportunity to receive text alerts notifying them of bin collection sched-ules, and every customer will be entitled to a free bin sanitation service over the next few weeks.

The company is also launching its new website, where customers can pay, or top up, their account credit online and view their account balance, yearly statements and a full calendar of black, brown and green bin col-lection dates.

The new www.grey-hound.ie website will also enable customers to view their bin lift history

RECYCLING The launch follows creation of 15 new jobs

and to track the volume of waste that they are recycling, having chosen Greyhound as their serv-ice provider.

“We are committed to bringing back the tradi-tional bin service and to embracing new technol-ogy to provide our cus-tomers with exemplary customer service. We are intent on providing the best service in the market,” said Michael Buckley, joint CEO of the company.

Other, new, added-value service initiatives include the introduction

of a local SkipBag collec-tion service, which will make it cheaper and easi-er for householders to dis-pose of bulky items, and the launch of informative and interactive Twitter and Facebook pages.

All of Greyhound’s bin collection teams have also undergone customer-service train-ing focused on returning customers’ bins to their proper place after col-lection and upholding the value that customers place on polite and cour-teous service.

“We understand that

the simple things, like notifying customers of rescheduled collection dates during inclement weather, bank holiday arrangements and how to get a replacement bin, are important to our custom-ers,” said Buckley.

Greyhound is celebrat-ing the launch of the new www.greyhound.ie web-site by offering its cus-tomers an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes, including a first prize of one night’s B&B and din-ner for two at an exclusive Dublin hotel. Log on for further details.

Greyhound have invested over €250,000 in new information technology

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Local man guilty of defrauding company

COURTS: AXA INSURANCE PAID OUT OVER €34,000 FOLLOWING CLAIM

MINISTER Frances Fitzgerald has welcomed the announcement that Newcastle and North Clondalkin will get a jobs boost, and better roads, after the Government gave the go-ahead for labour-intensive road upgrade works in the recently announced Jobs Initiative.

“I’m very happy to confirm that €195,000 has been earmarked for investment into the roads in Rowlagh in North Clondalkin and €190,000 has been allocated to an

upgrade of Aylmer Road in New-castle,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

“This is great news for our area. Not only does it mean an upgrade of roads in North Clondalkin and Aylmer Road in Newcastle, but it will also help create employment for the area. It’s a double victory for the local community and local economy.

“These projects can go ahead because the Government has com-mitted €75 million nationally to

‘shovel-ready’ transport projects to start this year. Much of the funding will be used to repair roads, which were badly damaged in the last two severe winters. And a signifi-cant portion will also go to smarter travel projects.

“Each road project will also ben-efit communities and create further spin-off jobs. It’s a win-win situa-tion for the local community and local economy in Clondalkin and Newcastle,” said Fitzgerald.

Minister announces local jobs boost

Queen’s visit showed ‘a maturity in the country’

PAUL HOSFORD

[email protected]

WITH the Queen now safely back at Bucking-ham Palace, local TD and Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald says that the chance to shake hands with the British monarch was both a per-sonal and nationwide celebration.

“It was a huge privi-lege to be part of the celebrations to mark the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. The occasion pro-vided a real lift to the nation and gave us the opportunity to show-case our country and our culture internation-

ally,” said Minister Fit-zgerald, who attended two of the centrepiece events of the visit.

“I was honoured to meet Queen Elizabeth and attend the State dinner, during which she gave such a power-ful speech. The event in the National Con-vention Centre was a tribute to the talent and the culture of our island and it was fantastic to be there to appreciate the atmosphere and the show,” enthused Fit-zgerald.

“As Minister for Chil-dren, I attended an event with Prince Philip in Farmleigh organised by

Gaisce, the President’s Award. There we met 62 young people from right across the country who have received awards

through this programme,” said Fitzgerald.

She said that the whole week showed a maturity in the country, one that had not been seen up to this point.

“The events of this week showed how far we, as a nation, have

come. The warmth and appreciation amongst the general public was palpable.”

Fitzgerald also point-

ed to the hard work put in by the hundreds of Gardai across Dublin Mid-West, who worked to ensure the smooth running of the trip, as well as the locals who dealt with disruption around the area.

“I would like to take

this opportunity to praise the work of our local Gardai here in Clondalkin, Ronans-town, Rathcoole, Lucan and Palmerstown, so many of whom were drafted in to help with the mammoth security operation.

“ I a l so want to a c k n o w l e d g e t h e patience and understand-ing of local residents who were inconvenienced by road closures on the N4 and N7, in particular. We have had a hugely suc-cessful State visit that will go down in history as a real milestone for our country,” said Minis-ter Fitzgerald.

THE VISIT Shaking hands with monarch a ‘celebration’

President Mary McAleese ; Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II meeting Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD and Minister for

Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD at the Convention Centre Dublin while on the third day of state visit to Ireland

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‘I want to acknowledge the patience and understanding of local residents who were inconvenienced by road

closures on the N4 and N7’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A MAN has been convict-ed of using claims of a sto-len camper van to defraud his insurance company of €34,000

Edward Corcoran (30) was found guilty by a jury after just over three hours deliberation. He was remanded on bail to face sentencing next month.

Corcoran (30) of Oldcastle Park Lawns, Clondalkin, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Cir-cuit Criminal Court to deception and theft of €34,100 from Axa Insur-ance between October, 2008, and January, 2009.

One count of wasting garda time by making a false statement was with-drawn from the jury fol-lowing legal argument.

He reported his camp-er van stolen in October 2008, telling gardai that he suspected members of his extended family had taken it.

Gardai later received a tip-off about the vehicle and it was found in a stor-age facility in Finglas. The facility had photocopies of Mr Corcoran’s per-sonal documents, which had been used to open an account there. They also had his telephone number on file.

Corcoran claimed to gardai that he kept cop-ies of his personal docu-ments in the camper van and that the thieves must

have used these to open an account in his name.

During the trial, Garda Niall Wrigley told prose-cuting counsel, Mr Fergal Foley BL, that on Octo-ber 21, 2008, Corcoran came to the garda station and reported a burglary. He claimed thieves had broken into his father’s caravan, took the keys to his Ford Transit camper van and drove off in the vehicle.

Corcoran named mem-bers of his large extended family as possible suspects and said that there was a dispute between two sec-tions of the family who were living beside each other at the time.

Garda Dave Moore said he went to Mini Stor-age Ltd in Finglas after receiving a tip-off about a stolen vehicle in stor-age there. He found the camper van and arranged to have it taken away.

Gda Moore said he received several docu-ments from the storage company, which had been used to open an account to store the vehicle. These included copies of Cor-coran’s driver’s licence and insurance certificate, as well as a signed agree-ment with the storage company.

Corcoran was arrested and interviewed. He denied ever dealing with the storage facility.


Young mother is jailed for 3 years over drugs haulA YOUNG Dublin moth-er has been jailed for three years for her role in possessing €1.37 million of heroin in her car.

De tec t i ve Garda M i c h a e l D o h e r t y revealed that, though the car had belonged to Gil-lian Doyle (20), she didn’t drive the vehicle and was a front seat passenger when her boyfriend and his cousin went to a New-lands Cross Aldi carpark to pick up a sports bag full of drugs.

Det Gda Doherty agreed with Mr Luan O Braonain SC, defend-ing, that Doyle had been “the most truthful” dur-ing interview compared with her co-accused.

The mother-of-one, of Kiltalown Court, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing almost 7kg of heroin worth €1.37 mil-lion for sale or supply at Ballyfermot Avenue, Bal-lyfermot, on January 23, 2009.

She has no previous convictions.

Her boyfriend, Greg O’Brien (20) of Dolphins Road, Drimnagh and two other men; John Paul Cawley (30) of Lugdoon, Doocastle, Ballymoate, Sligo and Andrew Mee-son (40) of The Haw-thorns, Carraroe, Sligo, pleaded guilty to possess-ing heroin worth €3.27 million at Boomer’s car-park, Woodford Walk, Clondalkin on the same date.

O’Brien’s cousin, Solomon Spencer (19) of Lansdowne Gate, Dub-lin 12, pleaded guilty to possessing heroin worth €1.37 million at the same location and date.

O’Brien, Meeson and Cawley were previously jailed for 10 years and

Spencer received a six-year sentence, with the final three suspended for his role as drugs courier.

Det Gda Doherty accepted Mr O Braonain’s suggestion that Doyle had been “less aware of what was going on” than her co-accused.

Mr O Braonain sub-mitted to Judge Yvonne Murphy that his client had been brought along in the car as “window dressing to give the idea of a boyfriend and girl-friend going on a ride”.

Det Gda Doherty told Mr Sean Guerin BL, prosecuting, that he and colleagues with the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation spotted Cawley and Mee-

son pull up at the New-lands Cross car park in a Nissan Almera during a surveillance operation at the location.

O’Brien, driving Doy-le’s Fiat Punto with Doyle as front seat passenger and Spencer in the back, arrived into the car park about 20 minutes later and stopped beside the other vehicle.

Gardai spotted some interaction between both parties in the cars and fol-lowed the vehicles when they left the carpark in different directions a short time later.

Det Gda Doherty told Mr Guerin that colleagues

stopped and searched Doyle’s Fiat Punto on Ballyfermot Avenue and recovered a sportsbag containing almost 7kg of heroin in the front pas-senger footwell.

He said gardai found almost 10kg of heroin worth €1.98 million in the Nissan Almera dur-ing a similar stop and search.

He said Doyle was 18-years-old at the time and has not come to adverse garda attention since. She told him in interview that she wasn’t sure which type of drug the sports bag had con-tained.

He agreed with Mr O Braonain that she said she “panicked” when asked why she didn’t get out of the car as soon as she realised what was going on.

He further agreed that Doyle found out she was pregnant the day of her arrest through a doctor who had been called to the station because she had felt unwell during interview.

The detective garda agreed that Doyle had come from a “decent, hardworking family” and had enjoyed family sup-port on each court date.

Mr O Braonain submit-ted that his client wished to apologise “sincerely” for her conduct on the day and said it was out of character for Doyle, who has adopted “a responsi-ble approach to mother-hood”.

He explained that O’Brien had invited Spencer, who knew the Newlands Cross area better, to join the enter-prise and share any money received for mov-ing the drugs to their next owner.

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‘She “panicked” when asked why she didn’t get out of the car as soon as she realised what was going on’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

COURTS: €1.37 MILLION OF HEROIN FOUND IN SPORTSBAG IN HER CAR

You Can Do It: Tackling those projects with DIY

classes being offered at B&Q Liffey ValleyCALLING ALL DIY-ERS in the Clondalkin area! If you are thinking about starting a DIY project, but not sure where to begin, then don’t worry. Help is at hand with the launch of B&Q’s new You Can Do It Cen-tre at Liffey Valley. The new centre, which was launched on May 21, 2011, offers cus-tomers a choice of over 20 DIY classes.

Already a huge hit in the UK, the You Can Do It Centre at Liffey Valley aims to make DIY easier for people of all ages -

including the kids. A specially designed facility has been

built in B&Q Liffey Valley, which will host a range of classes. With more than 20 classes to choose from, there is something for everyone. Whether you want to paint the front room, tile the loo, mend a leaky tap or insulate your attic, you can master the skills, as the classes will be presented in easy-to-follow two- to four-hour ses-sions costing just €15.

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SCHOOLS Behind-the-scenes insight into Colaiste Bride’s

NICOLE O’REILLY

LAST September, one of the teachers decided to start a Glee club to show off the performing arts of students in Colaiste Bride.

In this club, the stu-dents dance, sing and

perform drama, and they also do lots of different types of dance, from hip-hop to musical theatre.

We practise on Wednes-days, and also on Thurs-days when coming up to performances. At times, the boys from Moyle Park College joined us.

On the first day of Glee, 115 people registered for the club; by the time it came to March, the group had narrowed down to 20 members.

After all the hard work we did from September to December, Ms Dooley thought that we should

put on a performance.We performed at the

Christmas concert, but we all wanted to do something bigger. So, we decided to put on a show-case performance on May 19, and it was fantastic.

Coming up to the shows, we rehearsed

every day after school, and every-one put so much time and effort into the show.

All of the girls were delighted with how the show went, and appreci-ate the amount of time and thought the teachers put into the club.

Show to remember is a Gleeful event ...

Jade Fleming, Gemma Richardson and Kayleigh Byrne-Nugent

Jessica McCormack Shianne PlunkettPrincipal Marie Therese Kilmartin with Kelly Burke, Theresa Ross and Jackie Mahon

Moving through a complicated danceEve McDonagh, Megan Storey Jane, Jodie Murray, Taylor Lee and Kirsty Ogden

Brendan Scully, Travis Maguire, Gina Dowcine and

Mackella Haverty

Hats off to a well-coordinated production

Lauren Browne has a go at tickling the ivories as


Glee club’s recent barnstorming performance at the school

she, and other Glee Club members, prepare for the big show. Pictures: Paddy Barrett

Lauren Browne, Sarah O’Sullivan and Sarah O’Connor

Sarah O’ConnorThere was a full house for the show, which was very well received

Whirling into another big dance

Jacki Fendrick, Deirdre Lumsden, Carol Madigan and Jacqueline Dooley, organising

teachers,

Emily and Rachel Gough with Saoirse

Gibson and Louise O’Connor


Top-class facility is launchedA

DAMSTOWN Community College, one of the single most modern schools in Ireland, has been officially opened by Minister For

Children, Frances Fitzgerald. Developed and managed by County Dublin

VEC, with funding from the Department of Education, the new €14 million Adamstown Community College is one of the most modern and best-equipped schools in the State, ready to serve students from Clondalkin, Lucan, Adam-stown and across west Dublin.

This was an opportunity for students, parents and staff to celebrate what they have achieved so far and to look forward to an exciting future for Adamstown Community College.

Pictured with Minister Fitzgerald is Paulita Gulbinaite

Minister For Children, Frances Fitzgerald, TD

Minister Fitzgerald is pictured with Dr Marie Griffin, chief executive, County Dublin

VEC, after the unveiling of the plaque

1st and 2nd year student at the opening

Pictured are 1st and 2nd year students Jereena Jose,

Nicole Byrne, Charlene Fitzgerald, Filip Broczkowski,

Faizan Khald, Osvaldas Sideika, Zeeshan Khalid,

Hasnaa Rezk and Saeed Mohammed

Home economics Students Erica Clinton, Alysha

Lambert and Evan BassettPupils sing on stage during the opening ceremonyPerforming Arts student from the College

SCHOOLS Minister Fitzgerald officially opens Adamstown CC

2 June 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 2 June 2011

GazetteGAMINGGAMINGOnly two more Kinect sensors left to be won!T

HE Gazette is continuing i ts incredible Xbox K inect sensor

competition this week, as we give away the third of our four terrific prizes.

K inec t fo r Xbox 360 brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways, without using a control-ler

With Kinect, technol-ogy evaporates, letting the natural magic in all of us shine. Controller-free gaming means full-body play.

Kinect responds to how you move. So, if you have to kick, then kick.

If you have to jump, then jump. You already know how to play.

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

Kinect Sports allows you to say goodbye to the buttons and con-trollers, and play six full sports games just as you always have, using your entire body.

Become the heavy-weight champ of the liv-ing room with boxing, or take to the sand with some high-flying beach volleyball action.

With soccer, field and

track events, and even bowling, Kinect Sports has something for eve-ryone.

Meanwhile, Kinect Adventures will have you jumping, dodging, and kicking your way through 20 pulse-pound-ing adventures, set in exotic locations around the world.

Kinect Adventures gets you to work with your friends and navi-gate through roaring rapids, challenge obsta-cle courses, and even save a leaky underwater laboratory.

The spirit of adventure awaits!

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

to use with your XBox 360 console, just answer the following question.How many Kinect sensors is the Gazette giving away in total?

Post your answer to Kinect Competition, Gazette Group Newspapers, Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan, Co Dublin.

Alternatively, you can email [email protected]. All entries must be received before Wednesday, June 8.

GazetteGROWINGGROWING

The joy of growing up

MICHAEL KELLY

DID a lot of transplant-ing this weekend, which is always a fun activity for a GIYer.

There’s nothing like the satisfaction of plant-ing seedlings – bare beds transformed in an instant with neat rows of little plants.

There are always a few days of fretting after transplanting, however – will cold nights set the plants back? Will slugs or rabbits try and munch on them?

Seed sowing is a rela-tively exact science – if you sow a seed at the right temperature and at the right depth, and you keep the potting compost moist, then it will gener-ally germinate rather reli-ably.

In addition, up to the point that they are trans-planted, the seedlings have luxuriated in the 5-star comfort of my pot-ting shed.

They have been nur-tured, spoiled, cossetted. I’ve carefully watered them each day, switched on heat underneath them at night and covered them with fleece.

The potting shed is a controlled environment – there is no weather in there – no rain or wind. Nor are there any pests

to trouble them – leather jackets, slugs, snails, birds or rabbits.

Planting a seedling out in the soil therefore is a watershed moment.

It is the moment it leaves a very controlled environment in favour of something far more uncontrolled, unpredict-able and messy.

And like a parent send-ing a child off to school for the first time, you just have to have faith and let it go into the mad, bad world.

Things to do this month

To-DoWatering and weeding

duties step up a notch – the tunnel/greenhouse in particular will require a good deal of water from now on.

Watch the weather and water outside as required. Continue to earth-up potato plants to prevent the spuds becoming green.

Mulch and water tomato plants and con-tinue to remove side shoots that appear in the leaf axils.

Stake everything that grows tall – raspber-ries, peas, beans, toma-toes, etc. Net soft fruit against birds – it’s worth the effort.

SowS ow c o u r g e t t e s ,

pumpkins, summer and winter squash, fennel, chicory.

Succession sow: beans (French and Runner), kale, pea, spinach, spin-ach beet, summer broc-coli, carrot, swede, leek, lettuce, brussels sprouts, b ee t roo t , ch i co r y, endive, turnip, kohlrabi, fennel.

Plant out leeks, brus-sels sprouts, cabbage, autumn caulif lower, calabrese, sprouting broccoli, celery, celeri-ac, cucumbers, pump-kin, marrows, runner beans, aubergine.

HarvestWe are now really start-

ing to see some payback from our GIYing - the first broad beans and peas as well as new potatoes, new carrots, soft fruit like gooseberries, cherries and strawberries.

Herbs are in full flow. Also harvest kohlrabi, cabbage, caulif lower (month end), spinach, spring onion, shallots, salad leaves, elderflower, rhubarb, salad leaves, onions, carrots, beetroot, garlic, sea-kale.

Michael Kelly is a

freelance journalist,

author and founder of

GIY Ireland

In association with

Ingredients:

• 30g butter• 4 slices unsmoked bacon• 1 medium onion, finely chopped• 500g broad beans, shelled• 125ml stock

MELT the butter in a pan. Add the bacon and onion and fry until the onion is soft but not coloured. Stir in the beans.

Add the stock and bring to the boil.

Cover and cook over a moderate heat for 6-8 minutes until the beans

are soft but not mushy. If there is too much

liquid in the pan at the end, boil briskly for 1-2 minutes to evaporate it.

Serve immediately – this will make a lovely side dish or served by itself with some crusty or toasted bread.

Recipe of the Month– Broad Beans with Bacon

JUNE is broad bean month – I love opening up the pods and seeing the little beans nestling in the comfy white fleece inside. The little green gems love to be paired with bacon. This recipe serves 4-6.

SEEDLINGS: FUN IN THE GARDEN

It’s now time to harvest and get some payback from all your hard work


GazetteBEAUTYBEAUTY Edited by

Dawn Love

SHE may not have become an American sweetheart, but Cheryl Cole proved in Cannes that there are few who can rival her on the Red Carpet.

The glamorous singer took the French by storm when she appeared on the carpet with her hair slicked back to show off her stunning features and her gor-geous white dress with belt detail by Stephane Rolland.

Lisa Laudat, L’Oréal Paris’ Celebrity Hair and Make-up artist was responsible for the star’s make-up.

For a glowing complexion to add luminos-ity to Cheryl’s skin after arriving in Cannes from America, Lisa applied Youth Code Boosting Serum, followed by a light coat of Infallible Brush 24hr foundation in Golden Sand and contoured the cheeks with Glam Bronze Duo in Brunette. Under the eyes, Tou-che Magique concealer was gently applied.

Meanwhile, her golden eyes were achieved by mixing New L’Or L’Or L’Or Color Infal-lible eye shadow in Goldmine (available from September) and Color Infallible eye shadow in Endless Chocolate to the lids of the eyes. Cheryl’s eyes were then framed with both Superliner and Contour Kohl eyeliners in black. To complete the golden eye look, Lisa applied Telescopic mascara in Carbon Black to Cheryl’s eye lashes.

Get the Cheryl red carpet look Spoiling your Dad on Father’s Day

MooGoo is packed full of natural ingredients and includes shampoos, specialist balms, moisturisers and lip balms

Roger & Gallet

FOUNDED in 1862 Roger & Gallet has a complete range of perfumes, shaving and fragrant care inspired by the masters of traditional barbering and is available from pharmacies nationwide.

L’Homme Shaving Foam is priced €13 and is a rich, thick shaving foam, which respects the skin, thanks to allantoin, an active ingredient with softening and soothing properties and aloe vera, a plant renowned since ancient times for its moisturising action.

It also contains an anti-bacterial agent to protect the skin.

L’Homme Aftershave Balm is priced €15, and is formu-lated to provide extra-special care. Its gel cream texture contains aloe vera and white tea that gives stressed, tired skin a new radiance and vitality. Skin is left soft and matte from morning to night.

La Roche-Posay

The well-known French brand has the per-fect solution for every man’s skincare needs, especially those with sensitive skin.

Its XY Homme range combats skin sensitivity and problems, which result from regular shav-ing, including post-shaving irritation, ingrown hairs and persistent redness and post-shaving dehydration.

Check out its XY Homme Hydrating Bar-rier Gel (€18), which has customised hydration adapted to male skin physiology and its XY

Homme Normalising Anti-redness Balm (€18), which not only soothes razor burn, but hydrates sensitive skin.


Aussie phenomenon hits the shelvesIT’S one of the beauty industry’s best kept secrets, but now the Aus-sie phenomenon, Moo-Goo, is being stocked in Kerins Pharmacies in Blackrock and Dalkey.

The luxury band is

packed full of natural ingredients and includes shampoos, specialist balms, moisturisers and lip balms.

Amongst its most popular products is the brand’s new anti-aging

cream, which prom-ises to help reduce the appearance of lines and sun damage.

According to the company, one of the key ingredients is Resvera-trol, the latest break-

through compound found in red grapes.

For more information on the broad range of MooGoo products, and how to achieve healthy skin, visit www.moogoo.ie

Roger & Gallet L’Homme shaving

Foam, €13, (left) and L’Homme

Aftershave Balm, €15

XY Homme Normalising Anti-

redness Balm, €18 (left) and XY

Homme Hydrating Barrier Gel,€18



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Managing Director: Liam Hollandemail: [email protected]

General Manager: Michael McGovern

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email: [email protected]

Advertising Sales: 01 6010240email: [email protected]

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Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the fi rst week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

The recent royal visit prompted

Labour’s Cllr Michael O’Donovan

to put some thoughts on paper

about Republicanism, about the

Queen, and about his grandun-

cle Pat.

LET me start by con-gratulating the Gazette on the excellent photos

of the Queen’s visit. Her visit to the Garden of Remembrance was remarkable, the warmth of the wel-come she experienced was close to universal, and it set me thinking of what Republicanism now means to this country.

Growing up in Cork, the hero of our extended family was my grand-uncle, Pat O’Donovan.

Back in 1920, Pat was a member of a unit known as the Flying Col-umn, and he was one of the 40 or so riflemen who took on and wiped out two lorry loads of “Auxiliaries” at Kilmichael in West Cork.

For several months previously these thugs in British uniform had been terrorising the villages and the countryside of Cork, particularly targeting and burning the homes of Republican supporters.

The fire-fight of Kilmichael last-ed no more than half an hour, but at the end of it, all 18 of the British detachment lay dead, with the loss of three on the Republican side.

After the ambush there was a price put on Pat O’Donovan’s head and he spent months on the run but he still fought with the Flying Col-umn in a number of other bloody skirmishes.

That year of war had a huge per-sonal effect on Pat. When the truce came, he was unable to settle back

into farming life and his restlessness drove him, of all places, to Britain. There he took an industrial job, married an Irish emigrant lady, and raised his family in north Wales.

Like all his comrades in the West Cork IRA, Pat despised the mem-bers of the Essex regiment and the Black and Tans, because of the brutal way they treated Republican prisoners, but he came to regard the British as a tolerant and welcoming people, and lived happily in the UK until his death in 1974.

Pat’s personal journey from man of war to man of peace mirrors, I think, the change in thinking that allowed the Queen’s visit to go ahead and be a success.

We can never forget that we were the victims of a British Empire that ruled other nations by force and intimidation, but recent important initiatives have changed the land-scape.

These include the power-sharing executive which gives Nationalists a guaranteed role in government, the establishment of the PSNI, which has demonstrated that cross-com-munity policing can work, and the fulsome apology given by David Cameron for the Bloody Sunday killings in Derry.

The silent bow of respect by the Queen at the Garden of Remem-brance said more than any speech.

We may be moving to a definition of Republicanism that is more con-fident, and also more at ease, with our former occupier. There is now a chance that our future relationship with Britain will at least resemble a partnership of equals.”

A man of war - a man of peaceGAZETTE COMMENT

By Councillor Michael

O’Donovan

GazettePETSPETSBrought to you by Miriam Kerins of

the DSPCA

THANK YOU: RECOGNISING THE COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION OF UNSUNG HEROES

Honouring the work of all our volunteersD

ID you know that 2011 has been des-ignated European

Year of the Volunteer? No! Well now you

do; so, for those of you who’ve been thinking about volunteering but who’ve so far only paid this thought lip service, now is the time to do something about it. I mean, hasn’t your moth-er always told you that, “it’s far better to give than receive”.

But, have you ever wondered why people volunteer? I mean, why work for no pay? Right!

Well, while I believe there are various rea-sons why people choose to donate their free time and talents out of the goodness of their hearts, I would imagine that the most obvious one is hav-ing a sense of purpose.

This is usually driven by a need to give some-thing back. Believe me, it’s absolutely immeas-urable the positive dif-ference a volunteer can make to a struggling charitable organisation.

So, with that senti-ment in mind, I’d like to dedicate this week’s column to the Dublin SPCA’s unsung heroes, the lifeblood of our society; our wonderful, amazing, volunteers!

Yes, you all know who you are! You are the people who make

it all possible, who give unselfishly of your time, your love, your support, your compassion, your friendship, your human-ity and your dedication to our staff and our ani-mals, day in, day out. You are a critical part of society. Without you we’d be lost.

Every hour of every day you, the Dublin SPCA volunteers make a worthwhile contribution to our work, both eco-nomically and socially.

In its 171-year his-tory, the Dublin SPCA’s reputation has been steeped in tradition, not just for promoting humanity and compas-sion, not just for saving animals’ lives, but for its legion of volunteers who have imbued upon us, the staff, a sense of strength and spirit that has inspired us, mak-ing us realise just how privileged we are to have you.

We rely heavily upon your commitment, your love for our animals, your eagerness to help and we appreciate every single minute you give us.

You come here and you make a connection, not just with our animals but with us and with each other, giving eve-ryone a sense of belong-ing, a sense that we are all working toward one common goal – to build

a better future for ani-mals.

So, if sometimes we hold back on telling you just what a wonderful human being you are, or forget to mention that you’re doing an amazing job, please understand, we have an unending supply of appreciation for you in our hearts.

We know and recog-nise your enthusiasm, it gives us heart. However, during those busy peri-ods at the shelter, (er, like now while we’re in the middle of kitten season), we may forget to nurture that enthusiasm.

We may forget to say thanks, forget to say how cherished you are, how your unselfishness has helped shape our shelter.

But, deep down inside, we hold eternal grati-tude for you and for the excellent work you do.

You have made our concerns your con-cerns and, for this, we love you and will always love you.

So, whether it’s simply

Dublin SPCA volunteers thanked for their fantastic contribution, every hour of every day

a case of saying “thank you for turning up today,” or “great job socialising those puppies,” you, our volunteers should know your contribution has managed to transform the repetitious tasks of daily shelter life into hours of mutual love, support and care.

And, in spite of what-ever stresses that may come our way, please understand that you are not taken for granted.

Your help is appre-ciated, your presence enriches, you are the heart of our society, we honour your com-mitment and offer you our unyielding love and gratitude.

You are exceptional human beings, each and every single one of you.

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


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GazetteMOTORSMOTORS

F ORD has added more options for the C-Max people carrier

that was introduced to Ireland at the end of last year. The car retains its compact size and there is now the option of a seven-seat version.

For Ireland, Ford offers only diesel power in response to a market that is now overwhelm-ingly diesel due to lower motor tax rates and obvi-ously better economy. For the C-Max there is the option of a 1.6-litre entry-level diesel model or two versions of the 2.0-litre diesel.

My test car, which I took across the Irish Sea for a lengthy drive, was the smaller engine version with the higher Titanium specification. This 1.6-litre

turbo-diesel engine has been upgraded, accord-ing to Ford, for better economy.

My test covered over 1,200km across Irish and British roads, with lots of motorway cruis-ing. The 95bhp engine performs well on the open road, but there is a noticeable lack of power when needed. The engine torque at 230Nm is lower than some of the similar

size competition, such as the Renault Grand Sce-nic or Mazda5, and that’s noticeable when you want to push on.

The acceleration pace is 14.3 seconds for the bigger Grand C-Max; you shave a second off this for the slightly smaller five-seat version. The Grand C-Max is a shade slower than the competition and that’s a power and torque feature, which the entry level, 1.6-litre diesel model is slightly short on.

The economy rat-ing of the car is impres-sive at 20km/litre (4.9 litre/100km) and that’s marginally better than the competition.

Ford has a new six-speed gearbox for the C-Max and it’s a joy to use. The gear shift is smooth

and easy with the lever in a convenient position.

As a people carrier, a car like the Grand C-Max needs to have plenty of storage areas. With the seven seats in place, in my case six, as the smaller middle seat was absent, the boot storage area is a little limited. This makes cars like the Grand C-Max with the seven-seat capacity more suited to short, full-load runs. If you are planning on a long, full family holiday journey with all the seats occupied, then you’ll have to consider investing in a roof box; there’s simply no room for a significant luggage load.

The extra row of seats is very useful for school runs and local jobs.

The car has lots of lit-

tle storage areas in doors, etc, and there are loads of options in terms of styling, including seat back trays. The under-floor storage areas in the rear are a little small to be practical.

The seven-seat Grand C-Max also comes with a new rear seat belt minder system.

This alerts the driver if any of the seat belts in the second or third row seats are not correctly fastened; a helpful feature if young children are travelling in the car.

The entry-level cars are well fitted out with 16” alloy wheels, front fog lights, rear privacy glass, heated windscreen, Blue-tooth voice control, air conditioning, electric front windows, remote radio CD and leather steering

wheel and gear knob. The bigger Grand C-Max gets rear parking sensors and foldable mirrors, power child locks, rear seat belt minder and electric rear windows included in the extra €3,000 price.

The safety deal also includes Electronic Sta-bility Programme (ESP) which cannot be over-ridden.

The entry price for the C-Max models is €24,495, while you need to spend an additional €3,000 for the seven-seat Grand C-Max model.

The Grand C-Max is a solid car to drive, with a good driving position, modern styling and a high level of features. It needs more power at the lower end as it aims for better economy.

Ford take it to the MaxThe new Ford Grand C-Max is the longer version of the C-Max, with seven seats and twin sliding doors

IF you’re planning to be out on the roads this Bank Holiday weekend, you’d best focus on keeping safe and focused on driving. Gardai are expect-ed to step up enforcement, not only for drink-driving and speeding offenders, but also for those talking and texting behind the wheel.

Every year there are thousands of injuries caused by people who talk or, worse still, text while driving their car or truck. I’ve seen them myself and it’s alarming, especially to see truck drivers sending texts.

US research has shown that nine percent of all drivers are talking on

mobile phones, which make them four times as likely to crash; and drivers who read or type text messages contribute to thousands of crashes per year. There is plenty of local anecdotal evidence to show that people being distracted by mobile phones cause thousands of accidents each year, many of which are

never reported. We all need to spread the word about

distraction and emphasise this point: No message or call is worth the risk; when you get into your car, truck or van, turn your phone off or use hands-free and, better still, put the mobile in the glovebox.

Don’t be mobile phone distracted this weekend

MEN GET MORE STRESSED: THEY may be the butt of chauvinist jokes but it seems women drivers could end up having the last laugh, according to new research by satnav firm, TomTom.

That ’s because men’s stress levels soar a staggering seven times higher than a woman’s when stuck in heavy traffic.

Psychologists tested volunteers for the rise in stress chemicals in their saliva when caught up in a traf-fic jam. The levels for women in the study increased by 8.7% while stuck behind the wheel but for men it shot up by a worry-ing 60% in the same gridlock scenario.

That could be unhealthy as it puts pressure on the heart and can cause dizzi-ness and breathing problems yet, remark-ably, many had no idea they were suffer-ing from stress.

IMPORTS WON’T PAY OFF – VW: EUROPEAN buyers of a US-built lower-priced Passat would face thousands of euros in import charg-es, VW says.

Volkswagen has said that European customers importing lower-priced Passats built in its new US fac-tory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will end up paying more than if they buy a more expensive German-built Passat.

VW has done a test calculation to prove that importing the US-built vehicle into Europe would not pay off.

According to the calculation, transport, car testing and import duty costs, as well as the cost of retrofitting lights, will add thou-sands to the cost of the cars.

RoadRoadSignsSigns

Top speed: 170 km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 13.3 secs Economy: 21.7 km/litre

(4.6 l/100km) CO2 emissions: 119g/km Road Tax Band: A (€104) Scrappage Eligible: Yes Warranty: 2 years Entry Price: €24,495

SPECS: FORD C-MAX 1.6TDCI


Ford has boosted its C-Max options with a new seven-seat version. MICHAEL MORONEY drove the new Ford Grand C-Max


GazettePROPERTYPROPERTY

Family home ultimatein relaxing elegance

Number 126, Drumnigh Wood, in Portmarnock

NOEL Kelly Estate Agents are bringing No. 126, Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, a four-bedroom detatched fam-ily home set in a private estate, to the market for €695,000.

Houses in Drumnigh Wood are always sought after and this will be no exception. This prestig-ious development, which extends to c 156 sq m or c1,680 sq ft, is in a fine set-ting and the estate avails of 24-hour security sur-veillance.

No. 126, Drumnigh

Wood also features gas-fire central heating, decorative timber floors, a side entrance, two dou-ble garages, a cobblelock driveway, and a large, westerly orientation rear garden with patio.

Stylish decor, a cheer-ful ambience, spacious accommodation makes this the perfect home in which to live, entertain and provide the ultimate in comfort and relaxing elegance.

The accommodation comprises entrance hall with wooden floor, a large

PORTMARNOCK: A FOUR-BED DETACHED HOME FOR €695,000

living room with a feature bay window, a feature fireplace and connecting doors to the sunroom, which features velux roof lights. The kitchen/din-ing room has fitted wall and floor units, integrated oven hob and extractor, dishwasher, fridge freezer, a feature island unit, as well as a marble worktop and a tiled floor, and has a door leading to the util-

ity room. The three main bedrooms have fitted wardrobes and the master bedroom is en suite, with a power shower and tiled floor.

The main bathroom has a jacuzzi bath, tiled floor, recess lighting, and heated towel rail.

There is a large rear garden, which is laid out in lawn, with a variety of plants, shrubs, and patio.

There are a host of amenities close by, includ-ing the famous Velvet Strand and Promenade, the breathtaking coastal walk from Portmarnock to Malahide, the Sports and Leisure Centre, as well as excellent shopping and transport facilities.

Viewing is by appoint-ment, and can be arranged by contacting Noel Kelly on 01 846 2752.


PORTMARNOCK: ASKING

PRICE OF €475,000

NOEL Kelly Estate Agents are bringing No. 104 Ardilaun, Portmar-nock, a four-bedroom semi-detatched family home, to the market for €475,000.

From the moment you open the hall door, you are impressed by the space and light this Soro-han-built home has to offer. The vendor is keen to sell, so make it a prior-ity to inspect.

Modern in design and layout, this home provides comfort and flexible liv-ing accommodation that can adapt to the changing needs of any family.

The house is compli-mented by a secluded landscaped rear garden which is laid in lawn with a variety of shrubs and bordered by a colourful display of plants that con-tribute to the welcoming aspect which the property presents. The orientation is south facing and there is a large decking, per-fect for al fresco dining in those summer months. The front garden drive-way is tarmacadam, pro-viding parking for two or three cars.

The property also fea-tures a garage, which could be easily convert-ed into a study should

the new owners require more space. Viewing is by appointment only, and can be arranged by con-tacting Noel Kelly on 01 846 2752.

The accommodation comprises entrance hall with decorative timber floor, kitchen with fit-ted wall and floor units, integrated fridge freezer, oven hob and extractor fan, ceramic tiled floor. The lounge has a marble fireplace and doors to the patio. Upstairs the bed-rooms have fitted ward-robes, while the master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe, sloping ceiling and storage space.

The bathroom has a new white suite, electric Triton shower, tiled floor and walls, shower screen and accessories.

The property also fea-tures a large garage, a side entrance and Upvc dou-ble-glazed windows.

The garage could be easily converted into a study should the new owners require more space, and the carpets, curtains and blinds are included in the sale.

Viewing is by appoint-ment only, and can be arranged by contacting Noel Kelly on 01 846 2752.

Super semi in Ardilaun

Number 104, Ardilaun, in Portmarnock is on the

market with an asking price of €475,000

The inside’s out: B&Q’s latest range of cutting-edge patio furnitureB&Q are leaping into the summer mood with the launch of a selection of coun-try, contemporary and heritage products that can help create the ideal environ-ment for relaxing and entertaining outdoors in your garden.

The styles on offer are: Country, with rustic styles that never go out of fashion, including the Capri three-piece bistro set at €365; Contemporary, with sleek shapes and cool colours, with a range of B&Q’s cutting-edge chairs, tables and accessories to give a garden or conservatory a truly modern feel, with the Jersey garden set at €1,153; and Heritage, where B&Q can help introduce a sense of timeless elegance to your terrace or patio with woven rattan and intricate mosaic designs, including the Cobbo coffee set, at €970.

MARK Bownes is married to Niamh and has two children, Isobel, who is three-years-old, and Nathan, who is one. When not working in the showroom, Mark enjoys taking them walking by the seaside in Dun Laoghaire.

Having worked in flooring retail for many years, Mark took over the family store with Niamh.

Niamh previously ran Curves’ fashions from the store with her mother, Muriel. On Muriel’s retirement, Mark and Niamh have taken the business in a new direction, opening the successful Carpet and Flooring Concepts.

The husband-and-wife team have a great understanding of the carpet business and follow the latest colour and design trends.

Niamh is able to apply her fashion-buying background into helping customers put together the perfect colours when designing a room.

Interview: Mark Bownes, Carpet and Flooring Concepts

Husband and wife team know flooring

Mark Bownes, of Carpet and Flooring Concepts

Q&A

WEDDING FUNDS AND INSURANCEQ – We are saving for our wedding in 18 months

time, and trying to save € 650 a month. Where

is the best place to save and can you insure any

part of a wedding ? Patricia – Dun Laoghaire

A - Congratulations on setting the date and saving

together at this stage augurs well for your future.

The very best type of account to save your money

on a monthly basis is the Regular Saver Account

– most of the deposit takers currently operate

them. These were originally launched in 2007 by AIB

Bank to continue the good saving habits of the SSIA

investors. Simply put, you save between € 100 and

€ 1,000 per month for between 12 and 24 months,

and you can earn up the 4% interest. Ulster Bank

(Special Interest deposit account ) and EBS ( Family

regular saver account ) are the two current best

offering that 4%. In 18 months time, you will have

saved € 11,700, plus interest to help you celebrate

your big day. As regards the insurance, you can buy

wedding insurance to cover such risks as

• Cancellation • Personal accident

• Rings, flowers and cake • Wedding gifts

• Photography and video • Legal expenses

• Ceremonial / bridal attire • Personal liability

• Cars and transport • Marquee extension

• Failure of suppliers • Extended public

liability

To cover a wedding up to c. €10,000 and take out

three-star cover, the premium would be c. €80. Web

sites to check out that offer such cover include,

www.weddinginsurance.ie and www.irishwedddin-

ginsurance.ie - best of luck Patricia !

Contact John with your money questions at

[email protected] or visit his website at

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

Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing

director of Money Doctor

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS

GazetteBUSINESSBUSINESS Supported by AIB


Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?A: A racing driver.

Q: What was your first job?A: Selling furniture and beds in

a department store.

Q: And your first pay cheque?A: Just about enough to pay for

a couple of nights out at the

weekend.

Q: When did you start your present job?A: Niamh and I opened carpet

and flooring concepts in Sep-

tember 2010

Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?A: Yes, I helped out in a restau-

rant kitchen for a short time,

chefs are exactly as we see on

TV! Crazy!

Q: What is the best thing about your job?A: Getting positive feedback

from our customers, it means

we all did our jobs well for

them.

Q: have you achieved anything

that you once thought you could not pull off?A: Yes, when we got engaged,

I managed to surprise Niamh

with a trip to Paris. She had

no idea about the destination,

even at the airport.

Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?A: The floor fitting, apart from

that, Niamh and I do every-

thing.

Q: What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?A: A cup of coffee!

Q: Is there anything about yourself that you would like to set the record straight on?A: I very rarely have coffee at

my desk!

Q: What sport do you follow?A: I watch football, and I am a

Spurs’ supporter.

Q: What sport can you play?A: I play poor snooker and golf

occasionally with my friends.

Q: What is your guilty music/TV or movie pleasure?

A: Pulp Fiction, never tire of

watching it. Brilliant!

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

Q: What music/pictures/mov-ies do you have on your iPod/iPad?A: Mainly music from the 80s,

Depeche Mode to UB40 and

reggae.

Q: Who do you follow on Twit-ter/Facebook?A: Carpet and Flooring

Concepts.

Q: What was your last Tweet/status update?A: Probably carpet offers on

the shop’s Facebook page.

Q: Describe your dream meal?A: I like most foods, especially

Indian or Italian, so either with

a nice red wine.

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

Q: Where do you enjoy spend-ing money frivolously?A: Eating out occasionally.

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?A: Five.

Q: What was your worst holi-day experience?A: My mate, Charlie, fell and

split his head open on a boys’

holiday! Very funny after

though, the doctor stitched

his head ok, but had to shave

a patch of his hair off! A

unique look for the rest of the

holiday.

Q: Describe your dream holiday?A: Richard Branson’s Necker

Island with my family! Can you

arrange that?

Q: What would be your dream job?A: Ferrari test driver

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?A: Drive across America in a

classic American car.

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Waiting to relax in style in Wicklow

LAURA WEBB

IF anyone had heard me on the way to Wicklow, they would have thought they were travelling with a very impatient three-year-old... are we there yet, are we there yet, I chanted in my partner, Johnny’s ear.

I’m not sure if it was the excitement of the week-end, or whether it was the fact that, in 45 minutes time, I was to be treated to a spa treatment that promised to rehydrate environmentally stressed skin and be the “ultimate indulgence” for anyone thinking of playing a spot of golf, or indeed after a round.

The trip from Dublin 15 to Druids Glen Resort in Wicklow took less than expected, and we arrived just a half an hour before my appointment with relaxation.

Landscape

We had heard of the beautiful surroundings of Druids Glen Resort, and upon arrival we weren’t disappointed with the amazing landscape and views in the background.

Walking into the hotel, we became extras in some-one’s wedding who had arrived at the same time as us. Ducking our heads behind the newlyweds, I think we avoided ruining their welcoming and great picture opportunity.

Like any other girl, I just couldn’t help but have a proper look at the bride, who looked stun-ning in an off-white satin gown. Her bridesmaids were also just as beautiful in peach, taking pictures in the stunning foyer of Druids Glen.

With the bags now in the room, which are extremely spacious and well-designed, my other half and I were ready

for the “ultimate indul-gence”.

The relaxation room in the spa looked incredible, definitely an area I would have no problem relaxing in after a massage.

We were both booked in for the Druids Glen signature treatment, also known as the Druids rit-ual involving a 45-minute all over massage and 30- minute Elemis facial. Joanne, miracle hands we will call her, worked wonders on relaxing my ever stressed mind and body.

The aroma in the

room, made by the smell of papaya in the Elemis skincare range, helped to send me deeper into relaxation. Combine that with the facial and it turns out that this ritual does exactly what it says on the tin.

Golf hotspot

Walking through the grounds, anyone can see, including a non-golfer like myself, why this is one of Ireland’s renowned hotspots for golfers. And for any enthusiast, it is certainly one to experi-ence.

For dinner there was just one word Johnny used to describe his meal of caramelised smoked duck starter, steak with stuffed tomato and banoffee pie, and that was “EPIC”.

For me, it was the tasty soup of the day, carrot and coriander. My main, baked crushed monkfish with pesto crust – was cooked to perfection with a leek and carrot ragout that left me wanting to lick the plate. A freshly cooked mixed-berry crumble with lemon posset also went down a treat.

Chatting with a lovely waitress, Maeve, rumours that the Welsh football team were staying at the hotel were confirmed, which made me love this hotel even more.

Well, if it is good enough for an interna-tional football team like the handsome Welsh, then it’s good enough for me.

To find out more about Druids Glen, or to see what special offers and room rates are available, log onto www.druids-glenresort.com

Belfast Titanic Maritime

Festival and the Sea Ban-

gor Maritime FestivalNORTHERN Ireland will be marking its rich seafaring history with not one, but two, summer festivals celebrating all things maritime. The Bel-fast Titanic Maritime Festival and the Sea Bangor Maritime Festival run on consecutive weekends in June and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is urging visitors to jump aboard and enjoy the action-packed family events.

The Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival, taking place from June 24 – 26 at Queen’s Quay and Abercorn Basin, offers a weekend of fun and activity for all ages.

Some of the world’s most spectacular tall ships will sail into Belfast and members of the public will have the opportunity to board and explore many of the vessels. Among the flotilla will be the HMS Bounty, which proved very popular during its last visit to the city in 2009. The magnificent ship was built in 1784 and served in the Brit-ish Admiralty after being commissioned as His Majesty’s Armed Vessel in 1787. Other famous tall ships docking for the festival include Lord Nelson, Pelican of London, Johanna Lucretia and Irene.

A wide range of activities will run alongside the visiting ships and families can enjoy street enter-tainers, arts and crafts, live music, and a variety of other family fun activities. Not to be missed are water-based spectator events, including a pirate battle re-enactment on the River Lagan between ships Zebu and Vilma.

Also arriving to Queen’s Quay as part of the festival will be the International Market, bringing tastes from all around the world.

The sixth Sea Bangor Maritime Festival takes place on June 18 and 19 at Bangor Marina and seafront in Co Down and highlights of this year’s festival include the return of HMS Bangor to the Eisenhower Pier, where visitors will have the chance to find out what life on a military ship is really like.

In the festival’s tented village, celebrity chef Matt Tebbutt joins many local suppliers to cook up a storm at the Food Fayre. Also in the tented

village is Bangor’s first ever Baby Rave, complete with DJ, lighting, projections and pram parking.

To find out more about the Maritime Festi-vals, the Titanic tours, or for fur-ther information on places to stay or things to see

and do in Northern Ireland, check out the free booking and advice service at NITB’s Tourist Information Centre in Suffolk Street Dublin 2, callsave 1850 230 230 or click on www.discover-northernireland.com.

FastTravel

GazetteTTRAVELRAVEL22 GAZETTE 2 June 2011

Druids Glen Resort in Wicklow is surrounded by lush landscapes and has plenty of amenities to offer,

including a spa (below, left) and is also one of Ireland’s renowned hotspots for golfers

Scotland’s RockNess Festival has an iconic landmark as its backdrop

Accommodation across the globe that won’t cost you the earthFOR a range of quirky and bizarre accommodation around the globe, that doesn’t cost the earth, go to www.hostelworld.com for some interesting and exciting choices.

Choose from sleeping in a giant mushroom, floating on water, or even curling up with the local wildlife in a tree house, to make your holiday an adventure that will never be forgotten.

For travellers looking for a change of scenery above and beyond the view outside the window, the travel experts at Hostelworld.com have hand-picked their most popular unique and unusual hostels from around the world to excite the most adventurous of travellers.

Kadir’s Tree House in TurkeyKADIR’S Tree House in Turkey gives every traveller the opportunity to live their childhood dream and sleep in a real tree house. There are over 45 to choose from and to get to them you must climb up ladders before resting for the evening. If you don’t feel like resting, you will enjoy a night out in one of the hostel’s three bars or two nightclubs. Rates are from €9.36 pp/per night – go to www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Kadir-s-Tree-House/Olympos/798.

Historic lighthouse in CaliforniaON the rugged California coast, just 25 miles south of San Francisco, sits the Point Montara Fog Signal and Light Station. Established in 1875, the historic lighthouse and turn-of-the-century buildings have been

preserved and restored to create a unique and bizarre hostel. Today Point Mon-tara Lighthouse is still a beacon for travellers from all over the world. Prices start at €19.30 pp/per night – go to http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/HI-Point-Montara-Light-house/Montara/1838

Arkabarka Floating Hostel on the river DanubeARKABARKA Floating Hostel is situated in one of the most beautiful cen-tral parks of Belgrade, on the river Danube. This place uniquely combines the exotic natural feeling of the river, with the urban comfort of contemporary wooden architecture. There is a cozy cafe welcoming Belgradians, that gives guests the opportunity to mingle with locals. Prices from €15, or go to http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/ArkaBarka-Floating-Hos-tel/Belgrade/24507

BudgetTravel

FESTIVAL fever is about to take over Scotland next weekend with RockNess, hailed as the Most Beau-tiful Festival in the World and winner of Best Small Festival at this year’s NME Awards.

While most festivals take place in vast fields and campsites, RockNess provides a surprising way to experience an iconic Scottish landmark – the world famous Loch Ness from June 10 to 12.

Over the weekend, festival-goers will experi-

ence the biggest headline acts with the mighty Kas-abian unveiling tracks of their hotly anticipated new album for the first time on the Friday night, and dance icons, The Chemical Brothers, set to rock the Loch on Sat-urday night.

Speaking about their return to RockNess, Ed and Tom, of The Chemi-cal Brothers said: “This will be the first time we have played in Scotland since 2008, and so it’s really exciting to be head-

lining one of our favour-ite festivals. RockNess is an amazing place to play and we can’t wait to be back there again.”

Buzzing

Scottish singer song-writer Paolo Nutini, who says he is “buzzing at the prospect”, will close the festival in a landmark gig on Sunday, June 12.

Other acts appearing this year include Mark Ronson, Nero and Katy B on the Friday, The Cribs, Annie Mac, Exam-

ple and comedian Sean Hughes on Saturday, and Glasvegas, The Wombats, We Are Scientists and Beardyman on Sunday.

Ticket details are avail-able through www.rock-ness.co.uk, Ticketmaster or, for further informa-tion, email [email protected].

To plan your break to RockNess, and for a range of offers on accom-modation and attractions throughout Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com/surprise.

Rock the most beautiful, small festival in the world

TO celebrate The Her-itage Golf and Spa Resort’s sixth birthday, the Irish Three Tenors will be playing live at the resort on Friday, June 3.

Joined by a star violin-ist, Ireland’s very own and hugely successful, John Scott, David Mar-tin and Declan Kelly, the concert aims to raise funds for Emer O’Hora, team member at The Heritage Golf and Spa Resort, who is taking

part in the ladies, mini marathon on the June bank holiday weekend in Dublin in aid of the cancer support Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise.

A r a t e o f € 18 0 for a double deluxe guestroom, including breakfast and two tickets to the Three Tenors Con-cert is also available.

Visit www.theherit-age.com, e-mail [email protected] or call 05786 45500.

The Irish Three Tenors help celebrate hotel birthday

Edited by

Mimi Murray


CULLEN’S at the Cot-tage, on the grounds of Ashford Castle, opened its doors for informal summer dining recently.

A short stroll across the bridge from the castle lies the thatched cottage of Cullen’s, where locally sourced produce can be enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere.

Offering an a la carte menu, with a l i t t le something for everyone, there is also an evening

bar service topped off with evening entertain-ment. Cullen’s is open to Castle residents and non-residents alike. Though reservations are not essential, they are advised to avoid disappointment.

Cullen’s at the Cot-tage is open seven days a week, from 12pm to 10pm.

For more information contact 094 954 6003 or go to www.ashford.ie.

Relaxing summer dining at Cullen’s at the Cottage


The neXt instalmentWith a stiff breeze from the Cold War behind it, this film franchise reboot should be a bit of a hot property again

KATE CROWLEY

THESE are historic times we live in. Newspapers all around the world are cranking out articles based on the same big story, sharing something that the Irish people, and Dubliners, can all look back on and remember, for years to come.

Yes, that’s right – Mel Gibson is almost back on our screens, with The Beaver.

However, Mel, and his bizarre film (telling of a troubled man who learns to laugh, to live, to love again – all courtesy of the beaver hand puppet which he uses to communicate with the world) ain’t this week’s gem, folks, but we do have a highly-polished film for your considera-tion, instead.

Remember the X-Men? No, not Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, but, rather, the hit series of

FILM OF THE WEEK:

X-Men: First Class (12A) 132 mins

OUR VERDICT:PURISTS may moan about the origins of two of the most iconic comic book characters of all time, let alone the way in which they gather their respective gangs, but there’s still a briskly enjoyable film here. True, there are still a few too many lashings and lashings of angst, oh, the angst for Kate to stomach, but it’s a good, and thoughtful, reboot for a franchise that had become a little stale ...

Director: Matthew VaughnStarring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Oliver Platt, Kevin Bacon, January Jones, lots of determined Mutants

films from a few years ago, telling of the popular Marvel Comics charac-ters.

Starring Patrick Stew-art and Ian McKellan, as well as – well, nobody remembers the other characters, bar Hugh Jackman as Wolverine – the films were a pretty decent sci-fi series, before eventually wobbling and coming to a juddering halt under the weight of their own gravitas and the angst, ooh, the angst!

Cue the inevitable Hollywood reboot for

the series, and, in tried-and-tested fashion, it’s time to delve deeper into the origins of the X-Men, before they were X-Men, before Mutants came out of the woodwork (or walking through walls, or flying through the air, or turning into steam, or whatever).

Following the mythol-ogy of the recent films, X-Men: First Class jumps back to the youth of the series’ chief prota-ganists; Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael

Fassbender); back to the 1960s, before the world truly knew of the Mutants among Man.

Here, when they were just Charles and Erik, rather than Professor X and Magneto, the two young men, coming from very different pasts, spark up an unlikely but intense friendship, respecting the opposing qualities in each other’s unique pow-ers and skills.

Howe ve r , w h e r e Charles seeks to edu-cate the world about how Mutants should be respected as equals, Erik sees Mutants as the next step for humanity, and superior to ordinary men, whom he sees as an evo-lutionary dead end.

With the world sud-denly thrown into peril, thanks to the Cuban Mis-sile Crisis, the opportuni-ty to take Mutants out of hiding presents itself.

However, where one

would seek to use extraor-dinary powers to stop the crisis, another sees an opportunity to change the order of things, on a global scale.

The only problem is, the Hellfire Club, led by Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), is also working away behind the scenes, and the secret society will play a greater role on the X-Men’s future than at first appears ...

The shadow of Stew-art and McKellan looms large over First Class, but McAvoy and Fassbender do well, taking such icon-ic and defined characters and putting an interesting spin on them.

Briskly moving along at a satisfying pace, coupled with some punchy action pieces, and with some interesting thoughts bef-hind all the bombast and CG set pieces, I have to give some good marks for this First Class ...

In this reboot for the X-Men series, we turn to the 1960s where, once upon a time, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael

Fassbender) were friends, before Professor X (Charles) would use his special powers to protect Humanity, and Magneto (Erik) his, to attack it

GazetteENTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENTGoingOUTGoingOUT

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Corus Concert

COMPRISING singers who may not have trained academically, yet can sing beautifully with joy in their heart, Corus – the choir that does not have auditions, does not require members to be able to read music, and is open to anyone who loves to sing – will see 80 members performing a wide range of songs. From classic bands like The Beatles through to more contemporary acts like Bruno Mars, Chorus will hit all the right notes with an exciting and uplifting performance. The concert starts on Thursday, June 2, at 8pm, with admission costing €10.

Tarry Flynn

THE life of a 1930s’ Cavan farmer, poet and dreamer will be brought to vibrant life in a celebratory fifth anniversary show at The Mill, which is marking its birthday in style with this superb production. There’s something for everyone in this production, with this tale of a simple man with a complex heart from a bygone era having much to enjoy for audiences today. The production runs from Wednesday, June 8 to Saturday, June 18, with admission priced at €18, €15.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622The Ballet Ruse

THE beautiful world of ballet may be sent spinning – or pirouetting – by two budding ballerinas, who go from bar to barre in a bid to fulfil their dreams. Lady GaGa rubs shoulders with Tchaikovsky in a show that’s not afraid to step up to the mark to present wonderful, imaginative dancing with a twist. The Ballet Ruse plays at 8pm in the Main Auditorium on Saturday, June 4, at 8pm, with admission priced at €15/€12 conc.

The Chastitute

ONE of Ireland’s best-loved plays comes to life at Draiocht, as Going Out turns to another rural farmer, this time in Kerry, where John Bosco is a middle-aged countryman reflecting on his life. Stuck in eternal celibacy, thanks to all kinds of reasons – and not a little bad luck – John Bosco reflects on his predicament, even though not everything he blames for his situation may have actually happened ...

Staged in style by the skilled members of the Coolmine Drama Circle, this is a fine, comedic play that theatre-goers will love. The Chastitute plays at 8.15pm in Draiocht Circle until Saturday, June 4, with admission priced at €16/€13 conc.

PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929Ghosts

AWARD-winning Irish playwright Frank McGuinness has turned his considerable skills to bear on a dramatic new version of Isben’s Ghosts, presented here by London Classic Theatre.

Telling of the preparations for the opening of an orphanage in tribute to her husband, the widow Helene Alving is awaiting the return of her son, Oswald, for the momentous occasion. However, his return turns the fraught event down a road that could lead to tragedy, as the ghosts of long-past events and secrets begin to come out ... Ghosts will be staged at 8pm from Thursday, June 2 to Saturday, June 4, with admission priced from €15.20 to €21.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477 The Witches

ROALD Dahl’s classic tale of witches and clever children comes screaming into town with a bewitching production, adapted by David Wood. Ranging in age from three-years-old up to adults, Witches promises to put everyone under its spell, as dastardly plans must be foiled by some clever kids, if they can overcome their fears of the scary w-w-witches ... The production is running nightly at 7pm until this Saturday, June 4 with admission priced at €15, or €10 for children aged under 10.


ENTERTAINMENT

ADAM MAGUIRE

THE way that people buy and listen to music has changed dramatically in recent years –Apple’s iTunes has been at the centre of that.

Now, Apple is about to launch a new product that could shake things up once more, so what will it do, and what makes it so special?

The ideaApple has recently

been signing a number of agreements with music companies such as EMI and Sony to let its art-ists be carried on a new, online music service.

The idea is that peo-ple will pay for access to songs “in the cloud”, rather than having them downloaded to their computer.

Why do this?People nowadays often

use a lot of different devices on a daily basis. They might have a home and office computer, a phone in their pocket, and maybe even a tablet.

Keeping all of your songs up to date on all of these things can be a bit of a balancing act, so the idea here is that you will not have to.

If you want to hear the songs you bought, you just need to go online and play them, hassle-free.

The costApple has been tight-

lipped about the service, so it is currently unclear how it will be offered.

It might be that you pay for access on a song-by-song basis; it is also quite possible to be a sub-scription service, where you pay a monthly fee to access the entire cata-logue of music.

Another potential route is that it simply acts as an online “locker”, where people can put the music they have already bought online so that it is accessible anywhere.

When will it launch?Rumours are it will be

unveiled by Apple at a conference in early June. However, it might take a while for it to hit Irish shores, though, especially if country-specific rights deals have to be ham-mered out first.

Are there any alter-natives?

Yes. Amazon have a cloud player, and Goog-le recently launched its Music Beta service in the US.

Both allow users to upload their music online so that they can access it wherever they are.

Another option is Spotify, which has a mas-sive catalogue of music that can be streamed by users, without ads, for a monthly fee.

However, that is also currently not available in Ireland ...

Epson BX320FWWhile technically an

office printer, the Epson BX320FW is affordable, and useful enough, to find pride of place in any home or even home office.

Boasting high print speeds, greater ink effi-ciency and an easy set-up, there is a lot for the BX320FW to live up to.

After all, the print-er market i s qu i t e crowded a t t h e moment, e v e n w h e n i t comes to those that offer print, scan and copy facilities.

However, this device holds its own in every regard. It is fast, quiet and efficient and, once you have a wireless network at home, it is very easy to set up.

At the front of the device is a very straight-forward panel – much like one you would see

on a photocopier, only more simple – which makes it very easy indeed to navigate and use.

This printer is not the

smallest in the world, but it would be ideal for any user that will be printing a lot of documents, and the occasional photo.

It also comes with a range of software to make the process of

editing and printing scanned documents all the easier.

It’s certainly well worth considering for

users looking for more

than your basic printer fare.

The Epson BX320FW printer is available on Pixmania.ie for €193, plus P&P.

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

A Cloud is a core plan for Apple

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PLANNING NOTICE

12756

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GazetteSPORT

[email protected]

DUBLIN’S Cliodhna O’Connor (Naomh M e a r n o g ) , S i n é a d Goldrick (Foxrock Cab-inteely), Ailish McKenna (St Brigid’s), Gemma Fay (Ballyboden St Enda’s) and Sinead Aherne (St Sylvester’s), along with Siobhan McGrath, were named in the Bord Gais Energy Ladies’ Football Division 2 Team of the League at a ceremony in Croke Park last week.

In total, 26 counties are represented in the 60 players selected and each player was presented with a specially commissioned kit to mark their achieve-ment.

The selection proc-ess is led by team man-agers and referees who were asked to nominate players after each round of league matches, and managers are precluded from voting for their own players.

Speak ing a t the

announcement Pat Quill, President of Ladies Gael-ic Football said, “It is a great personal honour for the players to be selected. All counties have tal-ented players and these awards may be the only opportunity that players from counties who do not reach the final stages of competitions get to be recognised.

“I thank the county managers and referees for their diligence in their nominations. These are

LADIES’ FOOTBALL: LOCAL PLAYERS NAMED IN THE DIVISION 2 TEAM OF THE YEAR

Cliodhna O’Connor, Sinead Goldrick, Ailish McKenna, Gemma Fay and Sinead Aherne, with Siobhan McGrath

Jackies’ defence takes all places on Team of Year

also coveted awards by the managers in recogni-tion of their team build-ing skills.”

Division 2 champions, Dublin, will be thrilled with their contingent as they secured six places

and, with a goalkeep-er and four defenders among them, perhaps it shows where others felt their true strength lay throughout a dominant league campaign.

The other nine places

were shared between five counties, with Meath leading the way with four places – Shauna Bennett, Katie O’Brien, Gráinne Nulty and Mary Sheridan – while Cavan, the only team to beat Dublin all

year, took home two selections for Gráinne McGlade and Aisling Doonan. Armagh, Water-ford and Sligo completed the Division 2 Team of the League selection with one player each.

MONTH OF MAY: MONTH OF MAY: Last month’s Sports Last month’s Sports Awards winners Awards winners are announced: are announced: Page 29Page 29

GazetteSportSport


GAAGAA

Dublin U-14s

Junior Jackies trounce the TribeD

UBLIN booked their place in the 2011 All-Ireland U-14 final with a hard-fought win over reigning champions, Galway, in St

Loman’s GAA, Mullingar, last week. The goals scored were to be the deciding fac-tor when Dublin rattled the Galway net on six occassions. Dublin had the advantage of a strong wind behind them in the first half, and led at the interval by 4-3 to 1-5. Galway threw everything at Dublin in the second half, but the young Dubs dug deep and defended their goal line tightly to secure this vital win. The final score was Dublin 6-6, Galway 2-9. Dublin will play Munster champions, Cork, in the All-Ireland final on June 11 or 12.

Dublin’s Amy Deegan, from Round Towers, in action against Galway. Pictures: GAApics.com

Fingallians’ Sarah Deegan

Emma Byrne (Castleknock) Foxrock Cabinteely’s Socha Whooley

St Brigid’s Ann-Marie Troy

Kate Murray (Naomh Olaf)

Megan Morrissey (Castleknock)

Saoirse Tulie (St John’s Ballinteer)

in association with


Leeanne Royle accepts the Charles Naylor Memorial Trophy from Sensei Andy Sheery in Birmingham

Corduff hail a realRoyle performanceC OR DU F F K a r a t e Club’s Leeanne Royle was recently awarded the prestigious Charles Naylor Memorial Trophy for the most outstand-ing child competitor at the Karate Union of Great Britain’s National Championships at the NIA Birmingham.

The compet i t ion , which is in it’s 45th year, is by far the largest cham-pionships in Britain, with over 1,000 competitors battling it out for a place in the finals.

As part of the USKF Ireland team, Leanne stormed her way through

the eliminations of the girls kumite (fighting) event and went on to win the title. Leeanne also took home a bronze medal for the Under-16 kata event.

This special award, presented by the KUGB chief instructor Sensei Andy Sherry, is a major achievement for Lee-anne and the Corduff Karate Club, as it is the first time in the history of this tournament that an Irish person has won this particular prize or been placed first in their event.

Four other students

took part in the Karate Union of Great Britain’s National Champion-ships as part of the USKF Ireland team.

Corduff’s James Far-relly, Mark Maguire and Eleanore Coates fought well but narrowly missed out on places in the finals.

In the junior male cat-egory, Ryan Cullen beat some tough opponents to secure a bronze medal in his event.

The club also recently sent a squad of 30 stu-dents to compete in the tenth USKFI National Championships held in

the Institute of Technol-ogy, Blanchardstown.

The compet i t ion , which was the largest to date, saw many of the Corduff competi-tors being placed in the finals.

For some of their jun-ior members, this was their first major national competition, and they displayed their competi-tive attitude and spirit, in particular, Yacine and Yusuf Ghanem. The two brothers fought some very spirited matches, but eventually Yacine pipped Yusuf to take home the prize.

KARATE: CLUB SHOWS STRENGTH HOME AND AWAY

STARof theMONTHRYAN O’DWYERKILMACUD Crokes’ star

Ryan O’Dwyer produced

a truly outstanding per-

formance to help Dublin

annex their first National

Hurling League division

one title since the 1930s.

He was named man-of-

the-match in the Dubs’

comprehensive 0-22 to

1-7 success over Kilkenny

in the final.

MAY was another month when the great and good of Dublin sport came to the fore and the matter of choos-ing winners for the Dublin Sports Awards was particularly hard.

But, looking at the achievements by each of the contenders, two clear champions emerged from among the pack.

Ryan O’Dwyer’s huge perform-ance for Dublin in the defeat of Kil-kenny, the perennial hurling supre-mos of recent years, was worthy of our acknowledgement.

And, with nine titles in league and cup competition across all age ranges at the club, Swoirds Celtic showed their commitment to youth develop-

ment and top-level coaching that will see them and their players be a part of our collective soccer conscious-ness for years to come.

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

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

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

SWORDS CELTICSWORDS Celtic enjoyed

a memorable month,

claiming nine league and

cup titles across the

various NDSL and DDSL

competitions in a bump-

er three-week period.

The titles ranged from

U-8 up to U-17 level, with

several Premier gongs

among them.

TEAMof theMONTH

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS MAY WINNERSIN ASSOCIATION WITH

Camp for champions:

Leinster launch 2011

summer trainingLEINSTER players Eoin Reddan, Isa Nacewa and Richardt Strauss, along with local kids Neil Durkan, John Durkan,and James Durkan-Watson were on hand to launch the Volkswagen Leinster Rugby summer camps, which will run through-out the city in July and August. Players will be taught by fully-accredited IRFU coaches and two senior Leinster players are expected to visit each camp along with the Heineken Cup. For a full list of venues or to book a place please log on to www.leinsterrugby.ie/summercamps.

GazetteSportSport


FastSport

IRISH cruiserweight champion Ian Tims has confirmed he will take part in a four-round con-test on the National Stadium-hosted Clash of the Capitals show on June 25.

He has been sharing the sparring ring with Brendan Fitzpatrick in recent times, a fighter who is building toward a huge clash with Ciaran Healy on the same night, and has been impressed by the opportunity that has been afforded him.

“I have been sparring with him for six and eight rounds and he is doing well. I am a lot stronger than Ciaran Healy and I know from our session Brendan can beat him.”

Tims tips Fitzpatrick for victory over Healy

SDFL JAMES LEE CUPKnockmitten United 2

Esker Celtic 1

STEPHEN FINDLATER

[email protected]

JIM Brady’s controver-sial goal four minutes from time snatched a league and cup double for Knockmitten Unit-ed’s U-13s, denying Esker Celtic at Frank Cox Park last Sunday morning.

Reminiscent of Nani’s controversial goal for Manchester United against Tottenham ear-lier this season, Brady kept his wits about him to poke home after the goalkeeper Colm Corr thought the whistle had gone.

C o r r h a d c o m e through a melee to pick up an Andy Blair cross, but spun the ball out as if to take a free-kick.

But the referee indi-cated no such free had been given, and Brady stole in to slot home the late winner.

Afterwards, Knock-mitten manager, John Blair, had sympathy for the Esker players and supporters, admitting it was “a terrible way for any team to lose a cup final”, but added that his side had been coached to the play to the whistle all season.

James Lee Cup suc-cess came just a couple of days after United had

won division two with a 3-1 win over Blessington.

It means they could be on the move up the divisions for a second year running having won U-12 division three a year earlier.

In combination with the club’s U-10 cup victory and potential league double, it makes for exciting times for the Clondalkin club.

In Rathcoole last Sunday, they got off to a dream start when Jim Brady played a sweet through ball from mid-field, finding the run of Arran Kennedy who coolly slotted home.

Wind conditions made it tough for either side to

gather much momentum, slowing up Knockmit-ten’s intentions to play a slick passing game.

They held sway until early in the second peri-od when Esker stormed back into the tie, Jacab Breaw firing home an excellent long-range effort after the ball broke to him 25-yards out.

And he gave the crowd a heart-stopping moment when he slipped through on the left-edge of the box and his early rolled effort drifted past goal-keeper Mikey Quinn.

Dead-weight, it took an eternity before dust-ing its feet off the outside of the post in an agonis-ing moment before going

safe from a Knockmitten perspective.

Quinn produced a fly-ing safe with the score still at 1-1 too, punching Sean McGargle’s rasp-ing effort at full-stretch in one of the moments of the game.

His defensive wall of Donatas Vikarauskas and Arron O’Connor proved outstanding oth-erwise and it kept out a lively Esker forward effort.

And, from that plat-form, Brady’s goal took the cup home, providing an especially welcome return for Conor Fitz-patrick in his first game after a long absence due to illness.

Knockmitten crowned

SDFL CUP: LATE GOAL GIVES KNOCKMITTEN JAMES LEE CUP TITLE

Knockmitten United celebrate victory in the James Lee Cup match against Esker Celtic

Glenville celebrate:

Carroll Cup title

added to silverwareGLENVILLE added another trophy to their cabinet when they annexed the LSL Carroll Cup at the Red Cow last Friday night against Ringsend Rovers with a 2-1 win. The Major One runners-up were grateful for Donal Gilmer who netted twice before Martin Council pulled one back but too late to effect a full-blown comeback. It adds to the recent Watt and Polikoff Cup successes for the club whose first team has surged through the divi-sions in recent years.

in association with

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

THE senior ladies’ footballers beat

Skerries Harps in the championship

to qualify for the semi-final, while

the Intermediate hurlers beat St

Vincent’s and Naomh Olaf in the

league.

The junior A footballers beat

Croabh Chiarain and the junior B

footballers continued their fine run

under new manager, Willie Kennedy,

by beating Beann Eadair and Erin’s

Isle in the league.

This year’s La na gClub will take

place on Sunday, June 12 - anyone

interested in helping out should

contact Niall Connaughton on 087

629 0870.

Gaelic 4 Fathers light training ses-

sion continues on Wednesdays at

7.15pm on Monastery Road. Spread

the word, all welcome.

Last week’s lotto numbers drawn-

were 8, 12, 13 and 20. Bonus Ball was

5. There was no winner of the jack-

pot of €4,300.

Congratulations to Maeve Allan,

Padraig Ryan and Sean McNamara,

who were the three €100 winners.

Match 3 + Bonus Ball N/A.

Next week’s jackpot is €4,400.

Vocalise Designs is a Clondalkin-

based business that is offering

Tower’s members a 20% discount

on the printed t-shirts and person-

alised banners that it offers.

Congratulations to the Clondalkin

Village Under-10 Gaelic footballers

who won silver in the recent Dublin

Championship Community Games.

They will now represent Clondalkin

and Dublin in the Leinster champi-

onships.

ROUND TOWERS


Juvenile hurling: Under-8s and 10s

played St. Anne’s and Kevin’s; 11s

and 12s beat Good Counsel and Ball-

inteer St John’s while 14s football-

ers lost to Fingallians.

Senior hurlers had mixed luck

with an away mid-week league vic-

tory over Ballyboden St Enda’s and

a home loss to Cuala on Saturday,

while the juniors lost at home to Kil-

macud Crokes.

This Friday, June 3, is our fund-

raiser night at the Harold’s Cross

Dogs. Buses leave the Palmers-

town House at 6.45pm and return

at 10.30pm. Tickets, which cost only

€15, which

includes bus, entry to stadium,

race card and supper, can be pur-

chased prior to getting on the bus.

Children under 16 are free.

Saturday night, June 4 is Take

Me Out night in the Palmerstown

House, and on Monday we have our

family fun day and barbecue at the

clubhouse, which commences at 12

midday.

Well done to the Dubs senior hurl-

ers on their victory over Offaly and

hopefully the footballers can follow

suit in next Sunday’s encounter

with Laois in Croke Park.

Tickets, which cost €25 stand, €15

Hill and €25 + €5 for family, can be

collected at clubhouse this Thurs-

day between 7.45 and 8.45pm.

To view our website simply logon

to www.stpatricksgaa.ie

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 11, 15,

17 and 18.

There was no winner of the €7,400

jackpot.

Match any three numbers win-

ner were was Robbie Holmes who

receives €200.

Next week’s jackpot is €7,600.

Draw is held each Sunday night at

10pm in the Palmerstown House.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS

ST PAT’S PALMERSTOWN

WELL done to U-16 girls footballers who

finished runners-up in their league.

Good win for junior A hurlers during

week.

Good performances by Lucan’s

Peter Kelly and Johnny McCaffrey in

helping Dublin hurlers beat Offaly in

the championship.

Thanks to all who supported our

sponsors, Renault’s barbecue, and

well done to the boys and girls who

won signed Dublin jerseys.

County Colours barbecue is on Fri-

day, June 10, with special guest. Tick-

ets available from the bar, priced €20.

125 Celebration ties are now available

for sale at €15 in bar.

Golf Society: Next outing to Hol-

lystown on Saturday, June 11 (tee-

off 12noon to 2pm). Please contact

Michael O’Grady (087 2331983) to get

on timesheet. Visitors welcome.

Set dancing classes have finished

for this term. Classes resume in Sep-

tember. Thanks to all who attended

classes and hope to see you all again

next term.

2011 Summer camps have been fixed

for July 4 to 8 and 11 to 15, and August 8

to 12 and 15 to 19.

AHL 3Round Towers 3-12

Naomh Olaf 2-7

JONNY STAPLETON

[email protected]

ROUND Towers con-tinue to excel in the face of adversity and stormed to the top of AHL 3 with an impres-sive win over southside rivals, Naomh Olaf, last weekend.

Towers, who lost over 11 players at the start of the season due to emi-gration and the reces-sion, followed a sensa-tional mid-week away win to St Vincent’s with another win over Olaf to move into title pole position at this early stage of the season.

The hosts, who were without Dublin minor, Jack Whelan, their nine-point hero from the Vincent’s game, fit-tingly fared better when playing into the stiff breeze than their oppo-nents had, and ran out comfortable winners in the Community Centre last Saturday night.

Towers elected to play without the wind advantage in the first half, but matched their opponents score for score in a tight opening period.

Minor Eric Finn, who has four goals to his credit in his last two senior games, opened the scoring early on for Round Towers.

Finn’s effort was soon cancelled out, however, as Olaf set the prece-dent for a tit-for-tat first half.

Fergal McDonagh, Eoghan Young — with a sensational solo effort — and Alex Darby all saw points cancelled out in an evenly-contested opening period.

Young then cut in from the wing and pro-ceeded to carve open the visiting defence, before all but slicing through the back of the net as he goaled in style to push the home side ahead in the tie.

But, true to the nature of the game, the Saints hit back, and Towers

only carried a 1-05 to 1-04 advantage into the half-time break.

WindyThe Monastery Road

side had the wind at their backs and in their sails after the turn, and hit five unanswered scores to pull clear of Naomh Olaf as the sec-ond half go underway.

Finn sailed the ball over the black spot twice , whi le Ryan, Young and Alan Keogh all pointed as Towers opened up a comfort-able lead.

Olaf did hit back with two scores of their own, but Brian McClough-lan went a long way to putting the result beyond doubt when he pounced on a batted clearance to register Towers’ second goal of the game.

Young gun A l ex Darby then shot down any hopes the visitors had of a comeback, with a stunning goal-of-the-season effort.

The minor star fin-

ished off a fine solo run with an equally impres-sive finish across the keeper, to make the score 3-12 to 1-06 with just minutes to go.

Olaf’s did hit a point and a goal right on the full time whistle, but those late compensa-tions couldn’t prevent Towers from going top of the table.

Towers mentor, Mar-t in McKenna, isn’t getting too excited by his team’s standing as of yet, however, as he looks at the season to come as the challenge ahead.

“It is just one game at a time for us now. We really were hit by emi-gration at the start of the year.

“We have four minors playing in the side, and only have the bare min-imum every week to be able to field a team.

“But the lads are great, and there is a real team spirit and desire to work for each oth-ers in the squad,” said McKenna.

Towers top the AHL table after triumph

HURLING: CLONDALKIN SIDE HIT HEIGHTS IN DIV 3

Round Towers have been having a fine season to date, as illustrated by their win over Naomh Olaf

ALL OF YOUR CLONDALKIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31 JUNE 2, 2011

SMITTEN ’MITTEN: Knockmitten

claim the SDFL James Lee Cup title: P30

JONNY STAPLETON

[email protected]

KEVIN Cullen has been chosen as the man to lead Clondalkin into their his-toric Leinster League division 1 campaign.

Cullen was announced as first team captain at last week’s AGM, and fol-lows his brother, Ciaran, who led the team to their first-ever Spencer Cup win.

Known as The Polar B e a r , h i s i c e - c o o l approach to captaining the seconds to Lawlor Cup success two season’s ago impressed the com-mittee and, as a result, the big lock has been given the chance to lead the elite side as they boast the club’s highest-ever league status.

Cullen said he was hon-oured to be named cap-tain and vowed to carry on the brilliant work put in by all involved over the last number of years.

“It is a massive honour for me to captain this club, especially considering it’s

such a historic campaign. It is a proud moment for me. I am really looking forward to next season and doing my bit to con-tinue the great work by captain of the last two years, Dan Fitzpatrick, as well as the coaches, com-mittee and players.”

The 27-year-old is under no illusions as to the task that lies ahead. His reign coincides with the club’s first Division 1 campaign and he is aware Clon will carry the under-dog tag throughout the season.

ConfidenceHowe ve r , d e s p i t e

admitting improvements in effort and performance are mandatory, Cullen is confident the club can produce another success-ful term.

“The coaches, players and myself know nothing other than a huge task lies ahead. We are a Division 1 team now and there are certain things that come with that.

“We all have to raise

the effort and commit-ment from top to bottom if we are to do well.

“But, at the same time, we are all excited at the new challenges put in front of us.

“We wanted to be at this level and now it is up to us to prove we are worthy of the Division 1 status.

“We are excited by the challenge ahead and vis-iting bigger clubs regu-larly,” Cullen said, before stressing that, despite the club’s new status, doors will be open to new play-ers at all levels.

“I would like to try and ensure the club develops at all levels. Outside the first team squad there are second, thirds and fourths.

“We have a ladies side and a thriving underage set up. Anybody looking to train and play at any level is welcome up.

“Training starts back July 12 and Clondalkin’s reputation as a welcom-ing club won’t change,” said Cullen. Kevin Cullen in action for the Clondalkin RFC first team last season

Polar caps Clon RFC future

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