malahide

YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER February 16, 2012

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INSIDE: Discovering the benefi ts of

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ON THE BALL: Promoting Irish golf at US Merchandise Show See Page 7

Daly slams Shatter on garda station cutsSays Minister’s explanation isa ‘nonsense’

� MIMI MURRAY

THE Government’s defence of cuts applied to Malahide Garda station is “a con”, according to local Socialist Party TD, Clare Daly.

Deputy Daly has rejected the explanation of the Min-ister for Justice and Equality,

Alan Shatter, to a Dail ques-tion she tabled in relation to the rationale behind the cut-ting of the opening hours of Malahide Garda Station.

She said the Minister’s explanation that the cuts are not about cost-saving but rather about improving the deployment of Garda resourc-

es as “nonsense”.“Dressing this up as an effi-

ciency measure is an insult which residents will not be fooled by,” Deputy Daly said.

She said the three Govern-ment TDs in the area must now intervene and force a review of this.

Full Story on Page 4

Getting some top tips: At a Network nightPICTURED at the recent Busi-ness and Services Network night held by St Sylvester’s GAA Club in Malahide were John Maughan, Ronan Lynch and John McCormack.

The trio were among the large crowd who gathered to enjoy the guest speakers on the night as well as the opportunity to network with other members of the club.

Picture: Una Williams

Full Gallery on Page 10

FREE GAZETTEGAZETTEMalahide

Soccer: Trap and Tardelli help launch Fingal Euro initiativePage 30

Rugby: Malahide exile helps Canadian team to victoryPage 32

Head north and discover Northern Ireland

TRAVEL: P22-23

2 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 16 February 2012

EVENT Local schools take part in exciting

Students battle � MIMI MURRAY

SEVERAL local pri-mary schools in Mala-hide and the local area took part recently in the exciting first stage of the countrywide 2012 Credit Union Schools’ Quiz Competition at St Sylvester’s GAA Club.

This year, even more schools joined in the fun at the event, organ-ised by Malahide Credit Union, while parents, teachers and friends came along to support pupils from St Oliver Plunkett’s, Pope John Paul II, St Nicholas of Myra, Scoil an Duin-ninigh and St Andrew’s, as they battled it out for the prizes and a place in the second stage of the nationwide compe-tition.

The winning Senior Team came from St Oliver Plunkett’s and the winning Junior Team from Pope John Paul II.

The junior and senior runner-up teams both came from St Oliver Plunkett’s after an excit-ing, nail-biting tie break-er.

Winning teams were presented with certifi-cates and prizes.

The annual event, now in its 21st year, has become the highlight of the school calendar, attracting over 25,000 participants in over 300 venues throughout the 32 counties.

The quiz, organised by the Irish League of Cred-it Unions, is run through-out the winter months in communities all over Ire-land by volunteers from over 496 ILCU affiliated credit unions.

With the a im of

encouraging teamwork among young school children under the age of 13, the questions for the quiz are compiled by pr imar y school teachers and will cover topics such as geogra-phy, history, music, lit-erature and sport.

Local winners now progress to the Chapter Level Final in ALSAA on Sunday, March 4.

Commenting on the first stage of the compe-tition, Malahide Credit Union manager, Vivi-enne Keavey said: “We are delighted that one of the highlights of the school year coincides with the opening of our brand new premises on Main Street.

“We would like to thank all the schools and faculty involved this year. One of the primary objectives of the credit union is to encourage saving from an early age. This annual event not only presents a wonder-ful opportunity for the students to have fun, but also serves to remind parents and teachers of the great benefits of edu-cating children about money, helping them to develop strong saving habits and teaching them about the value of invest-ing in their future.”

Speaking at the 2012 quiz launch, the presi-

FastNews

Council gives

€2,000 grant

to SocietyMALAHIDE Musical and Dramatic Society has been awarded a grant of €2,000 by Fingal County Council towards its annual production.Fine Gael Councillor Anthony Lavin asked that the committee

recommend that Fingal County Council allocate the requested grant of €3,000 to Malahide Musical and Dramatic Society towards their production of the musical, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which will run until February 18, however, the council settled on the figure of €2,000.

Payment options for household chargeTHE new household charge can be paid in a variety of different ways, Fingal County Council said last week.

Fianna Fail councillor, Darragh Butler asked the council how Fingal residents can pay the new Government charge if they do not have internet access, which, he said, is a particular concern for senior citizens who have not been given an exemption.

“The council will accept registration forms and receipt cash payments for the €100 household charge at our offices in Swords and Blanchardstown. We will also accept completed registration forms with cheque payments, postal orders, bank drafts, credit and debit card details and will forward all forms to the Household Charge Bureau.

“Registration forms are widely available at our offices, at all public libraries and at Citizen Advice Bureaus. Completed forms and payments (as specified on the form) can also be forwarded directly to the Household Charge Bureau at PO Box 12168, Dublin,” the council said.

dent of the ILCU, Jimmy Johnstone, said: “We wholeheartedly sup-port the development of young people in commu-nities all over Ireland. We are delighted to be here marking the 21st year of the quiz and to launch the 2012 event, which is set to

be our biggest yet. “I want to say a big

thank you to our volun-teers from credit unions nationwide who work incredibly hard to make sure this event is a suc-cess year on year. The purpose of the credit union movement is

more than merely pro-viding financial services and this is a very impor-tant event for us.

“This is a way for chil-dren around Ireland to have lots of fun while learning the importance of team work in achieving success.”

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‘I want to say a big thank you to our volunteers from credit unions nationwide’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Pope John Paul II Junior winners with Vivienne Keavey and Bryan O’Flaherty

Senior winners St Oliver Plunkett’s Gavin Hydes, Peter Tumulty, Joe O’Connor and

Jonathan Butler with Vivienne Keavey, Stephen MacDonagh and Bryan O’Flaherty

Fianna Fail councillor, Darragh Butler

16 February 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3

Be green, be seenDUBLIN North County Macra will hold a fund-raising night in aid of Irish Autism Action.

Be Green Be Seen will be held the night before St Patrick’s Day and will feature live music from Knightshift, followed by a DJ and some trad music.

It will be held in the Green Isle Hotel on March 16 and will kick off at 8pm.

“Last year was our first year to run the event and we hope it will be a yearly fundraiser for Dublin North County. We hope to get the same numbers this year as last year was a great success. This year we will dance the night away with the fantastic band followed by a DJ, followed by a Trad Session. There will be a raffle, spot prizes and finger food all on the night,” Clodagh Barnwall, PRO for Dublin North County Macra, said.

Tickets are €15 and are available by contacting Clodagh on 087 9532094 or Kelly on 0851166806.

FUNDRAISER first stage of the 2012 Credit Union Schools’ Quiz

it out for top prizes

Junior winners at Pope John Paul II, Harry Whelan, Patrick Griffin, Tim O’Grady and Cian Grant


Panda clarifies reasons for delays in collections� MIMI MURRAY

[email protected]

DIFFICULTIES that arose during the change-over from the council’s bin collection to Panda, especially in Limekiln Lane and Castle Field Manor, were explained at a Malahide/Howth Area Committee meeting recently.

Fianna Fail council-lor Eoghan O’Brien said there had been problems with certain areas, and asked the council why problems had arisen in

those areas.In relation to the Lime-

kiln Lane area, Panda said that this area is on the “lone ranger route”- those customers were in difficult-to-access areas, which were serviced by a small truck.

These 700 customers did not receive a brown bin from Fingal County Council, and they did not have to pay the annual charge, as a result.

“They were not on our billing database and, due to the rural nature of most of the proper-

ties, many did not have unique addresses, and we were not able to identify the addresses of all these properties,” said Panda.

In its detailed report, Panda said: “When we took over in Novem-ber, 2011, we had a very smooth transition.

“The only major issues we had were with us not collecting bins that had no tag on them (money taped to the bins, etc).

“However, after the first three/four weeks, people realised that we would not collect bins

with no tags.“Problems from Janu-

ary, 2012 arose when some people got calen-dars late. Collection days/times changed as routes changed, causing normal ‘forgetfulness’ by custom-ers when collection day changed; build-up of

green bin waste from pre-Christmas, which was a huge issue; and severe wind gust conditions, that hindered collection.

“We have rectified all urban issues, although we will always have some people not leaving their bins out on time. We have

an emergency truck to do missed bins every day,” said the waste company.

Panda also said there were 22 different collec-tion map routes in place for only 4,100 customers. As well as this, people who lost track of their bin days over the Christmas period caused problems.

Panda said that, in hindsight, ideally they could have added extra staff who “could be trusted to handle rural calendar delivery and assignment of calendars to accounts”.

A Malahide/Howth Area Committee meeting recently heard Panda detail what caused collection issues in some areas around the council’s changeover to its service

WELL-known Mala-hide dancer and actress, Robina Bowler, has sadly passed away at the age of 93.

A familiar and well-loved face in Malahide, Robina, who was also known as Beenie Bono, passed away on Tuesday morning.

A resident of St James’s Terrace, she was a familiar face at Mass each day.

Robina was the only remaining member of the Baily family, who made up the Clarence Baily Show in the 20s.

Robina’s husband, Ben Bono, who was a ventriloquist and magi-cian, toured Britain and Europe throughout the war years with his talent-ed wife.

She will be sadly missed in the village.

Robina Bowler passes away

REFUSE: COMPANY ADDRESSES CUSTOMER ISSUES AROUND CHRISTMAS PERIOD

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‘We have rectified all urban issues, although we will always have some not leaving their bins out on time’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Panda- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE Government’s defence of cuts applied to Malahide Garda Station is “a con”, according to local Socialist Party TD, Clare Daly.

Deputy Daly has rejected the explanation of the Min-ister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter, to a Dail ques-tion last week in relation to the rationale behind the cut-ting of the opening hours of Malahide Garda Station, and other cuts to garda services in

the area.She said: “The Minister is

claiming that the decision to cut the opening hours in the stations is not about cost sav-ings, but, rather, about improv-ing the deployment of garda resources and getting better use of gardai on the frontline.

“This is nonsense. Everyone knows that there are fewer Gardai on the streets than ever before. They are trying to cover up for the cuts that have

already taken place.“Dressing this up as an effi-

ciency measure is an insult which residents will not be fooled by,” said Deputy Daly.

“This is another conse-

quence of the attack on public services. Citizens have [paid], and continue to pay, substan-tial taxation in return for ever-reducing public services as the Government continues its

austerity agenda.“Improving services means

investing in them. This Gov-ernment has reneged on every pre-election promise they made. This is simply not good enough.

“The Minister has declared that he has ‘no plans to review this decision’. Therefore, the three Government TDs, par-ticularly Minister Reilly, must intervene and force a review,” said Deputy Daly.

‘Redeploying’ gardai doesn’t hide cuts – DalyPOLICING Querying of rationale to cut Malahide Garda Station’s opening hours

Deputy Clare Daly, SP

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‘Improving services means investing in them. This Government has reneged on every pre-election promise they made.’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Deputy Clare Daly, Socialist Party- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The late Robina Bowler

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Early closures at the castle last year caused public annoyance

Castle and Demesne opening until 6.30pm MALAHIDE Cast le and Demesne will now open unt i l 6 .30pm every evening, and the current roster for clos-ing times will remain in place until June, when it will be reviewed.

Fine Gael councillor, Anthony Lavin, asked the council to con-firm the closing times of the gates around the demesne as they are currently signed to close at 4.10pm.

Late last year the early closures caused annoyance to school children and their par-ents who use the park as a shortcut home.

Fianna Fail councillor

Eoghan O’Brien raised the issue of the closures with the council several months ago.

At a Malahide/Howth meeting last week he said he hopes that when the winter months roll around again, the coun-cil will keep the gates open later for school children enabling them use it as a go through.

The council said that since the rosters have changed, opening times have increased by 24%, which, they say, is a huge achievement and added that they would take Cllr O’Briens com-ments on board.

Meanwhi l e , they

said that signs stating, “Castle and Restau-rant closed until sum-mer 2012”, have been ordered and will be put up Bridgefield Car Park, St Sylvester’s School e n t r a n c e a n d t h e Swords Road entrance of Malahide Demesne.

ReportIn a progress report

on the ongoing devel-opments within the castle and demesne, the council said that signifi-cant progress has been made on construction works over the past few months, assisted by the mild weather condi-tions.

“The installation of extensive underground service ducts is now almost complete and the contractors are currently busy reinstat-ing the road surfaces, which were excavated to facilitate this phase of the project.

“As par t of these works, an underground rainwater harvesting tank has been installed two me t r e s be low ground in the old Coach Park.

“This tank, which is equivalent in size to a tennis court, will pro-vide irrigation for the botanical gardens.

“The old buildings

have been stripped out and re-slating in sal-vaged natural slate has commenced.

“Foundations have also been laid for the new-build element of the project and construction of the steel superstruc-ture began within the last few weeks.

“Repairs and fit-out works within the cas-tle building itself are scheduled to begin this month and the antici-pated completion date for the entire project is June 2012.

“Up to 100 jobs will be supported in the construction of the facilities.”

Council asked about taking in charge of pump houseTHE operation of the pump house at Broomfield Mews in Malahide, as well as previ-ous breakdowns of the pump house, is being investigated by Fingal County Council.

Fianna Fail councillor, Eoghan O’Brien, asked the council about taking the pump house in charge, but the council said the pump house will only be considered for taking in charge when it has been completed to the appropriate standards set by the Mechanical Unit of the

Water Services Section in Fingal County Council.

Cllr O’Brien asked the council to report on a written request sent before Christmas to the Building Control Sec-tion, regarding the taking in charge of the pump house. He also asked what contact has been made with residents and what the next course of action for the council is.

The council said the request for taking in charge of the pumping station was received from Broomfield Mews Man-

agement Company Limited on November 24, 2011, and was acknowledged by the Inspectorate Division of Fingal County Council (FCC).

“Major concerns outlined in the letter from the man-agement company about the operation of this pump house and previous break-downs are being investigated. It should also be noted that enforcement action could be considered by the council in respect of this private pump-ing station that is not been

correctly maintained by the owner, under public health, water services or any other relevant legislation.

“Regarding the long-term maintenance issues, the coun-cil must have regard to avail-able resources and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of its resources. This pumping station should be taken in charge in good working order so as not to expose the coun-cil to excessive costs in future maintenance.

“Where a development has not been constructed and/or maintained in accord-ance with the grant of plan-ning permission, any security lodged can be called upon to rectify matters in the event of default by a developer. On submission of a request for taking in charge of any serv-ice, including pumping sta-tions, detailed as-construct-ed drawings, CCTV surveys, maintenance and manage-ment schedules (short and long-term) along with com-

pliance certification stating that the service complies with legislation and is fit for pur-pose are requested.

“FCC has replied to the management company out-lining these details. As soon as the pumping station is completed to the taking in charge standards as con-firmed by the Mechanical Unit of the Water Services Section, it will be considered for taking in charge. Resi-dents’ representatives will be kept informed of progress.”

PROJECT Significant works have been done, says council

TO WHOM IT CONCERNS

ON January 15, The Quiet Man, as he has been dubbed by parents, pupils and colleagues, hung up his boots, gave back

the chalk, and headed away into the sunset to begin a new chapter in an illustrious career after 40 years service to the children of St Oliver Plunkett School, Malahide, St Sylvester’s Parish and Mala-hide Community in general.

He must have started teaching when he was still in short pants because he seems far too young to be taking early retirement. It would seem a pity to let an occasion like this pass without some public acknowledgement of such a life of service.

It is difficult to imagine Grove Road without this man who nurtured the children in their formative years, creating a safe haven for them and living to his motto of “pride in ourselves and all we do”. He was involved in many areas of public life, including The Parish, Credit Union, Malahide Tidy Towns, MSRA, St Sylvester’s GAA as well as every facet of life in the school, including five Green Flags, numerous sports achievements and having one of the top academic schools in the country.

Kids love him and he loves kids. His greatest achievement has to be his promotion of music. He has published a School News covering all aspects of school life for over 30 years and, in recent times, has turned his hand and his mind to the web.

He believed that education should use the holistic approach and that all children from the community should be in school together regard-less of religious belief, ethnicity, colour or ability/disability and welcomed many Special Education Needs (SEN) children who had been refused by other schools.

I was one of the lucky ones; I had him as my teacher, I had him as an athletics and basketball coach, and now he is Principal of my child’s school. A very quiet unassuming man, whose whole life was dedicated to school. As I lived close to the school, I used to see the lights on all hours of the night, and, now, as a parent, I see his car in the school very early each morning as I go to work. He started early and finished late and spent his whole working life in “Ollies”.

Thanks, Deirdre

Forty years of service

LETTER TO THE EDITOR


Group travels to the US to promote Irish golfA NUMBER of golf and tourism operators from north county Dublin trav-elled to Orlando recently, to join Tourism Ireland at the 2012 PGA Golf Mer-chandise Show.

In attendance on the Tourism Ireland stand at the PGA show were John Quigley, Port-marnock Golf Club; Dennis McFerran, The Island Golf Club; Aine Mangan, Dublin East Coast Golf Alliance; Mark Murphy, winner of the Golf Channel’s Big Break Ireland; Joe Byrne, Tourism Ireland; Moira Cassidy, Portmar-

nock Hotel and Golf Links and Alison Met-calfe, Tourism Ireland. One of the biggest golf exhibitions in the US, this year’s PGA Show attracted over 40,000 golf professionals and enthusiasts, as well as around 1,000 influential golf media.

Following Tourism Ire-land’s Home of Champi-ons campaign in 2011, Tourism Ireland will undertake another busy promotional programme throughout 2012, to boost the number of golf visitors from the US. Events like the Irish

Open in Portrush will be used as a “hook” to draw attention to our world-class golf. Tourism Ire-land is urging American golf fans to come and attend the Irish Open – and to extend their visit and try out some of our fantastic courses for themselves, including courses like Portmar-nock and The Island.

Joe Byrne, Tourism Ireland’s executive vice-president US and Can-

ada, said: “The US golf market remains a priori-ty for Tourism Ireland in 2012. We will undertake a busy golf promotional programme this year, which includes capital-ising on the success of our major golf champi-ons as ambassadors for the island of Ireland. Golf is the world’s larg-est sports-related travel market and Tourism Ire-land is working hard to drive home the message

that a golfing holiday in Ireland is about much more than a round of 18 holes – the com-bination of Ireland’s world-class golf and our unique brand of hospi-tality plays a key role in attracting American golfers to come here.”

During the two-day show in Orlando, Tour-ism Ireland hosted a Home of Champions’ reception, promoting our world-class golf and cel-ebrating the outstanding success of our golfers.

The event was attend-ed by PGA pros and influential golf travel

media – providing an excellent opportunity for the Irish golf and tourism operators to network and do business with these inf luential decision-makers from around the United States.

Also present on the Tourism Ireland stand at this year’s PGA Show was Mark Murphy – winner of the popular American golf reality TV show, Big Break Ireland, which was filmed in the K Club and which aired on the Golf Channel late last year to an estimated 83 million households across the US.

SHOW: LOCAL OPERATORS ATTEND THE 2012 PGA GOLF MERCHANDISE SHOW

John Quigley, Portmarnock Golf Club; Dennis McFerran, The Island Golf Club; Aine Mangan, Dublin East Coast Golf Alliance; Mark Murphy, winner of the Golf Channel’s

Big Break Ireland; Joe Byrne, Tourism Ireland; Moira Cassidy, Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links and Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland

BE Yourself was one of the top tips for Fingal-based business owners at a recent Getting PR Through Social Media networking event, organ-ised by Fingal County Enterprise Board.

Held in The Clarion Hotel, Dublin Airport, this Fingal Business Net-work event attracted over 200 local business owners who learned how to get the most from their social media marketing tools.

Eoin Kennedy, chair of the Irish Internet Asso-ciation Social Media Working Group, began the evening by present-ing his Top 12 tips to achieving PR through social media. His advice on building relationships with bloggers got much interest amongst the audience.

Following an enlighten-ing practical demonstra-tion of how social media can support networking, businesses were invited to put this into practise at a networking session fol-lowed by refreshments.

Speaking at the event, Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of Fingal County Enterprise Board, was delighted with the level of interest and enthusiasm among those present, saying: “Social media and online net-working are playing an increasingly important role in business. For small and local businesses seek-ing to enhance their pro-file, these techniques offer massive potential.”

The Fingal Business Network (FBN) is open to owners and managers of small businesses within Fingal.

It is particularly geared at providing a networking platform for those who have recently set up in business.

The next event will be held in May and infor-mation is available from Fingal County Enterprise Board by telephoning (01) 8900800, e-mailing [email protected] or by visiting www.fingalceb.ie/fbnFull Gallery on Pages 8-9

Business event attracts interest

NETWORKING: ENTERPRISE BOARD

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‘The US golf market remains a priority for Tourism Ireland in 2012’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CTA Computer Training in Malahide has been chosen by ICS Skills as a location for the Get Ireland Online pro-gramme.

The Get Ireland Online pro-gramme provides training under the Benefit/IT 3 scheme, which is grant aided by the Depart-

ment of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Under this scheme, ICS Skills will ensure almost 5,000 people are provided with basic compu-ter skills.

These skills provide them with the ability to take advantage of opportunities most people now

take for granted in 38 locations throughout Ireland, allowing every citizen the opportunity to embrace the digital world.

For €20, participants living in or around Malahide can enrol for the Get Ireland Online course at the CTA Computer Academy.

During the course, partici-pants are taught how to use the web and send emails to family and friends. Also, by the end of the three classes they will be able to use Skype, and even be able to book their dream holiday. Everybody can benefit from this training, is suitable for

senior citizens, the unemployed and anyone lacking in basic ICT skills.

If you are interested in enrolling in the course, contact CTA Computer Academy at 6, St James Terrace, Malahide (close to the DART) or call 01 8454070.

Project to provide basic computer skillsEDUCATION Get Ireland Online programme comes to Malahide


Yvonne Whelan, Community Matters; Don Earley, Web Direct and Vera Lee. Pictures: Joe Keogh Photography

EVENT Getting PR Through Social Media, a networking event

Top tips to get some PRT

HERE was plenty of interest in the lat-est networking event organised by Fingal County Enterprise Board through the

Fingal Business Network. The event entitled, Getting PR Through Social Media, was held in the Clarion Hotel, Dublin Airport.

Over 200 Fingal-based companies attended the event which aimed to provide guests with the forum and opportunity to network with other small business owners based in the Fingal area. The presentation on the night was followed by a hands-on demonstration of how to use social media to deliver more effective networking.

Barry Gargan, Absolute Office Limited, and Austin

Byrne, Irish Spray foam

Lisa Murphy, Landscape Restoration Design, and

Mary Simons, Peter’s Play Centre, Balbriggan

Colm Heaney, Easy Pen; Walter Hendrickx, DigiSafe,

and Damien Heaney, Easy Pen

Roger Harford and Robbie Burn, Essence Bistro, Swords

Breda Lattimore, Bizzy B’s and Margaret Fox, Tuniper

Pre-school

Frank Manning, FJM Associates and Gerry McColgan,

Producer


organised by Fingal County Enterprise Board

Suzanne Colgan, NetSpeed; Agata Logowska, Green Candle and Maeve Ferris

Andrea Cawley, Metro Hotel and Louise McClean, City

North Hotel

Jim McGiven, Canada Life and Michael Gibbons,

Combined Business Media

Catherine and Kevin O’Brien, Carry Out Off-Licence

Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of Fingal County Enteprise Board; John Lennon, Topstat Ltd;

Cathy Lennon, Topstat Ltd and Ross McMahon, Crossway Foods Ltd

Louise McClean, City North Hotel and Andrea Molloy,

Clarion Hotel

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Ron and Yanky pitch inS

T Sylvester’s GAA Club in Malahide held it’s second Business and Services Network night recently in the club-

house with guest speakers Yanky Fachler and Ron Immink who presented their ideas on how to pitch your business proposition - in an elevator and how to network effec-tively – tonight.

Yanky Fachler is an author, business col-umnist and motivational speaker. He is co-founder and chief learning officer of Book-buzz Executive Development and founder of High Octane Communication.

Ron Immink is a serial entrepreneur, author of a number of best-selling business books and has advised and trained a wide variety of companies and people across the globe for over 25 years in the area of busi-ness development.

On the night there was plenty of time afterwards for further networking and refresh-ments.

Eddie Sullivan, Michelle O’Meara and Ernie Brenner. Pictures: Una Williams

Francine Shelly and Louise Young

Laura McCormack and Diarmuid Scollard

Ron Immink, Yanky Fachler and John Phelan

Brendan Carney, Robert Rooney and Dave Shalloe

John Maughan, Ronan Lynch and John McCormackAlex Gibson, Tara Shortall and Kevin HavertyMichael Howard and GV Wright

EVENT St Sylvester’s Business and Services Network night

16 February 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 16 February 2012

Irish Guide Dogs are looking for volunteersIRISH Guide Dogs for the Blind is calling on Dublin north commu-nity members to “Get Going for Guide Dogs” and volunteer in 2012.

The national charity is hosting a volunteer infor-mation evening at Croke Park Hotel at 8pm on Tuesday, February 21, to highlight the many ways that volunteers can get involved to help support their work.

Irish Guide Dogs is on a national drive to find volunteers willing and

able to help.More than 80% of the

organisation’s income is raised through vol-untary donations, and all services for people living with sight loss or autism are offered free of charge.

Guide dog owners, Tom and Breege O’Neill, from Balbriggan, have been supporting Irish Guide Dogs for more than 30 years.

They know first-hand the life-changing impact a guide dog makes, and

Guide dog owner Tom O’Neill is pictured with Santa

Sabina, Sutton, students during his educational school

visit about the work of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

have worked tirelessly for many years to help fund-raise so that more people can avail of the organisa-tion’s services.

Tom says: “Without fundraising volunteers, Breege and I would not have the mobility and freedom we currently enjoy through our guide dogs.

“In the last few years, Irish Guide Dogs has needed to do more with fewer resources. Fund-raising, in particular, is an area needing addi-tional support.

“We’re hoping that the information evenings will

highlight the value of the organisation’s work, and inspire more people to

Water look: Fair to make a big splashTHIS bridal model couldn’t hide her delight at testing the waters of the luxurious pool at the four-star Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney – just one of the attractive features that the hotel is highlighting at its upcoming wedding fair on Sunday afternoon, Febru-ary 19.

The Castle Hotel’s wedding fair promises to make quite a splash with attending couples planning for their big day, with a complimentary glass of champagne to help put those attending in the mood, while the hotel’s wedding fair will be on hand to run through the hotel’s many fine features, including its banquet suite and fine views over Dublin Bay.

APPEAL: INFORMATION EVENING TO HELP SUPPORT CHARITY

GOT A STORY?WE WANT TO KNOW!

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or

email [email protected]

support it.”Nick Palmer, director,

Kingston Technology International, has been an active fundraiser for Irish Guide Dogs for more than ten years, and says it’s his love of dogs that got him initially started.

An active volunteer for the charity’s Balbriggan Branch, Nick says: “I like to describe Irish Guide Dogs as a ‘feel-good’ charity, because you get to see the positive out-comes of your efforts as a volunteer.

To find out more, call Finbarr Roche at 1850 506 300, e-mail [email protected], or see www.guidedogs.ie.


CHARITY Raising vital funds for Suas programme

Rose of Tralee, Clare Kambamettu, at the launch of the Suas Shamrocks for

Schools campaign with the Suas Shamrock, Shay Coughlan

Face-painting fun for St Patrick’s DaySUAS Educat iona l Development is holding its annual St Patrick’s Day face-painting to help raise funds for vital edu-cational programmes at home and abroad.

Hundreds of volun-teers help out every year in Dublin, Cork and Gal-way.

Suas is seeking the help of the public again this year.

So, if you want to take up the brush and face-paint for the charity, organise something dif-ferent, or just help out in general, now is your chance.

Simply log onto www.Suas.ie, email: [email protected] or phone: +353 1 662 1400 and volunteer in your area.

Suas targets under-funded communities in

Ireland, India and Kenya. In Ireland, Suas runs the Bridge 2 College pro-gramme, which assists children in designated disadvantaged second-level school areas in reaching third level.

Suas provides an inter-active third-level learning experience for these chil-dren and helps to focus their aims for the future. Leaving Cer t i f icate results have improved due to involvement with this course, as the stu-

dents learn about college life and aim to achieve the best results in order to get there.

Last year in Kenya, Suas was responsible for training 183 teachers and played a vital hand in set-ting up and strategically effecting new education-al initiatives in India and Kenya.

Simple

Simple, but crucial, things, like the electrifi-cation of classrooms, also falls under Suas’ sphere of activity.

To help Suas to con-tinue their sterling edu-cational work here in Ire-land and abroad, support their Saint Patrick’s Day Fundraising Campaign this year by volunteer-ing or donating what you can.

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

‘Last year in Kenya, Suas was responsible for training 183 teachers ’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

MOTORIINGPAGE 20

�

Oh, MINI! A look at one of the cleanest car brands in Ireland

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GazetteBEAUTYBEAUTYBy

Laura

Webb

Aging is toast with Ziaja Rose Butter

asdf sdaf sdaf asdf asd

THERE is a time in our life when we have to face the inev-itable – we are getting older – but that doesn’t mean we can’t

age gracefully and fight back against unwanted wrinkles.

A new range of anti-aging face care for woman in their 30s and older vows to reduce the appear-ance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Ziaja Rose Butter is a derivative of rose oil, which contains higher quantities of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Here comes the science – these skin omegas are important nutrients that stimulate collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid (the skin’s very own natural plumper) and, together, they help to maintain skin firmness and elasticity.

Many women, from the age of 30, begin to notice fine lines and wrin-kles appearing, and that’s all down to the reduction of collagen and elastin.

The key to tackling the first signs of ageing is incorporating collagen and elastin with supporting ingredi-


ents into daily routines, and regular exfoliation with a gentle scrub or at-home peel.

The Ziaja rose butter range uses ECO-certified ingredients, and its floral scent is designed to give skin a great sensual experience.

What’s great about this range is that it doesn’t have to break the bank, with the full range available under €25.

Ziaja Rose Butter Moisturising Day Cream – €6.99

This product gives skin a nurtur-

ing film of moisture that restores the skin’s natural protective barrier.

This rich but light-feeling cream soothes redness, and encourages the skin to repair and restore, smooth-ing out lines and wrinkles.

Ziaja Rose Butter Skin-Firming Night Cream – €6.99

This fast-absorbing and inten-sively-moisturising cream works to refine and firm skin texture while you sleep.

The active ingredients combine to boost moisture levels in the skin,

and hyaluronic production – plump-ing the skin from within, helping to visibly reduce lines and wrinkles.

Ziaja Rose Butter Micro Peel-ing – €4.79

This delicately cleanses and mas-sages the skin, and peels off dead skin cells.

It stimulates oxygen circulation, and reveals a visibly revitalised com-plexion, restoring natural smooth-ness and softness.

Ziaja Rose Butter Water – €4.50

Formulated to be mild and non-drying, this gentle cleanser will leave every skin type fresh and clean.

It removes make-up, surface grime and oils, softens the skin, reduces skin tension and soothes irritations.

Dermatologically- and ophthal-mologically-tested, it is colourants, parabens and fragrance-free.

� This range is available at McCabes pharmacies and independent phar-macies nationwide. Shop online at www.originalbeauty.ie.

Ziaja Rose Butter Moisturising Day

Cream – €6.99

Ziaja Rose Butter Skin-Firming Night

Cream – €6.99

Ziaja Rose Butter Micro Peeling –

€4.79 Ziaja Rose Butter Water – €4.50


GazetteMUSICMUSIC

� DEE WOODS

I CAN’T believe it’s the middle of February already. And although it may not feel like it, spring has sprung and what better time for a spring clean...of your music collection?

We all have a favourite band or artists who we won’t hear a word against. We collect their albums and re-issues and wear their logo emblazoned across a t-shirt, while simultaneously guffawing at a friend who records Glee every week (I’m not really sure why we’re still friends, actually).

Working in a station that plays classic rock, it’s striking how strongly our listeners feel about the music we play and what it means to them. One listener will say: “If it doesn’t have Peter Green in it, then it just isn’t Fleetwood Mac,” while another will name Rumours as their favourite album.

Everyone’s got an opinion, which is what makes it interesting, but if working in a station where listeners are so passionate has taught me nothing else, it’s that all music has something to offer.

Try it yourself: Venture out of the Rock section in the music shop or borrow that album your mate keeps banging on about. You could be pleasantly surprised.

Time for a spring clean in your music collection Sweetness and soul

Michael Kiwanuka brought the soul to the Sugar Club last week

� JESSICA MAILE

I HAVE literally thou-sands of songs on my iPod, but I have been left wanting for something new, something fresh and definitely something real.

Since the beginning of 2012, I have been searching for some real voices, something that rings strong and true. Voices that sound good in the recording studio, as well as live, and which-are not manufactured for a vapid TV talent show. Artists that pay their dues in small venues and work their way to the big time because they can actually perform.

Luckily for me, I made my way to The Sugar Club last weekend, where

I was priveleged to see The Staves and Michael Kiwanuka.

The Staves — Emily, Jessica, and Camilla Staveley-Taylor — are sis-ters from Watford, Eng-land, blessed with amaz-ing voices. They weave intoxicating three-part harmonies through songs about love and longing with a folk flair. Songs like Mexico and I Try, from their debut EP are enough to make anyone melt, as their voices cast their spell. The Staves have a purity all of their own and are a joy to listen to.

After being complete-ly delighted with The Staves, I was introduced to Michael Kiwanuka.

Michael is a 23-year-old Londoner who has

LIVE REVIEW: A NIGHT OF SUBLIME MAGIC AT THE SUGAR CLUB

soul without compare. He has been compared to the likes of Bill With-ers and Otis Redding, which you can definitely hear in the richness of his voice, especially in

songs like Tell Me a Tale and Home Again.

Although his style is not exactly original, and has been labelled retro-soul, his strong but soothing voice captures

the spirit of the music of the past and brings it up to date with his poetic lyrics and catchy melo-dies. His album, Home Again, will be available March 12.


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GazettePETSPETSBrought to you by Miriam Kerins of

the DSPCA

FACTS: OLDER CATS HAVE A FULLY-FORMED PERSONALITY MAKING THEM BETTER PETS

Feline like you need some company? ARE you looking for the puurrrfect partner?

Feline like you need someone to keep you company; to be kind to you on those lovely spring evenings?

A companion who adores belly rubs and enjoys squeaky toys?

Pawtastic! We’ve got the cutest companions for you, right here at Ire-land’s oldest and largest animal rescue shelter.

Why not drop up and see for yourself, because the Dublin SPCA animal shelter is bracing itself for the onset of kitten season and would dear-ly like to re-home some special older felines in order that they can free up space in preparation for orphaned kittens.

Interested? Then read on…

• Annette is a seven-year-old domestic short-haired tabby and white female who’s looking for a quiet, relaxed life partner.

This independent woman doesn’t like fuss and, although she may appear to be shy, inter-ested parties will soon realise Annette loves to play and, most of all, looks forward to spring evenings spent huddled by the fire.

If you can provide Annette with candle-lit suppers, we guarantee, she’ll soon be eating out

of your hand.• Angel and Gucci –

A couple of swells, these wise guys are strictly exclusive and must be re-homed together.

Why? Because the brothers refuse to be separated; besides Angel is only 10 months and needs big bro Gucci (4) to keep him in check.

These magnificent moggies would ideally be suited to a family with older children who can provide them with a stimulating, fun envi-ronment.

• Fatboy and Sulli-van – Two siblings who like to live it large like the Lord and Lady of the manor.

You see, the pair, who are the best of buddies, are like a comedy duo with fun and f lir ta-tious Sullivan playing the adventuress who likes to drink from the tap before exploring her territory, while Mr Smooth, Fatboy, is a laid back moggy who gets his kicks snuggling under the duvet and purring for cuddles.

An older cat’s per-sonality is fully-formed making them far less likely to provide any nasty surprises to their adoptive family in the future.

So, what the new owners sees, is what the new owner gets.

The Dublin SPCA has a whole range of cute companions for you


If properly intro-duced, the older cat is less likely to upset an already resident cat or dog than a rambunc-tious kitten.

Older cats are usually litter- and scratch-post trained so their owners don’t have the hassle of

teaching them, there are fewer messes to clean up and the furniture is more likely to be left intact.

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


GazetteMOTORSMOTORS

DUBLIN’S Brigita Molo-ney, a Ballinteer local, was this week announced as the winner of a Ford Fiesta in The Care Trust’s fundraising draw, which, as Ireland’s biggest car giveaway, will see 36 cars up for grabs in 2012.

Picking up the keys for her new car, a delighted Brigita said: “What a way to start 2012, I am abso-lutely thrilled to win a car as part of The Care Trust draw. I love the sleek and sporty look of the Fiesta

and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel.”

Dr Senan Mullins, CEO of The Care Trust said: “Congratulations to Brigita – we wish her many years of safe and happy motoring. With-out the support of Brigita, and thousands of other Irish people, The Care Trust wouldn’t be able to provide funds for its valu-able work. Think of it, for a little more than the cost of a cup of coffee per week, our contributors

have the opportunity to win a lovely new Ford Fiesta, or one of many generous cash prizes in each of our 36 draws.”

Clondalkin native Mary Kennedy, The Care Trust Ambassador, was also on hand at the prize draw and had nothing but praise for the work the trust carries out: “With all that The Care Trust does to raise funds, the most incredible part is seeing how many people have been helped – and

just how the services and support for children and adults with disabilities have improved.”

Set up more than 50 years ago, The Care Trust fundraises to provide essential funds to the

Central Remedial Clinic (CRC), Rehab and the Mater Misericordiae Uni-versity Hospital.

The money raised helps fund these organi-sations in their work with the many thousands of

children and adults with physical, medical or intellectual disabilities, those who are socially disadvantaged and those requiring medical care.

The Care Trust’s prize draws take place three times per month with all winners notified by post.

For €3.50 per week / €15 per month, contribu-tors are eligible for all draws. For more infor-mation, see thewww-caretrust.ie or phone (01) 200 0060.

Happy winner in Ireland’s largest car giveaway

Brigita Moloney holds up the keys to her new Ford Fiesta presented to her by Dr Senan Mullins, CEO The Care Trust; Mary Kennedy, Care Trust Ambassador, and Eddie

Murphy, managing director and chairman, Ford Ireland

PUNTO VAN AND AMAROK WIN BIG WITH IMWA: THE Fiat Punto Van and Volkswagen Amarok have been named Category Winners of the Con-tinental Irish Van of the Year 2012 title by the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) Van Jury.

All nine voting members of the IMWA Van Jury took part in the vote. In deciding on these category winners, the jury members took into account such attributes as load capacity, reliability, overall versatility, cost of ownership and drive comfort.

Presenting the awards to Adrian Walsh, Fiat Ireland; and Paul Burke, Volkswagen Ireland, Paddy Murphy, of Continental Tyres said: “In today’s tough commercial vehicle market, these two great vehicles have won the valuable endorsement of the Irish Motoring Writ-ers Association. I am sure that winning this Continental Irish Van of the Year Cat-egory Award will be a huge boost for both the Punto Van and Amarok.”

Michael Moroney, chairman of the IMWA van jury, said: “The Continental Irish van category awards are of par-ticular interest to Irish van / commercial drivers and fleet man-agers, as they high-light the niche models best suited to the par-ticular requirements of the Irish market.”

RoadRoadSignsSigns

PORSCHE presence in Ireland steps up a gear this month with the open-ing of Porsche Centre Dublin, adding new car sales to the existing pre-owned and after-sales business. This positive development is supported by local cus-tomer demand for new Porsche models and represents a vote of confidence for

future business in the Irish market.The new centre expands the exist-

ing Porsche Service Centre site on Rochestown Avenue and comes at an exciting time for Porsche enthusiasts in Ireland, following the recent launch of the all-new 911 Carrera, and forthcom-ing introduction of the new Boxster.

The powerful line-up of sports cars available at Porsche Centre Dublin also includes the mid-engined Cay-man coupe, versatile all-wheel drive Cayenne and four-door Panamera Gran Turismo. The Cayenne Diesel and Panamera Diesel models benefit from road tax of €677, thanks to their low

emissions of 189 and 172 g/km CO2 respectively.

Porsche Centre Dublin is located just off exit 16 of the M50 at Roches-town Avenue, Dun Laoghaire. Custom-ers can contact the Centre on 01 235 3375or by email at [email protected]

New Porsche Centre Dublin opens in Dun Laoghaire

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‘With all that The Care Trust does to raise funds, the most incredible part is seeing how many people have been helped’- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



GazetteMOTORSMOTORS

MORE than half of busi-nesses operating vehicle fleets do not offer their employees training on safe, cost-efficient driving a new study has revealed.

According to research, commissioned by fleet management specialists TomTom Business Solu-tions, 54 per cent of com-panies have not intro-duced formal training to improve their employees’ driving style – even in the face of rising fuel prices.

The study discovered that 35% of companies do not even offer their driv-ers fuel-saving tips, even though 83% believe their staff is guilty of speeding.

“Appropriate driver training can have a sig-nificant impact on a fleet’s cost base,” said Giles Mar-gerison, director UK and Ireland for TomTom Busi-ness Solutions.

“Heavy acceleration, braking and excessive speed have the biggest negative impact on fuel economy and it is impor-tant employees are made aware of the knock-on effects caused by bad driv-ing habits.

“Alongside company-set benchmarks for perform-ance, fleet management tools are a cost-effective way to promote greener, safer, more efficient driv-ing. Globally, our systems account for savings of around €1.5 million each day.”

A further 80% of those questioned believed their drivers were involved in harsh driving practices, but only 27% offered incentives for employees to improve their miles per gallon – and cut costs as a result.

See http://youtube/aR7IF-OkPTk for advice from TomTom Business Solutions on how to pro-mote greener, safer, driv-ers by giving them imme-diate feedback on their performance behind the wheel.

Proper training not being offered

A RECENT CO2 survey of Irish new car registrations in 2011 by Motorcheck.ie has revealed MINI to have the lowest aver-

age CO2 emission’s (117.1g/km) mak-ing MINI the cleanest brand in the land.

Motorcheck.ie CO2 measurement is a true-to-life survey of the 89,000+

vehicles registered in Ireland last year.Combining this significant achieve-ment with MINI’s competitive pricing, made all the more affordable through MINI Financial Services and low-cost road tax, is it any wonder that January 2012 saw a 100%+ increase in MINI registrations versus the same month last year. The best-selling model, the

MINI First, is currently available for just €299 per month with a €299 deposit*.

The survey was carried out by the car history experts Motorcheck.ie. Motorcheck.ie provides vehicle his-tory information for any vehicle reg-istered in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK.

See http://www.motorcheck.ie/blog/mini-is-the-cleanest-car-in-ire-land/

* Available through MINI select with MINI Financial Services over 36 months at 10,000km per annum with 3.5% APR. Optional Final Payment (inluding €75 fee) of €8,394.

Another reason to enjoy MINIMINI has the lowest average CO2 emission’s (117.1g/km) making it the cleanest brand in Ireland

The new B-MAX promises to set new standards with its unique design

and best-in-class technological features

FORD will throw open the doors to its all-new produc-tion-ready B-MAX compact multi-activity vehicle when it is revealed at the 2012 Gene-va Motor Show in March.

Ford president and CEO, Alan Mulally, will be in Gene-va to unveil the new B-MAX, which promises to set new standards with its unique design and best-in-class tech-nological features. Its return to Geneva, in full production form, comes just a year after the concept was unveiled at the Geneva show.

According to Stephen

Odell, chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe: “The B-MAX combines an excit-ing, innovative design, with features that only previously have been found in bigger cars.

“It’s a brand new car that responds to the needs of an increasing number of customers who want much more from their small cars,” he said.

Bringing the B-MAX to production demanded a new approach to door construc-tion, which has resulted in wide-open access for drivers,

passengers and luggage – with the centre pillars integrated into the doors themselves. The B-MAX also will deliver superior craftsmanship and high-quality materials rarely found on an affordable com-pact car, together with flex-ible seating and class-leading load-space.

Ford’s new 1.0-litre Eco-Boost petrol engine, with its advanced combination of power and efficiency, will be available on the B-MAX, as will Duratorq TDCi diesels. The Ford B-MAX goes on sale in Europe later this year.

New Ford B-Max to be revealed in Geneva

DRIVING


GazetteBUSINESSBUSINESS Supported by AIB

A NON-EURO CURRENCY ?Q – While many commentators say the euro will

fail or go to a two-tier system, I know you are still

positive about the euro. But if you had to put some

of your money abroad, which currency would

you invest in, why and what about the Norwegian

Krone? Alison – Co Dublin

A – I am on record as saying the euro will not fail, nor go

into a two-tier system. I do, however, agree with you in

the diversification philosophy. Don’t put all your eggs

in one basket, etc. However, as you saw from the Swiss

Franc, too much investment caused the currency to

strengthen, exports started to fall and the Swiss gov-

ernment intervened and devalued the Franc by 10% - so

much for safety ! So, the biggest worry is that exchange

rate. There is no point in moving it to another currency,

whether it be Canadian or Australian dollars, Sterling,

US dollars because unless it is a permanent move, you

will be repatriating the funds eventually and probably

anxious at the rate it will then be. One solution and what

I would recommend is a Danish Krone account:

- Minimum € 20,000 to open the account

- Investment period : 2 years 6 months

- Interest rate : 1.25% per annum

- Exit rate is guaranteed to match the entry rate or

better (you cannot lose)

- Covered by the Deposit Protection Scheme (€100,000

per person )

Call or email me for details. This is only available with

Danish Krone – if you want Norwegian Krone, you have

to take the exchange risk and ask is it worth it ?

CREDIT UNIONSQ – I took out a car loan with my credit union at

6.7% for five years nearly three years ago. I am now

in the middle of a contract payment and got a letter

to say they are increasing this rate to 8.9%. Can

they do this ? Am extremely annoyed, feel cheated

and wonder do I have any rights ? Mary – Co Dublin

A – I really empathise with you as it does seem unfair.

You are on what is known as a variable rate loan. This

gives your credit union the right to increase rates not

only as they increase in this country, but when they feel

additional margin is required. With the recent events

– the Financial Regulator had ordered over 300 of the

409 credit unions to stop paying dividends and interest

as both liquidity and bad debts were issues – including

the Newbridge Credit Union situation where an outside

accountancy firm was appointed by the Central Bank

to manage the office. On the bright side, any monies

held are safe as they are covered by the Government’s

Deposit Protection Scheme up to € 100,000 per person.

Go back to the credit union and renegotiate. If they

do not lower the rate to the original rate, ask them to

extend the loan so at least you are making the same

repayments as before. Extending that loan to six years

would DECREASE your repayments by € 8.42 per month !

Good luck with the negotiations.

� 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

� STAFF REPORTER

THE Bolton Trust/DIT Student Enter-prise Competition has announced a three-year sponsorship agreement with AIB.

The Bolton Trust is an independent vol-untary trust, actively committed to assisting people in creating sus-tainable business.

It was established in 1986 by staff of the Dublin Institute of Technology.

As part of its commit-ment to encourage and promote new business enterprise in Ireland, the student enterprise competition was set up in 1993.

It is a business plan competition and is open to the 20,000 students of DIT and has been running for 19 years. In that time it has grown to be the largest third-level com-petition of its kind in Ireland.

The competit ion promotes innovation and entrepreneurship amongst the students, and encourages them to apply their course work creatively to the

demands of real-life enterprise.

This year is the first year of AIB’s involve-ment with the compe-tition in a sponsorship role. Sharing a com-mitment to students and enterprise and innovation, it is an exciting and promising partnership.

N i c k D o n n e l l y , regional director of AIB Dublin South said: “We are delighted to be able to partner such a dynamic and inno-vative college as DIT, and applaud their work in providing students with the practical skills required for an ever-changing workplace.

“In conjunction with DIT, the hard work and dedication of the mem-bers of the Bolton Trust provides a platform for potential entrepreneurs to flourish.

“AIB recognises the importance of nurtur-ing this emerging tal-ent and, through our support of the Student Enterprise Compe-tition, would like to encourage the creativity and innovation which is essential for any suc-cessful business.”

AIB teams up with DIT in enterprise awards

ENTERPRISE: NEW SPONSOR FOR THIRD-LEVEL COMPETITION

At the announcement of AIB’s sponsorship of the Bolton Trust / DIT Student Enterprise Competition, were Rea O’Neill, chairman, Bolton

Trust; Nick Donnelly, regional director AIB; Paul O’Sullivan, dean of the DIT College of Business and Paudie O’Donnell, DIT

GazetteTTRAVELRAVEL

THE year 2012 is Nor thern Ire-land’s time to shine and emerge

as an international must-see tourism destination, according to Howard Hastings, chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).

Speaking in Dublin last week, Mr Hastings urged people throughout Ire-land to head north and play their part in making this a year to remember for Northern Ireland.

“This really is our time and our place to change global perceptions of Northern Ireland and put ourselves firmly on the global tourism map,” said Hastings.

NITB’s new £2 million marketing campaign, spearheaded by a new TV ad highlighting the exciting year ahead, was launched across Ireland in recent weeks, and is proving a big success, according to the board’s market manager (ROI), Fiona Cunningham.

“The reaction to our all-Ireland marketing campaign in the first two weeks has been phenom-enal,” Fiona said.

“The new advert is proving to be a huge suc-cess, not only on TV but also on YouTube, where it has picked up more than 34,000 views already.

“The opening of the world’s biggest Titanic exhibition in Belfast, and the associated Titanic Belfast Festival, kick-start a remarkable programme of historic events,” she said.

A new website, www.ni2012.com, contains everything visitors need to know about attractions and events in Northern Ireland this year.

For now, we have com-piled a breakdown of some must-visit attrac-tions happening in 2012.

Titanic Belfast Festival

2012: Belfast, April-May

A FUSION of interna-tional-scale events wor-thy of the great ship her-

self is planned to mark the centenary of Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage.

From the opening of the multi-million pound Titanic Belfast visitor attraction, through to commemoration servic-es on the 100th anniver-sary of the ship’s sinking, there will be something for everyone. A range of plays, tours, talks, films and major musical events will all position Belfast as the “home” of Titanic.

Peace One Day con-

cert: Derry-London-

derry, June 21

THE Peace One Day Concert on midsummer’s day will attract massive media attention and the biggest names in music.

It’s one of the kick-off events for the UK-wide London 2012 Festival, the finale of the four-year Cultural Olympiad which complements the sports at the Olympic and Para-lympic Games.

This concer t will showcase the iconic new public space at the historic Ebrington site in Derry-Londonderry, which is linked to the city centre via the new Peace Bridge. Massive Attack have already been confirmed to play at the gig, and other acts will be confirmed shortly.

2012 Irish Open: Por-

trush, June 28 – July 1

THE 2012 Irish Open will be hosted by Royal Por-trush Golf Club, bring-ing the world-class event to the Northern Ireland venue for the first time since 1947. Home-grown golfers Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowel l and Rory McIlroy have enjoyed recent major successes and have firmly established Northern Ire-land as the golfing capital of the world.

Land of Giants: Belfast,

June 30

LAND of Giants will cel-ebrate iconic Northern Ireland giants on an epic scale, with a spectacular


Travel EXTRA

show featuring music, acrobatics, pyrotechnics, special effects and a cast and crew of over 500 people, all in front of an audience of 20,000 on Belfast’s newest events space, the Titanic Slip-ways.

The event takes inspi-ration from some of the giants found in our local history, literature,

society and landscape – Jonathan Swift’s Gul-liver, the legendary Finn McCool, Harland and Wolff’s iconic Samson and Goliath, the ships, Olympic and Titanic, industrial achievements and, of course, the Giant’s Causeway.

Funded by Legacy Trust UK, Land of Giants will be a highlight of the

London 2012 Festival and will play a key role in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

Peace Camp, by Debo-

rah Warner: July 2012

CREATED by the renowned opera and theatre director, Deborah Warner, in collaboration with actor Fiona Shaw and creative producer

There has never been a better year to discover Northern Ireland

GrabOne Escapes sends Dubliners off packingBUDGET-SAVVY travellers in Dublin will be grabbing bargains galore on the new GrabOne Escapes website, www.GrabOneEscapes.ie, which launched last week.

Dubliners can save over 50% off everything from city breaks to scenic retreats, family attrac-tions, romantic getaways, spa breaks, cultural activities and outdoor adventures.

GrabOne Escapes will feature a range of fantastic daily offers for staycations and short breaks in Ireland, along with a selection of inter-national escapes.

The launch comes on the back of the hugely successful deal website, GrabOne.ie, which is already a winner with shoppers from Grafton Street to Dundrum, Temple Bar to Swords (and all across Ireland) who have saved over €6 mil-lion in less than a year.

Commenting on their new travel venture, Ruairi Doyle, general manager of GrabOne said: “GrabOne Escapes is a dedicated travel web-site, working with the best tourism and travel operators to offer outstanding value on breaks throughout the country and further afield. GrabOne Escapes makes taking a break in Ire-land or abroad even more affordable. And it is also a fun way to discover new places you may never have even thought about visiting.”

The launch is well-timed, with a recent survey by the National Consumer Agency indicating 57% of Irish consumers have already signed up to an online discount site, with an estimated 32% of the adult population having made a pur-chase and travel is, by far, one of the services in most demand.

Clontarf Castle in Dublin, Pillo Hotel in Gal-way and Irish Landmark Trust with properties across Ireland, are just some of the tourism trade who have already signed up for the initiative.

How does it work? Simply sign up to www.GrabOneEscapes.ie to view the great deal that’s on offer. If it takes your fancy, click buy and you’re ready for your next trip - all for a fantastic price.

GrabOne Escapes is built on the back of their hugely successful deal website GrabOne.ie which is currently available in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Galway, Kerry, Limerick and the South East, and has saved Irish consumers over €6 mil-lion in less than a year.

Scott Wylie-Dob finds a short cut at the launch

of GraboneEscapes.ie


A wealth of craft, food and small businesses on show in MeathCRAFTERS Ireland’s hugely popular Meath Craft and Food Fair are a great day out for the whole family, and will be taking place in the Newgrange Hotel, Navan, on February 26 from 12 noon until 5pm.

Visit over 30 of the best crafters, foodies and small businesses in the area, including restau-rant-quality curry sauce, wickless candles, the best cakes and biscuits Meath can offer, wood-turners, hand made jewellery, the forever living company, plus much much more.

For those who want to exhibit at this event, please contact Scott on 085 28 28 420, or check out www.craftersireland.ie.

FastTravel

Edited by

Mimi Murray

Artichoke, this major new living artwork has been co-commissioned by Derry~Londonderry Culture Company 2013 for the Cultural Olym-piad.

Insta l lat ions wi l l appear simultaneously from dusk until dawn at locations around the coast of the UK and Ireland. These glowing,

murmuring artworks are a poignant exploration of love poetry and a celebra-tion of the extraordinary variety and beauty of our coastline.

Clipper Homecom-

ing Maritime Festival:

Derry-Londonderry,

July 5-8

THE Clipper Round The World Yacht race will

make its homecoming leg from Nova Scotia to Northern Ireland, arriv-ing in Derry-Londonder-ry in late June 2012, and welcomed by a four-day maritime festival at the end of the following week to celebrate the visit of the world’s longest race.

This is an opportu-nity to be inspired by the endeavour of the crew

and take part in the cel-ebrations to welcome to Northern Ireland yacht crews from around the world.

FLAGS by Hans Peter

Kuhn: The Giant’s

Causeway, August/

September

THIS is the year the Giant’s Causeway unveils the visitor centre worthy of its giant reputation as a must-see destination.

FLAGS by Hans Peter Kuhn, a London 2012 Festival event, is an instal-lation embedded in the dramatic landscape of the Causeway, creating a new visitor experience, draw-ing on the natural power of the elements. A series of flags, randomly posi-tioned along the banks of the cliff face, will rotate freely in the wind, creat-ing a flickering pattern of yellow and red set against the backdrop of this spec-tacular landscape.

50th Ulster Bank

Belfast Festival at

Queen’s: Belfast, Octo-

ber 19 – November 3

DANCE, music, theatre, visual arts, film, classi-cal and world music will all come to life in many forms during this autum-nal event.

This year promises a world of talent on your doorstep, and, in 2012, an extended programme will dramatically increase its visibility and Northern

Ireland’s cultural offering, including Belfast’s world-class cultural venues.

For full details on the key events in ni2012, visit www.ni2012.com.

M

d k i h l l d l l ff i


GoingOUT�

GazetteENTERTAINMENT andENTERTAINMENT and NEW MEDIAPAVILION 01 231 2929The Glee Experience

STRAIGHT from two sell-out shows at The Olympia Theatre, The Glee Experience is a musical tribute to the smash hit TV show featuring all your favourite characters, songs and storylines.The workshop is at 3pm and 7pm on Saturday, February 18, with tickets priced €15.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 The Magic of Musical Theatre at The Mill

THE Mill Theatre is delighted to present this benefit with some of your favourite performers in a tribute to musical theatre. Guest artistes include West End star Roisin Sullivan, Sandra Oman, Eoin Cannon, The Glencullen and Kilmacud Musical Societies, Garry Mountaine, Jack and Mac, Joe Conlon, Alison Vard Miller and many more make this a truly magical evening.This performance takes place on February 18 at 8pm.Admission: €20/€18

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622Eddi Reader

CONSTANT touring with her band has created a magical organic chemistry between Eddi and her players. Whilst renowned for her technical vocal ability, it is Eddi’s passion and instinct that combine to ensure she connects emotionally with her audience.

She famously harmonised with Annie Lennox, touring with the Eurythmics, after her time with successful punk outfit Gang of Four. It was the short-lived but warmly remembered Fairground Attraction that really brought Eddi Reader into the limelight though.February 20 at 8pm. Tickets €20 / €18 conc Highly calculating

Oskar (Thomas Horn) is destined to spend all his inquisitve, highly-focused energy on uncovering his wise father’s (Tom Hanks) last mystery

when he discovers a mysterious key following his father’s death in the 9/11 attack in New York. Can Oskar discover the key’s importance?

Despite being a somewhat manipulative tale, the central actors’ performances elevate the film, to great effect� KATE CROWLEY

WITH the aura of Val-entine’s Day still linger-ing, I know that my dear readers are, most likely, expecting me to produce a luvverly film or two for your consideration.

Well, tough – you’ll both have to pick some-thing “rosemantic” your-selves to go and see.

Instead, Nicolas Cage is back with his sequel to Ghost Rider, and, with Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Cage delivers a tour-de-force bravura performance, as –

Oh, who am I kidding. You both know very well that I can’t abide Mr Cage, and so, I’m moving on to something less tragic…

…or, well, to something actually much more trag-ic. We’re now at the point where what’s simply referred to as 9/11 is – just about – acceptable as a plot-driver in films; some-thing that’s far enough back, yet still close to

today, to have resonance with many viewers, yet to almost be comfortably removed from the events of those awful days.

Here, 9/11 is the cata-lyst for Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close; the film loosely based on the top-selling book of the same name, by Jonathan Safran Foer.

Oskar (Horn) is a bright, talented and inquisitive young boy, drifting through life in New York with his moth-er (Bullock) since the loss of his father (Hanks) in the World Trade Center attack, where dad had

been at a meeting in one of the Twin Towers, but never made it home.

However, Dad’s never really far away, as much of Oskar’s life continues to be shaped by his decent father’s shadow, with the memories of their life together continuing to shape Oskar’s life.

Finding a mysterious key, Oskar knows – he just knows – that he has to find what it unlocks, somewhere in the city, and thus uncover his Dad’s last secret.

Dad also pops up regu-larly throughout the film, courtesy of flashbacks,

further reinforcing the family life and father-son relationship that drives Oskar forward in his mys-terious quest.

And so, with this mys-tery key to inspire him, Oskar’s afoot in the big city, off to explore and try and work out what the key unlocks, and where to find such a place.

Whatever about the dangers of a nine-year-old boy wandering New York’s boroughs by him-self, Oskar finds that, although the puzzle of finding where Dad’s key belongs could, perhaps, be beyond him, his jour-ney to find its resting place will bring him to lots of other people who have their own 9/11 sto-ries …

Straight off the bat, I should say that Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is certainly not “the” definitive 9/11 film – no doubt it’ll be decades, if at all, before such a film comes to pass – but, in a

somewhat manipulative way, it’s a striking film nonetheless.

Considering that the film’s puppetmaster – or director, Stephen Daldry – has orchestrated a ter-rific performance from newcomer, young Tho-mas Horn (with Hanks and Bullock exercising their acting chops a little, too, and with decent turns from the likes of the legen-dary Max von Sydow, and John Goodman, among others), it’s hard not to feel too bad about having heart strings, err, strung, and being manipulated into caring for Oskar, and the assorted characters he meets.

Despite the very book-ish-feeling that underpins it all – and without mak-ing any pun or wordplay at all – Horn’s towering performance, and the interesting, if slightly cal-culated, direction of the film raises it above the bog-standard movies also out this week.

FILM OF THE WEEK: Extremely Loud &

Incredibly Close �� (12A) 129 mins

OUR VERDICT:BASED on the best-selling (and highly controversial) book of the same name, this post-9/11 tale can feel pretty manipulative in parts. Still, young newcomer Thomas Horn delivers a knockout performance which rises above the somewhat calculated direction of the film, with his memorable character lifting the entire film by a grade, while Hanks and Bullock also deliver strong, memorable roles.

Director: Stephen DaldryStarring: Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks. Sandra Bullock, Max von Sydow, John Goodman, the ghost of 9/11

ENTERTAINMENT and NEW MEDIANEW MEDIA 16 February 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 25

� SHANE DILLON

TODAY, more than one state broadcaster around the world is wondering what the future holds for their national resource.

Here, Minister for Communications, Ener-gy & Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, faces some cold facts, regarding the fractures running under-neath RTE, and the state broadcaster’s finances, resources and remit.

The population is growing – now up to 4.8 million, as per the latest census – yet RTE contin-ues to face people switch-ing off their television sets and increasingly meeting their entertainment needs through their laptops, smartphones and games consoles instead.

Increasingly, this means that – for example – people may watch RTE online, even if “online” means sitting on the Luas from Dundrum or Tal-laght, via an app on their phone.

Meanwhile, many other

citizens are also tuning in online, or on the move, to a wide range of interna-tional broadcasters, such as the BBC, C4, Sky et al, ignoring RTE altogether.

Traditional TV view-ing now accounts for an ever-decreasing share of people’s personal time – and decreasing audi-ences also means further decreasing finances, once advertisers start pull-ing back from shows, or demanding revised rates.

FinancesMinister Rabbitte has

to consider the state of RTE’s finances, its public duties as the state broad-caster, and issues of both how to engage with the entire population in a fair and transparent man-ner – as well as what stick to wave for those with no intention of propping up what is, for many, an irrel-evant matter that they feel no connection to.

As such, the Govern-ment is still mulling over a new broadcast charge, which, as many read-

ers may know, is being mooted as a possible replacement for the tele-vision licence, as a catch-all new system to target everyone, and a means to ensure compliance from everyone to support pub-lic service broadcasting in the country.

It’s certainly an inter-esting proposition, on the face of it, as ever-increasing numbers have clearly abandoned watching many RTE pro-grammes on an actual television, only to watch these shows online, or via an app, instead.

However, while this issue is still far from the fore of the public con-sciousness, a number of thorny issues immedi-ately spring to mind – including, for starters, the issue of charging citizens for whatever content they access online.

After all, whatever about people watching RTE online, if an Irish citizen (or resident, say) watches BBC program-ming online, or America’s

NBC, or China’s CCTV, or Qatar’s Al-Jazeera, or even a multitude of pub-licly-available content on YouTube – how, then, can the Irish State charge citizens to access interna-tionally-available content that does not originate in the State itself?

When such online programming does not contribute one cent to the Irish purse, it must be asked how Minister Rab-bitte, and the Govern-ment, expects to charge for such access.

AccessThis is especially rel-

evant to ask, consider-ing that such individu-ally-selected content is not otherwise available within, or provided by, the Irish State – yet a broadcast charge would, in effect, constitute a tax, by another name, for internet access.

This raises further, interesting points about civil liberties, which I’ll leave for another day, but I cannot help but wonder

if such points are being duly considered.

In addition, I wonder how these international organisations (ranging from the aforementioned BBC to Al-Jazeera et al) would feel about the Irish Government, in effect, making money off their online broadcasts via a broadcast charge.

We can all agree that the State must charge for public service television, and that the Minister has to take steps to streamline revenues in line with the rapidly-changing viewer model, and the continu-ing decline and fragmen-tation of audience share in Ireland today.

However, the issue of what, exactly, a possible broadcast charge would constitute, as well as the issue of how to implement it – and then to police it, particularly regarding concerns over, in effect, creating a de-facto tax on internet access – could well be a sleeping dog with quite a bark for this Rabbitte, if awoken ...

Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, is faced with the difficulty in funding RTE as the State’s public service

broadcaster, while, at the same time, many citizens now access national and international programming online, rather than watch television

Challenging a Twitter precedentMANY readers know how Twitter is being used as an alternative means of communication around the world, with interesting questions emerging about Twitter’s use in the future, by both citizens and authorities alike.

In Britain, Doncaster man Paul Chambers’ legal case continues following his conviction for a January, 2010 Tweet, where he Tweeted to friends and followers that Robin Hood airport (which was closed by heavy snowfall, thus pre-venting him from travelling to Northern Ireland to see his girlfriend) had a week to reopen, “oth-erwise I’m blowing the airport sky high!”

However, authorities were not amused, and he was subsequently charged and convicted of causing a menace under the Communications Act 2003, in what is believed to be Britains’ first criminal conviction for the content of a Tweet.

At the time of writing, Chambers’ case was due to go before Britain’s High Court to appeal against his conviction under a number of free-dom of expression, and civil liberty grounds, with Chambers having already been given a £1,000 fine and losing his job. It’ll be interesting to see how Chambers’ case concludes.

Ah, for the good old, pre-Twitter days, when one could mutter unlikely threats without a legal precedent being set!

Bytesandpieces

Problem of imposinga broadcast charge


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THE player drain caused by the recession has been one of the bleaker stories for the GAA in the past few years, with clubs los-ing stalwarts to Australia, Canada and the US, thin-ning their ranks.

On the flip side, that drain has been acting as a link to the homeland for many Irish abroad. It is a connection which Ballinteer man, Cillian O’Chonchur, delicately

helps portray in the documentary, An Exile’s Home in the Bronx, which debuts this week on Setanta.

It follows the fortunes of the 2011 New York side and their struggles to pre-pare for a Connacht sen-ior football championship date with Roscommon, hoping for a maiden win.

The result did not materialise but, along the journey, O’Chonchur and directors Niall and Steven McCann, amassed over

80 hours of footage from within the camp, with heartfelt, personal inter-views with the players.

O’Chonchur, a sports journalist, came up with the original premise whilst on a Fulbright scholarship in New York, and says the story told became very much that of the players and their situations.

“The New York team, itself, would not have any major stars in it. Dan Doona played minor and U-21 for Kerry, and a few

TELEVISION: US EXPERIENCE INFORMS INSIGHTFUL PROGRAMME ON NEW YORK SIDE

The New York team prepare for their match against Roscommon in the Exiles documentary

Setanta to air GAA diaspora documentary

of them did similar but didn’t pursue it. One of them sums it up: ‘If foot-ball was their main goal, they’d be back in Ireland’,” he told GazetteSport.

“Although it’s based around the game with Roscommon, it hopefully comes across as not a straight, sports documen-tary but as one which sees these guys having to leave

Ireland for New York while at the same time trying to cling on to their only bit of Irishness.”

O’Conchur – whose brother Padraic lines out for Ballinteer St John’s senior footballers – had initially looked at making the documentary in 2010, centring on the American side’s tussle with Galway.

He and another Irish

masters’ student at New York University initially put together a piece for a college television project, building a rapport with the players and team man-agement and approached Setanta with a view to broadcasting it.

They backed it and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland came through with funding for the

project in March of 2011.“I came back to Ireland

in May [2010] and started writing up a treatment and then found out last March we got the funding so, from then until two weeks ago, it was pretty much all I eat, dreamed and slept. There’s no bet-ter way to learn some-thing than doing every-thing yourself.”

GazetteSPORTDUBLIN ALL-STARS: DUBLIN ALL-STARS: All the winners from All the winners from the Dublin Sports the Dublin Sports Awards: Awards: Pages 28-29Pages 28-29


GazetteSportSport

Sports Awards

Every one’s a winnerT

HE third annual Dublin Sports Awards took place recently at the Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley and once again proved to

be a true celebration of the best of Dublin’s sporting communities. The gala night saw Olympic athlete Deir-dre Ryan and Somerton club Castleknock GAA rewarded for their achievements in 2011 with the Sports Person and Sports Team of the Year prizes. The event will form part of a programme to air on Setanta Sports in the coming weeks, and we will keep you posted as to air dates and times as soon as we have them.

Team of the Year - Castleknock’s celebrations begin. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Insaka FC’s James Igwilo and coach Uby Ufoh

Camillus and Maura Muldowney representing golfer Sheena McElroy

Swords Celtic’s Vincent

McGrath

Motor star Gary Thompson talks to Paul Dempsey

Deirdre Ryan’s father, PJ

Fingallians’ Paddy Kelly

for the junior hurlers

Wigan star Conor

Sammon’s father, Hilary

Cricketer George Dockrell and Sarah Sarsfield

Lucan Sarsfields’ camogie mentors, Thomas Dowling, Mary Rigney and Joe Whyte


in association with

St Brigid’s Kevin Bonner, Alan Daly and Graham Norton

Leeanne Royle with dad, David, and mum, Tina, with

Kim and Mark Maguire

Canoe stars Neil Fleming and Peter Egan

Paul Ryan Ryan O’Dwyer

Mountview’s Cian McGrath Hannah TyrrellCMH Ballon’s Tomas Ilves and captain Majuydas

Brian Murphy

Annalise Murphy’s

brother, Finn

Paul Dempsey chats to Mick Lynch of Castleknock GAA

Dublin footballer Kevin Nolan with Lorna Atkinson,

Fiona Waters and Hazel Nestor

FastSport

Bohs back depression

awareness charity BOHEMIANS showed their sup-port for the Lean on Me depres-sion awareness last Monday night by wearing the Lean On Me logo on their jerseys in their Setanta Cup match against Portadown.

Bohemians are currently without a long-term shirt sponsor and are using the opportunity to promote the cam-paign, which is supported by Lund-beck and Aware.

The Professional Footballers’ Asso-ciation of Ireland (PFAI) and the

Irish Rugby Union Players’ Associa-tion (IRUPA) have also announced their partnership with the depression awareness campaign.

General secretary of the PFAI, Stephen McGuinness, said: “The PFAI have come on board with the Lean On Me campaign to try and encourage our members and the wider public, to open up and talk to someone if they think they might be struggling with symptoms of depres-sion.”

For more information, log on to www.leanonme.net, or contact the Aware loCall helpline at 1800 303 302.

’Rock image wins world recognitionAN ICONIC image from the match between Old Belvedere and Blackrock College in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League Division 1A match at Anglesea Road was awarded the second-place prize in the Sports Singles’ Category at the 55th annual World Press Photo Contest.

Sportsfile snapper Ray McManus’ picture was chosen from over 100,000 entries worldwide.

McManus said: “It’s a huge privilege for both Sportsfile and myself to be honoured on an international stage. This is the third time that we have been awarded for our work at the contest, and underlines the hard work and dedica-tion of the Sportsfile team.”

GazetteSportSport


Trophies on tour: Leinster legends bring cups to crowdTHE RBS 6 Nations and Triple Crown Tro-phies arrived in Dublin recently and Lein-ster rugby stalwarts, Bernard Jackman and Shane Horgan, with friend Shannon Murray, brought the prestigious trophies to the Ulster Bank Donnybrook branch to share with staff and customers as part of the bank’s RBS 6 Nations Trophy Tour which aims to highlight the Ulster Bank RugbyForce club initiative, where clubs can register by April 13 on www.ulsterbank.com/rugby for the chance to win a club makeover worth €5,000.

FastSport

Malahide bow out of Bryne after Guinness brew winMALAHIDE 2nd XV bowed out of the Jim Byrne Cup at the semi-final stage last week in a low-scoing game against Guinness that saw a single penalty score the difference between the sides.

Guinness have already tasted success this season, capturing the Leinster League Division Three title with two games to spare, but Malahide showed early signs that they were capable of cre-ating enough pressure to worry their hosts.

But as the hosts were able to repel their lines, it was Guinness who looked the likelier side, with some great tackling from Paddy McGee and Karl Morris keeping the game scoreless.

Malahide kept trying to create opportunities, but they never really came to terms with the nar-row pitch, in contrast to the open spaces of Estu-ary Road. Wing Jonny Martin did give the visitors some reward with a well-struck penalty on the half hour to give them a 3-0 lead.

However, Guinness came straight back at Malahide and, with just a couple of minutes of the half remaining, they won a penalty in front of the Malahide posts. The successful kick levelled the scores at half-time.

Malahide faced an uphill struggle in the second half playing into the elements but they produced a great start with half backs Declan Berkeley and Tommy Browne starting to control things. Malahide started to adjust to the narrow pitch running hard at the Guinness midfield and getting through quick phases.

However, the continuing theme of handling errors was costing the side dearly as with each error, Guinness were able to clear their lines.

The home side then established some posses-sion of their own in the Malahide half and after one unsuccessful penalty attempt a second effort found it’s mark and the home team moved into a 6-3 lead.

However, it was Malahide who were soon back on the attack and, when the home team were caught offside, Jonny Martin stepped up to level the scores.

With everything to play for the pace of the game increased with both sides putting some good phases together but it was Guinness who controlled much of the territory. They turned the ball over from another Malahide error and their accomplished outhalf stepped back into the pocket to drop a neat goal and restore the home team’s three-point lead.


REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Giovanni Trap-attoni was on hand last week to help to launch the FAI/Fingal County Council grassroots initia-tive, The Road To Poland, at FAI headquarters, Abbotstown.

The initiative, set up in conjunction with Swords Pavilions, is a community strategy that will bring the soccer-loving youth of Fingal together and see training camps and tour-naments across the area in the coming months.

The grassroots initia-tive has been a huge suc-cess to date, with three

after-school coaching programmes set up in Balbriggan, and there are four more planned for Swords, together with an unique Road to Poland 4v4 tournament play competition coming up in the weeks ahead.

One lucky winner from this competition will have the honour of being a mascot at the Aviva sta-dium for the last Republic of Ireland home friendly against Bosnia on May 26, before the team sets off for Poland and EURO 2012.

Under the guidance of FAI/Fingal County Council development officers, Paul Keogh and

Michael Pender, the partnership with Swords Pavilions has meant close to 500 boys and girls in primary schools in the region will have EURO 2012 brought a little clos-er to them.

Commenting on the initiative, FAI Head of Grassroots Liam McGroarty said: “With UEFA EURO 2012 on the horizon the FAI are delighted to announce this as one of many grass-roots initiatives aimed at growing participation in the game.

“Football plays an important role in many people’s lives and hope-fully this will bring this

summer’s event closer to the hundreds of boys and girls that will no doubt be taking part in this initia-tive.

“We are delighted Swords Pavilions have come on board as a community partner and we look forward to the excitement of Poland and the build up through pro-grammes such as these.

“We are delighted to be a FAI Community Partner supporting their grassroots skills pro-gramme. Both the after-schools skills programme and the Road to Poland 4v4 skills programme are great initiatives that provide an opportunity

for kids to get involved in sport and learn new skills.

“We see this partner-ship as a key element of our involvement in our local community,” said Ian Hunter, Centre Direc-tor at Swords Pavilions.

Marion Brown, Princi-pal Sports Development Officer, Fingal County Council, said; “Fingal County Council’s Sports Office and the FAI have a fantastic relationship and this programme is another example of how both organisations, work-ing together, are affecting young people in a posi-tive way at grassroots level.”

Trap launches 2012 road map

SOCCER: INITIATIVE WILL SEE WINNERS LEAD OUT IRELAND

Swords Pavilions director, Ian Hunter, FCC Mayor, Cllr Gerry McGuire, Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli with Chloe and Honey Gannon

in association with


CLUB NOTICEBOARDST SYLVESTER’SALAN Morris captained Fingal hurl-

ers to success in the Kehoe Shield

final last Sunday. This was a great

honour for Alan and the Fingal hurl-

ers, and a proud day also for St Syl-

vester’s.

Ace forward Sinead Aherne scored

five points when Dublin maintained

their 100% start to the National

Football League Division 1 cam-

paign, with a ten points to seven

victory over Meath.

All four adult football teams got

off to the perfect start this week-

end with excellent wins. The seniors

came back from a half-time deficit

to defeat St Vincent’s.

New managers Declan McGrath

and Shane Cowley also defeated St

Vincent’s with the junior 1 team. The

second junior team had an excellent

victory over Castleknock, built on a

very solid defence.

The Under-16A football team

scored five goals in defeating Bal-

lymun in a hard-fought encounter,

and the Under-16B team also put up

a big score in their win over Erin Go

Bragh.

The fixtures for next week are

already up on the website.

Next week’s lotto jackpot is €1,400.

Play and win on www.stsylvesters.

ie

THE car draw has reached a critical

stage with only two weeks left to the

draw, and still a considerable way

to go to reach target. Members are

asked to get all tickets in as soon as

possible.

Camogie update: The club, in the

last six months, has start coaching

for camogie players. This year, the

club will enter teams at U-8 and U-13

level. The U-8s will play at 11am on

every second Sunday morning from

mid-March, and the U-13s will play

on Saturday mornings at 12pm. For

further information, please contact

[email protected]

The club will host a Foundation

Award Programme on Friday, March

2 from 6.30 to 10pm and Saturday,

March 3, from 10 to 11.30am. This pro-

gramme is an introductory course

for parents and mentors wishing

to look after teams within the club.

Should you wish to book a place,

please contact padraig.durkan.gpo.

[email protected]. Attendance on both

days is required to get certified by

the GAA and The Irish Sports Council.

There will be no fee.

Well done Sarah Murray and Colin

O’Hegerty who recorded personal

best times in the 60m at the senior

indoor championships at the Odys-

sey Arena, Belfast.

FINGALLIANS

ST VINCENT DE PAUL CUPSt Sylvester’s 1-11

St Vincent’s 1-8


ST SYLVESTER’S sen-ior footballers got the 2012 football season off to a winning start with a hard-fought win over local rivals St Vincent’s in the Vincent De Paul cup match played in Broomfield last Sunday morning.

Playing conditions were very good for the time of year, the sun shining, no wind and the pitch in very good order despite all the rain which had fallen over the previous 48 hours. The two teams deserve great credit in serving up a very good standard of football and a decent attendance enjoyed the competitive fare on offer.

Recen t mee t ing s between these two have been very competitive and Sunday’s match did not disappoint as both

sides were well up for it and passions ran high on a few occasions, with Vincent’s being reduced to 14 men for the final quarter.

Syl’s started the better and new recruit Conor Daly had the umpires working in the first few minutes with two lovely points. Vincent’s opened their account on eight minutes before Ciaran Roche and an Eoin Fan-ning free had Syl’s 0-4 to 0-1 in front after 13 min-utes.

The Malahide men continued to enjoy most of the possession but failed to increase their lead and Vincent’s hit them with two points from Ciaran Dorney and Neil Billings to leave just a point in it with 18 min-utes gone.

Then Vincent’s struck for goal when a long punt forward caused indecision in the Syl’s defence and Mark Lof-tus punched over Robbie Wallace for a goal and a

two point advantage. This was a lead Vin-

cent’s maintained to half-time as the sides added two points each before the break, Syl’s points coming from Fionn Cahill (on his sen-ior debut) and another from midfielder Shane O’Connor, 0-6 to 1-5.

The second half start-ed as the first had ended with both sides battling for every inch and scores were hard to come by. It was Vincent’s who regis-tered first blood on eight minutes through Dor-ney to stretch their lead to three, before Daly cut in from the right to reply for Syl’s with his third point of the match.

Syl’s continued to press, driven on by Ross Hazley and Shane O’Connor in midfield and the impressive Brian Sexton at centre back. The home side began to gain the upper hand. After 14 minutes, Vincent’s were reduced to 14 when corner back

Rory Stapleton got his marching orders for a high challenge on Cahill and, two minutes later, Syls were back in front through Fanning when he got on the end of a breaking ball to rifle it into the bottom corner.

Vincent’s responded immediately to level for the final time on 20 minutes, but Syl’s finished strongly with points from Daly, Cahill and sub Eoghan Boyne to emerge three-point victors.

FOOTBALL: SAINTS TAKE WING WITH CUP WIN

St Sylvester’s claimed their first win of the new season with a St Vincent De Paul Cup win

Syl’s kick off in style with Vincent’s victory

Call our SPORTS TEAM on 60 10 240 or

email [email protected]

LOCAL TEAM WIN?WE WANT TO KNOW!YOUR LOCAL PAPER FOR LOCAL SPORTS

ST FINIAN’STHE Under-12 camogie team had

another great win in Gormanston on

Sunday. Well done, girls.

The adult footballers had their first

fixture last Thursday against St Mar-

garet’s. Under difficult conditions,

both teams contributed to an exciting

match that ended with St Margaret’s

scoring the winning point with the last

kick of the game.

Congratulations to David Hattie and

Aaron Cullen, who played for the Fin-

gal team that beat Armagh to win the

Kehoe Shield final last Sunday.

The club pitch co-ordinator is James

Devlin. Please give James a call if you

have any questions regarding pitch

availability.

Sam Maguire will be coming out to

the club on Saturday, March 4, and

each team will have the opportunity

to have their picture taken with the

cup.

We are running a Fantasy Chelten-

ham competition and tickets (€20) can

be got from any committee member.

The Lotto jackpot was €3,600 and the

numbers drawn were 3, 7, 8 and 22.

Ga

zetteSPORT


MALAHIDE-born Shane Dagg achieved another outstanding success in his fledgling rugby career when he played an important part in British Columbia Under-17’s victory at the North American Rugby Sevens’ Tourna-ment in Las Vegas.

His side came out on top in the competition with six wins from six last Saturday when they got the better of teams from Canada, the US and Bermuda.

En route to the trophy, Dagg scored tries in both the 12-7 semi-final win over the Ari-zona Bobcats and two in the final against the Calgary Celtics, to make them the top sevens’ outfit at this level in North America.

It follows his gold medal a year ago on the Canadian circuit as part of the British Colum-bia Under-16 provincial team at the Canada Rugby Under-16 National Trophy.

From there, Dagg answered a call into the

Canadian U-17 national academy and has gone on to participate in camps and tours for specialised, intensive training which has con-tinued into 2012.

As such, he is aiming at taking a place in the Canadian team, who look set for action in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro when rugby sevens is included in the Games for the first time after making its debut as a test event in London later this year.

BoostDagg’s performances in Vegas will also have

been boosted by the presence of many impor-tant figures in the sevens’ game at the event at the Silver Bowl complex.

The Youth Tournament is being staged along-side the World Series IRB International Rugby Sevens Tournament and the Youth Teams also watched and learned from some of the world’s best players as Samoa won with victory over New Zealand in the final.

More than 180 teams competed overall in multiple competitive divisions for men, women and youth, with Dagg travelling to the com-petition under the wing of head coach Shane Thompson.

Thompson has previous experience coach-ing the Canadian national side at the Com-monwealth Games and at the 2009 World Cup before switching to underage coaching.

And he felt the experience was a huge step for his side.

“This was an important tour for these young players and it’s great that they had coaches who have been to the top level,” said Thomp-son.

“It’s great to see former national players giv-ing back to the game, particularly this group who, along with myself, featured under former sevens coach Doug Tate together.

“There was so much information passed on at every training session that these young play-ers will benefit from.”

Dagg rocks Vegas Dagg rocks Vegas in Sevens’ stylein Sevens’ styleMalahide youngster making waves on rugby scene with Las Vegas victory in British Columbia colours

Malahide teenager Shane Dagg was celebrating British Columbia’s victory at the Las Vegas Invitational;

ALL OF YOUR MALAHIDE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31 FEBRUARY 16, 2012

KICKING ON: Trappatoni launches new

local soccer initiative in Fingal area P30

YEAR IN REVIEW:Dublin celebrates its sporting heroes P28-29

malahide

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