LookWest News

Made in the West – Craft in the Digital Age

Thu, 31 May 2012 20:07:22 +0100

Made in the West – Craft in the Digital Age

Mayo Craft Event, June 12th 2012, Ballina Arts Centre

Mayo County Council, Department of Community and Integrated Development and WESTBIC, the Irish partners in the CISNET project are offering an opportunity for interested craft businesses and artists to attend a FREE event which is designed to give:

practical information and inputs for the craft sector locally and regionally. These include marketing, exploring new markets, e-commerce, information and networking opportunities.
There will also be inputs from 2 craft artists

outlining their experiences in using the web to market their products
experience of an artist who participated in the Irish Pavillion @ the Fule International Ceramic Art Museum, Fuping,China

Speakers include:

Orla Casey, Momentum Consulting,
Alan Ardiff, Craft Artist, & Siobhan Riordan, Business Partner,
Emma McGrath, Trade Development Manger, Crafts Council of Ireland,
James Burke, James Burke & Associates
Tina Byrne, Craft Artist

In the afternoon there will be a Networking and Information Event with confirmed representation from:

The Crafts Council of Ireland
Mayo County Enterprise Board
Mayo Ideas Lab
WESTBIC
CISNET
Moy Valley Resources
South West Mayo Development Company
The Creative State North West, 4CNW Programme

There will also be a pop up exhibition by artists from Craftworks Mayo in Ballina Arts Centre on the day

Registration:

If you would like to reserve a place at this seminar, please email Neil Sheridan, nsheridan@mayococo.ie or phone: 094 90 47556 before Friday 8th June.

About CISNET

CISNET is a European project, funded by the Atlantic Area Transnational Programme, and set up to support small and medium sized enterprises in the creative & cultural industries. CISNET provides a range of services to professionals and enterprises working in creative sub-sectors such as design & media, architecture, film & video, advertising, music, publishing, broadcasting, arts & crafts, software and heritage. CISNET brings together partners from the Atlantic Regions of Europe including Ireland, Wales, France Portugal and Spain. http://cisnetwork.eu/

Image Caption: Work from Lisa Ryder, Textile Designer. Image from CCOI website here.

FREE Information event for Craftspeople in Mayo

Thu, 31 May 2012 16:25:12 +0100

Mayo Craft Event - Made in the West

June 12th, Ballina Arts Centre

Mayo County Council, Department of Community and Integrated Development and WESTBIC, the Irish partners in the CISNET project are offering an opportunity for interested Craft businesses and artists to attend a FREE event which is designed to give:

practical information and inputs for the craft sector locally and regionally. These include marketing, exploring new markets, e-commerce, information and networking opportunities.

There will also be inputs from 2 craft artists

outlining their experiences in using the web to market their products
experience of an artist who participated in the Irish Pavillion @ the Fule International Ceramic Art Museum, Fuping,China

Speakers include:

Orla Casey, Momentum Consulting,
Alan Ardiff, Craft Artist, & Siobhan Riordan, Business Partner,
Emma McGrath, Trade Development Manger, Crafts Council of Ireland,
James Burke, James Burke & Associates
Tina Byrne, Craft Artist

In the afternoon there will be a Networking and Information Event with confirmed representation from:

The Crafts Council of Ireland

Mayo County Enterprise Board

Mayo Ideas Lab

WESTBIC

CISNET

Moy Valley Resources

South West Mayo Development Company

The Creative State North West, 4CNW Programme

There will also be a pop up exhibition by artists from Craftworks Mayo in Ballina Arts Centre on the day
If you would like to reserve a place at this seminar, please email Neil Sheridan, nsheridan@mayococo.ie
or phone: 094 90 47556 before Friday 8th June.

CISNET

CISNET is a European project, funded by the Atlantic Area Transnational Programme, and set up to support small and medium sized enterprises in the creative & cultural industries. CISNET provides a range of services to professionals and enterprises working in creative sub-sectors such as design & media, architecture, film & video, advertising, music, publishing, broadcasting, arts & crafts, software and heritage. CISNET brings together partners from the Atlantic Regions of Europe including Ireland, Wales, France Portugal and Spain. cisnetwork.eu/

More jobs in Kiltimagh with expansion of web design company Attik Designs Ltd

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:50:32 +0100

It’s another good news day for Kiltimagh as Attik Designs Ltd. moves into the Cairn International Trade Centre as part of their expansion programme. They join existing tenants West Coast Dental, who took up office space there in January. This brings the total number of jobs in the centre to eight with expansions planned before the end of the year which will increase this number further.

Attik Designs Ltd. is a professional web design company based in the West of Ireland. At Attik Designs the emphasis is on clean, efficient and professional web design. They provide the complete range of services to design, create, develop and maintain websites for business owners and entrepreneurs.

They are always on the lookout for business owners who are serious about developing their business online, either through creating their first website, or developing their business through e-commerce. If that sounds like you, why not give them a call? Whatever you have in mind, from simple elegant web designs with the emphasis on look and feel, to powerful database-driven web portals where it’s all about the content, they can make it happen.

The business was established in early 2008 by Adrian Corcoran, who saw a gap in the market in Mayo to provide a professional, high quality web design service without the Celtic Tiger-inflated agency prices, common in the East of the country. Since then, through client recommendation, building business relationships and word of mouth marketing using the BNI system alone, the business has grown into a company with four staff and over two hundred happy clients, and will hire more staff this year.

When asking about how they have grown successfully in the harsh economic climate, Adrian Corcoran says, “The tightening of budgets all round has made business people examine where they spend their money. If you can provide a consistently high-quality service, at reasonable rates, are honest with your clients and work hard for them, then I believe you will be successful in your business”.

Karen McCrann, also a director of Attik Designs, comments: “What sets us apart from the competition is that all design work and programming is carried out in-house and custom-designed for each client. This allows us to provide a personalised and tailored service to our clients. Where possible, we meet our clients in person and these face-to-face meetings are commonly the reason our clients build confidence and trust in us, and subsequently choose to work with us.”

Attik Designs Ltd. has now relocated to the Cairn International Trade Centre, where it will continue to grow and expand its business. Describing the move, Adrian remarked, “Moving to the Cairn International Trade Centre will allow us to continue to grow and expand our business, providing employment and creating economic activity in Kiltimagh and the surrounding area. The facilities in the centre are top class, perfectly suited to our business, and working in an environment like this has already brought an increased feeling of professionalism and confidence to our team.”

Welcoming Attik Designs Ltd. to the Cairn International Trade Centre, the CEO of IRD Kiltimagh Ltd., Joe Kelly said “Attik Designs Ltd. can now grow, creating economic activity and jobs, in the excellent space provided in the Cairn International Trade Centre, a modern office workspace with access to all facilities including Fibre Based Broadband, a setting appropriate to the nature of the business itself. The Cairn International Trade Centre has been put in place by IRD Kiltimagh Ltd with support from the Western Development Commission and Enterprise Ireland at an overall cost of over €7m. It provides a top quality but very affordable workspace environment and access to modern infrastructure and communications facilities, in 15 suites ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 sq. ft. At capacity, the building could accommodate in excess of 200 employees and is seen as having the potential to make a major impact on the economic activity of the East Mayo area over the coming years”.

He praised the Directors and Staff of Attik Designs Ltd. for having the ability and confidence to look forward and grow the business in the current climate, for the innovative nature of the project, the rate at which it has expanded and the extensive plans the promoters have for the future. He thanked them for choosing the Cairn Trade Centre as the base for their project and said that he looked forward to working with them to expand the project further in the future.

Image Caption: L-R, Karen McCrann, Adrian Corcoran and Sarah Jane McCrann of Attik Designs Ltd. pictured in their new office suite in the Cairn International Trade Centre, Kiltimagh.

Trial of a new passenger Ferry service linking North Clare to Galway City

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:54:54 +0100

North Clare and Galway City commuters could have their travel time more than halved as a new ferry service linking the area with Galway City Centre is trialled later this summer.

The innovative route will connect the new pier in Ballyvaughan with the docks in Galway and run three times a day if there is a demand for it. To see if this need exists Ballyvaughan Bay Hop will run a fast ferry service between Ballyvaughan and Galway City during the week of June 25 to June 30.

Departing from the New Pier, Ballyvaughan at 7.45am, 12.30pm, and 5pm, the service will run three times daily and will facilitate commuters from North Clare needing to travel to Galway. Weekly departures from Galway Harbour are at 8.45am, 1.30pm and 6pm.

Dublin woman Gwen Ryan lives in Ballyvaughan and works in Galway. She came up with the idea for the Bay Hop on her own commute to work in NUI Galway. In early 2010, the idea was further developed during a community think tank before a feasibility study was undertaken last year. She is chair of the Ballyvaughan Bay Hop Project Group.

The group had hoped a service would be in place by the return of the Volvo Ocean Race to Galway this summer. The last day of next month’s trial run coincides with the opening of the Volvo Ocean Race celebrations in Galway.

“Obviously we hope it will go well. This trial is in the summer so there are a lot of students living in the area who will be finished for the summer holidays and won’t be using the service. It is a novel form of transport and if you think about it, because we live in rural Ireland, we are not used to having the option of using public transportation in the first place. The bus won’t bring us to work on time so we are used to using our private cars so just having the option of something else is good. Then on top of that, the idea of using a boat is even more novel and this trial is really so because we want to see if people will try it,” Gwen added.

There is parking for 20 cars at the New Pier so commuters can park and ride across the bay directly into the heart of Galway city. As well as halving the time spent travelling, a 10-journey commuter ticket will be cheaper than a tank of petrol, making the ferry a more cost-effective commuting option.

“The journey will take approximately 30 minutes as well a few minutes getting on or off the boat. With no traffic the journey would take 50 minutes but could take one hour to an hour and a half in traffic. The weekly tickets are cheaper than taking the car so the tickets are really good value. It saves money as well as time,” she went on.

The service will be operated by Rib West on behalf of Ballyvaughan Bay Hop in a fully licensed enclosed passenger rib as part of a pilot project to establish a community fast passenger service serving the North Clare region. The vessel being used for the trial week will hold nine passengers but if the service goes ahead, this is likely to be increased to 12 passengers.

“The sea can be unpredictable so if the boat is not sailing on a morning, there would be an alternative road service. If you book ahead we send an SMS to confirm the sailing or advise passengers of the alternative method of transport. Hopefully we can prove that this will be a reliable service,” said Gwen.

The Ballyvaughan Bay Hop Project Group will begin promoting the service in Galway in the coming weeks and its members are hoping to attract people to visit or stay overnight in the Burren.

“This is not a business for us, it is a community venture. If there is a demand for the service we would set up a not-for-profit organisation to run it. If it all comes together it will give people who live here in Ballyvaughan a boost. It will make their commute a bit easier. It might even attract more people here to live and commute into the city,” Gwen concluded.

For more informtion visit www.ballyvaughanbayhop.com

Article via Clare Champion

Sligo to celebrate a season of Yeats

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:13:15 +0100

The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, today officially launched A Season of Yeats – a new exciting tourism initiative for Sligo which sets out to widen the local appeal and increase the tourism value of W. B. Yeats and the wider Yeats Family connection to Sligo. The Minister announced €200k in funding, via Fáilte Ireland, to support the initiative over the next three years.

The Season of Yeats is being led out by Fáilte Ireland and local interest groups and tourism businesses to once and for all cement the poet’s strong association with Sligo and through this connection, to deliver on a high quality literary and entertainments programme that will go from strength to strength.

Minister Ring today emphasised: “A Season of Yeats is a clever and innovative way to fill a gap in Sligo’s cultural calendar. It presents a variety of cultural events and will deliver a unique visitor experience for national and international visitors to Sligo – especially those wishing to connect with all aspects of the Yeats Family’s cultural heritage and legacy.
“I know that the opening event, Yeats Day, was recently launched in both Dublin and Sligo but I want everyone to know that there will also be a further six weeks of Yeats-related activities. If you like culture, beautiful landscapes and friendly people, then Sligo should be firmly on your map this Summer.”

A SEASON OF YEATS – THE PROGRAMME

A Season of Yeats will begin on June 13th (the anniversary of the poet’s birthday) and will continue over a 6 week period initially growing to a longer season over the three year period. Events will be supported by community level activation and animation. Fáilte Ireland will engage with local businesses to ensure all stakeholders are involved in Yeats Season. Animations such as walking tours, pop-up shops and poetry recitals will bring Yeats and his works to life.

The programme will feature exhibitions of Jack and John Yeats’ work atThe Model, readings and performances of W.B. Yeats’ work at Hawk’s Well and Blue Raincoat’s Theatre and at Drumcliff; a series of talks and films surrounding the Yeats Family; promoting an integrated inclusive Yeats programme in Sligo which will see a series of quality events around music performances and further exhibitions.

Fáilte Ireland in the North West will drive the Yeats initiative A Season of Yeats in close collaboration with all stakeholders, ensuring Sligo can deliver a quality programme of Yeats’ themed events, appealing to a wide audience at home and abroad.

Fáilte Ireland is also developing a dedicated websitewww.seasonofyeats.com which will contain information on all of the events and activities that are part of A Season of Yeats. The website will deliver on a strong social media forum, twitter, Facebook, and u tube, and will be launched on 25th May.

The Yeats International Summer School, now in its 53rd year, has long been a champion of the Yeats legacy in the region and has maintained the academic integrity and quality of Yeats work on offer to an international audience. This integrity is key to the growth of the festival and A Season of Yeats is working closely with the society and its president to maximise the potential of Yeats in the most appropriate way.

Delcath opens European Headquarters in Galway

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:02:27 +0100

Delcath Systems, Inc. with an Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore TD officially opened today the Galway, Ireland, headquarters of Delcath Systems Limited (Delcath Limited), an Irish company under which Delcath will conduct its European operations. Delcath is the developer of the Hepatic CHEMOSAT® Delivery System, a device used in a new therapeutic approach for patients with cancers in the liver. The CHEMOSAT system delivers concentrated chemotherapy to the liver with manageable systemic toxicity. As many as 56,000 patients in Europe with cancers in the liver could benefit from treatment with the CHEMOSAT system each year.

The opening of its headquarters follows the achievement of several European milestones for Delcath. The Company has established initial launch and training agreements with nine leading cancer treatment centers across Europe, and has recently received its first commercial orders for the CHEMOSAT system. The Company also recently received CE Mark for the second generation hemofiltration cartridge of the CHEMOSAT system, which has demonstrated removal of chemotherapeutic agent (melphalan hydrochloride) of greater than 98 percent during drug infusion in an in vivo study. With the new hemofiltration cartridge, the CHEMOSAT system may help to improve the management of side effects on treated patients and potentially complement other systemic cancer therapies.

“Galway provides us with an excellent base from which we can continue our commercialization of the CHEMOSAT system in Europe” said Eamonn P. Hobbs, President and CEO of Delcath System, Inc. “This region is the European home for many international medical device and pharmaceutical companies, and we have been able to staff our headquarters with well-qualified, experienced personnel. Together with the assistance provided by IDA Ireland, the area was a natural choice.”

In welcoming the official opening, IDA Ireland CEO Barry O’Leary said, “Ireland is a leading location for medical device companies with 17 of the top 25 global companies in this industry with operations here. The growth and success of Delcath further adds to Ireland’s reputation as a hub for the life sciences industry and is an important addition to the medical device cluster in the West region.”

Bag a bargain at Cairde Arts Festival Big Auction

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:24:43 +0100

The Cairde Festival is Sligo's annual arts festival celebrating diversity. The festival takes place for one week each year in July and Sligo comes alive with an excellent range of music, theatre, dance, children's and family events, visual art and more. 

Some of this year's highlights include Yungchen Lhamo in concert with Liam O'Maonlai, Madu, Delicious O'Grady, The Cool Mules, Papagena Puppet Theatre and a whole lot more. Annual highlights include The Shelly River Boat Race and Park Fest – two massive outdoor celebrations for all the family and all for free! 

To enable the Cairde Festival to bring such a wonderful festival to the town, the Cairde committee is busy year round raising funds. The Big Auction is the main annual fundraiser and is also a great night out. Businesses and individuals in Sligo are extremely generous in donating a wide range of goods and services which we then auction off at a reduction of the original price. 

It’s win win! Come to the auction – bag a bargain whilst raising funds and helping us to present an excellent week long festival.

Some of the items on auction this year include art and craft work by Rachel Quinn , Billie Moore, Barra Cassidy, and Lynda Gault; sailing, surfing , fishing and flying lessons; Cinemobile Hire; One night’s B & B and dinner B&B in Markree Castle; Festival and concert tickets, Jewellery, vintage clothes and lots more. Check out our facebook event for a more comprehensive listing. 

The Cairde Arts Festival wishes to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have donated. 

See you all at The Glass House on Thursday June 7th, 8pm

For more information contact info@cairdefestival.com or check out our website: www.cairdefestival.com

Roscommon unveils new tourism campaign to attract visitors

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:12:29 +0100

IT’S best known natives include actor Chris O’Dowd, Irelands first president Douglas Hyde, football legend Dermot Early and song-writer Percy French. And Roscommon is now to embark on an exciting tourism initiative to put the County firmly on the national and international tourist map.

A new tourist marketing campaign, led by Roscommon Community Tourism Network, was launched today by Mayor of Roscommon Eugene Murphy to promote County Roscommon as the perfect place for tourists and holiday-makers to Revive, Refresh and Rewind.

This campaign is focused on the “Roscommon DNA”, and capturing the spirit of the Roscommon community with strong emphasis on its culture, heritage and attractions.

Working closely with Roscommon County Council, Roscommon LEADER Partnership and Fáilte Ireland, the campaign, to be rolled out over the coming months, includes the introduction of new brand , brochures, a highly interactive website and innovative social media campaigns. Other marketing activities will include radio advertising, new county boundary signage and video generation.

The very best of Roscommon's tourism offerings, spread across angling, cruising, cycling, golf, horse racing, walking, built and natural amenities, vibrant festivals, award-winning culture and heritage projects and choice accommodation will all be promoted under the tag line of ‘Roscommon – revive, refresh rewind’.

Roscommon attractions include:

The longest county shoreline on the River Shannon.
Rathcroghan Site, which is older than Newgrange with medieval royal connections.
Excellent transport links (National primary routes in North and south, Rail links, etc).
Strokestown House, Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, the Arigna Mining experience, a great variety of walking trail and much, much more

Latest figures from Fáilte Ireland show that there is huge potential to grow the visitor numbers to Roscommon. Of the 1,148,000 visitors to the west region in 2010, just 56,000 visited Roscommon. Revenue generated through such visits was €20m.

The new brand seeks to play to Roscommon's strengths, according to Martina Earley, CEO, Roscommon LEADER Partnership.

“The brand pays a small but important homage to our Celtic /heritage roots which are very strong in our county, but we wanted this to come across as warm & contemporary too,” she said.

Roscommon County Council is delighted to be involved and Kathleen Martin, Director of Services said: “We have recently invested in a major marketing campaign with Ireland West Airport to highlight the region and our county to their new European destinations.

“It is important that Roscommon has the necessary marketing tools to stand out and appeal to this important market. A second edition of the 2012 Roscommon events guide introduces the new brand for the first time.”

Colm Keane, Chairperson of Roscommon Community Tourism Network, said it is now time to focus the national and international spotlight on how special the Roscommon tourism offering is.

“This campaign will capture the spirit of our community and connections our visitors can enjoy with the locals, culture, heritage and attractions in Roscommon. Research shows that tourists are looking for less 'official' information, they want an insider's view of an area, they want to be part of experience and not just look in. Our campaign will focus on the real Roscommon DNA!'”

Article via Irish Independent

Tourism boost for Connemara with €1.8m investment in Wild Atlantic Way

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:38:53 +0100

Connemara is set for a major tourism boost with the announcement that €1.8m is to pumped into a new initiative for the region.

Plans for the Wild Atlantic Way were announced by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, this week. It will be Ireland’s first long-distance driving route for tourists, and the idea emulates the successs of planned driving routes such as the Great Ocean Road in Australia and the Garden Route in South Africa.

The 1,400km route will go from Donegal to West Cork, and aims to draw more tourists to the west of Ireland by linking destinations and attractions together under a single theme.

Minister Ring confirmed the first phase of the project will take place in Connemara.

Speaking at the launch in the Connemara Coast Hotel, he said the project would bring a boost to the region.

“The Wild Atlantic Way will open up the whole of the west coast to visitors. It will be a way to entice visitors off the beaten track and help them to discover new areas of the west coast,” he said.

“I am delighted to announce that €1.8 million has been assigned to the first phase pilot project here in Connemara. The area was chosen because of its current popularity as a destination for self-drive visitors, particularly from France and Germany, and because it lies midway along the route.

“More and more visitors to Ireland are taking charge of their own holidays. They want to set their own route, and choose their own itinerary. The Wild Atlantic Way will offer them this choice thanks to the wide range of road loops, maps, online applications, and brochures.”

The project has been developed over the last six months between Failte Ireland and the Galway County Council, along with a dedicated steering group comprising Udaras na Gaeltachta, GMIT, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and key members of the tourism industry.

The group has devised a plan to improve the driving experience for visitors, including new signage, orientation points, and a network of 19 delivery points. Galway County Council will implement the plan in the next year.

Connemara a ‘natural choice’

Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Sean Kyne, said Connemara was a natural choice to begin this initiative.

“The selection of Connemara is an indication of the esteem in which the region’s natural beauty is held. The spectacular landscape, which is internationally renowned, made it the natural choice for the first phase of the Atlantic Way which will eventually encompass a driving route of 1,400 km stretching from West Cork to Donegal,” he said.

“The comprehensive plan arrived at by the various organisations working together will further enhance the tourism industry in Connemara which is an integral part of the local economy. Defining and mapping extensive driving routes will attract larger numbers of tourists to the region who will then avail of the high quality services, such as accommodation and dining, that Connemara has to offer. Without doubt other areas along the west coast will follow that lead.”

Article from Galway Advertiser

Image Caption: On the wild side: Minister of State at the Department of Tourism and Sport, Mr Michael Ring with Fiona Monaghan of Fáilte Ireland at the launch of the Wild Atlantic Way. The first phase of the 1,400km driving route will begin in Connemara. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy

Image from Galway Advertiser

Sligo celebrates poet and playwright WB Yeats

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:20:18 +0100

A DAY of events to celebrate the works and legacy of poet and playwright WB Yeats will be staged next month.

Yeats Day will be held in his spiritual home of Sligo on his birthday, Wednesday June 13.

Theatre, music, poetry and readings will be held throughout the day to embrace places and spaces close to the cultural icon's heart.

Joe Cox, president of the Yeats Society, said he was delighted to see Yeats shared in the wider community of Sligo, an area which played a role in his written work over many decades.

"He is a wonderful poet and we in Sligo are proud of him and want to share his work and raise his profile, especially among children," he said.

Organisers said the schedule for the inaugural Yeats Day is designed to set the spirit of the writers free and to encourage young and old to come out on the streets in celebration of the poet.

Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan will officially inaugurate the day at Drumcliffe, where Yeats is buried.

Local councils, libraries, several arts venues and Government departments have joined forces to host the event, funded by the Department of the Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs and Failte Ireland.

Tourism chiefs hope the day will be one of a series of events commemorating Yeats in Sligo throughout the summer.

Sligo Senator Susan O'Keeffe revealed she had the idea many years ago to bring the love of Yeats onto the streets for the community to share.

"I am delighted to build this day in collaboration with so many people and organisations so that we can celebrate this wonderful poet in Sligo and in time across the world," she added.

Article via The Independent

Exciting New Line Up for Irelands Biggest Festival

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:51:20 +0100

THE FINALE of the Volvo Ocean Race will take place in Galway this July and is set to host some of the most exciting international acts around. Maverick Sabre, The Stunning, Sharon Shannon and The Kanyu Tree are just a few of the home-grown acts to be announced for the nine day event, with many more big-names from around the globe to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The event which is forecast to entertain around 700,000 visitors will be the biggest festival in Ireland this year, and with Galway as the lucky host, expectations for the festival are high. With various showcases from the Marine, Green, Innovation and Food Pillars and an International Fashion Show, showcasing 10 Collections from 10 Countries there will be plenty to do and see, however it is the entertainment line-up that has everyone eagerly awaiting the celebrations.

It seems the performers are just as excited about the event as the rest of us. Sharon Shannon revealed at the recent entertainment launch, that she is very excited about the Race finale and to be performing with a 42-piece orchestra saying, “I’m really looking forward to it. Last time round it was only a stopover, and it was just amazing, the atmosphere was electric. But this time it’s the final so I’m sure by all accounts it’s going to be even better!”

Sharon, who made a trip to New Zealand for the Race stopover in Auckland said there, is no comparison between the two destinations, the musician admitted “Galway is the best, you can’t beat Galway!”

Other acts at the launch included Galway band The Kanyu Tree who are delighted to be a part of the global proceedings. The band, whose following has snowballed over the past couple of years, will be performing some of their hit songs including Radio and Congratulations from their critically acclaimed album People Street, as well as some new pieces. Currently working on their second album, the band of brothers is looking forward to playing to such a huge audience in their home town and making the transition from punters to performers at the event.

“Three years ago we were punters going to all of the gigs, and now we’re getting to play it which is really cool,” noted Daniel the guitarist and vocalist for the group. And in true Irish style, added “I just hope we get the weather for it now!”

Although the music line-up has received enormous attention, a variety of other entertainment will also be on offer throughout the event, including street theatre and dance acts. The well known Galway ballet school, Youth Ballet West (YBW) is due to open its new show Alice Underground during the festival. The modern interpretation of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through The Looking Glass will feature in the Town Hall Theatre on the 5th and 6th of July and promises to perform a ballet with a twist.

YBW dancer Miriam Lyons explains that while their focus is usually classical ballet, this show is something completely different, saying “This is a modern interpretation of a classic so there will be lots of acting and special effects involved which is very new to us but should make for an exciting show.” Like many of the acts, YBW are looking forward to showing the World what Ireland has to offer. “It’s such a great opportunity to be able to showcase our skills to such a big audience,” admits dancer Emma Carroll.

Such a huge event invites a vast array of people and cultures to the country. At the entertainment launch, the mayor or Galway Hildegarde Naughton, who has played an important part in the event preparation, explained how important the festival is not only for Galway but the entire country. “This is a huge opportunity for Galway and indeed Ireland to showcase what we have to offer in terms of culture, business and the corporate world. The cultural exchange and links that have already been made, with Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates for example have huge potential and that is something we hope to build upon in the future.”

Article and image from Volvo Ocean Race Galway

Mayo Poetry Reading with Gerald Dawe

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:39:05 +0100

Custom House Studios, the Creel Restaurant, The Gallery Press and Poetry Ireland are pleased to present a reading by Gerald Dawe from his recently published "Selected Poems". Thursday June 7th 2012 at 8.00pm, at the Creel Restaurant Westport Quay. The evening will also include guest readings from Gerald Dawe’s "Selected Poems" by Susan Kelly, Thomas Kilroy, Seán Lysaght, John McHugh, and Ger Reidy, with music by Laoise Kelly(Harp). Free Admission.

Since its first appearance in book form in 1978 Gerald Dawe’s poetry has been praised for its ‘feeling of unpadded completeness and unforced structure’ (Alastair MacLean, TLS). In the six collections since, published by The Gallery Press, his achievement has been described by Dennis O’Driscoll as ‘brave and risk-taking, finely tuned and perfectly pitched’ and, by John McAuliffe, as ‘serious and seriously enjoyable’.

Selected Poems is a generous representation of this gifted poet’s work. Spanning over thirty-five years, in poems that move through Irish city and country life – Belfast, Galway, Dublin – to Italian and Polish landscapes and the American east coast, both of the present and ranging through the past half-century, Gerald Dawe’s clear and unadorned voice — in the words of Terence Brown — articulates ‘an imagination of European scope’.

‘Gerald Dawe's subtlety and lyric control are the mark of a true poet; but it is this graceful and apparently effortless incorporation of the human struggle for transcendence which is the real measure of his importance’.
— Fiona Sampson, Irish Times

Image Gerald Dawe by Bobbie Hanvey/The Gallery Press

Gerry Dawe was born in Belfast in 1952. He is inaugural director of the Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing, Associate Professor in English and a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin. The Gallery Press has published six collections including The Lundys Letter, for which he received the Macaulay Fellowship in Literature, Lake Geneva and Points West. He has also published The Proper Word: Collected Criticism and Conversations: Poets and Poetry. He has been a visiting professor at Boston College and Villanova University in the United States. He lives in County Dublin

Copies of Selected Poems, which the author will be happy to sign, will be available on the night (€12.50 paperback and €18.50 hardback)

Minister Hogan Launches RASLRES Bioenergy Tool in West of Ireland

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:06:03 +0100

Earlier today at the RASLRES Local Authority Forum the Minister for the Environment, Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D. launched the RASLRES Bioenergy Tool.

The Bioenergy Tool is one of the primary outputs of the RASLRES project. It is an online service which has been developed to stimulate key bioenergy markets, initially in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Sweden. The Bioenergy Tool currently provides local, regional and national information for wood fuel, as well as for exciting energy alternatives such as reed canary grass and marine biomass. The Tool is available at www.raslres.eu/bioenergy-tool/

The Tool has been designed as a user-friendly way for local people and businesses – be they farmers, foresters, policy makers, users of bioenergy or the general public – to access information about bioenergy use, supply and policy in their region.

Today’s event, led by the Western Development Commission (WDC) under the EU RASLRES project, was designed to assist the development of renewable energy frameworks for County Managers and Directors of Services from across the eight local authorities of the Western Region, to drive local economic growth through the bioenergy market in the West of Ireland.

Speaking at the event (on behalf of the Chair of the WDC) Mr Vincent Roche, WDC member stated; “the attendance at this event significant in terms of the representation from the eight Local Authorities in the region and from our European partners and demonstrates their recognition of the importance of developments in renewable energies for the Western region”.

Speakers at the event included Mr Niclas Forsling, Head of the Northern Periphery Programme Secretariat and Mr Gabor Nagy, Programme Officer - Covenant of Mayors for the European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy.

Ian Brannigan, CEO (Acting) WDC commented; ‘We are delighted to welcome Mr Niclas Forsling and formally acknowledge the support of the Northern Periphery Programme in funding the RASLRES project. We also welcome Mr Gabor Nagy from the office of the covenant of mayors and look forward to joining with them in developing the western region’s capability to engage in growth through the sustainable energy agenda”.

Ends

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ian Brannigan

Western Development Commission

Dillon House

Ballaghaderreen

Co. Roscommon

Email: ianbrannigan@wdc.ie

Phone: 086 6048012

NOTE TO THE EDITOR

WHAT IS RASLRES?

RASLRES is a €3 million European bio-energy project which seeks to grow the number of local businesses involved in the sector and is led by the Western Development Commission (WDC), Ireland with partners in Sweden, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Faroe Islands and Finland. RASLRES is funded by the INTERREG IVB - Northern Periphery Programme.

Join the TweetUp on the Reek!

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:51:28 +0100

The June ‘TweetUp’ climb of Croagh Patrick will be supporting Mayo Roscommon Hospice and other Irish charities

SME-owners, sole traders, businesspeople and the general public are reminded to register for the “TweetUp” climb of the Reek this June as part of the second Irish SME community “highest Tweet-Up”, taking place on the 16th of the month. The charity climb will be raising funds for Mayo Roscommon Hospice; however individuals and collectives are also welcome to fundraise for their own preferred charities.

The ‘Tweet-Up’ climb is the second of its kind in the country, and came about as a result of a Twitter-based SME support group. The group, which has accumulated almost two thousand followers around the country, was started by three small business owners based in the West. During the course of a twitter conversation in June of last year, Kehlan Kirwan [Focus SME magazine], Debi Harper [Tús Nua Designs] and Olwen Dawe [Irish Business Intelligence] created the ‘hashtag’ #SMEcommunity as a means for small business owners to share information, ask questions and provide support to one another. Within a few hours of creating the hashtag, it was trending on the social networking site.

2012 has seen the ‘Tweet-Ups’ reaching new heights, with the Donegal SME Community orchestrating the first ‘Tweet-Up’ climb of Mount Errigal in February, where around one hundred climbers raised funds for Breast Cancer Ireland and the local “Little Angels” school for children with learning disabilities. The first all-Ireland SME Community Tweet-Up also took place earlier this year in January, in Birr, County Offaly.

Almost exactly a year to the day the SME Community group was founded on Twitter, the “Croagh Patrick” SME Tweet-Up will happen, and organisers Olwen Dawe [Irish Business Intelligence] and Jenny Brennan [Virtual Office Worx] are hopeful of a good turnout. Speaking about the event earlier this week, Olwen commented “The Tweet-Ups have been very successful, the first all-Ireland Tweet-Up took place in January, however our colleagues in Donegal really raised the bar by climbing Mount Errigal! Helping them to promote it, I ended up idly suggesting a Croagh Patrick climb – and I’ve been held to it! It’s a great way to celebrate the success of the SME Community online – plus we’re raising much-needed funds for very deserving charities”.

The climb is not exclusively for business people either – all are welcome “We’re delighted to be joined by anyone wishing to raise money for either our nominated charity or their own preferred charity, and are expecting climbers from around the country! We’re actively seeking volunteers to help in coordinating and helping with the event - don’t be shy!” adds Jenny. Local hotels, hostelries and other businesses have provided special deals and offers for the Tweet Up, and details of same will be posted on the TweetUp site as well as their social media pages.

For more info on the Croagh Patrick Tweet-Up, visit : croaghptweetup.eventbrite.ie, find the event on Facebook or Twitter, or call organisers Olwen Dawe [087 7997772] or Jenny Brennan [087 7979511].

Celebrate Diversity in Sligo with Cáirde Arts Festival

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:54:34 +0100

Sligo is the place to be from July 1st to 8th this year!

The Cairde Festival is Sligo’s annual arts festival celebrating diversity. The festival takes place for one week each year in July and Sligo comes alive with an excellent range of music, theatre, dance, children’s and family events, visual art and more.

Uniquely, Cairde also presents Concerts in Care – a series of performances which take place in care settings for those who are not able to attend. Events to inspire, enthrall, amuse, engage, challenge, take part in. Come to Sligo from July 1st to 8th and join in!
Some of this year’s highlights include Yungchen Lhamo in concert with Liam O’Maonlai, The Shelly River Boat Race, Madu, Delicious O’Grady and a lot more.

The Shelly River Boat Race kicks off the festival on Sunday July 1st and forms a part of the official Sligo 400 celebrations. The Shelley River Boat Race is a fantastic outdoor celebration of the Shelley River (Sligo’s Garavogue river) featuring a model boat race on the river with a myriad of colourful street entertainment and music along the river banks. Cairde is running a series of boat making workshops towards participation in this year’s race. Starting at 7.30pm on JFK Parade this will be a brilliant fun event for all the family to enjoy.

There’s lots of fun for children with Miquel Barceló & Felip Carbonell bringing their Rhythms and Stories from the Mediterranean Sea to the new Latin Quarter in Sligo on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd at 12 and 3pm. A show billed for children, but suitable for all ages, these two Mediterraneans have lived too long in a country where it rains too much, so they create their own Mediterranean with tales from their “sunny homeland” mixed with melodies and songs. Admission is €10 and includes lunch.

Wednesday and Thursday brings more fun for the kids with Papagena – the House at the Model at 12 and 3pm (€8 admission). This is a real puppet show for all the family (suitable for children aged 3 – 8). Saturday tops off the kid’s entertainment with a site specific inter-active children’s theatre promenade The Stolen Child at 2 and 4pm. €10 this includes transport to the Fairy Glen, Strandhill, a picnic and lots of fun.

It’s also an action packed week for the grown-ups too with lots to choose from. Barra Cassidy’s solo Visual Arts exhibition Just Let Go – a collection of mixed media sculpture and photography in on show all week at The Yeats Gallery. Tom Portman plays solo guitar in Osta café on Tuesday evening at 7pm. Admission is free. On Monday and Tuesday evening you can catch Delicious O’Grady at the Factory at 8pm (€10). Delicious O’Grady is a tragicomedy set in the time of the Great Irish Famine (though it wasn’t that great). Inspired by the satirical works of Flann O’Brien, this circus theatre piece tells the tale of a family and its demise during the great hunger. It is a story of love, loss and potatoes. Also at the Factory on Wednesday evening Sketches of Mexico offers Classical Guitar from Morgan Szymanski – a world famous guitarist who plays music from all around the classical world with emphasis on Mexican, Spanish, Brazilian music and Argentinian tangos, along with a Visual Art exhibition from Peter Crann (€10).

On Thursday 5th at 8pm, there’s a theatrical experience with a difference in Jimmy Gralton’s Dance Hall at St. Anne’s, a show combining music, dance all under the skilled direction of writer Donal O’Kelly, where everyone gets a part! More world music later at 10pm in McGarrigles from Assembly Point (€5) – the innovative project of three exceptional musicians who share a passion for acoustic folk music. Together, they create new instrumental themes borne out of their collective music traditions of Galicia, Portugal, and Ireland. More music on Friday in The Swagman at 8pm (free admission) and from Congolese band The Lace in McGarrigles at 10pm (€10).

Perhaps the festival highlight two inspirational musicians Yungchen Lhamo and Liam O’Maonlai take to the stage of the Hawk’s Well Theatre on Saturday night July 7th at 8pm for a rare musical and spiritual treat (€20/18conc). Madu top off the evening with dub reggae at McGarrigles at 10pm (€10).

On Sunday from 12 to 7pm the general public converge on the beautiful ‘Peace Park’ – a secret gem in the centre of Sligo town for Park Fest, a free day long celebration of all communities in Sligo with music, great food from all over the world and fun for all the family – the perfect way to celebrate diversity.

Article vis Sligo Events

Have you got what it takes to be put on ICE?

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:14:11 +0100

'Innovation for Competitive Enterprises' or the ICE programme is a radically new way of enabling companies to add value and build innovation capacity and capability by developing new business models, products, services and processes. The ICE programme is supporting a small number of SMEs (Small-Medium Sized Enterprises with 10+ employees) to develop innovation capacity and capability in-house, focused at ultimately improving competitiveness through the commercialisation of new ideas, products and processes.
ICE is an intensive engaging in-company programme and is now open for applications from SMEs with 10 or more employees from the Border Counties, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland.

Eligible companies are invited to attend one of three ICE Breakfast Innovation Information Workshops running over the coming weeks:

23rd May 2012- The Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo (8am - 10.30am)
31st May 2012- The Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny (8am - 10.30am)
21st June 2012- The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk (8am - 10.30am)

The ICE programme is free of charge as is the information session. The purpose of the workshop is to raise awareness of innovation and how the ICE programme can help companies become more innovative. There will be a talk on innovation and an over-view of ICE. The Innovation Learning Programme aspect to ICE is being delivered by team BDS. www.teambds.com.
This is the third and final application round for the ICE programme.

Any further queries, contact Kieran Fagan via kieran.fegan@dkit.ie or calling me to my mobile +353 87 4174681.

€2,000 prize-money for Great Western Greenway 10k walk/run

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:44:28 +0100

The 2nd Great Western Greenway 10k walk/run gets set to go on Saturday 26th May at 2pm. The event is centrepiece to a wide range of events taking place in Westport during the ‘Get Out There Adventure Festival’ 21st–27th May.

Hundreds of participants are expected to take part in the 2nd ‘Great Western Greenway 10k walk/run’. Interest is very strong and with prize money of €2,000 spread over many categories and spot prizes for participants.

The walk/run is mostly off road, a trail run which takes the participant through the magnificent Newport to Westport countryside, under old majestic railway bridges and through beautiful gateways and pathways, an event like no other.

To enter log onto www.mayosports.ie or enter on the morning of the walk/run at the Westport Leisure Park from 11.30am–1pm. Participants will be bussed to the start from 1pm.

Entry fee is €20 and this will include a special commemorative t-shirt as well as chip timing and post race refreshments.

The Great Western Greenway 10K is co-organised by Westport Town Council, Mayo Sports Partnership and Westport Leisure Park.

Check out www.westportadventurefestival.ie for more information

Article via Mayo Today

Almost 200 new jobs in Galway announcements

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:59:58 +0100

US multinational Merit Medical is to expand its operations in Galway with the creation of over 150 jobs.

A €20m facility will be officially opened by the Taoiseach in Parkmore as part of the IDA supported investment.

The medical devices company, Merit, is in Galway since 1996 and currently employs 379 people.

The Taoiseach will also announce 37 new jobs at the Galway software firm Copperfasten Technologies.

News of a significant number of new jobs will bring the workforce to well over 500. The jobs will be in Research and Development, operations support and manufacturing. Over one third are graduate positions.

Merit is a leading manufacturer of medical devices used mainly in the areas of cardiology, radiology and endoscopy.

The new 20 million euros facility at Parkmore will be a designated centre of excellence for some of Merit's new products and technologies.

IDA Chief, Barry O'Leary, said Merit was a key player in the cluster of medical device companies operating successfully from the West of Ireland.

A further 37 new jobs are to be created at the Galway software firm Copperfasten Technologies.

The company is based in Salthill and currently employs 15 people.

The expansion is based on a €500 investment by Enterprise Ireland. The company produces Internet security solutions

Article via rte.ie

Image courtesy rte.ie

Mayo Food Trail doubles in size for first birthday

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:28:06 +0100

The Gourmet Greenway, Mayo’s only food trail, celebrated its first birthday this week with the announcement of six new members – almost doubling its size - and the welcome news that the initiative has contributed over €1million to the local economy. At a special birthday dinner at Mulranny Park Hotel, attended by Sunday Independent food writer Lucinda O’Sullivan, six new members were announced, bringing the Gourmet Greenway membership to 13 – almost double since its launch.

The new entries are: Murrevagh Honey (Mulranny); Greenway Farm (Newport); An Port Mór (Westport); Newport House (Newport); The Gráinne Uaile (Newport) and Rua/Café Rua (Castlebar).

Murrevagh Honey is a hand-harvested honey produced in Mulranny using nectar from Mulranny Mediterranean heather and fuchsia in the Murrevagh area.

Greenway Farm in Newport provides high quality fruit and vegetables using natural, chemical-free methods.

An Port Mór restaurant in Westport, the historic Newport House, Newport’s Gráinne Uaile family pub and twin eateries Rua & Café Rua, in Castlebar, all share a philosophy of using seasonal, local and artisan produce.

The new Gourmet Greenway members join existing participants: Kelly’s Butchers, Keem Bay Fish Products, Achill Island Turbot, Carrowholly Cheese, Curran Blue Trout Farm and Croagh Patrick Seafoods in a collective that features some of the most distinguished food producers and providers in the country.

Curraun Blue Trout Farm is Ireland’s only organically sea farmed trout, Achill Island Turbot is the country’s only turbot farm and Sean Kelly of Kelly’s Butcher’s is the first-ever Irish member of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Goute-Boudin (The Black Pudding Fraternity of Lovers of Good Food).

Devised by Mulranny Park Hotel – the only hotel located on the Greenway - to highlight the great food producers near to and along the route of the Great Western Greenway, the Gourmet Greenway has received a string of plaudits since its launch a year ago. The Taoiseach praised its efforts to “provide a boost to local businesses”.

Bridgestone Guide publisher John McKenna described it as “inspired, imaginative and authentic”, the Examiner dubbed it “an innovative tourism-focused collaboration” and the Irish Times said the initiative “brings together the Greenway walking and cycling trail and the stunning food that’s produced along or near its scenic route”.

Tom Dougherty of Curraun Blue Trout Farm and one of the Gourmet Greenway members says the food trail has been a boon for business. “Being a member of the Gourmet Greenway has been of great benefit to us as a small independent producer. The initiative has highlighted, nationally and internationally how we work using traditional and sustainable farming methods within our business. The food trail has brought great business benefits in the last year and we are delighted to be involved”, he commented.

The new-edition Gourmet Greenway guide featuring a map, information and contact details for all 13 members – including GPS coordinates – is available from Mulranny Park Hotel, tourism offices, food producers and select retail outlets.

Click here to view Gourmet Greenway guide online.

Article via Mayo Today

Rural Enterprise Seminar hosted by Sligo LEADER Partnership

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:59:37 +0100

Sligo LEADER Partnership is hosting a Rural Enterprise Seminar on May 21st 2012 from 10.00am to 1.30pm. The seminar will be held at Sligo Golf Academy & Activity Farm, Ransboro, Co. Sligo

Co. Sligo LEADER Partnership works with Rurally-based SMEs and Start-ups to develop their business by providing a range of supports including mentoring and capital support. Through this work Co. Sligo LEADER Partnership recognise that the majority of Sligo SMEs are working in isolation and are therefore missing out on potential opportunities in terms of marketing, product development, market research, re-evaluation of their products and services and restructuring to address economic pressures.

This seminar, with keynote speakers from a range of successful Rural Businesses from around the country, aims to demonstrate that doing business in rural Co. Sligo is eminently possible. Moreover, with an increase in the rate of aid to 75% for eligible businesses from the LEADER RDP Programme, it has never been a better time to set-up in Co. Sligo.

For further information on the Seminar just ‘phone 071-9141138 or email: sheffernan@sligoleader.com to book your place.

Sligo Is Enterprising: Attracting Technology Companies to Sligo

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:29:15 +0100

Team Sligo are leading a multi agency group initiative including, Sligo Chamber, IT Sligo, Western Development Commission, Sligo County Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Sligo County Council in hosting a forthcoming seminar in the Sligo is Enterprising series of seminars.

Event: Sligo is Enterprising - Attracting Technology Companies to Sligo
Venue: Digital Depot, Roe Lane (off Thomas Street) Digital Hub, Dublin
Date: Thursday 24th May 2012
Time: 6.30pm to 8pm

The aim of this event is to promote Sligo as an ideal location for technology and software companies to relocate or set-up their operations in Sligo. The key objective of this event is to:

Promote the benefits of working with one of Ireland’s most progressive Third Level Colleges.
Promote advantage of graduate output from IT Sligo.
Promote quality of life in Sligo and its natural hinterland.
Promote a comprehensive and unified approach of Sligo.

The event will be attended by eminent business people who have shown interest or have the potential to relocate or decentralise business units. The event will also provide a platform for companies that have already set up or relocated to Sligo to present on their experiences since setting up their operations in Sligo.

The very successful Team Hermes from IT Sligo will present their award winning project in the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2011.
Target Audience for Seminar:

Business contacts from all agencies that have shown an interest in setting up an operation outside Dublin.
CEOs and high level managers in technology operations in Dublin.
High level Sligo business people working outside Sligo.
Department Heads from various industry sectors within IDA and EI.
Key Technology and Software prominent journalists.

Event Format:

Padraig McKeon, Drury Communications will chair the event and the Panel discussion.
Brief presentations from Sligo based technology companies
Presentation from IT Sligo and Team Hermes
A panel of experts answering questions from the audience to include:

Philip Flynn, CEO Digital Hub
John Kelly, Citirix Ireland
Fiona O'Grady - Microsoft

Flash fiction workshop with Mayo Writer in Residence

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:22:02 +0100

Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde - Mayo County Council Writer in Residence 2012 will facilitate a Flash Fiction Workshop in Lough Lannagh Lodge on Tuesday next May 15th from 7.30-10pm, open to all writers in the county, as part of the residency. This is a free event, however, there is a limited number of spaces available.

To wind down the residency Eoghan will give a public reading of his work in Castlebar Library on Wednesday May 23rd at 7pm. This is a free event and all are welcome to come along on the evening.

Please contact Mayo County Council Arts Office on 094-9047558 or mayoarts@mayococo.ie to book for the workshop.

Ireland West Airport welcomes Europe’s largest airline inaugural flight

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:59:34 +0100

Ireland West Airport Knock were delighted over the weekend to welcome, Europes largest airline, Lufthansa's, inaugural flight from Dusseldorf in Germany..

The new service connects the West and North West of Ireland with Germany, the world's largest outbound market and the third largest source of visitors to the island of Ireland. More than 200,000 Germans visit the West and North West of Ireland every year and they can now avail of direct access to the heart of the West on Lufthansa’s only service to this part of Ireland.

The service which will operate every Saturday till the end of September is a major boost for tourism and business in the region and is expected to bring in the region of 2,000 German tourists generating a spend in excess of €1,000,000 for the West and North West regions

The arrival of the first flight with Lufthansa coincides with the launch of the new €1m+ overseas joint tourism marketing campaign from the regions to encourage overseas holidaymakers to visit the West and North West of Ireland. The funding has been allocated through Fáilte Ireland, five local authorities (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo and Roscommon), Tourism Ireland, the Western Development Commission and Ireland West Airport Knock. The campaigns will be rolled out in the coming weeks in Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy with particular emphasis on promoting the new access to Ireland West Airport Knock from Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf.

Welcoming passengers off the first flight, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport Knock added “We are absoloutley delighted to welcome the worlds fourth largest airline, Lufthansa, back to the West of Ireland after a ten year absence. This new service is a major vote of confidence for this airport and indeed the wider region and we look forward to welcoming German tourists to this beautiful part of Ireland. and we hope this will be the start of significant expansion by Lufthansa at this airport in the coming years”.

Flights from Ireland West Airport Knock to Dusseldorf will depart every Saturday until September 29th.

For further airport information log onto www.irelandwestairport.com; and for information on fares and to book flights log onto www.lufthansa.com.

Article courtesy of Ireland West Airport Knock

Image Courtesy Ireland West Airport Knock

Peter Bailey Cup Sky Road 10K Challenge

Wed, 09 May 2012 20:30:10 +0100

Connemara Chamber of Commerce run for a charity of your choice. This 10K road event with an entrance fee of €20 and boasting a prize fund of in excess of €1000 to include €500 to the first male, €500 to the first female and €50 to the first walker, first buggy and first fancy dress will be staged at 2.00 p.m. (Walkers start at 1.30 p.m.) on Sunday the 3rd of June 2012 (June Bank Holiday Weekend).

The route will take participants on a tour of the famed SKY ROAD which is widely acknowledged as the most scenic route in all of Connemara and indeed as one of the most scenic routes in all of Ireland.

The event is open to people of all ages and all levels of fitness, from walkers out to enjoy a Sunday stroll to competitive runners looking to really challenge themselves and as such the course will be officially measured and chip timing will be provided for all involved.

For more info, please call 0868549355, email gannonsports@gmail.com or visit http://www.clifdenchamber.ie/

Entry Form

Information session with ConnectIreland founder Terry Clune at IT Sligo

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:21:54 +0100

Secure jobs for Ireland and be rewarded

The founder of an initiative which rewards the creation of jobs in Ireland will give an information seminar at IT Sligo on Thursday, May 17th.

Terry Clune, founder of ConnectIreland, will explain the potential benefits to individuals who connect with organisations to set up in Ireland.

Appointed by the Irish Government and IDA Ireland to assist in the Government’s 2012 Action Plan for Jobs, Connect Ireland’s mission is to attract companies that are expanding internationally so they locate in Ireland and create new jobs in the Irish economy.

Through the ConnectIreland programme, a ‘Connector’ will receive a minimum reward of €1,500 for each job created through their introduction. The reward is payable in two stages: 50% (€750) is paid one year after the job is created and the remaining 50% (€750) is paid two years after the job is created.

The seminar will be hosted by IT Sligo’s Innovation Centre near the Institute’s Main Reception (A0006) from 4.00pm to 5.15pm on Thursday 17th of May.

To reserve a place please click the following link:
connectireland.eventbrite.com