LookWest News

Advant Medical to create 34 jobs at Galway plant

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:58:58 +0100

Medical-device manufacturer Advant Medical to invest €2.4m in a major development programme at its Galway plant

Company planning to create 34 jobs over the next three years.

The investment is supported by Enterprise Ireland and the expansion will bring total employment at Advant Medical to more than 130 people.

Based in Parkmore Industrial Estate in Galway, Advant Medical produces medical-device products for the minimum invasive vascular, Class III implantable devices and other medical markets.

Its customers include some of the world's largest original equipment manufacturers. Advant Medical's products are established across 25 international markets, including the US, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and India.

With this €2.4m investment, the company is planning to expand its production capabilities and move to higher-value products and services to allow it to expand its reach in existing international markets and enter new markets.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, TD, said the news that Advant Medical is expanding and creating 34 jobs is a sign of what is possible for Irish companies in this area.

Bob DiPetrillo, CEO of Advant Medical, said the investment would position the company to increase its international market share through device assembly and manufacturing capabilities.

"On our 20-year anniversary, we are delighted to have an opportunity to create more employment in the West (of Ireland)," he said.

Article via SiliconRepublic here

Imeachtaí Áras Inis Gluaire do mhí Mheitheamh.

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:42:30 +0100

Áras Inis Gluaire
Léamh le Kate Kerrigan
Beidh léamh Filíocht le Kate Kerrigan in Áras Inis Gluaire ar an Déardaoin 13 Meitheamh ag 7.30i.n. Is údar stairiúil gaeilge í Kate agus tá a chuid leabhair aistrithe í teangacha éagsúla agus tá said ar díol thart an domhainn. A húrscéalta – ‘Recipes for a Perfect Marriage’, ‘The Miracle of Grace’, ‘Ellis Island’ agus ‘City of Hope’ leanann said go léir téama Kate de línte domhanleithid idir na tírdhreacha mhothúchánach de shaol na mná atá caite agus an saol conaithe atá acu anois. Tá kate ina conaí i Killala, sráidbhaile iascaireachta i gcontae Mhaigh Eo, ar an chósta Thiar na hÉireann lena fear chéile agus beirt mhac óg. Is scríobhneoir lán-aimseartha í Kate.

Lá cheol Náisiúnta
Chun an Lá Cheol Náisiúnta a cheiliúradh ar an Aoine 21 Meitheamh beidh grúpa Meiricánach ‘Wilde Ida’ ag sheinm i ionadaí éagsúla i Béal an Mhuirthead.
Thosaigh an grúpa ó Wilde Ida ag seinm le chéile sa Wood Quay í cathair Gaillimh. Tá chuile cheann de na baill éagsúla den banna ceoltóirí séasúr le cúlraí agus oidhreacht ceoil difriúil, agus grá acu go léír do ceoil Mhéiriceá: Bluegrass, Blues, Americana country agus folk. Seineann an banna rogha d’aois, chomh maith le foinn nua agus bunaithe. 

Ailliliú Fionnuala
Chuirfidh Donal O’ Kelly Ailliliú Fionnuala ar stáitse in Áras Inis Gluaire ar an Satharn 22 Meitheamh ag 8i.n.
Tar éis do tríocha bliain d’obair den scoth a bheith déanta ag an scríbhneoir, aisteoir agus stiúrthóir amharclainne ó Baile Átha Cliath tá cáil tuillte aige mar ginias amharclainne. Is píosa aonair í dteideal Ailliliú Fionnuala an obaair is déanaí ag O’ Kelly agus fheadfá a rá gurb é an cheann is tabhachtaí go dáta. I s drama é faoin tionscadal Shell Corrib Gas. Is é Keogh an príomh-charachtar, is feidhmiúcháin PR do Shell é.

Ceardlann scríobhneoireachta cruthaithe
Leanfaidh na ceardlann scríobhneoireacht cruthaithe i Áras Inis Gluaire faoi stiúir ag Geraldine Cummins gach dara seachtain. Tá na ceardlann seo saor in aisce. Beidh an chéad cheann eile ar an Luain an 17 Meitheamh óna 7i.n.

Níos mó anseo.

IIBC Castlebar Open Day in June

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:26:50 +0100

IiBC Castlebar to host an Interactive Open Day on Wednesday 5th June.

Opportunities will also be available to meet local state enterprise support agencies, as well as sessions facilitated by IiBC clients focusing on attracting investment, setting-up an online business, aquaculture and reducing costs with lean solutions.

The Interactive Open day will kick-off at 9.30am with a talk from the award winning business woman Mary Rodgers, the CEO of Stateside Solutions (www.statesidesolutions.com) during which she will speak on the subject of “Strategies for Irish companies entering the U.S. market”. This seminar is for all size companies interested in making the transition into the U.S. market place in a cost effective and efficient manner. Mary will be explaining the different options including direct sales, setting up an entity, distributor and partnering. She will also explain the advantages and disadvantages of each of the routes to market and discuss the various considerations including budgets, margins and timelines.

Mary has worked with clients from Enterprise Ireland, Invest NI, and IE Singapore and runs the U.S. market entry programmes. A graduate of NUI and the GMIT, the Irish Voice nominated Mary as one of America’s most influential women. According to Mary: “You can never be too prepared, companies need to take the time to understand both the opportunities and the cost of doing business in the U.S. Planning will lead to increased efficiency and a faster ROI”.

This will be followed by the IiBC client Alan Dowling, MD of Visual Brand Communication (www.vbc.ie) speaking on ‘How to Attract Investment’ at 12pm. Where do I start? How do I find an investor? Do I need a solicitor? These are just a few of the questions this Interactive session will address.

Next, at 2pm, another IiBC client Barry Healy, the founder of Irish Electronics (www.irishelectronics.com) will speak on “How to set up an online Business”. Barry is running a successful e-commerce website and will offer a range of practical advice from his experience on the do’s and don’ts surrounding the development of a consumer orientated online shop.

IiBC client Fergal Guilfoyle, the founder of Shellfish Trader (www.shellfishtrader.com) and Director at Treanberg Marine Consulting, will talk about the requirements for setting up an aquaculture business, including the licensing, equipment and skills needed at 3pm.

In the last Interactive session of the day at 4pm, Tony Hegarty, the founder of Ordú (www.ordu.ie), a company utilising Lean Sigma methodologies and providing bespoke Industry application developments will demonstrate how to reduce cost in business with lean solutions resulting in a competitive edge to the business.

There will also be an opportunity to speak with the local enterprise support agencies including WESTBIC (www.westbic.ie), Enterprise Ireland (www.enterprise-ireland.ie), South West Mayo Development Company (www.southmayo.com) , Mayo County Enterprise Board (www.mayoceb.com) , Údarás na Gaeltachta (www.udaras.ie ) and Mayo Ideas Lab (www.westbic.ie/mayoideaslab.html). There will also be opportunities to engage with the IiBC clients in an informal way and to view their products and services.

If you would like to avail of any of the FREE Interactive sessions offered as part of the Open Day, please register your interest at: www.iibcopenday.eventbrite.ie.

National Women’s Council of Ireland Galway Event

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:21:01 +0100

The National Women’s Council of Ireland would like to invite anyone with an interest in equality to a special NWCI Members and Friends Meeting, which takes place on Thursday, 30th May from 10.30am to 2pm at the Harbour Hotel in Galway.

The event is to mark 40 Years Membership of the European Union and 40 Years of NWCI Action for Women’s Equality. It looks at where we are now and where we need to go in the future.

The event, to be chaired by Orla O’Connor, Director, of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, will include contributions from Dr Niamh Reilly, Senior Lecturer, at the Global Women’s Studies Centre NUI Galway, Councillor Catherine Connolly, Galway City Council, Bridget Kelly, Galway Travellers Movement and Chairperson National Traveller Women’s Forum, Councillor Sally Ann Flanagan, Tuam Town Council Maria Onyemeluke of the , Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, Senator Lorraine Higgins, Olwen Dawe, Secretary and Vice President Designate of Network Ireland and a representative from the NUI Galway Feminist Society. In order to attend please send your details to: r eception@nwci.ie by Monday, May 27th.

Admission is free but donations to support the outreach work of the National Women’s Council would be gratefully received on the day.

For further information please contact: racheld@nwci.ie

€31.5 million in EU Commission funding to bring environmental solutions to market

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:08:22 +0100

EUR 31.5 million in Commission funding to bring environmental solutions to market

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals of EUR 31.5 million for the best 45 eco-innovation projects. Businesses throughout Europe have until 5 September 2013 to put in their proposals for bringing novel environmental solutions to the market in the following 5 areas:

material recycling
water
sustainable building products
green business
the food and drink sector

European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik said: “Eco-innovation is not just about a niche of green businesses. Europe’s competitiveness in the next decades will depend on its ability to overcome resource constraints. Eco-innovative businesses are the enablers of that transformation for the whole economy. I especially encourage Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to apply for funding and help Europe to build on its lead in sectors such as water and waste management.”

45 projects to be covered by call
The call is primarily targeted at private businesses, mainly SMEs that have developed an innovative green product, process or service, but are experiencing difficulties in launching it on the market. The call offers co-financing to cover up to 50% of the project cost and should support about 45 new projects this year.

185 projects currently running
Almost 50 projects are set to launch from last year’s call and over 185 projects are already underway. Examples of current schemes include: optimising technology to re-use old bricks in the construction industry; producing leather shoes that are free from harmful chemicals; using CO2 to harness a natural source of Omega-3; and a new technique for carpet manufacturing.

Background
Eco-Innovation is funded via the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and has a budget of about €220 million for the period 2008 to 2013. It supports technologically-proven products that help make better use of Europe’s natural resources. Eco-Innovation is a green strand of the CIP and contributes to the Eco-Innovation Action Plan (EcoAP). The programme is managed by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI).
The 2013 call for proposals is open until 5 September. A European Eco-Innovation Info Day with detailed information about priorities and tips on how to apply for funding will take place on 27 May in the Charlemagne Building, in Brussels, Belgium.

More info here.

Accelerate Your Green Business Idea in Roscommon!

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:33:05 +0100

Roscommon LEADER Partnership opens second round of applications for the “Accelerate Green Enterprise” training and support programme

Roscommon LEADER Partnership is delighted to announce that applications for the second term of the “Accelerate Green Enterprise” programme is now open. The programme, which has been running at the Boyle Enterprise business incubation centre for some months, offers a range of supports to budding green entrepreneurs or established businesses wishing to expand their green credentials.

Commenting on the Accelerate programme’s achievements to date, Accelerate’s Programme Coordinator, Olwen Dawe spoke of its success in developing sustainable, forward-thinking businesses “our participants come from a wide range of professional backgrounds – some are new entrepreneurs – others are developing brand-new ideas, and all are motivated by the need to build better, greener businesses”.

To date, the programme has supported several businesses through its mentoring, training and advisory measures – all focused on developing capability as well as sustainable, growth-focused green businesses.

Being more aware of the contribution SMEs can make to the environment, as well as the economy is key in a changing world – and this is something that the Accelerate programme offers. “The programme came about as part of a bigger realisation that SMEs can actively change the environment, through the services it offers, the products it develops – and how it goes about doing this. Accelerate offers people of all walks with a green business idea, or those seeking to ‘go green’ in business, the opportunity to explore and develop their concept, with great supports”.

Olwen is keen to point out Accelerate is open to new entrepreneurs [including those who are currently unemployed], start-ups, micro-enterprise owners and established businesses – and offers a support hub which includes training, mentoring, funding advice and an office base for up to twelve months. The key stipulations? That your concept is for a green business, and you are based in County Roscommon.

“There’s no ‘catch’… the programme is free to those successful applicants… our only wish-list is: focus, determination and a will to succeed! We’ll help you with the rest” says Olwen.

Application forms can be downloaded here or by calling Olwen on 087 7997772.

Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge Awards in Castlebar on 25 May

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:37:26 +0100

Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge Awards Presentation - 25th May, Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, Co Mayo

The hard work has been done and the shortlist for the Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge Business with Irish Awards has been compiled by the judges. The Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge awards will be announced and presented to the winners on Saturday 25th May in Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar at 1.30p.m.

This competition was open to businesses who use the Irish language in their business – in their publicity and business materials, in signage, those who have staff with Irish and who offer a service through Irish. The judges were amazed that there was over 80 entries for the award, and also at the different and imaginative ways that businesses in Mayo are using the Irish language.

There were two categories for the Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge – inside and outside of the Gaeltacht.

The Gradam Gnó na Gaeltachta shortlist features Éalú Leisure Centre, Béal an Mhuirthead; Fíor Uisce Teo, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh; Teach Mháire Luke, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh; Coláiste Uisce, Iorras agus Óstán Oileán Acla; Acaill.
The Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge (outside Gaeltacht) shortlist includes A Stór, Castlebar; An Teanga Bheo, Ballina; Brawns Flower Shop, Westport; Blas Glas, Ballina; Castle Book Shop, Castlebar; Holly House B&B, Westport and The Upper Crust, Castlebar.

The Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge is organised by Gnó Mhaigh Eo and is sponsored by the Mayo Advertiser, Mid West Radio, Cashin Print, Mayo County Enterprise Board, Údarás na Gaeltachta & Mayo County Council. The sponsored prize is worth €7000 and will be divided between the winners.

The Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge awards will be announced and presented to the winners on Saturday 25th May in Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar. The presentation of the award will begin at 1.30p.m. which will include a talk by the guest speaker Dr. Gearóid Trimble from Foras na Gaeilge who will be speaking about best practice in the use of Irish in business and will give details of the funding schemes that are available for businesses who wish to use Irish in their business.

This event follows a morning Seminar “The Future of the Irish Language in Co. Mayo” which takes place will take place from 10a.m. till 1p.m organised by Togra Mhaigh Eo (Conradh na Gaeilge). Speakers include Gearóid Denvir, National University of Ireland Galway, Éamonn Ó hArgáin, Foras na Gaeilge, Oonagh Ní Chéileachair, Irish Development Officer, Mayo County Council and Róisín Ní Dhonnacha, Employ Ability Service Galway. An open discussion will follow and everyone is welcome to attend and air their views.

Tá an obair crua déanta ag na moltóirí - tá an gearrliosta don Ghradam Gnó le Gaeilge i Maigh Eo curtha le chéile acu, agus iontas orthu faoin líon gnó a chuir isteach ar an ngradam agus ar na bealaí éagsúla agus samhlaíochta atá siad ag baint leas as an nGaeilge agus iad i mbun gnó. Bhí an comórtas seo oscailte do ghnólachtaí i Maigh Eo atá ag úsáid agus ag cur an Ghaeilge chun cinn ina ngnó – ina n-ábhair gnó & poiblíochta, ina gcomharthaíocht, a bhfuil foireann le Gaeilge acu nó atá ag cur seirbhís ar fáil trí Ghaeilge. Bhí os cionn 80 gnó ainmnithe don chomórtas seo.

Tá dhá chatagóir don Ghradam Gnó le Gaeilge – laistigh agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.

Is iad na gnólachtaí a bhí roghnaithe ar an ngearrliosta do 2013 sa Ghaeltacht ná: Éalú Leisure Centre, Béal an Mhuirthead; Fíor Uisce Teo, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh; Teach Mháire Luke, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh; Coláiste Uisce, Iorras agus Óstán Oileán Acla; Acaill.
Is iad na gnólachtaí a bhí roghnaithe ar an ngearrliosta taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht ná:
A Stór, Caisleán an Bharraigh; An Teanga Bheo, Béal an Átha; Brawns Flower Shop, Cathair na Mart; Blas Glas, Béal an Átha; Castle Book Shop, Caisleán an Bharraigh; Holly House B&B, Cathair na Mart;, agus The Upper Crust, Caisleán an Bharraigh.

Tá an Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge eagraithe ag Gnó Mhaigh Eo agus urraithe ag an Mayo Advertiser, Mid West Radio, Cashin Print, Bord Fiontair Mhaigh Eo, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo agus Gnó Mhaigh Eo. Is duais ar luach €7000 ó na hurraitheoirí seo a roinnfear idir na buaiteoirí.

Bronnfar an Gradam Gnó ar na buaiteoirí ag an Seimineár “Todhchaí na Gaeilge i gCo. Mhaigh Eo” a mbeidh ar siúl Dé Sathairn 25ú Bealtaine in Breaffy House, Caisleán an Bharraigh. Beidh an aoi-chainteoir Dr Gearóid Trimble ó Fhoras na Gaeilge ag caint faoi dhea-chleachtas d’úsáid na Gaeilge i gcúrsaí gnó. Is iad Gearóid Denvir, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Gaillimh, Éamonn Ó hArgáin, Foras na Gaeilge, Oonagh Ní Chéileachair, Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge, Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo, Róisín Ní Dhonnacha, Employ Ability Service Galway na cainteoirí a mbeidh ar an bpainéal don seimineár. Tosóidh an seimineár ag 10r.n. agus beidh an bronnadh ar siúl ón 1.30. Beidh fáilte roimh chách.

CEDRA Conference 'The Future of Rural Society: Opportunities for Rural Economic Development' is ...

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:35:31 +0100

The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA Conference) 2013 'The Future of Rural Society: Opportunities for Rural Economic Development' will take place in NUI Maynooth on June 10th. This is an associated event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU and will also help mark the 25th Anniversary for the first EU Rural Development Strategy ‘The Future of Rural Society’.

The primary objective of the conference is to engage with delegates to establish their views on how to secure the future of rural society. Findings from the Commission’s research and public consultation phase will be discussed. The conference will also have a range of international and national speakers, which will allow for comparisons between rural policies. Topics in the agenda include; drivers for economic change and supporting rural enterprise.

Ian Brannigan, Head of Regional Development at the Western Development Commission and Deirdre Frost, Policy Analyst at the WDC will present at the conference.

The conference programme is now online at www.ruralireland.ie

To book a place at the conference, register here free of charge.

The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was established to conduct a comprehensive research exercise and produce a detailed report that will inform the medium term economic development of rural areas for the period to 2025.
Established by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in October 2012, the Commission will submit a report that will advise the Government on the practical steps needed to ensure that rural Ireland contributes to and benefits from economic recovery.

CEDRA is supported by Teagasc, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Western Development Commission and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

For more information visit www.ruralireland.ie or call (01) 8059976

Sligo's Cairde Festival needs your help

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:57:33 +0100

This year, the Cairde Arts Festival is being brought to you by the crowd.

Organisers of the Festival are using the power of the festival community, those that attend year on year, and enjoy the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere it brings to summer, to support its endeavours through a unique ‘Fund It’ campaign. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the inception of the festival, the Cairde team would love to do something truly unique and exciting at this year's Park Fest: to re-create the magic & atmosphere of an Olde World Circus Carnivale in Sligo's Peace Park and they, through Fund It, are looking for your help.

Fund it is an Ireland-wide initiative that provides a platform for people with great ideas to attract funding from friends, fans and followers across the world.

Every year, Cairde’s Parkfest event draws the friendliest of crowds who come for family entertainment, street theatre, live music, food stalls and plenty of fun in the People’s Park in the heart of Sligo town; but this doesn’t happen without a cost.

This year, more than ever, Cairde is leaning on its community to support it and make Parkfest more spectacular than ever before.

Every single contribution no matter how big or small will receive a reward to say thank you from the Cairde Festival team.

Find out more about how you can help us make this year's Cairde the best one yet: http://www.fundit.ie/project/cairde-arts-festival--park-fest

We'd love it if you could help to spread the word! Thank You from everyone at Cairde!

To find our more log on to www.cairdefestival.com and follow Cairde Arts Festival on facebook.com/CairdeArtsFestival and @CairdeFestival

Muintir Mhaigh Eo Atha Cliath Cultural Gathering

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:02:16 +0100

When: 29th May at 7.30  Where: The Garda Club, Harrington Street, Dublin 8

  Guest speakers:

 Dr Carla King, Professor of History, Drumcondra. Subject: Michael Davitt 

Ann Chambers, Author. Subject: Grace O’ Malley & others 

Fr Tom Davitt CM, Grandson of Michael Davitt   

The Mayo Association are delighted to welcome Dr Carla King, Ann Chambers and Fr Tom Davitt to speak at our upcoming event.

The subjects chosen are obviously extremely interesting with these figures playing a strong part of the history of Mayo people which will remain with us to the end of time.

These lectures are always well attended and informative and we would encourage you all to attend. This is a free public event.   

Contact Susan at pro@mayoassociationdublin.com or 0863751649 for further details .

Apple Co-Founder Wozniak for Derry Conference

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:28:52 +0100

Businesses in the West of Ireland are encouraged to attend one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious business events that will take place in Derry this May with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak as headline speaker.

Topping the programme for European Business Network (EBN) Congress, a three day conference (29-31 May) will be Steve Wozniak, who has been a Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for more than thirty years.

In 1976, Wozniak co-founded Apple Computer Inc with Steve Jobs, helping to shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products. Speaking from the US, Steve said, “I’m absolutely delighted to be coming to Northern Ireland for the EBN Congress. The programme sounds absolutely fantastic, and the fact that it is taking place during the UK City of Culture year adds to the excitement and anticipation.”

Wozniak will be joined on 30 May by Sir Tim Smit KBE, famous for his work with the world-renowned Eden Project and USA based Richard Florida, the best-selling author on the economic importance of the creative industries.

Outlining the programme, Dr Bernard Toal, Chief Executive of NORIBIC said that the (EBN) Congress is of huge significance in the business innovation sector and attracts a high-powered audience comprising international decision-makers, investors and business angels.”

EBN Congress 2013 will include a series of events and exhibitions including the Digital, Cultural and Social Innovation networking Villages. It will begin on 29th May with a civic reception hosted by the Mayor of Derry, followed by a cultural welcome event in the Craft Village. The Millennium Forum will then stage the main conference on 30th and 31st May with a Gala Dinner and Concert showcasing many local acts at The Venue at Ebrington on the Thursday evening (30th May).

Dr Toal concluded, “It is very rare to have a conference of this magnitude featuring such a stellar list of speakers right on our doorstep and we would encourage local businesses to avail of the opportunity to attend.”

http://www.noribic.com/ebncongress

Support4Growth a Success for All

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:57:12 +0100

Galway and Sligo Chamber along with the Enterprise Europe Network provide supports for women entrepreneurs in the West

Businesswomen of all walks enjoyed a morning of inspiration in Ballina on Thursday 16th of May at the “Support4Growth” mentoring clinic, coordinated by lead partner Galway Chamber, in partnership with Sligo Chamber and the Enterprise Europe Network, and supported by the European Commission.

The clinic, which was opened by Galway Chamber CEO, Michael Coyle, commented on the importance of supports for start-ups and small businesses, especially those that are female-led, in order to further develop this under-represented sector – women account for just 15-18% of established entrepreneurs in Ireland. Olwen Dawe of Irish Business Intelligence, during her keynote presentation, also spoke of the importance of support and mentoring in micro and SME development phases, given the challenges and undetermined obstacles during start-up and growth “every business experiences what I call ‘growing pains’ and having that external support mechanism – in the form of a mentor or advisor – offers a much-needed ‘sounding board’ to cushion the often testing experience and help promote sustainability and growth”.

Attendees came from Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo and Galway to the clinic and received one-to-one mentoring from experts on a wide variety of topics. Representatives from agencies including LEADER, Mayo CEB and Enterprise Ireland as well as networks from the region were also in attendance. Closing proceedings, Paul Keyes, CEO of Sligo Chamber, spoke of the role each business or start-up attending the clinic could potentially have in Ireland’s economic recovery, “Undoubtedly these times are tough, but every single business in this room can and will make a difference – I must congratulate you all on your hard work and wish you every success for the future”.

New Mayo County Council Writer-in-Residence & Writing Workshops

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:02:53 +0100

Reading & Travel Writing workshop with Manchán Magan - Mayo County Council Writer in Residence 2013

Mayo County Council Arts Office is delighted to announce Manchán Magan as Mayo County Council Writer in Residence 2013.

Manchán will be travelling the length and breadth of Mayo during the residency and will spend time working in primary schools and with writing groups in the county.

As part of the residency Manchán will give a public bi-lingual reading of his work in Ballina Library on Tuesday 11th June at 7pm. This is a free event and all are welcome to come along on the evening.

Manchán will also facilitate a Travel Writing Workshop in Lough Lannagh Holiday Village on Thursday 13th June 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, please contact Mayo County Council Arts Office on 094-9047558 or mayoarts@mayococo.ie to book for the workshop.

Manchán Magan is a writer and travel documentary-maker. He has written books on his travels in Africa, India and South America {including Angels & Rabies (Brandon, 2006) and Truck Fever (Brandon, 2008)}, and written two novels: Oddballs, a novel of affection (Brandon, 2010) and Bí i nGrá (Coiscéim).

He has also written for the Guardian, LA Times, Washington Post and has been writing the Magan’s World travel column for The Irish Times since March 2008.

He has presented and produced dozens of documentaries focusing on issues of world culture for TG4, RTE & Travel Channel.

His TG4 series No Béarla, led to his bilingual plays Broken Croí/Heart Briste and Bás Tongue (Dublin Fringe Festivals 2009 & 2011), and Focal Point (Project Arts Centre, Feb 2013). Broken Croí/Heart Briste was nominated for 2 Irish Times Theatre Awards and won a Steward Parker Irish language Award, and led to a commission from the Abbey Theatre.

Mayo County Council Arts Office has a strong history of writers in residence over the years. Previous writers who have held residencies in Mayo include Ré Ó Laighléis, Sean Lysaght, Máire Holmes, John Breen, Paddy Bushe, Éilís Ni Dhuibhne Nuala NíDhomhnaill, Biddy Jenkinson & Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde.

For more information about Manchán check out www.manchan.com and for more information on the Residency please contact Mayo Arts Office on 094-9047558 or email mayoarts@mayococo.ie

New Yeats exhibition to open at The Model in Sligo

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:40:43 +0100

Jack B Yeats - Enter the Clowns; The Circus as a Metaphor

25 May - 01 Sep at The Model arts centre in Sligo

This exhibition will look at the circus as a metaphor in the work of Jack B Yeats. Throughout his 70 year painting career, Yeats expressed themes of mental illness, loneliness, political and social change, pacifism, cruelty, racism and grief in his portrayal of circus life, and of the clown in particular. The exhibition will be drawn from a variety of public and private sources and will feature a number of works rarely exhibited publicly. The show will be one of the corner stones of Tread Softly, Sligo's new festival celebrating the artistic heritage of the Yeats family.

Dr. Hilary Pyle will Officially open the exhibition at 1pm on 13 June.

Curators' Tours

Wed 05 Jun. 1pm

Wed. 26 Jun. 1pm

Wed. 10 Jul. 1pm

Tours will take place daily throughout Tread Softly Festival, 22 Jul - 09 Aug.

See www.themodel.ie for more information.

LookWest.ie is finalist in Social Media Awards 2013

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:14:12 +0100

We're delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for this year's Social Media Awards. The Awards, which celebrate the best of social media, are organised by Damien Mulley one of Ireland’s leading authorities on social media, and winners will be announced on Thursday 30th May in Dublin.

The awards aim to recognise talent in online interaction, engagement, and innovation and highlight best practice and the importance of social media in business. Avid tweeter and 2FM presenter Rick O’Shea will act as compère on the night, announcing the winners of the 20 competitive categories.

Digital and social media manager at Bord Gáis Energy Eoin Ó Suilleabháin commented: “We are delighted to continue to support the Social Media Awards which recognise the talent, innovation, and outstanding results in social media being achieved by businesses nationwide. The quality of the entries was very impressive and we look forward to announcing the winners on May 30.” Winners will be selected by a panel of industry experts.

Other finalists in the WDC category include the Defence Forces, Irish Rail, the Road Safety Authority, IT Sligo, UCC and RTÉ.

So why do we use social media?

The WDC uses social media to help deliver LookWest.ie as the definitive guide to living, working and doing business in Ireland’s Western Region.
Social media allows us to connect directly with our audiences both in the Western Region, throughout Ireland and internationally, especially the Irish diaspora,” said Ian Brannigan (Region Development Manager) of the WDC. “By using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, we can gather feedback from people, drive engagement with the LookWest.ie campaign and facilitate networking among people who are interested in living, working or doing business in the West,” he added.

We're delighted the LookWest.ie community continues to grow; we now have 7,113 Facebook fans, 3,931 followers on Twitter and 1,198 members in the LookWest.ie LinkedIn group

LookWest.ie, first launched in 2004, promotes the West as an attractive and economically-advantageous location for enterprise. The website is aimed both at individuals and businesses in Ireland and overseas and is used by almost 30,000 visitors each month.

Sligo company Kids' Own to publish 'On The Farm' book to raise awareness of Child Safety on Farms

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:08:09 +0100

Safety Chief says zero only acceptable target as 17 children die in farm accidents in past 10 years.

The Health and Safety Authority was today joined by Ear to the Ground presenter, Helen Carroll and children from Johnswell National School in Kilkenny in launching its ‘On the Farm’ farm safety publishing competition open to primary school children nationwide. The competition is aimed at raising awareness of child safety on farms and children are asked to submit a piece of artwork, a poem or short story about life on the farm with a safety theme. Local Education Centres in every county have sent competition packs to all primary schools and the competition closes on 17th May. The winning work will be published in a book to be launched nationwide in the Autumn.

Chief Executive with the Health and Safety Authority, Mr. Martin O’Halloran, said, "17 children have died in farm accidents over the past ten years and we want to make that zero. Farms are dangerous places for children as they combine both home and workplace and, tragically, children still continue to get injured and die in farm accidents in this country. What can seem like a playground full of adventure for a child can bring devastating consequences for families. The lines can get blurred between work and safe play areas. Particular risk areas for children include moving tractors, machinery and quad bikes, slurry tanks, hazards at height including hay barns, animals and the storage of chemicals.”

Education Manager with the Authority, Joanne Harmon added that, "The tragedy of a child's death at the place where a family lives and earns their livelihood is an unimaginable horror that all must be vigilant to prevent. Children respond well to being educated about the risks around them. This competition is open to children of all ages in primary school and is an opportunity for children to raise their own awareness of safety on the farm as well as bringing the safety message home to parents. We commend every full-time Education Centre around the country for getting behind this project and helping to promote this critical message.”

Schools will conduct preliminary judging and then send eight of their children’s entries to their local full-time Education Centre by 17th May 2012, where regional judging will take place. Then, 84 children from across Ireland will be invited to attend a regional workshop with artists and children’s publishers ‘Kids’ Own’ in order to put together an ‘On the Farm’ book. The books will be published and distributed to all primary schools and libraries nationwide in the Autumn. Further information on entering can be accessed at www.hsa.ie/education. All enquiries can be directed to your local Education Centre or email educationunit@hsa.ie.

InterTradeIreland Elevate Programme seeks to fund a further 50 companies

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:05:03 +0100

InterTradeIreland Sales Development Programme - Elevate   
InterTradeIreland is pleased to announce 50 further fully funded places for SMEs and Micro businesses for its Sales Development Programme ELEVATE.  

What's in it for the company?
-          £5k in support (or €5,900 approx)
-          100% funded
-          Simple application process
-          One to One advice

Eligible to apply?
Companies must::
   •   Have less than 10 employees and have the capacity (human, financial and production) to deliver the project
   •   Be a manufacturing or tradeable service company with an annual turnover below €1.2m/£1m;
   •   Have a satisfactory track record and a trading history in their home market (minimum of 18 mths);
   •   Be focused on winning new cross-border sales;
   •   Have not generated more than 30% of their total turnover in the target cross-border market;
   •   Have a sufficiently unique product that does not displace existing products in the market place.
   •   Sole traders and partnerships that satisfy eligibility criteria are also welcome to apply.

To find out more information about Elevate and to download an application form visit: www.intertradeireland.com/elevate or contact the InterTradeIreland trade team on 028 30 834145 (048 from Ireland). Apply now.

Hear what some companies have to say about Elevate......
‘’After participating in the Elevate programme, our activity in the cross-border market has doubled. We have been able to take on two more employees as a direct result of the new business, including a marketing executive who is now working on securing further new business in the RoI market’’ Play Services Ireland Ltd, Lisburn
“The Elevate consultant we worked with was crucial on the marketing side .For a small company such as mine, I simply would not have had the expertise to carry out this side of it, nor the cash flow to employ someone for this role. Elevate allowed me to really bring my products to life and get them into shops across the island.” Dee’s Wholefoods, Cork   

Download the InterTradeIreland Elevate Flyer here.

InterTrade Ireland Seedcorn Workshops in the West this May

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:41:11 +0100

InterTradeIreland is hosting a number of events aimed at SMEs who are interested in becoming 'investor ready'. Companies who are interested in entering the Seedcorn Competition this year can discover the process for entering the competition and received advice on what an investor looks for in a business plan. There will be plenty of opportunities for questions and networking.

Seedcorn Promotional Workshop, Castlebar
Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 10:30:00 BST
Time: 10:30 - 12:00
Location: Castlebar

Seedcorn Promotional Workshop, West BIC, Galway
Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 15:00:00 BST
Time: 15:00 - 16:30
Location: West BIC, Galway

Seedcorn Promotional Workshop, IT Sligo, Sligo
Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:00 BST
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Location: IT Sligo, Sligo

Seedcorn Promotional Workshop, Letterkenny IT
Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 14:00:00 BST
Time: 14:00 - 15:30
Location: Letterkenny IT

For more information contact Connor Sweeney Tel 028 3083 4113 (048 from Ireland) or email: equity@intertradeireland.com

Find out more about this year's competition by downloading the Seedcorn 2013 - Entry Brochure here.

Network Mayo hosts Get on the Ticket – an evening of politics from a female perspective

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:34:30 +0100

Network Mayo is hosting an evening with Women for Election on Thursday, May 23, in Aras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar.

Get on the Ticket is the theme of the event which will hear from guest speaker, Niamh Gallagher, co-founder and co-director of Women for Election as well as a panellist of speakers comprising local female politicians and female political activists in County Mayo.

The aim of Women for Election, which was founded in March 2012, is to inspire and equip women to run for political office and they are running workshops and training events across the country to give women the tools and confidence to get on the ticket. There have only ever been 92 women elected to the Dail since the foundation of the State and Ireland ranks 89th in the world for female representation. These are just two of the motivations behind Women for Election which is a not for profit organisation funded through a variety of channels. In the Dail women only represent 15 per cent of the elected representatives while the number is 16 per cent at a local level. At the current rate of change it will take 250 years to reach 50 per cent female representation.

Two of the evening’s panellists are familiar names within the local political scene. Sinn Fein councillor Rose Conway-Walsh was elected to Mayo County Council in the Belmulllet Electoral Area for the first time in 2009 and is likely to go to convention for the European nomination.

Castlebar town councillor Noreen Heston is also a first time political having being elected to the local authority in the last local elections. She is currently the Deputy Mayor of Castlebar and wants to highlight to mothers in particular the difficulty that exists in balancing political and family life. According to Cllr Heston the workload is massive but it is all about prioritising and she feels she has found the right balance.

Hear about their journey in deciding to run for election and how political life has treated them since.

The next two speakers are fast building a reputation for themselves in the local political scene. Both have been appointed as local area representatives for Fianna Fail and both are working tirelessly to help rebuild the party and are regarded as potential candidates for the upcoming local elections.

Lisa Chambers, at 26 years is the youngest of all the speakers and is a barrister by profession. Ms Chambers is the local area representative for Fianna Fail in the Castlebar area and ran for the party in the last General Election. She fought a very strong battle but failed to secure a seat. However, she has continued to work for the party at grassroots level and at Ard Comhairle level having recently being re-elected as Vice President.

Joan Geraghty is well known in Mayo as a journalist and author. She worked for the Mayo News and the Mayo Advertiser and is the mother of four children. She has written two books and is the Fianna Fail local area representative for the Westport area. This Castlebar native is now living in Westport and has embraced and engaged in political life with great enthusiasm.

This event is open to the public, both men and women, and will commence at 7.30pm at Aras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar. For bookings email networkmayo@gmail.com and for further enquiries call Toni Bourke, PRO Network Mayo on 087 612 5373 or Caroline Gordon, ex-officio Network Mayo, on 086 239 2365.

Anyone interested in joining Network Mayo, the leading business networking organisation for women in business, professions and the arts, can do so on the night.

Image Caption Above Right: Niamh Gallagher, Co-Founder Women for Election

Connemara Language and Cultural Centre

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:19:44 +0100

Connemara Language and Cultural Centre (CLCC) is a newly formed educational, tourism destination located in Clifden, County Galway. Clifden is the capital town of the geographical region of Connemara, world renowned for its rugged and unspoilt beauty.

CLCC is a unique venue combining an existing holiday village, Clifden Glen, located within a safe and fully self-contained 80 hectare site 1.5 km from Clifden town with an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) school catering for families, groups and individual students. The site contains a licensed clubhouse, restaurant, laundry, 85 detached 3-bedroom lodges, children’s playground, 3 tennis courts, mini-golf course and nature walks, all bounded by the Owenglin, a prolific wild Atlantic salmon spate river. The site is set off the main road with no through traffic and is a haven of tranquility and safety adjacent to Connemara National Park with the magnificent backdrop of the Twelve Bens Mountain range.

CLCC, in its initial stages, is providing English language tuition comprising classes in the morning with adventure activities in the afternoon and cultural events hosted in the clubhouse in the evenings. Our professional, friendly and experienced staff, including our qualified native English language teachers, are here to meet all our clients’ needs, whether customising an English language course or providing specific activities to suit individual clients or families. Our educational ethos is centred on interesting, enjoyable and creative lessons, delivered by thoughtful and caring professionals, while embracing the latest educational and technological tools available.

It is the introduction of educational services within the pre-existing site that makes CLCC innovative and we aim to meet all our clients’ needs on the one site with no commuting required from accommodation to classes or for entertainment or meals.

CLCC is currently developing Gaelic language classes for those wishing to improve their Gaelic, or indeed complete beginners, and Connemara is home to Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht, a region where Gaelic is still commonly spoken.
Synergy is a major factor underpinning the development of CLCC with each element of the business enhancing the other. Integration with native speakers is vital for language learners and this is provided for with Irish families holidaying in Clifden Glen as well as locals.

Our activities and cultural activities enhance the learning experience with a focus on experiential learning and we strive to create a unique and memorable Connemara experience for each of our clients.
We are justifiably proud of our culture and heritage in Connemara and we showcase this at our cultural events hosted in our clubhouse at CLCC. Connemara is unique both in Ireland and Europe with its own identity, heritage and culture and untouched by the excess of the 20th and 21st centuries. It has inspired countless artists and embraced royalty with its captivating raw beauty, ever changing light and the un-spoilt landscape abundant with wildlife, epitomised by the magnificent wild Atlantic salmon to be seen leaping through its many rivers and lakes. Its essence is perhaps encapsulated best by its roads and fields bounded by stone walls, painstakingly hand-built without mortar, aged with lichen and moss over centuries yet perfectly preserved, withstanding the forces of nature and time. These roads promise unrivalled vistas to the traveller who ventures throughout their length and evoke memories and emotions, even in those who have never visited previously, and truly represent the road less travelled both in terms of spiritual journey and travellers met along the way.

These walls speak of an era when time meant something different than it does today. Neighbours, community and friendship are still the essence of Connemara and visitors always remark on the warmth and hospitality of the region. It is this and the landscape that draws them back year after year.

So whether to learn English or Gaelic, have an activity holiday or take the road less travelled come and stay at CLCC and experience this for yourself whilst creating your own Connemara Experience.
http://www.connemaralcc.com/en/

Mozart's Amadeus to enthrall Sligo audiences

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:04:39 +0100

Sligo Orpheus Choir has a real treat in store for music lovers this May with their Spring Concert on Friday 17th May at 8pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Sligo.

Amadeus, the music of Mozart, arguably the greatest composer of them all will be performed by the Sligo Orpheus Choir with the Sligo Chamber Orchestra, leader Niamh Crowley and Korean Soprano Eunjoo Goh. Austin McManus is conducting.

All proceeds go to the North West Hospice.

Tickets/Donations €15.00 from Hawkswell Theatre, 071 91 61518 Sligo and Liber Bookshop, O’ O'Connell St, Sligo. 071 91 42219

Upcoming InterTrade Ireland workshops fro SME's in the West

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:07:07 +0100

InterTrade Ireland have a number of upcoming Equity Network Workshops in the Western region.

These event is aimed at SMEs who are interested in becoming 'investor ready'. Companies who are interested in entering the Seedcorn Competition this year can discover the process for entering the competition and receive advice on what an investor looks for in a business plan.

These workshop is FREE of charge. There will be plenty of opportunities for questions and networking. For more informtaion go to www.intertradeireland.com/seedcorn/

Sligo Workshop

Place: The Innovation Centre at IT Sligo
Date: Wednesday 15th May 11.00 to 12.30.

Limited places available, please register your interest on the link here.

Mayo Workshop

Place: The IiBC Castlebar
Date: Tuesday 14th May at 10:30am.

Limited places available, please register your interest on the link here.

300 new jobs for Galway with Chimney Safe

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:38:32 +0100

Around 300 new jobs are to be created in the South East Galway area by the end of the year when a local businessman commences the manufacture of a unit that automates the cleaning of chimneys as well as preventing house fires.

The product is currently in production in the Limerick area but the businessman intends opening a new plant near Portumna by the end of the year which will provide some valuable employment locally.

Already there is interest from the UK, Europe, America, Canada and South Africa in the product which eliminates householders having to clean their chimneys again.

The new jobs created would mainly be in the manufacturing end but there will be also positions created in the installation of the units as well as in the administrative sector.

And the inventor of Chimney Safe, Frank Forde from Abbey, Loughrea told the Connacht Tribune that the Thatcher’s Association in England, who have 54,000 registered thatched cottages, have also made several inquiries about the product.

The new business has received financial support from Enterprise Ireland and the North Tipperary County Enterprise Board and the product has already found its way into homes in Galway, Offaly and Tipperary.

The fully computerised unit detects a build-up of soot or tar and once this happens a chemical solution is released which pours down the flue or chimney walls and turns it into fine dust. It means that chimneys will not have to be cleaned again.

Frank Forde first showcased his product back in the late 1990s on the Late Late Show – when it was called Chim Safe – and sold over 2,500 units but he put the invention on hold until three years ago.

Article via www.galwaynews.ie.

Let's Clean Sligo Bay & Beyond during Clean Coasts Week

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:37:05 +0100

Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week 2013 - 10th to the 17th of May

Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week, an annual campaign to encourage cleaning up the Irish coastline, is taking place from the 10th to the 17th of May 2013. Thousands of coastal custodians around Ireland will be participating in the fourth annual Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week which is part of An Taisce's Clean Coasts programme. The week is a celebration of the coast and emphasises the important role that we can all play, and are playing, in conserving our marine environment.

Events being held in Sligo as part of Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week include:

11th of May - Clean Sligo Bay & Beyond – A Countywide Coastal Cleanup, to register your clean up Log on to www.cleancoastsweek.ie
12th May @ 6pm – Coastal Theme film night taking place in the Model Arts Centre, Sligo. A number of films will be shown including the Norwegian Surf movie ‘North of the Sun’ and Easkey Britton’s ‘Surf in Iran’. Drinks will be provided on the night and there will free draw for all those in attendance.

“Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week forms a key part of the Clean Coasts program which has been running for a decade now,” said Pat Oliver, Director, Environmental Education Unit, An Taisce. “In that time, 1,111,682 pieces of litter have been removed from the Irish coastline thanks to 300 coastcare groups made up of 10, 456 volunteers taking part in a phenomenal 3,165 in the last ten years. This year we are hoping to stage Ireland’s biggest ever clean up and we’re mobilising communities in every coastal region to come out and take part in this special celebratory event.”

Speaking about Coca-Cola’s support of An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme, Erica Roseingrave, Coca-Cola Hellenic Ireland said: “Coca-Cola is committed to investing in the local environment, protecting the natural beauty of our beaches and encouraging community participation in preserving our landscape. The Coca Cola Clean Coasts Week programme emphasises the important role that we can all play, in conserving our marine environment. We are delighted to once again partner with An Taisce in support of this initiative, where all across the country, local communities will be coming together to celebrate the wonderful natural resource that is our extensive coastline.”

Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week will run from 10th to the 17th of May with activities taking place nationwide. For further information about Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week 2013 or details about an event in your areal log onto www.cleancoastsweek.ie.

EU2013 - "Women's Economic Engagement and the Europe 2020 Agenda"

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:47:33 +0100

Network Mayo and Network Ireland National Executive members Olwen Dawe and Una Murphy were delighted to attend the Irish Presidency 2013 conference on gender equality, which took place in Dublin Castle on the 29th and 30th of April.

Pictured are President Julia Lynes and Vice-President, Mary Fehily-Hobbs, along with Secretary and VP Designate, Olwen Dawe and Branch Expansion & Support Officer, Una Murphy. They joined delegates at the EU2013 conference from around Europe across a range of disciplines both public and private sector.

The conference, entitled “Women’s Economic Engagement and the Europe 2020 Agenda” featured speakers from the European Commission, enterprise, equality and justice representative authorities as well as private companies. A focused, solutions-driven theme carried through the conference, which sought to highlight the opportunities available to all European countries to truly harness the economic contribution of women. www.networkireland.ie