Month: March 2009

ENERGY Minister Eamon Ryan has called on all homeowners and con- struction workers in Clare to register their interest in the Government’s National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery.

With a budget of €100 million for 2009, the programme will see in- sulation works being carried out in 50,000 homes, creating a potential 4,000 jobs for construction workers and energy assessors nationwide.

The energy efficiency and insula- tion programme will be delivered in three strands, with Minister Ryan’s department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources tak- ing a central role, responsible for two of the principle schemes — the Home Energy Saving Scheme and the Warmer Homes Scheme.

The Home Energy Saving Scheme will have a budget of €50 million and will apply to middle-income pri- vate dwellings. The Warmer Homes Scheme will have a budget of €20 million and will be available to those earning low incomes or in receipt of a fuel allowance.

Rural Resource Development is as- sisting Sustainable Energy Ireland in administering this scheme in County ETc

Announcing the programme, Min- ister Ryan said, “Insulation makes homes warmer and more comfort- able. Householders in Clare and be- yond can expect to halve their heat- ing bills with reductions of €700 per annum. This means more money in their pockets. Construction work- ers will benefit from the thousands of jobs these measures we create. These will be jobs for trades-people throughout the country.

“In our current economic climate, we need direction and radical think- ing. This insulation programme Saves energy, Saves money and cre- ates jobs. This is what our people, our homes and our economy need at WOT RmO UDO oMee

Grants to support a range of im- provements will be available.

For further information on apply- ing for the schemes, Sustainable En- ergy Ireland (SEI) can be contacted at www.sei.ie/hes or by calling the dedicated phonelines on 1850 927 O00 (HES) or 1800 250204 (WHS)

_ Which was broadcast live on RTE on Sunday night.

The Mulkerrin Brothers, who have strong family connections in Ennis, played traditional music and perform sean nos dancing at the final.

The three brothers, Padraig, Ea- monn and Sean, from Inis Mor, beat seven-year-old break-dancer Jack

Lynch in the final showdown of the Series, to claim the €50,000 first prize.

“Getting through to the final was amazing, we thought that was a big achievement, and even got through to the final we didn’t think we had a hope, so it’s massive shock. I am speechless,” said Padraig Mulkerrin following the win.

“Thanks to everyone who voted for us, because without them we wouldn’t have won.”

There was disappointment for the county’s other two acts which made it to the grand final. ;

Both Bert and Victor and Daithi O Dronai failed to make it through to the final two.

Ballyvaughan fiddler Daithi had been many peoples favourite for the competition after he became the first person to qualify for the grand final last month.

Bert and Victor, who have strong links to Kilrush, were also hotly fan- cied to make an impact in the final.

O’Brien Boys represented Dublin in the final but are grandchildren of Kilrush couple Ted and Marga- ret Wright, and the sons of Dolores O’Brien (nee Wright) who grew up in Pella Road.

The other contestants who took part in Sunday evenings final were Donna Marie Sludds and Clidna Hagan.

THE Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce mid-west re- gion said that “economic conditions will remain extremely challenging in 2009 and 2010 and that the mul- tinational community in the region, like every other business sector, will be focused on costs and productivity improvements to enhance competi- UA Nee

Speaking at a members briefing in Dromoland Castle, Mr Bill Doherty said, “In the current climate every business has to focus on the bot- tom line and on delivering value to its customers. There is pressure on all businesses to achieve improved productivity, increased efficiencies and a more prudent cost base. In the multinational environment, where individual country subsidiaries are competing against each other for in- vestment from the global parent, it is imperative that subsidiaries located here are cost competitive.

“There are challenging times ahead for the mid-west and the first priority must be to retain the strong base of existing companies in the region.”

Turn in fortunes for west Clare company

THE ability to make an instant im- pression was put to the test in Dro- moland Castle last week, when over one hundred business people stood face-to-face and pitched their re- spective businesses at each other. This business networking evening, organised by the Chambers of Com- merce in Shannon, Limerick and En- nis, was the first initiative of its kind jointly organised by the respective chambers to encourage their collec- tive membership to pitch their busi- nesses at each other.

Organisers and attendees were delighted with the outcome of the event. Claire Bannon of Indigo Signs, Smithstown, Shannon described it as the most impressive networking event she had attended, “It was easy to chat and make contact and emails have been flying in since.”

The evening was facilitated by ex- perienced networker and award-win- ning business coach Derek O’Dwyer of ActionCoach Ireland.

PLATO MidWest, Supply Network Shannon (SNS), Limerick Insti- tute of Technology (LIT) and the University of Limerick have joined forces to host a seminar for start up entrepreneurs and established SMEs to focus on the supports available to assist them to invest in R&D and in- novation.

The seminar, entitled “Knowl- edge Economy Research, Supports for Third Level and Companies to Facilitate Commercialisation and Collaboration” is to take place at Thomond Park on the April 2 from 2.30pm until 5.00pm.

Plato MidWest is a business sup- port forum for owner managers of SME’s. It is funded by the Enter- prise Boards of Limerick City and County and Clare. Through a unique partnership with large ‘parent’ com- panies, it provides its members with facilitated group learning, specialist expertise and advice and networking opportunities.

Commenting on the forthcoming seminar, Eoin Tynan-O’ Mahony, Re- gional Manager, Plato MidWest said, “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with LIT and SNS to bring this seminar to SMEs in the mid-west region. Both Plato and SNS members believe that there needs to be a greater awareness amongst companies in the SME sector of the supports available and easier access to funding opportunities open to them for R&D and innovation.

“The aim of this seminar is to pro- vide SMEs with the opportunity to see the value of and understand how research and technology transfer in the knowledge economy, can work for them and identify the routes to those supports. The starting point is to know who to contact in the third- level sector, Enterprise Ireland and other agencies and to learn about the success of other small companies in this field.”

Keynote speaker, Dr Siobhan Moane from LIT will provide an overview of Ireland’s drive to en- hance research linkages between enterprise and third-level education. Dr Moane, a native of Caherdavin, has worked as a science lecturer at LIT since 2000 and was recently appointed to the post of head of re- search and technology transfer to further develop links between re- search at LIT and industry.

SNS is an industry led, open, sec- toral network of manufacturing and service providers located in the Shannon region. Its aim is to rep- resent, promote, develop and inter- connect manufacturing and service companies in the region, regardless of size or activity.

Other speakers at the event will include Mr Liam Brown, National Contact Point NMP FP7, Enterprise Ireland (EI), Tom Bannon and Deir- dre Brougham, Enterprise Ireland

For further information and to reg- ister for this event contact Eoin Ty- nan-O’ Mahony, Regional Manager, Plato MidWest, mob: 086 303 5664 or email eoimn@platomidwest.ie. There is no charge for the event.

“THE seven luckiest divers in Eu- rope’ was how the group rescued from the water in Kilkee on Saturday was described.

The group had a lucky escape af- ter very strong currents swept them 600 metres out to sea, at lunchtime

on Saturday.

The group, members of the Athlone Sub Aqua club, spent two hours in the water, before being taken to safety.

The group went diving off George’s Head in Kilkee Bay at around mid- day and had only intended undertak- ing a 30-minute dive. However, the alarm was raised some 45 minutes

later, after they failed to resurface.

One of the group, a 20-year-old man, suffered from hypothermia as a result of the incident, but has made a recovery. None of the others suf- fered any consequences of what hap- pened. They were visiting Kilkee for a weekend trip.

The rescue operation got underway

through contact with Valentia Coast- guard. The Irish Coastguard helicop- ter was then contacted, while Kilkee Marine Rescue was then notified of the incident.

Kilkee Marine Rescue Service spokesman, Manuel Di Lucia said

conditions were atrocious on the CENA “Visibility was so bad. They

wouldn’t have been able to see where they were going. The waves were all over the place. They were thrown around by the swell and ended up 1,500 metres from where they went in,” he said.

After being dispatched to the scene, the coastguard helicopter spotted the group in the water and two of the men were airlifted to safety. The other five were picked up by the res- cue boat, which was in the area at the time.

“They were very lucky. They can count themselves the seven luckiest divers in Europe. If the helicopter hadn’t spotted them, they would have been in serious trouble. Even the diver boat coming back found it very tough,” he said.

‘This was one of the more serious incidents in Kilkee, but as it turned out, it wasn’t tragic, thankfully,” he Crate

Poet donates book proceeds to charity

EVEN the weather was kind for the launch last week of the first currach to be made in Quilty in 32 years.

After day of rain and high winds, the skies cleared for enough time for the craft to take to the waters.

Ten members of Quilty Currach Club built the boat from scratch.

It was built under the supervision of boat-builder James Madigan and erant-aided by the Clare VEC.

It was launched at Seafield pier and

blessed by Fr Pat Larkin.

“Thirty-two years ago, the late Austin Boyle – better known as Au- tie – built the last currach, which was later shipped to Chicago and today hangs on display in Fado’s Irish pub, which is owned by a Limerick man,” explained currach club member, Ter- esa Egan.

The only woman to work on the building of the boat, Teresa traced the last currach built to Chicago.

‘“Autie’s son, also called Austin, worked on building this currach, so

the skill has gone to the second gen- eration now,” she said.

The Quilty area was once a strong- hold of the currach. In the 1940s, the boats were used for drift-net fishing for mackerel and herring.

The sea gave work of other kinds as well. In the 1960s there was a sea- weed factory in Kilrush and Galway and the walls at Seafield were always covered in seaweed drying in the Oeone-te

“In the mid ‘20s there were 50 cur- rachs in the area of Quilty and each

currach was named after a saint,” said Teresa. ““We don’t have a name for our currach yet. We still have to decide,’ she added.

Now the club are in training to row in the upcoming regattas.

The currach’s first venture out to sea will be in a charity row from Kilrush to Carrigaholt on Saturday, March 14.

THE winter vomiting bug has closed a third-level facility in the mid-west for almost a week.

Last week, a number of students presented themselves to the Med1i- cal Centre at Mary Immaculate Col- lege with gastric flu-like symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting. The college immediately contacted the HSE who, following their inves- tigations, have confirmed seven in- dividual cases of norovirus (winter vomiting bug) amongst the students.

The college, in consultation with the HSE, moved to control the out- break last Wednesday, suspending all college activities in order to facilitate the intensive cleaning and sanitisa- tion of the campus to prevent a sec- ondary introduction of the virus.

The college expressed their grati- tude to the HSE for the “swift and professional manner in which they dealt with this matter and thanked them for their advice and _ assist- _N Nome

The college will re-open today but student activities, including lectures and tutorials, are postponed until 9am on Wednesday, March 18.

The HSE said that “preliminary results of their investigations sug-

gested that the outbreak of gastroen- teritis at Mary Immaculate College was caused by norovirus, the source of which has not been identified. Precautionary measures are being implemented by Mary Immaculate College to minimise the risk of fur- ther transmission.”

Norovirus is often known as ‘win- ter vomiting disease’. Outbreaks af- fecting hundreds of people have been reported. Cases occur in all seasons although it is true that there is an in- crease in winter.

The illness characteristically starts with the sudden onset of severe and dramatic vomiting. This can occur with such force that it is termed “pro- jectile”. The virus is so small that there are millions of them in parti- cles of vomit which can be widely dispersed in an area.

“Tt is vitally important to clean a very wide area when cleaning up after a person who has vomited,’ a spokes- woman for the HSE said. Some peo- ple also develop diarrhoea.”

In general, the symptoms usually last for about 24 to 36 hours after which the person feels washed out for a day or so. There are no long- term effects of norovirus infection and, even in the frail or elderly, eve- ryone makes a full recovery.