Business Limerick Magaxine 08/08 by Business Limerick

AUGUST 2008 € 3.50

"Shannon Region Needs To Develop Infrastructure" States Leading Industrialist Kieran MacSweeney

Inside: • Irish Property Group Forges Ahead in Germany • Minister Opens ICS New Building • Giants of Sport Banquet in Limerick mmm$Xki_d[iib_c[h_Ya$_[

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....................................................................................... BL | EDITORIAL & CONTENTS

FROM THE EDITOR

August 2008

CONTENTS 04 14 19 21

BL COVER STORY Shannon Region Needs To Develop Infrastructure

BL FEATURE Maintaining Your Business

Thomond Park is the Business

BL COMPETITION Win a Weekend Break for 2 in Tara Towers, Dublin

The redeveloped Thomond Park, as it reaches its completion stage has emerged as a monumental landmark dominating the city’s skyline. Munster Rugby has recognised the need and opportunity to look positively at Thomond Park as a revenue generator all year round.

BL GALLERY Out & About with BL

BL NEWS Shannon Development Key Results for 2007

BL REVIEW Knightly Splendour in Glin Castle

BL DIRECTORY A - Z Business Listing

BL GALLERY EXTRA Minister Opens International Cargo Services New Facility

Business Limerick

Patrons

FOR BUSINESS LEADERS

Editor Frank Collins frank@businesslimerick.ie Mobile: 086 245 1153

Graphic Design Zuzana Jezikova Creative Wave Design Mobile: 086 1063744

Advertising Manager Marguerite Finnan mags@businesslimerick.ie Mobile: 087 245 1153

Photography Michael Cowhey

Advertising Sales Yvonne Sheehan yvonne@businesslimerick.ie Mobile: 086 8072088 Business Journalists Brian McLaughlin brianmclaughlin@eircom.net Accounts Manager Mary Cassela maryc@businesslimerick.ie

Photographic Contributors Press 22 Kieran Clancy - PicSure Dave Gaynor Keith Wiseman Contributors Mal Keaveney Mick Galwey Padraig O’Connell Published by Business Limerick Publications Ltd.

Directors Frank Collins Marguerite Finnan

Business Limerick Pillar House, Little Ellen Street, Limerick Tel: (061) 46 75 18 (061) 21 47 38 Fax: (061) 46 85 60

Last week, Munster Rugby also launched the match-day corporate box facility to businesses in the Region. Businesses who rent one of the twenty corporate boxes available will receive tickets for three home Heineken Cup games and four Magners League fixtures. Every box has the use of 15 tickets. There are further plans to use the stadium as a concert venue and as a host to other sporting events. Good news for all of us to see this world renowned rugby stadium becoming an integral part of our day to day business lives and proud symbol of our sporting city.

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Business Limerick Magazine is published monthly by Business Limerick Publications Limited. © 2008 Business Limerick. All Rights Reserved. The information contained in the magazine is believed to be accurate and authorative, however it is not intended to substitute for legal, accounting, tax or other professional advice. Statements and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Business Limerick. No responsibility can be assumed for any unsolicited materials and submission is construed as permission to publish without any further correspondence and the fee payable (if any) at our usual rates. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers.

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Not only has this impressive stadium doubled its capacity for rugby fans on match-day, but it has added some very attractive facilities for the business and corporate sector. They have introduced various sized conference centre/ business hospitality suites incorporating the latest technology with fast broadband connectivity catering for all your communication needs and facilitating up to 500 delegates or guests. The catering arrangements will range from extensive four course menu to an optional light meal, all prepared by Masterchefs Hospitality. It certainly makes your conference or meeting much more attractive with the background of the new Thomond Park!

Frank Collins Editor frank@businesslimerick.ie

Shannon Region Needs To Develop Infrastructure - States Leading Industrialist Kieran MacSweeney A leading Shannon Free Zone industry chief believes that the Shannon region continues to lose out because of the delays in developing infrastructure.

foreign direct investment. This would suggest that other companies have had similar experiences which would reflect a negative image of accessibility to the region.

Avocent International Ltd., Managing Director Kieran MacSweeney was referring specifically to the Limerick/Galway road network and to Shannon Airport..

A founding member of the Atlantic Technology Corridor, he agreed that the government should stop the current decentralization plan but as recommended recently by Dr Ed Walsh, President Emiritus of the University of Limerick, that the government should consider concentrating the decentralization in the Atlantic Corridor between Galway and Limerick providing a real opportunity for a population of substance offering a positive economic counter pole to Dublin.

He told Business Limerick in an exclusive interview: there was a missed opportunity that the region did not copperfasten the agreement on accelerating support of existing infrastructural plans. He instanced the new tunnel, the Galway motorway and regulating additional investment for Open Skies. While we had something to bargain with two years ago, we should have copper fastened it before acceding to open skies he declared. In relation to open skies which is now a year in operation, he pointed out that in his companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal experience corporate visitor numbers are considerably down by 75% and customer visits are down by over 50% since aer lingus pulled out of the Shannon/ Heathrow service. He went on to say that we are not as business friendly a location as we think for customer-facing international

He is a native of St. Patricks Road, Limerick and was educated at Sexton Street CBS where he was a member of the Harty Cup hurling team in 1974/75. A former President of IBEC Mid-West he played a prominent role in various organisations and was a former Chairman of the Shannon Foynes Port Company, a past Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Mid-West and was also a Chairman of Meet Limerick Shannon and Chairman of the Spina Bifida Association Mid-West branch. After completing his secondary studies Ki-

eran MacSweeney joined the Department of Health in Dublin in 1975 as Executive Officer and two years later transferred to the Posts and Telegraphs Computer Department in Dundrum in the capital and studied for a computer science degree in Trinity College Dublin while in the Civil Service. He branched into the private commercial world when he joined Wang the computer multi-national at start-up in Plassey in 1981 rising to European Business Planning Manager. From there he progressed to Intel and found himself back in Dublin again. In 1992 he moved back to the Shannon region as head of Maidenformâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s European Operations Centre. His next move was to Cybex Europe in 1996 which later became Avocent in 2000 manufacturing IT systems for corporate facilities. Discussing the current downturn in the economy Mr MacSweeney said todays problems have been ignored for over 1 years by the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political leaders. We have to be realistic and address these problems proactively, to work on initiatives, to minimize the negative impact earlier and to recognise we have a problem and deal

Keeping an eye on Business

with it. If there is any suggestion of higher taxes, it must be resisted and other methods of investment must be found he said. The business leader suggested that the Government should bring together the economic consultants who have called it correct so far to assess the possible length of the recession and to come up with recommendations to help remedy the situation. This needs to include support for the risk-taking wealth-producing section of the economy.

"Every year the company has striven to excel internationally and nationally and has achieved the IS09001 and IS09002. It established a world-class balance score card framework for the operation of the organisation including employees performance and product quality. Avocent Shannon also achieved the ISO1400 Environmental Award, Excellence Through People National Award showing the company as a

corporate centre of excellence. "In 2002 Avocent Shannon led the parent company to complete accreditation globally which it achieved on March 17 2003. "Referring to R&D as an attractive area within our company, I am now looking at consolidating and building on the functions we have retained here and for them to be-

"When businesses are looking to locate, they are looking for stability, certainty, consistency and clarity. The Government needs to adopt policies to provide this and to give confidence to the international community wishing to locate in Europe. "For example a positive direction would be a two year pay freeze for all public servants earning 50,000 plus. This would show leadership and a Government wage reduction would again show leadership. Success should be viewed for Government services on how the economy improves and wage increases based on department performance achievement and specifically pegged to the improvement in where Ireland is in the International Competitiveness index. We are currently 22, down from 4 a few years ago. If we improve 5 places next year, the government should get an increase. If we do not, they should have a pay freeze or even a reduction if we drop in the index" he said. He considered that Government should redirect resources from the National Treasury NTMI to support the indigenous and SME sector and as we are such an open economy, we should accelerate the completion of double tax treaties with other countries. He pointed out that the Netherlands for instance has 80 double tax treaties, the U.K has 120 and Ireland in comparison has 45. These double tax treaties would encourage trade between countries.

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Kieran MacSweeney heads up a company that is a subsidiary of a U.S. multi-national. Avocent delivers IT infrastructure management solutions that according to the company reduce operation costs, simplify management and increase the availability of critical IT environments 24/7 via integrated, centralised in-band and out-of-band hardware and software solutions. He believes in understanding your relevance within the parent company and everything you do is paramount to the success of that company. ÈÙææí ËãÛÕâ æÙ×ÝÙêÙØ Õ ÇäÙ×ÝÕà ÀÝÚÙèÝáÙ µ×ÜÝÙêÙáÙâè µëÕæØ Ýâ ¾ÕâéÕæí ¦¤¤«¢ ÄÝ×èéæÙØ ëÝèÜ µâÙèèÙ ÕâØ ¿ÝÙæÕâ¢ www.businesslimerick.ie

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Keeping an eye on Business

come the strategic and tactical added value contributor as R&D has been traditionally viewed. The Shannon organization remains the centre of support for International Finance, International HR, IT, Customer support, Professional Services, Quality, Supply Chain and Operations. This is an area where other subsidiaries of U.S. multi-nationals may be able to diversify their focus to provide these expanded areas to their core mandate and become more relevant to their parent company" he suggested.

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He advocated that companies should challenge their organisation to become more skilled and more competitive and at Avocent Shannon they have built a knowledge base

range of activities in broadening their controls to their mandate which makes them more relevant to the parent company. Avocent Shannon today has 103 employees of which 80 per cent are highly-skilled knowledge-based functions. In a recent rationalisation the company lined up an outplacement company at significant cost to work with each employee affected and to assist in finding alternative employment. Mr. MacSweeney a member of the Advisory Board of the Kemmy School of Business at UL referred to the announcement of a recent acquisition of a software manufacturer in Woking, England. We are involved in the transition of Touchpaper where we am responsible for integrating it into the overall Avocent Company over the next 12 months.“This highlights Shannon’s expertise in this field of Due Diligence, Integration Planning and implementation and being relevant to the parent company and now a Shannon-based team is available for the integration of any new Avocent acquisitions," he said. The Avocent Corporation acquired Touchpaper Group Limited, a provider of business management solutions for approximately GBP 23 million (approx. $45 million). Touchpaper has over 218 employees. The Corporation also acquired ERGO 2000 Inc. a provider of rack-mounted LCD consoles in Fullerton, California for approx. $27.5 million. Kieran MacSweeney is married to Annette and they have two children Michelle who is employed by the Revenue Commissioners and Stephen a student.

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Etihad Order 205 Aircrafts

Limerick Landmark Hotel to be Sold

Etihad Airways has placed one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. The total deal for up to 205 wide-body and narrow-body planes is worth approximately US $43 billion, at list prices. It comprises 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights in a combination of Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

The former Glentworth Hotel and currently Pery’s Best Western Hotel on Glentworth Street is to be sold. The landmark building has operated as a hotel since 1878, employs 49 workers. The hotel is being sold as a going concern so there seems to be no apparent danger to their jobs. The asking price for the hotel is € 8million and includes the adjoining building at 27 Catherine Street. There are sixty-two rooms here, three bars, a restaurant and an extensive ballroom.

Issue 9 of Revival Revival, the poetry journal of the WhiteHousePoets, is calling for submissions from local, national and international poets for the next issue which will be published in Limerick, Oct 2008. The deadline for submissions is: Issue 9 is the 31st August 2008.

New Development for Bedford Row The former bar, The Bedford Oak, in Bedford Row has been acquired by Michael Daly of Fordmount Developments. Michael is well known for his development involvement in many of our cities landmark developments which includes the transition of one half of Bedford Row’s transformation. This purchase has given rise to speculation that he intends to redevelop the remaining side of Bedford Row in the near future. Michael Daly’s developments include the Park retirement development in Castletroy, the new Riverpoint Building and the Marriott Hotel.

Anthony Foley Honoured at Limerick Race Course The 'Anthony Foley Handicap Hurdle' was one of seven National Hunt Races on July 24th at Limerick Racecourse. Named after the great Munster and Ireland Rugby Player who retired this year, the Racecourse Executive also presented him with Honorary Life Membership to Greenmount. Angus Houston General Manager of Limerick Racecourse said, "Limerick is all about Sport and a lot of our Racegoers are very much Munster Rugby Fans as well. We felt this was a fitting tribute to Anthony from all of us here at Greenmount."

The New Maldon Hotel The Quality Hotel is to be rebranded and will now be called the Maldon Hotel. Dalata the company that owns the Quality and ten other hotels countrywide is to rebrand nine of its hotels under the Maldon name. The nine hotels are in Galway Dublin, Limerick, Wexford, Cork and Portlaoise. Their other two hotels in Youghal and Clonakilty will remain Quality Hotels.

Oxfam Ireland Announces New Chief Executive

Jim Clarken

Oxfam Ireland is delighted to announce that Limerick-born Jim Clarken has become the new Chief Executive of Oxfam Ireland. Jim has been working at senior management and board level within a broad range of professional and voluntary organisations for over 15 years. Prior to joining Oxfam Ireland, Jim managed a large health and water programme with GOAL in Southern Sudan and most recently has worked as General Manager of the Chernobyl Children’s Project International. Jim will be responsible for managing over 120 staff and 1000 volunteers: “I would like to pay tribute to all the staff and volunteers of Oxfam Ireland for the many successes to date. I look forward to working with them to lead the organisation into this exciting stage in our development “

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Your professional eyecare service Specsavers is located at: Cruises Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 312 811 www.businesslimerick.ie

Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick. Tel: 061 302 120 7

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Shannon Development Briefs Minister for Transport During his resent visit to Clare and Limerick (Thursday 17th July â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;08), Noel Dempsey T.D., Minister for Transport, accepted an invitation from Shannon Development for an update on the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regional development activities to promote tourism and industry in the Shannon Region. The Minister was briefed by Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, John Brassil, Chairman, Shannon Development, and John King, Heritage & Tourism Director, Shannon Development.

Pictured at Shannon Development offices in the Granary Limerick are (from left); John King, Heritage & Tourism Director, Shannon Development, Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, Noel Dempsey TD Minister for Transport, and John Brassil, Chairman Shannon Development.

Ray Cummins Picture Framing 15 catherine Street Limerick Our Framing Centre is a locally owned business that has been servicing Limerick and the Mid West for over 20 years.

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4th Year of Centre Stage Adult Summer Schools The CentreStage Adult Summer Schools are all set to begin in the LIT Millennium Theatre on Monday August 11th. Now in it’s 4th year the Adult Summer Schools in acting and singing have proved extremely popular with adults wishing to spend some quality time expanding there crafts during August in the company of professional tutors. The Adult Acting Academy takes place evenings from Monday 11th August to Thursday 14th August, 6pm - 9pm and Tuesday 19th to Friday 22nd August, 6pm - 9pm. Working on Acting & Performance Skills including movement, characterisation, improvisation, voice and body it offers an opportunity for Adult Actors to spend quality time developing their performance skills over this two week period. The Acting academy will culminate with the performance of Shakespeare’s ‘The COMEDY OF ERRORS’ in The Peoples Park, Limerick on Saturday 23rd August at 1pm & 4pm.

The CentreStage Adult Musical Theatre Summer Academy takes place at the same times as the Acting Academy in LIT from Monday 11th August to Thursday 14th August, 6pm - 9pm and Tuesday 19th to Friday 22nd August, 6pm - 9pm. It offers Adult singers the opportunity to spend quality time developing their performance skills with professional tutors while working on Singing Techniques including breathing, tone, pitch, body, singing exercises and audition techniques. The Adult singing academy will culminate with a performance of ‘MISS SAIGON in Concert’ in the Georgian House on Saturday 23rd August at 7pm. Previous productions have included the music of Kander and Ebb, Rodgers and Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim. Contact Mr. Richie Ryan at 061 – 353716 or log on to www.centrestageireland.com for full details as a last few remaining places are still available.

Adult students from the 2007 CentreStage Summer Schools. www.businesslimerick.ie

“a kind a different” As we take a flower in our hand and really look at it It's our world for the moment This August month We want to give this world to you

FLOWERS FOREVER THE COMPANY THAT CAN CONVEY WHAT WORDS CANNOT SAY Flowers Forever Raheen is working to become the most recognizable florist in the Mid-West. Limerick's largest companies, established hotels / restaurants and discerning consumers come to us for all of their floral needs. When you step inside Flowers Forever you immediately notice that it isn't your ordinary flower shop. Our idea is to heighten our customers sense of smell, taste, sight and touch as they enter our premises. The aroma of freshly cut flowers hits you as you are greeted by one of our friendly design team who seem to know everything to do with what pleases the eye!! Rachel points out that we are the "designer florist, a kind a different, that put customers at ease in the certain knowledge that their arrangement purchase will not only provide value for money but is also a work of art". The proprietors Rachel and David Hannon have worked tirelessly to turn this once huckster shop into a busy and booming business. Rachel says "that amongst the many reasons why Flowers Forever scores highly in the categories of style,and appearance, is that we pride our business success on quality not quantity". For a birthday, wedding day, anniversary, Mother's Day, funeral or any day you'd like to mark, we provide fast fresh flower deliveries and a gorgeous choice of blooms. Hand-tied bunches to formal bouquets, featuring every type of favourite fresh flower, with roses, lilies and anything you want, in every colour and mood. We also supply interior plants for the home and office, including stunning tropical plant displays - a must for a style conscious space! If you really want to impress, look no further than Flowers Forever, it's a must-see for all discerning flower lovers.

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Irish Property Group forges Ahead in Germany

Gerry Collopy, Director of EPI.

Work has commenced on an Irishowned 21 acre site in the heart of the city of Bamberg in Bavaria, Germany which is a unique €250 million commercial and residential development. It was bought in entirety by an Irish syndicate put together by European Property Investments (EPI) with offices in River Point, Limerick and Berlin who to date they have placed over € 450 million in German property and are currently marketing the 4th EPI German Property Fund.. Mezzanine finance for the first phase in the development will be provided by EPI’s newest fund, the EPI 4th German Property Fund. This investment vehicle - which is currently raising funds - offers investors a combination of existing properties with strong tenants together with commercial development projects .says Gerry Collopy , Director of EPI here in Limerick. The EPI 4th German Property Fund has a projected IRR of over 22% and investment begins at €50,000. The fund is suitable for both direct and pension investment with a tax efficient exit strategy. Further projects include a Logistics and Solar Park on the outskirts of Berlin. 10

Newly Appointed BMW & MINI dealer for Galway

From left to right: David Hogan, Chairman Tom Hogan Motors, John Lawlor, BMW Network Strategy Manager and Paul Hogan (FCA), Director Tom Hogan Motors, signing the official contract to become the newly appointed BMW & MINI Dealer for Galway.

Tom Hogan Motors is delighted to announce that their new BMW and MINI showroom located in Ballybrit, Galway is now open for business. Located next door to the existing Tom Hogan showroom, this new temporary BMW & MINI dealership is fully equipped to meet the high standards which BMW customers have come to expect. Tom Hogan has more than thirty years experience in the car industry, having built their reputation on delivering exceptional levels of customer service across all their sales and aftersales departments and they intend to continue this ethos through to the new BMW & MINI business. The new Tom Hogan BMW and MINI showroom facility will provide a full range of ser-

vices from new and used car sales for both BMW and MINI, Corporate Sales, Finance as well as a fully equipped BMW & MINI authorised workshop for all aftersales requirements, including warranty. From 1st October 2008 Tom Hogan Motors will be the only authorised BMW & MINI sales dealers in Galway City and County. Tom Hogan Motors look forward to welcoming all customers to the new BMW & MINI dealership in Ballybrit, Galway where you can meet the team and experience for yourself the exceptional level of customer service you can always rely on Tom Hogan to deliver. For more information log onto www.tomhoganbmw.ie or www.tomhoganmini.ie to call (091) 387800.

Founder of Lir Chocolates to Address Network North Tipperary Senator Mary White, founder of Lir Chocolates will address members of Network North Tipperary this Autumn. She will be talking about her experience at 8pm on Tuesday, 9th September at the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Women, who own or manage a business in the Midwest, are welcome to attend.

Ireland – a national networking organisation for women in business. Members of other Network branches are welcome to attend the seminar free of charge. Non-members can attend at a cost of €15 per person. If you would like to attend the evening seminar, please book your place through Event Success on info@ eventsuccess.ie or 067-33464.

The event is being hosted by Network North Tipperary. It is the newest branch of Network

Network North Tipperary is kindly supported by the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board. www.businesslimerick.ie

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Executive Hire - Driven By Success Executive Hire offer a first class chauffeur service, based in Mungret, which ensures your maximum comfort and safety at all times whether it is an airport transfer, corporate transfer, a special occasion (wedding etc.), a golf outing or a sight seeing trip. They provide a superb fleet of Mercedes S Class, XJ8 Jaguar, Mercedes Executive Viano minibus (seats 6) with full Business Package. Mercedes Luxury Sprinter (seats 12) with full Business Package including leather seats, DVD players and Air Conditioning. Their drivers are courteous, punctual and experienced. They will make your journey a very memorable occasion, whether it is business or pleasure. CORPORATE SERVICE: At Executive Hire, they combine comfortable travel with efficient service. They ensure that you get to your business smoothly and promptly freeing you to prepare for a vital meeting or important client.

GOING ON HOLIDAY: Avoid expensive airport car park charges with Executive Hire family airport transfer collection service. SPORTING TRIPS: Rugby, soccer, hurling and football etc., they provide luxury and comfort at affordable rates. Special prices for your corporate day out, whether it is golf, horseracing or following Munster Rugby. Their vehicles are at your disposal complete with DVD, card tables, individual air-conditioning and fridge for cool refreshments. FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; WEDDING SERVICE: Executive Hire are committed to making sure your wedding day runs smoothly and beautifully. Their cars are professionally presented, decorated with ribbons of your choice, complete with professional chauffeurs.

They cover the top courses in Ireland, such as: Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort Home to The Irish Open - an 18 hole championship course on the 840 acre estate of Adare Manor. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., one of the most respected and best known golf course architects in the world. Dromoland Castle Golf Club -18 hole course set in rolling greenery and lake view, with the majestic castle in the background. Ballybunion - probably one of the best and most beautifl tests of links golf anywhere in the world. Doonbeg - the beautiful setting combined with the design skills of Greg Norman result in a golfing masterpiece. Lahinch - often referred to as the 'St Andrews' of Ireland. Old Head of Kinsale - this remarkable course is built on a 216 acre promontory jutting out into the Atlantic.

They have a vast wealth of experience in providing transport for corporate functions, and have a range of vehicles to suit your needs. TOURING AND SIGHTSEEING: Suggested tours such as the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren, Killarney/ Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula and Blarney Castle or customise your own tour.

Waterville - with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Kerry Mountains - favoured by many of the big names in the world of golf. Tralee this magnificent links was the first golf course Arnold Palmer designed in Europe. EXECUTIVE HIRE Ormond House, Caher Road, Mungret, Co. Limerick Tel: 00353 (0)87 7930447 Email: chauffeurs@executivehire.ie Web: www.executivehire.ie

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GOLF TRIPS: Executive Hire can organise custom made itineraries for you and your group to play Ireland's many wonderful golf courses, traveling in the comfort of their luxury chauffeur driven vehicles.

Mount Juliet - there is just a hint of Augusta about the place.K Club - The venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup and home to the Smurfit European Open Championship. K Club - the venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup and home to the Smurfit European Open Championship.

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Senior Newstalk Producer Joins MKC The Deputy Station Editor of Newstalk, Kieran Garry, a native of Co. Clare, has left the station to take up a senior position with PR firm, MKC Communications. MKC [formerly MRPA KINMAN Communications] represents a range of blue chip clients including Irish Life & Permanent plc, Topaz, American Chamber of Commerce, The Health Information & Quality Authority [HIQA}, Bewleys and the National Development Plan. It’s the second senior appointment by the firm in recent months. Gerald Howlin, former Special Advisor to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern joined the firm’s Public Affairs team in February of this year.

and more than doubled its staff numbers. Speaking on the year to date, Gordon said that the firm had experienced strong fee growth in the first half of the year; “Fee income for the first half of the year was up about 25% on the same period last year feeding through from both increased work for existing clients and from new clients. Clearly we’re facing a different environment now but media interest in our clients doesn’t stop just because the economy slows so we expect that we’ll continue to be busy through the period ahead.”

Garry is one of the country’s most experienced Current Affairs producers and has worked at senior levels on Current Affairs programming with Newstalk, Today FM and RTE. Before being appointed as Deputy Station Editor at Newstalk, Garry worked for two years as Producer on Today FM’s The Last Word programme with Matt Cooper [2004 – 2006] and, prior to that, with RTE for nine years including two years as Editor and Reporter with the News At One [2002 – 2004]. MKC Communications was formally known as MRPA KINMAN Communications. The firm has been rebranded to mark the 3rd anniversary of the merger which created it. Ray Gordon has been re-elected as Managing Director of the firm for a second three year term. The firm now employs 23 people and expects to earn fee income of approximately €3 million in the current year. In the three years since the merger, the firm has doubled its fee income

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Poppadom branches: Unit 5B, Newlands Cross, Dublin 22 (tel:) 01 - 411 11 44 91a Rathgar Road, Dublin 6 (tel) 01 490 23 83 34 O’Connell Street, Sligo (tel) 071 914 71 71

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'Limerick an Artistic Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; A unique booklet comprising a comprehensive inventory of Limerick cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s street art was launched recently. The brainchild of Limerick Civic Trust Director Denis Leonard, it is the first publication of its type in the city and probably in the country. Titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Art in the Street Through the Lens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Limerick an Artistic Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Eithne Deloughrey Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Byrne, it is edited by the Trustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s David Lee and the design and loyout is by David Rice of the Optic Design Group, Glentworth Street, Limerick. Denis Leonard told Business Limerick: â&#x20AC;&#x153;people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about their street art and antiquities and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why they are disappearing . The Civic Trust got Limerick lady Eithne Deloughrey Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Bryan who was interested in photography and on a FAS programme in association with Limerick City Council, she walked the streets of the city photographing and recording the exact location of over 300 artistic and antique items which was a lengthy process.

7b b]]Y O gSO` to complete the project and many items of artistic merit were hidden or unknown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is wonderful material out there on our streets not alone for the visitor to view, but native Limerick people as wellâ&#x20AC;? said the Director. The second part of the project will involve compiling a comprehensive book of the location and identity of the 300 items which will be available to City Council libraries and other public archives in hard copy format and CD. It will be a bank of information for multipurpose usage, for example art students will be able to avail of it. Eithne Deloughrey Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Byrne, an honours degree graduate in Fine Art from Limerick School of Art and Design and on the staff of Limerick Civic Trust History Department has had two solo shows and took part in group shows nationally and internationally. She was the recipient of the Limerick Print Makerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bursary in 2006 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2007.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this information we devised a twopart project â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to select the most interesting pieces of artistic items and develop four walking trails around them, the Georgian Quarter Walk, the City Centre Walk, the Kings Island Walk and the Greater Metropolitan Area Walks (the city periphery).

In the introduction to her booklet she writes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Limerick is a city with a rich artistic tradition and its streets are home to a wide range of public art, monuments, sculptures and historical artefacts in both traditional and modern contemporary artistic stylesâ&#x20AC;?.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have walks going from Upper Mulgrave Street to Mayorstone and from the Parkway to Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell Street. We covered a fair expanse of territoryâ&#x20AC;? he said.

The booklet was launched in the Georgian House, Pery Square by the Mayor Cllr. John Gilligan and is on sale in the shops for E5.

ÂšĂ?Ă¨Ă&#x153;Ă˘Ă&#x2122;Â&#x201D;Â¸Ă&#x2122;Ă ĂŁĂŠĂ&#x203A;Ă&#x153;ĂŚĂ&#x2122;ĂÂ&#x201D;Ă&#x192;Â&#x203A;ÂśĂĂŚĂ˘Ă&#x2122;Â Â&#x201D;Â¸Ă&#x2022;ĂŞĂ?Ă&#x2DC;Â&#x201D;Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Â&#x201D;Ă&#x2022;Ă˘Ă&#x2DC;Â&#x201D;ÂˇĂ&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Ă?ĂŚĂĄĂ&#x2022;Ă˘Â&#x201D;ÂˇĂ?ĂŞĂ?Ă&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Ă&#x2C6;ĂŚĂŠĂ§Ă¨Â&#x201D;Ă Ă&#x2022;ĂŚĂ¨Ă?Ă˘Â&#x201D;ÂśĂŁĂŠĂŚĂ&#x;Ă&#x2122;Â˘ www.businesslimerick.ie

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Gallery

Kieran Barker, Fleet manager AIB Group with Diarmuid Leen, Head of Sales AIB Finance, Michael Carr, Regional Director AIB Bank and Paul Tighe, Sales and Development Manager AIB Finance at the AIB Changes in VRT seminar at the Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick.

Olive Foley, Angus Houston General Manager Limerick Race Course with presentation of Membership to Anthony Foley recently.

Liam Cleary and Adrian McMahon of Liam Cleary Car Sales at the AIB Changes in VRT seminar at the Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick

Raphael Mulally, Next Door Off licence with Ann Byrnes, CARI and Andy Lee, Limerick pro-boxer at the recent CARI promotion.

Amanda Brunker pictured with Trinity Room's Joe Clarke in the Club's Champagne Bar toasting the success of her book "Champagne Kisses" .

Jean McGlynn, Mary Noonan, Monica Spencer and Dave Griffin at the Friends of the ICO gathering in the Clarion Hotel.

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Valerie Madiagan, Robert Chestnut, Deputy Manager of the Marriott Hotel with Lisa McNamara, attending the Butterfly Ball Press Launch.

Edel and Prof Gupta with Enda Sheehy and Tina Hills, attending the Press Launch of the Butterfly Ball which will take place in the Hilton Hotel on the 5th of September next.

Eileen and Ray Egan, Egan's Florist, attending the Butterfly Ball Press Launch which will take place on the 5th of September next at the Hilton Hotel.

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Cllr Leo Walsh, showing the programme for the Limerick Show whcih begins on the 23th and 24th of August next to Biran Leonard, Leonards Menwear, Micheal Kilroy and Niall Sheehy, Connolly, Sellers and Gerathy Solictors, Pat O'Brien, Billy Peacock and David Leahy, Leahy and Partners.

Edmond Wall, Managering Director of C + M Vetlink PLC, presenting Eithne Glleeson, Limerick Show with Sponsorship for the Show with takes place on the 23 and 24th of August next with Cllr Leo Walsh.

Dermot McGovern, McGoverns William Street, Micheal Gleeson, Micheal Gleeson Shoes, Eilish Willis,Chairperson of the Croft Section, Pat O'Brien, Chairperson of the Horse Section, showing the Programme of Limerick Show to some of the Sponsors of the Limerck Show which will take place on the 23th and 24th of August, Lorraine McGreevy, Hickey's Fabrics, Tony Daly, J C Daly's, Cllr Leo Walsh and Tom Crosse, Auctioneers.

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Dell employees are getting ready for 'Environment Month', which will run for the whole of August at Dell's Limerick campus. Pictured with Dell's new Studio Hybrid is Nicky Hartery, V.P. EMEA Manufacturing & Business Ops Dell EMF and Fiona McCarthy, Director HR EMEA Operations with Tom Moriarty, EMEA Regulatory & Environmental Compliance Manager and Mike Roche, Health and Safety Manager

Pictured at the IDA Announcement of 49 New Jobs at On Semiconductor in Raheen Limerick were: Peter Zdebel, CEO ON Semiconductor, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan TD & John Blake, GM ON Semiconductor Limerick.

Helen O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, winner of the Captains Prize at Limerick County Golf Club,Mary Cosgrave and Club Captain, Michael John Cosgrave.

Alan Quinlan, Paul O'Connell, Keith Earls and Mike Prendergast from the Munster Rugby Team pictured here with The Heineken Cup and Philip Scanlon, PRO for Bluebell, John Gilligan, Mayor of Limerick and Jane Hockedy, Enchanted Occassions at the Raheen Conference Centre at the launch of the new Bluebell website www.bluebell-aba.org.

Ger and Eileen Barron, KBO Security, Aidan O'Sillivan, Fran Rooney, Yvonne Rooney, Ice Broadband Jim Grady, Business Development Manager, Ice Broadband and Fergal McCauliffe, KBO Security at the twlight race meeting at Limerick Racecorse.

Alan Quinlan and Tracy Hennigar DELL at the launch of the new Bluebell website www. bluebell-aba.org at Raheen Conference Centre.

IRISH RECRUITMENT CONSULTANTS Deloitte & Touche House, Charlotte’s Quay, Limerick 061/313744, admin@irishrecruitment.ie www.irishrecruitment.ie

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Browsers Furniture Fashion Show in Aid of Action Breast Cancer.

Lola Cullen, Ballysheehy, Paddy Fielding, Dooradoyle and Eimear McManus, Ballysheehy, enjoying the Browsers Furniture, Fashion Show in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

Liz Cronin, Cratloe, Annmaire Cullen, Castleconnell and Brid Cullen/Fielding, Dooradoyle, enjoying Browsers Furniture, Summer Fashion Soiree in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

Sarah Clohessy and Caroline McKillicam, both from Crecora, attending the Browsers Furniture, Summer Fashion Soiree in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

Laura Dunne, Killaloe, Maureen Kelly, Castletroy and Aisling keane, Caherdavin, attending the Browsers Summer Fashion Soiree in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

Evelyn Dollard and Antoinette O'Connell, Castletroy, attending the Browsers Furniture, Summer Fashion Show in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

Geraldine O'Toole, Browsers and Max Griffin, Askeaton, attending Browsers Summer Fashion Soiree in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

Marguerite Sheehan, Caherdavin and Aisling Bennett, Corbally, attending the Browsers Furniture, Summer Fashion Soiree in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

Eileen Harris, Meelick, Rachel O'Hanlon, Parteen and Kay Meaney, Dooradoyle, attending the Browsers Furniture Summer Fashion Soirree in aid of Action Breast Cancer.

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Private Ireland Generate High-end Business at ‘Taste of Bath’ Private Ireland – the hospitality collection, have recently returned from a highly successful four days participation in ‘Taste of Bath’ in the UK – one of the renowned series of food and restaurant shows in the

UK and Ireland - generating crucial high-end business for their members during what some are calling an uncertain time for the Irish hospitality sector.

Situated in the Royal Victoria Gardens in the heart of the affluent neighbourhood of the Royal Crescent in the city of Bath, the show welcomed around 10,000 people at the gates, over the four days of the event. Private Ireland Director and Proprietor of One Pery Square in Limerick city, Patricia Coughlan tempted the taste-buds of the crowd with a specially prepared piece of Limerick bacon served with Dijonaise – reflecting the strong French influences in the style of décor and sophistication of her property. Fellow Private Ireland member, Mary Slattery of Carrig Country House in Co. Kerry, discovered that the Kerry cheeses that she brought were a big hit with the thousands of Welsh people who delightedly sampled all on offer as they booked their holidays to Ireland this Summer and into next year.

Mary Slattery of Carrig Country House in Co. Kerry and Patricia Coughlan One Pery Square.

Private Ireland is a collection of small boutique hotels, town and country houses dotted around Ireland, each with their own unique character, who actively foster their individuality in the face of the impersonal global hotel brands that have entered the Irish market in recent years. To view a complete list of Private Ireland properties visit www.privateireland.com.

Shannon Chamber Welcomes Announcements Shannon and District Chamber of Commerce president, Ian Barrett, commenting on the announcement today, by Ms Mary Coughlan TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment that 50 new jobs are being created at Shannon Free Zone said: “This is valuable investment for Shannon, in terms of jobs and technology; two highly respected world players in diverse sectors – technology and international business services - are simultaneously cementing and creating new entities in Shannon. It’s a real vote of confidence in the skills set of the area; we thank both companies for making this important 18

strategic decision and welcome PAFS Ireland Ltd., as a new arrival, to this highly productive investment location. “Today’s announcement also endorses the proactive work being undertaken by Shannon Development who continually seek to enhance the enterprise infrastructure of the Shannon Free Zone to ensure it remains cutting edge. The presence in Shannon today of the newly appointed Minister is indicative of the Government’s commitment to the west of Ireland and a clear political signal of its support for balanced regional development.

“The announcement that a € 3 million tourism marketing fund, the initial phase of the promised € 20 million linked to Open Skies, is being allocated to promote the Shannon area in the US market is also a welcome boost. It comes at a time of new challenges, in both domestic and international markets; a challenge that Shannon and District Chamber of Commerce believes the newly appointed chief executive of Shannon Development – Dr Vincent Cunnane – and his vastly experienced team can meet to deliver further growth for Shannon and the greater Shannon Region,” said Mr Barrett . www.businesslimerick.ie

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KEY RESULTS FOR 2007 SFZ On Target For Significant New Job Announcements In 2008 The Shannon Free Zone is Ireland’s largest multi-sectoral business park outside of Dublin and plays a significant role in acting as a west of Ireland counter pole to east coast enterprise developments. SFZ employs over 7,000 people in over 100 companies. Sales figures are always a barometer of growth in the Knowledge Economy, and the Shannon Free Zone International Services sector has grown steadily accounting for 70% of total Shannon Free Zone sales compared to 56% in 2000. Shannon Free Zone companies generated €3.3 billion in sales, over 90% in exports, during 2006 (latest available statistics). The Shannon Free Zone performed well in 2007 against a difficult global business environment in the manufacturing area. During the year a number of new companies were attracted to the Zone, including Whitehorse Insurance, PC Tools Software and Genesis Leasing. 354 new jobs were created, but 485 job losses were also recorded. Investment by Shannon Free Zone companies continued apace during 2007, including a € 100+ million investment by Schwarz Pharma. In-house R&D expenditure by Shannon Free Zone companies was significant at €40 million. Shannon Development finalised a master plan for the regeneration of the Shannon Free Zone in June 2008. The aim of the plan is to ensure the Shannon Free Zone’s further enhancement as one of Ireland's premier locations for modern internationally traded manufacturing and international services. All key stakeholders in the area were consulted as part of the process. The implementation of the plan will result in large scale development of offices, laboratories, factories and warehouse to provide accommodation for the next generation businesses who will maintain Shannon Free Zone’s leading position in the international market. €8million invested in property solutions for indigenous and FDI companies Shannon Development invested over €8 million in capital expenditure on building projects around the Shannon Region during the year. The Company completed 17 land transactions and 10 building sales generating over €14 million for investment in future developments. Shannon Development entered into 64 www.businesslimerick.ie

new leases with business clients during 2007. There were over 100 lease renewals completed with clients during 2007. Among the property initiatives undertaken by the Company in 2007 were: Roscrea Business Park Master plan for Archerstown, Thurles Nenagh Business Park New Business Park for Templemore Newcastle West Business Park Kilmallock Business Park Decentralisation Boosts Three Shannon Region Towns The ISDN (Integrated Shannon Decentralisation Network) initiative established by Shannon Development in association with business groups and local authorities in Kilrush, Listowel and Newcastle West was successful in promoting the towns as locations for decentralisation. 2007 saw the opening of offices for the Revenue Commissioners in Kilrush and Listowel, and the commencement of construction of a new office for the Revenue Commissioners in Newcastle West. 50 staff will transfer to each location. Stimulating Market Demand for Shannon Airport Gateway Preliminary figures show that the Shannon Region attracted over 2 million visitors and generated over €443 million in tourism revenue in 2007. Shannon International Airport recorded over 3.63 million passengers during 2007. Addressing Open Skies Shannon Development undertook a focused US tourism marketing campaign beginning in early 2007, to help offset the likely fallout for Shannon Airport and the Shannon Region from ‘Open Skies’. This involved undertaking a special programme of promotional work including visits to key airlines flying into Shannon, among them Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, Aer Lingus US, US Airways and American Airlines, and initiating a number of US travel trade and consumer promotions. Tourism Product Development During the year Shannon Development worked with private sector promoters and investors on a range of tourism product development projects with a potential pipeline investment value of over €250 million around the Shannon Region.

Among achievements in 2007 were: Kilrush Creek Marina South East Limerick tourism cluster West Offaly tourism cluster The Burren Shannon Heritage Growing the Shannon Development Knowledge Network The Company undertook a programme of investment in the Shannon Development Knowledge Network of five business parks around the Shannon Region to ensure that the Region can meet the needs of investors and enterprises in the Knowledge Age. These business parks were: The National Technology Park (NTP) Birr Technology Centre (BTC) Tipperary Technology Park (TTP) Kerry Technology Park (KTP) Information Age Park Ennis (IAPE) Kerry Deepwater Zone In 2006, Shannon Development granted an option agreement on 281 of its 600 acre landbank at Tarbert/Ballylongford to Shannon LNG, an Irish subsidiary of Hess LNG Limited. The purpose of the option agreement was to allow time for detailed design and appraisal of their proposal to build a €500 million liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal on the Shannon Estuary. €12 Million Invested in Broadband Connectivity Shannon Broadband Ltd, a public sector consortium led by Shannon Development, in partnership with the regions’ local authorities, appointed a contractor in 2007 to lay a network of 52kms of fibre optic cable in eight Shannon Region Towns, an investment of €12 million. €4 million in E-Towns Developments Shannon Development has committed €4 million towards construction work on Ireland’s first E-Town at Miltown Malbay in Co. Clare. Development of an International Trails Programme In May 2007 Shannon Development announced a € 2 million support package for its new ‘Shannon Region Trails Programme’. The aim of the Programme is to establish the Shannon Region as a world-class destination for walking cycling, water-based and other outdoor activity pursuits during the period 2007 – 2010. 19

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New Research Reveals Road Safety Threat from Drug Driving Hibernian, Ireland’s largest motor insurer, released the results of its 2008 Motoring Report which revealed some major challenges for road safety in Ireland. Hibernian’s research, conducted amongst a representative sample of motorists in Ireland, revealed 9% of all Munster respondents admitted to having driven while under the influence of recreational drugs. Munster and Leinster showed a high incidence of drug driving in comparison to other regions in the country with Connaught and Ulster only recording a 5% incidence. For many years motorists have regarded drink driving as the scourge of Irish roads. However, the Hibernian research suggests that motorists are starting to get the message never to drink and drive, with 78% of motorists saying that they would never drink any alcohol and drive afterwards. Very significantly, this rises to 85% among those under 35 falling back to three quarters amongst those over this age.

The World Baton Twirling Championships Opens The 4th International Cup Baton Twirling Championships were officially opened in the University Arena, University of Limerick, Limerick on Tuesday 5th August by Minister of Defence Willie O’Dea TD. Ireland is hosting this prestigious event for the very first time the event and competing countries include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Catalonia, Croatia, England, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, USA and Ireland. Speaking at the opening ceremony Minister O’Dea welcomed the athletes, coaches, judges, delegates and supporters from all participating countries to Limerick for the 10 day event which will include the 29th World Baton Twirling Championships. “I am especially delighted to be here on behalf of the Government of Ireland. We are extremely proud and honoured to host these events in Limerick, which is the home of sport in Ireland, and we are delighted that this unique sport will take place in the wonderful University of Limerick Arena”. Speaking at the opening the President of the Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland (BTSAI) Bernadette Doyne wished everyone

“the fondest memories of your time in Ireland and Limerick and we all hope that the experience will remain with you for years to come”. The sport of baton twirling has being around Ireland for over 28 years and has seen resurgence in recent years with over 20 clubs now practicing throughout the country. Baton twirling is an exciting spectators sport to watch. Baton twirling is not just a sport; it is also an art-form. It is artistic in that it requires style and beauty, whilst combining intense coordination to keep the baton in motion while the body moves in a graceful manner, incorporating dance moves, gymnastic manoeuvres and musical interpretation. The 29th World Baton Twirling Championships will run in University of Limerick Arena until Sunday 10th August 2008. The Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland (BTSAI) is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Baton Twirling in Ireland and has recognition from the Irish Sports Council. The Association is also a member country of the World Baton Twirling Federation.

The issue of drink driving limits does suffer from a lack of clarity with many motorists unaware of what exactly the drink driving limits are. Only 21% of respondents could correctly identify the number of milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood (80mgs/100ml) that is allowed. One third of respondents nominate a figure that is higher than the correct amount and 22% identify a figure that is lower than the correct amount. Other key findings in the report show that the average number of miles driven per year in Munster is 14,570. Munster’s drivers are lucky in terms of traffic congestion. For example, the average commuting time to work for the Munster driver is 24 minutes, whereas it takes 40 minutes for the Dublin driver. The corresponding national figure is 29 minutes. 20

¿ÛàÛåæ×ä Øáä ¶×Ø×àÕ× ÉÛÞÞÛ× Áù¶×Ó éÛæÚ æÚ× ¼ÓâÓà×å× »àæ×äàÓæÛáàÓÞ ´Óæáà ÆéÛäÞÛàÙ Æ×Óß Óæ æÚ× áâ×àÛàÙ áØ æÚ× ÉáäÞÖ µÚÓßâÛáàåÚÛâå Ûà Ç¾ www.businesslimerick.ie

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Minister Opens International Cargo Services New Facility

Minister for Transport officially opens Iternational Cargo Services new facility in Raheen on 17th JulyCiaran O’Callaghan MD of ICS & Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey at the opening.

P.J Nolan, director ICS, Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, Minister for Defence, Willie O’Dea, Ciaran O’Callaghan M.D. of ICS, Minister of State Peter Power and Harry Fehilly, Managing Partner, Holmes O’Malley Sexton.

Emer Frawley, Minister Noel Dempsey, Jessica Duffy & Frank O’Brien, ICS.

Ministers Dempsey, O’Dea and Power, Developer Tomás Healy with some of the ICS staff at the official opening of their new facility.

Caroline O’Callaghan ICS & Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea.

Frankie Harrison, Jolanta Skomontaite, Minister Noel Dempsey, Caroline O’Callaghan & Dermot O’Callaghan ICS.

Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea & Ger Clarke ICS. www.businesslimerick.ie

Ciaran O’Callaghan , Minister Noel Dempsey, Minister Willie O'Dea, Tomás Healy, PJ Nolan, Minister Peter Power cutting the ribbon at the official opening of the new ICS facility. 21

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Small Businesses Losing Out on Interest from Big Banks Irish SME's continue to be disillusioned with their business banking services with seven out of ten citing current account charges for overdrafts and lack of rewards for positive balances as key factors according to a survey of the sector from RaboDirect, the AAA rated online savings and investment bank. RaboDirect published the survey as it announced an increase in its instant access business saver interest rate to 4.3% effective from 5th August. SME's can avail of even higher rates on term deposits starting from one month. Independent research carried out on behalf of RaboDirect found that a significant number of SME's are earning less than 1% interest on their surplus funds while only 22% have been offered specific business savings rates according to the RaboDirect survey. The survey also found that just under half of all SME's have surplus funds of which 3 in 10 have interest rate earnings of less than 1%. A high proportion of SMEs, 68%, have their current account in credit for 28-31 days every month with an average balance of €220,000.

Over half of those surveyed were in the service industry with the remainder being in manufacturing, construction and distribution. Six out of ten businesses employed less than ten people. The survey was carried out by Amarach Research on behalf of RaboDirect. Commenting Greg McAweeney said "The main banks continue to dominate business banking with seven out of ten respondents indicating that their primary relationship is with them. Despite various measures to encourage transparency and competitiveness in business banking it seems as though SME's remain a soft touch for the mainstream banks when it comes to business deposits. Whether you are a self employed service provider in the professions or a small enterprise, the chances are that you will have surplus funds languishing in an account on a paltry interest rate. With SME's now under greater pressure than ever, moving their business deposits to RaboDirect is a quick and easy way of adding to the bottom line. The alternative is to have your cash inaccessibly tied up with banks that are already profiting substantially through overdraft and current account charges. This is particularly relevant

at a time when the average waiting period for payment from creditors is 67 days." Earlier this year RaboDirect, part of the Rabobank Group and Ireland's only AAA rated bank, entered the business savings market with the launch of its first ever Business Savings Account. This instant access account offers the same 4.25% AER rate of interest to all business customers regardless of size or deposit amount and is available to sole traders, partnerships, solicitors and private limited companies alike. As with all RaboDirect demand savings products, no minimum terms or deposits apply and there are no complicated rate structures that lack transparency. The account is not subject to bank charges, interest is calculated daily and there are no penalties or time delays for early withdrawals. RaboDirect.ie championed the introduction of competitive savings when it launched in Ireland in 2005 offering new levels of transparency, consistently high rates and security. The bank plans to inject fresh competition into the SME market where banks have been profiting from inertia and SME's need to have easy access to savings.

Tracy Piggot Hosts 'Giants of Sport' Banquet in Limerick "RTE personality and sports presenter Tracy Piggot, will be hosting a 'Giants of Sport' banquet in Limerick on August 30th in partnership with Sports Ireland News. Her charity, Playing For Life (www.playingforlife.ie) have invited members of the Munster Team, Keith Wood, Lester Piggott, Henry Cooper, Johnny Murtagh, Sean Kelly (Cyclist) & Sean Kelly (GAA), Ronnie Delaney, Eamon Coughlin, John Treacy and a host of other sporting personalities both national and international to this event. "I am really excited about this event and I know it will be a wonderful evening in limerick which is renowned for its sporting excellence. We are honoured to have gathered the support of so many amazing Sporting heroes who will each host a table and bring along a piece of sporting memorabilia to auction on the night. All the money raised will go towards our work in Africa, providing skills training to underprivileged rural communities and teaching HIV/Aids awareness through Sport." said Tracy Piggott. 22

ù¹ÛÓàæå áØ Åâáäæù ÔÓàãç×æ Ûà ¾Ûß×äÛÕÝ áà ³çÙçåæ ¥¢æÚ ÓÞÞ æÚ× ßáà×ë äÓÛå×Ö éÛÞÞ Ùá æáéÓäÖå æÚ×Ûä éáäÝ Ûà ³ØäÛÕÓ www.businesslimerick.ie

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Maintaining Your Business

Unless you plan on having your office assistant take out the trash or your accountant do up the day’s dishes, it’s quite obvious your business needs building maintenance and cleaning services to keep operations running smoothly and employees happy. But how do you choose from the wide array of maintenance companies out there? Whether you choose a professional building cleaning service that can also handle property maintenance or you opt for mom-and-pop office cleaning services that just deal with basic janitorial cleaning services, there are several things you’ll want to keep in mind: • Understand how employees for the cleaning services are hired and trained; • Make sure the maintenance companies you are considering comply with recognised standards and follow environmentally friendly practices; • Verify what you expect in return for your cleaning fee and negotiate what you will pay for the service. Today’s corporate cleaning companies offer a varied and extensive range of services to their clients. Now they must offer more comprehensive cleaning services and handle jobs of all types and sizes to compete in this fast moving industry. A skilled service that the customer can trust and depend on is what is required. A high standard of professionalism must be maintained while at the same time remaining devoted to friendly and reliable customer service. www.businesslimerick.ie

A non-intrusive service focused on efficiency so as the required job is completed thoroughly without disruption to the customer’s day to day routine. An investment in your companies cleaning requirements, from daily upkeep to monthly deep cleaning, is creating a professional high standard working environment, a tidy spotless business office which will reflect on your employees output and working standards. Avoid big costs renovating and replacing carpets, furniture replacement, upholstery cleaning etc. by using a chemical cleaning company who can expedite a good service, where time is of the essence. They don’t use shampoos of dry foam and are fast and effective in removing stains. Their services are safe and non-toxic. The cleaning services companies list of services has expanded to include post construction clean-up. When your building is complete, they can do anything from cleaning your lights and ceilings thirty feet high, to power-washing your walls and floors, to scrubbing and scaling cement. If you are taking up carpets or hovering up after new ones that have been laid, then you can trust these companies to effectively carry out this function in the minimum time. Techniques in locating blockages and elimination of sewer problems have also improved immensely. Experts are now available on call 24/7 with emergency services for the corporate sector with 23

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state of the art custom designed equipment. High velocity water jetting, video inspection/line locating, cable cleaning, sewer odour eradication are all part of the service. Many companies have adapted and incorporated cleaning and maintenance contracts which include plumbing repairs, electrical repairs and appliance installation. In fact some companies have skilled tradesmen on their books which can work at more cost effective than bringing in a small building firm. One contact source for all your cleaning, maintenance and repair issues. Your maintenance contractor can provide exceptional service and workmanship at reasonable prices because he utilizes his extensive network of highly qualified and carefully screened contractors to perform an array of maintenance and repair services. Every company has their own individual needs and requirements and a custom designed flexible program which will work best for you, is what is on offer.

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With over two decades of outstanding achievement, Clean Habit has earned an infallible reputation for dependability and innovation.

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At Clean Habit we're not just about mops and buckets, we go deeper. We will carryout a confidential audit of your existing systems, highlight areas that need attention and devise a dedicated, integrated maintenance programme to meet your specific requirements.

â&#x20AC;˘ CLEANING CONSULTANCY â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ OFFICE CLEANING â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ COMPUTER HARDWARE â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ WASHROOM CONSUMABLES & SANITARY WARE â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ WINDOW CLEANING â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ CARPET CLEANING â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ INDUSTRIAL & FACTORY CLEANING â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ CLEANROOM ENVIRONMENTS â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ REFUSE MANAGEMENT & SKIP HIRE â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ MAT HIRE â&#x20AC;˘

Besides 24/7 emergency repairs, services such as fire extinguisher maintenance, glass replacement, security services, sign/ neon repairs, water clean-up, window cleaning, ceiling repairs, painting and wall papering, lock and door repairs can all be designed to be included in your maintenance contract. By outsourcing the maintenance of your facility, it allows your staff to focus on higher priority operational issues. Removing the burden of finding vendors to handle issues that arise. Improving facility management programs and more effectively utilizing existing resources can cut costs and help save money.

Avail of our FREE CLEAN AUDIT offer.

CLEAN HABIT B2 Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 361 461/ 718 568 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: 061 361 868 E: mary@cleanhabit.com

Chem-Dry Prestige

Servicing Limerick & Clare

Carpet Cleaning & Protection

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Professionals

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& Conditioning

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Staff all highly trained, fully insured and reliable. • ½É¼¼ ÈÌÆË¼Ê ¸Å» ºÆÅÊÌÃË¸ËÀÆÅÊ ¸Å» ¼ÏÇ¼ÉË ¸»ÍÀº¼ • • ÅÆ ÁÆ¹ ËÆÆ ¹À¾ ÆÉ ËÆÆ ÊÄ¸ÃÃ • • ¸ÃÃ ¹Ì»¾¼ËÊ º¸Ë¼É¼» ½ÆÉ •

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . BL | PROFILE

Cleanwell Dispel MRSA Threat Myth

The brain-child of Tom & Kitty O’Brien, CLEANWELL has seen many changes since its inception more than 30 years ago to bring it to where it is to-day.

Tom O'Brien

Originally, the core function of CLEANWELL was in contract cleaning, where Tom and Kitty established Shannon’s first locally based contract cleaning company. The company’s reputation grew due to its quality work and excellent service. Two of Tom and Kitty’s daughters, Fiona and Siobhan, play a major role in the business today. Accountant Siobhan, manages the accounts and her duties include office administration and warehouse management. Fiona’s responsibilities are in sales and marketing and developing new products.

Kitty O'Brien

Today, CLEANWELL are the regions market leader in cleaning and hygiene products with a nationwide client base having recently expanded with a newly designated sales representative in Kerry to compliment their reps in Clare and Limerick. “We are no longer in the contract cleaning business, but our transition and success is concentrating on our strongest asset and reaching the top in that field”, said Fiona, Sales and Marketing Manager. “When the company was first established, and largely involved in contract cleaning, my father Tom tried to find a supplier with a range of products to satisfy their customers’ demands and within a reasonable price structure. There wasn’t one sole supplier that could satisfy this need, so Tom sourced and established our own brand of quality products, to compliment the complete range of hygiene and janitorial supplies that we currently stock”, said Fiona. Siobhan stresses that “Quality products and service care are to forefront in dealing with all our clients. We guarantee two day delivery, but the norm is that 90% of orders are delivered the next day. Often an order has come in at 9.00am and our customer has it by 10.00am”. The client size is irrelevant, as each client is treated with priority. It doesn’t matter if it is 1 box or 100 boxes that are required. “Our customer service and the personal connection between our staff and our customers are most important in our business. It is this ethos on which

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our father built this business and is the ethos that we continue to nurture today,” added Siobhan. The area of Super-Bugs is constantly in the news MRSA, Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff.), E-Coli, Salmonella, Listeria and Legionnaires disease. Fiona is very pleased as she explains the introduction of their new SAFECARE range of products that are proven to eradicate these super bugs. “We are the only company in Ireland that has a complete and exclusive range of products guaranteed to kill super bugs. Tested to the EN1276 standard, it is a product range that takes you from the wash room to the kitchen, through common areas such as hospital wards, crèches, schools, gyms, sports complexes etc. Our products have a guaranteed 99.999% germ kill, with a broad range of concentration from Ready-to-Use to 1:200” said Fiona. “We are Munsters leading distributor of quality industrial and corporate cleaning products and we are proud to be the only company that can combat the spread of super bugs with our unique ‘SAFECARE’ product. CLEANWELL’s ‘SAFECARE’ range has been independently scientifically proven to kill MRSA and C. Diff”, added Siobhan.

Dean Lee (Clare Rep), Thady Coughlan (Limerick Rep), Fiona O'Brien Maxwell (Sales & Marketing Manager)

Siobhan Boyd - Financial Controller and Fiona O’Brien-Maxwell Sales & Marketing Manager

CLEANWELL are the preferred agent for Unger Window gear and Vileda Professional products in the West of Ireland, supplying care homes, hotels, schools, contract cleaners and factories with cloths, brushes, micro-fiber and sponge scourers. They also are agents for the exclusive Henry vacuum cleaners, manufactured by Numatic in the U.K. with a HEPA filter which catches micro-dust particles, again essential in care homes, crèches and in the homes of asthmatics. Elements of these products can also be introduced into the home, and with due diligence from individuals, as well as the care homes, the spread MRSA and C. Diff. can be eradicated. The CLEANWELL workforce now numbers 15 employees including three full time sales representatives. Siobhan, Suzanne, Yvonne and Seamus

CLEANWELL’s success story continues, and founders Tom and Kitty are happy to see two of their daughters, Siobhan and Fiona, at the helm, steering their business firmly into the 21st Century.

CLEANWELL Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co.Clare. Tel: 061 360191, Fax: 061 363762 Email: info@cleanwell.com Web: www.cleanwell.com

www.businesslimerick.ie

Kerry Rep. Gary Whelan

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COMMERCIAL CLEANING DOMESTIC CLEANING MAINTENANCE Waiting /Kitchen Staff Staff Placement

Carpenters Electricians Plumbers Painters Tilers

We are available at all times and operate a 24/7 service. Just call:

087 8305 745

COMPLETE CLEANING & MAINTENANCE SERVICES 45 Roxboro Road, Limerick Tel: 061 409 596 • Fax: 061 409 591 • Mob: 087 9622222 Email: info@compclean.ie • Web:www.compclean.ie

CLEANING SERVICES

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Providers of products and cleaning services to the:

General Cleaning & Maintenance Contract Cleaning Services Window Cleaning Janitorial Services and supplies One- Off Special Cleans Industrial & carpet Cleaning

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)PTQJUBMJUZ $IJMEDBSF *OEVTUSJBM $PNNFSJDBM 3FTJEFOUJBM *OTUJUVUJPOBM #VTJOFTT 4FDUPST

Spartan Cleaning & Maintenance Products Spartan Green Solutions – Environmentally preferred chemicals Toiletries Janitorial equipment and supplies

T: 061 400 626 • F: 061 400 622 Service: 087 258 1056 • Product sales: 087 914 0564 Info@xcelxecutive.com • www.xcelxecutive.com 28

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Walshe Environmental Services on Standby! Limerick company, Walshe Environmental Services was established 25 years ago by William Walshe Snr., specialising in the domestic market. His two sons, John managing director, and Liam director, joined the company 12 years ago and steered the company successfully to it’s present form. Thomond Rugby player, John feels that the company has grown to meet the demands of his clients in the 21st century. “Modern state of the art equipment coupled with professional staff and a varied and extensive range of services is what we offer our customers. Customer service is a priority in the execution of all our services, which ensures a constant flow of repeat business from satisfied customers”, said John.

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John Walshe, Managing Director

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Recently Walshe Services moved to a bigger premises in Clondrinagh, (former Munster Metals building) which offered a more comprehensive facility for their operation. Their fleet of vehicles include 18 custom designed trucks and 9 service vans complete with CCTV surveying equipment. “We provide a comprehensive range of drainage and environmental services. We are local, so we can react immediately to your problem and our fully equipped vehicles are standing by to deal with commercial, industrial and domestic needs”, said John. Their emergency service is on call 24/7, 365 days a year to respond to any unexpected crisis.

“For large projects our skilled engineers use cutting edge technology in high pressure water jetting, jet vacuum and rehabilitation works, equipment and mainline CCTV cameras. A blocked drain for instance could cause the shutdown of a production line, a business premises or cause a serious health hazard. We can be on location in minutes and you can speak directly to our qualified engineer to resolve your problem speedily and efficiently. We service everything from small pipes in housing estates to large drains in industrial sites, retail parks, city premises and hospitals”, stated John. Walshe Environment have provided extensive contract and emergency services to Limerick City, County Councils and Clare Co Council. Their corporate client base includes Roche IRL., Dell, etc and building companies such as McInerney, Sisk and Chieftain Construction. They are the market leader in their field in the region providing fast professional solutions as required. Contact details: Tel: 061- 325757 24 hour emergency: 086 8267398 Walshe Environmental Services Clondrina Ind. Est. Ennis Road, Limerick Email: info@wesltd.ie Web: wesltd.ie

Liam Walshe, Director

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WIN a

WEEKEND BREAK for 2 in Tara Towers Hotel in Dublin

Launch of a New Irish Hotel Brand MALDON HOTELS

We are giving you the chance to win a weekend break for two in a traditional hotel with breathtaking views of Dublin Bay. You and a guest will receive two nights accommodation in the Tara Towers Hotel, Dublin, with breakfast each morning and dinner on one evening in Ocras restaurant.

In August 2007, Dalata Ltd acquired the operating business of eleven Quality and Comfort Hotels in Ireland with support from TVC plc and Davy Private Clients. As indicated at the time of purchase, the objective is to grow the business internationally, and the plan has always been to re-brand the business to facilitate this expansion.

The freshly refurbished Tara Towers Hotel has a modern yet warm style. Situated along the sweeping curves of Dublin Bay, the Tara Towers Hotel provides the ideal location to explore all Dublin City has to offer. On arrival you will receive a friendly welcome in the spacious plush lobby with an open fire, large soft armchairs and warm wood décor. The 111 spacious guestrooms are designed for comfort and relaxation, with large soft beds, luxurious bathrooms and idyllic sea views. A selection of the guestrooms offer breath-taking views of the splendour of Dublin Bay. The large en-suite bathrooms in all guestrooms are fitted with polished marble counters, power showers and deep bathtubs. Luxuriate with complimentary bath products and wrap up in the big, fluffy white towel.

Pat McCann, CEO of Maldon Hotels, and former CEO of Jurys Doyle Hotel Group plc heads up an experienced management team of ten in Sandyford, Dublin which includes Stephen McNally, Deputy CEO, who has many years of hotel experience in Ireland and the UK. In total, the Company employs 600 people.

Ocras Restaurant and Branaganís Bar provide the perfect atmosphere to eat, drink and relax. Ocras Restaurant just recently opened its doors with a modern yet relaxed interior and delicious food. Tara Towers is located just 3km from Dublin’s city centre and next to the beautiful coast and seaside village of Dun Laoghaire. Booterstown DART station is located directly in front of the Tara Towers hotel and runs to the city centre if you want to leave the peace and tranquillity of Dun Laoghaire and experience the buzz and excitement of the city.

To win this fabulous prize answer the following question:

How many guestrooms are there in the Tara Towers Hotel? Tara Towers Hotel, Merrion Road, Dublin 4 T: +353 (0) 1 269 4666 F: +353 (0) 1 269 1027 www.taratowers.com Please send entries to: info@businesslimerick.ie by no later than Friday 29th August 30

From 1st September next, nine of the hotels, with in excess of 1,500 bedrooms located in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Portlaoise and Wexford will re-brand to become a new name in Irish hospitality, Maldon Hotels. The two properties located in Clonakilty and Youghal which are operated as management contracts will continue as Quality Hotels.

“We are very excited about launching a new brand in Irish hospitality,” commented Karina Dunne, Group Marketing & Sales Manager. “This re-branding is not just simply a name change; it provides us with the opportunity to strengthen our mid-market position and create a strong identity for an Irish brand in both domestic and international markets. Maldon Hotels offer value and hospitality, delivering a refreshing and responsive service to our guests, and we will continue to enhance the product offering both in our existing properties and in new properties as our Group expands.” General Manager of the 199 guestroom Maldon Hotel Limerick, Emma Dalton is equally enthusiastic about the launch of the new brand. “It is exciting to be part of the world-class team at Maldon Hotels, who have such impressive cumulative hospitality experience. This is a vote of confidence in Limerick, and also in our hotel and its staff.” Maldon Hotel, Limerick T: 061 436 100

¼ãë ëãéàØ íãé àÝßÙ èã ëãæß ëÝèÜ Õ çáÕàà ÙâèÜéçÝÕçèÝ× èÙÕá èÜÕèûç ÜÙàäÝâÛ ØæÕáÕèÝ×Õààí ÝáäæãêÙ èÜÙ àÝêÙç ãÚ ÖéçÝâÙçç ãëâÙæç³ ½â Õ æãàÙ èÜÕè ØãÙçâûè æÙåéÝæÙ Õâí èæÕêÙà ãæ ØÝæÙ×è çÙààÝâÛ³ ËÜÙæÙ íãéæ ëãæß ÕâØ äÙæçÝçèÙâ×Ù ëÝàà ÖÙ ëÙàà æÙëÕæØÙØ³ ËÙàà Õè ½¹» ¸ÙçÝÛâ ëÙûæÙ àããßÝâÛ Úãæ Õ äÙæçãâ ëÜã àÝßÙç èã ÜÙàä äÙãäàÙ¢ ÇãáÙ ãâÙ ëÙàà äæÙçÙâèÙØ ëÝèÜ Õ Ùä×Óæ æ×Þ×âÚáà× ßÓàà×ä ÕâØ èÜÙ ÕÖÝà¡ Ýèí èã æÙàÕèÙ èã ãèÜÙæç¢ Íãéæ èÙàÙäÜãâÙ çèíàÙ ëÝàà ÖÙ ä×ÞÓê×Ö ÓàÖ ØäÛ×àÖÞë ×ÙæèÕÝâàí âãè äéçÜí¢ Íãéûàà ØÙç×æÝÖÙ íãéæçÙàÚ Õç ÚæÝÙâØàí ×ÜÕæáÝâÛ ÕâØ ÙâèÜéçÝÕçèÝ×ČÍãéûàà Õàçã âÙÙØ èã ÖÙ áÕèéæÙ äÙæçÝçèÙâè ×ãâç×ÝÙâèÝãéç ÕâØ ÜÕêÙ Õ áÙèÜãØÝ×Õà Õä¡ äæãÕ×Ü èã ëãæß¢ Íãéûàà ÜÕêÙ ÙìäÙæÝÙâ×Ù ëãæßÝâÛ Ýâ ÖéçÝâÙçç ¡ íãé áÕí ÜÕêÙ ÙêÙâ ãëâÙØ ãâÙ ÈÜÙ äãçÝèÝãâ Ýç Úãæ Õâ®

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MRPA Kinman Address LEAP Participants Senior executives of the Dublin and Limerick based PR firm MRPA KINMAN teamed up with LIT‚s Enterprise Acceleration Centre (EAC) this week to address entrepreneurs taking part in the 2008 LEAP enterprise acceleration programme. The initiative forms part of the overall mentoring and support organised for the LEAP participants. MRPA KINMAN is a top business communications and public affairs firm. The Enterprise Acceleration Centre is a business development centre on campus at the Limerick Institute of Technology, serving the MidWest. LEAP is a tailor made programme designed to support emerging entrepreneurs to establish sustainable and winning companies. The 12 month programme provides mentoring and supports to eleven entrepreneurs to challenge and guide them to develop an investor ready business plan while also supporting them to win the sales that will make their business profitable. Tim Kinsella, a director and co-founder of MRPA KINMAN and senior consultant Niamh Quinn, who heads up the firm‚s Limerick office, addressed the LEAP participants. The presentation was entitled „The Power of Public Relations‰ and it focused on the role of communications as part of overall business strategy and the marketing mix. It is also an important tool to assist in building profile and managing a firm‚s corporate reputation.

Donncha Hughes, Manager of the Enterprise Acceleration Centre at LIT said: „During the 12 month programme, we provide a range of integrated supports for participating entrepreneurs. These supports are focused on strategic planning and practical business set-up in the form of management training, business coaching, mentoring and consultancy. Business Communication forms a part of this support and having MRPA KINMAN here to provide this module is a major asset to the participating firms.„ MRPA KINMAN Director Tim Kinsella commented: „The Enterprise Acceleration Centre at LIT is playing an instrumental role in fostering new business innovation. For entrepreneurs, having a communications programme in place is very important to ensure that you get the right messages out about your business and that you develop the appropriate reputation you need in order to be successful. The companies in the LEAP programme have considerable future potential. It is deeply encouraging to meet people with the vision to create new business ideas and to bring them to fruition.‰ MRPA Kinman set up its Limerick operation in 2006 and was one of the first international PR firms to establish operations in the MidWest. The company employs twenty-one people between Dublin and Limerick. It was formed in 2005 by the merger of two leading, award-winning firms; MRPA Consultants and Kinman Public Relations.

Pictured at the LIT Enterprise Acceleration Centre are (l to r): Donncha Hughes, Manager of the Enterprise Acceleration Centre at LIT; Tim Kinsella, Director and Co-founder of MRPA Kinman and Niamh Quinn, Consultant, MidWest, MRPA Kinman. MRPA Kinman Communications presented to the 2008 LEAP participants at the EAC on Public Relations as part of their training on Business Communication. www.businesslimerick.ie

FunIreland Open New Offices FunIreland have officially opened two new FunIreland offices in Dublin and Galway, consolidating their presence in the Mid West. This requirement is driven by the needs of existing clients, to facilitate growth, and to develop and support the FunIreland business model. Barry Kiely and Mike Fitzgerald will head up the Dublin and Galway operations. Rachael Malone will take over the responsibility of the Limerick Operation. Rebecca and John Fitzgerald will continue to support each area in the growth and development of clients and projects.

Limerick Youth Service Golf Classic Limerick Youth Service is delighted to announce the recommencement of their annual Golf Classic. The event takes place on Monday 15th September 08, 9.30am (First Tee)at Limerick Golf Club. All funds raised will support the work of Limerick Youth Service which has been working with the young people of Limerick city and county since 1973. Limerick Youth Service support over 40 youth clubs, run two youth cafes, Lava Java’s Youth Café in Limerick city and Northside Youth Café in Moyross and provide a second chance at education for many young people at their Community Training Centre in Glentworth St., along with their Youthreach Programme supporting young people through the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied. 31

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Minister Presented with Proposal to Improve Connectivity In a meeting with the Minister in their offices, the Chamber highlighted the need for improved connectivity to serve the businesses and residents located along the N69 Limerick to Tralee road. The Chamber warned that the current road infrastructure is inadequate and could hamper the future economic growth, expansion and prosperity of the West Limerick/ North Kerry region. To resolve this Chamber is calling for the acceleration of the N21 Adare by-pass and is proposing the construction of a spur-road from the bypass between Croagh and Adare to the N69 between Foynes and Askeaton. Limerick Chamber Vice-President Harry Fehily who chaired the meeting stated, “The route we are proposing is a less costly and more viable solution to upgrading the N69. By simply providing a spur Road to Askeaton from the Adare bypass, businesses and residents of West Limerick and North Kerry will have a direct link to the N18 to Galway, the N20 to Cork and the N7 to Dublin. This could potentially remove up to 95,000 heavy trucks and thousands of cars that today travel along the N69.” “There is a very significant industrial base in existence along the N69 that are major contributors to the local and national economy. Multinational corporations such as Rusal Aughinish Alumina, Wyeth Nutrition Ireland and Aeroboard Limited are located along the route. Ireland’s second largest commercial seaport facility, Foynes Port, which handles a significant proportion of Ireland’s trade, is also located here. Currently 100,000 heavy goods vehicles (HGV) go through Foynes

L-R: Peter Power, Minister of State for Overseas Development, T.D.; Noel Dempsey, Minister for Transport T.D.; Maria Kelly, Limerick Chamber CEO; Willie O’Dea, Minister for Defence T.D; Harry Fehily, VicePresident, Limerick Chamber.

Port and this is forecast to increase to 150,000 HGV’s by 2020.” Mr. Fehily continued. Mr. Fehily then went on to point out that if nothing is done soon congestion on the N69 will reach unsustainable levels in the near future. “There is a large volume of planned business expansion in the area that will have to use the N69 if an alternative is not in place. A new Oil Terminal is currently being built at Foynes, there is the Shannon LNG terminal in the Estuary, the potential move of the Limerick port facility down river, the sale of the ESB station at Tarbert and the zinc mine at Pallasgreen. All this development has the potential to put thousands of additional vehicles on an already overburdened road” Limerick Chamber CEO Maria Kelly said that there was “positive interaction” at the meeting with the Minister, who listened intently to the ideas and issues put forward. “Shannon Airport and its importance to the regional economy also featured in our discussions. We highlighted the need for Customs and Border Protection at the Airport to be implemented as soon as possible. This will give the airport a key competitive advantage particularly now in tougher economic times. We also pressed the Minister to speed up the unbundling of the Airports to allow Shannon, Cork and Dublin to operate as three independent international airports.”

Back row (L-R): John Rice, Eugene Pratt, Liam Dwan, Kay McGuinness, Tadhg Kearney, Orlaith McMahon Front row (L-R): Maria Kelly, CEO Limerick Chamber; Noel Dempsey, Minister for Transport T.D.; Harry Fehily Vice-President Limerick Chamber; Willie O’Dea, Minister for Defence T.D.; Peter Power, Minister of State for Overseas Development T.D.

“It was overall a very beneficial meeting where we got the opportunity to make clear the Chamber’s view on a number of key transport issues. The Minister was very interested in what we had to say and took on board the points that were raised.” Ms. Kelly concluded.

Its The Business at

MICHAEL GLEESON SHOES 26 William Street Limerick. Tel: 061 417407

www.businesslimerick.ie

NI Minister is Briefed by Shannon Development Northern Ireland Minister on Fact-Finding Mission Margaret Ritchie, the Northern Ireland Social Development Minister, was in the Shannon Region recently on a fact-finding mission to examine housing and urban regeneration. During her visit she met with Shannon Development, and the Limerick Regeneration Agencies. Ms Ritchie was given a comprehensive briefing by a Shannon Development team, led the Company's new CEO, Dr. Vincent Cunnane, on the benefits of Regional Development, and the Company's approach to broad based, comprehensive regeneration. Among the Shannon Development executives to brief the Minister were; Eugene Brennan, Executive Director Development and Marketing; Michael Foley, Marketing Manger of the Shannon Free Zone, Ireland's largest multisectoral business park outside of Dublin which employs over 7,000 people. Paul Ryan, Shannon Development's Regional Marketing Manager, briefed the Minister on Shannon Development's pioneering E-Towns initiatives designed to regenerate smaller communities in the Shannon Region. He also briefed the Minister on the Company's Knowledge Network of five world class business parks spread across the Shannon region, which are developed specifically to attract and support knowledge-intensive enterprises. Eoghan Prendergast, Regional Development Manager, Limerick City, spoke to the Minister on Shannon Developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x161;s role and initiatives in Limerick regeneration. Commenting on the meeting with Shannon Development the Minis-

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ter said, "Shannon Development has epitomised the comprehensive, joined-up approach to regeneration that I have set for my own Department." Ms. Ritchie also met with the Chief Executive of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies and discussed the plans for the Moyross Housing Estate on the Northside of Limerick and other estates on the Southside of the City.

Minister Margaret Ritchie, Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development, is pictured here with Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Shannon Development's new Chief Executive, during a recent Shannon Development briefing at the Company's Head Office in Shannon Town, Co. Clare.

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Graphic Design Team, Production Manager George Fitzgerald, Clia Clancy and Darragh Kinch.

Limerick Independent now 100% Limerick-owned Management at the Limerick Independent have confirmed the newspaper is now 100% Limerick-owned, following a local buy-out of the publication by City businessman, Declan Moylan. Business Manager of the weekly Limerick title for the past two years, Mr Moylan has now become the owner following nearly six months of negotiations. The Ennis Rd native agreed the deal with Galway businessmen Declan Dooley and Jarlath Feeney of the Independent Free Newspaper Group (IFNG). “The Limerick Independent is now a locally-owned, managed and staffed company, which is steadily forging ahead towards its target of becoming the leading regional media title in Limerick and the Mid-West,” Mr Moylan said. Mr Moylan said he was overjoyed at securing a major deal to bring the newspaper under a Limerick-owned management team. “The most important thing about this deal is that it secures for our ever-growing

readership and expanding client base, a quality, full-colour regional media product that is 100% Limerick-owned,” Mr Moylan said. He stressed that the links with the remaining two IFNG titles, the Galway Independent and Cork Independent newspapers would remain. Editor of the Limerick Independent, Keith Watterson congratulated Mr Moylan on his acquisition. “At times such as these, it’s important for local media to be owned and managed by people who know the market and are accessible to their readers and clients. Declan Moylan is in a class of his own in terms of his business acumen, and he’s also a proud Limerick man from a well known and widely respected Limerick family—his takeover of the Limerick Independent is fantastic news, not only for the newspaper itself, but also for the readers and clients to whom it caters,” Mr Watterson said. Galway business men, Declan Dooley and Jarlath Feeney backed by fellow Galway business man Joe Higgins, launched the Limerick Independent in March 2006 as a ‘sister’ newspaper of the Galway Independent and the Cork Independent.

Aside from Mr Moylan, who vowed to continue his “hands on” presence at the helm of the publication, the Limerick Independent has a workforce of 15 full-time staff and a sizeable number of part-time freelance editorial and photographic contributors. The paper has steadily built on its circulation, where it now has a VFD certified weekly door-to-door distribution of 24,988 copies to households in Limerick City.

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It’s officially the largest door to door distribution in Limerick. A further 20,000 copies are delivered in bulk to newsagents, hotels, pubs and other outlets throughout the City and County. “Having secured and built our circulation to become the paramount newspaper in the Mid-West, I intend to increase our growth as a company, building on our successes of the last two years and giving our Limerick readership the quality newspaper it now has come to expect. We have been listening to what is wanted from a newspaper and created a professional product of which I am proud. Limerick has been crying out for a good newspaper for years but not anymore” said Declan. Not only that their readership has increased but their client base of repeat advertisers is quite impressive. Being the regions highest read and top circulated newspaper ensures our advertisers the utmost exposure for their advert and a recognizable source in the success of the advertiser’s business. “Businesses will not repeatedly advertise with a newspaper unless they are getting a constant return for their investment. We are giving this return to our advertisers and now over 90% of our business is repeat business,” said Advertising Manager, Eric Costelloe.

Cormac Liddy, Noel O'Connor, Hilary Thompson and Ciaran Ryan.

Len Dinnen, Keith Waterson, John O'Sullivan and David Raleigh.

Annemarie McCabe, Leslie Keogh and Debbie Moloney.

The professional team that Declan has put around him has been steadily building the Limerick Independent into an institution and a highly respected organization. His journalists & staff are highly trained and keen to impress their readers. Declan is a firm believer that success lies in giving good quality and service to your customers and readers alike. “A quote from Oscar Wilde: I have the simplest taste, I am always satisfied with the best! is something I instill in my staff to give their best to the Limerick Independent. I am proud of the professional staff that are on our team, very professional, very good, I’m glad they are on my team!” added Declan.

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Maintaining a Competitive Edge Into The Future at The Shannon Free Zone Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen says this week’s creation of 50 new jobs in Shannon is further evidence of the key role played by Shannon Development in the development of the Shannon Free Zone. The 50 new jobs, supported by Shannon Development, will be at two leading compa-

nies, Mentor Graphics Ireland Ltd (35 new jobs) and PAFS Ireland Ltd (15 new jobs).

competitive edge as a preferred investment location.

According to Minister of State Killeen, “Combined with the 250 new jobs and EUR50 million investment announced earlier this year for Shannon by Zimmer Holdings Inc, these new jobs bring to 300 the number of new jobs announced for the Shannon Free Zone in the past 6 months”.

He continued, “During my tenure as Minister for Labour Affairs at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I stressed the need for Shannon Development’s role in developing the Shannon Free Zone to be maintained. I am delighted to see that the Company has successfully evolved and adapted to meet changing circumstances and the needs of the region. I am especially delighted to see that the Company’s 2007 results indicate clearly that it continues to deliver innovative regional development strategies and projects”.

He continued, “This jobs announcement is very positive news for the Shannon Free Zone following recent job losses in the area. It will further enhance Shannon and the Midwest Region’s long-standing status as a centre for investment and will help maintain the Shannon Free Zone’s competitive edge into the future”.

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The Junior Agriculture Minister said he was confident that Shannon Development would continue to play an integral role in ensuring the Shannon Free Zone has a

“I know that Shannon Development will continue to pledge its full support to both Mentor Graphics Ireland Ltd and PAFS Ireland Ltd, as well as the Shannon Free Zone’s many other firms in growing their Shannon operations”, concluded Minister of State Killeen.

ARAMARK Ireland Searches for Hot Talent ARAMARK Ireland, the catering and facilities management company, has begun its nationwide search for ambitious and eager candidates for its newly launched Graduate Development Programme and is calling on interested candidates in the Limerick area to apply. In October 2008, four people will begin a challenging and exciting year, training for a post as Regional Manager within ARAMARK Ireland. ARAMARK's Graduate Development Programme is open to those with experience in the catering/hospitality industry, including current employees. Graduates will assume the role of trainee manager and embark on a twelve month training programme, gaining in-depth knowledge and understanding of the business through a series of challenging projects and work-based tasks. This period of training will include four three-month placements at one of ARAMARK's sites across Ireland in a number of lines of business including education, healthcare and business. The selected sites for this programme include; Queens University (Belfast), Mary Immaculate College (Limerick), MBNA (Carrick-on36

Shannon), Hertz (North County Dublin), University College Hospital Galway and The Guinness Storehouse (Dublin City). Following the 12 month programme, participants will be offered suitable employment in the company, with the potential to be responsible for a considerable team, prestigious clients and to have full accountability for the financial and commercial operation of ARAMARK lreland's business. As ARAMARK is a global company, successful trainees can look forward to endless possibilities for promotion worldwide.

sector. We pride ourselves on the calibre and talent of our people and to sustain our future growth, we will be focusing on both growing our leaders from within and recruiting the very best from industry. Our Graduate Development Programme will combine both of these approaches for great results." If you would like more information on ARAMARK's graduate programme, please email careers@campbellcatering.ie or visit www.aramark.ie. The deadline for applications is 15th August 2008.

The programme will be co-ordinated by ARAMARK Ireland's newly appointed Learning and Development Specialist, Derek Carter. Speaking at the launch of the graduate programme, Derek said, "This is a fantastic opportunity for graduates who have an interest in progressing their careers in the hospitality www.businesslimerick.ie

Artist Captures King John’s Castle on Canvas King John’s Castle in Limerick City, has been captured on canvas by rising Limerick artist, Hugh Mc Mahon, a graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design. This new painting was unveiled recently by Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, at the reception area of Shannon Development’s Head Office in Shannon Town where it will be on public view. “In terms of encouraging development in our region, we have for many years specifically encouraged the direct development of the artistic sector in our region, and in keeping with this approach, we have assisted the artistic community in the region through the purchase and display of works by local artists. We know that this painting will be enjoyed by the many visitors, local, national and international who come to our offices each year,” said Dr. Cunnane. The painting, one of three showing scenic images from around the Shannon region, was commissioned by Shannon Develop-

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ment as part of the company’s support of local arts. In undertaking the assignment. Hugh’s aim was to reinterpret this familiar local scene and depicted it in a more challenging, contemporary style. Pictured

at the unveiling ceremony are (l-r); local Limerick artist Hugh Mc Mahon and Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive Shannon Development. For more information on the artist visit www.hughmcmahon.com.

Schools Receive Over €6,000 in BT Young Scientist Grants subject to a maximmum grant of €1000 per school and other appllicable terms.

Schools in Limerick city and county have benefited from grants totaling €6,400 as part of Travel and Accommodation Grant Scheme provided by the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. In total, BT has provided nearly €1200,000 to schools throughout the island as part of the accommodation grant scheme it set up in 2006. BT recognises that the actual expense of staying in Dublin during the week of the BT Young Scientist Exhibition can be a concern for schools that would like to take part in the competition. This scheme is designed to help offset some of the costs incurred by students travelling to Dublin, to compete in the exhibition. 2009 will be the fourth year BT has offered the grant to schools with projects competing in the exhibition in January at the RDS. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Travwww.businesslimerick.ie

BT has developed an exciting new website, www.btyoungscientist.com, for the 2009 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. The new website has everything students and teachers need to know about the exhibition including: entry forms, deadlines, a countdown clock to the closing date for entries, the travel and accommodation grant and much more. To find out how to triumph at the exhibition, students can log on to get top tips from Aisling Judge, the 2006 winner from Cork, one of the youngest ever in the competition's history. el and Accommodation Grant allows schools, situated 70 kilometres or more from the RDS in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, the opportunity to apply for financial assistance towards accommodation costs. €100 will be awarded to an individual entry or €200 to a group entry,

The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will be held in the RDS, Dublin from the 6th - 10th January 2009. For more information on the exhibition, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com or call 1800 924 362 or from Northern Ireland 0800 917 1297. 37

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Call For Submissions The Stony Thursday Book The Stony Thursday Book is accepting submissions from local, national and internationally based poets for the next issue which will be published in Limerick, as part of Cuisle International Poetry Festival on October 16, 2008. Send no more than six poems, with your name and address on each page, to: The Arts Service, Limerick City Council, City Hall, Merchants Quay, Limerick City Ireland. Mark your envelope : Stony Thursday. The Stony Thursday Book celebrated its 30th Anniversary Edition in 2005 and is one of the longest-running literary journals in Ireland. Closing date for submissions is: August 8, 2008.

Management Services Directory 2008/2009 An expert publication to help with international trading has just been published in Dublin by Malahide Promotions. Its title is Irish Supply Chain Management Services directory and is also known as the Who's Who Directory to the Irish Freight & Logistics Industry. In this, the 22nd edition, there are listings of all companies in Ireland offering freight and logistics services to world-wide destinations. With 16 major sections, and 94 categories, it segregates the many Irish services which are available to firms wishing to engage in international trade e.g. freight forwarding, airfreight, customs clearance, household removals, haulage – domestic and international, logistics service providers, document data storage and warehousing. Companies with a profile published in the directory, list the services they offer and provides information concerning branch offices. Also included is a very useful glossary of commonly used expressions and terms in shipping and forwarding. The book may be ordered directly from Malahide Promotions by phone to 01 8454640 or email to colm@freightfox.com. Cost: €44.00 plus VAT € 5.90 and Postage €3.00 Total : €52.90. 38

Construction Work Begins on €6M Civic Precinct Work has commenced on one of the largest ever-civic building projects to be undertaken in County Limerick. The EUR6m project by ABK architects consists of 1000 sq.m of Area Office accommodation and a Regional Library for Limerick County Council together with 540sq.m of Court facilities for the Court Services of Ireland. Welcoming the commencement of work on the new civic precinct, Cllr. John Gallahue, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, stated, "The range and extent of the excellent facilities that will be provided in this modern and spacious complex will enable the Council to provide a more comprehensive service than ever before. I am also confident that the new Headquarters will help establish Kilmallock as an important centre of activity in South Limerick". The Kilmallock Electoral Area Councillor continued, "Kilmallock and surrounding towns and villages have experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. It is vital, therefore, that such growth is matched by the expansion and delivery of improved Local Government services". The commencement of work on the project comes less than six months after Limerick County Council officially opened its newest Area Headquarters at Rathkeale and a stateof-the-art administrative building and office complex at Lissanalta House in Dooradoyle. Commenting on the new facility, Mr. Ned Gleeson, Limerick County Manager,

stated, "The main function of these Headquarters will be to administer work programmes such as road maintenance and improvements, housing and housing grants, water services, customer services, and planning issues. It is especially pleasing for me, as County Manager, to see that work programmes targeting local communities are administered from within those communities". The Main Contractor for the project is Brian McCarthy Contractors Ltd. The project design team includes ABK Architects, Davis Langdon PKS Quantity Surveyors, Michael Punch & Partners, Consulting Engineers and Homan O'Brien, M&E Consultants. Mr John Parker of ABK Architects stated, "The Library and Office form a long, linear, single-storey building, which connects with the existing Union Workhouse building. The Regional Library, which will play an important public and social role within the town consists of a double-height flexible space and is located on the most prominent corner of the site. A new linear public space is provided together with over 50 public and staff car parking spaces", added Mr Parker. The project is being part funded by Limerick County Council, the Courts Services of Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government. Limerick County Council estimates that the project will be delivered by late Autumn 2009.

County Manager, Ned Gleeson, Brian McCarthy CEO, Brian McCarthy Contractors and Cllr John Gallahue, Cathaoirleach of Limerick Country Council signing the Public Works Contracts for the new Kilmallock, Offices, Library and Courthouse in the presence of Cllr Pat McAuliffe, Cllr Eddie Creighton and Cllr James Houlihan (DG) Picture by Dave Gaynor www.businesslimerick.ie

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FÁS Releases Latest Quarterly Commentary While Ireland has continued to enjoy above average jobs growth, the worsening economic environment now means that a short-run correction in the labour market is imminent. This will primarily manifest itself in terms of negative employment growth, rising unemployment and increased emigration. Though employment grew by 2.6% in the first quarter of 2008, the rate of growth has been decelerating since 2005. Furthermore, the nature of the jobs being created has changed, with a much higher proportion being accounted for by part-time work and selfemployment. Compounding the recent slowdown in employment has been a confluence of adverse economic developments both at home and abroad. Indeed, there are already signs that some of the external problems facing the economy are having a direct impact on the labour market. Specifically, employment in the transport & communications sector has stagnated in the face of higher oil prices while manufacturing employment has been falling as exporters try to trim payroll costs in response to the appreciation of the euro.

• The agricultural sector has, after years of decline, seen a dramatic turnaround with employment increasing by 7,000 in 12 months. This has been partly thanks to the recent rise in food prices. • The slacker labour market in the first half of 2008 has led to a fall in the number of EU10 nationals seeking work here (down 37% year-on-year) and the number of new apprentices entering the workforce (down 30%). • We are expecting the average number of jobs in the economy to grow by 24,000 in 2008, but this will growth will be reversed in 2009 with net job losses of 31,000 forecast. • The primary drag on the labour market will continue to be the slowdown in the construction sector, which is being exacerbated by tighter credit conditions. • The average unemployment rate is forecast to increase from 4.6% in 2007 to 5.5% in 2008 and to 7.0% in 2009,

with the total number unemployed reaching 170,000 by the end of next year. • We believe that 2009 will see the number of emigrants exceed the number of migrants by the order of 20,000 as migrant workers from Central Europe respond to the change in employment prospects both here and back home. • According to FÁS senior economist Brian McCormick: “There are already signs that some of the external problems facing the economy are having a direct impact on the labour market. Specifically, employment in the transport & communications sector has stagnated in the face of higher oil prices while manufacturing employment has been falling as exporters try to trim payroll costs in response to the appreciation of the euro. A significant migratory response should soften the blow of negative employment growth on unemployment. Nevertheless, the numbers on the Live Register will rise further and are likely to reach 250,000 by the end of the year. ”

EMPLOYMENT TO RISE BY 24,000 THIS YEAR BEFORE FALLING BY 31,000 IN 2009 • THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS FORECAST RISE TO THE EU AVERAGE OF 7.0% IN 2009 • While Ireland has continued to enjoy above average jobs growth, the worsening economic environment now means that a short-run correction in the labour market is imminent. • The most telling indicator of a weakening in the labour market has been the rapid rise in the numbers on the Live Register, which is up 27% in the last 6 months. However, approximately onethird of those signing on are not eligible for the full Jobseekers Allowance / Jobseekers Benefit. • Despite the slowdown, the long-term unemployment rate continues to be at an historical low of just 1.2% while our employment rate of 69% continues to be above to the EU average of 66%. 40

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By Denis Leonard

The Heritage Boats Association On Saturday 19th July, a floatilla of 14 traditional boats, bardges and pleasure crafts belonging to the Heritage Boats Association sailed into Limerick and moored at the marina behind the Hunt Museum. It was a wonderful night to see many splendid crafts moored at the marina. It shows the potential of the marina and boating in Limerick. This event was part of the Limerick Civic Trust 25 year anniversary event programme.

Visit to Lord Mayor of Liverpool

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During a recent visit to Liverpool the Mayor of Limerick Cllr. John Gilligan and members of Limerick City Council and Limerick Civic Trust paid a courtesy visit to Cllr. Steve Rotheram at the Liverpool town Hall. The visit included a guided tour of their very impressive Town hall which is one of the oldest buildings in Liverpool.

People’s Park Win Award The City was the only Irish recipients of an award at the Green Flag ceremony in Liverpool and stood proudly amongst winners from England, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The Peoples’ Park in Limerick has already won national acclaim on two occasions in 2004 and 2005 in the City Neighbourhood Awards Programme. It is therefore fitting that international recognition was bestowed on the splendid Peoples’ park which is maintained in a magnificent condition each year by Michael O’Halloran and his dedicated park staff. Limerick Civic Trust entered the Peoples’ Park for the Green flag Award competition and submitted a comprehensive presentation to support their assertion that the Park merited international recognition. ¸ÙâÝç ÀÙãâÕæØ ÀÝáÙæÝ×ß ·ÝêÝ× Èæéçè ÁÕíãæ ¾ãÜâ »ÝààÝÛÕâ ÁÕæèÝâ ¶ãéæßÙ ·ÜÕÝæáÕâ ÀÝáÙæÝ×ß ·ÝêÝ× Èæéçè ÁÝ×ÜÕÙà ÇÜÙÙÜÕâ ÄÕæßç ¸ÙäÕæèáÙâè ÀÝáÙæÝ×ß ·Ýèí ·ãéâ×Ýà ÕâØ ÄÙèÙæ ¶ÙáÖæÝØÛÙ

The Mayor of Limerick Cllr. John Gilligan was presented with a Green Flag Award for The Peoples’ Park Limerick. This was a great honour for The Mayor and for the City as Limerick is the first winner of a Green Flag Award. This honour is presented to parks of outstanding quality. www.businesslimerick.ie

Two experts in horticulture and park landscaping travelled from London to spend a day in the Peoples’ Park assessing every aspect of the entry in their capacity as official Green Flag Award judges. The results of their deliberations were obviously positive and in time sent their detailed observations and suggestions which provided an expert neutral analysis on the Peoples’ Park. It will be a great occasion when the Mayor hoists Ireland’s first Green Flag at an appropriate ceremony later on in the year. 41

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The Celtic Tiger is Dead... By Karl Daly

The Celtic Tiger is dead... rubbish, he is just taking a well earned rest. Like his friend the bear, these two noble animals are underneath the earth hibernating, rejuvenating themselves, getting set for their return so we can all resume normal service. What has happened Ireland over the last 15 years is far from normal. This country has been and continues to be the envy of far bigger world economies than us and the Irish entrepreneurial spirit is renowned the world over. That spirit is built into our makeup – that does not go away – even if George Lee tells you so. Just have a look as you travel through our own city every day and see the transformation that has taken place. Current economic conditions warrant a whole different approach now to keep up momentum. We all rode the tidal wave over the last number of years and to a large degree it has been easy. We are a very affluent society now and love the trappings that come with that status. Are you about to give that all up... you gotta be kidding me. The spirit that got us here needs to dig deep and work harder and more clever to keep us here. Ireland and its people give nothing away without a fight.

Our political leaders need to earn their corn and do the jobs we elected them to do as they have had an easy ride to date. They have achieved numerous ancillary objectives along the way. We are where we are because business minded people exploited the opportunities and lifted Ireland with them to new heights. I have no problem with junkets abroad, huge salaries and expenses if you are worth it. Have a look at the politician you voted for last time around and ask yourself “What did they do for me?”, “What will they do for me?”. In a rising tide a lot of mediocrity goes unnoticed and unchallenged. When levels start to sink we are all exposed and only talent and determination will survive. As I write this, the Tiger and Bear are still in deep slumber and without them there is a feeling of helplessness creeping around. This is the time when the Irish spirit has to come to the fore and really show its mettle. You have to be at the top of your game in this climate just to stand still “Flat is the new up”. The outside world has to get its game in order to help things but that’s outside our control. We are a country well used to ploughing its own furrow and we all need to dig deep now. When you return from holiday – tanned and rested – go back to what you do with a stride and determination to maintain what you have worked for. Set your goals and go and achieve them.....you would like that holiday again next year, would you not? If we all approach our lives in that fashion the Tiger and Bear will awaken, refreshed and ready to progress onwards. It has always been up to us and it’s no different now, just that we need to push a little harder. The details will work themselves out.In case it

hasn’t dawned on you – we are the Tiger and Bear. They are not mythical animals – they are you and me and I for one am not dead.

KARL DALY PENSIONS AND INVESTMENTS 2nd floor, Riverfront Building, Howleys Quay, Limerick. tel: 061/318701 e-mail: info@karldaly.com web: www.karldaly.com Please note values of investments can fall as well as rise and you need proper advice before committing to anything...

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Irish Consumers To Go Online Christmas 2008 / ZSORW\U 7`WaV SQ][[S`QS firm has predicted that the number of consumers shopping online this Christmas could increase by as much as 50 percent in comparison to the same period last year. Clare-based Magico.ie says that although traditional high-street retail activity is suffering a downturn, Internet sales in Ireland are likely to smash all previous records this year as more and more price-conscious and time-poor consumers do their festive shopping online. The company warned, however, that the Irish retail sector had not fully explored the potential of the online shopping market and was losing out on potential business to competitors throughout the world. It indicated that many Irish small and medium enterprises needed to adapt to the growing trend among consumers who were opting to order their gifts from the comfort of their own home.

There is a growing tendency for shoppers to leave Christmas gift buying later into the festive season and due to time pressures many will purchase online. This option gives last minute shoppers a wide selection of possible gifts, often coming with a gift-wrapping service as extra. The online shop also takes on the role of shipping items onwards to the recipient, said Mr. McGurran. The increase in shoppers using the Internet to purchase Christmas gifts is not an Irish phenomenon, with similar trends being experienced throughout much of Europe. Research shows that increasing numbers of people spend more time researching and buying online in the run-up to Christmas in comparison to those who do the same on the high street.

There is no doubt that the Internet has transformed the way Irish consumers shop and interact with the companies from which they buy, commented Mr. Paul McGurran, Director of ecommerce, Magico.ie.

In the UK, the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index claims there was a 65 percent increase in the numbers shopping online last Christmas compared the 2006 festive season. In recent years, the Royal Mail has had to employ extra staff to cope with the increasing volumes of mail that has arisen as a result of increased online purchases.

He explained, Consumers, as they become more Internet-savvy, are using the Web to research gift purchases in the lead up to Christmas. Once they have narrowed down their selection many shoppers will actually visit numerous stores based on this research. Therefore, for a certain category of shopper the Internet is the first place they look prior to making a store visit.

Irish businesses need to sit up and take notice of the steady growth in retailing via the Internet in the run up to and during the Christmas period. With the much talked of slowdown in the Irish economy and an increasingly price conscious consumer, Irish retailers really have no option but to invest in their own ecommerce and online sales store, concluded Mr. McGurran.

Magico.ie was established in 1999 and currently employs 13 people at its headquarters in Ennis, County Clare.

AirSpead Telecom Awarded Licences for Limerick AirSpeed Telecom, the telecommunications company which operates a nationwide wireless radio transmission network, has been awarded significant 26GHz licensed radio spectrum for the Limerick area. The licenses, awarded by ComReg, means that customers have high capacity uncontended services, which include WAN (wide area network) and LAN (local area network) www.businesslimerick.ie

extension services, will also have scalable bandwidth of 10Mbps to 100Mbps and beyond. This is part of an ongoing 5 million investment plan by AirSpeed Telecom, will allow business users in the Limerick area to access significant bandwidth services which can be rapidly deployed. 43

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Knightly Splendour in

G C

astle

lin

lin Castle Hotel was our destination for the August, Restaurant of the Month, a visit we eagerly anticipated. Set in its 500 acre site of rolling parkland, manicured grounds and walled gardens on the banks of the Shannon. Close to the village, the winding drive leads onto a spectacular vision of this 18th century castle with turrets and battlements, complete this period picture scene.

he splendour of this fine castle was apparent as we were led through their magnificent reception hall and into the sitting room. We relaxed in front of an inviting open fireplace in their splendid sitting room for before dinner drinks and perused the menu. Deep pile carpets and priceless woven rugs adorn the wooden floors. The ceilings boast of ornate decorative plasterwork, the endeavours of craftsmen from days long gone. This surreal picture was complemented with views of the majestic River Shannon, as it prepared to greet the Atlantic, rushing by just a stones throw from our bay window.

lin Castle has been in the Fitzgerald family for over 700 years and today it is owned by the 29th Knight of Glin, Desmond

Fitzgerald and his wife Madam Olda Fitzgerald.

lthough the reception rooms are luxurious and really striking, there is a great sense of ease and informal welcome here. I felt that the size of the sitting room and dining room was just right, not too big as to intimidate, but a cosy warm oasis. Bob Duff is the manager and the hands-on 'director of operations.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He patiently blends the history and treasures of this 700 year castle with his guests needs in the 21st century. Bob is a witty, knowledgeable and most accomplished host with a pride and passion in his chosen profession which he most obviously enjoys. Its 14 years since he arrived from New Zealand as a chef, and now he steers Glin Castle gently and most tastefully to the present day.

n to the dining room; walls draped with oil paintings of family portraits painted over the last three hundred years, tables dressed with crisp traditional linen tablecloths, candelabras and set with the family silver cutlery. The scene was set and the ambience was tangible.

he bread basket was a treasure in which we found homemade brioche, white yeast cheese bread and house style brown wholemeal bread. As an appetizer, a very tasty crab and potato cake was served.

o start, Galia Melon with Parma Ham and Sweet Honey and Mustard Dressing, A Plate of Chilled Prawns and Smoked Salmon with Marie Rose Sauce, A Tartlet of Braised Red Onions and Grilled Goats Cheese with Cumberland Sauce and Grilled Spatchcock Quail with Pink Grapefruit. 44

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ext, we had Garden Vegetable Soup and the Apple and Calvados Sorbet was one I will remember!

or the main event, we had Char-Grilled Fillet of Irish Beef with Wild Mushroom and Cognac Sauce, Roast Farm Duck with Sage and Black Cherries, Grilled Seatrout with Classic Hollandaise, Pan Seared Scallops with Organic Adare Bacon and a Lemon & Garlic Butter. All vegetables were from their walled garden.

o complete this feast, we had Warm Spiced Pear cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Crisp Shelled Meringue with Raspberries and Cream, Chocolate and Pecan Torte and Rhubarb Crumble with Custard.

uat, our experienced Turkish waiter, was in excellent form and must be commended for his quality service and contribution to the overwhelming success of our evening.

ere, dinner is a special occasion to ponder and savour over in this most unique location with Irish 'country house' cuisine at its best. It was fine dining at a level of expertise in service which was impeccable, coupled with a culinary itinerary prepared and completed by chefs who delight in their craft. It is where culinary art embraces breathtaking views of the River Shannon Estuary from the castle restaurant’s large windows.

ll meat and poultry are sourced locally and their fish is freshly caught and landed nearby. The vegetables are from the castle's own walled organic gardens.

fter dinner we retired to the library with liquors and Irish coffees, served to the backdrop of an open hearth fireplace

and crackling embers. It was a great pleasure and an experience that I, nor my fellow 'foodies' wanted to end. We had a special evening here which I can highly recommend to our readers. With a venue such as Glin Castle on our doorstep, (just 30 miles from Limerick City), I am embarrassed to say that this was my first visit, but it certainly won't be my last if I have a choice!

his is an ideal location for business meetings catering for groups of 30 delegates, and an excellent romantic setting for weddings catering for 50 guests. The restaurant is open 7 days, 7pm 9.30pm and seats 30 guests. Dinner is by reservation only and is most attractively priced at €60 for their 5 course set menu. A superb selection of top wines on their wine-list, with some excellent house wines from €25 approx. Telephone 068 34173 to reserve your place at this noble knights table. COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF!

THE WINES... Lawson's Dry Hills (N2),Sauvignon Blanc 2006. Lovely bouquet of citrus peel, grapefruit, herbs and tropical fruit that ravish the nose and seduce the palate, and a lively acidity that dances in the mouth and makes you feel alive. Drosody Hof, Merlot 2007 (South African). Ripe, smooth, medium bodied red wine with spicy cherry bouquet. www.businesslimerick.ie

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Cash Flow – The Life Blood of Your Business By Diarmuid Hendrick Cash is king when it comes to the financial management of any company. As the economy continues to slow down it is imperative that business owners focus on their cash flow and working capital position ensuring that their business is prepared for the difficult times that lie ahead. Cash flow is the movement of money within a business, both income and expenditure, and is the key for business survival and growth. Poor cash flow management has in the past and still does put an end to some of the more successful businesses. It therefore goes to show that nobody is safe from the dangers of suffering cash flow problems, particularly as some of them are unforeseeable. Many businesses can outwardly appear quite successful, generating substantial profits with a healthy Balance Sheet. Often these businesses are asset rich and cash poor and have difficulty in managing their day to day cash flow. Most of the cash the business needs to survive and indeed grow is tied up in its working capital, and often the unlocking of this cash is the key to the survival of the business. Similarly in a start up situation, all of the effort is put into the generation of sales with cash flow management being a secondary consideration. Sales generated need to be converted into cash, otherwise the chances of the business surviving are minimal. Therefore, planning cash flow is a necessary and vital management tool. The management of a business should take a proactive approach to the monitoring of its cash flow. Cash flow forecasts and projections should be undertaken and reviewed on a regular basis. These cash

flow forecasts and projections will identify where cash flow is at its tightest and can alert you to trouble well before it strikes. Any cash flow forecast prepared should include details of all business income and expenditure, taxes due, debt repayment and any capital expenditure to be undertaken by the company.

• • • •

Failure to plan for increasing Workin Capital needs is common and can lead to serious cash flow problems. • • • •

•

How can this be avoided? Regular ‘Cash Flow Forecasting’ Having a clearly defined credit control strategy Understanding the cash flow cycle of the business - the length of time between buying supplies, manufacturing the product and receiving payment from customers Having an incentivised finance team properly managing and taking responsibility for this area.

A business running without a cash flow forecast may fall into the trap of running out of cash and coming up with reactionary action plans that can ultimately lead to the collapse of the business. Based on the cash flow forecast prepared, action can be taken to improve your business cash flow. Actions that can improve your business cash flow include the following: • • •

Increasing cash sales and reducing expenses. Being selective when extending credit. Reducing credit given and having

• • •

appropriate credit terms for different customers. Negotiation of additional lines of credit with suppliers. Using more pro-active collection techniques. Using factoring or discount facilities to accelerate cash receipts. Identifying bad debts early and taking appropriate action e.g. credit limits, interest on late payments. Seeking to extend debt repayment periods. Negotiation of specialist working capital finance. Releasing of equity from the balance sheet through refinancing of properties or plant and equipment.

Where a business is in cash flow difficulty, it is prudent to take professional advice from your accountant or professional advisors. They can assist in the preparation of the cash flow forecasts and identify solutions to improve the business cash flow. In addition, they can assist with the raising of finance, be it the release of equity from the balance sheet or specialist working capital finance. Businesses who take a proactive approach and who receive professional advice once a cash flow problem is identified are well on the way to business stability and ultimately business success. If a business manages its cash flow successfully it augers well for its long term viability. Businesses rarely fail suddenly. Rather, failure is a gradual process usually involving a downward spiral. Successful cash flow management is the vital ingredient for business success. Remember, Cash is King!

BDO Simpson Xavier is Ireland’s leading firm in the area of advice to entrepreneurs and owner managed businesses. Diarmuid Hendrick is General Practice Partner in the firm’s Limerick offices. The office can be contacted on 061- 41 44 55. BDO Simpson Xavier will not accept responsibility for loss or damage to any person as a result of refraining from acting as a result of the information contained in this article. Professional advice should always be sought before acting on any matter referred to in this article. Diarmuid Hendrick 46

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Personal Development Transformation a Key to SUCCESS...Your Choice Transformation... It's a wondrous process. You start with one thing and end up with something totally different. A caterpillar turns into a butterfly...

But it's in that discomfort that the magic happens. It's the extreme pressure and heat that make the boring lump of coal a beautiful and valuable diamond. The lump of coal can't just get up one day and decide it's too hard and walk away from the process.

Sand transforms into glass...

And without nature doing its work, none of it would happen.

We can and we do! Because it can seem to be very scary and during that phase of transformation where your old life doesn't fit but you don't quite fit into your new life, it's easy to turn back to what you know is safe, even if you're not happy there.

Under the right conditions, the coal doesn't have a choice but to turn into a diamond.

You have talents, gifts, abilities and skills within you that are dying to come out. (We all do, we just don’t believe we have them.)

The sand can only become glass.

The very things inside of you that will make your dreams come true if you could only extract them and transform yourself to experience the greatness you are.

Coal turns into a diamonds... The process is intense and wondrous.

And the caterpillar cannot become anything other than a butterfly. That's because they have all the elements and properties contained within them that make them those things. In essence, those things are already butterflies, diamonds, and glass simply waiting for nature to produce the right conditions for the transformation to take place. Personal Development Transformation... is the key to success & personal freedom and yes it’s a choice. So what about our human transformation? Is it the same thing? The difference with human transformation is that we DO have a choice! We don't have to wait for the conditions to be perfect to transform our lives because we have the ability to create those conditions ourselves. What area of your life do want to transform??? That's the challenging question about human transformation. One of our greatest powers is also our greatest obstacles. We have the ability to choose. We have the ability to start or stop the process anytime we want. And when you think about transformation, you have to look at with open eyes. It takes courage, pressure, consistency, and even extreme personal discipline. All the things that we humans shy away from because they can cause discomfort in our lives. www.businesslimerick.ie

However most people can't and won't do it by themselves, we all need support to achieve our outcomes... On our own it can be a very lonely place at times so we give up.” So many people start, successful people finish”. That's why I'm going to help you understand your self... One of the most valuable abilities I've gained throughout my life is the vast experience of going through personal transformation in many areas of my life. I've been through the scary parts of it and made it to the other side. I know the path and know the signs of when it's time to push harder, stop resisting, or just flow with the process. It's one thing to talk about it (talk the talk), but it's another thing entirely to have actually done it (Walk the Walk). Through Pathfinder Transformational Coaching… I can help you because I've navigated that path myself in many areas of my life with real success…

¾ãÜâ ºàíââ ÀÝÚÙ ÕâØ ¶éçÝâÙçç ·ãÕ×Ü

Transforming a Gift of Personal Freedom Taking personal responsibility is the price of true freedom. I've often contemplated the true meaning of freedom and independence and have come to realize that these are not rights that I receive as much as they are responsibilities that I have. Yes, in the outer world, to have freedom I must uphold my responsibilities for governance. However, true freedom and independence are only realized when we choose to take responsibility for our thoughts, our beliefs, our actions and our way of being. As Viktor Frankl, WWII Holocaust survivor and Austrian psychologist, recognized during his internment in the Nazi death camps - man's last human freedom is the freedom to choose his response to any situation. Even when his body was imprisoned, Viktor realized that no one, other than himself, could imprison his mind. Are you free?

Feel free to contact me @ Pathfinder John Flynn - Life & Business Coach 31b Cecil Street, Limerick tel: 061468446 email: pathfinder@o2.ie mobile: 0868123834 www.pathfinder4u.com 47

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Satellite Dialysis Unit for Ennis Hospital

Shannon Development Statement

Minister of State, Mr. Tony Killeen has received confirmation from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it is exploring the possibility of establishing a Satellite Dialysis Centre at Ennis General Hospital.

“Connectivity to Heathrow is still a major issue for the Shannon Region, and Shannon Development continues to work with Shannon Airport and our tourism and industry partners to address this critical issue. It is now almost one year since the announcement by Aer Lingus of the cessation of their Shannon/Heathrow service. However, since then a number of positive developments have occurred - CityJet/Air France is performing well on its Paris route which operates a twice daily service from Shannon to Charles de Gaulle and we are pleased that it plans to double its capacity on the route from October this year. Over 133 airlines operate from the Paris Charles de Gaulle hub and Air France provides over 20,000 connections each week to world-wide destinations. We are also pleased that Ryanair increased their capacity on their routes into London from Shannon to cater for point to point traffic.

The Clare T.D received confirmation of the proposed development following a meeting this week with Ms. Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health and Children. According to Minister Killeen, "During the meeting I impressed upon Minister Harney the urgent need to move ahead with the €39 million capital project for Ennis General Hospital. I also reiterated the need to ensure that the HSE provides adequate funding to maintain existing services at Ennis General Hospital while providing newer services such as a Satellite Dialysis unit." Commenting on the letter he received from the HSE, Minister Killeen said, "A Satellite Dialysis Centre is currently being established in Limerick to alleviate some of the pressure on the Dooradoyle facility. This will provide some relief for Clare patients in the short term. In the longer term, the HSE has said it would like to explore the possibility of establishing a satellite unit at Ennis General Hospital." "The HSE stated that this option would be evaluated in light of the demand and throughput of patients. However, this is not likely to be developed in the short-term. The HSE confirmed that there are currently 22 patients for Clare receiving haemodialysis treatment", concluded Minister Killeen. 48

Comment from John Brassil, Chairman, Shannon Development re: the anniversary of the decision by Aer Lingus to cease its Shannon/Heathrow issue

While this news is good, we are conscious that more air connectivity to Shannon is needed. This is not a time for complacency and, as the tourism authority for the Shannon Region, we will be doing everything in our power to ensure that this Region meets these challenging times head on. To this end, Shannon Development, in conjunction with the tourism and travel trade industry, is

implementing a number of actions to secure tourism business for the Shannon Region. In the UK market, Shannon Development is working with Ryanair and the Irish Hotels Federation on a € 500,000 tourism advertising campaign. In addition to this, we also undertook a €200,000 UK TV ad campaign in May this year, in partnership with Shannon Airport and Tourism Ireland, which reached a UK audience of over 20 million. We are also working with the Irish Hotels Federation to put a major push on selling Shannon Region based short break holidays through the short breaks website www.shortbreaksireland. ie , and we are working closely with our colleagues in Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and airlines, to support direct air access routes into the Region. In the US market, Shannon Development has signed agreements with a number of airlines and tourism operators to drive additional bed nights to the Shannon Region. One of these campaigns has already resulted in 20,000 additional bednights from the US this year. In addition to this, Shannon Development is working with Tourism Ireland, and the other tourism authorities along Ireland’s West Coast, on the ‘Discover Ireland’s Wonderful West’ campaign, a €3 million marketing campaign in the US designed to boost business to the Shannon Airport catchment area post-Open Skies. Among the initiatives already underway as part of this campaign are; US print, radio and online advertising with carriers, tour operators and industry partners, direct marketing on and offline and special promotions,” said Mr Brassil.

NSCA Index Championship 2008 The 1st International NSCA Index Championship took place in the Champagne Ballroom in early July at the Paris Hotel Las Vegas. The Irish Team consisting of Nathan Jege in the male competition and Fiona O'Shea in the female competition went through some final drills and practice runs with the Irish Coach Dave Sheahan. The female

competition went first and Fiona achieved a personal best in the Vertical Jump of 21 inches. Nathan, in the male event, jumped an impressive 27 ½ inches. After the first event Nathan was 3rd male and Fiona was 2nd female and at the end of a thrilling and highly competitive Final, Ireland finished in an impressive 3rd place.

ÆÚ× »äÛåÚ Æ×Óß ÀÓæÚÓà ¼×Ù× »äÛåÚ µáÓÕÚ ¶Óè× ÅÚ×ÓÚÓà ÓàÖ ¸ÛáàÓ ÁùÅÚ×Ó www.businesslimerick.ie

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Henihan, O’Neill and Walsh Fly Limerick Flag at Olympic Games with Mal Keaveney

AHEAD of this month’s Olympic Games in Beijing, it is most worthy to note that the Irish Chef de Mission is a native of the Sporting Capital in Dermot Henihan. The role of Chef de Mission may be new territory to the likeable Henehan but he is a great veteran of Olympic campaigns and World/European championships. He has vast experience at executive level, as manager of the rowers in Atlanta and training camp boss in Sydney eight years ago. Ahead of the games, which start on the eight day of the eight month 2008, Henihan was in jovial mood at the Olympic Council Offices in Dublin, well able to rattle off the 12 sporting disciplines – in alphabetical order and without pausing for breath – under his remit in China. “We have athletics, badminton, boxing, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming and triathlon,” he unveiled.

Beijing experience wise, knowing where you are going, knowing what to do.” But he noted: “You can provide all the information but at the end of the day some people will miss the hangar when they’re putting their coat up. That’s life.” Qualification for the Games is also a phenomenal achievement for 27-year-old Sean O’Neill of Pallaskenry and St. Michael’s Rowing Club, selected – alongside Jonno Devlin, Sean Casey and Cormac Folan – in the coxless four. “Life has been nothing but a dream around the Olympic Games and now that it has happened I’m thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” he said.

“There are a couple of Olympic firsts for Ireland this year. It will be the first time for triathlon (Emma Davis) while we have the first man to represent us in badminton in Scott Evans. We have around 50 competitors. “IT’S IMPORTANT to keep our expectations low. Nobody has qualified for the Olympics standing on a World Championship podium. Therefore what we can hope for at the Olympics is that all the competitors will be given every chance to ensure they perform better than they have performed before. If they do that, and it takes them someplace special, then it will be fantastic. “But let us not go there saying that we are at that some place special already. Let’s hope and aspire to it.” Added Henihan: “We have given the best direction we can give. That includes acclimatisation wise, medically, psychologically, www.businesslimerick.ie

Another significant feather in the Limerick Olympic cap this Summer is that Jim Walsh of Bruree is the experienced manager of the five person boxing squad, of which John Joe Nevin (bantamweight) and Darren Sutherland (middleweight) are serious medals prospects. 2008 is the centenary of the 1908 London Olympics at which Timothy J. Ahearne of Athea won gold in the Hop, Step and Jump (now known as the Triple Jump), beating the fancied John Garfield-McDonald of Canada into second and Norway’s equally expectant Edvard Larsen into the bronze position.

The win was greeted with huge celebrations across Ireland, and none more so that in Limerick. A commemorative plaque in honour of the famous victory, located in the heart of the West Limerick village, has never been formally unveiled, but that will happen in Olympic Month, according to Community Council Chairman Domhnall de Barra. In addition, respected historian Tom Aherne of Carrigkerry has produced a superb 100-page publication to mark the special anniversary. Working alongside Tim Quaid of Ballybunion, a grand-nephew of the famous athlete, Ahearne – no relation of the great athlete – tolled tirelessly over the last year to collect all available material of the Olympic winning performance of his namesake. Amazingly, the splendid book also features an impressive photograph of the gold winning jump (14.92 metres) of Ahearne. A century ago, Ahearne was forced to compete for the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland team – Ireland didn’t compete as an independent country until the 1924 Paris Games (an attempt was made in 1906 for Ireland to compete as a “separate nation” but this was stopped by Prince George of Greece & Denmark). It was at the London Games that Limerick’s most celebrate Olympian Pat O’Callaghan captured his historic third Gold medal (following-on from Paris in 1900 and St. Louis in 1904) in the Hammer Throw. Also in the White City, Corneilus (Con) Leahy took silver in the High Jump (having won Gold at the Intercalated 1906 Athens Games). A BROTHER of Timothy Ahearne, Dan, was also a renowned athlete and retained the world record in the Triple Jump for a period at the outset of the 20th Century. 49

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Dave’s Monthly Advice: Set Definite Goals and Deadlines If you are to achieve your desired results then you must plan your path and define your final destination. People do this all the time at work. If you have a deadline you know what you have to do and you plan how you are going to do it. This should be no different when it comes to your body. Decide on definite goals such as the shape, size, bodyfat

level, weight or any other measure that is important to you, which you wish to attain. Give yourself a deadline whether it be one month, 12 weeks or a year. Decide on your targets along the road like your weekly, fortnightly or monthly targets. Make definite goals and be determined to meet your targets and you will be ever closer to your final goal.

Tel: 061 061 424936 424936 Tel: web :: www.davesheahan.ie www.davesheahan.ie web email :: davesheahan@davesheahan.ie davesheahan@davesheahan.ie email

Topical Focus: Stress – The Root of Many Problems Present day life has become a very stressful one. One is now greatly challenged both mentally and financially in order to lead a normal life. It has become a rat race right from the teenager doing the leaving certificate to the top executive of a major company. No one escapes but children. People have for years said that the best days of their lives were in school where there were no worries and no stress. People are striving for more these days – everyone wants success and power and great wealth. Companies are driving their employees more and pushing for more productivity all the time. Maintaining a basic lifestyle has become a financial minefield. If one wants to have a house and a car they are under intense pressure repaying mortgages and loans. Having kids has become very expensive and if one wants to have “a life” then that has also become very expensive. So as you can see it is a vicious circle and everyone is in the same boat. Stress has lead to comfort eating which has contributed to an obesity epidemic. Excessive drinking, smoking and drug taking have also come to the fore.

Depression has become widespread and worryingly suicide has become too common. People’s general health and wellbeing is at an all time low in this country. So what can we do about it? We must get control back in our lives. We must decide that quality of life is what counts not how much is in the bank or how much power you have. We must combat stress by exercise, the best form of stress relief, and also by making lifestyle changes. Aim to exercise at least 3 times a week and focus on it being stress relief not weight loss. Eat a healthy balanced diet and try to find time for yourself each day to relax or do something you enjoy.

Inspirational Quote: “If you can find so many reasons why you shouldn’t do something, then deep down inside of you there is a great reason why you must.”

Post Workout Shake If you perform resistance training then a post workout shake could make a huge difference to your results. When you perform resistance training you are ripping your muscle fibres apart and when you finish your body is desperate to repair itself and thus needs food especially protein. If you wait a while and then have a wholefood meal your muscles will not commence repairing themselves for a number of hours. However if you have a post workout shake, it will get digested quickly and the nutrients will get transported around the body, allowing the body to begin the repairing process. A post workout shake should contain protein and carbohydrate. In addition one can improve the formula by adding vitamins and minerals, creatine and L-glutamine.

Why Exercise? Increased Self Confidence and Self Esteem Getting fit and toned is the best way to feel good about yourself. Most people lack confidence and self esteem because of how they look. They don’t like going shopping and feel very self conscious when going out. Think of how you would feel if you could buy what you want and felt confident and sexy when you went out. People are often held back because of how they feel. Get into exercising a few times a week and improve your diet and just keep in mind how you want to feel and be determined to get there. Let exercise be the injection of confidence that you need. 50

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Minister Announces Tourism Grant Aid Package Shannon Airport to Ennis Cycle Route has received grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €210,562 with a total investment in 2008 of €281,000. This grant package for County Clare has been approved to Clare Co Council who will implement the works programme and are also providing significant capital investment for the projects in partnership with Shannon Development. The Doolin Cycling Hub project involves the creation of a number of marked cycling routes based on the use of Doolin, North Clare, as a Cycling Hub and also involves provision of interpretative panels, cycle parking and cycle counters. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen

Shannon Development welcomed the recent € 720,000 tourism grant aid package announcement by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, towards the development of 4 new cycling projects in counties Clare, Limerick and South Offaly valued collectively at € 1 million. This announcement by the Minister is part of an overall €4.3m grant aid package for 27 projects countrywide under the NDP Tourism Infrastructure Programme administered by the National Tourism Development Authority, Failte Ireland. According to Flan Quilligan, Tourism Projects Executive, Shannon Development, “These four projects are important elements of Shannon Development’s 2008 tourism strategy for the Shannon Region which will allow the development of strategically located cycling trail in counties Clare, Limerick and South Offaly to be progressed in partnership with Shannon Region Local Authorities and local community groups under the Shannon Region International Trails programme established by Shannon Development last year. We are working closely with Fáilte Ireland, Local Authorities and local groupings to make this a reality. We worked with the promoters of each of the four cycle projects to assist them formulate their plans and secure funding, and we will continue to assist them in the development and promotion of their projects”. In County Clare the Doolin Cycling Hub and www.businesslimerick.ie

The Shannon Airport to Ennis Cycle Route involves development of a dedicated cycle route on the old N18 route between Shannon Airport and Ennis. The new cycle route will also link with the proposed Ennis Town Cycle Network Strategy and provide a safe two way cycle lane facility to serve overseas tourist visitors, Irish holidaymakers and local cyclists between intermediate points on the route. Total distance of this new dedicated cycle route is approximately 26km. County Limerick is also set to benefit with the Great Southern Trail Cycle Route receiving grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €422,164, with a total investment in 2008 of €578,000 towards the development of shared use cycling and walking trail. This funding has been approved to Limerick County Council (who are also providing significant capital investment for the project) in respect of work to join up the existing sections by developing an 8km trail from Newcastle West to Barnagh. County Limerick will then have a safe traffic free dedicated cycling and walking trail from Ardagh to Abbeyfeale of approximately 26km in length. The work will involve clearing, draining, fencing, surfacing, bridge-repair, wheelchair-friendly stiles, and signage and information boards. Funds have also been allocated to upgrade the 4km line from Newcastle West to Ardagh with a tarred finish. The works programme will be implemented by the project promoters Limerick County Council in association with the local community group (The Great Southern Trail Company Ltd.) who have been instrumental in the project.

TransActions.ie

Business Limerick were today introduced to a new service which is to be rolled out during July. TransActions.ie, developed locally by two entrepreneurs, Des Crosbie and Peter Gaines, will revolutionise how small to large companies do business. “TransActions.ie is Irelands online business networking tool”, said Gaines. “It will be available to all businesses to network online quickly, effectively and for the express purposes of doing business, thereby allowing them to cut costs, save time and build profits.” TransActions.ie, your online 24/7 business development manager is coming shortly, in the meantime visit www.transactions.ie to learn more. A full review of this new service will be featured in the September edition of Business Limerick

Caterassist Land Their CHERRY The Caterassist Group, has acquired the Cherry Business in Limerick & Dublin. Cherry, is the recruitment arm of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, established Cherry Placement Services in 2006. Caterassist under the sole Management, and only shareholder of Jerry O'Sullivan will take over the Cherry Name and Business from 1st of August 2008. The company now operates 7 offices in Kerry, Galway, Waterford, Sligo, and Laois and now has added Limerick and Dublin. 51

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Munster Prepare to Defend Their European Crown By Mick Galwey

It’s funny to be talking about rugby in the height of the GAA season but the break for the professional game was somewhat curtailed this year by Munster’s victorious run in the Heineken Cup and Ireland’s summer tour to Australia and New Zealand. The lads are all well and truly back into the swing of the training regime at this stage and preparations for the season ahead will be gathering pace over the next few weeks. For the players in both the paid and amateur game this is a great few weeks. It’s mighty to train with the sun on your back. The joys and disappointments of the previous season are all forgotten at this stage and fellas are just bursting to get back into action. It promises to be another busy season for the lads with both Munster and Ireland. A hectic schedule awaits the lads, right up to Christmas. In that sense, it is vital that the training that is put in at this time of the year is right.

In essence, the stamina work which is done in the weeks leading up the start of the season is the well that players come back to when that extra bit of effort is needed. Work put in now will pay rich dividends come the Six Nations or the closing stages of the Heineken Cup. With that in mind, it is interesting to see that Munster will start their Heineken Cup campaign with a home fixture. This is the first time in a good few years that that has been the case. More often than not the lads have started with an away trip and then finished up with a home tie. This has traditionally been to Munster’s benefit as pool standings have been turned on their head with some amazing ‘get out of jail’ performances in Thomond Park. That won’t be the case this time around because we’ll be finishing our qualifying campaign with a trip to Montauban in the southwest of France at the end of January.

Mick Galwey

The province’s defence of their European crown kicks off on October 10 with a home game against the same French club. Of more immediate concern for the Munster management team will be the preseason game against the USA in Boston on August 18. That will be a good test of the side in the run-up to the Celtic League.

ÇÜÕââãâ Æº· ¡ µàà ½æÙàÕâØ ·éä ËÝââÙæç ¦¤¤«£¤¬ ÕâØ ÁéâçèÙæ ÇÙâÝãæ ·éä ËÝââÙæç ¦¤¤«£¤¬¢ 52

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both John Hayes and Marcus Horan hard for a place in the first 15, both for Munster and Ireland.

On the player front, it’s good to see that Munster have moved to fill the gap in the panel left by the retirement of Anthony Foley. The addition of the former Auckland Blues number eight Nick Williams to the squad will give real options again in the backrow. Williams appears to have a fine pedigree. The 24-year-old, who was born in Samoa, has played the bulk of the Blues’ league games this season and has made 37 Super 12 appearances for the Kiwi club since 2005. The move to sign Williams is all the more important since Denis Leamy is likely to be out of action until the end of November due to an operation on his shoulder. Having watched the recent Tri-Nations matches, it is clear that the addition of Southern Hemisphere players to club panels in Europe has to be a positive development. They just play the game at a different pace and teams in the Northern Hemisphere are going to have to copy that approach if we are to have any hope of competing with them.

Of course, strength in depth is vital at the top level and Munster showed last year that being able to rotate players through the Heineken Cup and Magners League was critical to their success.

From a Munster perspective, it was great to see Keith Earls and Donncha Ryan included in the Ireland training panel. The pair are unlikely to make the squad for the internationals but the experience of training with the lads will really stand to them. It is also due recognition of the fine form that the two of them showed for Munster last season. Earls also had a cracking Churchill Cup and that will have done his confidence and reputation no harm.

The battle for starting places also kept the front line players on their toes. While you’d have to say that the three Kiwis, Paul O’Connell, John Hayes, David Wallace, Denis Leamy and Ronan O’Gara were always likely to start for Munster if fit, the other seven berths were always up for grabs. That’s a very healthy situation and if it can be maintained by Munster and adopted by Ireland we might just be in for a cracking season.

The season ahead is likely to be one in which some of the younger Munster players move to stake a claim for a place in the starting team.

Of course Ireland will get another opportunity to test themselves against the All Blacks when they visit these shores in November. ¸ãââÕ×ÜÕ ÆíÕâ ëÝàà ÖÙ ×ÜÕààÕâÛÝâÛ çèæãâÛàí Úãæ ÝâèÙæ¡ âÕèÝãâÕà ÕâØ äæãêÝâ×ÝÕà çÙàÙ×èÝãâ¢

Declan Kidney’s preparations for the autumn tests against New Zealand, Canada and Argentina will move up a gear this month with squad sessions taking place.

For the players involved in either or both panels it will be a new start of sorts.

¿ÙÝèÜ ¹Õæàç Ýç ëÙàà äàÕ×ÙØ èã ×àÕÝá èÜÙ èæÕâçÝèÝãâ èã Õ æÙÛéàÕæ ÚÝæçè èÙÕá äàÕ×Ù Ýâ ÁéâçèÙæûç çèÕæèÝâÛ àÝâÙ¡éä¢

Earls and Ryan are definitely well-placed to make that transition, while James Coughlan could also be a man to watch this year. He is a fine number eight and the battle for that berth will be very interesting as the season progresses. ºãæáÙæ µé×ßàÕâØ ¶àéÙç âéáÖÙæ ÙÝÛÜè ÂÝ×ß ËÝààÝÕáç ëÝàà ÛÝêÙ èã èÜÙ çåéÕØ æÙÕà ãäèÝãâç ÕÛÕÝâ Ýâ èÜÙ ÖÕ×ßæãë¢ www.businesslimerick.ie

In the front row, Tony Buckley will push

The Munster players will obviously be very familiar with Declan Kidney but the workings of the Ireland camp are unlikely to be the same as those he employed with the province. It’s a different job and a different approach will be needed. Similarly, new head coach Tony McGahan and forwards coach Laurie Fisher will shake things up at Munster. Get ready for an enthralling few months! 53

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AUGUST 2008

The “Educated” Investor by Darrell O'Dea At all times, Property gets bad press. When the market is going up, it is a bad time to buy. When the market is going down it is a bad time to buy. Both statements are correct. It is bad to buy in an up market as well as a down market. What to do then? Why not try ignoring the market and its trends? What about basing your investment strategy on not trying to predict the market, be that up, down or side-ways? You might bet correctly. Then again, you might not. If property is your investment vehicle of choice, then perhaps you might consider the following? Basing an investment strategy on being “Brilliant at the BASICS”. Some of the B.A.S.I.C.S. • Be conservative with money. • Always ask for something better. • Set out for Cash-flow positive deals. • Invest in your education. • Control yourself and the investment. • Simplicity is sublime. Conserve, preserve and protect the money that you have earned, made or created. Do not let it flow willingly out of your purse or wallet. When and if you do invest it, be what we call risk averse. Be afraid to take risks. Do not take risks with your “hard earned money”. You have worked hard enough in most cases to get that money. Always endeavour to do deals that require little or none of your own personal money being used, put up, in or on. When being presented with ‘a deal’, or ‘great deal’, or ‘a steal’ or even ‘the deal of the decade’ ask, “well that looks fine, could you do a bit or a lot better please?” If some-

thing better is not offered, then either accept it and take what is on offer, or just say “thank you, we won’t be buying today. Here is our number, call us if the situation changes”. Be willing to walk or run from every deal, until you find the deal that matches your criteria. Take time out to invest in getting some knowledge. This does not mean go off and do a property course or programme. Speak or get to know, or make in-roads into contacting people that have invested time and money in property. Ask them if they made or lost money and how they made and lost money. Successful people seldom get asked. And being asked is, to most, a compliment. They will probably never get asked for an autograph, it is the next best thing. You must pay for the coffee though! Investing in your own education is mainly a time and energy thing. At a later date you may also consider a financial commitment to your education. Rather spend a little money on a lot of knowledge, than a lot of money on an “expensive deal”. A deal that is costing you to lose money on a monthly or weekly basis will generally cause some additional psychological grief. Being in control of yourself and your emotions when investing in property, or any other asset class, is vital. Therefore a lot of diligence or checking at the beginning of a deal is vital. Know the facts. If you ask a question of a vendor, seller, estate agent, solicitor or any other parties concerned in connection with the deal, do not rest until you get a satisfactory answer. Remember EVERYTHING IS NEGOTABLE and be prepared to walk away from the deal if clarity to your satisfaction is

unobtainable. Know the numbers:• The rent that you will get for this type, size and condition of property. • The value of the property, pre any valuation taking place. • Your maximum price that you will pay. • The amount of money you are willing to put into the deal. • The amount of mortgage you will get. • The interest rate that you are willing to pay. • The acceptable terms and conditions. • Cost of mortgage, insurance, maintenance, management, accounting etc. • The monthly profit or cashflow. • The tax benefits. Knowing your numbers will keep a lot of emotion out of the way. Another way to exercise control is to invest in stuff that you know about. Most people are familiar with houses. You know when a house is in bad condition. And would probably be accurate in assessing what and how to remedy the problems therein. You would not necessarily have to do all or any of the work and could probably quite quickly source someone to assess the cost and do the work. Not so when you hand your money over to “an investment product”, or a “stock broker” or a “property syndicate”. It is difficult to exercise your will and control over these investment types. These are armchair investments. They too can pay large dividends and huge financial rewards but you do not have any control over them beyond checking diligently how they are doing. Control your own investments, and you will begin to take control of your own financial destination. . Simple numbers work every time. Do the numbers stack up? Are we getting a fair deal? Is there opportunity to get more value? If the answer to all three is yes, yes, yes, it is a good start. If any answer is a no, then you have to seriously consider moving on to something else asap. Web: www.theicesgroup.com Email: darrell@theicesgroup.com

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TO LET BY ASSIGNMENT ENTIRE BUILDING, 62 WILLIAM STREET, LIMERICK. Limericks prime retailing location Ground floor retail of c.72 Sq. M., entire building c. 300 Sq. M. Adjoining occupiers include French Connection, Dixons, Boots, Lifestyle Sports, Brown Thomas & Peter Mark Advertising hoarding on gable end of building

TO LET COMMERCIAL UNIT, CASTLEMUNGRET, DOCK ROAD, LIMERICK. • Unit comprises of c. 6,000 Sq. Ft. with yard area of c. 7,000 Sq. Ft. • High profile unit with frontage onto a national primary road • Located c.2.5 km from city centre • Adjoining fourth river Shannon crossing due for completion in 2010 • Rent €12 PSF or €72,000 PA

FOR SALE UNIT 1 BLOCK B, CROSSAGALLA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE BALLYSIMON ROAD, LIMERICK.

TO LET PART 3RD FLOOR, 24 BARRINGTON STREET, LIMERICK.

• Well located unit just off Ballysimon Road • Unit comprises of c.5,000 Sq. Ft. with secure yard area to front • Unit benefits from two storey offices fully fitted out • Unit has been built to a good standard of construction* • Price €540,000

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LEASE FOR SALE WITH VACANT POSSESSION GROUND FLOOR & BASEMENT, 11 THOMAS STREET The subject unit is located in Limericks “Café Quarter” just off O’Connell Street Unit fronts onto the newly pedestrianised street Unit has been recently upgraded & modernised to a high standard Adjoining occupiers include the Bagel Factory, O’Connors Restaurant, Relish & Au Bars Rent €25,000 per annum: Key Money €75,000

• Part third floor office unit comprising front & rear office c. 440 Sq Ft • Ready for occupation • Located in Limericks main thoroughfare • Surrounding occupiers to include a mixture of indigenous & multinational companies along with various professional bodies to include solicitors, accountants, architects, engineers etc. • Rent: €10,000 per annum

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TO LET RETAIL UNIT, TODDS BOW Centrally located unit just off Cruises Street Unit comprises of c. 1,100 Sq. Ft. over 3 floors Ideally suited to a number of uses Adjoining multi storey car parking Rent: €40,000 per annum

www.decourcyodwyer@propertypartners.ie www.businesslimerick.ie

TO LET GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL UNIT, SHELBOURNE ROAD, LIMERICK. • Well located ground floor commercial unit • Unit comprises of c. 500 sq. ft. of retail with ancillary accommodation • Walking distance from city centre • Ideally suited to many uses (subject to pp)

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TO LET GROUND FLOOR, 10 THE CRESCENT O’CONNELL STREET LIMERICK Ground floor office unit 600 Sq. Ft. with return, stores & wc, whb Ready for occupation Many original features Available on short lease Limericks prime Georgian location Rent €16,000 PA

(061) 410410 55

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Call for 2008 LCEB Award Nominations Limerick City Enterprise Board announced that nominations are being accepted for the 2008 Enterprise Awards. The Enterprise Awards celebrate the achievements and successes of local entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial spirit that helps make Limerick such a vibrant business city. Announcing the 2008 Enterprise Award details, Eamon Ryan, CEO of Limerick City Enterprise Board stated that "The Enterprise Awards are a very important part of our enterprise awareness programme, and it is very important to reward those small businesses who are successful, growing and creating employment in Limerick City. ” We are currently accepting nominations from companies for the Best New Business, Best Service Business, Best Manufacturing Business, Business with Best Growth Potential and for the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year. Each award recipient will receive € 1000, an Enterprise Award trophy and a fantastic opportunity to showcase their business both locally and nationally" continued Eamon Ryan. Limerick City Enterprise Board are delighted that FAS Mid West will sponsor the Business with Best Growth Potential Award and Enterprise Ireland will sponsor the Best Manufacturing Business Award this year. The 2008 Enterprise Awards winners will be announced at the Limerick Business Week lunch which will take place on Monday 6th October, signifying the start of Limerick Business Week 2008. The overall 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year will represent Limerick City at the National Enterprise Awards Final. If you would like your business to be part of the 2008 Enterprise Awards success story contact Limerick City Enterprise Board on 061 312611, email info@limceb.ie or log onto www.limceb. 56

ISME Calls for Public Sector Wage & Recruitment Freeze Increases in public sector employment by 30,000 since 2002, confirms lack of commitment by the Government in addressing public sector inefficiencies. • Average pay in the public sector well in excess of private sector equivalent. • Public sector's drain on private sector during difficult economic climate. • Cost of funding public sector will lead to increased taxation and borrowing unless immediate action taken. ISME, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, has called on the Government to immediately introduce a pay and recruitment freeze in the public sector in order to control government expenditure, which is already running in excess of budget. The Association warned that unless immediate action is taken the cost of running the public sector would result in significant exchequer deficits, with increased borrowings, taxation or both. This scenario would have devastating consequences for an economy, which is already on its knees. Referring to figures published by the CSO today, ISME Chief Executive Mark Fielding outlined, "Public servants are paid on average €49,000 per annum in comparison to €41,500 in the private sector and well in excess of the average industrial wage, currently €34,000. Unless the Public Sector is brought into line, including the pay element, the rest of the economy will be left to pick up the pieces through increased taxation and higher borrowing. Current expenditure for the first six months of the year has increased by 11%, well in excess of the 8.2% figure announced by the Government in the last Budget. The main cause of the excess is public sector pay and pensions, which has increased by 64% since 2002 and is forecast at almost €19

billion for 2008, accounting for 48% of total public current expenditure. Employment in the public sector increased by 6,300 in the last 12 months and is up an incredible 30,000 since 2002, when the then Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevey announced he was going to reduce numbers by 5,000. "As the Public Sector prospers through increased earnings, with little responsibility or accountability, other parts of the economy have to bare the brunt in the form of higher costs and reduced competitiveness. This situation is completely unsatisfactory, with many small business owners now looking incredulously at the pay and conditions of those in the sheltered sector of the economy. The private sector is no longer willing to pay for public-sector pay growth through the loss of private sector jobs and businesses", continued Fielding. "It is completely unacceptable that at a time when the private sector is struggling and the labour market is deteriorating rapidly, with redundancies up 30% in the last 12 months, public sector workers are completely insulated from these market forces, with their jobs for life and Rolls Royce pensions. If we are serious about getting the economy back on track, sacrifices will have to be made throughout the economy, including in the much protected public sector". In conclusion Fielding stated,"The public sector cannot be allowed crowd out the productive private sector, as this would ultimately undermine economic activity and lead to further job losses, a situation that does not affect to those closeted ones, presently working for the State. A long overdue pay and recruitment freeze, together with an efficiency drive, is urgently required to reduce the burden of a sector that threatens to strangle the rest of the economy if immediate action is not taken" www.businesslimerick.ie

Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants, Mill House, Henry St, Limerick. Tel: 061 314622 / 061 312744 Fax: 061 317691 / 061 418038 Email: limerick@grantthornton.ie Web: www.grantthornton.ie HDS Partnership Registered Auditors – Accountants – Tax Consultants – Business Advisors 2nd Floor,RiverPoint, Lower Mallow Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 445000 Fax: 061 445060 E-mail: mail@hds.ie Web: www.hds.ie Horwath Bastow Charleton Accountants and Business Advisors Horwath House, The Red Church, Henry St. Limerick. Tel: 061 310311 Fax: 061 318899 E-mail: info@horwath.ie Web: www.hbcl.ie Moore Stephens Patrick McNamara Accountants and Business Advisors Pamdohlen House, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 229666 Fax: 061 302144 Email: info@msmcnamara.ie Web: www.mspatrickmcnamara.ie Donal Morrissey & Company Suite 21 Whitethorns, Castletroy, Limerick. Tel: 061 333675 Fax: 061 333677 E-mail: dgmc@eircom.net John Quirke & Co. Racefield House, Dooradoyle, Limerick. Tel: 061 301260 Fax: 061 307863 Email: jonhquirkeandco@eircom.net O’Donovan Caulfield Lavin 1 Mt. Kenneth Place, Henry St, Limerick. Tel: 061 411000 Fax: 061 411001 E-mail: info@odcl.ie O’Hurley Blair Irwin 3rd Floor, Mount Kenneth House, Henry St, Limerick. Tel: 061 401122 Fax: 061 401144 E-mail: info@obi.ie Web: www.obi.ie O’Sullivan & Associates Chartered Accountants 38 Roches Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 217000 Fax:1890 886803 Email: info@osullivanandassociates.com www.businesslimerick.ie

ACCOUNTANCY COURSES BPP Professional Services 89 O’Connell Street. Limerick Tel: 061 310884 Fax: 061 310984 Email: limerickreception@bpp.com Web: www.bpp.com/ireland ADVERTISING AGENCY Southern Advertising Killoran House, Catherine Place, Limerick. Tel: 061 310286 Fax: 061 313013 Email: info@southernadlimk.com Web: www.southernad.ie Spark Marketing Communications 100 O’Connell St, Limerick. Tel: 061 409251 Fax: 061 409255 E-mail: info@sparkmarketing.ie Web: www.sparkmarketing.ie AIR CONDITIONING Batt O’Connor Air Conditioning Contact: Batt O’Connor Ballykenneddy, Ballingarry, Co.Limerick Tel: 069 68407 Fax: 069 68407 Mobile: 086 8122220 Email: bocac@eircom.net Brian Scully Services Castlemahon, Co. Limerick Tel: 069 72200 Fax: 069 72266 Email: info@bssaircon.ie Web: www.bssaircon.ie ARCHITECTS C.C.H. Architects Unit 2, 1st Floor, Riverfront Building Howleys Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 312214 Fax: 061 312215 Email: sbermingham@cch-architects.com Web: www.cch-architects.com O’Connor & Shanahan Architects 93 O’Connell Street, Limerick Tel: 061 410708 Fax: 061 314884 admin@ocsarch.com Web: www.ocsarchitects.com ARCHITECTS & BUILDING ENERGY RATING ASSESSORS Brian O’ Donoghue Tait Business Centre, Dominic St., Limerick. Tel: 061 410318 Fax: 061 414315 Mob: 086 8122271 E-mail: architecturalservices@eircom.net

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, BUILDING ENERGY RATINGS ASSESSMENTS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT Absolute House Plans Ltd. 4 Willow Crescent, Riverbank, Annacotty, Limerick. Tel/Fax: 061 331969 Mob: 087 2957494 Email: info@absolutehouseplans.ie Web: www.absolutehouseplans.ie ARTIST Contact Name: Una Heaton Tel: 086 3735015 Email: unaheaton@eircom.net Web: www.unaheatonart.com AUCTIONEERS DTZ SHERRY FITZGERALD Hibernian House, 105 Henry Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 418111 Fax: 061 418112 Email: limerick@dtz.ie Web: www.dtz.ie G.L Auctioneers, Valuers & Property Consultants 65 O’Connell Street, Limerick. Contact: Geraldine Leddin Tel: 061 467188 Fax: 061 467190 Email: info@propertylimerick.com Web: www.propertylimerick.com John Shaw Auctioneers M.I.P.A.V. 1 Lower Mallow Street, Limerick Tel: 061 311133 Fax: 061 314666 Email: john@johnshawauctioneers.com Web: www.johnshawauctioneers.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTANTS BDO Simpson Xavier Business and Financial Advisors 4 Michael Street, Limerick Tel: 061 414455 Fax: 061 414172 Email: info@bdosx-limerick.com Web: www.bdosx-limerick.com

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Frontline Estate Agents 28 Mallow St, Limerick. Tel: 061 400544 Fax: 061 400585 E-mail: frontline@iol.ie Web: www.property.ie/frontline BAR, BISTRO & NIGHTCLUB Aubars 49-50 Thomas Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 317799 Fax: 061 317572 Email: sales@aubars.com Web: www.aubars.com BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Peter Clohesseys Bar & Sinbin Nightclub Howleys Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 468100 Fax: 061 468218 Web: www.peterclohessey.com 57

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

BUILDING CONTRACTORS Ace Services Glenameade Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 393 049 or 061 393 982 Fax: 061 393 303 Email: aceservices@eircom.net BUILDING SUPPLIERS Ballysheedy Building Supplies Ballysheedy, Co. Limereick (next to ‘ Weigh In’ bar) Tel: 061 445660/ 061 445666 Mob: 087 2490666/ 087 6983444 BURGLAR ALARMS & SECURITY SYSTEMS Clifford Security Alarms 16 Wickham Street, Limerick Tel: 061 313033 / 440151 Fax: 061 317412 Email: info@cliffordsecurity.com Web: www.cliffordsecurity.com BUSINESS BANKING Allied Irish Bank (AIB) Contact: Kieran O’Regan Lower Cecil Street, Limerick Tel: 061 406200 Fax: 061 409002 Email: kieran.j.o’regan@aib.ie Web: www.aib.ie Anglo Irish Bank Anglo Irish Bank House, 98 Henry St., Limerick Tel: 061 461800 Fax: 061 461898 Web: www.angloirishbank.com Bank of Ireland 125 O’ Connell St., Limerick Tel: 061 419791 Fax: 061 418554 E-mail: david_p.kennedy@boimail.com Bank Of Ireland Parkway Parkway Shopping Centre Dublin Road, Limerick Tel: 061 415600 Fax: 061 415670 Email: noelle.o’neill@boimail.com Web: www.bankofireland.ie Bank Of Scotland Ireland Bank of Scotland House, Shannon Street, Limerick Tel: 061-209300 E-mail: info@bankofscotlandireland.ie Web: www.bankofscotlandireland.ie IIB Bank Riverpoint, Bishops Quay, Limerick. Contact: Damien Quigley Tel: 061 448600 Fax: 061 468468 Email: damien.quigley@iibbank.ie Web: www.iibbank.ie 58

Permanent TSB Sarsfield Street – 061 318922 Dooradoyle – 061 484846 William Street – 061 317933 Email: info@permanenttsb.ie Web: www.permanenttsb.ie Ulster Bank Midwest Business Centre 14 Henry Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 316757 Fax: 061 312971 E-mail: midwestbusinesscentre@ulsterbank.com Web: www.ulsterbank.com BUSINESS COACHES Action Coach Business Coaching Unit 1 C, Annacotty Business Park, Annacotty, Limerick. Tel: 061 338682 Fax: 061 338682 Email: joepower@actioncoach.com Web: www.actioncoach.com/joepower BUSINESS ENTERPRISES O’Callaghan Enterprises Head Office 47 Upper William Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 414224 Fax: 061 405171 Web: www.ocallaghanenterprises.com BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS Limerick Chamber 96 O’ Connell St, Limerick Tel: 061 415180 Fax: 061 415785 Email: info@limerickchamber.ie Web: www.limerickchamber.ie Shannon & District Chamber of Commerce Shannon Business Centre, Shannon, Co. Clare Tel: 061 360611 Fax: 061 360440 E-mail: admin@shannonchamber.com Web: www.shannonchamber.com BUSINESS SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS Business Computer Solutions Ltd BCS House Dock Road Limerick Tel: 061 311 311 Lo-Call: 1890 818 400 Fax: 061 311 313 Email: direct@bcs.ie Web: www.bcsdirect.ie CompuCount Ltd. 18 Cois Luachra, Limerick. Tel: 061 305033 Fax: 061 305291 Email: sales@compucount.ie Web: www.compucount.ie BUSINESS TELEPHONE SYSTEMS Lantel Networks Ltd Roselawn House, National Technological Park, Limerick. Tel: 061 3503580 Fax: 061 350360 Email: info@lantel.ie Web: www.lantel.ie

BUSINESS TRAINING ORGANISATION FAS FAS Services To Business Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Limerick Tel: 061-487975 Fax: 061-229447 E-Mail: des.murphy@mw.fas.ie Web: www.fas.ie HSI Limerick Business School & HSI English Language School. 3 Quinlan Street, The Crescent, Limerick. Tel: +353-61-317822 Fax: +353-61-317877 E-Mail: info@hsi.ie Web: www.hsi.ie CAR DEALERS Clareview Motors Ennis Road, Limerick Tel: 061 221000 Fax: 061 221060 E-mail: info@clareviewmotors.com Web: www.clareviewmotors.com Enterprise Cars Japanese and UK Import Specialist & Light Commercials Dock Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 301301 Fax: 061 301340 E-mail: sales@enterprisecars.com Web: www.enterprisecars.com Pat Keogh BMW Tipperary Road, Limerick Tel: 061 422600 Fax: 061 422622 Email: info@patkeogh.com Web: www.patkeoghbmw.com Pat Keogh NISSAN Tipperary Road, Limerick Tel: 061 313355 Fax: 061 312311 Email: info@patkeogh.com Web: www.patkeogh-nissan.com Lyons Of Limerick & Nenagh Main Ford Dealers, Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 413344 / 067 33442 Fax: 061 413699 / 067 33436 E-mail: sales@lyonsoflimerick.com Web: www.lyonsoflimerick.com Tom Hogan Lexus Dock Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 225995 Fax: 061 306306 Email: infolimerick@tomhoganmotors.ie Web: www.tomhoganlexuslimerick.com www.businesslimerick.ie

Nolans Carpets & Flooring Main Street, Newport Co. Tipperary Tel: 061 373739 Fax: 061 373722 Provincial Floor Coverings Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Limerick. Tel: 061-227100 Fax: 061-227000 E-Mail: sales@pfl.ie Web: www.pfl.ie CATERING Country Fresh Catering Bulgaden, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick. Tel: 063 20001 Fax: 063 20165 E-mail: bulgadencastle1@eircom.net Web: www.bulgadencastle.com Mortell Catering 49 Roches Street, Limerick Tel: 061 415457 Mob: 087 7973419 E-mail: mortb@eircom.net Web: www.mortellcatering.com CCTV & ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS Advanced Monitoring No.2 Pillar House, Little Ellen St. Limerick Tel: 061 319 375 Fax: 061 311 805 Mobile: 087 2596955 / 087 2395039 Email: advancedmonitoring@eircom.net CHARTERED SURVEYORS, VALUE ENGINEERS, & PROJECT MANAGERS Bruce Shaw Partnership Bruce Shaw House, 6 Hartstonge Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 493515 Fax: 061 493516 E-Mail: contactus@bsplim.ie Web: www.bruceshaw.ie

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE SERVICE Elite Cleaning Service Rose Cottage, Woodpark, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 372133 Fax: 061 372627 E-mail: elitecleaning@eircom.net Web: www.elite-contract-cleaning.com Noonan Services Limited Docklands Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 312077 Fax: 061 315712 E-mail: nsllimerick@eircom.net COACH HIRE Martin’s of Limerick Annacotty Business Park, Biddyford, Annacotty, Co. Limerick. Tel: 061 333100 Fax: 061 333102 Email: martinscoaches@eircom.net Web: www.martinscoaches.ie Mike Hynan Coaches Cappamore Co. Limerick Tel: 061 381700 Fax: 061 381965 Mob: 086 2500433 E-mail: mikehynancoaches@eircom.net Web: www.mikehynancoaches.com CLEANING Complete Cleaning & Maintenance Services Director: Pat McLoughlin Roxboro Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 409596 Mob: 087 9622222 Fax: 061 409591 www.compclean.ie COMPUTER NETWORKING SALES & SUPPORT Action Point Unit 8B, Plassey Enterprise Centre, National Technology Park, Limerick. Contact: David Jeffreys Tel: 061 337 632 Call-Save: 1850-ACTION/ 1850 228 466 Fax: 061 301 924 Email: info@actionpoint.ie

CLEANING Clean Habit B2 Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 361461 Fax: 061 361868 Email: mary@cleanhabit.com Web: www.cleanhabit.com

BCS Computers BCS House Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 311 311 Lo-Call: 1890 818 400 Fax: 061 311 313 Email: direct@bcs.ie Web: www.bcsdirect.ie

ISS Facilities Unit 11, Ashbourne Business Park Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 500300 Fax: 061 500301 Contact : Brian Kelly Mobile: 087 9159108 Email: brian.kelly@iss.ie Web: www.iss.ie

Fitzpatrick Computer Group Contact: Jackie Deere Mill House, Henry Street, Limerick Tel: 061 493300 Fax: 061 417219 Email: sales@fcg.ie Web: www.fcg.ie

www.businesslimerick.ie

O’Connor Network Services (ONS) Ardnataggle, O’Briens Bridge, Co. Clare Tel: 061 343412 Fax: 061 343413 Mobile: 087 8118690 E-mail: info@ons.ie Web: www.ons.ie PAQ IT Solutions PAQ IT House, Mayorstone, Limerick. Tel: 061 326792 Fax: 061 326791 Ennis: 065 6868333 Galway: 091 755666 E: info@paqit.com W: www.paqit.com CONSTRUCTION Frank McGrath Construction Ltd 31 Upper William Street; Limerick Contact: Paula Shinners or Allan Ryan Tel: 061 417 374 Fax: 061 414 922 Email: info@frankmcgrath.ie Web: www.frankmcgrath.ie Roadbridge Ltd Ballyclough, Ballysheedy, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 419855 Fax: 061 414767 E-mail: headoffice@roadbridge.ie Web: www.roadbridge.ie CONTRACT & EVENT CATERERS Masterchefs Hospitality Epicurean House, Robert Street, Limerick Tel: 061 411522 Fax: 061 402021 Email: sales@mhm.ie

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

CARPETS & FLOORING First Floor Furniture & Flooring Ltd. Croom Road, Adare, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 395939 Fax: 061 395939 Email: chris@firstfloor.ie Web: www.firstfloor.ie

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CORPORATE GIFTS Craft Innovations Corporate Gifts Ltd. 5 Quin Street, Limerick Tel: (061) 415198 Fax: (061) 415208 Email: info@craftinnovations.ie Web: www.craftinnovations.ie Friendship Wines & Hampers Contact: Joe Crowley Tel: 061 455225 Mob: 087 7607495 Email: joe@friendshipwines.ie Web: www.friendshipwines.ie CRECHE / MONTESSORI Little Treasures Creche Oakleigh Wood, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick Tel: 061 307427 Lisa: 086 6017174 Sheila: 086 8587927 DINING FURNITURE SOLUTIONS G & A Manifold (Showrooms) Unit 6E, Docklands Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 312777 Fax: 061 313434 Email: to info@gamanifold.ie Web: www.gamanifold.ie 59

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............................................................................................................................... BL | DIRECTORY SIGNAGE SignLynx Contact: Jack O’Loughlin Franklin Motor Yard, Cahernorry, Ballysimon, Limerick. Tel: 061 333736 Mob: 086 8094420 Fax: 061 333737 Email: jackoloughlin@signlynx.ie Web: www.signlynx.ie

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DRAINAGE & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Walsh Environmental Services Drainage & Environmental Specialists The Cottage, Lower Meelick, Co. Clare Tel: 061 325757 Fax: 061 325700 DRY CLEANERS Ambassador Dry Cleaning Raheen Industrial Estate, Raheen, Limerick. Tel: 061 301999 Mob: 087 9572365 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS Des Ryan Electrical Ballyneety, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 351643 Mobile: 087 9121561 Email: info@desryanelectrical.com Web: www.desryanelectrical.com EVENT MANAGEMENT Event Success Rathurles, Nenagh, Co.Tipperary Tel:067 33464 Fax: 067 33465 Mobile: 086 8079763 Email:info@eventsuccess.ie Website: www.eventsuccess.ie Funireland Event Management Little Orchard, Dooneen, Crecora, Co. Limerick. Tel: 061 320292 Fax: 061 320294 Email: info@funireland.com Web: www.funireland.com Woulfe Event Management, Tower View House, Glenview Avenue, Farranshone, Limerick. Tel: 061 321979 Mob: 087 7631999 Email: woulfeeventmanagement@eircom.net Web: www.woulfemanagement.ie FINANCIAL CONTROL / ACCOUNTING / BOOK-KEEPING SERVICES Hogan Financial Management Ltd 50 O’Connell Street, Limerick Tel: 481444 Fax: 061 481445 Email: info@hoganfinancial.ie Web: www.hoganfinancial.ie 60

FITNESS EQUIPMENT Gymfix ( Irl) Ltd. Unit 1, Dromkeen Industrial Park, Dromkeen, Limerick. Tel: 061 388000 Fax: 061 388011 Fax: info@gymireland.com Web: www.gymfixireland.com FLORIST Flowers Forever Designer Florist Rachel & David Hannon Raheen Roundabout, Limerick. Tel: 061 307123 Fax: 061 307123 Email: flowers4ever@eircom.net FOOTWEAR RETAILER Michael Gleeson Shoes 26 William Street, Limerick Tel: 061 417407

Mc Sweeney Golf Academy 4 PGA Professionals Limerick County Golf Club, Ballyneety, Co. Limerick. Tel: 061 352905 Fax: 061 352787 E-mail: mcsweeneygolf@eircom.net Web: www.limerickcounty.com GRAPHIC DESIGN CONSULTANCY Optic Nerve Design Group The Mill, Glentworth Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 316955 Fax: 061 316965 E-mail: info@opticnerve.ie Web: www.opticnerve.ie GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGN Creative E-Biz Ltd. Trebor House, Toreen, Ballysimon, Limerick Tel: 061-335042/061-330049 Email: info@wsicreativeebusiness.com Web: www.wsicreativeebusiness.com

FREIGHT FORWARDING & LOGISTICS International Cargo Services ICS House Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Limerick Tel: 061 500 800 Fax: 061 500 801 Email: ciaran@intlcargo.com Web: www.intlcargo.com

Customer Care Solutions Anne Sheehan, Harbour House, Locke Quay, Limerick. Mobile: 087 6684819 E-mail: info@customersolutions.ie Web: www.customersolutions.ie

GLASS AND MIRRORS Mirror and Glassworx Unit 1b, Annacotty Business Park, Limerick. Tel: 061 333630 Mob: 087 2808184 Fax: 061 333631 Email: info@mirrorandglassworx.com Web: www.mirrorandglassworx.com

Edgewater Graphics Contact: Hugh Charlottes Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 318318 Fax: 061 318308 Email: hugh@egraphics.ie Web: www.egraphics.ie

GOLF COURSES Adare Golf Club Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort Adare, Co. Limerick. Tel: 061 605274 Fax: 061 605271 Email: golf@adaremanor.com Web: www.adaregolfclub.com

GRAPHIC, WEB & FILM DESIGN Irish Design Front (IDF) Marine Village, Killaloe, Co.Clare Tel: 061 375412 Mob: 086 8176337 Email: info@idf.ie Web: www.idf.ie

Castletroy Golf Club, Golf Links Road, Castletroy, Limerick. Contact: Patrick Keane Tel: 061 375 753 Fax: 061 335 373 Email: manager@castletroygolfclub.ie Web: www.castletroygolfclub.ie Limerick County Golf Club Ballyneety, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 351881 Fax: 061 351384 Email: lcgolf@iol.ie Web: www.limerickcounty.com Limerick Golf Club Ballyclough, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 414083 Fax: 061 319219 Email: lgc@eircom.net Web: www.limerickgc.com

GYM/ PERSONAL TRAINING DAVE SHEAHAN GROUP Dave Sheahan Personal TrainingSouthcourt Hotel, Raheen & Lahinch Road, Ennis. Dave Sheahan Gym Windmill Street, Limerick Dave Sheahan, Just for Her - Courtfields, Raheen Tel: 061 424936 Email: davesheahan@davesheahan.ie Web: www.davesheahan.ie HANDHELD EDI SOLUTIONS CompuCount Ltd. 18 Cois Luachra, Limerick. Tel: 061 305033 Fax: 061 305291 Email: sales@compucount.ie Web: www.compucount.ie www.businesslimerick.ie

C&M Safety Ltd Contact Name:Margaret Culhane The Curlews, Killeaney, Glin, Co. Limerick Tel:068 34527 Fax: 068 34562 Email: info@cmsafety.com Web:www.cmsafety.com HOME FURNISHINGS Limerick Paint Supplies Pennywell Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 411292 Thomondgate, Limerick. Tel: 061 329828 Fax: 061 415874 Mob: 087 2503448 HOTELS ADARE MANOR HOTEL & GOLF RESORT. Adare, Co. Limerick. Tel: 061 396566 Fax: 061 396124 Email: reservations@adaremanor.com Web: www.adaremanor.com Castletroy Park Hotel, Dublin Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 335566 Fax: 061 331117 Contact: Ursula Cullen Email: ucullen@castletroy-park.ie Web: www.castletroy-park.ie

The Castleoaks Hotel & Acorn Restaurant Castleconnell, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 377666 Fax: 061 377666 Email: goconnell@castleoaks.ie Web: www.castleoaks.ie Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel & Spa Adare, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 605100 Fax: 061 396073 Email: reception@woodlands-hotel.ie Web: www.woodlands-hotel.ie HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE ASSESSORS Auray Assessors Specialists in Property Claims Tel: 061 317264 Fax: 094 9541723 Email: aurayassessors@eircom.net Web: www.aurayltd.com HR Consultants The HR Channel Contact: Fiona O’Carroll Ballycarney, Clarina, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 353154 Mobile: 086 2051727 Email: fionaocarroll1@eircom.net HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT AND EXECUTIVE & BUSINESS COACH Elaine Ryan & Associates Unit 7, Elite Business Park, Smithstown, Shannon, Co.Clare. Tel: 086 2381555 Email: elaineryanhr@eircom.net Web: www.elaineryanandassociates.com

Hilton Hotel Ennis Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 421800 Fax: 061 421866 Email: reservations.limerick@hilton.com Web: www.limerick.hilton.com

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISERS GK Wealth Management Ltd 20 The Crescent, Limerick. Tel: 061 448420 Fax: 061 312882 Email: info@gki.ie Web: www.gkwealth.ie

Limerick Marriott Hotel Henry Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 448700 Fax: 061 448701 Contact: Ursula Cullen Email: ursula.cullen@limerickmarriott.ie Web: www.LimerickMarriott.com

INDUSTRIAL Sercom Solutions Sarsfield Rd: Raheen Business Pk; Raheen, Limerick. Tel: 061-226600 Fax: 061-226640 EMail:kevin.vaughan@SerComSolutions.ie Web:www.sercomsolutions.ie

Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa Limerick Ennis Road, Limerick Tel: 061 456200 Fax: 061 327418 Email: sales.limerick@radissonsas.com Web: www.limerick.radissonsas.ie

INK REFILL & TONERS Ink Refill Depot 7B Denmark Street, Tel: 061 446446 Fax: 061 446456 Email: Brendan@inkrefilldepot.ie Web: www.inkrefilldepot.ie

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INSULATION Aerobord Ltd. Askeaton, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 604600 Fax: 061 604601 Email: mail@aerobord.ie Web: www.aerobord.ie INSURANCE BROKERS & ADVISORS AON Group Contact Name:Shane O’Farrell 17 / 19 Patrick Street, Limerick Tel: 061 402300 Fax:061 310726 Email: shane_ofarrell@aon.ie Web: www.aon.ie Michael Henchy Insurances 5 The Crescent, Limerick Tel: 061 318688 Fax: 061 316631 Email: Michael@henchyinsurance.com Robert Ryan Insurance 3 Newenham Street, Limerick. Tel:061 319268 Email: robert@ryaninsurances.ie IT INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT Avocent International Avocent House, Shannon Free Zone, Shannon, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 471877 Fax: 061 471871 Email: info-europe@avocent.com Web: www.avocent.ie KITCHEN & BEDROOM FURNITURE Betterbuy Kitchens 41 Eastlink Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 413144 Fax: 061 774313 Email: david@betterbuy.biz Web: www.betterbuy.biz

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

HEALTH & SAFETY O.T.S. Ltd (Operative Training Services) Roselawn House, National Technology Park, Limerick Tel: 061 633236 Email: office@otslk.com

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LABEL MANUFACTURERS Impact Labelling Systems Ltd. Contact: Richard Fox 77/78 Eastlink Business Park, Tipperary Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 437990 Fax: 061 437995 Email: impactlabelling@eircom.net LAUNDRY Ambassador Dry Cleaning Raheen Industrial Estate, Raheen, Limerick. Tel: 061 301999 Mob: 087 9572365 LETTING AGENTS & PROPERTY MANAGERS Castle Estates 50 O’Connell Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 440411 Fax: 061 311907 Email: limerick@castle-estates.ie Web: www.castle-estates.ie 61

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES

............................................................................................................................... BL | DIRECTORY LIFE & PENIONS Niall Cantrell Life & Pensions (Tied Agent of Eagle Star) Kilmore, Co. Clare (via Limerick). Mobile: 087 2545718. E-mail: niallcantrell@eircom.net

MARKETING Customer Care Solutions Anne Sheehan, Harbour House, Locke Quay, Limerick. Mobile: 087 6684819 E-mail: info@customersolutions.ie Web: www.customersolutions.ie

LIFE & BUSINESS COACHING Pathfinder 31b Cecil St. Limerick Tel: 061 215750 Mob: 086 8123834 E-mail: pathfinder@o2.ie

Molly D Marketing Castlecrine, Sixmilebridge, Co.Clare Tel: 061 369898 Mob: 086 2371508 Email: dympna@mollydmarketing.ie Web: www.mollydmarketing.ie

LIFT SERVICES Mid Western Lifts Corcanree Business Park Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 400123 Fax: 061 400121 Email: info@mwls.ie Web: www.mwls.ie LUXURY DEPARTMENT STORES Brown Thomas 16 O’Connell Street, Limerick Tel: 061 417222 Fax: 061 412191 Email: ldwan@brownthomas.ie Web: www.brownthomas.com MARQUEE HIRE O’Donovan Marquees Birdhill, Co. Tipperary Tel: 061 379328 Fax: 061 379328 Email: podmarquees@eircom.net Web: www.odonovanmarquees.com MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS Profiles at Work Executive Coaching, Training, Psychometric Testing Ballyheefy, Killaloe, Co. Clare Tel: 061 376461 Fax: 061 375496 Mob: 087 2640028 Email: amckles@eircom.net Web: www.profilesatwork.com MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES May Day Management Consultants Tait Business Centre, Dominic Street, Limerick Tel: 061 316960 Fax: 061 314161 Email: info@maydaymanagement.ie Web: www.maydaymanagement.ie 62

MARKETING CONSULTANTS Martin Mc Guire & Associates Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 228822 or 061 229233 E-mail: martinm@martinmcguire.com Web: www.martinmcguire.com MARKETING RESEARCH & CONSULTANCY BDO Simpson Xavier 4 Michael Street, Limerick Tel: 061 414455 Fax: 061 414172 Email: info@bdosx-limerick.com Web: www.bdosx-limerick.com MODULAR CONTAINERS, CABINS & OFFICES Ballysimon Containers Eastway Business Park Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 312530 Fax: 061 313520 Email: morgan@asp-ire.ie Web: www.asp-ire.ie MODULAR OFFICE ACCOMODATION Asp-ire Advance Space Providers Ireland Eastway Business Park Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 312530 Fax: 061 313520 Email: morgan@asp-ire.ie Web: www.asp-ire.ie MORTGAGE & FINANCIAL SERVICES Mary Larkin Financial Services 38 Roches St, Limerick. Tel: 061 411822 Fax: 061 411840 Email: larkin@indigo.ie ODCL Financial Services and Mortgages 1 Mount Kennett Place, Henry Street,Limerick. Tel: 061 411000 Email: financial@odcl.ie

MORTGAGES, PROPERTY, MAINTENANCE & INVESTMENTS Moore Stephens Patrick McNamara Financial Planning & Mortgage Solutions Life & Pensions – Mortgages – Investments – Wealth Management Pamdohlen House, Dooradoyle Road Tel: 061 229666 Fax: 061 302144 Email: fsinfo@msmcnamara.ie Web: www.mspatrickmcnamara.ie Redmond Mortgage & Pensions 1A Hartstonge Place, Upper Hartstonge Street, Limerick Tel: 061 446629 Fax: 061 446809 Mobile: 087 8290736 E-mail: tommy@redmondmortgages.com OFFICE EQUIPMENT Gerry Webb Office Equipment 72 Wolfe Tone Street, Limerick Tel: 061 467380 Fax: 061 467380 Mobile: 087 2625768 Email: webfurniture@eircom.net OFFICE EQUIPMENT / PRINTING & STATIONERY Curley Copy Centre Little Ellen Street, Limerick. Contact: Eileen Tel: 061 315331 Fax: 061 315171 Email: jhcurley@eircom.net OFFICE FURNITURE SYSTEMS G & A Manifold (Showrooms) Unit 6E, Docklands Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 312777 Fax: 061 313434 Email: info@gamanifold.ie Web: www.gamanifold.ie Metro Office Supplies Unit 2 Crossagalla Enterprise Centre, Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 432000 Fax: 061 432001 E-mail: metrosales@eircom.net Web: www.metrooffice.ie OPTICIANS Vision 2 Opticians 6 Henry Street, Limerick Tel: 061 469310 Fax: 061 469309 Email: info@vision2opticians.ie Web: www.vision2opticians.ie www.businesslimerick.ie

PACKAGING IPS Industrial Polythene Solutions Contact Name: Sean O’Carroll Annacotty Business Park, Annacotty, Limerick. Tel: 061 508980 Fax: 061 508984 Email: etom@ipslimited.ie Web: www.ipspackaging.ie PEST CONTROL Curtin Pest Control Rosmadda Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 419901 Fax: 061 419504 E-mail: scpestcontrol@eircom.net Web: www.curtinpestcontrol.ie Rentokil Pest Control Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 412588 Fax: 061 310836 Email: pcsales@rentokil.ie PENSIONS & INVESTMENTS Karl Daly Pension & Investment Ltd. 2nd Floor, Riverfront Building Howleys Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 318701 Fax: 061 318702 Mobile: 086 2602326 Email: karl@karldaly.com Web: www.karldaly.com or www.ssiaideas.ie PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURER Schwarz Pharma UCB (Schwarz Pharma Ltd) Shannon Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 714100 Fax: 061 714101 Email: info@ucb-group.com Web: www.ucb-group.com PHOTOCOPIERS MJ Flood (Ireland) Ltd. (Sales & Service) 23 John Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 312211 Mob: 087 7815252 Fax: 061 415595 Email: limerick@mjflood.ie Web: www.mjflood.ie PHOTOGRAPHY Brendan Gleeson LIPPA NUJ 25 Cherry Avenue, Caherdavin Lawn, Limerick Tel: 061 453253 Mobile: 087 2159325 Email: gleesonphoto@eircom.net www.bgleesonphoto.com www.businesslimerick.ie

John O’Brien Photography High Street, Limerick City Tel: 061 412833 Email: obrienphotos@oceanfree.net Web: www.jobrienphotography.com PicSure Ltd. Contact: Kieran Clancy 3 Rosebrook, Fr. Russell Rd; Limerick. Tel: 061 301723 Mob: 087 2532015 Email: kieran@picsure.ie Web: www.picsure.ie PLANT HIRE & SALES Newport Plant & Tool Hire Ballymackeogh, Newport, Co. Tipperary. Tel: 061 373737 Mob: 086 0664137 E-mail: info@npt.ie Web: www.npt.ie PUBLIC TRANSPORT BUS SERVICES & PRIVATE HIRE Bus Eireann Colbert Station Limerick Tel: 061 313333 Fax: 061417166 Email: info@buseireann.ie Web: www.buseireann.ie PRINTING Mc Kerns Print & Design Glentworth Street, Limerick Tel: 061 417611 Fax: 061 419816 Email: mckernsgs@eircom.net Mc Namara Printers Smithstown Industrial Estate Shannon, Co. Clare Tel: 061 361782 Fax: 061 363271 Email: sales@mcnamaraprinters.ie Web: www.mcnamaraprinters.ie PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS Able Marketing 50 Thomas Street, Limerick Tel: 061 417575 Fax: 061 410055 Email: sales@ablemarketing.ie Web: www.ablemarketing.ie PROPERTY DEVELOPERS Tiernan Properties Arthurs Quay House Arthurs Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 412462 Fax: 412251 Email: info@tiernanproperties.ie Web: www.tiernanproperties.ie PROPERTY INVESTORS, MORTGAGE & FINANCE, PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & BUILDING SERVICES Muldowney Group Services Branches Nationwide National Lo-call: 1890 350450 Email: info@muldowneygroup.com Web: www.muldowneygroup.com PRIVATE HOSPITALS Barringtons Hospital Ltd Tel: 061 490500 Fax: 061 312939 Email: info@barringtonshospital.com Web: www.barringtonshospital.com

PUBLIC RELATIONS Echo Marketing 5 The Mews, Hartstonge Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 409353 Mob: 087 9892463 Email: aileen.galvin@echomarketing.ie Molly D Marketing Castlecrine, Sixmilebridge, Co.Clare Tel: 061 369898 M: 086 2371508 Email: dympna@mollydmarketing.ie Web: www.mollydmarketing.ie MRPA Kinman Communications Contact: Niamh Quinn 22 Log Na gCapall, South Circular Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 303779 Fax: 061 305802 Mobile: 087 1220119 E-Mail: niamh@mrpakinmam.ie Web: www.mrpakinman.ie O’Brien Communications 30 Ashbrook Grove Ennis Road, Limerick Tel/Fax: 061 457999 Mobile: 086 6019214 Email: Kieran@obriencommunications.ie PUBLIC RELATION CONSULTANTS Fianancial Dynamics Cois Na Sionna, O’Briens Bridge, Co. Clare Tel: 061 372643 Mobile: 087 2497290 Fax: 061 372645 Email: eugene.hogan@fd.com Web: www.fd.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

OVERSEAS PROPERTY Balkan Property Investments Ltd (BPI) 4 Pery Square, Limerick. Tel/Fax: 061 313200 Email: info@bpigroup.ie Web: www.bpigroup.ie

THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES

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PUBLIC RELATIONS & EVENT & MEDIA MANAGEMENT Woulfe Event Management Tower View House, Glenview Avenue, Farranshone, Limerick. Tel: 061 321979 Mob: 087 7631999 Email: woulfeeventmanagement@eircom.net Web: www.woulfemanagement.ie RADIO STATIONS (NATIONAL) Limerick Live 95 FM P.O Box 295 Radio House, Richmond Court, Dock Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 461900 Fax: 061 419595 E-mail: mail@live95fm.ie Web: www.live95fm.ie RTÉ lyric fm Cornmarket Square, Limerick. Tel: 061 207300 Fax: 061 207390 Email: lyric@rte.ie Web: www.rte.ie/lyricfm Contact: Aodán Ó’Dubhghaill & Julie Knight 63

THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

RECRUITMENT BDO Recruitment BDO Simpson Xavier 4 Michael Street, Limerick Tel: 061 414455 Fax: 061 414172 Email: info@bdosx-limerick.com Web: www.bdosx-limerick.com Brooks Recruitment Hotel & Catering 86 O’Connell St., Limerick. Tel: 061 413022 Fax: 061 312799 E-mail: brooks.recruit@indigo.ie Web: www.brooksrecruitment.com Brunel 98 Henry Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 430950 Fax: 061 435933 Email: limerick@brunel.ie Web: www.brunel.ie Irish Recruitment Consultants Deloitte & Touche House, Charlottes Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 313744 Fax: 061 417553 Email:admin@irishrecruitment.ie Web:www.irishrecruitment.ie La Crème 98 Henry Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 430939 Fax: 061 435933 Email: limerick@lacreme.ie Web: www.lacreme.ie Manpower Limerick Branch 1 Michael Street, Limerick. Contact: Niall Harris Tel: 061 312230 Fax: 061 312280 Email: limerick@manpower.ie Web: www.manpower.ie Premier 98 Henry Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 430940 Fax: 061 435933 Email: limerick@premier.ie Web:www.premier.ie

RECRUITMENT CONSULTANCY RECRUITMENT WEBSITE IrishJobs.ie Head Office South Block, The Malthouse, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 1 670 9900 Fax: +353 1 670 9901 Email: info@irishjobs.ie Web: www.irishjobs.ie WWW.JOBS.IE Data Business Centre, Roselawn House, National Technology Park, Castletroy, Limerick Tel: 061-633663 Fax: 061-633334 Email:limerick@jobs.ie Web: www.jobs.ie RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS Work Access Ltd. 1st Floor, Pillar House, Little Ellen Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 493095 Fax: 061 409345 Email: info@workaccess.org Web: www.workaccess.org RESTAURANTS Poppadom Award Winning Indian Cuisine Unit 2C, Robert Street, Corn Market Square, Limerick Tel: 061 446644 www.poppadom.ie Thai Gourmet The White House No.2 Glenthworth Street, Limerick Tel: 061 312012 Fax: 381773 Email: gourmet@eircom.net Web: www.thaigourmet.ie SALES AND MARKETING SERVICES SMS Sales and Marketing Services Ireland Contact: Bryan Marshall Studio 7B, Chapel Court, Cathedral Place, Limerick Tel: 061-404606 Email: info@smsi.ie Web:www.smsi.ie

Richmond Recruitment Hibernian House, Henry St: Limerick. Tel: 061-413111 Fax: 061-416699 E-Mail: midwestjobs@richmond.ie Web: www.richmond.ie

SECURITY Avantguard Security Solutions Avantguard House Coonagh Cross, Limerick Tel: 061 323832 Fax: 061 323834 Mobile: 086 6004350 Email: pryan@avantguard.ie Web: www.avantguard.com

Staff Solutions Unit 2 Belfield House, Ennis Road, Limerick Tel: 061 329250 Fax: 061 329252 E-mail: info@staffsolutions.ie Web: www.staffsolutions.ie

Advance Securities Imperial House, Roches St., Limerick Tel: 061 411197 Fax: 061-400695 E-mail: info@advancesecurities.com Web: www.advancesecurities.com

Westside Security Systems Ltd. Private Security Licence Number: 00095 Rathuard, Donoughmore, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 419610 Mobile: 086 8164444 Email: wsa@eircom.net Web: www.westsidesecurity.com SECURITY SHREDDING & CONFIDENTIAL WASTE DGD Papers Ltd. Bay M1, Raheen Business Park Limerick Tel: 061 491333 Fax: 061 491335 Email: info@dgdpapers.com Web: www.dgdpapers.com SIGNAGE SignLynx Contact: Jack O’Loughlin Franklin Motor Yard, Cahernorry, Ballysimon, Limerick. Tel: 061 333736 Mob: 086 8094420 Fax: 061 333737 Email: jackoloughlin@signlynx.ie Web: www.signlynx.ie Sign It Ltd Unit 6, Eastway Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 469900 Fax: 061 417502 Email: Sales@signit.ie Web: www.signit.ie Signsplus Unit 7, Eastlink Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 437950 Fax: 061 437940 Email: sales@signsplus.ie Web: www.signsplus.ie SOLICITORS Holmes O’Malley Sexton Bishopsgate, Henry St: Limerick. Tel: 061-313222 Fax: 061-310414 E-Mail: info@homs.ie Web: www.homs.ie TAXATION BDO Simpson Xavier Personal and Corporate Tax Advisors 4 Michael Street, Limerick Tel: 061 414455 Fax: 061 414172 Email: info@bdosx-limerick.com Web: www.bdosx-limerick.com TEAM BUILDING Funireland Team Building Specialists Little Orchard, Dooneen,Crecora, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 320292 Fax: 061 320294 Email: info@funireland.com Web: www.funireland.com www.businesslimerick.ie

TRAINING & CONSULTANCY Procad Training Portal House, Raheen Business Park, Limerick. Contact: Adrian Carmody Tel: 061 498900 Fax: 061 304080 Email: training@procadgroup.com Web: www.procadtraining.com VALUER Jim O’ Shea Auctioneers Mungret Village, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 210055 Fax: 061 210248 Mobile: 087 2361439 Email: info@auctioneer-oshea.ie Web: www.auctioneer-oshea.ie WATER COOLERS & DISPENSERS Crystal Clear Leamy House, Hartstonge St: Limerick. Tel: 061-454962 Fax: 061-454449 Mobile: 087-2561239 E-Mail: info@crystalc.ie WATER CONSULTANTS Allied Aquatech Water Treatment Consultants 3 Kyle House (office & shop) Henry Street, Limerick Tel: 061 319777 Mobile: 086 1555568 Fax: 061 319778 Email: pjdawson@eircom.net Web: www.h2o4u.ie

WINDOWS & DOORS Maintenance & Repairs Window & Door Solutions 3 St.Nessans Park, Dooradoyle, Limerick. Tel:061 424891 Fax: 061 424891 Mob: 086 8282869/ 086 8247760 Email: info@wdsireland.ie Web: www.wdsireland.ie WINE MERCHANT Davide Wines Davide Bisaschi Selected Wines Italian Wines Specialist Tel: 085 7593228 Email: davide@davidewines.com WINE RETAILERS Fine Wines Fine Wines Group, Tipperary Road, Ballysimon, Limerick Tel: 061 417784 Fax: 061 417276 Email: mdaly@finewines.ie Web: www.finewines.ie The Wine Buff 17 Upper Mallow Street, Limerick Proprietor: Mike O’ Mara Tel: 061 313394 E-mail: mike.omara@thewinebuff.com Web: www.thewinebuff.com

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL Mr Binman Luddenmore Grange, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 351127 Fax: 061 351918 Email: info@mrbinman.com Web: www.mrbinman.com WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT IEG DESIGN Contact: Padraig O’Connell Railway Road, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick. Tel: 063 20869 Fax: 063 20775 Email: poconnell@iegdesign.com Web: www.iegdesign.com WEIGHT LOSS Motivation Weight Control Clinic 58/59 Thomas Street, Limerick. Tel: Limerick 061 411699 Cork: 021 4272735 www.businesslimerick.ie

To subscribe to our Business Directory Listing please contact: Yvonne Sheehan on 061 - 214738 or Email: yvonne@businesslimerick.ie

THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES

TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING / DELIVERY Original Solutions The International Science Centre, National Technology Park, Limerick. Tel: 061 507900 Fax: 061 507901 E-mail: info@originalsolutions.ie Web: www.originalsolutions.ie

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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XL to Withdraw Knock – London Gatwick Scheduled Service XL Airways, part of the XL Leisure Group has taken the decision to cease its six times-a-week scheduled service between London Gatwick and Ireland West Airport Knock from next month (September 2). XL Airways is the Groups award winning charter airline with the youngest fleet of short haul aircraft in the UK. “Responding to changing market conditions and our objective to meet our core customer needs, the Group continually reviews its route network”, said Phil AirdMash, XL UK CEO. He added: “Whilst we have delivered a successful operation since launch of the service in December 2007, our Group strategy has migrated away from high frequency short sector scheduled services. We acknowledge the valued support and assistance we have received from Ireland West Airport Knock and our customers in London and the Western region of Ireland. We remain most committed to continuing to operate and further develop our charter programme from the airport, which this year includes charter flights and packages to Bourgas in Bulgaria and to Faro for Portugal’s Algarve. The XL Leisure Group is the third largest tour operator in the UK; XL also has operations in France and Germany.

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Are We Really in a Recession? For the past 12 months, we have all read/ seen reports from the media about how poor a state our small country.

building 15000 units per year, at our height 110, 00. Next year 45000, so not so bad eh!

What they should have been telling us is that Ireland (government owned companies) has been a rip off for many a year, high petrol, oil, gas and interest rate rises. Government help needed but there’s about as much chance of that happening as my local TD calling to my door before the next general election.

SO IS IT THE SAME FOR THE TECH INDUSTRY ?

Don’t yet wade into the midst of depression yet. The private sector is not in such a poor position. There are many new forms of saving energy, and our current interest rates would have been very welcome when we had a proper recession in the 80s when rates topped 15%. (for those of you who like a tipple, I’ve seen cars run on worse) The construction industry has been booming for the last ten years, with 100s of houses popping up even in the most remote of villages throughout Ireland. So I am sure many developers and builders have made a tidy sum. In the 80s we were

Recently I decided it was time to splash out and purchase a new laptop but before I did I decided to dig into the invoice archives to see how much my old Compaq cost over three years ago. Total cost in 2005= €1299. Not a bad system, plenty ram decent size hard drive etc. So with mighty gusto I decided to log into Dell.ie. Seven minutes later I had purchased my new laptop for a total cost of €804. Double the ram, quadruple the size and twice the speed of my old CPU. €500 cheaper for a superior system. Not bad eh! The new and exciting world of the internet is now well and truly in all our homes. Gone are the days when companies had to spend huge sums of capital on poor software. We now have exciting and professionally

by Padraig O’Connell

developed applications developed for the web which are highly functional and expandable due to such 1) highly qualified employees and 2) the code / developing tools which they use. All of the above points to increased production and profit, combined with a cost effective budget and great return on investment for both users and companies alike. Thumbs up to the internet and its fast moving progression! FINALLY WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF THE RECESSION? Is it when your older brother passes down the long list of duffel coats and man utd jersey, or when your sister has a hair cut like some crazed lunatic that has been electrocuted or in the era of 2000 + when you only have 10 euro for a top up on your new mobile phone . Get real, tighten the budget, but stay positive, were doing fine!

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B r o w s e r s THE FURNITURE CO

$ISCOVER THE &INE ART OF ,IVING

Upper William St, Limerick Open Mon to Sat (061 414490)

www.browsers.ie

Birdhill Village Co. Tipperary Open 7 days (061 379333)

JET SET

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The Saab 9-3 range provides everything from a 1.8i to 250 bhp V6 Aero engines, all meticuously crafted and beautifully designed. But then we do have a history of designing jet fighters. Give yourself a thrill, book a test drive today.

The Saab 9-3 range from â&#x201A;Ź34,495* The fuel consumption figures are L/100km Urban 7.2 - 17.3, Extra Urban 4.4 -7.7, Combined 5.4 - 11.1, CO2 147 - 266g/km * Delivery and related charges additional. Model shown is for illustrative purposes only.