November 2009 € 3.50
Inside: • Ripplecom to Create 35 Jobs • Record Sales for Airline • Regional Development is Vital
“Dell thought things would work out better in Poland…” – Seán Kelly, MEP
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........................................................................................ BL | EDITORIAL & CONTENTS
FROM THE EDITOR
November 2009
CONTENTS 04
BL COVER STORY “Dell thought things would work out better in Poland…”
48 51
BL NEWS Visionary solutions for businesses BL REVIEW Restaurant of the Month BL
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Twelve ‘green collar’ jobs created
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BL GALLERY Out and About with BL
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BL SPORT Deserved recognition for Limerick’s Tom McGarry
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FEATURE Christmas Parties
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BL DIRECTORY A-Z of Mid-West businesses
Business Limerick
Editor Frank Collins frank@businesslimerick.ie Mobile: 086 245 1153 Advertising Manager Marguerite Finnan mags@businesslimerick.ie Mobile: 087 245 1153
Patrons
Advertising Sales Padraig Walshe padraig@businesslimerick.ie Mobile: 083 404 9234 Business Journalists Rachael Finucane David Raleigh Graphic Design George Fitzgerald Ross Lynch Clia Clancy
FOR BUSINESS LEADERS
Photography Keith Wiseman Photographic Contributors Press 22 Kieran Clancy - PicSure Dave Gaynor Michael Cowhey Brendan Gleeson Contributors Mal Keaveney Mick Galwey Kevin Meaney
Shop local is the message, loud and clear, from Limerick’s retailers as we enter into their busiest period of trading this year. This had been a trying and difficult time for Limerick retailers and even more so for those in the city centre. But there is still an air of optimism tangible as shoppers are returning to spend their hard earned cash in the city. The ‘city centre experience’ is a concept that businesses in the city have worked hard on and now it has started to pay dividends. The switching on of the Christmas lights brings a renewed confidence and a buzz back into festive shopping in the city centre. Limerick City Council and Limerick City Business Association must be commended for completing an excellent job on the lights during this economic downturn.
Business Limerick Magazine is a full participating member of the Press Council of Ireland and supports the Office of the Press Ombudsman. This scheme in addition to defending the freedom of the press, offers readers a quick, fair and free method of dealing with complaints that they may have in relation to articles that appear on our pages. To contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman go to: www.pressombudsman.ie or www.presscouncil.ie.
Business Limerick
Support Local Businesses
Business Limerick 48 O'Connell Street, Limerick Tel: (061) 46 75 18 (061) 21 47 38 Fax: (061) 46 85 60 Email: info@businesslimerick.ie Web: www.businesslimerick.ie
Published by Business Limerick Publications Ltd. Directors Frank Collins Marguerite Finnan
The introduction of ‘Winterfest,’ although a pilot project was a big success with retailers and shoppers alike with the 20% discount, even with the dire weather conditions experienced that weekend. The Georgian Quarter Market was also a success to highlight Winterfest. These two new projects are definitely worth revisiting again next year. The Saturday Milk Market has temporarily moved to Ellen Street and Sunday’s Bedford Row market is to continue. ‘Christmas on Ice’ is set to return to Arthur’s Quay early in December. It is vital that we continue to explore every avenue to make city centre shopping more attractive to protect these businesses and secure their employees jobs. City Centre businesses must continue to market themselves as a unit to get the shoppers back onto the city streets and into the truly festive atmosphere ‘downtown.’
Frank Collins Editor frank@businesslimerick.ie
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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“Dell thought things would work out better in Poland…” – Seán Kelly, Munster Fine Gael MEP, European Parliament The loss of almost 2,000 manufacturing jobs at Raheen-based multi-national company Dell, in January this year, was the first signal that Limerick’s economy would suffer like never before. Shortly after the Dell pulled out, Shannon Airport also began taking hammerings, the first of which was Aer Lingus pulling its profitable Heathrow route from the Mid-West airport. However, now the recession has officially ended in the US, Europe is seeing the first signs of economic growth, albe4
it on a tiny scale. But there is hope, for some Dell workers, and other workers, as newly elected Munster MEP Seán Kelly exclusively revealed to David Raleigh at Thomond Park. “Dell thought things would work out better in Poland,” Seán remarked adding: “Maybe the infrastructure wouldn’t be as well developed and the support structure around it wouldn’t be as well developed. It’s fine to say ‘move out of Ireland and go to a place where you’d be paying half
the wages’, but there’s a cost as well, and from what I hear, Dell are finding that, especially at the high end. I suppose that’s understandable. We have a great attitude here. We’re a friendly people. We’re a sporting people. It’s easy to get things done here because everybody knows everyone and they’re our advantages, which companies would have. Growing up in Killarney, Co Kerry, Seán was surrounded by sport, especially GAA. Gaelic Football was the first passion of the
Kelly household. Seán’s grandfather had been Chairman of the local club and his four uncles had distinguished playing careers. Seán has moved on from the prestigious honour of President of the GAA to becoming a newly elected MEP in the European Parliament-but as he put it, sport and business have many parallels-the key element being “team-building” and playing one’s part to achieve success. He’s also passionate about building links between third-level institutions in Limerick and the green energy technology sector. It’s an industry Seán feels the Mid-West should be concentrating on 100% while forgetting about relying on ‘the American’s’ to come in and rescue the country in these harsh times. “The idea that we are going to get big multinationals creating thousands of jobs producing goods that’s not going to happen because we are not competitive. We’ve lost competitiveness and they are going to go to cheaper labour markets. There’s going to be massive investment in climate
change and energy security and research and development is what’s required. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the Limerick region, but our third-level research and development areas need to bring forward this technology, thus creating more jobs and more opportunities. We cannot depend on fossil fuels they’re going to run out-we all know that. I think if we could tackle the lack of competitiveness in this country it would a huge opportunity for us because we have everything else right. We’re seen as friendly, we’ve no axe to grind, our infrastructure has improved over the past few years and we have a well-educated workforce and that’s highly important.” Since his election in June this year to the EU Parliament, representing Munster, Seán admitted he’s undergone a huge change in his day-to-day work, but it’s a challenge he’s relishing. “Well, I don’t ever feel under pressure personally, once I’m doing something I think is worthwhile, I’m happy enough.
So at the moment my life would be more or less head to Dublin Sunday night, get up at 4.30am, go to the airport, get the 6.30amflight out to Brussels. I’m usually up on Monday morning at 7am. I walk into the office, it’s a thirty-minute walk and I’d be there all day and I might leave around 8.30pm/9pm or later sometimes. What I find frustrating though is that some people will come up to me and say: ‘Seán there was a funeral last week that you should have been at’ when I was over in Strasbourg, and I reply, ‘Look, I was elected to be in the European Parliament and I’m only doing my job’. The more time I spend in Brussels, the more I learn. I’m listening and learning and you need to do that, especially when you’re new. I’m enjoying it.” When he finds time to relax, (the little time he seems to have for respite), Seán said he loves going to all type of sporting games and has been to most of the rugby and soccer matches at the redeveloped Thomond Park. However, when it’s time to get back on that plane bound for Brussels, his head is firmly on the job ahead.
Sean Kelly MEP, pictured with Enda Kenny, Fine Gael leader.
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“It’s a huge change for me because politics is new to me but I think that’s a huge advantage in the sense that I’m going in with my eyes open, listening and learning, and no pre-conceived notions. I haven’t been pigeonholed into any attitudes or ideas. I find it very stimulating particularly in the EU Parliament because it isn’t like Government, where everybody tows the line-one way or the other. Here you have the opportunity to look at situations, make your point of view and learn, and I’m learning. Particularly in relation to Limerick, I’m on the European Parliament Regional Committee. I think I’m the only MEP on it
and that’s of course vital for the overall developments of the regions into the future (including Limerick). ‘Regulation’ is a major bone of contention for Seán. The straight-talking Kerry man summed Ireland’s obsession with red tape with three words: ‘Covering your arse’. He explained: “It was a big risk redeveloping Thomond Park. It was a big risk building Croke Park. Putting teams together, you’re taking a risk, but that risk has to be seen as well, particularly in the public serv-
ice. From what I’ve seen that has been lacking. There’s too much fear of investigation, and what you’re finished up with is people basically covering their own arses, if you’ll excuse the expression. That has to change! Every sector of society has to be prepared to get up and go and take risks for the benefit of the entire community.” Broadband is another itch which the straight talking Munster MEP would love to scratch off his list of what’s wrong with Ireland’s economy. “The neglect of broadband in this country is again typical of what I’m saying: ‘People covering their arse’, but not actually looking at what needs to be done to get going ahead and doing it. But thankfully the EU Commission will be certainly pushing Broadband at EU level. It has identified that over the next five years the roll out of broadband. There will be money made available for that, right across the EU union, especially in the rural areas.” Businesses in Limerick have suffered due to the way Shannon Airport has been effected by the pullout of various airline routes and according to Seán, the Government’s recent introduction of a €10 airport tax on flights for air passengers is a ‘huge mistake’.
“The more time I spend in Brussels, the more I learn. I’m listening and learning and you need to do that, especially when you’re new. I’m enjoying it.”
“I think it’s a huge mistake. I think if you want to bring people in and keep them here, you give them incentives, you don’t penalise them. If it’s an individual tourist, charging them a tax should be done away with. It is ridiculous and counter-productive. We need to get more people into the country and we need to make it easier for them to spread the message. I think it can be done but incentives and not taxes, is what’s required. But wouldn’t Fine Gael have to raise money in the same way if it was in Government in the morning?
“Becoming an MEP has been a huge change for me, because politics is new to me, but I think that’s a huge advantage—I’m going in with my eyes open, listening and learning, and without preconceived notions.”
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“Yes, but I don’t think that we’d be taxing people going out of the country. Michael O’Leary (Ryanair CEO), claims that this tax is affecting his company and it isn’t worthwhile for Ryanair. I’d be inclined to say if Michael O’Leary can create jobs and build routes, then let him do it, and you could find the tax shortfalls from some other place.”
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BL | news
Hellolimerick.ie is Launched Hellolimerick.ie, a brand new online business and events guide for Limerick City & County, was launched today with the support of leading Limerick retailers and business groups.
where to take the kids and what to see and do, Hellolimerick.ie will incorporate the most up-to-date events listings for Limerick City & County. Charity, fundraising and community oriented events will be listed free of charge.
Hunt Museum Director appointed
The new website will be a dedicated online business listing and events guide for Limerick City & County with promotional opportunities for Limerick businesses including e-zines and online advertising.
Commenting on the launch of the new website, Maura McMahon, Manager of Marketing & Membership Services at Limerick Chamber said, “The ‘Limerick Chamber of Commerce is happy to supHellolimerick.ie is the brainchild of Deirdre port any new venture that promotes loDownes, a Limerick based web designer. cal businesses and encourages people to Speaking at the launch today, Deirdre shop in the City.” Downes said, “Following discussions with retailers, including some of the Roches A Hellolimerick.ie social media campaign Street Traders in Limerick City Centre and will also link onsite promotions to the Helothers it emerged that an online resource lolimerick.ie Facebook and Twitter pages. which offered businesses another platform for promotion at a reasonable cost The current JNIR (Joint National Internet was something which Limerick needed Research) figures show that Ireland has urgently. Hellolimerick.ie was developed just under 2 million adult Internet users based on this research and represents (55% of Irish adults) and this has been ‘Limerick businesses working for Limer- increasing year on year. Daily Internet usick’.” age has also been increasing with just under one million adults logging on every day Limerick businesses and retailers can of the week. More and more people are now advertise on Hellolimerick.ie for a also shopping online and there was €12 minimum of €1 euro a day with the option million spent on goods and services online to also list special promotions and offers in Ireland last year, this has shown no sign on the site and contribute to a new weekly of slowing down in spite of the recession. eNewsletter which will be issued to businesses in Limerick as part of a Hellolimer- The website has in-built multi-lingual capaick.ie direct marketing campaign. bilities and next year, she plans to translate Hellolimerick.ie into three different A definitive guide on where to shop, busi- languages, German, French and Spanish ness services, where to eat and stay, and market the site in those countries.
Dr Hugh Maguire
THE Hunt Museum has announced the appointment of Dr Hugh Maguire as its director and is due to begin in his role, succeeding Virginia Teehan, on December 3. Dr Maguire holds a BA from Trinity College, Dublin and PhD from the University of London. He has served as Museums and Archives Officer of the Heritage Council since 2000 and, previously, as lecturer at the Crawford College of Art, Cork as well as in institutions such as University of Otago and the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Dr Maguire said that he looks forward “with keen anticipation to working with the staff, board, docents and friends of the Hunt Museum to ensure that this national treasure continues to enrich the cultural landscape of the region and the nation. It enjoys a special place in Ireland’s cultural offerings and I am committed to grow and develop its prominence”.
Deirdre Downes, Hellolimerick.ie, Peter Clohessy, Michael Murphy, Eves, Fionagh Ryan, Ryans Jewellers, Maura McMahon, Limerick Chamber and Stephen Ryan, Ryans Jewellers. www.businesslimerick.ie
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BL | news
56% slump in new mortgages The number of new mortgages taken out in the third quarter fell by more than 56% in comparison to the same period last year. In this period in 2008, the value of the new loans were €5.7billion compared to €2.1billion this year.
Ireland Will Exit Recession in 2011 Ernst & Young Economic Eye winter 2009 forecast has predicted that Ireland will exit recession in 2011, but will emerge stronger than our British and Northern Irish neighbours. The Economic Eye sees that the GDP growth in the Republic will outstrip the UK and Northern Ireland as our extreme budget balancing measures take effect. The forecast also sees unemployment figures of 13% but it will be 2014 before the economy returns to its 2007 peak.
Rugby Fan Cleans Up on Fluke Kick! The Crossbar challenge, one of the headline grabbing entertainment factors for many sports events, is designed to be difficult but you never know when a kick in a million will strike. One Saracens fan has proved to be the exception that proves the rule, by winning £250,000 in cash, for hitting the crossbar during a match from a drop kick. The challenge was the main entertainment at halftime for the match in Wembley on November 17th at the Saracens v Springboks game. . The Lucky fan walked away with a cheque for a quarter of a million pounds after being pulled out in the text draw among fans at the match. Saracens went on to beat South Africa 24-23. At least the match result went the right way for the club. See the video here: http:// w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=FDGVzrjTYkw 8
Record sales for airline from on-line campaign The growing power of online marketing was illustrated recently after a unique campaign by Aer Arann resulted in a 320%* spike in flight bookings; the highest sales achieved by the airline in one day this year. The Aer Arann ‘Happy Hour’ campaign which took place on Thursday 5th November offered 50% off all flights between the hours of 1pm and 3pm only. As well as setting an overall daily sales record, the company also recorded its highest ever number of sales in one hour, a 600%* increase, between 2pm and 3pm on the day. At one point, the booking process on the website slowed down due to demand, so the airline extended the ‘Happy Hour’ until 4pm, allowing customers who started the booking process during the sale period to complete their purchase. Customers were notified about the sale the previous day via the Aer Arann ezine, informing the database that a major offer was on the way without disclosing what that offer would be. Customers only
learned about the discount at 1pm when they logged onto the Aer Arann website. Online tools such as email and social media site Twitter were the only media used to promote the campaign, as the offer was designed to reward existing loyal customers and friends. Website bookings accounted for the majority of bookings on the day. The top five selling routes over the duration of the campaign were: 1. Waterford – London Luton 2. Donegal - Dublin 3. Galway - Dublin 4. Galway – London Luton 5. Dublin - Cardiff Aer Arann has pledged to repeat the Happy Hour campaign at a future date but will not disclose when that will be. Customers signed up to the Aer Arann database will be notified in advance when the ‘Happy Hour’ will commence.
Civic Building Opens in Co Limerick The 6m euro Kilmallock Area Office and Regional Library in Co Limerick was officially opened recently. Áras Mainchin Seoighe, which is one of the largest ever-civic building projects to be undertaken in the County, features 1000 sq.m of Area Office accommodation and a full-time library. The development is complemented by 540sq.m of Court facilities for the Court Services of
Ireland. The main function of the Kilmallock Area Office is to administer work programmes such as road maintenance and improvements, housing grants, and water, customer and planning services to the Kilmallock Electoral Area. The facility will also host Committee meetings of Kilmallock Electoral Area Councillors.
‘On The Nail’ at The Locke Bar The Limerick Writers’ Centre continue their ‘On The Nail’ reading series with a special Christmas celebration of poetry, prose and music at The Locke Bar, George’s Quay, Limerick on Thursday 3rd December at 8.00pm. Everyone is invited to partake in this festive occasion. Poets, storytellers, musicians and writers of all hue and shade can read or play at our special Christmas
open-mic. Even if you don’t write you are welcome to bring something along to read. The night begins at 8.00pm and there is free admission and a free glass of wine and finger food for everyone attending. Further information contact: Dominic Taylor 087 2996409 email limerickwriterscentre@gmail.com web http://onthenailreadings.blogspot.com www.businesslimerick.ie
BL | news
Research director appointed at UL UL has announced the appointment of Professor Colum Dunne as Director of Research of its Graduate Entry Medical School. Head of the Graduate Entry Medical School, Professor Prof Colum Dunne Paul Finucane welcomed the appointment. “Professor Dunne has an accomplished record of research and innovation and we are privileged to have his expertise at the helm of our research strategy.” “The students at the school bring to the university their experience of diverse educational backgrounds and this culture of inclusivity will be reflected in the capacity and scope of the research agenda,” he added. The Cork city native has a BSc (Hons) and PhD at University College Cork and a MBA with the Open University. He joined Ireland’s National Food Biotechnology Centre in 1998 as a Programme Manager. He served as General Manager of what was then Ireland’s only research centre focused solely on cancer prevention and therapy.
“Waste Not, Want Not” Bóthar, the international development agency that specialises in the use of livestock, announced that since it began in 1991 over 14,000 live Irish-bred cows, goats, chickens and pigs kindly donated by Irish people have directly benefited 100,000 families in developing countries by supplying them with their offspring and dairy produce. Bóthar intends to grow this number even further and is calling on the generosity of Irish people this Christmas to help make this happen through their “Waste Not, Want Not” campaign. This year people are tightening their belts, they are going back to basics and recognising the more important things in life such as family values. Each year we give friends and family gifts that are often put in a drawer or left on a shelf and forgotten about and in some cases the wrapping paper or box can be the most exciting part! “Waste Not, Want Not” Christmas campaign is calling on people to make the decision to choose a Bóthar catalogue gift for their loved one, a gift that keeps on giving and where nothing is wasted. Choose from the many “gifts with meaning” from in calf cows and laying hens to fish or even snails by visiting the most important website this Christmas www.bothar.org with gifts available from €10. To choose a gift with meaning and “Waste Not, Want Not” this year contact Bóthar by logging onto www.bothar.org or calling 1850 82 99 99.
Shannon Development congratulates Doonbeg Golf Resort Shannon Development congratulated Doonbeg Golf Resort on winning the European Golf Resort of the Year the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). Congratulating Doonbeg General Manager Joe Russell and his team, Pat Daly, Tourism and Marketing Manager, Shannon Development, the Shannon Region tourism authority said, “Doonbeg is a superb world class luxury golf resort and a wonderful tourism magnet attraction for the West of Ireland. It is the single largest tourism project ever to have been undertaken in the West of Ireland and richly deserves this prestigious accolade. We look forward to working with Joe and his team at Doonbeg into the future.” www.businesslimerick.ie
Shannon Exporter wins County & City Enterprise Boards national award Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher, welcomed the finalists at the annual National Enterprise Awards, hosted by the County and City Enterprise Boards recently. Organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards, the National Enterprise Awards reward and recognise outstanding micro-enterprises. Michael Tunney, Chair of the Network of County and City Enterprise Boards presented the overall award to Callan Technology Ltd from Co. Clare, who design, manufacture and export industrial motors for international manufacturing companies. Set-up by Joe O’ Donovan and Paul O’ Beirne in 2001 and nominated by the Clare County Enterprise Board, Callan Technology manu- facture a range of servomotors, used in machinery in twenty six countries, across the US, A s i a and Europe.
Minister Billy Kelleher
Ryanair raises its fee for ‘non-printed’ boarding cards In an effort to reduce costs, Ryanair plan to increase the charge for passengers who do not print their own boarding cards to €100. At the moment, Ryanair charge €40 to customers who arrive at the airport without their printed boarding cards.
Superconference in Limerick for entrepreneurs http://LifeLastingSuccess.com - is the Entrepreneur Superconfernce coming to Limerick, November 27th & 28th - to the South Court Hotel, Raheen, Limerick. Check out the incredible Entrepreneur events being ran by Gary McGeown, Pat Slattery & Donna Kennedy from Life Lasting Success. 9
BL | news
Quintas Group open new office in Limerick
Comedian and entrepreneur, Pat Shortt with Denis Healy at the launch of the new Limerick offices of the Quintas Group in the National Technology Park.
The Quintas Group, one of the largest financial advisory and wealth management consultancies outside of Dublin, recently announced the opening of a new office in Limerick that will specialise in Financial Wealth Management services. Designed to meet the growing demand for diversified financial advice and personal long-term financial planning in Limerick and the Mid-West, the new Quintas Group office will be located in the National Technology Park and run by Denis Healy, a wellknown financial expert with over 18 years experience working in finance and private banking in the Limerick region. Originally from Nenagh, Denis has worked as a financial advisor with Ulster Bank and Financial Engineering in Limerick. He recently joined the Quintas Group because of the full-service financial management that the group is able to provide, the first time that this offering has been offered to clients in the Mid-West. “What excited me about the Quintas Group,” said Denis, “is that I’m now able to offer my clients an integrated approach to their financial planning. From tax advice to innovative investment opportunities, 10
accountancy services and active pension management, the Quintas Group is able to offer the people of the Mid-West region a one-stop financial service that hasn’t been available to them until now.” Commenting on the expansion of the Quintas Group into the Mid-West, Noel Creedon, Quintas Group Director, said “one of our philosophies at the Quintas Group is that we will go where our clients are and in the past year we’ve seen a definite uplift in the demand for a diversified financial management and investment service in Limerick and surrounding counties of the Mid-West region. With his vast experience, friendly consumer-centric approach and ambition to up the ante of financial planning services in the region, Denis is the ideal candidate to spearhead our expansion here.” One of the first clients of the new Quintas office is Comedian and Entrepreneur Pat Shortt. “Denis has been my financial advisor for a number of years, helping me develop the business side of my life and working with me to get a sound financial basis for my production company and other business interests. Having known and worked with Denis as a Financial Advisor, I
think that his professionalism and depth of knowledge coupled with the strength and resources of the Quintas Group will be a great addition for those seeking impartial financial advice in the Mid West,” Shortt said. With more money in the Mid-West being held on deposit in banks than in recent years and a decrease in the amount of risk people are willing to take with their investments, Denis Healy warns that genuine investment opportunities are being missed, “many people in Ireland have seen big losses in property investment and are now keeping money on deposit in banks, where it earns a very poor rate of return. Denis Healy has over 25 years experience in banking, including retail, international and lending. He has worked at Regional Manager Private Clients for Ulster Bank and was a Director of Financial Engineering Network. Denis holds a diploma in Business Studies, is QFA qualified and is a licentiate of the Institute of Bankers. The Quintas Group office in Limerick is based in Roselawn House at the National Technology Park, Plassey. Telephone 061 633326 www.businesslimerick.ie
BL | news
Twelve ‘green collar’ jobs created “a kind a different” “The Flowers of Christmas Give love with a generous hand Their colours so lovely Breathe scent across the land”
Jeremy Benn, Chief Executive JBA, Minister for Defence, Willie O’Dea, Minister for the Enviroment, John Gormley and Mark Morris, Director of JBA Grove Island during the opening of JBA Consulting Engineers.
TWELVE “green collar” jobs have been created in Limerick at the first Irish-based offices of a flood risk assessment company, JBA Consulting, which was officially opened by the Minister for the Environment at Grove Island, Corbally. Speaking at the opening in Corbally, Minister Gormley said: “I grew up around this area and remember the local playing fields flooding. With the forthcoming publication of National Flooding Guidelines for planning authorities, in conjunction with the new planning bill, it is vital to ensure the risk of flooding is quantified. I am delighted with the enthusiasm I see today and hope JBA Consulting continues to grow from strength to strength.” JBA CEO and co-founder, Professor Jeremy Benn, explained the reason for the investment: “JBA are building on a long tradition of hydrology research in Ireland and see the move as a strategic step into Europe. The new EU Floods Directive requires a proactive approach to flood risk management and we believe that JBA are well positioned to deliver these serv-
ices from our Limerick office.” An insight into Flood Risk Assessment was provided by Mark Morris, Limerickbased Managing Director of JBA. “We have created our own supercomputer by networking basic PCs containing high performance graphics cards. This allows us to practice the sciences of hydrology and hydraulics on a whole country scale and for the first time produce national flood maps.” Also present at the launch was Jack Downey, representing LERO, the Irish Software Engineering Research Centre, based in the University of Limerick, who outlined a forthcoming joint research project to advance JBA’s flood mapping software to a massively parallel environment, whilst creating tools for the potential automation of such tasks in future. Minister Willie O’Dea also attended the event. He welcomed JBA to Limerick and wished the firm “continuing success” in the field of flood risk management.
The third annual BDO Get BACk Sports Conference attracted 450 people to Thomond Park to listen to Irish rugby coach Declan Kidney, sports psychologist Enda McNulty and Director of English Institute of Sport, Conor O’Shea. The proceeds of the event were donated to the Irish Special Olympics 2010 games to be hosted in Limerick next June. Pictured at the conference with Matt English, CEO Special Olympics (back row centre) are l-r Brian McGann, Maurice Carr, Denis Herlihy, John Hartery and Mark O’Connell (all BDO Simpson Xavier). Front row (l-r) David Mahedy, Declan Kidney, Enda McNulty and Conor O’Shea.
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According to Rachel and David Hannon of Flowers Forever “our Christmas flower designs this year are all about simple elegance with a flair for celebration. If we don’t have a white Christmas on the outside this year Flowers Forever can create it for you inside with our magnificent display of floral decor. If the thought of Christmas decor is giving you nightmares, then Flowers Forever can turn your nightmares into a Christmas decor dream come true. Our Corporate Customers having availed of our well established Christmas Decoration Hire Service, where they can enjoy the Spirit of Christmas with none of the hassle. For further information on this service contact us. In keeping with our aim to remain market leaders in our field our festive floral designs incorporate both old and new influences in relation to colour texture and theme. This season our use of hot pinks greens and oranges demonstrates the retrolook and evokes a spirit of nostalgia of the sixties while at the other end of the Christmas decor spectrum, our floral designs exhibit a natural look with such rustic elements as branches, cinnamon sticks, holly, berries, candy and canes etc. This woodsy collage of nature with its natural autumnal scents and shades evokes thoughts of childhood, cosy fireplaces, and good times with family and friends ! So, this Christmas, if you are hosting intimate celebrations at home or participating in a corporate event, our festive designs will enable you to re-create any winter wonderland you want. We can create arrangements that are modern minimalist or exuberant in the colours of your choice. We experience heavy demand for our Christmas floral designs and to be sure of obtaining preferences in flowers and materials, we encourage our clients to book as early as possible for made-to-order table arrangements, floral centrepieces and floristry of specific themed content/design.
Contact us at Flowers Forever Raheen Roundabout, Raheen, Limerick Tel/Fax: 061 307123 Email: flowers4ever@eircom.net Web: www.flowersforever.ie 11
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Plato Mid-West programme for 2009-2011 The Plato Midwest 2009-2011 programme commenced recently with over 50 companies from Limerick and Clare gathering at Dromoland Castle Hotel for inaugural group meetings and networking. Plato is Ireland’s premier business development and support forum for owner managers and is dedicated to the successful development of indigenous SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises). Commenting on the launch of the new Plato programme, Ned Toomey, CEO of Limerick County Enterprise Board said: “56% of Ireland’s workforce is in the SME sector which employs 1.1m people and accounts for 40% of our exports. The sector represents a powerful force in the Mid-West economy and we are looking forward
to working with all Plato member companies in the Region over the next two years to provide ongoing mentoring and business development support to them. “ The involvement of larger parent companies and multinationals as group Leaders in a facilitating and mentoring role is unique to Plato. John Barron, Managing Director of Shannon-based Reagecon Diagnostics, a group leader in the new Plato Programme gave the keynote address and outlined the importance of leadership in business particularly within the SME sector. Said Mr Barron: “The success or failure of an organization is a direct function of leadership. I believe that the current economic situation in Ireland is as a direct result of leadership failure on many levels including political, financial and at a Government level. The roles, attributes, skills and behavior of a leader are 80% common to all organisations irrespective of its size or structure, be it small or large, public or private.” Plato Mid-West has two programmes running concurrently over the next two years – the Plato Advanced Programme for existing members and the Plato Core Programme for new members. Both programmes offer facilitated monthly group meetings, business skills training, quarterly seminars, networking events and support interventions as required such as specific mentoring or consultancy. The multinational companies from Limerick & Clare involved in supporting Plato Programmes in the Mid-West include ACC / Rabo Bank, Reagecon, Microsoft, Loyalty Build, Essilor, Roche, Filtertek, AIB, Rusal formerly Aughinish Alumina, Bank of Ireland and Avocent. Plato is a European wide support network for owner managers, with over 10,000 SMEs in the network and 500 parent companies across 11 countries. Plato in Ireland currently has over 1,500 members and is an initiative funded by County Clare, Limerick City and County Enterprise Boards in association with IBEC, FAS and the Chambers of Commerce, Ireland.
In Dromoland Castle for the Plato Mid-West 2009-2011 programme on Monday November 9, which attracted over 50 companies from Clare and Limerick, were from left: Joe Hughes, Complete Financial Management; Ann Lyons, Craft Innovations; Ned Toomey, Limerick County Enterprise Board; and John Barron, Reagecon (Keynote Speaker). Picture: Eamon Ward
Further information on Plato MidWest is available from Eoin Tynan-O’Mahony, Regional Manager for Plato MidWest on 086-303-5664 or eoin@platomidwest.ie
Ray Cummins Picture Framing 15 Catherine Street Limerick
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Tourism Ireland host Irish ‘spectacular’ On the back of one of the most difficult years for tourism to the island of Ireland, enterprises from across the island North and South joined forces with Tourism Ireland at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London recently, heralding the start of the promotional drive for the 2010 season. Now in its 30th year, WTM is the largest B2B event in the global travel and tourism calendar year, with over 50,000 industry representatives and 2,500 international media in attendance. This year, over 60 Irish tourism enterprises including hotels, ferry companies, tour operators, visitor attractions, golf courses, spas, hostels, car hire companies and so on, exhibited at the Tourism Ireland stand, which provided an invaluable platform for them to negotiate and exchange vital contracts for 2010. With over 200 countries all vying for business at the World Travel Market in London, Tourism Ireland aimed to stand out from the crowd and capture the attention of the influential global media and travel trade in attendance with an Irish ‘spectacular’. The lunchtime event included a performance by Riverdance, Irish
storytellers, live traditional music, the best of Irish food, with MC Patrick Kielty. “We used this event to showcase our strengths – our culture, heritage, literature, music, food and our warm, friendly people – all wrapped in a message that the island of Ireland has never offered better quality and value for money. We are telling the world that the island of Ireland is very much open for business, is easily accessible by air and sea and, despite the downturn, we have a wealth of impressive new developments coming on stream – including the Convention Centre Dublin, Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport, the Aviva Stadium at Lansdowne Road and the Titanic building in Belfast,” said Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland. “The first ten months of 2009 have proven to be a very tough period for tourism to the island of Ireland, and for tourism worldwide; as the global economy deteriorated, consumers tightened their belts, travelled less and spent less. Although much uncertainty persists, there is some evidence that consumer confidence is beginning to improve, albeit slowly. By year end, we anticipate close to 8 million peo-
ple will have visited the island of Ireland from overseas, generating approximately €3.6 bn in revenue. While these figures represent a decline, they also represent a solid foundation to build upon next year. Our global website www.discoverireland. com received a record 9.6 million visits in the first nine months of this year, which is most encouraging and illustrates a continued strong interest in the island of Ireland, despite the challenging environment. Our aim now is to capitalise on this interest, close the sale and restore growth in 2010,” said Niall Gibbons.
Niall Gibbons.
Forty jobs lost at Uniphar MORE than forty jobs are to be lost at the pharmacy distribution company Uniphar, which is based in the Garryglass Industrial Estate on the south side of Limerick city. Forty-five jobs are to be cut at the Limerick plant will see the entire evening shift workforce at the company loose their jobs, SIPTU said. The pharmacy distribution company, which also has bases in Cork, Sligo and Dublin, last week announced it is cutting part of it’s workforce, but SIPTU has said the entire evening shift at the Uniphar plant in Garryglass in Limerick is being completely shut down from the 1st of March. Remaining staff members will face a pay cut of between seven per cent and 10%. SIPTU’s Michael Kiely added that the 45 14
job losses represent closer to a 40% cut and believes Limerick has been unfairly targeted. “Our union were made aware last week that the group were seeking 140 job losses. We thought they would be evenly spread across Dublin, Cork, Ballina and Limerick but unfortunately the company told the evening shift in Limerick that they were being disbanded as in from the first of March with the loss of 45 jobs which is totally unacceptable to SIPTU,” Mr Kelly said. According to the company, the Board of Uniphar has undertaken a strategic review of the business under deteriorating market conditions. “The fundamental issue for the company is that revenues are being eroded due
to a combination of adverse actions by the HSE, a substantial increase in parallel imports across all market segments in which the company operates, and the general downturn in the Irish economy,” the company said. It added: “To deal with the issues, the Board of Uniphar is currently reviewing all cost bases including operations, processes, non staff and staff costs. It is likely that staff numbers will need to be reduced by approximately 18% across the Uniphar Group of companies. It is also likely that the company will need to implement a pay cut of between 7–10%.” The company said it would enter a period of consultation and planning before implementation of the cost cutting programme to ensure fairness and equity as far as possible. www.businesslimerick.ie
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World top ten ‘super cycling routes’ Welcoming the news that County Clare tourism cycling routes have been voted in the world top ten of the Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2010’ guide, Flan Quilligan, Shannon Development, Tourism Product Development Manager said,” We are delighted that Co. Clare has been named in the top ten super cycling routes in the world by the Lonely Planet ‘Best in Travel 2010’ guide. This is a testament to the amount of work that has gone into the development of the tourism cycling product in County Clare in recent times.” The Lonely Planet’s guide has put Clare cycling centre stage ranking them with nine other top cycle routes around the world including the US, Canada, France New Zealand and the UK. Highlighting what has been achieved todate, Mr. Quilligan added, “Under the Shannon Development led €2 million Shannon Region Trails Programme a number of new tourism cycling routes and tracks were developed in recent times. These works were undertaken in partnership with Clare County Council and with financial support from Failte Ireland. Among these include the new Doolin cycling hub which incorporates four new looped walks in the North Clare area. These will also form part of a new Shannon Region cycling network being established by Shannon Development and linked to the national cycling network.” “Currently 102,000 overseas visitors participate in cycling holidays in Ireland annually, generating €78m in annual revenue. Being featured in this prestigious travel guide will have a direct benefit in the growth of cycling tourism in County Clare. The fact that the Lonely
(l-r) Flan Quilligan, Shannon Development, Tourism Product Development Manager, Shannon Development with world famous US cyclist Greg LeMond sampling Co. Clare’s cycling routes.
Planet Guide recommends that Co. Clare should be on ‘every cyclist’s wish list is a great endorsement of our product. I had the good fortune recently to meet Tony Wheeler Co-founder of the Lonely Planet travel guide and I expressed our appreciation to him,” he concluded. The Co. Clare cycling product has been
getting a high profile in recent times. This summer world famous US cyclist Greg LeMond, three-time winner of the Tour de France, sampled some of County Clare’s new cycle trails. During his visit he expressed his love of Ireland and in particular the new cycling trails and said their development made county Clare a wonderful place to cycle.
No recession on the Irish internet Newcastlewest based HuntOffice.ie, which is an online retailer of office supplies, office furniture, inks & computer products has continued to see a strong growth in 2009 and forecasts for 2010 are even more optimistic. Since the launch of the new website this summer both numbers of customers and average order values www.businesslimerick.ie
have increased substantially. HuntOffice.ie puts its success down to the hard work of its highly trained and motivated staff and a willingness by everybody in the company to embrace change.
self from a paper based sales representative organisation to a highly efficient and competitive internet technology company.
The company has totally revolutionised it15
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Gallery
Kathleen Griffin displays samples of the mouth-watering chocolate fudge, at a recent open night in the Old Creamery, Adare.
Brendan, Amanda, Kasey and Katelyn Danaher from Newcastle West, enjoying the recent opening of the Old Creamery, Adare. Gordon Kearney and Katherine Merlin, attending the opening night of Number Fifteen Bar & Restuarant, Riverpoint, Dock Road.
Lisa Kearney, Sharon Bromell, Joe Nash and Fiona Doyle, attending the official opening of Number Fifteen Bar & Restaurant at Riverpoint House.
Beauty Queen.ie
Darach Honan receives his award for the Peter Clohessy Sports Personailty of the Month, from Lisa Marie Smith, Clohessy’s Bar, and Cormac O’Donovan.
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Celia Holman Lee with Tim Cusack, Crescent Shopping Centre and models from the Celia Holman-Lee Model Agency celebrating ‘Inspire’, Munster’s Biggest Fashion Event, which took place at the Crescent Shopping Centre in mid-November.
Martin Bourke, Limerick Civic Trust, Rory Kiely, Limerick County Board, Cllr Michael Hourigan, Limerick Civic Trust, Brian McLoughlin, Limerick Civic Trust, Liam Lenihan, Chairman Limerick County Board, Gabrielle Wallace O’Donnell, Chairperson Limerick Civic Trust, Fiona Kiely, Artist and creator of the Mick Mackey Plaque and Pat Mooriarty, Limerick Civic Trust at the un-veiling ceremony of the Mick Mackey Plaque erected by the Limerick Civic Trust in the Gaelic Grounds on the Ennis Road.
Clarina man Dermot Doolan and his 17-year-old son Lee celebrate their recent victory in the European Father & Son Golf Championship in Barcelona.
Ciaran Carey (left) and John Quane (right) were honoured as the Limerick Senior Hurler and Footballer of the last 25 years, at the ‘Team Of The Last 25 Years’ Gala Banquet hosted by Limerick GAA in the Strand Hotel. They are pictured receiving their awards from Limerick GAA County Board Chairman Liam Lenihan.
Willlie O’Dea, Minister for Defence and Chris Renyolds, Director of the Irish Coastguard performing the opening ceremony for the new building extension to the Limerick Marine Search and Rescue to their HQ on the dock Road.
Denis and Deirdre Leonard with Trevor Morrow at the Russel Fountain Relaunch.
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Scholarship Recipient Sinead McCarthy, Kilmallock County Limerick pictured with the President of Ireland Mary McAleese. Dr Martin McAleese & All Ireland Scholarship Sponsor JP McManus in the Grounds of the University of Limerick. 17
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Claire and Rochelle O’Connor. The legendary Captain Morgan arrived in the Trinity Rooms to pump up the party.
Pictured at the Captain Morgan party night in the Trinity Rooms, Limerick were: Brenda Wall, Orla O’Halloran and Michelle and friends from Bentleys Bar.
Mike Ryan, Headmasters & Cappuccinos, Raphael Mullally, Russells Bar, CharlieMcDonnell & Kate Sheahan, St Gabriels School and Centre with Freddie Dore, Head Chef at Russells Bar receiving his signed Liverpool Jersey worn by John Aldridge during the recent Liverpool Legends v Limerick Selection match held in Jackman Park.
Jimmy O’Gorman, Chairman of the Munster GAA Council, unveiling the Mick Mackey Plaque which was erected by the Limerick Civic Trust at Limerick Gaelic Grounds. 18
Pictured at the special customer evening in the Strand Hotel hosted by Garrett’s Speciality Butchers in association with Bord Bia are: Sheila Kelly, food advisor, Bord Bia, with Garrett Landers of Garrett’s Speciality Butchers and his wife Fiona and son Michael.
Pictured in the Strand Hotel for the annual Garryowen RFC Ladies Lunch & Fashion Show, held to raise funds for the club are: Ger Clarke, Garryowen FC; event organizers Fran Hogan and Emer Dannagher; and Cillian Slattery, President of Garryowen RFC.
Pictured at the opening night of ‘The Silence Of History’, an exhbition by Ireland’s most celebrated sculptor, are Prof Roger Downer, Chairperson of the Hunt Museum, with the sculptor John Behan, Dorothy McCormack, and Bill Whelan, renowned composer.
Marking the first anniversary of trading by Wickes DIY Limerick branch at Ballysimon Road are Orla Woods, Wickes Marketing Manager, with Ann Bowen and Gary Connell of Limerick’s Live 95FM. www.businesslimerick.ie
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Announcing the stage of the Limerick Special Olympics Christmas Parties to be held at Punch’s Hotel in Mid-December are Eric Conihan, General Manager, Punch’s Hotel; Amanda Dawson; Emily Hurley, nominated as the face of the Special Olympics 2010; Gaye Moore, Limerick Special Olympics; Eleanor Noonan; Kaid Britton; and Daragh Merritt.
3, Ireland’s fastest growing mobile network, have entered into their first major rugby club partnership, with a one year sponsorship of the UL Bohemians rugby club. Ruth Griffin (wife of Alan Quinlan), is pictured at Thomand Park for the launch, with Munster and former UL Bohs players Barry Murphy, Tommy O’Donnell and Paul Warwick, with club captain John-Ed O’Connor.
Warming up the Locke Bar every Thursday night are Nick Carswell, aka The Piano Man, pictured here leading a sing along with Carol Hogan, Jane Copley, Liz Long, Joy Gardiner and Linda Hogan.
Pictured at the recent Network Ireland regional meeting in Thurles are: Dorothy Quinn, formerly of UPS, Valerie Dolan, Dolans Music Venue and Elaine Maher from the Tipperary Institute. The aim of the event was to introduce businesses to new customers from Cork, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. It was hosted by Network North Tipperary and funded by the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board. Photo: Gwyn Wallace.
At the opening of the new building extension to the Limerick Marine Search & Rescue HQ on the Dock Road are members of the Limerick Marine Search & Rescue with Chris Reynolds, Director of the Irish Coastguard; Cllr Ger Fahy, Deputy Mayor of Limerick and Trustee and Founder Member of the Marine Search & Rescue Service; and Willlie O’Dea, Minister for Defence.
Dr Martin McAleese, Minister for Education, Northern Ireland, Caitríona Ruane, MLA, President of Ireland Mary McAleese, All Ireland Scholarship Sponsor JP McManus & Minister for Education & Science, Batt O’Keeffe, TD.
Fergus and John Moran celebrate their fathers 80th birthday in Punches Hotel recently.
Dave Barry, Bernard and Anne Redmond, Mike Shaughnessy celebrate with Jim Moran at his 80th birthday bash.
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Limerick mother wins ‘Business Parent of Year At the annual Maternity & Infant Awards in association with Hibernian Aviva Health, Mary Meyer was awarded Business Parent of the Year 2009. Mary and her husband, Altus, run the Fit4Life Fitness centre in Killmallock, Co Limerick. Both parents work 40+ hours a week running the centre, still managing to raise their 10-month-old without any childcare assistance. This story demonstrates the challenges facing parents who are running businesses through a recession, and how with passion for family and business life, you can achieve balance. In this, the second year of the awards, 10 people received awards for outstanding contribution whether in their working or home life, and 13 products / services were awarded for excellence in quality. Over 24,000 votes were cast online for this year’s awards.
Airport management role for SDA mooted by mayor The Department for Transport is being urged to investigate the possibility of handing shared responsibility for the management of Shannon Airport to Shannon Development and the Shannon Airport Authority. Mayor of Shannon Councillor Sean McLoughlin said the Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) continued management of the local airport was stifling the facility’s ability to expand and develop new opportunities for itself. The Mayor stated: “Shannon Airport is fortunate to have such a good local management structure in place. However, the Shannon Airport Authority’s ability to enact change is prohibited by the Department of Transport’s continued delay in affording it full autonomy. The Shannon Airport Authority needs to be able to control its own resources, income sources and marketing strategies without having to contend with the overbearing influence of the Dublin Airport Authority’s ruling hand.” Mayor McLoughlin added: “While full autonomy for Shannon Airport might not be feasible at the present time, as the financial structures are not yet in place to support such a move, it would be feasible to suggest that management of the airport could be shared equally by Shannon Development and the Shannon Airport Authority. Shannon Development’s background in promoting tourism in and attracting
Mary Meyer
Special discounts at Racecourse for Christmas Festival For the four-day Christmas Festival at Limerick Racecourse, from December 26-29, the Racecourse are offering an ‘early booking’ discount to all patrons booking on-line before the end of November, along with group discounts on all tickets. A special online price of €20 for St Stephen’s day is currently on offer. Check out www. limerickraces.ie for more information. 20
new business top the region would complement the expertise that has been built up by the current management team at Shannon Airport.” Mayor McLoughlin pointed to Shannon Development’s previous involvement in the management of Shannon Airport as an indication of the regional agency’s ability to contribute positively to the airport’s future development. “Shannon has a new unique selling point as the only European airport with complete pre-clearance for customs and immigration for US entry. However, the airport’s ability to promote this fact is stifled by the DAA’s Dublin Airport-orientated market strategy. A Shannon Development-backed autonomous role for the Shannon Airport Authority would undoubtedly breathe new life into the County Clare Airport and deliver real potential for growth in the future”, concluded Mayor McLoughlin.
Dunraven Arms has the best hotel bar
Declan Quinn, AFH Manager for Kenco is Slaney Murphy, Sales and Marketing Manager for the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare.
Congratulations to the Dunraven Arms Hotel for their great achievement of winning their latest award for Best Hotel Bar In Ireland by The National Hospitality Awards 2009, which took place in the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin recently. Other recipients were Thornton’s in Dublin, which scooped the Best Restaurant award, while The Europe in Killarney was named Best Overall Hotel. It was a moment to be savored for the Dunraven Arms who were shortlisted for this award last year but missed out on being the overall winner, however this year they managed to top the tables. www.businesslimerick.ie
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Launch of great Limerick run Members of Limerick’s Sporting elite Rosemary Ryan and Ollie Moran were joined by local comedian Karl Spain and to launch the Great Limerick Run, a new marathon, half marathon and 10k run that will transform the city on May 2nd 2010. The new event which will be part of the May Bank Holiday Riverfest festivities will help put Limerick on the world map in terms of marathon and street running and is set to bring over 7,000 participants to Limerick in 2010 which could boost the local economy by an estimated €10million. Speaking at the launch Martin Tynan, Event Organiser, said, “we have been working as a group behind the scenes for the last 18 months in an attempt to fill the last big void in Limerick’s sporting calendar. The Great Limerick Run not only sees a marathon return to our native city for the first time in over 25 years but also provides the runners of all calibres and experience a means of taking part with a half marathon and 10k option. The job starts here to get the word around to people of all running ability that a world class event will be taking place in Limerick next May and that there is no better place to come to enjoy a weekends sport than Limerick. We have put great thought into formulating a route that will offer both a challenge to the elite athletes but will also help showcase the historical and modern parts of the city to participants and spectators alike.”
that is unique to Ireland. It is the first ever time that a 10k, half marathon and full marathon have been held in the same location in one day and will be the most exciting event on the Irish running calendar in 2010. It’s specifically designed to be accessible to people of all ages, ability, mobility and fitness levels. The route for the Great Limerick Run commences at the Peoples Park and will see the participants pass many great Limerick sights including Georgian Limerick, Thomond Park, King John’s Castle, the University of Limerick and the River Shannon itself. Shannon Development’s Limerick Development Division Manager Eoghan Prendergast, said, “The development of sports tourism is an integral part of Shannon Development’s tourism strategy. The fact that we have been able to integrate this event into the already successful Riverfest weekend allows us to market the Great Limerick Run as a weekend away for competitors and spectators to sample the delights Limerick has to offer.” The Great Limerick Run is being supported by Shannon Development, Limerick City Council, Limerick County Council, Limerick Sports Partnership, Limerick Regeneration Agency, the Limerick Coordination Office and the Sporting Limerick promotional brand. Full details are available on www. greatlimerickrun.com.
The Great Limerick Run is a sporting event
Shannon Chamber Companies Benefit Six Shannon Chamber member companies have directly benefited from an equality and diversity training programme organised by Shannon Chamber while all one hundred and ninety four members now have template equal status and equal opportunities policies to implement within their companies at their own pace. Funding for this initiative was secured by the Chamber from the Equality Authority via the European Commission DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities PROGRESS Programme. The threemonth project concluded on 10 November. This was the first EU-funded programme undertaken by Shannon Chamber. It involved the Chamber surveying member companies to assess current equality and diversity practices, organising a half-day introductory seminar and running a two-month training programme, delivered by Adare Human Resource Management for interested companies. While the current economic climate and the necessity to remain focused on day-today operational issues prevented many companies from allocating time to this training, the six companies that did – Avocent International, eFlexes, Grant Thornton, Pacific Network Services (Europe) Ltd., Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa Limerick and Shannon Development were fulsome in their praise for the initiative. Companies that could not participate for corporate-specific reasons can now avail of two template equality policies – Equal Status and Equal Opportunities, prepared by Adare Human Resource Management. These can be downloaded from Shannon Chamber’s website: www.shannonchamber.ie.
At the launch of ‘’The Great Limerick’ run , a new marathon, half marathon and 10k run to be held May 2 2010 during the Limerick May Bank Holiday Riversfest were: hurler Ollie Moran, comedian Karl Spain and athlete Rosemary Ryan. Details are on www.greatlimerickrun.com www.businesslimerick.ie
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Tom leads way in ‘sound and lighting’ supplies It’s no surprise that Bruff-based businessman Tom Walsh of Hear It Sound & Lighting chose a Limerick cause for donation of the proceeds from his company’s win of the recent Dragon’s Den Corporate Olympics Challenge. A proud Limerickman, Tom loves Limerick, and is passionate in highlighting the wealth of positive things that the City has to offer.
One of the most dynamic and innovative providers of lighting and sound effects in Ireland for the past 20 years, Tom Walsh, of Bruff-based Hear It Sound & Lighting. loves his work. It’s clear from talking to him that he loves interaction with people, and is dedicated in the pursuit of excellence for his clients. Tom’s family are small business owners and ran a bakery in Knocklong, Co Limerick, for many years, and so he is no stranger to the hard work and long hours needed to run your own company. Tom started off in the sound and lighting business 29 years ago after playing DJ at his sister’s 21st birthday party. He loved the buzz he got from it then, and even now, although he takes a backseat on the DJ side of things, being on the road and working at events is what motivates him. Hear It Sound & Lighting provides an extensive range of lighting effects and sound equipment for indoor and outdoor events including weddings, fashion shows, corporate events, theatres, concerts and local festival events. The firm also provides a professional and fun music DJ with music to suit all ages and tastes and for all types of functions. Hear It Sound & Lighting have sup-
Tom Walsh of Hear It Sound & lighting at work in the conference Centre in Thomond Park.
plied sound and lighting for such high profile events as the screening of the Heineken Cup Final in O’Connell Street and the Munster team homecoming in 2006 and 2008 with Futurama Productions; Maureen O’Hara’s 80th birthday in Foynes; Muhammad Ali’s visit to Ennis; the recent Limerick Pride event in Limerick City; and many others. Much of Tom’s success can be attributed to
getting out there and going for it over the years and he maintains that networking has been very important for his business. “Making the most of my contacts has been a significant factor in the success of Hear It to date,” says Tom. “Anytime we got a whisper of a contract, we went after it – we won some and we lost others but now we are now ‘almost nationwide’ and service clients all over the country.” The current economic climate is presenting new challenges. There is more negotiation involved in contracts and tenders as people are watching their cost base. But on the flipside, Hear It has never been busier. Tom says: “The recession is killing me! I am very busy particularly with charity fundraising events. As charities compete for funds, they are holding more and more fundraising events of different types and they need sound and lighting for that. It’s about negotiation and offering added value and cost effective solutions to clients right now but above all else, they need you to be reliable. People who are organizing events need to know they can trust you and that you won’t let them down at the 11th hour.”
Tom Walsh sets up & checks the sound system for a conference in Thomond Park.
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Tom is delighted that Limerick is hosting the biggest sporting event in Ireland next year when the Special Olympics will take place in Limerick City & County in 2010 (June 9th to 13th). Hear It Sound & Lighting has been supporting the fundraising drive for the Games and they won the recent Dragons Den Corporate Olympics Challenge earlier this year, donating their €1,000 winnings to the Special Olympics ‘Sponsor an Athlete’ programme as part of the forthcoming Ireland Games. Tom is passionate about Limerick and believes that the City has loads to offer. “It is very exciting that the Special Olympics organizing committee decided to hold the Special Olympics National Games here,” he says. “I would love to see local businesses working together to provide the organizers with the products and services they need to run the Games, that would be a fantastic boost for Limerick and the benefits to the local economy would be huge.”
The Hear It victorious team at the recent Dragon’s Den corporate Olympic Challenge.
Hear It is a family business and without the support of his wife and children, Tom would not have been able to start the company and invest the time to develop it to the stage it’s at today. He has three children, Eilis (23), Domhnall (19) and Eadaoin (15), and both Eilis and Domhnall work at Hear it. Tom also works with an extensive team of sub-contractors to tailor services to clients’ needs. The main priority for Hear It now is on moving steadily forward, running a tight ship and above all, staying focused, on clients needs. To find out more about Hear It Sound & Lighting and its services, contact Tom Walsh on 061-382010 or 087-2617283, e-mail him on tomhearit@gmail.com, or check out their website, www.hearit.ie .
The Team: Tom, Anne and Eilie Walsh.
Limerick Special Olympics organisers prepare for a huge influx for Games Some 2,200 Special Olympics athletes from the four corners of Ireland will arrive in Limerick to participate in the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games, which will take place from the 9th to the 13th June in 13 sports competitions held in different venues
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throughout Limerick city and county. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Special Olympics Games in June 2010 can contact Gaye Moore on 087-2766012, or send an e-mail to gaye.moore@twb.ie. or limerick@specialolympics.ie
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Balanced regional development is vital The vital contribution regions can make to Ireland’s national recovery was the main theme to emerge at a Shannon Development conference this month in Thomond Park Stadium Limerick. Officially opened by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Coughlan, the ‘Dynamic Regions — Future Directions in Regional Development’ was organised by Shannon Development to mark its 50th anniversary and to help provide a blueprint for future directions in regional development. National and international experts in the field of regional development converged on Thomond Park to consider how the regions can help to rise to the challenge of ensuring balance development in all parts of Ireland. Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, the regional development agency for the Shannon Region, pointed out that over 40% of Ireland’s population lived outside the capital, and so had a right to expect a good standard of Limerick.
“The Shannon Region has unique strengths and dedicated people working in partnership to harness these strengths, and are already making valuable contributions to getting Ireland back on the road to national recovery. The challenge, now more than ever, is to continue invest in our Regions to ensure balanced development in all parts of Ireland,” he said. Tánaiste Mary Coughlan highlighted the Government’s commitment to regional development, stated that strong regions would help Ireland to “grow and sustain” a strong national economy. “I believe the time for strong regional development is now. Mobilising the contribution of each region to national competitiveness is at forefront of what we do,” the Tánaiste added. However, as guest speaker, economist Jim Power, pointed out, it was critcally important for the Mid-West economy to have continued investment in transport infrastructure such as ports, airport, rail and road.
Dr. Vincent Cunnane with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Coughlan
Mr Power also highlighted the need for the region, and the State, to have a competitively priced power supply, without which, economic and commercial activity would be in “jeopardy”. He also pointed out that another “musthave” for potential investors would be access to high-speed broadband “A highly skilled flexible workforce is a prerequisite to many FDI companies in their search for a new base. If any of these basic requirements are missing or weak in a region, then it puts that area at a huge disadvantage. This is why it is vital to continue to invest in these key economic drivers.”
New wireless broadband firm to create 35 jobs A merger of between two Irish Wireless Internet Service Providers, Amocom and Callidus/Omnitel, is expected to create 35 new jobs. The combined firm, Ripple Communications Limited - ‘Ripplecom’, has revealed it hopes to increase its workforce from 14 to 50 fulltime employees over the next three years by growing its customer base to 30,000, expanding services to all 26 counties and partnering with industry leaders to provide the best-of-breed services. Ripplecom began trading earlier this month from its Headquarters in Blackpool, Co Cork, and regional office in Limerick. It currently has 3,100 customers in twelve Counties and operates from 235 wireless access points (WAP). The company’s expansion plans are being supported by IFA Telecom while significant funding has been secured from Farmer Business Developments (FBD) to drive customer numbers. According to Managing Director John Mc24
Donnell: “Ripplecom’s core focus is to provide broadband connectivity to Residential, SoHo, SME and Corporate customers within an ever expanding footprint and to work with communities to deliver a sustainable broadband service.” Commenting on the merger, Mr. McDonnell noted that Ripplecom would enable Amocom and Callidus/Omnitel to grow more meaningfully than they could on their own. He continued: “The merger allows us to build a stronger, more resilient company. Through this combination, Ripplecom will increase its presence in the wireless broadband market, where its team of experienced engineers will continue to build a countrywide network and service that is both accessible and cost efficient for business clients and residential customers alike”. Mr. McDonnell noted that Ripplecom’s growth would be driven by the demand for its services in urban, semi-urban and rural
areas of the country that have limited or no broadband service. He explained: “The provision of quality broadband is essential for the development of businesses and jobs in communities across Ireland. We are looking forward to expanding our network into other poorly serviced parts of the country as we are very aware that such vital infrastructure is key to attracting investment to these areas”. Prior to the establishment of Ripplecom, Callidus traded as Omnitel with IFA as one of its shareholders. The South County Dublin based company provided broadband services to counties Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Wexford, Dublin, Laois, Kildare, Meath and Offaly. Cork-based Amocom, meanwhile, serviced counties Cork, Waterford and Clare. For more on Ripplecom’s broadband coverage and pricing arrangements see www. ripplecom.net, telephone 1890-RIPPLE or email info@ripplecom.net. www.businesslimerick.ie
............................................................................................................................... BL | NEWS
UL celebrate inking of deal on groundbreaking technology Senior researchers at the Stokes Institute in the University of Limerick have just announced the signing of commercial agreements that will see an Irish developed ‘micro cooler’ technology - used for cooling purposes in computer devices - widely used across the computer and electronics industry worldwide. Up to 50 million ‘micro coolers’ will initially be required, and the University of Limerick will benefit from potential license revenues in excess of US$1 million. Unique benefits of the micro cooler include improved performance, reduced energy consumption, lower noise, and reduced manufacturing costs. U.S. semiconductor giant, AMD, has been granted a development licence by the University of Limerick to customise the micro cooler technology for next generation AMD products, while Asia Vital Components, the world’s largest supplier of coolers for central processing units (CPUs) and microchip modules (MCMs), have signed a world wide, non-exclusive, licence to make and sell the micro cooler.
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AVC has indicated that the company’s initial requirements for micro coolers will be between 30 and 50 million units. However, the volumes that are required could eventually exceed hundreds of millions. The University has filed a number of patents on the new technology, which will result in smaller, quieter and more energy efficient products for end users. It is intended that the new cooling technology will be used initially in devices such as desktops but will eventually see use in laptops and handheld electronic devices such as the new graphics hungry mobile phones.
Pictured with the micro cooler technology are, from left, Dr Edmond Walsh, Senior Research Fellow, and Dr Jeff Punch, Technical Director, Micromechanical Engineering, Stokes Institute, University of Limerick.
For the University of Limerick and Stokes Institute, the advent of the new technology and the creation of partnerships with AMD and Asia Vital Components represent a major endorsement of research in Ireland. The micro cooler technology evolved after more than five years of extensive research in the area identified a series of previously unreported cooling interactions that could be manipulated to create more efficient thermal management of electronic devices. Re-
searchers at the Stokes Institute discovered a new technique of combining new fluidic phenomenon with specially arranged cooling surfaces. This led to the design of an innovative single cooling device that is smaller, cheaper and considerably more energy efficient than technology currently on the market. The Stokes Institute believes the commercialisation of high-tech research is not just a long term aspiration, but a goal that it has repeatedly delivered upon. The micro
cooler technology is just the first of a number of innovative cooling solutions developed in the Stokes lab which the University anticipates will be brought to market. The research that resulted in the creation of the micro cooler was funded by Enterprise Ireland, with the State agency also providing support to the University’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) to assist in the commercialisation of the research.
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BL | NEWS
City nightspot Trinity Rooms wins fourth consecutive Irish Hospitality Award It was a big thumbs up all round for Limerick’s Trinity Rooms who picked up their 4 consecutive Irish Hospitality Award’s “Best Night Club” accolade at The Four Seasons in Dublin. In a resounding thumbs up for Limerick’s Hospitality Industry, Trinity Rooms was just one of 4 local winners with 1 Pery Square picking up the Best New Hotel Award and the Dunraven Arms winning Best Hotel Bar while Pallas Foods took home the best supplier award. The 1,400 capacity city centre club & venues came top in what was, according to Emily Hourican, editor of Hospitality Ireland magazine, “the most closely contested category of all”, alongside Dublin’s Krystle and The Wright Venue.
Celebrating their fourth consecutive National Hospitality Awards ‘Nightclub of the Year’ title, are Pat Barry and Joe Clarke (back row, second and third from left, respectively), with members of staff, Ciara Noonan, Ger Fitzgerald, Rocky O'Shea, Tommy O'Doherty and Jenny Cosgrave.
The judges said: “Constantly setting new standards for innovation and excellence in the night club field, Trinity Rooms is once again a worthy winner in this category”
in previous years, some of the country’s top performers across the entire hospitality industry, North and South.
The Hospitality Ireland Awards were attended by Minister Michael Martin and, as
Joe Clarke of Trinity Rooms said “ We are truly delighted that the judges chose us once
again this year, it’s real validation from within our industry that we’re doing something right, but a nightclub is nothing without it’s customer so this award is theirs and we’ll be throwing them a huge free party to celebrate later this month!”
Pandora Bell launches a luscious range Fines for not paying M50 of nougat just in time for Christmas A dream come true for nougat lovers and gourmet foodies. Limerick based boutique confectionery label Pandora Bell has launched four flavours of Honey
Nougat, just in time for Christmas. While the taste is heavenly, the recipes are simple; honey, nuts, egg whites, sugar and cocoa butter conjure up a treat loved in Italy for centuries. The secret to the rich sweetness is. pure honey and no artificial colours or preservatives. Nougat is an important part of the Christmas tradition in France and Italy and no Christmas table is complete without some indulgence. The thirteen desserts are the traditional Christmas dessert in the French region of Provence.
Nicole Dunphy, founder of Pandora Bell
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The desserts are traditionally set out Christmas Eve and remain on the table until December 27.
Nougat takes pride of place among this selection. Pandora loves style as much as taste and the bars of Honey Nougat are a perfect gift. That being said, nougat is not just for Christmas. it’s for Life, and Pandora’s Honey Nougat will find a place in the hardest of hearts long after Santa has done his rounds. Pandora Bell is a new confectionary label based in Limerick. Pandora’s aim is to bring the best and most virtuous sweet things to Ireland. The Pandora Bell range is stocked by independent retailers nationwide and a range of Christmas hampers is available at www.pandorabell.ie For further information, contact Nicole on 086 8241823
toll on time total e12m
The National Roads Authority (NRA) has this year collected €12M in fines from motorists that have failed to pay the M50 toll on time. Over 20 million motorists have used the barrier-free toll road system between January and September, accumulating €71M in revenue.
The M50 barrier-free toll system has accumulated €71m in revenue
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BL | News
Ryans Jewellers, still sparkling with diamonds after 45 Years in Limerick A family-run business since 1964, and celebrating 45 years in business this year, Ryans Jewellers are located on Roches Street in the heart of Limerick. Their extensive range of Diamond Rings and Wedding Bands brings together old favourites and the newest contemporary trends. Whether your preference is a simple solitaire, a fabulous fancy cut, or a classic three stone, whatever you decide on, let your diamonds do the talking!
for money considering its rarity, but palladium with its new official hallmark is now recognized amongst the industry as a precious metal and will suit gents in having a hard wearing metal, that is naturally white but not as expensive as the heavier, rarer platinum”. Whatever your personality, individuality and lifestyle, Ryans Jewellers have a wedding band to suit you.
Ryans have a customised service for diamond couples, personally selecting loose diamonds and individual mounts, sourced from the best diamond suppliers and based on your chosen style, their experienced goldsmiths will hand craft your unique engagement ring.
R is for Rings For every occasion and bud-
Equally Before saying “I Do”, make sure to visit Ryans where you’ll find an extensive wedding band collection in a combination of metals, platinum, gold palladium and stainless steel, with or without diamonds. Fionagh Ryan of Ryans comments that “Platinum still represents excellent value
Ryans Jewellers THE DIAMOND PEOPLE
Ryan’s Jewellers, Limerick; the name that says it all ...
get...
Y is for You Our focus, first time and every time.
A is for Advice Expert, honest and friendly... N is for Names Brands of quality and discernment.
S is for Service Without compromise
or
equal...
Let your diamonds do the talking
Ryans Jewellers
44 Roches Street, Limerick. Tel 061 417828 www.ryansjewellers.ie www.businesslimerick.ie
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BL | CHAMBER
The Limerick Chamber Presidents Dinner 2009
Alan Ahearne, (Guest Speaker Special Advisor to Minister for Finance), Dave O’Hora, Southern Advertising,(MC) Maria Kelly, CEO Limerick Chamber, Harry Fehily - President Limerick Chamber, Bruce Bullock, UPC Ireland(Main Sponsor). Claire Nash, Nash 19th Restaurant, Mary Fehily.
Tracey and Clive Larkin, Heineken Ireland, John Cummins, Heineken Ireland, Harry Fehily President Limerick Chamber, Mark and Clodagh Coleman, Heineken Ireland(Associate Sponsor).
Irene Hamilton and Alan English, Limerick Leader
Maura McMahon, Limerick Chamber. Ann Power, John Harrington, Sinead Clohessy, Specsavers(Associate Sponsor).
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Garry David Jordan and Anna Maria Barry, UPC Ireland, Harry Fehily - President Limerick Chamber Collette and Bruce Bullock, UPC Ireland(Main Sponsor).
Rose Hynes, Michael Walsh, Harry Fehily - President Limerick Chamber. Sinead Teefy, Tadhg Kearney Jewellers. Tadhg Kearney, Tadhg Kearney Jewellers (Associate Sponsor).
Martina McGrath, Limerick Chamber, Joe Nash, Live 95FM, Maura McMahon, Limerick Chamber.
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BL | CHAMBER
Limerick Chamber Staff; Martina McGrath, Dearbhla Tobin, Maura McMahon, Harry Fehily, President, Maria Kelly, CEO, Betty McLoughlin and Anne Morris.Harry Fehily - President Limerick Chamber. Chamber Staff. Jim Sexton, Holes O’Malley Sexton, Maureen Parkes, Fine Wines, Karen Burns, Adhesives Research, Graham Burns CPL Group, Mary Fehily, Ralph Parkes, Fine Wines(Wine Sponsor).
Michael Noonan TD. Maria Kelly, CEO Limerick Chamber.
Dan Neville TD, Cllr Maria Byrne, Sean Lally, Limerick Strand Hotel, Mayor Kevin Kiely, Pat Hourigan, Harry Fehily - President Limerick Chamber, Micheal Noonan TD, Cllr Michael Hourigan, Doreen Kiely.
JC Gubbins, Connor Murphy Gubbins, Harry Fehily - President Limerick Chamber, Declan Power, Shannon Airport, Brendan Doran, Southern Advertising.
Maria Kelly, Limerick Chamber. Vincent Cunnane, Shannon Development. Kiernan O’ Donnell TD. Harry Fehily - President Limerick Chamber.
Celine Fehily, Harry Fehily - President Limerick Chamber.
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Ralph Parkes and Maureen Parkes, Fine Wines(Wine Sponsor), Harry Fehily - President Limerick Chamber. 29
BL | NEWS
Local firm takes Seedcorn regional prize Limerick company, Cauwill Technologies, is guaranteed to walk away from InterTradeIreland’s ‘Seedcorn’ Competition with a prize at least €25,000, having triumphed in the Munster regional finals
stage of the competition to take the prize for Best Emerging Company. The software company will now go forward to the all-island finals in Dublin where they are in with a chance to scoop one of two overall top prizes of €100,000. Based in Moylish Park, Limerick, Cauwill provides software and services to enrich and empower the mobile, web and personal navigation experience. Cauwill’s main product, PinPoints, solves the problem of describing a location and is initially being targeted at the travel sector, specifically hotel booking engines. Although the company’s formation
was as recent as July 2009, this product already has subscribers in over 66 countries worldwide. Speaking about the regional winner prize fund that the company has secured, Dr Ian Rice, co-managing director said: “The €25,000 prize fund is a fantastic boost to us, and we will use some of this to go to travel and trade shows to begin to establish contacts and build relationships with key targets in those sectors.” Liam Nellis, chief executive of InterTradeIreland, the all-island business development body which runs Seedcorn, commented: “Cauwill Technologies is a very worthy regional worthy winner and is good example of how hard work and innovation quickly pays off when establishing and growing a new company. Cauwill Technologies will join Ferfics, who won the title for Best High Growth Company in the same regional final, and six other regional winners from Dublin, Connacht & Leinster, and Northern Ireland to vie for the all-island titles.
Pictured are, from left: Ronan Skehill and Ian Rice of Cauwill Technologies.
100pc pass rate for BDO Simpson Xavier Limerick accountancy firm BDO Simpson Xavier enjoyed 100% success in the Final Admitting Exams for the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland (ICAI). A total of nine trainee chartered accountants sat the final exams and will now become Associates of their representative body, the ICAI. The successful trainees included members of the Limerick offices audit and taxation departments specialising in areas such as auditing, taxation and financial accounting. Commenting on the firms success in the ICAI exams, Audit Partner Diarmuid Hendrick ‘we are extremely proud of our colleagues in achieving this 100% pass rate. It is a credit to their hard work and commitment
and their success is well deserved. All nine have gained from the day to day experience of working with a diverse range of sectors and clients from Multi nationals and SME’s.’ He added ‘We place considerable focus on our trainees and their career progression. BDO Simpson Xavier was selected as one of the Top 50 Places to Work in for the past five years and this achievement reflects on the calibre of trainees who work with the firm and the quality of training received in the formative stages of their career.’ The Limerick firm has just closed its graduate intake programme for 2010 which saw a significant rise in applications for trainee accountant roles within the firm.
Munster stars tog out for ‘Santa Dash’ in aid of the Barnardos charity Ireland and Munster Rugby stars Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls get into the Christmas spirit by helping Santa (Patrick Walsh) train for the Barnardos 5k ‘Santa Dash’, Ireland’s largest charity fun run, which takes place on Sunday, 6th December in Marley Park., Dublin.
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Barnardos, Ireland’s leading children’s charity is inviting families, friends and colleagues to take part to help raise vital funds to keep Barnardos projects open. Those wishing to join in the fun can register at www.barnardos.ie or text JOG to 51444. www.businesslimerick.ie
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Mid-West Mayors unite to condemn Aer Lingus plan The Mayors and Cathaoirligh in the Mid-West Region today said that Aer Lingus’ survival plan might be the death knell of Shannon Airport and the Mid West Region’s industry and tourism sectors if it is implemented in its current form. At a meeting in Ennis, the Mayors of Clare and Limerick City, and the Cathaoirligh of North Tipperary County Council, Limerick County Council and the Mid West Regional Authority outlined their opposition to plans by the airline to reduce transatlantic services and remove the company’s US base at Shannon Airport with the loss of 102 cabin crew jobs. Speaking following the symbolic meeting, Leo Walsh, Limerick County Councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Mid West Regional Authority said thousands of jobs, the economic viability of the Mid West Region and the sustainability of entire communities depended on the retention of existing transatlantic services and jobs at Shannon Airport. Noting the “critical and strategic” importance of Aer Lingus’s transatlantic services at Shannon, Cllr Walsh predicted “disastrous, far-reaching consequences” for the local economy if the airline was to implement its plan to end the direct Shannon-New York route in early 2010. Cllr Walsh pointed out that proper access to the US market underpinned all of the developments and improvements that were underway throughout the Mid-West and along the Atlantic Corridor. The Mayors and Cathaoirligh also accused Aer Lingus of giving preferential treatment to Dublin Airport in relation to the operation of its transatlantic services. According to Cllr. Walsh: “It is clear that
New acquisition for online dating entrepreneurs Gráinne Barry & Kevin Greene, the internet entrepreneurs, behind the No.1 Irish Online Dating site www.anotherfriend.com have today acquired the UK online dating site, www.makefriendsonline.com for an undisclosed sum.
Cllr William O’Donnell, Leas Cathaoirleach, Limerick County Council; Cllr Kevin Kiely, Mayor of Limerick City; Cllr Tony Mulcahy, Mayor of Clare; Liam Conneally, Director, Mid-West Regional Authority; Cllr Denis Ryan, Mayor of North Tipperary; and Cllr Leo Walsh, Cathaoirleach, Mid-West Regional Authority; at Aras Contae an Chlair, Ennis, for their recent meeting.
there is an ulterior motive behind Aer Lingus’ decision not utilise the new United States custom and immigration preclearance facility in Shannon Airport for its transatlantic services until the middle of 2010. The airline’s confirmation that it will not be in a position to use this facility until such time as the Dublin facility is also in operation is a slight on Shannon Airport and the entire Mid West Region.” Invoking the Mid-West’s status as “the region that helped establish and nurture” Aer Lingus, Cllr Walsh called upon Aer Lingus to immediately clarify their intentions regarding Shannon. “We also call on the Minister of Transport, Noel Dempsey, to intervene in the interests of ensuring the viability and vitality of business and tourism interests in the Mid-West region consistent with the Government’s policy of promoting Balanced Regional Development, as stated in the National Spatial Strategy”, concluded Cllr. Walsh. The Mayors and Cathaoirligh, meanwhile, confirmed they would be seeking an urgent meeting on the issue with the Minister for Transport and all TDs in the Mid West.
Gráinne Barry, Managing Director said: “We have always wanted to operate in the UK Online Dating market and this acquisition offers us the opportunity to do so. www.MakeFriendsOnline.com is one of the most venerable brands in the UK Dating industry. It is in operation since 2001 and has featured in the UK top 10 dating sites on occasion. This acquisition allows us to strategically develop our business model into a larger market with similar cultural and social traits.” “www.anotherfriend.com currently has 60% + market share of the Irish Online Dating market, with over 12million page impressions monthly and 250,000unique visitors. Our new venture will also operate a dating brand in the Irish market, where MakeFriendsOnline.ie also has a strong customer base,“ Ms Barry said. She added: “We have known Martin and Marcus at MakeFriendsOnline for a number of years and feel we share a like-minded approach in providing a quality customer experience with a broad community reach, for consumers looking for a Premium and innovative site experience.” Martin Bysh former MD (and now of www. smooch.com) said: “MakeFriendsOnline. com was one of a handful of pioneering UK online dating brands. We had several interested parties but felt this was the best fit for our members. We will continue to work with Gráinne & Kevin during the transition and on possible future opportunities
SDA extends its sponorship for Street Ambasadors Shannon Development has announced its sponsorship of Limerick’s pioneering Street Ambassador programme which will see roving tourist guides back on the streets of Limerick during the Winter.
Eoghan Prendergast, Shannon Development’s Limerick Division Manager is pictured here with some of the enthusiastic Limerick Street Ambassadors.
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Dressed in Munster red, the Street Ambassadors had a successful summer season, helping almost 13,000 visitors in the
City. The winter programme will operate on a pilot basis to coincide with major events such as the Georgian Christmas Market, shopping and rugby games. Eoghan Prendergast, Shannon Development’s Limerick Development Division Manager said, “The Street Ambassadors do a wonderful job and we are delighted to extend our sponsorship, and rein-
state the programme for Christmas shopping season and major sporting events during winter.” The programme will see the 12 Ambassadors lending their support for events that attract tourists to the city such as, the Heineken Cup and Magners League Games, Winterfest, the Georgian Christmas Market and the main shopping weekends up to Christmas.
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BL | civic trust
News from the Limerick City Trust By Denis Leonard
Richard Russell Fountain Returns to the ‘Park’ The Richard Russell fountain was at the centre of celebrations on Tuesday 10th November when the Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Kevin Kiely officially unveiled one of the plaques on the dome of the fountain which reads as follows “Fountain built in 1877 restored in 2009 by Limerick City Council and Limerick Civic Trust during the Mayoralty of Cllr. Kevin Kiely. The Mayor graciously thanked Limerick Civic Trust for their contribution to the project. Gabrielle Wallace O’ Donnell welcomed the many dignitaries and guests to the unveiling of the restored Richard Russell Fountain. The Civic Trust Chairman continued, “at the opening of The People’s Park in 1877, Mr. James Spaight, then Mayor of Limerick said that “he had no doubt that the park would prove a valuable place of recreation for the people”’. I am sure that Mr. Spaight would be very happy to see so many people enjoying The Peoples’ Park in the 21st century, making it truly a ‘People’s Park. Limerick Civic Trust has many associations with The Peoples’ Park, the restored bandstands and shelters, the seats, the restored kiosk and a tree that was planted by the Chairman with the help of the Norwegian Ambassador, the wonderful Pery Gates, opened by Edmund Pery, Earl of Limerick in February 2008, the beautifully designed information panels sponsored by the Heritage Council and designed by Fiona Kiely of Limerick Civic Trust. The Trust are now pleased to add the impressive restoration of the Richard Russell fountain to this list of successful projects. These achievements would not have been brought to fruition without the leadership and foresight of Denis Leonard, Director of Limerick Civic Trust,” she added. Limerick Civic Trust joined the GAA during their 125th anniversary celebrations. A plaque, cleverly designed by Fiona Kiely of Limerick Civic Trust, in honour of Limerick hurling hero Mick Mackey, was unveiled at the Gaelic grounds on the Ennis road. The Chairman of the GAA made a welcoming 32
Limerick Civic Trust staff: Carolyn Barrett, Una O’Carroll, Denis Leonard, Fiona Kiely, Debbie Jacobs and Kate Harold at the Russell Fountain in the People’s Park.
speech while Gabrielle Wallace O’ Donnell took time to congratulate the GAA on their outstanding achievements. The Limerick Civic Trust also hosted a table quiz at the Strand Hotel to raise funds for ongoing and future restoration and conservation projects. A very enjoyable event and the winners on the night were Shannon Development . Limerick Civic Trust will be launching the Hall of Fame limited edition calendar for 2010 in early December which will make an ideal Christmas present. The calendar is an creative reproduction of 12 Hall of Fame portraits, by Dr. Tom Ryan RHA, on permanent display at the Bishops’ Palace. The launch date will be announced on our website www.limerickcivictrust.ie. This is a limited edition calendar with only 450 copies available. Your nearest and dearest may also appreciate the gift of membership for Limerick Civic Trust in 2010
for the modest sum of €20.00. For light entertainment the Georgian House and Garden Christmas Musical Celebration offers you seasonal entertainment by the well known Limerick Choir Ancór with their Musical Director Celia Madden on Thursday 10th of December at 8.00 p.m. This year the choir will be joined by special guest Limerick Tenor Derek Moloney. Tickets are priced at €25 and will be available from the Georgian House at No. 2 Pery Square. Santa Clause will be at the Georgian House on Sat 12th, Sun 13th and Mon 14th. Tickets are priced at €25.00 inclusive of a gift. There is no charge for parents who are invited to relax and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while the elves will entertain the children before they visit Santa. Booking is essential as Santa is very busy and is almost fully booked. For further details or information telephone 061 313399. www.businesslimerick.ie
INNOVATION IN MARKETING
A Strategy For Small Business This workshop will take a look at the various considerations required for developing an effective business strategy while also requiring you to reflect on your business core competencies Overview: • What creates value for your business? • Importance of Differentiation • Dangers of short-termism • (Perceived) Service Quality • Market Research • Customers: loyalty, retention & profitability • Routes to Value Creation and the Growth Ladder • Core Strategy & the Value Ladder • An Introduction to Develop a Marketing Strategy Prior Booking Essential as Places are Limited Date: Wednesday 2nd December Time: 6pm – 9pm Venue: Clarion Suites Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick Trainer: Sean Keane, Mid West Management Training For more information/bookings please contact Claire Howard at 061 312611 or email choward@limceb.ie
Supporting Small Business Limerick City
Christmas Invitation
Limerick City Enterprise Board invites you to our
Christmas Networking Event Date: Thursday Dec 10th 2009 Time: 6.15pm for 6.30pm Finish – 8 pm Venue: Strand Hotel Limerick RSVP by Thursday December 3rd - Booking essential Telephone: Claire 061-312611 or E-mail: choward@limceb.ie
www .limceb.ie
BL |NEWS
National award for Clare Motor Tax Office The Clare County Council Motor Taxation Office was presented with a prestigious national award by the Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA) at a ceremony held in The Burlington Hotel, Dublin recently. The Service, which was the first Motor Tax Office in the country to receive a Quality Service Management Award (Q-Mark), was named overall winner of the “Government Health and Social Services” category at the National Quality Excellence Awards. Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy said the award success was the culmination of over five years of hard work by the Clare Motor Tax Office to further improve customer service standards. He added: “Clare Local Authorities are delighted that the Motor Tax Office has been selected ahead of a significant number of other shortlistees, including hospitals, prisons and local authorities throughout Ireland.” The Clare Motor Tax Office, which is headquartered at Francis Street in Ennis, is re-
Mary Skehan, Authorised Officer (centre) and Anne Marie Finn, Assistant Staff Officer (right) of Clare County Council Motor Tax Office, receive the ‘Government Health & Social Services Award’ from Irene Collins, Managing Director, Excellence Ireland Quality Association, at the National Quality & Excellence Awards.
sponsible for the issue of all vehicle licences and driver licences for County Clare. The office also deals with change of ownership transactions and parking fines while it provides services to the Courts Service of Ireland, An Garda Síochána and Solicitors, as well as State, Semi-State and other regulatory bodies.
EIQA’s National Quality and Excellence awards are one of the most eagerly awaited events in the corporate calendar. The awards celebrate the drive, commitment and achievements of all nominated companies, committed to quality in the island of Ireland. For more see www.eiqa.com
Seecode VOSSOR PhoneBook provides another good reason to look in the rear-view mirror! One to watch out for… In case you needed another reason to look in the mirror Seecode VOSSOR PhoneBook has revealed a fully integrated Bluetooth hands-free device that combines all the
benefits of a mirror and a hands free unit with up to 25 hours of talk time from a single charge and 500 hours of standby time. With no hard wiring it’s quick and easy to install, which only
takes you a few seconds to clip onto the existing mirror and connect. The display, microphone, speaker, and operating buttons are all fully integrated and ideally located at face level and in the
line of sight in the rear view mirror. It’s the perfect hands-free solution blending seamlessly in to your car. The Seecode VOSSOR PhoneBook synchronises with your mobile phone, displaying caller ID and holding up to 600 contacts. The German design is stylish, ergonomic and has safety in mind allowing the user to make and receive calls without having to touch their mobile phone meaning no risk of penalty points. It’s a safe solution; looking in the mirror is something you do as part of everyday driving. The Vossor PhoneBook complies with legislation, everything is directly in front of you, and the buttons are easy to operate. Cost: RRP 139-149 Euros Available: Available in most Vodafone stores and online at Vodafone.ie and Micksgarage.ie
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NOVEMBER 2008
The largest commercial property portfolio ever to Shops on O’Connell Street, Limerick City come to the Irish market O’Connell Street, Limerick city continues to be an attractive O’Connell Street, Limerick.This was the former “Nestors” In what is one of the largest property portfolios ever to be John Buckley Director at DTZ Sherry FitzGerald states that and in-demand trading street for retailers. Rooney Auctioneers Pub/ Restaurant/ Nightclub. Prior to that it was a famed placed on the Irish market, DTZ Sherry FitzGerald will be of- the portfolio offers the opportunity for investors, retailers and (Limerick) transactions on three very known as “Nestors” which traded innationwide fishing tackle/ fering 49Limited formerhave Firstfinalised Active branches to the market. The shop owner occupiers to acquire an excellent spread of attractive new shop units on O’Connell Street, Limerick. guns/gifts/toys etc. disposal of the 49 branches is part of the banks merger pro- freehold and leasehold units on strong retail pitches in excelgramme announced earlier this year. DTZ Sherry FitzGerald lent provincial and city locations. 2will O’Connell Street: for “Foot Solutions” be responsible marketing the surplus properties, which 59/60 O’Connell Street: “Food Fair” Foot Solutions have just opened for business in this excellent of A top “Food will Fair”behas just for Treaty business in this are a mixture of leasehold and freeholds. A large proportion Theclass properties sold onopened a Private basis, either trading location. This is a company based in Cork City now busy trading location on the site of the former “Nellie Martins” the portfolio falls within the Leinster region. individually, grouping or as an entire portfolio. News Agents known to generations of Limerick people. opening retail units at Limerick; at Galway; at Waterford; etc. is aSherry great FitzGerald boost to trading streetparThe portfolio will offer 24 freehold units comprising 2 invest- This DTZ would in likeLimerick’s to direct premier all interested Rooneys are now negotiating on four different restaurants 28 O’Connell Street : “Sequoia Lane” ment opportunities, 22 leasehold units and 3 units which ties to www.49properties.com or alternatively please callinfreecity where new traders will be commencing business Sequoia Lane opened for and business in a most arehave partlyjust owned freehold part leasehold. The Limerick phone1800 49 20 09. attractive retail unitapproximate next door tototal the value Augustinian Church at very shortly. of the 24 freehold properties amounts to in the region CH CAROLINE HOGAN of €13.50 million, with lot sizes varying from €200,000 MS MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS to in excess of €2 million. The majority of the propUnit 15 Racefield Centre, Father Russell Rd. Dooradoyle, Limerick erties are well located Tel: 061 309920 on high profile pitches including locations such as PROVIDING THE SOLUTION TO ALL O’Connell Street Limerick YOUR FINANCIAL NEED as well as towns such as We are specialists in Ennis, Tralee, Thurles and financial services. Clonmel. ¤ Á µáàà×ÞÞ Åæä××æ¬ ú¸ááæ ÅáÞçæÛáàåĈ §«¡¨¢ Á µáàà×ÞÞ Åæä××æ¬ ú¸ááÖ ¸ÓÛäĈ ¤ª Á µáàà×ÞÞ Åæä××æ¬ úÅ×ãçáÛÓ ¾Óà×Ĉ The leasehold interests currently held by First Active, vary widely in terms of lease length and passrents. In total tothe Property Partners de Courcy O’Dwyer ing are delighted to bring units provide a combined the market a one off mature site in this unrivalled location. The site passing of regular approxicomprises of approx. 0.0211 hectares (0.5 acres)rent and is mately €1.75 million. shaped in configuration with approx 40 meters road frontage. Current passing rents for Located on the west side of the Mill Road one of Limericks finest the properties vary from residential locations. This is a mature and tranquil setting. €13,000 per annum to approximately €120,000 The property comprises of a part derelict cottage with extensive per annum for some of the mature trees throughout. The site which would lend itself to either higher profile locations. a substantial one off house or up to four units (subject to pp) is for The leases, as would be sale at a quoting price of €430,000. expected have a variety of expiry dates from as early For full PDF brochure please log on to www.propertypartners.ie as 2 years. or contact Property Partners de Courcy O’Dwyer 061 410410 Barrack House, O’Connell Avenue, Limerick.
Whether you are first time mortgage hunter, seeking to re-mortgage a property, in need of advice about debt consolidation or Life Assurance, we can help.
Hillstone Lodge, Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick We are regulated by the Financial Regulator both as a Multi Agency Intermediary and as a Mortgage Intermediary.
Caroline Hogan
We offer a fast, friendly and 100% independent financial solutions service, and we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction. Caroline Hogan T/A Caroline Hogan Mortgage Solutions is regulated by the Financial Regulator.
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Knowledge is our property Limerick: 061 418111 Dublin: 01 639 9300 Galway: 091 569181 Cork: 021 4275454 Belfast: 048 90 233455 Offices To Let ft t en q R er s * p €8
FBD House, Parnell St, Limerick
Warehouse/ Distribution For Sale/ To Let
- Fully fitted modern office suites available for immediate occupation
Annacotty Business Park - Prime warehouse/ distribution units - Units available from 434 sq m - 1827 sq m - Eaves Height from 7 - 8.77 meters
- First Floor 284.8 sq m Second Floor 284.8 sq m approx.
- 24 Hour Security
- Flexible lease terms
Contact John Buckley on 061 418111
- Tenants incentives available Contact John Buckley or Ciara McCarthy on 061 418111 * subject to contract
Development Site - For Sale by Private Treaty Crossagalla, Ballysimon Road, Limerick - Prime Industrial Development Land measuring approx. 0.82 hectares (2.03 acres). - Zoned “General Purposes .
Office Suites - To Let Deloitte & Touche House, Charlotte Quay, Limerick. - Fully Fitted modern ground floor office suites
ad
o - Located in Limerick’s primary nR imo s y l retailing and business area off Bal the main Waterford / Ballysimon Road. - Full Planning permission for 12 Industrial Warehouse units. - For sale by Private Treaty on the instructions of Osprey Property Ltd.
- Available for immediate occupation - Suite 1 - 92.9 sq m - Suite 2 - 136.38 sq m - 4 car parking spaces - Attractive lease terms available Contact Ciara McCarthy on 061 418111
Contact John Buckley or Ciara McCarthy on 061 418111
Retail / Office - For Sale / To Let Park Point, Dublin Road,
Wanted Commercial Site
Limerick - Retail warehousing units from 760 sq m (8,180 sq ft) approx. - Office space from 485 sq m (5,220 sq ft) approx. - Tenants include Travel Lodge, Cafe Noir and World of Wonder - 292 car parking spaces - Located in main shopping area of the city adjacent to Aldi, Parkway Retail - Park, Parkway Shopping Centre & the proposed Park Valley Retail Park
Wanted on behalf of a retained client 1 - 2 acre Commercial Site with Road Frontage Newcastle West & Dooradoyle Contact John Buckley on 061 418111
Contact John Buckley on 061 418111
DTZ Sherry FitzGerald is Ireland’s largest commercial property advisory network and is part of DTZ’s global reach of over 10,000 people in 43 countries.
www.dtz.ie
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Expanding frontiers in Russia For me, growing up in Limerick, Russia conjured a number of pictures in my mind. Attacking the faith, enslaving central Europe, threatening atomic war and its people living in poverty. But as we know, nothing is as it appears. I first went to Russia in late October 1992, working for an Irish company who had been operating a subsidiary company in Moscow since the mid-1980s. I agreed to go for one month to look at the sales operation. After two months in Russia, our company decided to set up a separate operation in St Petersburg (Leningrad) in March 1993. I set up the sales force and also become the “western” face of our operation to deal with western companies. Most western companies who set up operations in Moscow during the early 80’s and 90’s had western management in senior positions, and they were happier to deal with a western face. Within three years, I took control of the St Petersburg company and it prospered, even with the usual business problems that all companies in a new and unstable market suffer. At that time, Russia was borrowing large sums of money from foreign bankers and in a lot of cases the funds were squandered (see ‘Globalisation and its Discontents’ by Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Prize for economics) written in layman’s language. In late 1998 Russia reneged on its borrowings from western banks and western companies ran from the country. They stopped all growth and expansion plans, our turnover in October that year dropped to 60,000 US$ from high six figure turnover per month in the previous three months. No employees were sacked as we had spent a lot of money training them in the latest systems and technologies and we believed that the market would move forward again. We expanded into other areas of the market that could benefit from the strengths of our staffs knowledge and understanding. It was a tough period but looking back we learnt invaluable knowledge and gained immense experience from the turmoil.
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St Petersburg has a population of six million people and if you include the Leningrad region or Oblast, the land mass is roughly the size of the 32 counties. It is the most important transit point between Finland and Moscow, which is 600km south. The Russian people are very similar to the Irish, and are extremely good hosts. Tradition, religion and history are important to them, and they are good businesspeople. Returning to Ireland recently, I have been saddened and disappointed by the mess politicians, bankers, and so called leaders have got us into. We must bear some of the responsibility for allowing it to happen. How could an acre in central Dublin be worth millions of euros? I am convinced that Ireland as a small open economy with a market size of four million people must find export markets to get growth back on line. It worries me that senior managers in some Government agencies have never had the experience of running their own business and dealing with the numerous hurdles placed in front of a company on a daily basis. Their management knowledge was gained in the lecture room or as part of a large multi-national company but they never had the experience of learning from their own mistakes or by walking the streets and gaining it the hard way. Bills must be paid, staff wages must be paid, and some profit must be allocated for the proverbial ‘rainy day’ before the owner or share-
By Ed Maddock
holders see what is left for them. Over the past 17 years I have built up a network of contacts I have done business with. There is a hard core of ‘expats’ who either own their companies or are attached to the country and progressive Russian companies that we have dealt with who have proved to be progressive, honest and reliable in any number of market segments. If I do not have a contact or connection invariably some of my contacts will. This personal ‘door opening’ can short circuit at lot of time and wasted costs. It also gives you a better quality of contact as they have proved to be reliable and professional in the past. My intention is to return to Russia before Christmas and to represent a small number of companies there. Progress reports will be forwarded on a regular basis stating actions performed and proposed action. This may entail refining our plans, possible further samples, payment terms, meeting with senior personnel etc. This service will not be provided free, however my intention is to cover my operational costs. I will be providing full office facilities (phones, faxes, computers etc) and additional personnel as required. This is an opportunity for Irish companies to expand into an unlimited Russian market at a time when most need to. Contact Ed Maddock @ 087 7837148 for details. Web: www.b2bcss.com
St Petersburg, Russia, where Ed Maddock was based for several years, has a population of six million people, and is the most important commercial transit point between Finland and Moscow.
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Organise your party now!
It is never too soon to start planning your company Christmas party‌
www.weddingcarslimerick.com www.businesslimerick.ie
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The phrase ‘book early to avoid disappointment’ is never more applicable than at Christmas time. So if you’re organising the event, ensure you don’t disappoint an entire office of colleagues, and book your preferred party date as soon as possible. Developing ideas for bespoke Christmas events that will be the talk of the office for years to come is not easy.
Business Limerick is here to help you find the ideal Christmas party, whether you are providing for six or 600 employees, and to take the hassle out of the organisation for you. Christmas parties are an absolute must for companies, whatever their size. A night out to remember at Christmas is an excellent way of saying a big thank you to your staff. Christmas comes but once for all
the hard work they have put in over the year and developing a high level of team spirit. It is a time for reflection and reconciliation as well as a great opportunity to let your hair down and party hard. If you are a small company you may want to consider one of the many shared Christmas parties on offer in locations around the country, or even further afield.
Christmas in Gallagher’s and J.P. Clarke’s 2009 Alongside our normal fare we have 2 very special set Christmas menu’s to offer €35.00 Per person in J.P’s €49.50 per person in Gallaghers. To add to the Christmas athmosphere we will have Live music in J.P’s A selection of finger food menu’s are also available in J.P’s
Live music in J.P. Clarke’s for Christmas 2009 Friday 11th of December Saturday 12th of December Thursday 17th of December Friday 18th of December Saturday 19th of December Sunday 27th of December Wednesday the 30th of December New Year’s Eve
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Clarke's Country Pub
Bunratty, Co. Clare, Ireland Tel: 061 363363 Fax: 061 362362 Email: info@gallaghersofbunratty.com Web: www.gallaghersofbunratty.com
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At Bruschetta Bar, we are passionate about great food. We also want you to enjoy your meal, so we take excellent service and customer satisfaction just as seriously. Enjoy our experience with a home delivery or eat in our restaurant. 3 Course Christmas Menu’s starting from E19.00 per person 3 Course Early Bird Menu E19.00 per person Kids Special Saturdays until 6.30pm Kids under 6 eat for frEE The only pizza delivery service in Limerick offering gourmet pizza’s cooked using a traditional stone oven and pasta sauces cooked fresh from raw basic ingredients.
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“You taste how much we care”
Mount Kenneth Place Henry Street Limerick Tel: 061 400 500 Fax 061 400 501 www.bruschettabar.com
To order call us on 061 400 500 or you can always come and enjoy your meal here, see our open kitchen and watch your Pizza being made and cooked at our friendly restaurant in Limerick City.
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If you have 80 or more people, why not consider an exclusive event at one of the many stunning venues available. First do not focus your energy solely on the buffet! The belief that food is what draws workers to a Christmas party is likely to result in a poor uptake—those kinds of parties can become all too predicable.
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C H R I S T M A S
P A R T Y
N I G H T S
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Bunratty Castle Hotel has excelled itself time and time again with great new party ideas to create that festive cheer. To be guaranteed a fun filled night out, contact us to see what we can offer you for Christmas 2009. SETTING THE TONE Start off with a complimentary drink served by Mr & Mrs Claus at 7pm. Get a chance to meet up with your friends or colleagues before the dinner bell rings at 7.30pm for a splendid 4 course meal. The meal commences no later than 8.00pm! CHRISTMAS TOP OF THE POPS The 5 piecs band “The Eternal Flames” wil play all your favourites from Cher, Tina Turner, Boy George, Madness, ABBA, Bee Gees, Rick Ashley, Wham, Madonna, Blondie and many more! LATE NIGHT DISCO If you have energy left after the Band, it will soon disappear, when D.J. Rubix takes to the stage and finishes the evening off in great style. TICKETS Tickets include 4 course meal, entertainment, bar extension and more! €49 per person. (Full payment must be received by 27th November).
PARTY MENU
We pride ourselves on producing the very finest of cuisine throughout the year. At Christmas this is especially true and we are pleased to present a truly wonderful festive banquet for you and your guests to savour. Duo of Galia & Watermelon with a Wild Berry Jelly and a Tropical Orange Sorbet or Fricassée of Chicken & Mushroom served in a Pastry Cup with Chive Oil or Cream of Leak and Potato Soup *** Roast Sirloin of Irish Beef, Horseradish Sauce & Yorkshire pudding or Soft Herb Crusted Salmon, Filo wrapped Tiger Prawns, Baby Caper Lemon Sauce or Roast Stuffed Turkey & Honey Baked Ham served with Cranberry Sauce *** Bunratty Symphony of Desserts
ACCOMMODATION Special accommodation rates available for €55 per person sharing.
*** Tea or Coffee
Christmas Gift Vouchers also available For further details contact Deirdre Telephone 061 478 700 Email: deirdre@bunrattycastlehotel.com ww.bunrattycastlehotel.com
Royal Dorbar
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Finest Indian Cuisine
Take Away | Delivery | Reservation
Party experts claim that the most deadly type of holiday party tends to be a sit-down dinner at the boss’s house, which often has a pressure-filled conservative atmosphere. Say the wrong thing and you could be out of favour at work for the next few months!
Book now for Christmas Parties early Bird menu 5pm – 7pm
What people want is a relaxing atmosphere — and the knowledge that they can let their hair down. So instead try your best to secure the kind of environment that will encourage people to relax and have a good time.
4 Course meal €16.95 sunday Lunch €11.95 1pm – 4pm open monday – sunday 5pm – 11pm
Tel: 061 404 795 / 061 406 796 Unit 3 Corn Market Road, Limerick www.royaldorbar.ie 44
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For example, you could choose to have a designated receptionist announce the names of each new arrival, crown them with a Santa hat with their name and then read out something humorous about them. It’s a trick that works well at large corporate parties, when customers or large number of employees participate and not everyone knows each other. First names on Santa hats also work much better than name badges as they are less formal. And the hats then double as party favors which everyone gladly takes home. Take a picture of all employees in Santa hats personalized with employees names and gather as many pictures from the party as possible and post them on the company bulletin board for anyone who missed the party.
Above all, good planning is essential to make the party a success. And remember, it is supposed to be a fun event where people can really let themselves go!
“The authentic ‘True-Art’ from a truly Thai Food experience.” 21 Henry Street,Limerick teL: (061) 469662 www.siamcornerthairestaurant.ie
NOW BOOKING FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES Business Hours
Lunch: tues-Fri: 12.30-3.00pm Dinner: mon-Fri: 5.00-11.00pm Sat-Sun: 3.00-11.00pm
early Bird menu Available mon-Fri: 5.00-7.45pm Sat-Sun: 3.00-7.30pm
www.businesslimerick.ie
take-Away Deliver Service 5.30-10.00pm
Saturday & Sunday
3.00-5.00pm 4 courses for €17.50
We cater for Vegetarian & all Food Allergies
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MULTI AWARD WINNING INDIAN CUISINE RESTAURANT & TAKEAWAY
/PCPEZ HJWFT ZPV *OEJB MJLF XF EP ®
Poppadom Early Bird Special
#PPL ZPVS $ISJTUNBT 1BSUZ /PX
3 courses €19.95 (3 courses vegie €17.95) Sun - Thurs 5 till late, Fri - Sat 5 to 7.20 pm
Christmas 4 Course Menu E27.95 OPEN 7 DAYS: Sun - Thurs 5pm - 11.30pm • Fri & Sat 5pm - 12am Unit 2c Robert Street, Corn Market Square, Limerick 061 44 66 44 oTher PoPPadom brancheS:
Unit 5b, newlands cross, dublin 22 · 01 - 411 11 44 • 91a rathgar road, dublin 6 · 01 490 23 83 • 34 o’connell Street, Sligo · 071 914 71 71
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The Imperial Hotel with Escape Salon & Spa Christmas Gift Card Special OUR GIFT TO YOU - Spend €250 and receive a complimentary 2 Night Stay at any Flynn Hotel during the months of January, February & March 2010 (the €250 spend can be made up of multiple vouchers but must be made in the one transaction)
The beautifully wrapped Imperial Gift Card is the perfect gift this Christmas
AT THE IMPERIAL HOTEL Tel: 021 7306603 | purchase on-line @ www.flynnhotels.com
THE IMPERIAL HOTEL Cork City. Tel: 021 4274040
THE NEWPARK HOTEL Kilkenny. Tel: 056 7760500
OLD GROUND HOTEL Ennis. Tel: 065 682 8127
THE PARK HOTEL Waterford. Tel: 058 42899
BL | NEWS
Visionary solutions for businesses Vision Plus Consulting is a firm of highly qualified business management professionals who are dedicated to supporting owner managed businesses through the current economic crisis. The fundamental proposition at Vision Plus is that commercial success is built on proper planning and control. With the downturn set to continue in 2010 it is imperative that business owners recognise that professional business planning and control is a pre-requisite for survival and that it should in effect act as a commercial sat-nav. It is best business practice
From left: Gerard Dillon, Cora Bluett and Brian Meehan: Directors, Vision Plus Consulting Limited.
Limerick and Clare in Regional Waste Reduction event The “best waste is waste that is never produced” is the key message from the Limerick/Clare Regional Waste Management Office (RWMO) ahead of European Week of Waste Reduction, taking place from 21-29 November. Limerick and Clare are among 21 regions across Europe taking part in the annual initiative, which involves over 2,000 projects aimed at advising the public, authorities, businesses and other organisations about the waste reduction habits they can take up in everyday life.
which results in greater profitability, helps maximise business potential and makes it much easier to source finance. Vision Plus is helping business owners get a handle on exactly where they are at the moment, and is helping them to prepare business plans to see them through to June and then on to next December. In this regard business owners need the ‘black and whites’—the actual financial analysis presenting current position, month on month budget measured against actual performance and daily or weekly cash flow analysis. Without the ‘black and whites’, business owners have an incomplete, probably inaccurate, understanding of their real position. Vision Plus clients are business owners who want a professionally run business. Vision Plus prepare a monthly business performance report for directors and attend a monthly management or board meeting to assess prior month’s
Gerard Dillon, Vision Plus Consulting Limited (right), with clients Neal Kelly, Director, Thomond Asset Managment; and Colm O’Brien, Managing Director, Carambola Kidz.
performance and the priorities for the coming months. Brian Meehan FCCA, Ger Dillon B. Comm FCCA and Cora Bluett MA ACCA are the directors of Vision Plus and they have huge business experience having worked with companies such as Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, CocaCola, Lloyds and Cable & Wireless. After just 18 months, Vision Plus
has consolidated an excellent client base, and they are now looking at expansion in 2010. This expansion will be predicated on a commitment to provide a first class service to client that will enhance their professionalism, increase their profits and save them money. Brian, Ger and Cora can be contacted on 061 310 060. See www.visionplus.ie
Believe and achieve — that’s the motto of Limerick-based coaching firm Trinity “Believe and achieve” was the theme at the launch of Limerick’s new life and business coaching company, Trinity at the Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel recently. Event hosts, the Trinity team of coaches, Pat Roche, Pat Mulcahy and John Finnerty explained how coaching has quickly become one of the leading tools that successful people use to live extraordinary lives. “Coaches work with clients to identify what they want personally and professionally, and to support them in achieving a life that they really want and love. Coaching offers a means of more balance, joy, intimacy, energy, financial abundance, focus and action in every area of life.,” stated Pat Roche.
the purpose of meeting the clients needs in reaching their desired, attainable goals in all areas of their life. Evolve your inner images and thoughts and this will reveal yourself to you.” Tom Finnerty believes that the coaching process is important in today’s economic climate. “We support the client and develop strategies to achieve their goals and outcomes. Our priority is for the client to understand who they are and identify and clarify what they want. As the great Oliver Wendell Holmes said, ‘The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we are but in what direction we are going.” The three coaches are Pat Roche (087-6484119); Pat Mulcahy (087-2572092); and John Finnerty (086-8177942). The Trinity office is located in Roselawn House, University Business Complex, National Technological Park. 061-633373.
Pat Mulcahy continued, “Take a journey of self discovery and realise your personal power through awareness, self worth and fulfilment. Learn your true values, and the limiting beliefs “Believe and achieve” is the title of that prevent us from reaching full Trinity’s seminar in the Carlton CastlePat Mulcahy, Trinity potential.. Take a step to bring your life troy Hotel on 12th January. The into balance and remember if any area of your beliefs seminar covers the areas of self discovery, financial in that area needs to be changed. The term co-active independence and realistic achievable goal setting. refers to the basic nature of a coaching relationship in which the coach and client are active associates. This For details contact the coaches, or Roselawn House 061 633373. relationship is a partnership between two equals for 48
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Instore founder honoured at national event Founder and owner of furniture shop Instore - Limerick man Oliver Moloney has received national recognition at the FBD Retail Excellence Ireland Awards after his Instore located in Stillorgan, Co.Dublin was named National Store of the Year 2009 at the country’s largest retail sector awards. The announcement was made at a gala event held at Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny recently, with awards being presented by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, T.D. Hosted by TV and radio personality, Miriam O’Callaghan, the Awards were attended by more than 450 representatives of the retail industry in Ireland. Instore was one of 13 recipients from across the country to scoop an award at the annual event, which seeks to recognise and reward high standards of excellence across the entire retail industry. Meteor – with three dedicated Limerick stores – won the second highest accolade of Company of the Year 2009 and Unicarepharmacy – with stores in William Street, Jetland, Skycourt, Parkway and Roxboro Shopping Centres received Company of the Year 2009 – Best Employer. Senator Feargal Quinn was bestowed a special Lifetime Achievement Award.
Oliver Moloney, founder and owner of Instore accepting The Retail Excellence Award along with management of Instore’s Dublin store accepting their award from Fergal Quinn. Also pictured are Paul Condon of Retail Excellence Ireland and Michael Berkley of FBD
Owner and founder of Instore, Oliver Moloney said: “It is a huge honour for me and my staff to have been named National Store of the Year from amongst our peers, not least of all because these past 12 months have been especially tough for Irish retailers and the conditions have really tested our mettle. At Instore, we are still committed to the same philosophy that we started out with 21 years ago - that quality and design should include affordable furniture – and I believe that’s what will keep us in business for at least another 21 years,” he said. Overall winner, Instore, is a fully Irish
owned business founded by Oliver Moloney in 1988 with the goal of bringing something new and unique to the Irish furniture retail market.. Headquartered in Limerick, and employing more than 100 people, there are seven Instore shops around the country – two each in Limerick and Cork and one each in Waterford, Galway, and Dublin. Established by industry group, Retail Excellence Ireland in 1997, the awards have been sponsored by FBD Insurance for nine years running and are the only awards in the country which seek out excellence across the entire breadth and depth of the retail industry and not just one particular sector.
Photographer Liam honoured for work with Concern LIMERICK photographer, Liam Burke, won the prestigious International Development category at the Ireland Involved Awards last week for his work with aid organisation, Concern. The award—part of a Volunteering Ireland initiative, supported by Specsavers— was presented to Mr Burke by President Mary McAleese at a ceremony on November 5. Mr Burke received the award for his work with the Irish charity, with which he has been involved for over 20 years, and said it “was a great honour and privilege”. A spokesperson said: “His contribution www.businesslimerick.ie
as a volunteer has been exceptional. The use of photographs is a powerful tool in communications and he has made his professional expertise available to Concern over two decades. His work has propelled the name of Concern to a global audience whether it be the stark images from the crisis in Somalia in the early 90’s or a picture of a local debates team in a regional paper his work has been instrumental in documenting the story of Concern.” Concern added that “often working in difficult and challenging circumstances, Mr Burke has helped to forge an identity for and become part of what Concern is. His iconic photo of a malnourished young
boy on the shoulders of his brother was the key image used in a major fundraising campaign for the Ethiopia crisis in 1989, helping to raise in excess of IRE £1.5 million for our emergency appeal at that time”. “Getting a story quickly is never easy, getting a story from a far flung refugee camp or remote corner of the developing world takes extraordinary effort but he has travelled to over 16 countries in the developing world to volunteer with Concern, often making multiple trips in one year. His commitment in time has been enormous. Without his talent and dedication, Concern and would be far less visible,” it added. 49
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The Pinnacle BES Fund As the tax year end is fast approaching, many individuals are exploring ways of reducing their tax bill. Business Expansion Scheme (BES) tax relief offers both the self-employed and PAYE taxpayers an opportunity to reduce their tax liability by making a BES investment before 31 December 2009. (PAYE taxpayers will typically obtain tax relief as a refund of PAYE deducted during the year.) Individuals obtain a return on their investment via tax relief and also by obtaining a return on their investment when they dispose of their shares on exit. Limerick Accountants & Business Advisors Horwath Bastow Charleton are running the Pinnacle BES Fund for the third consecutive year enabling Irish companies secure investment from Irish taxpayers. They have a proven track record in equity and BES transactions - collectively they have raised, invested and advised on over 40 BES investment transactions worth almost €44 million and over 100 tax-based investment schemes worth over €750m. Horwath Corporate Rescue Partner and current President of ACCA Ireland Brian McEnery spoke about the importance of the BES, “we thought long and hard about running a fund this year as we see the country still grappling with the recession, mounting debt and a shortage of credit. However we firmly believe that it’s only by each of us taking action to get the country and business moving, and in the short term cash flowing, that we’ll fix our problems. The ECB won’t help the business owner in Tipperary or Kilmallock looking to grow their business and capitalise on new opportunities – and there are always opportunities, even in a recession – so that’s where the BES comes in.” The main benefits of claiming BES tax relief for an individual qualifying investor is that they may: • Claim tax relief at their marginal rate of tax on their investment. • This tax relief is available in full against total income. • The scheme allows an individual investor to obtain income tax relief on investments up to a maximum of 50
€150,000 per annum in each tax year up to 2013. • Unused tax relief may be carried forward to following years up to and including 2013 . • It is a one off investment. • The investor is tied in for five years after the share issue (rather than the fifteen years which applies for many other tax incentives). Horwath’s Pinnacle BES Fund is a designated investment fund. The benefits of investing in a fund include the following: • As the fund will invest in a portfolio of companies, the risk is spread across a range of companies in diverse sectors. • An experienced and professional management team will select and manage the investments. • As the fund would already be in funds, it should have stronger negotiating power with investee companies and should hopefully achieve a higher re-
turn for investors. • The fund is highly regulated by the Financial Regulator. • Funds may provide for transparency by way of bi-annual reporting to investors. Certainly Horwath are noticing a higher calibre of company looking for BES finance. The reasons for this include the fact that companies may now raise a maximum of €2m in BES equity finance (subject to a limit of €1.5m in a twelve month period). This limit had previously been €1m. In addition, BES funding offers a competitive source of finance and usually, no repayments are required for five years. From the individual’s point of view BES is a means of obtaining tax relief and of hopefully securing a return on their investment. Individuals who would like to obtain BES tax relief in respect of the 2009 tax year, must make their BES investment before 31 December 2009. www.businesslimerick.ie
........................................................................................................................... BL | RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH
FUSION – A Meeting of Cuisines
Relatively new to Limerick culinary world is Fusion Restaurant, situated over Collins Bar in Dooradoyle Road. Fusion’s good reputation built up over the last two years precedes them and we eagerly awaited our first visit. We called on a Wednesday evening and there was a good buzz of customers and the place was alive with activity. This is a most attractive, well laid out restaurant and it had a positive impact on me immediately. The aroma of garlic, spices and chilli was amazing. Beautifully decorated with authentic Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai ornaments, crisp white linen draped candlelit tables with the lighting discrete and un-intrusive.
Our host for the evening was proprietor, Teresa Thai, a familiar face for Limerick diners from her days with her brother Ricky Tan in the Shangri-La and the Ming Restaurant. For the last 5 years, prior to Fusion, she ran a successful restaurant business in Killarney. Teresa seated us and familiarised us with her wonderful menu and wine list. We left Teresa to decide on the direction of the evening and to share with us the delight of Fusion Restaurant. She served us a selection of starters which included Butterfly Prawns, scrumptious fried Japanese Scallops, Peking style spicy Spare Rib and Crispy Wonton. For main course, Aromatic Duck with Seafood combination, Vietnamese Beef Salad and Taiwan Pork Cutlets, served with Yung Chow Rice and spicy mixed vegetables. For Desert, we had Fresh Fruit Salad and Ice-cream and a delightful Black Forest Gateaux. This was a fantastic meal, perfectly presented and a credit to the inspired chef who created it. The service is top-class, professional and most knowledgeable.
The dictionary meaning of the word ‘fusion’ is something new created by a mixture of qualities, ideas with a release of energy. Fusion Restaurant certainly has created something new and with excellent qualities. The meeting of Thai, Vietnamese, Hong Kong cuisines have resulted in the creation of a new and original ‘fusion’ cuisine. In just 2 short years, Teresa and her husband Ivan Thai have perfected their cuisine and become one of Limericks leading restaurants. Business Limerick can whole heartedly recommend Fusion to our readers for an evening of superb culinary experiences. What makes one restaurant stand out from others is the giving of themselves, the personal touch. Teresa gives that personal touch and coupled with their excellent cuisine, Fusion is destined for continued success. Tel: 061 303038. BON APETITE! The Wines… A delightful New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Vicars Choice. This wine is fruit-driven and is an easy drinking style with clean flavours of gooseberry, passion fruit and citrus. We also had a wonderful Chablis, J Moreau et Fils. Refreshingly dry it has citrus and lemon flavours on the palate and finish. 51
BL | news
Local authority staff donate to charitable causes Despite the increasing financial constraints being placed on the Local Government sector, staff at Limerick County Council have demonstrated their generosity by donating €18,000 to various local charities. Over 300 Council employees have been making a voluntary contribution of €1.50 per week to the Staff Humanitarian and Benevolent fund since its inception in 2006. The majority of the €170,000 in funds raised to date have been donated to local, national and international humanitarian organisations whose aim is to relieve human suffering. Limerick County Council today presented Milford Hospice with a cheque for €4,000 and a further €14,000 to numerous other local charitable organisations and causes. Among the other local and national projects assisted by the Staff Humanitarian and Benevolent fund to date is Rathfreda House, Down Syndrome Limerick, Samaritans Limerick, Concern, The Red Cross, Jack and Jill Foundation, the Dialysis Unit at Limerick Regional Hospi-
Staff at Limerick County Council.
tal and the Irish Cancer Society. Since 2006, international beneficiaries have included Street Children of Bucharest, World Divine mission Africa, the Niall Mellon Irish Township Trust and a Romanian orphanage, which has received humanitarian supplies as a result of fundraising efforts. Meanwhile, over €250,000 worth of aid and eight emergency vehicles have been donated to several villages throughout Kosovo. One particular village called
The Oscar of the golfing industry
Mr.Eamonn Kennelly, Managing Director of Golf Vacations Ireland and chairman of the IGTOA, Minister Martin Cullen, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Ms Anita Higgins, General Manager of Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, Mr Joe O’ Flaherty, Director of Golf, Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort
Adare Manor is thrilled to announce their award of 2009 Resort of the Year by the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association. Hailed as the Oscars of the golfing world, Adare Manor was chosen by a panel their of highly respected industry peers who live, breath and eat golf and travel on a daily basis. Not just chosen for their excellence in golf, but the overall quality service. From the warm welcome by resident doorman John Greville, to the culinary experience that head Chef Mark Donohue and his team offer, Adare Manor is built on the strength and passion of the staff and the service they provide. Accepting the award on the night was General Manager, Anita Higgins. “This is truly a great honour for us at the Adare Manor, but I wish to pay tribute to those who got us here.” 52
Shale, which was bombed heavily during the Serbian-Kosovo conflict, receives annual supplies of sports equipment items such as copybooks, stationery, uniforms. In addition, the staff fund has supported the construction of a medical centre, which provides free health checks to the local people. The remote Balkans village has also received a second hand minibus, ambulance and fire appliance courtesy of the Staff Humanitarian and Benevolent fund.
Beautyqueen.ie Beautyqueen.ie is a new online shop that sells perfumes, aftershaves and tans at incredible prices. The person behind this brilliant website is Paula Keating of Keating’s Pharmacy. Paula saw that there was a growing need for an Irish based company to enter the beauty market. The advantage of being Irish is that our delivery times are much quicker than our competition. We can also offer our customers FREE delivery anywhere in Ireland. Also we will try our best to get in any fragrances you may have difficulty getting in the shops, just contact us on shop@beautyqueen.ie. Beautyqueen.ie offer amazing prices on all their products, and they even do free delivery. They have an array of Christmas giftsets that would be perfect under the tree. They stock brands like Armani, Burberry, Chanel, Hugo Boss and lots more. Beautyqueen.ie offers the perfumes, aftershaves and tans at the best value with the quickest, most efficient delivery network. www.businesslimerick.ie
BL | FINANCE
Passing of family business and estate planning? In this article, Paul Nestor outlines the key tax reliefs available to individuals who are aged 55 years or over and who decide to retire from or sell their business. Also reliefs that are available to children succeeding to the family business are discussed. While the national retirement age is set at 65 years of age, there exists under the Irish tax legislation provision for Retirement Relief for individuals who are aged 55 years or more at the date of disposal of the whole or part of their qualifying business assets. These assets must have been owned by the individual for the requisite period. Retirement relief only applies to an individual and not to a company or to a person holding a business in a fiduciary or representative capacity. It should be noted that an individual does not have to actually retire. Capital Gains Tax – Retirement Relief Where all conditions are met, retirement relief is given as a deduction from the gain, and no CGT will apply on the disposal of the assets if the proceeds do not exceed €750,000. A reduced relief is granted if the proceeds €750,000 and this relief is known as marginal relief. In the event that the individual disposes of the qualifying assets to their child or children, including a favourite niece or favourite nephew who has been working for the individual on a full time basis for the previous five years, the full amount of consideration is exempt from CGT irrespective of the amount of the proceeds, if any. If the child / favourite niece or nephew disposes or part disposes of the assets within 6 years of taking over the business, there is a charge to CGT equal to the charge which would have arisen to the parent had retirement relief not been claimed, plus any potential CGT liability which may arise on the disposal of the assets by the child / favourite niece or nephew. When these liabilities crystallise, they are payable by the child / favourite niece or nephew. Qualifying assets are chargeable business assets, which have used in the business or the company for a period of not less than ten years, (tangible moveable property is excluded from the ten year requirement). Chargeable business assets are assets which give rise to a chargeable gain on disposal. This ensures that business assets such as debtors and stock are not included in the calculation of
chargeable business assets, as they are assets which would not give rise to a chargeable gain on disposal. Chargeable business assets also excludes shares, securities and other assets which are held as investments. Qualifying assets can include shares in a family company, if the individual has owned the shares for at least ten years. The assets must be used for the purposes of farming or in a trade, profession, office or employment carried on by the individual or the individual’s family company. The individual must be a working director of the family company for the previous ten years and a full-time working director for not less than five of those years and own 25% or more of the voting rights or 10% or more when combined with their family, they at least own 75% or more of the voting rights in total. The consideration or market value if imposed for the qualifying assets disposed of by an individual since reaching 55 years of age are aggregated with the previous disposals to determine if the current disposals result in the limit of €750,000 being exceeded. The total lifetime relief available to the individual must not exceed the relief that would have been available if all disposals had taken place in the same tax year, but obviously after the individual has reached 55 years of age. Aggregating the sale proceeds of all the disposals may result in a claw back of the tax saving. Both retirement relief and marginal relief claimed by the individual will be subject to recalculations where the individual makes further disposals of qualifying assets in the future. The revised calculations will apply to current and past disposals to determine if the limit of €750,000 has been exceeded.
• •
Unquoted shares or securities of a company where the company is carrying on a qualifying business provided that the ben eficiary, after the transfer, holds more than 25% of the voting rights in the company, or together with their relatives, controls the company and holds at least 10% of the company’s issued share capital. The beneficiary must also have worked full time for five years with the company prior to the gift or inheritance. Any land, buildings, plant or machinery personally owned by the disponer but used by their company in the course of its trade and provided that the assets were transferred to the beneficiary at the same time as the shares in the company. The shares must also be relevant business property.
Specifically excluded from qualifying for the relief under the legislation are businesses that consist wholly or mainly in dealing in currencies, securities, stocks, shares, land or the making or holding of investments. Furthermore, where agricultural relief is claimed, business relief may not also be claimed. A further qualifying condition of the relief is that the relevant business property and assets being transferred by the disponer and in use by the business must be owned continuously for a period of five years prior to the date of the gift or in the case of an inheritance, two years. A strict interpretation of this rule will usually not be applied where the current business property replaced previously qualifying business property, that is, both periods are taken cumulatively. A period of ownership by the spouse of the disponer or a trustee may also be included to satisfy the period of ownership requirement.
Capital Acquisitions Tax – Business Relief Commission on Taxation Business Relief is a very valuable relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax in respect of gifts or inheritances of “relevant business property”. The relief provides a mechanism for the efficient transfer of family businesses and an incentive for the further development of such businesses. The relief is only available in the instance that the transfer of business assets coincides with the actual transfer of the business. The relief operates by reducing the taxable value of the gift or inheritance by 90% of the value of the “relevant business property”. The legislation determines the definition of ‘relevant business property’ as follows; • A business operating for a profit e.g. a sole trader.
The Commission on Taxation have recommended a number of measures in relation to the tax system. One is to reduce the value of business relief available on the transfers of business. Presently an effective 2.5% rate of tax applies but this could be significantly increased if the Commission on Taxation recommendations are adopted. Whilst it is expected that these measures would be adopted over a period of time, given the current economic climate, the measure may be adopted sooner rather than later. As such, it may be opportune to take advantage of the current reliefs and depressed property values for transferrings assets.
BDO Simpson Xavier are Ireland’s leading advisers to entrepreneurs and owner managed businesses. Paul Nestor is Partner in the Taxation Department of BDO Simpson Xavier, Limerick. He can be contacted on 061 414455 or pnestor@bdo-sx.ie.
Paul Nestor www.businesslimerick.ie
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BL | NEWS
Ennis company secures major linguaphone contract De Barra Education, based at the Shannon Development Information Age Park in Ennis, Co. Clare, has been appointed exclusive Irish Distributor for the Linguaphone Group, the world-leading provider of self-study and classroom-based language courses. Welcoming the announcement Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said “I would like to congratulate De Barra Education on securing this prestigious contract and wish them well in their new venture. I am also delighted to see that Shannon Development is continuing to provide high technology property solutions at their state-of-the-art Information Age Park in Ennis.” The Linguaphone Group operates in 60 countries around the world and has helped millions of people speak a new language. The current self-study Linguaphone portfolio includes 15 major languages presented in a range of user-friendly formats including CD sets, MP3 web downloads and the new Linguaphone MP4 player language courses. Speaking about their new contract, Chris Barry, Director, De Barra Education said, “We are delighted to have secured this important contract from the Linguaphone Group, “Many Irish people are now focused on up-skilling and we anticipate a significant
Minister of State Tony Killeen and Chris Barry, director De Barra Education.
opportunity for sales growth in the area of language learning. Linguaphone has always been a pioneer in the development of quality language courses and we are delighted to represent them in Ireland.” De Barra Education will assume responsibility for sales and distribution of Linguaphone’s entire product range in Ireland. They will also co-market the Group’s new children’s English language programmes – Pingu’s English in Ireland, the UK and other international markets. As a result of the Linguaphone contract and international expansion of their preschool education products, De Barra expects to recruit up to 4 additional staff by the end of next year. A new website www. linguaphone.ie launches this week. Congratulating De Barra Education on their success, John Keogh Clare regional
development executive, Shannon Development said, “The achievement of De Barra Education in this economic downturn shows once again that, with the right infrastructure and facilities, innovative companies can continue to flourish. We are pleased that the services we offer here at the Information Age Park are a great fit for emerging technology companies like De Barra Education and we would like to wish Chris and his team continued success.” Commenting on why they chose De Barra Education, Derek Price, Chief Operations Officer, Linguaphone Group said, “We chose De Barra from a list of candidates because of their strong track record in the education sector and their superb base at the Information Age Park in Ennis, It’s a positive development for the Linguaphone Group and we look forward to strengthening our business ties with Ireland.” Founded in 2006, De Barra Education has established itself as a leading supplier to the education sector, particularly pre-schools and nurseries. In 2008, De Barra’s preschool education programme “Project Bubbles” was voted Best Educational Resource at the UK Practical Preschool Awards. De Barra is supported by Enterprise Ireland and is currently expanding its network of partners in Africa and Asia.
Limerick wedding planner vies for share of US wedding market Limerick-based wedding planner Michelle McDermott and her brand Dream Irish Wedding (www.dreamirishwedding.com) is set to capture a share of the US wedding market. With 2.7 million weddings taking place annually in the US, Dream Irish Wedding, which attracted almost €2million worth of business to the Shannon region in the past year, is confident that it can win a bigger share of the 15% destination wedding business that is already making its way from the US to Europe. Invited to participate in ‘The Wedding Salon’, a prestigious gathering for vendors in the wedding sector, being held in New York on Monday, 2 November, McDermott is the sole Irish invitee to this celebrated event which is held annually in the New York. Dream Irish Wedding, a 54
strategic alliance between McDermott’s company, McEvents, Adare Manor Hotel, the Lodge at Doonbeg Golf Club and Knappgoue Castle will showcase these three spectacular locations as venues for hosting special occasions, including weddings, anniversaries and engagements. This is an invitee-only event for vendors and purchasers, including travel agents, wedding bookers and brides. Ireland, via Dream Ireland Wedding, is one of three only destinations to have secured an invitation; the other destinations are Barbados, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings and Puerto Rico. Celebrated brands such as Bobbi Brown, Yves Saint Laurent, the Wedding Channel and popular US wedding magazines will also be attending. A wedding consultant since 2001, but
Dream Irish Wedding’s Michelle McDermott is New York bound to secure weddings for the west of Ireland.
drawing on years of experience in the hospitality sector, her leadership qualities, her ability to forward plan, and her attention to detail have been described as ‘translating vision with grace and professionalism’. Brides have travelled from all over the US and Europe to avail of her wedding planning services; she can spend up to 300 hours organising a wedding. www.businesslimerick.ie
BL | sport
Deserved recognition for Limerick’s Tom McGarry With Mal Keaveney GENUINELY talented all round sportsman, Tom McGarry, is to be honoured by the Munster GAA Council at a Gala Awards Banquet early next month. Only a small number of people achieve a high level of proficiency in any one particular sport, but McGarry (72) was a top-class performer in sports such as handball, hurling, football, rugby and soccer. Inaugurated in 1998, these awards acknowledge the achievements of players, administrators and officials – McGarry is the latest recepient of the Special Merit Award and will receive his accolade at Lawlor’s Hotel in Dungarvan on the opening Saturday night of December. By his own admission, McGarry’s first love was handball. “I played it seven days a week,” he recalled in Brendan Fulham’s Legends of the Ash. “I played it from my very young days – began off by playing against the gable end of the house. It made you agile for all games – great training.” During the 1950’s, he was a regular in the winners’ enclosure both in singles and doubles (along with Martin Mullins). It was around this time that Gael-Linn sponsored an All-Ireland Championship and McCarry was victorious on two occasions, defeating the noted Clare and Dublin hurler Dr. Des Dillon in the 1956 Final. McGarry’s younger brother, Pat, was also a noted star of the court, collected many national titles and winning the nomination of Player of the Year in 1980. WITH LIMERICK CBS, McGarry featured on their triumphant Dean Ryan Cup team of 1955 but suffered defeat to North Mon in the Harty Cup Final a couple of years later. After two seasons with the county minors, he made his introduction onto the senior stage as a substitute in that side that accounted for Clare in the Munster semi-final at Semple Stadium, Thurles in ’56. “That year’s final against Cork was the nearest we got in my time to winning something in the championship. We all gave of our best that day but came away losers. Cork looked beaten but came back.” It will be recalled that the great Christy Ring www.businesslimerick.ie
struck 3-1 in the blink of an eye to write yet another epic chapter into his illustrious career. “After that the nearest we came to glory was in the great National League Final of 1958 against Wexford, when we lost by two points. In my playing days players were brought together for training maybe two or three nights a week. Most of them would be physically fit but not necessarily mentally fit.” In the glory days of the Railway Cup, McGarry starred at right-half-back winning five prized medals. He also figured with the Rest of Ireland Teams that used then meet the All-Ireland champions in attractive exhibition games. McGarry fell foul to the infamous Rule 27 – which prohibited players from attending foreign games – and retired young from the ancient game. A MINOR and senior player with Limerick in football, he helped Treaty Sarsfields to county wins in 1956, ’57 and ’63. It wasn’t just at our national games that McGarry excelled. Like his father before him, McGarry too played rugby at club level, lining out at centre as captain of Young Munster in all-Limerick Munster Cup Final against Garryowen. Many reckoned that had McGarry engaged in rugby from a younger age that international caps would have easily flowed in his direction. After his enforced exile from gaelic games, he became involved in the then popular interfirm soccer leagues and his talent was soon noticed by League of Ireland clubs. He spent several seasons at centre-forward with Limerick and Cork Celtic. In Legends of the Ash, he recalled many terrific inspirations such as childhood hero Timmy Murphy; schoolmate and county colleague Mick Tynan and Des Dillon, handball rival. “I remember as a youngster standing behind the goals in Shelbourne Park, watching the Treaty Sarsfileds players practicing. There was one man who made a lasting impression on me; he was Timmy Murphy – God Rest Him now. He played at centre-back. He had a great pair
Tom McGarry
of hands and a was a wonderful hurler. “No other back I ever saw after that, including the great county men, ever impressed me as much. He had everything.” Munster GAA Awards (sponsored by Bord Gais Energy) 2009: Hurling – Brendan Cummins, Tipperary; Football – Pierce O’Neill, Cork; Media – Jim O’Sullivan, Irish Examiner; Service to Refereeing – Jim Joe Landers, Waterford; Service to Education – Denis Ring, Blackwater CS; Manager – Liam Sheedy, Tipperary; Club – Cratloe, Clare; Ladies Football – Norita Kelly, Cork; Camogie – Aoife Murray, Cork; Handball – Shane Hedigan, Cork; Distinguished Service – Frank Murphy, Cork; Special Merit – Tom McGarry, Limerick; Intermediate Hurling – Leigh Desmond, Cork. Junior Football – Aidan Walsh, Cork. U21 Hurling – Darach Honan, Clare; U21 Football – Colm O’Neill, Cork; Minor Hurling – Martin O’Neill, Waterford; Minor Football – Philip Galvin, Kerry; Hall of Fame – Seamus Durack, Clare (hurling) and John O’Keeffe, Kerry (football). 55
BL | rugby
An Irish Team with Real Mettle By Mick Galwey
Mick Galwey
You’d have to say that the pool is now ideally set up for the lads, given Treviso’s win over the Perpignan and the fact that Northampton have to come to Limerick for the final game.
It has been a mixed start to the season for Munster. Recent losses to Leinster in the Magners League and to Northampton in the Heineken Cup have led to suggestions that the team is over the top. I must say that I don’t buy into all that stuff. Both results must be put in perspective. It is also worth remembering that no trophies are given out in October or November. It is a long way to the business end of the season in April and May and it is then that the results will really count. And I think this Munster team will be in the shake-up for both competitions come next spring. Looking at the Leinster game, these fixtures have followed an unusual pattern of late. Traditionally there wouldn’t have been a whole lot between the two provincial sides but a few hammerings have been dished out of late. As well as winning easily in the recent meeting at the RDS, Leinster secured that comfortable win in the Heineken Cup semi-final in Croke Park earlier in the year. However, it must also be remembered that Munster won easily in the two Magners League meetings last season. In light of the latest outcome, I am certainly looking forward to the return fixture in 56
Thomond Park over the Christmas holidays. There won’t be a whole lot of seasonal cheer on the field that day. In terms of the Northampton game, I actually thought that the lads played well once they got going that day. Fine they didn’t start well but they could have snatched a win at the death had they had a bit of luck. As I said in the last column, this is a good Northampton side and one which has only been beaten once at home in Franklin Gardens over the last 12 months. To come away from that game with a bonus point was not a bad result. I must say that I was surprised with the reaction of the home players at the end of the game. Granted, Munster are now a serious scalp and to beat them was a great result. But it did the victory merit a lap of honour. I just felt that their reaction was a bit over the top. Although there was some criticism of the Munster performance against Treviso, I felt that the lads did what they had do on the day. Leaking two early tries wasn’t the ideal start but they scored seven after that and played some fine rugby along the way.
The two games against Perpignan will be critical if we beat them at home then the French club will be effectively out of the competition when we travel ahead of Christmas. That would be the ideal situation for Tony McGahon’s men. In the interim, there are the internationals to look forward to. It will be interesting to see if John Hayes will be considered for selection given that he has been out of action due to the suspension. I felt that the ban on the Cappamore man was harsh. He was clearly trying to ruck Cian Healy out of the way and did not intentionally seek to strike the player’s head. I played with John for many years and although he is a non-nonsense sort of operator, he is certainly not a dirty player. I think this was reflected in the decision to reduce the original six-week ban to five weeks. Talking of bans, Shane Jennings treatment has also been unfairly in been landed with a 12-week suspension for alleged gouging. I can’t understand why the authorities haven’t gone after Nick Kennedy following his admission that he may have over-reacted to the incident. This incident highlights the need for the authorities to establish a clear difference
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BL | Rugby
‘gouging’ and ‘making contact with the eye area’. This affair has also brought the spotlight back on the growing problem of players feigning injury or the extent of injuries. There is no room for that sort of stuff in the game. As for the autumn internationals, there has been a lot of talk of the changing of the guard with Leinster players taking over key positions. While it must be accepted that Leinster have been working better as a unit than Munster, Declan Kidney is a wily devil and he won’t be swayed too easily. Johnny Sexton will push Ronan O’Gara hard for the No 10 shirt but Rog has given great service to Ireland and he won’t be bypassed lightly. Similarly, with regard to Marcus Horan and Cian Healy, I can see both of the lads getting plenty of game time across the Australia, Fiji and South African fixtures. Clearly, the South Africa will be the pick of the bunch. It will be the champions of the North against those of the South. This will be a massive sporting occasion and one that I’m really looking forward to. In terms of the local rugby scene, the All-Ireland League is proving to be very competitive this year. Unfortunately, UL Bohemians, Shannon and Garryowen are all in the second tier of the Division 1A. However, as with Munster, there are only two games played and it will be a long way home. Young Munster are going well and lying fourth in 1B, while Thomond are flying in Division 2. They have made a massive start to this year’s league campaign. In Division 3 both Bruff and Old Crescent are under a bit of pressure but they have plenty of time to turn things around. There are a few tough contests on the way in the AIB Cup. Shannon are away to Cork Constitution, Garryowen are at home to St Mary’s, while Young Munster will have to travel north to face Ballymena.
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Jean de Villiers scores a try for Munster V Ulster at Thomond Park.
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BL | Arts
ICO perform Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at UCH
The ICO is passionate in its promotion of exciting young international talent
The Irish Chamber Orchestra’s upcoming performance of Handel’s Messiah at University Concert Hall, Limerick on December 18 comes in the middle of a three-date tour of the rectial, with dates in Cork and the RDS, Dublin. The ICO’s ‘Messiah’ has proven to be a spectacular sell-out over the years. There will be many performances of Messiah this year,
but only one that combines Ireland’s most dynamic orchestra with the country’s finest professional choir and a world-class line-up of soloists making this the one not to miss. Since the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s first performance at University Concert Hall in 1996, Messiah has seen the orchestra form a very fruitful association with the National Chamber Choir, a seventeen-piece
choir which includes some of the country’s finest voices. This year will further copperfasten this association and promises to be the best Messiah yet. The Irish Chamber Orchestra is passionate in its promotion of exciting young international talent. This year a host of renowned Irish singers perform under the able baton of one of Britain’s finest and most versatile young conductors Jonathan Cohen. A conductor, cellist and keyboardist, with a wide ranging experience of music from baroque to contemporary, Jonathan is in increasing demand for concerts and festivals throughout Europe. Rising Irish stars who are fast gaining success on the international stage include Sinead Campbell (soprano), Martha Bredin (mezzo), Eamonn Mulhall (tenor) and Limerick’s Owen Gilhooly (bass) will only embellish this performance. George Frideric Handel is best known as the inventor of the English oratorio, the most famous being Messiah, one of the best-loved choral-orchestral works in history. Though he contributed to every genre then current and was one of the great composers of Italian opera, this one piece has cemented his reputation in the modern mind and has become an annual ritual for an untold number of concert-goers. If you haven’t yet experienced this festive classic celebration, check out details on www.irishchamberorchestra.com
Anthony Marwood, artistic director of the Irish Chamber Orchestra
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BL | Artrite
Aladdin flies to LIT on his magic carpet! Widow Twanky is pulling up her bloomers, the Genie is squeezing into her bottle and one young chap is polishing up his lamp. Yes, it’s panto time again and in their lucky thirteenth year CentreStage are returning to that old favourite, Aladdin, to lift the recession blues. Poor Aladdin works in the Twanky Laundry with his mother and his brother Christy Won Ton. Aladdin falls in love with Princess Yasmin, who’s friend, Mini Noodles, has a soft spot for Christy. Sadly, Yasmin’s father, Sultan Brian, is in charge of a kingdom on the brink of bankruptcy and only the planned marriage of Yasmin to the evil Abanazar can save it. But who is Aladdin’s mysterious uncle? Why does he want the magic lamp? Will Aladdin’s carpet ever get off the ground and help him save the beautiful Yasmin? Is Abanazar even more dastardly than Thierry Henry? Well, there’s only one way to find out - buy a ticket for Aladdin! With Genies, magic lamps and a flying carpet, Aladdin is the most magical panto ever. Staring the irrepressible Myles Breen as Widow Twanky, Aidan Crowe (The Revenger’s Tragedy) as Abanazar, Hollie O’Donoghue (Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Yasmin, Jamie Sheehan as Aladdin, Chris Rowley as Sultan Brian and Limerick Rose Sharon Kennedy will play the Genie,
us ario y l i H m il Fa to!!! Pan
Aladdin is a must-see show for all the family. Aladdin offers great homemade entertainment for all the family according to director and producer Richie Ryan. “This is our 13th year doing the show and people can expect the same high quality performance that they know from the CentreStage team. This panto resonates well with children because they are used to the character of Aladdin. Then we have the wonderful writer Mike Finn working with us and given his great reputation for quality scripts, people can be sure of an entertaining plot and equally entertaining characters. Myles Breen also has a huge rapport with the audience so that always works well,� continued Richie. Following in a long line of family favourites including Cinderella, Nevereverland, Beauty and the Beast and Jack and the Beanstalk, writer Mike Finn says that it’s important to get that mix of comedy and action just right. “It’s the same mayhem, fun and excitement that always makes the panto such a hilarious show for all the family. The thing is that we try to have enough colour, fun and excitement to keep the kids entertained while also including jokes and political gags for the adults. That way it works for everyone from four to ninety-four.�
Aladdin is presented by CentreStage Productions in LIT Millennium Theatre and sponsored by Limerick’s Live 95fm, Supermac’s, Specsavers, Sequoia Lane, Limerick Independent and CentreSPACE Studios. Opening on Sunday 27th December with the earlier show times of 2.30pm and 6.30pm, Aladdin is going to be this Christmas’ sure-fire family hit. With a total of 18 shows running until Sunday 10thJanuary, don’t forget to book your tickets at the LIT Millennium Theatre Box Office on 061 322 322 or online at www.litmt.ie
Aladdin performance dates Please note this year’s slightly early start times: Sunday 27th Dec - 2.30pm & 6.30pm Monday 28th Dec - 2.30pm & 6.30pm Tuesday 29th Dec - 2.30pm & 6.30pm Wednesday 30th Dec - 2.30pm & 6.30pm Saturday 2nd Jan - 2.30pm & 6.30pm Sunday 3rd Jan - 2.30pm & 6.30pm Thursday 7th Jan - 6.30pm Friday 8th Jan - 6.30pm Saturday 9th Jan - 2.30pm & 6.30pm Sunday 10th Jan - 2.30pm & 6.30pm
CentreStage Productions presents
Special Family packageS available
LIT MILLennIuM TheaTre, LIMerIck Sun 27th Dec‘09 - Sun 10th Jan‘10 )V_ 6MĂ„JL! )VVR 6USPUL! ^^^ SP[T[ PL
by Mike Finn D irector : r ichie r yan
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59
BL | NEWS
Irish bookstore opens in every village in Ireland! One of the longest established bookshops in the country, O’Mahony’s Booksellers in Limerick, has added tens of thousands of books, gifts and educational toys to www. omahonys.ie and is open for business every day across Ireland and the world. To mark the event, substantial discounts are offered with an additional 20% off most categories until the end of November and up to 80% off some items (see website for terms and conditions). The Irish owned independent bookseller, which has outlets in Limerick, Tralee, Ennis and the University of Limerick, is now run by the third generation of the O’Mahony family since it was opened in 1902. Known for its support of Irish writers, many have launched their first publication in O’Mahony’s. The late Frank McCourt, Darren Shan, rugby players like Ronan O’Gara and Anthony Foley and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have all chosen to use O’Mahony’s Booksellers to bring their work to the public and autographed copies are available. Now O’Mahony’s has opened a new chap-
ter for the store, by selling its wide ranging stock of titles online to the book loving public nationwide and beyond. To ensure excellent customer service and efficient delivery, the organisation now has 4 staff dedicated to support the online business and commits that all orders will be delivered within five days throughout Ireland and within ten days worldwide - important information for the last minute Christmas shoppers! There is free delivery on orders over €49 within Ireland and to make Christmas shopping easier, customers have the option of adding free gift wrap and free cards to their order. Frank O’Mahony, Managing Director, says their business in school and educational books doubled in 2008 and again in 2009. “There are already substantial discounts available on many titles, and this initiative will give further discounts. The extension of our online service brings further benefits to all our customers, particularly those in rural areas, when it’s not always convenient for them to visit the shop. We’re also using the social net-
working site Facebook, to further develop the business.” He added that O’Mahony’s enjoys a 99% customer satisfaction rate with their online service, with most of their customers placing repeat orders and recommending the service to family and friends. The store has also won a ‘Bookseller of the Year’ Award, and their refurbished premises on O’Connell Street in Limerick won an RIAI award. The author David McWilliams gave a talk in the store recently during the signing of his book ‘Follow the Money’. Alice Taylor was also in O’Mahoney’s signing copies of her new book “The Journey New and Selected Poems.”
Frank O’Mahony, Managing Director, says their business in school and educational books doubled
Natural stone products and paving centre CREATIVE Gardens is Limerick only end to end landscaping centre, specialising in Natural Stone Paving and Garden products. Offering not just a retail service but handling design and project management details also, A haven for granite sculpture, furniture, ornaments, it provides limestone, sandstone, brick and granite paving, artificial grass, granite solar lighting and has a dedicated water feature centre. Brian Murphy is co-director with Seamus Martin to this landscaping centre that can set your outdoor space up with accessories such as granite lighting, kerbing, sleepers to border a herb garden or arrange for a major driveway and patio project from beginning to end. “Creative Gardens is not a nursery but we can provide trees, hedging and shrubs for any size of project. Having recently setup 60
the timber side of the business providing a range of products from Sheerans Gates to post-and-rail fencing, timber pickets and garden sheds. ,” Brian Murphy makes clear. “There is a range of services available. “We are all about customer service, providing more than paving, furniture and granite lighting. We can help you design a garden, patio or water feature that works for what you want , price the project and recommend a professional independent landscaper - we deal with nine or ten on a regular basis. Creative Gardens can also manage the project for you, if you wish”. He makes the point that their focus and products are natural stone, supplying granite and sandstone paving, limestone & granite window sills, and natural stone water features, fountains up to 3m in height and related matter such as fibre-
glass preformed ponds, pumps and underwater lights. “Granite tables and chairs are available in silver, gold and charcoal,” Brian says. “They are a lifetime investment and a low maintenance option usually the rain washes them in our climate but an occasional rinse with the hose pipe will do it. Or try our rattan furniture which is a huge seller, being weatherproof and attractive”. Obviously, items such as terrazzo and ceramic pots are par for course and we work closely with Kilsaran, an Irish company, supplying concrete paving and walling products Talk to us today to see how we can be of service to you. Creative Gardens at Ballyneety is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm. Telephone 061-450666 and 087-9927335. www.creativegardens.ie www.businesslimerick.ie
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BL | news
County Enterprise Awards 2009 Limerick County Enterprise Board announced the winners of the Enterprise Awards 2009 in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare, Co Limerick recently. Speaking at the Enterprise Awards event, Ned Toomey, CEO Limerick County Enterprise Board said that “the enterprise awards are a very important part of the Enterprise Boards enterprise awareness programme and that it is important to highlight those businesses that are successful, growing and creating employment in Limerick County”. Limerick County Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Prize: €1,000 and presentation piece Winner: Arbutus Foods Ltd., The Old Creamery, Ardagh, Co. Limerick. Arbutus Foods was established in the mid 1990’s to manufacture and distribute a range of wet salad products. The company employs seven full time and one part time personnel and has a range of over 80 products including wet salads, sandwich fillings and deserts. Arbutus Foods are now a major supplier of wet salad products to the catering industry in the 32 counties through its partnership with Pallas Foods Ltd. Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick
Sean South, Managing Director of Arbutus Foods
Sean South, Managing Director of Arbutus Foods has worked in the food business for over 40 years. A qualified chef who obtained the first Michelin Star in Ireland for Arbutus Lodge Hotel, Cork his years of experience in the food industry have afforded him an extensive knowledge of both in the production and sales side of the business. The ethos of Arbutus Foods is Quality and Service enabling them to provide a nationwide sales and service to all their customers
2nd PRIZE: €750 and presentation, Winner: Pónaire Coffee, Annacotty Business Park, Limerick Tommy and Jennifer Ryan set up Pónaire (Irish for bean) in 2006. They import premium raw beans from around the world then roast, blend and package the coffee for hotels, restaurants, hospitals, golf courses, cafes, and speciality shops throughout Ireland. Pónaire coffee is becoming well known for its superior quality and taste due to the artisan roasting techniques they use to tease out the unique flavours of the different beans. In fact, they have won 3 Bridgestone Awards and recently received a Gold Star Award at the Great Taste Awards in the UK. Their coffees can be purchased from specialty shops in Ireland or directly from their roastery in Annacotty Business Park and will be available from their web site www. ponaire.ie before the end of November. Ned Toomey, CEO Limerick County Enterprise Board congratulated both of the winners. He said the standard was extremely high and once more confirmed that Limerick possessed a very strong and innovative entrepreneurial tradition. He wished Arbutus Foods every success in representing Limerick County at the National Enterprise Awards Final.
Jennifer Ryan of Pónaire Coffee. 62
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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 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 Joe Littleton & Co. Dangan Tulla Co.Clare Tel: 065 6835407 Fax:065 6835407
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Email: josephlittleton@eircom.net Web: www.jflconsultancy.com Sage Accredited Trainer 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 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. Unit 72 Eastlink Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Tel/Fax: 061 603700 Mob: 087 2957494 Email: info@absolutehouseplans.ie Web: www.absolutehouseplans.ie ARTISTS Una Heaton Tel: 086 3735015 Email: unaheaton@eircom.net Web: www.unaheatonart.com
Carmel T. Madigan Tel: 086 8197726 Email: ctmadigan@eircom.net Web: www.carmelmadigangallery.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
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
THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES
BL | DIRECTORY
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 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 404863 Email: eimear@peterclohessey.ie Web: www.peterclohessey.com Bicycles The Bike Shop O’Connell Avenue, Limerick Tel: 061 315900 BISTRO The Cornstore, 19 Thomas Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 609 000/ 609 001 Fax: 061 409 334 Email: info@cornstorelimerick.com
63
THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
BL | 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
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
BUILDING SUPPLIERS Ballysheedy Building Supplies Ballysheedy, Co. Limereick (next to ‘ Weigh In’ bar) Tel: 061 445660/ 061 445666 Mob: 087 2490666/ 087 6983444
BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS Limerick Chamber 96 O’ Connell St, Limerick Tel: 061 415180 Fax: 061 415785 Email: info@limerickchamber.ie Web: www.limerickchamber.ie
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
Shannon & District Chamber of Commerce Shannon Business Centre, Shannon, Co. Clare Tel: 061 360611 Fax: 061 360440 E-mail: admin@shannonchamber.ie Web: www.shannonchamber.ie
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 Bank of Ireland 125 O’ Connell St., Limerick Tel: 061 419791 Fax: 061 418554 E-mail: david_p.kennedy@boimail.com Bank Of Scotland Ireland Bank of Scotland House, Shannon Street, Limerick Tel: 061-209300 E-mail: info@bankofscotlandireland.ie Web: www.bankofscotlandireland.ie KBC Bank Ireland plc, Riverpoint, Bishops Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 448600 Fax: 061 468468 Email: damien.quigley@kbc.ie Web: www.kbc.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
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BUSINESS SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS 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 CAR DEALERS Clareview Motors Ennis Road, Limerick Tel: 061 221000 Fax: 061 221060 E-mail: info@clareviewmotors.com Web: www.clareviewmotors.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 CARPETS & FLOORING Provincial Floor Coverings Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Limerick. Tel: 061-227100 Fax: 061-227000 E-Mail: sales@pfl.ie Web: www.pfl.ie CATERING Masterchefs Hospitality Epicurean House, Robert Street, Limerick Tel: 061 411522 Fax: 061 402021 Email: sales@mhm.ie Web: www.mhm.ie 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 Clean Habit B2 Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 361461 Fax: 061 361868 Email: mary@cleanhabit.com Web: www.cleanhabit.com 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
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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 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 Fitzpatrick Computer Group Mill House, Henry Street, Limerick Tel: 061 493300 Fax: 061 417219 Email: sales@fcg.ie Web: www.fcg.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 CONSTRUCTION Roadbridge Ltd Ballyclough, Ballysheedy, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 419855 Fax: 061 414767 E-mail: headoffice@roadbridge.ie Web: www.roadbridge.ie 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
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Mob: 087 7607495 Email: joe@friendshipwines.ie Web: www.friendshipwines.ie DISPLAY 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 DRAINAGE & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Walsh Environmental Services Drainage & Environmental Specialists The Cottage, Lower Meelick, Co. Clare Tel: 061 325757 Fax: 061 325700 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS Des Ryan Electrical Ballyneety, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 351643 Mobile: 087 9121561 Email: info@desryanelectrical.com Web: www.desryanelectrical.com EVENT MANAGEMENT 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 Complete Financial Management 38 Roches Street Limerick Tel: 0818 333 680 Fax: 1890 886803 Email: enquiries@completefm.ie
Fire Alarm Systems Prestige Detection Systems Limited Rathpalatine, Feohanagh, County Limerick Phone: 063 84920 Fax: 0865 254 5347 Email. Dave.enright@pdsl.ie Web: www.pdsl.ie FLORIST Flowers Forever Designer Florist Rachel & David Hannon Raheen Roundabout, Limerick. Tel: 061 307123 Fax: 061 307123 Email: flowers4ever@eircom.net Web: flowersforever.ie
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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
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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 GOLF COURSES Castletroy Golf Club, Golf Links Road, Castletroy, Limerick. Contact: Patrick Keane Tel: 061 335 753 Fax: 061 335 373 Email: manager@castletroygolfclub.ie Web: www.castletroygolfclub.ie Limerick Golf Club Ballyclough, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 414083 Fax: 061 319219 Email: lgc@eircom.net Web: www.limerickgc.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 & WEB Marketing IDF Marketing Ltd. Marine Village, Killaloe, Co.Clare Tel: 061 375412 Mob: 086 8176337 Email: info@idf.ie Web: www.idf.ie GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGN Customer Care Solutions Anne Sheehan, Harbour House, Locke Quay, Limerick. Mobile: 087 6684819 E-mail: info@customersolutions.ie Web: www.customersolutions.ie
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THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES
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graphic & web design Edgewater Graphics Contact: Hugh Charlottes Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 318318 Fax: 061 318308 Email: hugh@egraphics.ie Web: www.egraphics.ie HOME FURNISHINGS Limerick Paint Supplies Pennywell Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 411292 Thomondgate, Limerick. Tel: 061 329828 Fax: 061 415874 Mob: 087 2503448 HOTELS Abbey Court Hotel, Lodges & Trinity Leisure Spa. Dublin Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Tel: 067 41111 Fax: 067 41022 Contact: Matthias Muller M.I.H.I. Email: sales@abbeycourt.ie Web: www.abbeycourt.ie Limerick Marriott Hotel Henry Street Limerick Tel: 061 448700 Fax: 061 448701 Email: sales@limerickmarriott.ie Web: www.limerickmarriott.com The Castleoaks House Hotel Garden Suites and Riverside Holiday Homes Castleconnell, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 377666 Fax: 061 377717 E-mail: info@castleoaks.ie Website: www.castleoaks.ie Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel & Revas Spa Adare, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 605100 Fax: 061 396073 Email: reception@woodlands-hotel.ie Web: www.woodlands-hotel.ie The George Boutique Hotel O’Connell Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 460 400 Fax: 061 460 410 Contact: Mr. Altaf Khan Email: thegeorge@lynchotels.com Web: www.lynchotels.com
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The South Court Hotel, Adare Road, Raheen, Limerick. Tel: 061 487 487 Fax: 061 487 498 Contact: Mr. Brian Harrington Email: southcourtreception@lynchotels.com Web: www.lynchotels.com 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 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 INK REFILL & TONERS Ink Refill Depot 7B Denmark Street, Tel: 061 446446 Fax: 061 446456 Email: Brendan@inkrefilldepot.ie Web: www.inkrefilldepot.ie INSULATION Aerobord Ltd. Askeaton, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 604600 Fax: 061 604601 Email: mail@aerobord.ie Web: www.aerobord.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 LABEL MANUFACTURERS Impact Labelling Systems Ltd. Contact: Richard Fox 77/78 Eastlink Business Park, Tipperary Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 437990 Fax: 061 437995 Email: info@impactlabelling.com 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 LIFE & BUSINESS COACHING Pathfinder 31b Cecil St. Limerick Tel: 061 215750 Mob: 086 8123834 E-mail: pathfinder@o2.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
INSURANCE BROKERS & ADVISORS Robert Ryan Insurance 3 Newenham Street, Limerick. Tel:061 319268 Email: robert@ryaninsurances.ie
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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 MARKETING Customer Care Solutions Anne Sheehan, Harbour House, Locke Quay, Limerick. Mobile: 087 6684819 E-mail: info@customersolutions.ie Web: www.customersolutions.ie Molly D Marketing Castlecrine, Sixmilebridge, Co.Clare Tel: 061 369898 Mob: 086 2371508 Email: dympna@mollydmarketing.ie Web: www.mollydmarketing.ie MARKETING CONSULTANTS and MARKETING RESEARCH Martin McGuire & Associates Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 228822 or 061 229233 E-mail: martinm@martinmcguire.com Web: www.martinmcguire.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 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
Unit 2 Crossagalla Enterprise Centre, Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 432000 Fax: 061 432001 E-mail: metrosales@eircom.net Web: www.metrooffice.ie PACKAGING IPS Industrial Polythene Solutions Contact Name: Sean O’Carroll Annacotty Business Park, Annacotty, Limerick. Tel: 061 508980 Fax: 061 508984 Email: sean.ocarroll@ipslimited.ie Web: www.ipspackaging.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
Redmond Mortgage & Pensions 1A Hartstonge Place, Upper Hartstonge Street, Limerick Tel: 061 446629 Fax: 061 446809 Mobile: 087 8290736 E-mail: tommy@redmondmortgages.com
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
OFFICE EQUIPMENT Gerry Webb Office Equipment 72 Wolfe Tone Street, Limerick Tel: 061 467380 Fax: 061 467380 Mobile: 087 2625768 Email: webfurniture@eircom.net
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
OFFICE EQUIPMENT / PRINTING & STATIONERY Curley Copy Centre Little Ellen Street, Limerick. Contact: Eileen Tel: 061 315331 Fax: 061 315171 Email: jhcurley@eircom.net
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
MARQUEE HIRE O’Donovan Marquees Birdhill, Co. Tipperary Tel: 061 379328 Fax: 061 379328 Email: podmarquees@eircom.net Web: www.odonovanmarquees.com
OFFICE FURNITURE & SUPPLIES 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
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THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES
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THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES
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PHOTOGRAPHY Brendan Gleeson LIPPA NUJ 25 Cherry Avenue, Caherdavin Lawn, Limerick Tel: 061 453253 Mobile: 087 2159325 Email: gleesonphoto@eircom.net www.bgleesonphoto.com John O’Brien Photography High Street, Limerick City Tel: 061 412833 Email: obrienphotos@oceanfree.net Web: www.jobrienphotography.com 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
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 MKC Communications 22 Log Na gCapall, South Circular Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 303779 Fax: 061 305802 Mobile: 087 1220119 E-Mail: info@mkc.ie Web: www.mkc.ie O’Brien Communications 30 Ashbrook Grove Ennis Road, Limerick Tel/Fax: 061 457999 Mobile: 086 6019214
PUBLIC TRANSPORT BUS SERVICES & PRIVATE HIRE Bus Eireann Colbert Station Limerick Tel: 061 313333 Fax: 061417166 Email: info@buseireann.ie Web: www.buseireann.ie
Quinn Communications Contact: Niamh Quinn MPRII 38 Roches Street, Limerick. M: 087 1220119 F: 1890 886803 E: niamh@quinncommunications.ie
PRINTING Mc Kerns Print & Design Glentworth Street, Limerick Tel: 061 417611 Fax: 061 419816 Email: mckernsgs@eircom.net
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
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 PUBLIC RELATIONS Echo Marketing 5 The Mews, Hartstonge Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 409353 Mob: 087 9892463
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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
RECRUITMENT Brooks Recruitment Hotel & Catering 86 O’Connell St., Limerick. Tel: 061 413022 Fax: 061 312799 E-mail: info@brooksrecruitment.com Web: www.brooksrecruitment.com Irish Recruitment Consultants Deloitte & Touche House, Charlottes Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 313744 Fax: 061 417553 Email:admin@irishrecruitment.ie Web:www.irishrecruitment.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 Richmond Recruitment Hibernian House, Henry St: Limerick. Tel: 061-413111 Fax: 061-416699 E-Mail: midwestjobs@richmond.ie Web: www.richmond.ie Staff Solutions Unit 2 Belfield House, Ennis Road, Limerick Tel: 061 329250 Fax: 061 329252 E-mail: info@staffsolutions.ie Web: www.staffsolutions.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 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
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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
Fax: 061 319778 Email: pjdawson@eircom.net Web: www.h2o4u.ie WASTE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL Mr Binman Luddenmore Grange, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 351127 Fax: 061 351918 Email: info@mrbinman.cxom Web: www.mrbinman.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
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
WATER CONSULTANTS Allied Aquatech Water Treatment Consultants 3 Kyle House (office & shop) Henry Street, Limerick Tel: 061 319777 Mobile: 086 1555568
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Limerickman Wins Special Award at TidyTowns Tidy Town’s Committees from around Co Limerick were in celebratory mood when they were presented with a total of seven awards by Minister Tony Killeen at the Shannon Region TidyTowns awards presentation ceremony organised by Shannon Development. This special annual Award was instigated in 2000 by Shannon Development to acknowledge long-service and commitment by an individual working voluntarily for the benefit of their community. A range of TidyTowns Awards were presented jointly to the Committees by Mr Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Willie Lyons Business Development Director, SuperValu, the overall competition sponsor, and Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive Shannon Development. The Competition is organised nationally by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and is co-ordinated and promoted in the Shannon Region by Shannon Development, the regional tourism authority. Limerick scooped seven awards in the competition. The Best Bring Bank Award went to Mountpelier Community Centre, Co. Limerick with a prize of €1,000. This year’s SuperValu Endeavour Award of €500 went once again to Kilbehenny, Co. Limerick.
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 WATER COOLERS & DISPENSERS Crystal Clear Leamy House, Hartstonge St: Limerick. Tel: 061-454962 Fax: 061-454449 Mobile: 087-2561239 E-Mail: info@crystalc.ie
THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES
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
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To subscribe to our Business Directory Listing please contact: Yvonne Sheehan on 061 - 214738 or Email: yvonne@businesslimerick.ie
In the County Awards section, Adare again came out as overall Co. Limerick Award winner (receiving an award of €900), with Galbally receiving a Highly Commended Award and an award of €700, and Ardpatrick Commended (receiving an award of €400). In the Medal Awards, Adare Co. Limerick won a silver medal receiving €700. Noel Hogan from Adare Tidy Towns Committee was awarded the Shannon Development ‘Personality Award’ 69
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Benefits Of Your Site Having A Content Management System Gone are days of static websites, where businesses had to return to the design agency to make minor changes to their website. Today it is important to keep your business website updated and current. Below are a few benefits of a website having a content management system. Update your website from any location Authors and editors can access the site from any computer with an internet connection. This means users can update the site at the same time from any location in the world. Website management panel The backend administration panel not only provides the ability to add content but also to add modules such as polls, banners, forums, shopping applications, news management and menus. Technical knowledge not required A CMS site allows non-technical people to
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add content. They just need to login with a user name and password then use the web editor thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s built into the CMS to add their content. Save time and money If you were using a static site to add content from multiple authors, each author would have to download the pages from the server to their computer first, update them, then upload them back to the server. This would be very time consuming and expensive. Create search engine friendly pages Content management systems allow you to easily include keywords in the URL of each page. If the title of your article was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Content Management System Benefitsâ&#x20AC;? your URL would be written as: http://www.domainname.com/benefits -content-management-system, this is very useful for making your website search engine friendly.
by Kevin Meaney, IDF Marketing
Attracts more visitors A CMS site attracts visitors because it can be constantly and rapidly updated. It not only generates pages that are search engine friendly but can produce lots of links from the new content that is added and syndicated. A content management system is a powerful tool for businesses that want to present lots of content from multiple authors and gain lots of visitors. It also has the capability to expand as your business grows. If you would like a professionaly designed website with a content management system for your business or if you would like to apply a content management system to your existing website feel free to call IDF Marketing today. Tel: 061 375412 Email: info@idf.ie Web: www.idf.ie
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ProFessional collection
style Fashion comFort
For men For that Formal occassion shoes that are handcraFted and stylish
061 418692 · 29 O’Connell Street, Limerick · Open Sunday 1pm – 5pm