Citylink Ireland announced today that it has outsourced its operations to Galway-based Callinan Coaches Ltd, in a deal worth in excess of €30m.

Clare, Munster -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/22/2010 -- Under the terms of the five-year contract, Callinan Coaches will carry in excess of one million passengers each year on 85 daily Citylink routes, connecting Ireland's major cities and international airports.

Claregalway-based Callinan Coaches currently employs 35 drivers and a number of maintenance staff to operate 14 Non Stop services for Citylink, as well as a number of domestic and continental services. An additional 39 drivers will be employed under the terms of the new contract.

Callinan's fleet of 15 coaches, all of which are 5-Star Failte Ireland approved, will operate the new services along with Citylink Ireland's fleet of luxury 24 coaches.

Commenting on the contract, Cathy Cullen, Managing Director of Citylink said: "The awarding of this outsourcing contract is an integral part of Citylink's strategy to secure the financial stability of the company and to reaffirm our long-term commitment to the Irish market. The deal is great news for the travelling public as it consolidates the level and quality of services currently being provided, while it also enables Citylink to refocus its marketing strategy going forward".

"Citylink are confident that Callinan Coaches, which has been named 'Intercity Coach Operator Of The Year' for two years in succession, will operate their scheduled services to the highest standard. Callinan and Citylink share a strong commitment to providing excellent customer care and consistency in the delivery of a first class service", Ms. Cullen added.

Tommy Callinan, Founder of Callinan Coaches Ltd. stated: "We look forward to continuing our work with Citylink Ireland, delivering a service that allows the company to concentrate on launching new routes and expanding its scope throughout Ireland."

Callinan Coaches, on behalf of Citylink, will operate the following services under the outsourcing agreement:

- 15 multi-stop Galway to Dublin and 15 multi-stop Dublin to Galway services daily

- 14 non-stop Galway to Dublin and 14 non-stop Dublin to Galway services daily (Callinan Coaches currently operates these services under contract for Citylink)

- 5 multi-stop Galway to Cork and 5 multi-stop Cork to Galway services daily

- Daily services from Galway to and from Clifden

- Daily services from Galway to and from Shannon International Airport

For more visit http://www.citylink.ie.

Note To Editor:

- Representatives of Citylink and Callinan Coaches are available for interview on request. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Sports Academy International (Sports AI) and the University of Limerick Activity Centre have announced details of Ireland’s newest adventure event in Killaloe, County Clare, today.

Clare, Munster -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/18/2010 -- The Lough Derg Monster, which takes place on Saturday July 24th, is a team-only event and will challenge participants to kayak, cycle and run around Lough Derg and the scenic hills of East Clare .

The 52km course will feature a kayak section (1.5m) across the sheltered waters of Lough Derg, two cycle sections (38km in total) through Ballycuggeran forest and the East Clare Way, and three separate runs (13km in total) through the Crag Hill and around the lake.

Tomas Madigan, CEO of Sports AI said the Lough Derg Monster was being organised in response to a resurgence in the popularity of adventure sports across Ireland.

Mr. Madigan explained: "There has been a huge surge in interest among outdoor enthusiasts and sports people in recent years in relation to adventure sports and events such as this. The success of our Tri3 series in Galway, Cahir and Kilrush has underlined the demand for adventure events and we are delighted to be able to organise this unique event for the Mid West region".

"The event will provide competitors with a healthy, challenging workout and an opportunity to enjoy one of Ireland's most scenic locations", he added.

The progress of participants through the challenging course will be measured with the use of SPORTIdent electronic timing equipment, part of which requires competitors to wear a small device on their wrist.

Prizes will be awarded to teams of two that finish first in the following categories: All Male, All Female, Mixed, Junior (combined age less than 40), Veteran (combined age over 80), and first-time adventure racers.

Course Information:
- Stage 1: Bike 27km. Teams will start this race in the saddle; the initial climb through Ballycuggeran forest will be on gravel roads. Then will come the most technical bike section teams descend over loose ground on a section of the East Clare Way. Soon after it is back onto sealed roads before finally rejoining the forest gravel roads.
-Stage 2: Hill run 7km. This is mainly on forest roads but will take in some good old Irish bog and a couple of streams
-Stage 3: Bike 9km. This section takes team through the final forest section before descending on sealed country roads to the bike drop point.
-Stage 4: Run 1km. This short run will take teams form the bike transition to the Kayak start.
-Stage 5: Kayak 1.5km. The kayak section will take place on the sheltered waters of Lough Derg in Double sit-on-top kayaks
-Stage 6: Hill run 5km. This final test will take teams on the narrow and steep trails of crag hill on a scenic loop, finishing back at UL Activity Centre.

For further information on the Lough Derg Monster or to register for the event visit http://www.loughdergmonster.com. A registration fee of €100 for teams of two includes kayaks and all safety equipment. Participants must provide their own bicycle.

Notes To Editor:
-Tomas Madigan and/or Tony Griffin are available for interview. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
-High resolution images relating to the Lough Derg Monster may be downloaded from www.dunphypr.com
-About SAI: Sports AI is a professional sports event management firm specialising in the creation of and consultancy on major sports events.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Irish primary schools could save hundreds of euro on water charges every every year by replacing conventional toilets with waterless urinals, according to brwaterless solution.

Clare, Munster -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/24/2010 -- One of the Mid West Region's best known primary schools has moved to reduce its annual water and sewer charges by installing waterless urinal systems.

The Model School in Limerick City invested in the systems, which were installed by brwaterless solution, to offset the scale of metered water charges that were introduced for all schools and educational centres in January. The Sligo-based company says that thousands of schools around the country are unwittingly flushing money down the toilet by using conventional toilets instead of newer waterless urinals.

The savings for the Model School has led brwaterless solution to develop the country's first Pay As You Save (PAYS) programme for national schools interested in using the Waterless No-Flush systems.

According to Ortwin Reintjes of brwaterless solution: "The country's National Primary Schools have been severely affected by the introduction of metered charges as many are not equipped with urinals for male pupils, necessitating toilet flushes for urination. The absence of installed urinals means that it is very difficult to reduce the level of water usage and the corresponding water and sewer charges".

Mr. Reintjes said that the Model School will benefit from significant savings by its use of the system.

He explained: "The average conventional urinal uses between 50,000 and 150,000 litres of potable water per year. With only two Waterless No-Flush units installed, the Model School, based on its male pupil population of 250, will benefit from savings on water and wastewater charges of up to 350 euro per year, based on Limerick City Council water charges of EUR2.30 per 1000 litres. Outside of the obvious water conservation and commercial benefits for the school, the urinals also lead to increased hygiene as well as a significant reduction of CO2 emissions and maintenances costs."

The urinals resemble conventional wall-hung urinal fixtures, but do not require a water supply or flush valve for their proper functioning. Gravity helps the flow into the urinal trap and into the drain line. The urinals, which can even be made of approximately 30 per cent of soybean resin, not only save water but help save natural resources and promote sustainability as well. Due to the dryness of the fixture, bacteria growth is inhibited and odours are eliminated through the minimal use of BlueSeal.

Commenting on the background to the PAYS scheme, Mr. Reintjes said: "On request, we evaluate how many litres of water per year and how much maintenance can be saved though the use of Waterless No-Flush system. The cost of the urinals is paid from part of the savings made on the reduced water charges. Fixtures are usually paid off within two years after which the schools keep on saving on water and sewer charges, along with reduced maintenance costs."

Commenting on the environmental benefits of the scheme, Mr. Reintjes noted: "The world is becoming increasingly aware of the need to conserve water and to diminish waste water. Dwindling natural resources, climate changes, the need to reduce and/or conserve budget money plus behavioral changes have led to an increased awareness and desire to install water conserving fixtures. We intend rolling out the PAYS program to other schools throughout the country and look forward to the opportunity to speak with Boards of Management interested in finding out more about the systems and to save money."

For more on brwaterless solution's PAYS (Pay As You Save) program see http://www.brwaterless.ie, telephone 071-9150622 or email ortwin@brwaterless.ie.

Notes To Editor:
- Mr. Ortwin Reintjes of brwaterless solutions is available for interview and further comment on 071-9150622. For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900.

- The idea of the PAYS (Pay As You Save) program originated with Paul A Cillo and Harlan Lachman of Vermont's Energy Efficiency Institute and is well published in Ireland by Jeff Colley, Editor of Construct Ireland.

Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly, Ennis, Co Clare, IRELAND
(Tel) 00353-868534900; (Fax) 00353-6839692; (Skype) dunphypr; (Email) media@dunphypr.com
http://www.dunphypr.com; http://www.twitter.com/dunphypr; http://www.facebook.com/dunphypublicrelations

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ireland is set to become home to an annual international cycling event organised by the world’s largest sports, entertainment and media company.

Clare, Munster -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/11/2010 -- IMG today, in partnership with Sky, Failte Ireland, Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Clare County Council, announced details of the country's first closed road cycle event.

The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia will take place over an 80-mile (approx) course in scenic County Clare on Sunday, August 22nd 2010.

The event organisers expect to attract 2000 entrants from throughout Ireland and abroad this year, bringing significant economic benefit into the local economy, with numbers increasing considerably over the next five years. The mass participation event, which is being marketed internationally and nationally, is open to all standards of cyclists, aged 18-80. The cycle will start and finish in Ennis and travel through County Clare, taking in part of West Clare's spectacular coastline.

Sky, the UK and Ireland's leading entertainment company behind the Sky Ride series of events, is the title sponsor of The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia. The sponsorship supports Sky's aim to encourage one million more people of all ages and abilities to get cycling by 2013. Sky Ride consists of a range of initiatives to get people back on their bikes, with activities like mass city cycling events on traffic-free streets through to local group rides.

As well as Sky Ride Etape Hibernia, IMG have extensive experience organising mass participation events including the internationally renowned events the Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia, Tour de Suisse, Melbourne Marathon, The London Triathlon, Triathlon de Alpe d'Huez and UK Challenge

Speaking at today's event launch in Spanish Point, County Clare, Jo Dytch of IMG said: "The popularity and growth in road cycling is very exciting. Along with our partners we are looking to lead the way in providing a prestige event for cycling in Ireland and to establish a major fixture on the Irish sporting calendar delivering a significant boost to the local economy. This event will bring a welcome boost to the tourism in Clare annually and will see the most scenic parts of the County and its coastline exposed to the world's cycling enthusiasts and media."

Ms. Dytch continued: "Sky Ride Etape Hibernia is Ireland's first closed road cycle event and is open to the general public. It affords cyclists with the unique opportunity to cycle safely on closed roads, whilst rising to the physical challenge at the same time. We expect to draw enthusiasts, the health conscious, challenge-seekers, charity fund-raisers and lapsed cyclists. For the inaugural Etape Hibernia, we hope to attract as many as 2000 entrants and plan to grow this number considerably by 2014. IMG are grateful for the support of the title sponsor Sky, and regional sponsors Failte Ireland, Shannon Development, Clare County Council, and the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, without whom staging this event in Ireland would not be possible and we look forward to making it a legacy event for the region".

Mark Deering, Director, Sky Ireland said, "We are proud to be the main sponsor for the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia. Our Sky Ride initiatives last year encouraged thousands of people to get on their bikes. We hope, through events and sponsorships such as this, that 2010 will provide more opportunities and inspiration for people to get cycling."

Speaking about today's announcement Keith McCormack, Failte Ireland's Head of Business and Sports Tourism, emphasised: "As a national tourism authority, we are glad to be 'in the saddle' for the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia. This event is a perfect fit for Failte Ireland's sports strategy and our commitment to promoting all of Ireland's regions as tourism destinations. This event allows us to harness the growing popularity of cycling to the natural charms and allure of County Clare and the Mid West. As well as bringing visitors and revenue to the area, the event will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the Shannon Region as both a cycling destination, in particular, and a tourism 'must see' in general."

Welcoming the event John King, Assistant Chief Executive of Shannon Development said, "Shannon Development, along with its partners, is delighted to have helped secure this very prestigious event for the Shannon Region for the next five years. Winning this event helps us build on our campaign to promote the Region's growing reputation as a leading sports and events destination. Etape Hibernia is one of a number of international events we are working on this year to bring additional visitors to the Shannon Region which have the potential to generate 10 million euro in new revenue for the Region. This new cycling event complements our strategy to secure more mass participation events, in particular sports events, which can be firmly rooted in the Shannon Region for many years to come."

Mr. King noted that the Lonely Planet 'Best in Travel 2010' guide's inclusion of Clare in its top 10 list of 'Super Cycling Routes in the World' was a great endorsement of the County's cycling product. "This endorsement is a testament to the amount of work that has gone into the development of the tourism cycling product in Clare in recent times. We look forward to working with IMG and our partners to ensure the success of this event in terms of delivering additional visitors and revenue", concluded Mr. King.

Karen Brosnahan of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau noted: "Sports Tourism generates approximately 60 million euro for the Shannon Region annually. We, along with Shannon Development and Failte Ireland, have recently launched a Sports Ambassador Programme to capitalise on this lucrative market even further by getting local people involved in sport to help bid for events like Etape Hibernia that can become legacy events for the entire Shannon Region."

Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy said the economic and tourist benefits associated with the event for County Clare and the wider region were significant. "I have no doubt that the people of Clare will support the event by joining Clare County Council in welcoming thousands of cyclists to the County, which will allow us to showcase all we have to offer. I especially welcome IMG's commitment to working with local people to maximise the economic return of the event for all local people", stated Mayor Mulcahy.

The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia was launched today at an event in The Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, Co Clare, which was attended by media outlets from throughout Ireland the United Kingdom. A number of attending journalists also took part in an arranged cycle of a 10-mile stretch of the proposed event route.

Details of The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia are available from http://www.etapehibernia.com or info@etapehibernia.com.

Notes To Editor:
- Images relating to today's event launch are available from Press 22 at (00353) 61-204222
- TV and Radio interviewees are available on request. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- Why Etape Hibernia? 'Etape' is the name for a stage of a cycle race. Hibernia is the Classical Latin name for the island of Ireland
- For more information about Sky Ride visit: http://www.goskyride.com
- For more information on IMG mass participation events visit: http://www.challengerworld.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The line-up for the 2010 Ennis Book Club Festival has been further enhanced by the addition of Joe Duffy and David McWilliams.

Clare, Munster -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/03/2010 -- Radio broadcaster Joe Duffy and leading Irish economist David McWilliams have been added to the line up for the 2010 Ennis Book Club Festival which takes place in the Clare County capital from March 5-7.

Supported by Clare County Library, the three-day programme of events is expected to attract hundreds of Book Club members and book lovers from all over Europe and North America. The Festival programme features author visits, readings, lectures and workshops, exhibitions, walking history tours, musical entertainment and chocolate tasting in various venues around Ennis. It also includes Ireland's first 'Book Club of the Year Award' and a professional development workshop for library staff.

Economist, Broadcaster and Journalist David McWilliams is the author of "The Pope's Children", which was the best selling Irish non-fiction book in 2006. His new book "Follow the Money: The Tale of the Merchant of Ennis", chronicles the story of the dooming of the Celtic Tiger and its aftermath. Mr. McWilliams will read from his latest works as well as participate in a questions and answers session from 10 to 11am in The Temple Gate Hotel Ennis on Saturday 6th March.

Meanwhile, presenter of RTE Radio One's popular daytime show 'Liveline' Joe Duffy will host '10 Books You Should Read' with Fiona Looney from 11.30am to 1pm in Glor on Saturday 6th March.

Among the contributors to the fourth annual festival will be Lionel Shriver, prolific journalist and Orange Prize-winning author of 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' and 'The Post-Birthday World'; Joseph O'Connor, journalist, screenwriter and author of ten Irish number one bestsellers including 'Star Of The Sea', 'Cowboys and Indians', 'Desperadoes', 'The Salesman' and 'Inishowen'; Tim Pat Coogan, biographer, historian, journalist and writer of "Michael Collins" and 'Ireland in the Twentieth Century'; Diarmaid Ferriter, author, historian, and university lecturer; Paul Howard, journalist, author and creator of the cult character Ross O'Carroll-Kelly; and Fiona Looney, columnist, playwright, scriptwriter and media personality.

Other participants include multi-award winning poet, Paul Durcan; Irish historian, crime novelist, journalist and broadcaster, Ruth Dudley Edwards; Irish author of 'Tenderwire', Claire Kilroy; US essayist, poet, short stories writer, funeral director and winner of the American Book Award and The Heartland Prize for Nonfiction, Thomas Lynch; historian and author of 1916 Rising novel 'Blood Upon the Rose', Gerry Hunt; American poet Knute Skinner, Irish journalist, columnist and politician, Senator Eoghan Harris; poetry group Clare Three-Legged Stool Poets; editor of Irish magazine 'Ri-Ra', Aidan Courtney; Ennis-based graphic novel analyst David O'Leary; and journalist, broadcaster, author and founder of Grow-It-Yourself Ireland, Michael Kelly.

Academic contributors to the festival include Dr. Paul Delaney, School of English at Trinity College, who will lead a discussion on popular writer Colm Toibin's work; Alan Titley, author, playwright, poet and Professor of Modern Irish and Head of Department at University College Cork; and Niall MacMonagle, reviewer, editor and English teacher at Dublin's Wesley College, who will present a workshop entitled 'How to Read a Novel'.

Claire Keegan, award-winning short story writer and author of "Antarctica" and "Walk the Blue Fields" in reading and discussing her writing with join Clare-based author Niall Williams. One of the highlights of the festival weekend will be The Sunday Symposium, during which Tim Pat Coogan, Ruth Dudley Edwards Senator Eoghan Harris and Diarmaid Ferriter will partake in a panel discussion on the subject of "Reading History". The session will be chaired by experienced broadcaster, journalist and communications consultant, Caimin Jones.

Meanwhile, the Festival is inviting library staff nationwide to a free workshop on how to start, develop and challenge a Book Club. The professional development workshop, which will be presented by Anne Downes of Opening the Book, has been designed specifically for library staff who are interested or involved in book clubs and will cover areas such as managing group dynamics, injecting new life and bringing new ideas to reading groups".

According to Festival Chairperson Ciana Campbell (available for interview on 00353-872262259) there has been a surge in membership among new and existing book clubs throughout Ireland. She added: "The festival is a wonderful social and literary event that brings together Book Club members, readers and authors from all over Ireland and beyond. This year's event presents a unique opportunity for all literary enthusiasts to share their joy of reading, to meet authors, to discuss books, and to have a weekend break with friends."

Ms. Campbell says the significant increase in interest in book clubs is the focus of a questionnaire by the Ennis Book Club Festival Organising Committee. "We are inviting people to complete the questionnaire on our website, which aims to gather information on the scale and nature of book club activity across Ireland", she commented.

The inaugural Ennis Book Club Festival was held in 2007. Past participants include Patrick McCabe, John Boyne, Carlo Gebler, Edna O'Brien, Joanne Harris, Brian Keenan, Roddy Doyle, Diarmuid Gavin, Hugo Hamilton, Allan Guthrie, Jennifer Johnston, John Connolly, Dermot Bolger, Salley Vickers, Fintan O'Toole, Gerard Donovan, Lorna Landvik, Gerry Adams and the late Nuala O Faolain. Previous festivals have attracted literary enthusiasts from all over North America and Europe, including members from many of Ireland's 150 Library Book Clubs and more than 300 Private Book Clubs.

Tickets for all events are on sale at Glor Box Office 00353656843103 / boxoffice@glor.ie. Further details on ticket prices and the festival are available from (web) http://www.ennisbookclubfestival.com, (t) http://www.twitter.com/ebcf, (e) info@ennisbookclubfestival.com and (t) 087-9723647/085-7758523.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Over 30 Local Government and Academic figures from throughout Europe gathered at the University of Limerick (UL) today to launch a new initiative aimed at encouraging greater eco-design in regional planning policies.

Clare, Ireland -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/22/2010 -- The Mid-West Regional Authority, in cooperation with the South-West Regional Authority and UL, are participating in the FRESH Project - Forwarding Regional Environmental Sustainable Hierarchies - in partnership with several other EU countries, namely Finland, Italy, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom.

During the project duration, which commenced on November 5th 2009 and runs until the end of 2012, each partner region will test and implement a series of tools for dealing both with economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

Commenting on the Mid-West region's focused theme over the next three years, Mr. Liam Conneally, Director of the Mid-West Regional Authority (MWRA) said: "Our primary focus will be on Sustainable Urban Living, and to influence planning and energy policies through eco-design and eco-innovation."

He added: "Through our participation in the FRESH project, we will be cooperating with our project partners in the region in seeking to disseminate good practice of regional development policies and instruments promoting environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness. The eco-village project in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, and the E-Towns initiative in Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, are prime examples of such an approach and we would hope to see similar projects developed in the Mid West Region over the coming years."

Mr. Conneally continued: "The overall objective of the FRESH Project is to strengthen Sustainable Value Creation based development at regional level and to contribute to the implementation of the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP) with special focus on eco-design and eco-innovation. The purpose of ETAP is to develop environmental technologies and contribute simultaneously to sustainability and competitiveness."

Meanwhile, an interregional seminar took place at UL today to mark the Irish launch of the FRESH Project. The seminar was opened by the Cathaoirleach of the Regional Authority, Cllr. Leo Walsh and attended by delegates from all the participating countries as well as dignitaries and interested parties from Ireland and abroad. Speakers included Mr. Antti Toivanen, Kainuun Etu, Finland/FRESH Lead Partner; Prof. Merritt Bucholz, School of Architecture, U.L.; and Mr. Liam Conneally, Director, MWRA.

Further information on the FRESH Project is available from the MWRA website http://www.mwra.ie.

Notes To Editor:
- Images relating to today's event are available from Press 22 at (00353) 61-204222.
- Interviewees are available on request. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- ETAP is an initiative of the EC, jointly coordinated by DG Research and DG Environment. It has been formulated following a request by the Gothenburg Council in June 2001.

Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly, Ennis, Co Clare, IRELAND
(Tel) 00353-868534900; (Fax) 00353-6839692; (Skype) dunphypr; (Email) media@dunphypr.com
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The impact of the downturn on the Irish economy has resulted in a significant rise in the number of small business operators seeking professional support and advice.

Clare, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/20/2010 -- The County Limerick Enterprise Board (LCOEB) says an estimated 1250 people attended small business training courses throughout County Limerick during 2009, up 55 per cent on the number of participants in 2008. 160 Dell employees also attended an in-house training course, organised by the Enterprise Board.

Over 20 Limerick County businesses were supported through grant aid in 2009, representing a 270,000 euro investment in small business in the county. The LCOEB also co-funded and supported the development of five Enterprise Centres in Croom, Dromcollogher, Broadford, Ballylanders and Kilmallock.

Limerick County Enterprise Board CEO Ned Toomey says the increase in demand among new and established business owners for professional business support and advice is an encouraging sign for the Irish economy.

He explained: "In the current difficult economic climate, it is important to promote the advice and support available to assist those wishing to establish or develop a business. We have seen that a downturn in the economy can often lead to a sharp rise in entrepreneurial activity."

He continued: "The Enterprise Board will host a series of training courses and workshops over the coming months to promote entrepreneurship as an opportunity to all sectors, levels and people in County Limerick. These events are aimed at assisting and facilitating new and established small and micro businesses, from the person that works on their own through to those that employ up to ten people."

The upcoming business and networking events will feature expert advice on issues including Starting A Business, Sales and Marketing For Beginners, Taxation for Self-Employed, Developing an Internet Business, Time Management In A Small Business, Credit Control and Financial Management for the Owner Manager.

The series will commence on Tuesday 9th February 2010 in Deebert House Hotel, Kilmallock, when one of Ireland's leading sales trainers, Robert Mc Kernan of Mc Kernan Training solutions, will offer advice on developing a sales strategy for 2010, as well as delivering a separate presentation for Food companies and related businesses on selling to large multiples.

Mc Kernan has spent over 25 years working in the Irish FMCG food industry and is the founder of Activsales, which works with teams with sales in excess of 500 million euro a year in Ireland, estimated to rise to 1 Billion euro by the end of 2010. He also works with Enterprise Ireland and Board Bia on food-related training programmes.

Limerick County Enterprise Board will host business and networking events during February, March and April. Event details are available from htttp://www.lcoeb.ie

Notes To Editor:
- Interviewees are available on request. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- A high-resolution image of Robert Mc Kernan may be downloaded from www.dunphyprimages.com

Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly, Ennis, Co Clare, IRELAND
(Tel) 00353-868534900; (Fax) 00353-6839692; (Skype) dunphypr; (Email) media@dunphypr.com
http://www.dunphypr.com
http://www.dunphyprimages.com
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For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

A green financing policy being introduced in Ireland next year will enable cash-strapped homeowners and businesses to pay for energy saving measures.

Clare, Munster -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/10/2009 -- The inclusion in the Irish Government's Budget for 2010 of the 'Save as You Pay' green financing model has been hailed as a visionary decision by the campaigner who introduced the idea.

"Save as You Pay (SAYP) could enable us to energy upgrade virtually every building in Ireland over the next decade, so it is exactly the sort of policy that could help lift us out of recession," said Jeff Colley, Editor of green building magazine Construct Ireland (available for interview on 086 8620685).

SAYP will enable cash-strapped homeowners and businesses to pay for energy saving measures through fixed repayments on their energy bills over several years.

According to Mr. Colley: "We introduced the idea of paying for energy upgrade work through utility bills over the summer because many people do not have access to savings or credit to get the work done. It was a question of right policy, right place, right time."

Colley's campaigning efforts resulted in SAYP being included in the renewed Programme for Government and the Institute of European Affairs Greenprint for a National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme. He noted: "We have been blown away by the level of public demand for this approach".

80 per cent of Irish homeowners responding to a Construct Ireland/Amarach Research survey in August said they would be interested in paying for energy upgrade work through their utility bills. 58 per cent of homeowners said they did not have enough money saved to upgrade their home.

"If the majority of Irish homeowners can't access the money to pay for energy upgrade work, a grant alone will be of limited use," Colley said. "Even with a grant covering 30 per cent of the cost of a typical upgrade, we have to help people to find the remainder, be it through payments on their energy bills or by adding it to their mortgage", stated Mr. Colley.

The response from utilities has already been encouraging, with Bord Gais announcing plans in October to introduce a major energy efficiency home services initiative in 2010, which will offer homeowners a full-scale energy efficiency service with a range of separate products and services through an on-bill finance.

"Save as You Pay can become a major driver in Ireland's economic recovery," said Colley. "It will create jobs, reduce our 6bn euro energy import bill, dramatically cut our carbon emissions, and enable all Irish people to have comfortable, healthy homes", concluded Mr. Colley.

Notes To Editor:
- Jeff Colley is available for interview on 086 8620685
- Images relating to this story may be downloaded from http://www.dunphyprimages.com
- Construct Ireland was shortlisted for seven awards at the Irish Magazine Awards 2009, including 'Business to
Business (B2B) Magazine of the Year, B2B Editor of the Year, Journalist of the Year, B2B Website of the Year, B2B Designer of the Year, Photographer of the Year and B2B Magazine Front Cover of the Year. Jeff Colley was shortlisted for the Green Leader award at the Green Awards 2008. Follow Construct Ireland on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ConstructIRL

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

County Limerick Youth Theatre Goes Back In Time

Clare, Munster -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/04/2009 -- The poignant true story of the 4,000 famine orphans who were transported from Irish workhouses to Australia between 1848 and 1850 is the subject of an exiting new project by the County Limerick Youth Theatre.

'Voyage of the Orphans', a film and three-act play will have its premiere screening and staging on Friday December 11th at the Honey Fitz Theatre in Lough Gur.

Work on the project commenced in March 2009 and involved over 50 members of the local community in east Limerick, including 28 full-time members of the Youth Theatre. The idea to explore migration developed out of a series of workshops, facilitated by drama and arts specialist Fiona Quinn.

Ms. Quinn explained: "Arising out of the workshops was an interest and keenness among the Youth Theatre members to make a film and devise a play on the theme of migration. We successfully applied for a Youth Initiative Grant under the European Youth in Action scheme to help them research and produce the film and three-act play."

She continued: "Looking at our own history of forced migration, the County Limerick Youth Theatre focused on the poignant true story of the 4,000 Irish famine orphans who were transported from the Irish workhouses to Australia during the Great Famine. This story of our past helped draw parallels between our nation's experience of migration and the plight of migrants today. Youth Theatre members undertook detailed historical research with the help of their coach, Kate Hammond.'

According to Ms. Hammond: "We looked at modern migration issues and the way that Irish society and the Irish media receive immigrants arriving here. This information was used as a springboard for improvisations at the weekly youth theatre workshops and slowly common characters and themes began to emerge".

Shot on location in County Limerick during August, the ten-minute film documents how three young sisters ended up as orphans in a Workhouse before two of them were transported to Australia. The social and economic differences between the landed gentry and tenant farmer families of the time are starkly demonstrated in the production. The film featured a local cast, ranging in age from 4 to 92 years old. The oldest member of the cast sadly passed away in recent weeks.

The three-act play, which was scripted by Fiona Quinn, covers the same story. Act I opens and plays out with the girls in the workhouse, Act II portrays life on board the transportation ship, and Act III documents the girls' arrival and reception in Australia where they were sent to work as indentured servants.

As part of the research on migration, members of the County Limerick Youth Theatre were also involved in visiting exhibitions on migration and democracy, inviting speakers to talk at the Honey Fitz venue and performing short plays commissioned by Amnesty International on the topics of racism and migration.

17-year-old Siobhan McCormack, from Herbertstown in County Limerick, noted that the project was very different to anything she or her fellow Youth Theatre members had ever done before. She explained: "For us, this was a complete eye opening experience. We devised a play about the orphan girls of famine Ireland who travelled to Australia for a better life but were often met with racism and prejudice. These things are still happening today and are as bad as they ever were. People come to our country from poor countries or countries who are experiencing civil war and who have no choice but to leave."

The County Limerick Youth Theatre was originally founded 14 years ago and is an initiative of Limerick County Council.

Speaking ahead of next week's premiere, County Limerick Arts Officer Joan Mc Kernan stated: "Rehearsals are underway, costumes are being made, songs and dances learned, and the set has been painted. We know that it will be an enjoyable night for all with humour and sorrow, laughter and tears showing the triumph of the human spirit over adversity'.

Ms. Mc Kernan said that the Youth Theatre had grown from strength to strength since its establishment fourteen years ago. "We established the Honey Fitz branch in Lough Gur four years ago to allow young people living in a rural isolated area direct access to the arts. There are now 28 full time members of the youth theatre aged between 13 -18 years old. We are always open to new members", she concluded.

'Voyage of the Orphans' is showing at The Honey Fitz Theatre, Lough Gur, Co. Limerick from 11th – 13th December 2009 at 7.30pm. Tickets €10/€5 concessions. Booking on 061 385 386

For more on the County Limerick Youth Theatre contact the Limerick County Council Arts Office on 061 496 498 / 496 300

Notes To Editor:
-High resolution images relating to this story may be downloaded from http://www.dunphyprimages.com

-Fiona Quinn, Arts & Drama Facilitator ON 086 8246915 AND Joan Mac Kernan, Limerick County Arts Officer (061496498/496300) are available for interview and further comment

-For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm