A family’s dream TV takes centre stage in Currys latest campaign developed by Core Creative

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The excitement of finding the perfect new TV for all the family is at the heart of Currys latest campaign developed by Core Creative, the Creative Practice of Core, Ireland’s largest marketing communications company.

 

Following the launch of Currys new brand platform, ‘For the Tech You Love’, last year, the campaign leads viewers to believe a family is preparing to welcome a new dog into their home, capturing all the anticipation and emotion that comes with it. However, in a turn of events, it is soon revealed that what the family really has their heart set on is a brand-new television.

 

Created by Core Creative, with media planning managed by Starcom, part of Core, the film is part of a wider campaign promoting Currys extensive range of TVs and unbeatable deals ahead of a summer jam-packed with major sporting moments, including Wimbledon, the Tour de France and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, positioning Currys as the go-to destination for the tech people really love.

 

Mark Tuthill, Creative Director at Core Creative, commented: “Building on the highly-successful launch of ‘For the Tech You Love’ brand platform, our latest campaign for Currys reinforces the brand promise that if you’ve got your heart set on a new piece of technology, then Currys has is at a price you’ll adore. We’re delighted to share this new work in partnership with our wonderful clients at Currys and look forward to seeing it out in the world in the coming weeks.”

 

Keith Daly, Country Manager at Currys Ireland, added: “At Currys, we know that choosing a new TV is about much more than technology alone. Whether it’s following major sporting moments, family movie nights or everyday entertainment, the right screen quickly becomes part of the home. This campaign captures the excitement that comes with making that choice, while reinforcing Currys’ role in helping customers find the right technology, offering independent expert advice and great value for customer’s needs.”

 

About Core

Core is Ireland’s largest Marketing Communications company. The company employs a team of 400 people and consists of nine practices – Creative, Data, Exchange, Learning, Media (comprising of Spark Foundry, Starcom, and Zenith), Research, Sponsorship, Performance and Strategy.

www.onecore.ie

Ashview Consultants, one of Ireland’s leading business risk management consultancies, announces four senior appointments amid ongoing European expansion

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Ashview Consultants is currently delivering a portfolio of projects across six European countries

 

Ashview Consultants, one of Ireland’s leading business risk management consultancies, has announced a series of senior leadership changes amid the company’s ongoing European expansion.

 

Justyna Kluska and Tony Fox have been promoted to Senior Associate Director roles, Dylan Coughlan has been promoted to Associate Director, and Neil McKenna has been appointed Associate Director.

 

In their new roles, all four will work closely with Ashview Consultants CEO Paul O’Shea and the wider senior management team to support the implementation of the company’s strategic vision, driving continuous improvement and delivering exceptional service to clients.

 

With offices in Dublin, Newry and London, Ashview Consultants, which is celebrating 20 years in business this year, works with clients across the world to optimise their performance by identifying, assessing and mitigating risks that could impact their business operations or their workplace health and safety standards. This includes operational, financial, business, compliance and health and safety systems as well as industry-specific challenges. Client sectors include construction, aviation, transport, commercial, pharmaceutical, hospitality, retail, residential, logistics, data centres and student accommodation.

Ashview Consultants has also taken a significant step forward in its growth journey with a strategic expansion into a number of European countries, marking a significant milestone in the company’s development. The business is now delivering a portfolio of projects across six European markets. This expansion is further strengthened by the business’s collaboration with a number of key clients and delivery partners who specialise in highly customised, build-to-suit data centres, reinforcing Ashview Consultants’ commitment to enhancing its European offering and extending the reach of its expertise across the region.

Commenting on the appointments, Paul O’Shea, CEO of Ashview Consultants, says: “On behalf of myself and the wider team at Ashview Consultants, I am delighted to announce the strengthening of our senior management team with the promotion of Justyna, Tony and Dylan, alongside the appointment of Neil. Their expertise, leadership, and deep industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue our European expansion, delivering exceptional service to clients across new and existing markets. These appointments reflect our commitment to investing in our people and ensuring we have the strongest possible team in place to drive innovation, maintain the highest standards of risk management, and support the long-term strategic growth of Ashview Consultants.

Justyna Kluska has been promoted to Senior Associate Director following nearly a decade with Ashview Consultants. Justyna has successfully delivered over 350 projects across a number of sectors including civil works, residential, commercial, data centres, and breweries. She has extensive experience working on projects of significant scale, nature and complexity.

As Senior Associate Director, Justyna will continue to foster a positive business risk and safety culture across Ashview Consultants’ portfolio and will lead Ashview Consultants’ Women Enterprise Network, promoting leadership through webinars, events, and collaborative initiatives.

Justyna holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health and Safety from the Communications Management Institute in Dublin. She also holds a Certificate in Construction Health and Safety and Leadership Excellence and is a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), a global professional body that recognises excellence, leadership, and best practice in risk, safety, and health management.

 

Tony Fox has also been promoted to Senior Associate Director following a number of senior roles at Ashview Consultants including Senior Health and Safety Consultant and more recently, Associate Director. Tony specialises in early planning and design of project management, helping clients to identify, eliminate, and control foreseeable risks to their organisations. He also leads on a broad range of advisory and compliance projects including the rollout of Safe365, a digital health and safety cultural tool that helps businesses track, measure and improve their safety performance and compliance in real time.

 

With almost three decades of experience in the construction and built environment industry, Tony started his career with a trade background before progressing into management and later specialising in health and safety.

 

Tony holds a number of qualifications, covering areas such as construction, risk assessment, regulatory risk, and risk control. He was also a construction lecturer in South Eastern Regional College, Belfast.

Dylan Coughlan has been promoted to Associate Director from his role as Senior Risk Consultant at Ashview Consultants where he plays a key part in the early review of design risks for each project, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to mitigate risks during construction and for end users.

Prior to joining Ashview Consultants in 2022, Dylan worked as a Health and Safety Officer with Sonica, an interior fit-out contractor, and with HML Construction, a leading construction company operating in Ireland and the UK. Dylan has extensive experience across key sectors, including commercial, residential, logistics, and data centre projects.

Dylan holds a Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety Management from South East Technological University, a Higher Diploma in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work from University College Dublin and a Certificate in Project Management and Entrepreneurship in the Built Environment from Griffith College. He also holds a number of professional Health and Safety certifications.

Neil McKenna, who has been appointed Associate Director, has over two decades of experience in the construction and health and safety industry. Prior to joining Ashview Consultants, Neil served as Health and Safety Manager at Townmore Construction, where he managed and trained Senior Safety Advisors, Safety Officers, and Subcontractor Safety Officers across all construction projects.

Neil also worked on design-and-build warehouse projects for high-profile clients during his time as Senior Environmental Health and Safety Manager at Park Developments, including Northwest Logistics Park and North West Business Park. He spent almost a decade as Senior Environmental Health and Safety Advisor / Manager at Balfour Beatty Ireland, working on projects such as the refurbishment of runway 16/34 at Dublin Airport, construction and fit out of student accommodation buildings at Gloucester Place, Dublin and the redevelopment of primary healthcare centres across Dublin city and county.

Neil is a Chartered Member of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) and holds a Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice (City and Guilds), a Diploma of Higher Education in Business Supervisory Management from IBAT College, and a Certificate of Higher Education in Health and Safety Practice from NIFAST, Dublin. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Trinity College Dublin.

 

Celebrating 20 years in business this year, Ashview Consultants is a 100% Irish owned and fully independent company. The team of 30 professionals combine deep sectoral expertise with innovative technology to provide practical and proactive solutions to clients that enhance operational, financial, business, compliance and health and safety systems or address industry-specific challenges.

 

Ashview Consultants’ professional staff are third-party accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), and the Association for Project Safety (APS). Ashview Consultants also hold the following ISO accreditations:

 

  • ISO 9001 – Quality Management System
  • ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System
  • ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management System

 

Ashview Consultants – setting new standards in the global business risk management industry

 

For more information about Ashview Consultants, please visit:

www.ashviewconsultants.com

LinkedIn          @Ashview Consultants

Instagram        @ashviewconsultants

Dublin house prices set to increase by an average of 5% in 2026 amid ongoing supply shortages, as estate agents strike a more cautious tone than in recent years – The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide

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  • Property values in Dublin 3,4,9 and North County Dublin forecast to rise by up to 8% this year

 

  • Price growth in the south of the city is cooling, with estate agents anticipating an average increase of 4.65% and rises as low as 3% in Dublin 2,10,14,18 and 20

 

  • In several parts of the capital 80-100% of estate agents’ sales in 2025 exceeded asking prices, with homes selling for an average 10% above guide price

 

  • A continued rise in private landlords exiting the market has coincided with strong activity from first-time buyers holding mortgage approval

 

  • Ballsbridge, Sandymount, Ranelagh, Milltown and Rathmines rank as Dublin’s five most expensive areas for a three-bedroom semi-detached home, while Neilstown, Darndale and Clondalkin are the most affordable

 

  • Demand for turnkey homes with high energy ratings remains strong but rising construction costs and a shortage of builders continues to hinder renovation projects

 

Dublin estate agents expect property values across the capital to rise by an average of 5% this year, driven by continued shortfalls in new housing supply and intense bidding wars for energy-efficient turnkey homes, according to The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide 2026, in partnership with AIB.

 

However, the findings indicate that estate agents are adopting a more cautious outlook for the year ahead than they did last year for 2025, when they predicted average price increases of 6.25%, rising to as much as 12% in some areas.

 

The dedicated 28-page supplement, now in its 24th year, will be published free with The Sunday Times this Sunday, 11 January.

 

The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide is the authoritative guide to the Dublin property market, and features interviews with a number of Dublin estate agents who outline their predictions for the year. It also includes a detailed analysis of property prices for a wide variety of house types across all postcodes in the capital.

 

Key insights include:

 

  • Second-hand three-bed semi-detached homes in Artane have breached the €700,000 mark and are expected to exceed that level in Killester during 2026

 

  • While Ballyfermot remains one of Dublin’s more affordable areas, properties are increasingly achieving prices above €400,000

 

  • Agents in Howth and Sutton and Dublin 16 are the least optimistic about house values rising in 2026. They expect price increases of 2-4% in Howth / Sutton and 2.5% in Dublin 16

 

  • Bidding wars were most common for turnkey properties with high energy ratings – the area of the market also facing the most limited supply

 

  • Many buyers in the second-hand market are couples with mortgage approval, often finding themselves competing for properties in parts of Dublin they had not previously considered buying in

 

  • There is some cause for optimism, however, with the Government’s new housing plan ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030’, alongside measures in Budget 2026 which are expected to improve supply over time. Lower interest rates will also provide buyers with some additional breathing space

 

The Sunday Times Property Price Guide also reveals that the top five most expensive examples of three-bed, semi-detached houses in Dublin are in the following locations:

  1. Ballsbridge                    €1.15 million
  2. Sandymount                 €1.15 million
  3. Ranelagh                      €1.06 million
  4. Milltown                        €1.02 million
  5. Rathmines                    €870,000

 

The top five most affordable examples of three-bed, semi-detached houses are unveiled as:

  1. Neilstown                      €310,000
  2. Darndale                       €330,000
  3. Clondalkin                     €340,000
  4. Ballymun                       €350,000
  5. Springfield, Tallaght       €350,000

 

Sorcha Corcoran, editor of The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide, says: “Once again, this year’s Dublin Property Price Guide shows a market being driven primarily by a mismatch between supply and demand. Although new homes are being delivered, they are absorbed quickly and at high price points, while the exit of private landlords has intensified pressure on buyers. With bidding wars still widespread – particularly for energy-efficient, turnkey homes – estate agents expect prices to continue rising in 2026, albeit at a more moderate pace. There is some hope on the horizon, however, as housing policy reforms and lower interest rates begin to shift the focus towards longer-term solutions.”

The Sunday Times Dublin Property Price Guide, in association with AIB, will be followed by The Sunday Times Nationwide Property Price Guide which will be published on Sunday, 18th January. For full details, pick up a copy of The Sunday Times this weekend or online at Thesundaytimes.com/ireland

 

For more information visit Thesundaytimes.com/ireland

or follow The Sunday Times Ireland on X @ST__Ireland, Instagram @sundaytimesireland and

Facebook @thesundaytimesIE 

 

Roy Keane stars in Sky Mobile’s festive ‘Expect More’ campaign created by Core

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Following the success of Sky Mobile’s ‘Expect More’ platform launched in 2024, Sky Mobile is continuing to deliver on its promise to give customers more this Christmas. The new festive campaign, created by Core, Ireland’s largest marketing communications company, once again features Roy Keane, whose famously high expectations are put to the ultimate test during the season of giving.

In a world where many offer less for more at Christmas, Sky Mobile is taking a different approach, offering great deals on the latest handsets alongside fair and flexible mobile plans for customers.

Created by Core Creative, and managed by Starcom, part of Core, the campaign continues to celebrate the humour and honesty that made the original ‘Expect More’ campaign so successful, with Keane’s no-nonsense character perfectly highlighting Sky’s commitment to doing things differently.

Caroline Donnellan, Director of Marketing & Brand at Sky & NOW, said:

“Christmas is the perfect time to build on the success of our ‘Expect More’ campaign. This season can test even the highest expectations, and who better to reintroduce than Roy Keane to bring that to life? At Sky, we believe our mobile customers deserve more value, fairness, and flexibility – and this campaign captures that spirit perfectly.”

Kate O’Callaghan, Business Director at Core Creative, added:

“The ‘Expect More’ platform has been a powerful creative platform for Sky Mobile, allowing us to show that when others give you less, Sky gives you more. This latest chapter extends that story into Christmas, a time when value really matters. The work brings a fresh, festive energy to the brand while staying true to its core message.”

Rob Murray, Creative Partner at Core Creative, commented:

“It would have been easy to paint Roy as a kind of Scrooge character, but the truth is, he genuinely loves Christmas. If anything, his famously high expectations are even higher this time of year. So we had a lot of fun putting Roy in situations where they aren’t being met, and contrasting them with Sky Mobile’s brilliant offers and their promise to deliver more when it counts.”

The Christmas campaign will run across TV, social, digital, and outdoor channels, reinforcing Sky Mobile’s commitment to providing Irish consumers with a mobile experience they can truly expect more from.

Advertising Standards Authority releases latest Complaints Bulletin

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  • 6 advertisements across Online, Direct Mail, Social Media and Radio were found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code on grounds related to a range of issues including Misleading and Environmental Claims

 

The Advertising Standards Authority’s independent Complaints Council has released its latest Complaints Bulletin which contains 7 case reports on complaints recently investigated by the organisation.

 

6 of the 7 cases were upheld in full. Advertisements across Online, Direct Mail, Social Media and Radio were found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code on grounds related to Misleading and Environmental Claims. The Independent Complaints Council chose not to uphold one complaint.

 

The Complaints Council is a completely independent arm of the Advertising Standards Authority and is responsible for considering and adjudicating on complaints submitted by the public, by an organisation, by a Government Department, or any other person or body. The Council is made up of a range of experts from the advertising, media, education, consumer, and marketing sectors. See further details here – https://adstandards.ie/about-us/

 

Commenting on the latest Advertising Standards Authority rulings, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, stated: “The mission of the Advertising Standards Authority is to ensure consumers are safeguarded from advertising that is harmful, misleading of offensive. Our latest complaints bulletin highlights the diverse role we play in upholding honesty, transparency and integrity across the Irish advertising landscape.

 

Beyond ensuring compliance with the Code, we are dedicated to promoting its principles throughout the industry, not only addressing non-compliant advertising but also proactively educating both consumers and brands. Through these efforts, we aim to foster trust in advertising for all.

 

Additionally, to assist advertisers, we offer a free and confidential copy advice service, guiding them in creating responsible and compliant advertisements. This service provides invaluable guidance for advertisers, agencies and media that carry advertisements who may have questions or concerns about the compliance of marketing communications. We encourage anyone in the industry to take advantage of this resource to ensure their advertising is both responsible and effective.”

 

Below is a list of 6 advertisements that have been found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code:

 

Advertiser Medium Complaint Category Description Complaint Status Section Breached Link
 

Keller Williams

 

 

Online (Third Party Website)

  

Misleading

  

The advertisement featured a house for sale and was seen on a third party website. The house was labelled as having “3 beds 1 bath” and later described as a “2 / 3 bedroom property.”

 

The complainant considered the advertisement misleading on the basis that the third bedroom did not have a window, only a small skylight, which would be unreachable in the event of a fire.

  

Upheld

  

4.01, 4.04, 4.09 and 4.10

https://adstandards.ie/complaint/property-19/
 

An Post

 

Direct Mail

  

Misleading

  

The advertisement included a number of statements including “Post now has no limits”, “Digital stamps are available on the An Post App”, and “Send anytime, to anywhere using An Post Digital Stamps.”

 

The complainant considered the advertisement to be misleading as An Post Digital Stamps have an expiry of six months from purchase, meaning consumers could not use them to “send anytime”.

 

The complainant also said the claim “no limits” was untrue as the digital stamps do have limits whereas traditional, physical stamps do not.

  

Upheld

 

4.01, 4.04, 4.09 and 4.10

  

https://adstandards.ie/complaint/business-4/
 

Aldi Stores (Ireland) Limited

 

Online (Advertiser’s Own Website)

  

Misleading / Environmental

  

The advertisement promoted Burn and Glow Lignite Coal and featured a number of claims including “they’re also virtually smokeless and an environmentally friendly option“.

 

The complainant considered the claim “environmentally friendly” was unsubstantiated and false. They said that fossil fuels were not environmentally friendly as they increased the concentration of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

 

The complainant also said that burning fossil fuels, especially in an open grate, was one of the most polluting and inefficient ways to heat your home. They said that even “smokeless fuels” emit fine particulate matter which is particularly damaging to human health and air quality.

The complainant referred to information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website to support their comments.

  

Upheld

  

4.01, 4.04, 4.09, 4.10 and 15.02

  

 

 

 

 

https://adstandards.ie/complaint/household-46/ ‎
 

BEO Wellness

 

Online (Influencer’s Social Media)

  

Misleading

  

Four images were posted to the influencer’s Instagram story, each promoting items from the influencer’s own business. Three of the images were marked as “own brand”, while one image did not include any text other than a link to purchase the product.

 

The complainant considered the story posts to be misleading as they said it was not clear to consumers that these posts were advertisements.

 

The complainant also said that while the tag “own brand” was included in three of the photos, none of the photos included the primary disclosure label “#AD”.

  

Upheld

  

3.31, 3.32, 4.01 and 4.04

  

 

 

https://adstandards.ie/complaint/clothing-footwear-13/
 

Skinbae & Beyond Co.

  

Online (Influencer’s Social Media)

  

Misleading

  

Two images were posted to the influencer’s Instagram story, one of which depicted a make up application with a contour brush, while the other showed the results of using the brush.

 

Two issues were identified in the complaint:

 

Issue 1:

The disclosure did not include a hashtag before “ad” meaning the disclosure was therefore marked incorrectly. The complainant also said the disclosure was barely visible as it was written in small white text at the bottom of the screen.

 

Issue 2:

The complaint said the influencer was using a filter while applying the advertiser’s product on herself which was misleading.

 Issues 1 and 2:

Upheld

 3.31, 3.32, 4.01, 4.04 and 4.10  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://adstandards.ie/complaint/health-beauty-83/
 

Daikin

 

Radio

  

Misleading / Environmental

  

The advertisement featured a conversation between a father and daughter and featured a number of statements including “Daikin Energy Efficient Heat Pumps provide steady, reliable heat all year round. And because they run on renewable energy, they are good for the planet too!”

 

The complainant considered the above claim misleading as pumps run on electricity and it was dishonest to describe them as renewable energy when only a percentage of electricity delivered through the national grid is generated through renewable sources. They said the balance was generated by burning fossil fuels and on that basis, the advertisement was misleading.

  

Upheld

  

4.01, 4.04, 4.09, 4.10, 15.02 and 15.05

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://adstandards.ie/complaint/household-47/

 

One complaint was not upheld by the Independent Complaints Council:

 

Advertiser Medium Complaint Category Description Complaint Status Section Breached Link
 

Ocean Healthcare Ltd. – Bio Oil

  

Outdoor

  

Misleading / Health and Beauty

  

A bus shelter advertisement for Bio Oil Skincare Oil featured an image of the product together with two testimonial quotes which featured a number of statements including “Helps improve the appearance of both new and old scars”, and  “Helps reduce the possibility of stretch marks forming during pregnancy, teenage growth spurts and periods of rapid weight gain.”

 

The complainant considered the advertisement misleading as it had included claims for the product without providing supporting empirical data or survey data.

 

  

Not Upheld

  

N/A

  

https://adstandards.ie/complaint/health-beauty-82/

 

 

The Advertising Standards Authority conducts ongoing monitoring of advertising across all media and since 2007, has examined over 27,000 advertisements, with an overall compliance rate of 98 percent. The Advertising Standards Authority Monitoring Service monitors compliance with the Complaints Council’s adjudications.

 

Media are reminded that advertisements found to be in breach of the Code cannot be accepted for publication.

 

Visit adstandards.ie to learn more

 

To keep up to date on Advertising Standards Authority activity, follow the organisation on:

 

X                      @AdStandardsIRE

Instagram        @adstandardsireland

LinkedIn          @Ad-Standards-Ireland

Children’s author Martin Waddell to be honoured with the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024

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  • Waddell, bestselling author of Owl Babies (1992), is the first children’s author to receive the award

 

  • Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Waddell at the annual An Post Irish Book Awards in Dublin on 27th November

 

  • Waddell joins a host of distinguished recipients including Professor Roy Foster, Anne Enright, Sebastian Barry, Maeve Binchy, Colm Tóibín, Eavan Boland and Seamus Heaney

 

The An Post Irish Book Awards is delighted to announce that Martin Waddell is the recipient of this year’s ‘Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award’. The award will be presented on 27th November at the 2024 awards ceremony in The Convention Centre, Dublin.

 

As the 2024 Lifetime Achievement honouree, Martin Waddell will join a host of other distinguished recipients including Sebastian Barry, Colm Tóibín, Thomas Kinsella, Eavan Boland, John Montague JP Donleavy, Paul Durcan, John Banville, Maeve Binchy, John McGahern, Edna O’Brien, William Trevor, Seamus Heaney, Anne Enright and Professor Roy Foster.  All previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award can be found at https://www.irishbookawards.ie/history/hall-of-fame/

 

Martin Waddell is the first children’s writer to receive the award, and is one of the most popular and beloved authors in the genre. With more than one hundred books to his credit and 25 million books sold worldwide, he is one of the most prolific and successful children’s writers. He is best known for Owl Babies (1992) and the Little Bear books, illustrated by Barbara Firth. Waddell won the prestigious Hans Christian Anderson Award in 2004, which is considered the highest international recognition for an author of children’s books. He is also two time winner of the Smarties Book Prize and received the Kurt Maschler Award among others.

 

In conferring the award, the Board of the Irish Book Awards stated:

‘Northern Irish author, Martin Waddell, is best known for his work in the genre of children’s literature.  Previously, Waddell had written thrillers and adult fiction under the pseudonym Catherine Sefton but having transitioned to children’s literature, he became one of the most popular and well-beloved authors in the genre.

 

His most famous book is Owl Babies (1992), a picture book about three baby owls waiting anxiously for their mother to return. It has become a timeless classic, widely read in homes and schools alike, and praised for its reassuring message of maternal love and security. Equally popular are the Little Bear books, illustrated by Barbara Firth, which explore themes of friendship, family, and adventure.  You would struggle to find an Irish parent who hasn’t read these books to their children at one time or another and all Irish booksellers owe Martin a massive debt for the privilege of selling and recommending his wonderful go-to classics.

 

Waddell’s signature style is simple, direct, and suffused with an instinctive empathy for the concerns of children and their parents. A deeply private person, Waddell lives quietly at his home in County Down. His legacy, however, is far-reaching, as his stories continue to be cherished by new generations of readers around the world.

 

For all of the above reasons, the Board of the An Post Irish Book Awards wish to present the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award to Martin Waddell.’

 

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says:

“The Board of the An Post Irish Book Awards is delighted to present the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award to Martin Waddell. His storytelling captures the hearts of readers both young and old, and his work is filled with warmth, imagination, and a deep understanding of childhood, making him one of the most beloved voices in children’s literature. Waddell’s ability to bring characters to life and explore universal emotions with such tenderness and insight makes him a worthy recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.”

 

Now in its 19th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year, the An Post Irish Book Awards bring together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of new and established Irish writing talent. The winners will be announced on 27th November 2024.

 

Other categories include:

  • TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year
  • Dubray Biography of the Year
  • Hodges Figgis History Book of the Year
  • WHSmith Non-Fiction Book of the Year
  • Eason Novel of the Year
  • Bookselling Ireland Food & Drink Book of the Year
  • Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year
  • Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year
  • Eason Sports Book of the Year
  • Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana
  • Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Junior
  • Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior
  • International Education Services Teen & Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy
  • Irish Independent Crime Fiction Book of the Year
  • Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year
  • Ireland AM Popular Fiction Book of the Year
  • The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award
  • New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the Irish Independent
  • New Irish Writing Best Poetry in association with the Irish Independent
  • An Post Bookshop of the Year

A one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on 19th December, giving viewers an exclusive insight into the six books and the authors competing for the accolade of ‘An Post Irish Book Awards Book of the Year 2024’, culminating in the reveal of this year’s overall winner.

www.anpostirishbookawards.ie

Facebook: @AnPostIBAS

Instagram: @anpost_irishbookawards

Twitter: @AnPostIBAS

 

For a range of reading recommendations, check out www.anpost.com/readerswanted

Sculpted by Aimee Connolly, Nostra, Vodafone Ireland, Bathrooms 4U in Kerry and The Law Society of Ireland feature in 2024 Best Places to Work awards compiled by The Sunday Times

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WorkL survey reveals that Gen Z workers, who are the least happy age group in the UK, are the second happiest in Ireland

 

  • The Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards features 35 organisations nationwide where employees feel happy and motivated

 

  • Dedicated eight page supplement with complete list of Best Places to Work will be in this weekend’s Sunday Times on Sunday 14th July

The Sunday Times, Ireland’s leading quality Sunday news brand, in partnership with WorkL, the employee experience platform, have today unveiled Ireland’s top employers in their inaugural Best Places to Work list for 2024.

 

Launched to recognise and celebrate the very best places to work in Ireland, ‘The Sunday Times Best Places to Work’ is an eight page supplement highlighting 35 employers across the country, including Sculpted by Aimee Connolly, Nostra, Vodafone Ireland, bathroom renovations company Bathrooms 4U in Kerry and The Law Society of Ireland, that recruit and retain top talent along with industry-leading best practices in areas such as engagement, wellbeing and job satisfaction.

 

The Sunday Times Best Places to Work survey uses 26 questions from WorkL’s employee engagement survey, developed by behavioural scientists, data analysts, psychologists, business leaders, academics and other independent parties to most accurately monitor employee engagement, wellbeing and discretionary effort in the workplace. To be successfully accredited as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work, organisations must achieve a minimum 70% overall engagement score across WorkL’s six-set framework.

 

The survey also revealed that of those companies that entered, there is no one area where Ireland scores lower than the UK across all demographics. Further data showed that Gen Z workers, who are the least happy age group in the UK, are the second happiest in Ireland.

 

The Sunday Times Best Places to Work initiative aims to highlight businesses where individuals feel they have more control over their work life balance, wellbeing and environment and, as a result of this, take more responsibility for the success of their employer.

 

Entries are now open for The Sunday Times Best Places to Work Awards for 2025. Companies can enter through the WorkL for business platform where organisations can set up and distribute a survey designed by employee experience experts. The survey includes key questions which will give an insight into the organisation and employee sentiment. The link is: stbestplacestowork.ie

 

Brian Carey, Business Editor of The Sunday Times, says:

“Over recent years the country has enjoyed near full employment, creating a competitive market for recruiters and an environment where talent retention is at a premium. A happy workforce creates a stable workplace. The Sunday Times is proud to bring the Best Places to Work survey awards to Ireland, to sponsor an initiative that drives and recognises good practice, helps organisations develop their culture and identity and promotes employee welfare and ultimately economic success. Our inaugural list reflects the dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit of Ireland. To be a success on the international stage, Ireland must offer the Best Places to Work. This is a very good start.”

 

Mark Price, Founder of WorkL, says:

“Staff working for the Best Places to Work represent a much lower flight risk, which is good news for their chief executives and finance directors, as recruiting and training staff is costly and time consuming, not to mention that with almost full employment in Ireland competition for talent is fierce.

 

So why are Irish staff happier? I would probably say that managers are taking more interest in their people, their wellbeing, they are looking after their people better. The best employers acknowledge their employees’ personal and professional needs, from family friendly working policies to training and creating a positive environment to work in. Everybody wins when employers invest in their staff.”

 

 

The dedicated eight page supplement with the complete list of Ireland’s Best Places to Work

will be in The Sunday Times on Sunday 14th July or can be found here –

thesundaytimes.ie/bestplacestowork

 

Facebook @thesundaytimesIE
Twitter @ST__Ireland
LinkedIn @The Sunday Times Ireland
Instagram @sundaytimesireland

Phase one of new exclusive Wellfield development in Malahide, Dublin unveiled by Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty on behalf of Ashcroft Developments

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  • Spacious four- and five-bedroom homes available at Park Avenue, Streamstown Lane in Malahide from €950,000

 

  • Interior design elements by award winning designer Jackie Carton at Carton Interiors

 

  • A2 BER energy rating houses combining high levels of roof, wall and floor insulation

 

 

Ashcroft Developments are pleased to announce that sales are about to commence at their latest new residential scheme. Phase one sales at Wellfield Malahide, an exclusive new development of stunning four and five bedroom detached and semi-detached homes, are being brought to the market this weekend by Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty. Wellfield is ideally situated at Park Avenue on Streamstown Lane in Malahide.

 

Located within walking distance of the vibrant Malahide village, the contemporary red brick homes feature higher than standard ceilings on the ground floor, with generous living spaces throughout for growing families at all stages of life. Roomy attic trusses can be accessed by pull down ladder stairs and can be used for storage or future upward expansion of living space. The properties also have extensive front and rear garden space, with wiring for electrical vehicle home charging point available on the external wall.

 

Sustainability is paramount in Wellfield and the luxury homes feature high levels of energy efficiency with a BER rating of A2. Each home includes a three-zone air to water heat pump system, offering 24/7 programmable heating controls and allowing for the independent management of both living and sleeping areas, as well as hot water. The ground floor benefits from underfloor radiant heat distribution, giving an even circulation of warmth throughout the living areas. Additionally, the properties are equipped with an Aereco low energy demand driven ventilation system, which operates quietly to extract moist air from wet rooms based on humidity levels.

 

Sleek interior design features throughout the properties, with wall paint colours, bathroom tiling, sanitaryware, and kitchen designs selected by award winning interior designer Jackie Carton from Carton Designs. Built-in wardrobes by Cawley’s Furniture allow for stylish storage solutions, with sleek panel profiled solid core interior doors and satin chrome finish door handles by Carroll Joinery. The properties showcase bespoke custom designed kitchens with handleless units and 30mm quartz countertops, along with fully integrated Neff appliances.

 

Maureen Cummins, Development Manager at Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty says: “We are delighted to bring phase one of Wellfield to the market. Malahide is a beautiful coastal village with excellent restaurants, great shopping and of course, stunning views of the sea front. The properties are exceptionally spacious with four bedroom houses ranging from 1,460 – 1,886 sq. ft. and five bedroom houses ranging from 2,177 – 2,445 sq. ft. Generous storage and stylish interior design are key elements of the homes, along with top of the range fixtures and fittings including bespoke kitchens and appliances by Neff. Each property has generous rear and front gardens with green open spaces and walking tracks throughout the leafy development. Wellfield is in a prime location with Malahide Castle, Dublin Airport, the M50 and M1 just minutes away.”

 

Prices start from €950,000 for a Four Bedroom Semi-Detached house and from €1,050,000 for a Five Bedroom Semi-Detached house.

 

To learn more visit www.wellfieldmalahide.ie or register your interest with [email protected]

Jeep Ireland partners with FM104 to provide four new top of the range Jeep Avengers for the FM104 Street Team

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  • FM104’s Strawberry Alarm Clock giving away a Jeep Avenger to one lucky listener as part of the stations new ‘Breakfast Anywhere’ campaign

 

  • ‘Breakfast Anywhere’ will culminate in an exciting LIVE challenge in Jeep HQ in Citywest – with finalists battling it out to walk away with a brand new Jeep Avenger

 

Jeep Ireland has partnered with FM104, Dublin’s hit music station, to provide the radio station with four new top of the range Jeep Avengers for the FM104 Street Team. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for both brands as they embark on a journey to connect with communities right across Dublin.

 

FM104’s Street Team travel around Dublin every day to bring exciting events, promotions and giveaways directly to listeners. Jeep Ireland has provided the team with four adventure ready Jeep Avengers, specially tailored to accommodate the diverse needs of FM104’s Street Team. Equipped with unparalleled driving capabilities and iconic Jeep durability, the Avengers are the perfect vehicle for FM104’s dedicated crew as they navigate the vibrant streets of Dublin, engaging with listeners and creating excitement wherever they go.

 

To celebrate the new partnership, Jeep Ireland has also given FM104 a Jeep Avenger to give away to one very lucky listener as part of a new on air campaign called ‘Breakfast Anywhere’.

 

The campaign highlights that no matter where you are or what you’re doing, The Strawberry Alarm Clock, Dublin’s number one breakfast show, is there to keep you entertained and up to date throughout the morning with all the latest news, showbiz and lots of fun.

 

As part of the campaign, the FM104 Street Team will travel with their four new Jeep Avengers to a range of locations across Dublin to encourage listeners to tune in wherever they are to enjoy the banter, chats and latest hit music with Strawberry Alarm Clock hosts Jim-Jim, Crossy and Zeinab between 6am and 10am each week day morning.

 

So whether you’re on the way to work, dropping the kids to school, running in The Phoenix Park or canoeing down the River Liffey, keep an eye out for the FM104 Street Team and tune into The Strawberry Alarm Clock via FM radio, the FM104 website, the FM104 app or through your smart speaker.

 

And to be in with a chance to win the amazing Jeep Avenger, simply tune into The Strawberry Alarm Clock to find out how to enter. The competition will run until the 8th May, with finalists taking part in an exciting LIVE challenge in the Jeep HQ in Citywest.

 

John Saunders, Managing Director at Jeep Ireland, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to join forces with FM104 and provide their Street Team with the unmatched performance and versatility of the Jeep Avenger. This partnership not only aligns with our brand’s ethos of adventure and exploration, but also underscores our dedication to supporting local communities and initiatives. We can’t wait to see the Jeep Avengers in action as FM104 takes on the streets of Dublin.”

 

Vivienne Nagle, Managing Director at FM104 says: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Jeep Ireland. Our Street Team is recognised throughout Dublin and bring so much excitement to communities across the county. The addition of the four Jeep Avengers to our fleet will further elevate our Street Team’s capabilities and enhance our ability to connect with listeners.

We are also incredibly excited to offer listeners of The Strawberry Alarm Clock an unforgettable opportunity to win their very own Jeep Avenger as part of our Breakfast Anywhere campaign. The Strawberry Alarm Clock has long been a staple of morning routines across Dublin, providing listeners the perfect blend of entertainment and music to kickstart their day. With the Breakfast Anywhere campaign, we’re making it easier than ever for listeners to tune in wherever they are.”

 

For more information about Jeep Ireland and FM104, visit www.jeep.ie and fm104.ie

Sustainability shift in Dublin’s commercial property market as ESG becomes bigger force while residential housing supply is unlikely to improve in the short-term, with BER’s being a key consideration for home buyers – Lisney Outlook 2024

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Commercial Real Estate and Investment:

 

  • Sustainability measures having a much greater influence on property market dynamics – both for occupiers and investors

 

  • Greatest impact seen in the office investment sector where there are fears of assets becoming stranded – significant investment will be needed in the coming years to increase the BERs of buildings

 

  • ESG to grow in importance in industrial and logistics market in 2024 with the added cost of securing relevant certifications being passed on to tenants

 

  • Headline office vacancy rate across Dublin was almost 16% by end of 2023, the highest level since 2013 –no new buildings due past 2025 means demand for energy efficient / A rated buildings will not be met

 

  • Property investment market will continue to be subdued for much of the year – impacted by interest rates, changing occupier trends and costs of implementing sustainability measures

 

  • Following on from a solid 2023, activity in the licensed premises property market will remain good in Dublin and in most of the larger regional cities this year; particularly in the €1m to €3m price range

 

Residential:

 

  • Median price of a new home in Dublin grew by almost €40,000 in 2023, yet strong buyer sentiment continues to outstrip supply – meanwhile second-hand homes in the Capital grew by just €5,000

 

  • Housing supply unlikely to improve in 2024 Spring selling season with delays in Probate Office impacting supply

 

Commercial Real Estate and Investment:

 

High interest rates along with changing occupier trends and the costs associated with implementing sustainability measures will mean a subdued investment sector for much of 2024, according to a new report today from Lisney, Ireland’s largest independently-owned multi-disciplinary property advisory company.

 

For the first time ever, the industrial sector was the busiest part of the investment market last year with several large portfolios sold. The industrial occupational market was also busy and will continue to be this year, albeit with demand reverting to be more in line with pre-pandemic times.

 

The influence of ESG criteria on market demand will intensify. EU directives will continue to tighten to achieve a climate-neutral building stock by 2050. These directives impact a property’s life cycle – from conception and planning to construction, use, financing, and sale. Failure to meet sustainability criteria will result in a devaluation of assets. This is already beginning to materialise. Compliance with the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR) and EU Taxonomy is now essential for financing property assets and is influencing market demand.  Therefore, the real estate industry must continue to adapt to evolving conditions in 2024 and take a holistic approach to address ESG aspects.

 

Headline office vacancy rate across Dublin was almost 16% towards the end of 2023, the highest level since 2013 – but the number of staff returning to the office is growing, which will provide businesses with greater certainty on space requirements. Entering 2024, many of the prevailing trends in the Dublin office market are the same as 12 months ago. Hybrid working practices and adjustments in the tech industry continue to impact demand. From an investment point of view, the office sector was the least active of the four key market sectors, with changing occupier requirements since the pandemic and concerns about some buildings (BER of B3 or lower) becoming stranded assets (too modern to financially justify upgrading works but not meeting required standards) acting as key challenges. In addition, with no new office buildings due in 2026 and beyond this, supply will not meet demand for A-rated / zero-emission buildings arising from occupiers’ 2030 ESG commitments.

 

The outlook for the development land market is more positive. Building materials and interest rates have likely peaked and declines are expected over the course of the year. In addition, the new Planning & Development legislation is earmarked to be enacted mid-year, and it is hoped it will speed up the process. These factors, along with the fact that land values have been adjusting since 2019, means that the development land market is in a better position going into 2024, following several challenging years.

 

Activity in the licensed premises property market will remain good in Dublin and in most of the larger regional cities this year; particularly in the €1m to €3m price range. Demand will continue to be focused on large premises in affluent suburbs as well as properties in the city centre with scope for premium pricing and at least four days of high-volume trade. However, the trading environment will see further headwinds in terms of increased costs and some in the sector will be impacted by warehoused Revenue debt from the pandemic.

 

James Nugent, Senior Director and Head of Transactional of Lisney, said:

“Dublin is now a destination for global capital with much of the money being spent coming from overseas. As such, global events have a bearing on the appetite for Irish commercial real estate. Some observers are taking comfort from the perception that Euro zone interest rates are likely to fall during the year.  However, the correlation between interest rates and property yields isn’t as strong as people think. Property is more nuanced, particularly in a global context. There are risks. Geopolitical tensions could lead to a reversal in the work done to combat inflation and more importantly, properties which do not comply with ESG regulations will continue to suffer – valuation levels, particularly for office property, don’t appear to have been adjusted to realistic levels. 

 

Over the past 12 months there has been an indiscriminate reduction in pricing. This year we expect the market to become more considered with a flight to quality in a risk off environment. This is likely to lead to more polarisation in pricing between what’s ESG acceptable to investors and what’s not.

 

Global capital is ready to invest and, whilst open ended funds may still be seeing outflows, segregated or mandated funds are ready to spend. That doesn’t mean they will invest indiscriminately. To attract this capital, we need a compelling narrative and strong conviction and in Ireland we have full employment, a resilient and diverse labour market, a housing shortage and resilient cities. Whilst there is a shortage of ESG compliant stock there will be less competition in the buyer pool.  For assets north of €100m there may be liquidity issues, but where there are issues, there is value.”

 

Aoife Brennan, Lisney Research Director, says:

“In both the commercial and residential property markets, many of the dominant trends from the latter half of 2022 continued throughout 2023 and will continue for much of 2024. Global interest rates are having the widest impact on the world of property, but so too are elevated construction costs, delays in the planning system, the evolution in building occupancy and greater moves towards sustainability. 

 

This year, half of the global population will vote in government elections, and this too will impact on the wider economic and geopolitical environment within which the property market operates in.  Across the various CRE sectors, trends will vary. Following several challenging years, the land market will be more active, while in the investment sector, it may be another subdued year – albeit with certain investors indicating that they will be back looking at opportunities later in the year. Offices will continue to deal with WFH and hybrid working, as well as the tech industry retrenchment, and more importantly, the implications of European-wide sustainability policies. The logistics market will be busy, but with demand reverting to more normal pre-COVID levels and hindered by a severe lack of supply. Counter-cyclical alternatives like PBSA and healthcare will also do well.” 

 

Residential:

 

The main challenges in the residential market remain the lack of homes for sale and delays in concluding sales. Housing supply is unlikely to improve in the coming months, however, more ex-rental homes will become available as private landlords sell up and exit the market.

 

Potential purchasers will remain cautious in the opening months of 2024. Elevated interest rates will continue to impact affordability and repayment capacity for a large part of the market. At the upper-end of the market, cash purchasers dominate, and interest rates are of less relevance. However, any changes to interest rates and the wider macroeconomic situation affects market sentiment across the board.

 

The Lisney Outlook 2024 report also reveals that the BER rating of a property has become a major consideration for prospective buyers, with almost all buyers now inquiring about the BER before even viewing. Probate Office delays are also continuing to cause uncertainty for buyers. With a grant of probate now taking 22 weeks from lodging, buyers are reluctant to engage with properties when they have no certainty on when a sale could close. Given that probate sales are making up at least one-third of supply at present (and higher in certain areas), this will further affect supply levels this year.

 

Demand for country homes and estates across Ireland in 2024 will continue to be driven by those with little or no reliance on mortgage finance. International buyers will be the most active in the Irish country homes market this year, especially for the highest priced properties.

The median price of a new home in Dublin grew by almost €40,000 between October 2022 and October 2023 (+8.7%), while existing second-hand homes grew by a substantially less €5,000. Despite these increases, purchaser sentiment remains strong. Even with elevated construction costs, new homes commencements are at the highest level in 16 years, partly due to the temporary waiver on development contributions.

 

David Byrne, Managing Director of Lisney, said:

“There are many well-discussed reasons for the persistent supply constraints in the Irish residential market over the last decade, but noteworthy at present is vendor fear around the timing of a sale. Many believe now is not a good time to sell given the interest rate environment. In addition, a catch-22 situation remains where potential vendors cannot sell until they buy and cannot buy until they sell. Even if they do try to go ‘sale agreed’ on a new home, some vendors will not engage until their existing home is sold as they do not want to be involved in drawn-out chain sales. That said, chain sales are becoming more common and will continue to be a feature of the market this year as there are very few other options open to parties who want to move forward.”

 

Aoife Brennan, Lisney Research Director, says:

“The Dublin residential market continues to evolve. Pre-summer 2022, it was very much a sellers’ market with built-up pandemic related savings and low interest rates fuelling exceptionally strong demand. Global geopolitical and macroeconomic factors lead to a less disposable income as the cost of living and interest rates rose. These factors resulted in a less frenzied property market and a balancing of power between buyers and sellers. This continued up until mid-summer 2023 but over the course of the second half of last year, the market became somewhat flat – a trend that will continue this year with no dramatic fall off in demand but also no bounce in activity. The significant lack of homes for sale will mean that transactions will occur, and prices will be generally stable.

 

Lisney offers clients a full-service property offering across both the residential and commercial markets. Operating for almost 90 years, the business employs 125 people in a range of agency and advisory services departments across offices in Dublin, Cork, and Belfast. The commercial division of the business operates under the Lisney name, while the residential division operates under the Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty brand.

 

With a highly qualified internal research team and a database of market information dating from 1960, Lisney provides insightful and reliable advice for its investment, financial, developer, and occupier clients. In addition, Lisney also publishes periodic reports featuring leading assessments and analysis of market trends and performances. The depth and quality of research and advice available to clients has led to repeat business and client relationships that have passed through generations.

Ends

The full Lisney Outlook 2024 report can be accessed here

For more details about Lisney, visit lisney.com

You can also follow Lisney on X: LisneyIreland and Linked In: Lisney Ireland