‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ longlist revealed for 2023

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Twelve bookshops around Ireland selected for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ longlist

 

  • Shortlist of six bookshops will be revealed on October 19th and the overall winner announced at the An Post Irish Book Awards on November 22nd

 

12 bookshops across the country have been longlisted for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category at this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards, the annual literary event that celebrates and promotes Irish writing and authors to the widest range of readers possible.

 

The ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category is designed to acknowledge the significant role played by independent bookshops and local branches of bookshop chains in helping their local communities to find and savour the titles of their choice. Previous winners include Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery, Galway in 2021 and Bridge Street Books, Wicklow in 2022.

 

The longlist of twelve bookshops around Ireland for 2023 are:

  • Bridge Books Dromore, Co. Down
  • Bridge Street Books, Wicklow
  • Castle Book & Card Centre, Castlebar, Mayo
  • The Clifden Bookshop, Connemara, Galway
  • Halfway Up the Stairs, Greystones, Wicklow
  • Kerr’s Bookshop Clonakilty, Co. Cork
  • Liber, Sligo
  • Little Acorns Bookstore, Derry
  • Maynooth Bookshop, Kildare
  • O’Mahony’s Booksellers, Limerick
  • Tales for Tadpoles, Bray, Wicklow
  • Tertulia, Westport, Mayo

Customers were asked to vote for their favourite bookshops and to explain the reason for their choice. The bookshops that received the most votes were then longlisted and invited by the judges to enter a written submission.

 

Mystery shoppers will now visit the twelve bookshops as part of the judging process to establish the shortlist of six bookshops. The shortlist will be officially announced on the 19th October. The overall winner of ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ will be presented with their trophy at the An Post Irish Book Awards event on 22nd November along with a prize worth €15,000 from An Post Commerce.

 

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 and 2023 will be no different. Other categories in the An Post Irish Book Awards include Novel of the Year, Children’s (Junior and Senior), Cookery, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Short Story, Poetry, Teen and Young Adult and Irish Language.

 

Brendan Corbett, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says:

“Bookshops are at the core of communities’ all throughout Ireland and act as a cultural and social hub for many. We introduced this category to highlight the significant role Irish bookshops play, not only to their communities and readers, but also to the Irish book business. I’m delighted to see such deserving bookshops on the longlist and wish them all the best of luck.”

Dawn Behan, Chair of Bookselling Ireland, says:

“Booksellers have such an important role connecting readers with books they love and it truly is wonderful to see them getting recognition. Bookshops foster a love of reading in communities, especially for those new to the word of literature, helping them find titles they will enjoy. The An Post Bookshop of the Year award acknowledges Irish bookshops and it’s great to see such a diverse longlist.”

 

Commenting on the important role bookshops play in local communities, Garrett Bridgeman, Managing Director of An Post Mails & Parcels says:  

“Bookshops are an integral part of local and wider communities throughout Ireland as their accessibility with ecommerce has changed immensely in recent years. Bookshops open up a world of possibilities for every age and are a place of joy, solace and enjoyment for so many people. Here at An Post Commerce we are proud to work with bookshops across Ireland and we celebrate the twelve bookshops listed here and all that they represent.”  

The shortlist for all categories in the An Post Irish Book Awards 2023 will be announced on the 19th of October, while the winners will be announced on Wednesday 22nd November. A television programme will be broadcast on RTÉ One television in December and will culminate in one of the 2023 winning titles being announced as the ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2023’.

An Post is also continuing with their hugely successful #ReadersWanted campaign, celebrating the value and joy of reading and encouraging everyone to pick up more books, more often. Simply search for the hashtag online to get involved.

 

For further information, please visit to the An Post Irish Book Awards website or social media channels:

www.anpostirishbookawards.ie

Facebook: @AnPostIBAS

Instagram: @anpost_irishbookawards

Twitter: @AnPostIBAS

Nationwide search to find Ireland’s top employers unveiled by The Sunday Times

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‘The Sunday Times Best Places to Work’ is powered by WorkL

 

The Sunday Times and employee experience platform WorkL have launched a new workplace awards initiative to recognise and celebrate the very best places to work in Ireland. ‘The Sunday Times Best Places to Work’ highlights employers that recruit and retain top talent along with industry-leading best practices in areas such as engagement, wellbeing and job satisfaction.

 

The initiative aims to find 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.

 

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

It takes under 10 minutes for organisations to set up WorkL’s survey and less than five minutes for employees to complete it. Questions cover six key drivers of engagement: Reward and Recognition; Information Sharing; Empowerment; Pride; Job Satisfaction; and Wellbeing.

The deadline for entry is the 12th April 2024 and the results will be announced in The Sunday Times in June 2024. Every organisation that enters will also receive digital subscriptions to The Times and The Sunday Times.

 

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

“A new era of employment has begun. With the morphing of kitchen tables and bedroom corners into remote boardrooms and Zoom-ready office space, workers everywhere have begun to rethink their lives.

Employees today are resetting their priorities and adjusting their goals, leaving many organisations scratching their heads over how to re-engage them. In other words, there has never been a better time to find out what makes staff tick, what motivates them and what brings them the kind of happiness at work that salary alone cannot buy.

In this evolving landscape, The Sunday Times is proud to partner with employee experience platform WorkL to deliver fresh insights into what makes a Best Place to Work.”

Mark Price, Founder of WorkL, says:

“I am delighted that WorkL is powering The Sunday Times Best Places to Work Awards. Our unique Instant Action Software enables companies to benchmark their results against other organisations within their industry as well as receive detailed analysis across multiple demographics. Recognition as one of the best places to work is crucial for effective employee retention and recruitment strategies, so it’s a fantastic opportunity for organisations to enter to be recognised as the best place to work.”

 

thesundaytimes.ie

 

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

 

GamerFest, Ireland’s leading gaming and esports festival, returns to Dublin’s RDS on 21st & 22nd October with biggest content line-up ever for gamers

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  • Four Key Zones across the event: PLAY, COMPETE, CONNECT and DISCOVER
  • Multiple Live Stages featuring content creator appearances, esports, gaming challenges and talks
  • Sim racing experiences over the weekend including the Curry’s Fastest Lap Challenge with multiple prizes up for grabs
  • Experience the EA FC24 Area, including free-play and casual tournaments
  • Learn about careers in the gaming industry from some of the top gaming companies in Ireland including Black Shamrock Studio and 2K Games.

The biggest ever GamerFest, Ireland’s leading gaming and esports festival, will take place at Dublin’s RDS on 21st and 22nd of October. The epic GamerFest weekend is a celebration of all things gaming and will feature the latest gaming releases, virtual reality experiences, esports, gaming challenges and a host of special guests including top Twitch and YouTube creators.

 

Visitors to GamerFest can immerse themselves in a huge amount of gaming content across four Key Zones: PLAY, COMPETE, CONNECT and DISCOVER.

 

PLAY Zone

In the PLAY Zone, visitors to GamerFest can get hands on with the very latest upcoming games including EA FC24, Sonic Superstars, NBA 2K24 and Mortal Kombat 1. The latest VR racing experiences will also be playable with Official Network Partner eir, as well as Forza Motorsport on Xbox with Official Car Partner CUPRA and cutting edge immersive VR gaming titles will be on show with Official Drinks Partners Club Loaded and Energise. The incredibly popular Retro Area will also allow gamers take a trip down memory lane and play the old classics on retro consoles including Mega Drive, Super Nintendo and Atari.

 

COMPETE Zone

The COMPETE Zone at GamerFest is all about esports. Check out the Grand Finals on the Live Esports Stage as Ireland’s top esports talent battle it out across a selection of titles including VALORANT, Rocket League, EA FC24 and Rainbow 6 Siege. Visitors to GamerFest can also take part in various causal tournaments at the event including CS:GO, EA FC24 and Rocket League. Fans of racing can test their skills in the Curry’s Fastest Lap Challenge, competing in cutting edge sim racing rigs for prizes.

 

CONNECT Zone

A hugely important part of GamerFest is community, and the CONNECT Zone is the place to meet Ireland’s leading content creators. The Mooju Live Stage will also host a packed line-up of content for the whole weekend including gaming challenges, the Cosplay Challenge and content creator Q&As. Visitors to the event can also purchase the latest gaming equipment and merch from companies including Trust Gaming and GG Machines.

 

DISCOVER Zone

For everyone that wants to learn more about gaming, the DISCOVER Zone highlights the incredible education and career opportunities that the games industry offers, with leading companies and colleges including 2K Games, Black Shamrock Studios and Pulse College in attendance. Visitors can also check out the latest games from Ireland’s indie game developers and give their valuable thoughts and feedback. Budding PC gaming enthusiasts can also take part in workshops provided at the event showing How to Build a Gaming PC with thanks to GG Machines.

 

Founded six years ago, GamerFest has firmly established itself as a diverse, community-led gaming event for everyone with a passion for gaming, with over 25,000 visitors to date. The event welcomes a broad range of gamers including causal gamers and families right through to professional esports players and teams.

 

The upcoming GamerFest in October will be the organisation’s biggest festival yet, with floor space increasing by 50% to 4,500m2, including a new dedicated hall for the GamerFest COMPETE Zone.

 

GamerFest CEO Stuart Dempsey says: “We’re incredibly excited to see GamerFest growing with each event and this October will be our biggest and best yet. Whether you are a seasoned gamer, or just curious to find out more about the event, GamerFest has more gaming experiences than ever for all to enjoy.”

 

GamerFest takes place at The RDS, Dublin this 21st and 22nd of October with

tickets on sale now at GamerFest.ie.

 

Find us on Instagram (gamerfest_ie) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook on @GamerFestIE

RAYGUN, the award winning creative post production house, appoints Leandro Arouca as Colourist

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New investment in Baggot Street facilities enhances post-production picture

and sound service from edit to delivery

 

RAYGUN, the creative post production house that provides full picture and sound finishing services for TV and Radio Commercials, Film, TV documentaries and programming, Animation and Digital Content, has appointed the award-winning colourist Leandro Arouca to the team.

 

With over 15 years international experience in the craft of colour grading, Leandro Arouca has worked on a range of award-winning TV documentary and series, commercials, features, shorts and music videos.

 

They include Vardy V Rooney, a TV Drama for Channel 4, Mustard and Every Five Miles (Storyland 2022), The Black Guelph, Holy Island, Tripped Up (Universal) and Pray for Our Sinners. Leandro has also worked on commercials for a number of domestic brands such as Guinness, Jameson, Redbreast, Electric Ireland, Boots, Arnotts, Cadbury’s and An Post. His work was recently recognised at the Sharks Awards 2023 where he won ‘Best Colour Grading for Music Video’ for his work on the music video Lacuna by Irish artist Boku.

 

Before moving to Ireland, Leandro spent a number of years with O2 Filmes, the largest production and post production company in Brazil. During his time there, he worked alongside some of the best Directors and Cinematographers in Brazil such as Fernando Meirelles, César Charlone, Adriano Goldman, Adrian Teijido and Cao Hamburger among many others. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Communication, Radio and Television from Universidade Metodista de São Paulo and later studied photography at Senac São Paulo.

 

Leandro is the latest in a number of new additions to the RAYGUN team over the past two years. Ciara Walsh was appointed as Head of Facilities in late 2021 following a successful decade with Outer Limits. Ciara’s ability to support producers through the post production process on big projects is highly regarded within the industry.

 

In early 2022 Andy Kirwan, a Sound Engineer known for his work on dramas such as Kin and Smother, joined the team after eight years at Windmill Lane. They are now all part of the award winning RAYGUN team that boasts a wealth of creative and technical expertise across offline, online, sound, grade, visual effects and motion graphic effects.

 

The sound team includes Steven Maher, who has received six Emmy nominations for his work on projects such as Angela’s Christmas and Peter Rabbit, as well as IFTA award winning Colm O’Rourke, who has been with RAYGUN for almost 10 years. Michael Dowling leads the Online department with 25 years’ experience in the industry, alongside Francesca Howlett and other industry stalwarts such as Elaine Brennan O’Dwyer in Production, Derek Pelly in Offline and Emmet O’Farrell in Visual Effects and Graphics.

 

The RAYGUN team is currently looking after full picture and sound post production on a range of productions including Treasure Films latest Feature, Kathleen, written and directed by Eva Birthistle of Bad Sisters fame. They have also just completed full post services on Mia Mullarkey’s RTE Storyland drama Wrapped.

 

In addition, the team has worked on a range of recent television projects for RTE and TG4 including The Way We Were, Gaelic in the Joy, Fia’s Fairies, Seisiun, The Hardest Harvest, Keys To My Life, Two Tribes, Taking Sides: Britain and the Civil War, Fleadh Cheoil and Márú inár Measc, as well as big commercial work for well-known brands such as Three, Dunnes Stores, 123.ie, SuperValu, Opel, Lidl, LEGO, Mace and Burger King.

 

Recently RAYGUN has invested heavily in their facilities on Baggot Street with upgrades to their 5.1 sound studios already complete and a new Grade Suite due to be completed in the coming weeks, further enhancing all aspects of their post-production service from edit to delivery, across picture and sound.

 

Welcoming Leandro’s appointment, Ciara Walsh, Head of Facilities at RAYGUN, says:

 

“Myself and the team are delighted to welcome Leandro to RAYGUN as a colourist. Leandro brings significant experience in the art of colour grading as well as extensive knowledge of the Irish and international film, broadcasting and music industry. He really thrives on exploring new stories and bringing his Directors and Cinematographers visions to life by combining his technical knowledge, trained eye, and creativity. This, combined with his supreme passion for his art, means will be a fantastic addition to our dedicated team as we continue to work on a number artistic concepts across a broad spectrum of projects.”

 

www.RAYGUN.ie

 

Keep up to date with RAYGUN on Instagram @RAYGUNpost, Twitter @RAYGUNpost,

 

Facebook @RAYGUN and LinkedIn @RAYGUN

 

Speaker line-up unveiled for Ireland’s games industry conference ‘NEXUS by GamerFest’ taking place in Dublin on 18th October 2023

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Speaker line-up unveiled for Ireland’s games

industry conference ‘NEXUS by GamerFest’ taking

place in Dublin on 18th October 2023

 

  • 200 game developers, publishers, investors and service providers will gather to explore the Irish and global games industry ecosystem

 

  • Participating companies include Delta Partners, Goodbody, Romero Games, Testronic, EPIC Games and War Ducks

 

Up to 200 industry leaders and professionals from the Irish and global gaming ecosystem are set to attend NEXUS by GamerFest, Ireland’s first games industry conference, in Dublin next month.

 

The event will offer game developers, publishers, investors and service providers the opportunity to explore the Irish and global games industry and the incredible opportunities for job creation and economic growth for Ireland. Attendees will also have the chance to hear from industry thought leaders and engage in valuable knowledge-sharing and networking.

 

Taking place in One Windmill Lane in the Dublin Docklands on Wednesday 18th October, NEXUS will welcome leading industry game developers and investors who will discuss a range of topics such as the journey to investment for games companies, Ireland’s new Digital Games Tax Credit, foreign direct investment opportunities and the continued growth and success of the sector in an Irish context. Ireland’s leading independent game developers will also showcase new gaming titles and highlight future investment opportunities.

 

Speakers already confirmed for NEXUS include:

 

  • Brenda Romero – CEO, Romero Games
  • John Romero – Chief Creative Officer, Romero Games
  • Nikki Lannen – CEO, War Ducks
  • Rich Barnwell – Partner at Delta Partners
  • Adam Keating – Senior VP Sales and Marketing, Testronic
  • Patrick O’Donnell – Senior Equity Analyst in Technology, Goodbody
  • Ian Kehoe – Editor, The Currency
  • Kevin Adanan – Course Director, Pulse College

 

NEXUS has been created by the team behind GamerFest, Ireland’s leading consumer gaming and esports festival. Since its establishment six years ago, GamerFest has welcomed over 25,000 visitors to its Irish events to experience all things gaming – including the latest gaming releases from Irish developers and international partners including Ubisoft, 2K Games, SEGA and Warner Bros. Visitors to GamerFest events also experience a huge range of additional gaming content including multiple live stages, esports tournaments, VR tech and sim racing.

 

NEXUS by GamerFest takes place the same week as GamerFest Winter, which is happening in the RDS, Dublin on the weekend of 21st and 22nd October, with 6,000 gamers from across Ireland and beyond expected in attend.

 

NEXUS by GamerFest CEO Stuart Dempsey says: “Our new NEXUS games industry conference is a unique opportunity to shine a light on the incredible talent and potential of the Irish games industry. We see the opportunity for this space to drive significant economic growth and job creation in Ireland for years to come and in conjunction with all industry stakeholders, we believe that NEXUS can play an important part in this exciting journey.

 

NEXUS will facilitate invaluable knowledge sharing and networking amongst developers, studios, publishers, service providers and investors. With the value of the global games industry set to reach a valuation of $385bn, allied to the wonderful talent we have in this country, Ireland is ideally positioned to benefit from this thriving global industry.”

 

NEXUS by GamerFest – 9am to 3pm on the 18th October 2023 at

1 Windmill Lane, Dublin 2

 

Standard ticket prices start at €145 and discounted developer ticket cost €45

Tickets available at www.nexusdublin.ie

Find us on Twitter @NexusDublin

 

Do you have a child in your life that would LOVE to help Christmas FM officially Switch Christmas On for 2023?

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Christmas FM is searching for a very special little helper to visit the

Christmas FM studio and officially turn on the radio station this

year – Switching Christmas On for 2023 right across the country

  

  • Competition is open to children up to 10 years of age

 

  • Christmas FM’s hugely successful Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal returns this year to raise funds for charity partners Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and a range of children’s charities across Ireland making a difference in local communities

 

It’s NEVER too early to talk about Christmas….and that’s why Christmas FM, the popular radio station that plays your festive favourites every year, is today announcing a fantastic competition for one lucky child to visit the Christmas FM studio on launch day and officially ‘Switch Christmas On’ across the airwaves!

The winner will also get to be a part of the official Christmas FM 2023 photoshoot which promises to be a magical day full of Christmas cheer and festive fun.

The competition is open to children up to 10 years of age and to be in with a chance to win this incredible prize, parents or guardians simply have to apply via the form here christmasfm.com/switch

Christmas FM, which is celebrating 16 years on air this year, is also delighted to announce that ‘The Magic of Christmas’ fundraising appeal will be returning again this year to raise money for three of Ireland’s leading children’s charities – Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and a range of children’s charities around Ireland making a difference in local communities through Community Foundation Ireland. The Magic of Christmas was launched last year, with the aim of raising €1,000,000 over a three-year period for the charities.

Last year, The Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal raised almost €300,000 for the charities and these funds were used for a range of services including providing hot nutritious meals for children, supporting families with the cost-of-living crisis, helping wishes come true for children living with life-threatening illnesses across Ireland and hundreds of hours of therapeutic programmes for children.

 

By donating to The Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal, listeners will Give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every child deserves Magic at Christmas.

 

Garvan Rigby, co-founder of Christmas FM, said:

“We know it’s only September, but at Christmas FM HQ it’s never too early to talk about Christmas! This competition is a fantastic prize and we can’t wait to ‘Switch Christmas On’ with some extra help from one of our young listeners!

We are also delighted to be working alongside Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and Community Foundation Ireland again this year for The Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal. We raised an incredible amount of money last year and know that once again we can count on our incredible Christmas FM listeners to support these charities and donate to help us reach our target of €1,000,000 raised for children in need by 2024.”

Commenting on The Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal, the charity partners jointly said: 

“We are delighted once again to be a part of The Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal. The funds raised last year made a significant difference to the lives of thousands of children across Ireland and we have the opportunity again this year to work together and have a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. With the help of Christmas FM listeners, funds raised will ensure we can Give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every child deserves Magic at Christmas. 

About Christmas FM

Broadcasting almost nationwide, Christmas FM plays round-the-clock Christmas tunes, spreading an abundance of festive cheer and seasonal goodwill every single day in the run up to Christmas. The costs of running Christmas FM are covered by various sponsors, ensuring listener donations go directly to the fundraising appeal. The station is presented on air each year by up to 100 volunteers who devote hundreds of hours of their time assisted by a core management team.

 

Christmas FM will launch in late November on FM for its 16th year on air.

Christmas FM is available online at:

www.christmasfm.com

You can follow the station on social at:

@christmasfm

Christmas FM – Bringing You the Magic of Christmas

 

About The Magic of Christmas

The Magic of Christmas is a not-for-profit fundraising appeal launched in 2022. Founded by the people behind Christmas FM, The Magic of Christmas brings together a partnership with Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and Community Foundation Ireland. The aim of the Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal is to Give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every child deserves Magic at Christmas. Over the next two years, the fundraising appeal is hoping to raise over €1,000,000 for Ireland’s Children’s charities and to maximise the impact of funds raised by helping more children in need.

 

themagicofchristmas.ie

You can follow The Magic of Christmas on social at:

@supportthemagic

‘Back to Denim’ collection unveiled by Salsa Jeans for autumn / winter 2023

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  • From jumpsuits to jeans, skirts to shirts, jackets to dungarees, new Salsa Jeans collection features timeless selection of stylish denim pieces – with some reinvented twists on the classics!

 

  • Chic ‘Grace’ coat, available in a variety of autumnal colours, will add an elegant splash to your autumn / winter wardrobe

 

  • Collection also features an exclusive Salsa Jeans collaboration with world-renowned Portuguese Architect, Álvaro Siza

 

Dive back into denim this September with Salsa Jeans, the Portuguese denim brand, who have just unveiled their ‘Back to Denim’ collection for the coming autumn / winter fashion season.

From jumpsuits to jeans, skirts to shirts, jackets to dungarees – denim is a timeless trend that, like many wardrobe staples, can adapt to every season. This denim collection from Salsa Jeans promises a combination of ageless denim pieces as well as some reinvented twists on the classics.

  •  Regular Jacquard Shirt – €69.95 and Jacquard True Trousers – €89.95
  •  Regular Denim Shirt – €99.95 and Destiny Push Up Flare Jeans – €99.95
  • True Wide Leg Jumpsuit – €139.00

The highly anticipated collection features a range of classic ‘go-to’ Salsa Jeans styles including True, Faith, Secret, Wonder and Destiny, all of which are designed to make you feel stylish, comfortable and confident. The collection also includes a stunning double-denim two piece with a unique Jacquard pattern, a versatile wide leg denim jumpsuit and a classic oversized denim shirt.

  •  Quilted vest – €169 and Wonder Push Up Flare – €99.95
  •  Pinstripe Suit Blazer – €169.00 and Suit Trousers – €89.95
  •  Grace Coat in camel – €159 and Destiny Push Up in Ecru – €89.95€

The full autumn / winter collection from Salsa Jeans features a number of elegant pieces for women such as the chic ‘Grace’ coat, available in a variety of autumnal shades. The wider clothing range includes floral, retro and jacquard patterns, with warm earthy tones like burnt orange, deep purple, forest green, navy and crimson – sure to add a splash of colour to your wardrobe this autumn.

Aswell as Salsa Jeans Back to Denim campaign, the brand has announced an eagerly awaited exclusive collaboration with world famous Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. Locally known as ‘Siza Vieira’, he is one of the most highly regarded architects of his generation.

Inspired by his ‘Bestiary’ – a collection of unique animal drawings that Siza imagined implementing on the traditional Portuguese tiles with the iconic blue ink – the collection Álvaro Siza X Salsa Jeans is creative, timeless and proud of its Portuguese roots and heritage. Through this exclusive collaboration, Salsa Jeans aim to embody Álvaro Siza’s personality, well-defined and bold lines, and reflect his expertise and passion as a denim specialist.

  •  Tote Bag – €39.95
  •  True Straight Special Siza – €99.95
  •  Genderless Overshirt – €89.95

The ‘Burro’ (donkey) is the main character featured in this collaboration, representing determination, versatility and diligence. These traits echo the life and work of Álvaro Siza and illustrate the legacy of almost 30 years of Salsa Jeans.

  •  True Straight Special Siza – €99.95 and Straight Jeans Special Siza – €119.95
  •  Genderless Hoodie €79.95

 

The collection features jeans and t-shirts for both men and women, as well as a genderless denim shirt and hoodie. The collection also includes limited edition merchandise such as tote bags, mugs, pencil cases and throws. The Álvaro Siza X Salsa Jeans is a limited collection available exclusively online at  www.salsajeans.com.

 

Salsa Jeans is a brand that works the art of denim like no other, originating almost 30 years ago in a laundry in Porto, North Portugal. While jeans have been the core product for the brand since inception, Salsa Jeans also have an extensive clothing offering to complement their denim range including tops, blouses, dress, jumpsuits and jackets catering for women and men.

 

Salsa Jeans is a fully inclusive brand providing jean sizes from 25’’ to 40’’ with prices ranging from approx. €75 – €110. It has recently opened two standalone stores in Ireland in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. It is also stocked in over 60 outlets nationwide including Brown Thomas, Arnott’s, Avoca, Pamela Scott, McElhinneys in Ballybofey, Anthony Ryans in Galway, Pauls in Kilkenny as well as a wider selection of boutiques

 

For more information visit:

Website:           www.salsajeans.com

Facebook:        www.facebook.com/SalsaJeansOfficial/ 

YouTube:         www.youtube.com/@salsaofficialvideos

Instagram:       www.instagram.com/salsajeansofficial

LinkedIn:         www.linkedin.com/company/salsajeans

90% of Irish SMEs are confident about business prospects in 2023 – joint highest of nine countries surveyed in new Bibby Financial Services research

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  • 72% of Irish SMEs expect sales to increase in the next six months – higher than the global average of 64%

 

  • Irish construction sector has most confident outlook for sales expectations over next six months (80%) – much higher than the global average for this sector of 64%

 

  • Rising inflation and energy costs are top two concerns of Irish SMEs

 

  • 57% of Irish businesses intend to increase prices to combat inflation concerns while just over a third (38%) are reviewing supply chain efficiency

 

90% of Irish SMEs say they are the confident about their business prospects in 2023, according to new research conducted by Bibby Financial Services, Ireland’s leading independent financial provider to SMEs.

 

The 2023 Global Business Monitor, which surveys nine countries on topics such as business sentiment, opportunities and challenges, shows that Ireland and Germany, both at 90%, are the most confident nations about business prospects for the year ahead.

 

Globally, an average of 85% of SME’s say they are positive about business prospects in 2023, with France taking second place (89%) behind Ireland and Germany, and the UK holding the third spot (87%). Poland is the least confident country (79%). In Ireland, the transport, services and wholesale sectors say they are most optimistic about their prospects this year.

 

However, this confidence doesn’t extend to the global economic environment, with almost three in four of Irish SMEs (71%) believing the global economic conditions are worse now than during the Covid-19 pandemic or the global financial crisis.

 

67% of Irish SMEs say they have experienced an increase in business over the last six months, while 18% state their performance has remained the same. This positions Ireland in third place, just behind Germany (73%) and the Netherlands (68%). Slovakia registered the lowest increase in sales (43%). This is in comparison to the global average of 59%.

 

Companies in Ireland are confident this positive trend is set to continue, with 72% of Irish SMEs saying they expect their revenue to increase over the next six months, the second highest globally. 20% expect it to stay the same while 8% expect sales to decline. This figure is ahead of the global average expectancy for sales to increase (64%), with Germany the highest (75%) and Slovakia as the most cautious (51%). There is also strong caution in the UK and the Netherlands, with 54% predicting only a slight increase in sales.

 

When it comes to sales expectations, the Irish construction sector has the most confident outlook for the next six months (80%) – much higher than the global average for this sector of 64%. This is followed by the manufacturing sector, with over three quarters (77%) positive about an increase in sales, 5% ahead of the global figure for that sector. Wholesale takes third place at 74%.

 

For the year ahead, Irish SMEs see their key opportunities as:

  • Attracting new customers (67%) – the highest of all nine countries surveyed and well ahead of the global average of 52%
  • Building new supplier relationships (36%)
  • Taking on new staff (24%)
  • Renegotiating with existing suppliers (23%)
  • Exploring new distribution channels (21%)

 

Irish SMEs are also facing a wide range of challenges, with inflation / rising costs (64%) and energy costs (62%) highlighted as the top two issues, in line with the other countries surveyed. This is followed by supply chain pressure (30%), interest rates and the cost of borrowing (27%), and the conflict in Europe (24%). Access to finance is a challenge for 19% of SMEs, particularly for the construction industry (24%)

 

As a result, Irish businesses are taking a number of measures to navigate these issues:

 

  • 57% say they are increasing prices to customers
  • 38% are reviewing their supply chains for efficiencies
  • 14% are freezing recruitment plans
  • Just 8% feel they don’t need to make any changes

 

Furthermore, 62% of Irish SMEs have been impacted by either suppliers or customers going into administration in the past 12 months, with the wholesale (79%) and manufacturing sector (74%) most affected. Again, this is in line with the global average of 62%.

 

88% of Irish businesses say they expect to invest this year, just behind Germany which is the most optimistic at 93%, and ahead of France at Slovakia who have the lowest sentiment (both 86%). In Ireland, the construction sector is the most likely to invest (91%) followed by manufacturing and wholesale (90%).

 

The average amount Irish SMEs expect to invest is €108,850 this year, with SMEs in the transport sector likely to invest the most. The survey shows that the main areas of investment for Irish SMEs in 2023 are:

 

  • Marketing and sales (37%)
  • Staff training and development (34%)
  • New Staff (23%)
  • Digital technology and IT (20%)
  • Machinery and equipment – including commercial vehicles (17%)

 

Those in the transport, haulage and distribution sector are intending to invest the majority (49%) in staff training and development, while the manufacturing (30%) and construction (22%) sectors are more likely to invest in machinery equipment compared to other sectors. Investing in new staff is the main priority for the construction sector (31%) and the services sector (24%), above the country’s average.

 

To support these investment intentions SMEs are increasingly turning to third-party financing. Nearly half (48%) are more likely to use external finance than before the Covid-19 pandemic with bank and government loans, and unsecured lending the most popular options. this figure leaps to 63% for SMEs who exclusively export, while the transport, haulage and distribution sector are most likely to use external finance at 63%. Among the reasons for needing external funding, 72% primarily require it for growth and expansion.

However, amid the backdrop of rising interest rates, many are considering alternative methods of financing to traditional sources.

 

Mark O’Rourke, Managing Director at Bibby Financial Services Ireland, said:

“Today, business owners are battling with a cost-of-doing-business crisis on two fronts: significantly higher costs and the economic instruments leveraged to tackle this primary issue. It’s perhaps little-wonder, therefore, that almost three quarters of global SMEs say economic conditions are worse now than during the pandemic and the global financial crisis.

But SMEs are resilient. This is because they care about their employees. They care about their customers and supply chains. They want to be forces for good that support the local communities that surround them. They naturally find solutions to complexities they face.

It is critical that SMEs can continue to access the finance they need to operate and grow. This means considering a range of financing options that provide sustainable working capital and cashflow to help them overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities that arise over the coming months.”

 

For more information about Bibby Financial Services Ireland, please visit: www.bibbyfinancialservices.ie

 

Find us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter @BibbyFinanceIE

Irish company DP Energy to develop Canada’s First Offshore Wind project off Goldboro, Nova Scotia

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Nova East Wind Inc, a joint venture between DP Energy and SBM Offshore, was established to develop Canada’s first offshore wind farm. The proposed floating offshore wind farm project, with a generation capacity of 300-400 MW, would be located approximately 20-30km off Goldboro, Nova Scotia.

 

This stepping-stone project has the potential to kickstart an exciting new industry in Nova Scotia, contributing to the decarbonization of the local electricity grid, in support of the Province’s 2030 goal of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources.

 

The growing project team was set-up in 2021 and has been actively engaging with stakeholders and other interested parties in Nova Scotia to understand local constraints and opportunities. The team has primarily focused on identifying and adopting environmental, regulatory, supply chain, workforce, and construction best practices as the project develops.

 

The precise location of the wind farm will be determined following relevant regulations and further engagement with key stakeholders and right holders such as First Nations, governments, commercial fishers, local communities, environmental groups, and industry regulators.

 

Simon De Pietro, CEO of DP Energy, said: “We are delighted to announce our new floating offshore wind project with partner SBM Offshore, the first of its kind in Canada. Nova East Wind’s project off Goldboro is an important step in Nova Scotia’s renewable energy journey which we are incredibly excited to be a part of. Our local team has been actively engaging with communities and stakeholders in Nova Scotia since 2021 and these groups will continue to be at the core of this project going forward.”

 

Ambroise Wattez, Director of Project Development at SBM Offshore, said: “SBM Offshore has been active in Nova Scotia for many years, and we are delighted to write a new chapter of the offshore industry here, with our partner DP Energy. We are very pleased to announce Nova East Wind’s project off Goldboro today, bringing our contribution to the energy transition in Canada. We intend to do so with a special attention to local workforce, supply chain and communities to kickstart Nova Scotia’s floating offshore wind sector responsibly.”

 

DP Energy and SBM Offshore have significant experience working in Nova Scotia to help advance the region’s offshore energy ambitions. This includes acquiring in-depth understanding of local regulatory practices and building a successful track record of local partnerships and business associations.

 

About DP Energy

DP Energy is an Irish company that develops, constructs, and operates renewable energy projects across the world, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and Ireland. With over 30 years’ experience in the global renewable energy space, DP Energy has an immediate project pipeline of over 9GW and is committed to using the most sustainable and environmentally responsible methods in all their energy developments.

 

About SBM Offshore

SBM Offshore has over 65 years of extensive experience designing, constructing, delivering, installing and operating offshore energy facilities, with special expertise in developing local supply chains and providing economic opportunities to local communities. With over 7,000 people globally, SBM Offshore is active in the decarbonization of conventional deepwater ocean infrastructure and the deployment of new energies.

 

 

Nationwide search now underway to find the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year 2023’

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An Post Irish Book Awards offers book lovers across Ireland the chance to choose their favourite bookshop

 

The search is officially underway to find the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ for 2023. After a hugely successful inaugural year in 2021, the category is now back for the third year running in the An Post Irish Book Awards, the annual literary event that celebrates and promotes Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible.

 

The ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category is designed to acknowledge the significant role played by independent bookshops and local branches of bookshop chains in helping their local communities to find and savour the titles of their choice. Previous winners include Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery, Galway in 2021 and Bridge Street Books, Wicklow in 2022.

 

Customers simply have to click onto https://www.anpost.com/bookshopoftheyear to submit their nomination for their favourite bookshop. They will also have the option to explain the reason for their choice. Readers can also enter by scanning the QR code in their preferred bookshop and following the instructions. Everyone who votes will be entered into a draw to win a €100 book voucher.

 

Nominations for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ will close on 17th September at midnight. The 12 bookshops around Ireland with the most votes will then be longlisted and invited by the judges to enter a written submission.

 

Mystery shoppers will visit the 12 shops as part of the judging process. Following this, a shortlist of six shops will be finalised for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ and they will be officially announced on the 19th October. The overall winner will be presented with their trophy at the An Post Irish Book Awards event on 22nd November 22. The winner will receive a trophy along with a prize worth €15,000 from An Post Commerce.

 

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 and 2023 will be no different. Other categories in the An Post Irish Book Awards include Novel of the Year, Children’s (Junior and Senior), Cookery, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Short Story, Poetry, Teen and Young Adult and Irish Language.

 

Brendan Corbett, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says:

“Bookshops are at the core of communities’ throughout Ireland and offer a cultural and social hub for many. We introduced this category to acknowledge the important contribution bookshops and their booksellers make to not only to their communities and readers, but the significant role they play in the Irish book trade. We are delighted to see the category returning for the third year running and encourage everyone to support and vote for their local bookshop in the An Post Bookshop of the Year category.”

Dawn Behan, Chair of Bookselling Ireland, says:

“Our local bookshops are truly at the cornerstone of every Irish village and town and work every day to connect readers with titles they will truly love. Booksellers have an important role in fostering a love of literature among children and those who are new to the wonderful world of reading. This category brings together readers and booksellers and I look forward to seeing local bookshops celebrated once again at the An Post Irish Book Awards this year.”

 

Garrett Bridgeman, Managing Director of An Post Mails & Parcels said:  

“Irish bookshops are thriving because they know how to look after their customers and they offer seamless in-store and delivery options. In addition to providing reduced parcel and stamp rates for booksellers through the An Post Advantage Card,  we are delighted to once again sponsor this very special award category which means so much to both bookshops and their customers across the country.”

 

The shortlist for all categories in the An Post Irish Book Awards 2023 will be announced on Thursday 19th October, while the winners will be announced on Wednesday 22nd November. A television programme will be broadcast on RTÉ One television in December and will culminate in one of the 2023 winning titles being announced as the ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2023’.

 

An Post is also continuing with their hugely successful #ReadersWanted campaign, celebrating the value and joy of reading and encouraging everyone to pick up more books, more often. Simply search for the hashtag online to get involved.

 

www.anpostirishbookawards.ie

Facebook: @AnPostIBAS

Instagram: @anpost_irishbookawards

Twitter: @AnPostIBAS

 

For a range of reading recommendations, check out https://www.anpost.com/About/Readers-Wanted