Six titles in the running for prestigious overall ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year Award’ 2023

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  • Books by Liz Nugent, Paul Murray, Katriona O’Sullivan, Mark O’Connell, Eimear Ryan and editors Lucinda Jacob and Sarah Webb along with illustrator Ashwin Chacko nominated for significant accolade

 

  • Winner will be revealed during one-hour television special presented by Oliver Callan on RTÉ One on Wednesday 6th December

 

Books by Liz Nugent, Paul Murray, Katriona O’Sullivan, Mark O’Connell, Eimear Ryan and editors Lucinda Jacob and Sarah Webb along with illustrator Ashwin Chacko are in the running for the accolade of ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2023’.

 

The six titles competing for the overall An Post Irish Book of the Year Award were drawn from the category winners at the An Post Irish Book Awards, and were chosen on the principle of  the highest number of votes secured during the shortlist voting process across all categories.

 

The six nominated titles are:

 

  • Strange Sally Diamond – Liz Nugent (Sandycove)
  • The Bee Sting – Paul Murray (Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House)
  • Poor – Katriona O’Sullivan (Sandycove)
  • A Thread of Violence – Mark O’Donnell (Granta Books)
  • I Am the Wind: Irish Poems for Children Everywhere – Edited by Lucinda Jacob and Sarah Webb, illustrated by Ashwin Chacko (Little Island Books)
  • The Grass Ceiling – Eimear Ryan (Sandycove)

 

The overall ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2023’ winner will now be decided by a distinguished panel of judges, including a literary editor, a bestselling novelist, a broadcaster with RTE, Director of International Trade with An Post, the CEO of Children’s Books Ireland and a bookstore general manager.

 

The judging panel consists of:

 

  • Madeleine Keane – Literary editor of the Sunday Independent, lecturer at University College Dublin and Board Member of Children’s Books Ireland

 

  • Sinead Moriarty – Award-winning author of 16 novels and three children’s books. Sinead is the books ambassador for Eason Must Reads book club and founded and co-hosted the podcast ‘What’s In The Water’ with fellow author Anna McPartlin

 

  • Rick O’Shea – Broadcaster with RTÉ Gold, Rick runs The Rick O’Shea Book Club on Facebook and chooses the Eason Must Reads list four times a year. He is also literary curator for the annual UCD Festival and a board member of Fighting Worlds NI in Belfast

 

  • Cyril McGrane – A certified public accountant by profession, Cyril has worked with An Post for the last 26 years, holding a succession of senior roles in retail, operational and logistics management. Cyril is An Post’s key liaison lead with IPC and UPU and he is leading An Post’s Customs 2020 and Brexit programmes

 

  • Elaina Ryan – CEO of Children’s Books Ireland and Co-Artistic Director of Tower and Tales Children’s Books Festival in Co. Wexford

 

  • Tómas Kenny – General Manager of Kenny’s bookshop, Tomás has worked in Kenny’s for over 20 years, dealing with purchasing, marketing and the selling of new, second hand and rare books along with archive material. He has served on the committee of Bookselling Ireland since 2020

 

One of the six titles will be revealed as the ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2023’ during a one-hour television special hosted by Oliver Callan on RTÉ One on Wednesday 6th December at 10:35pm.

 

Since its inception, the An Post Irish Book of the Year Award has been won by a series of landmark titles which have gone on to become Christmas bestsellers and firm favourites with readers.

 

Previous winners of the An Post Irish Book of the Year Award include Sally Hayden for My Fourth Time, We Drowned, Fintan O’Toole for We Don’t Know Ourselves, Doireann Ní Ghríofa for A Ghost in the Throat, the late Vicky Phelan for Overcoming, Emilie Pine for Notes to Self, John Crowley, Donal Ó Drisceoil, Mike Murphy and John Borgonovo for Atlas of the Irish Revolution, Mike McCormack for Solar Bones, Louise O’Neill for Asking For It, Mary Costello for Academy St, Donal Ryan for The Spinning Heart, Michael Harding for Staring at Lakes, and Belinda McKeon for Solace.

 

Tune into RTÉ One at 10:35pm on Wednesday 6th December to find out who wins the

An Post Irish Book of the Year Award 2023

 

First awarded in 2006, the An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year it brings together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of Irish writing talent and 2023 is no different.

 

The 2023 winners, outlined below, were announced earlier this week:

 

Eason Novel of the Year

  • The Bee Sting – Paul Murray (Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House)

 

TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year

  • Sunday Miscellany: A Selection 2018 – 2023 – Edited by Sarah Binchy (New Island Books)

 

Bookselling Ireland Biography of the Year

  • Poor – Katriona O’Sullivan (Sandycove)

 

Cookbook of the Year

  • Flavour – Mark Moriarty, photography by Cliodhna Prendergast (Gill Books)

 

Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year

  • The Hike Life – Roz Purcell (Black and White Publishing)

 

Dubray Non-Fiction Book of the Year

  • A Thread of Violence – Mark O’Connell (Granta Books)

 

Eason Sports Book of the Year in association with Ireland AM

  • The Grass Ceiling – Eimear Ryan (Sandycove)

 

Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year

  • Claire Keegan (Faber and Faber)

 

Irish Independent Crime Fiction Book of the Year

  • Strange Sally Diamond – Liz Nugent (Sandycove)

 

National Book Tokens Popular Fiction Book of the Year

  • My Hot Friend – Sophie White (Hachette Books Ireland)

 

Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year

  • Kala – Colin Walsh (Atlantic Books)

 

Foras na Gaeilge Irish Language Fiction Book of the Year Award

  • Imram agus Scéalta Eile – Róise Ní Bhaoill (Éabhlóid)

 

The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award

  • Poor – Katriona O’Sullivan (Sandycove)

 

New Voices: The An Post Writing Prize

  • The Border / Кордон – Valeriia Shmyrova

 

International Education Services Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy

  • Black and Irish: Legends, Trailblazers and Everyday Heroes – Leon Diop and Briana Fitzsimons, illustrated by Jessica Louis (Little Island Books and Black and Irish)

 

Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Junior

  • The President’s Dog – Peter Donnelly (Gill Books)

 

Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior

  • I Am The Wind: Irish Poems for Children Everywhere – Edited by Lucinda Jacob and Sarah Webb, illustrated by Ashwin Chacko (Little Island Books)

 

Writing.ie Short Story of the Year

  • Such A Pretty Face – Moïra Fowley (Eyes Guts Throat Bones, Orion)

 

Listowel Writers’ Week Poem of the Year

  • Vectors in Kabul – Mary O’Donnell

 

An Post Bookshop of the Year

  • Halfway up the Stairs – Greystones, Co. Wicklow

 

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

TikTok: @anpost_irishbookawards

 

HiDef appointed as Aerial Survey Contractors for Nova East Wind

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300 – 400 MW floating offshore wind farm, a joint venture between DP Energy and SBM Offshore, will supply renewable electricity to Nova Scotians in Canada

 

Nova East Wind Inc., a Joint Venture partnership between DP Energy and SBM Offshore, has re-appointed HiDef Aerial Surveying Ltd. as its aerial survey provider.

 

The Joint Venture partnership announced its floating offshore wind farm development earlier this year which will supply renewable electricity to Nova Scotians. The 300–400 MW Nova East Wind project will be located approximately 20-30km off Goldboro, Nova Scotia. This first stepping-stone project will kickstart an exciting new industry in Nova Scotia, contributing to the province meeting its 2030 decarbonization goals.

 

HiDef has been carrying out monthly aerial surveys for Nova East Wind since October 2022, and this will now continue for a second year.  These surveys will provide insight into the abundance and distribution of birds, marine mammals, and other marine species in the proposed wind farm area.

 

Anne-Marie Belliveau, Nova East Wind Project Manager, said: “We are excited to continue working with HiDef for the delivery of the aerial surveys for Nova East Wind. The results from these surveys will help guide discussions with stakeholders and rights holders, optimize project design and allow the team to make informed decisions based on survey findings.”

 

Commenting on the appointment, Martin Scott, HiDef Managing Director said: “Providing clients with robust data to help understand the environment they are working in is key to us and we are proud to be part of this ground breaking Canadian project.”

 

An information session as well as an official project launch event took place earlier this year, with a project website now available at www.novaeastwind.ca.

 

 

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.

Affidea to create over 180 new jobs on island of Ireland following significant multi-million investment in the range of healthcare facilities nationwide

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  • New purpose-built “Centre of Excellence” medical facility planned for Belfast, creating over 120 new jobs

 

  • New diagnostics clinic with MRI, X-Ray and Ultrasound services to open in Charlestown, Dublin next month

 

  • Installation of eight new MRI machines nationwide provides capacity to conduct 60,000 additional MRI scans per year

 

  • Investment accelerates Affidea’s ambition to become one of the leading healthcare providers on the island of Ireland

 

Affidea, one of Ireland’s leading providers of diagnostic imaging, out-of-hospital services and day case surgery on the island of Ireland with 19 clinical facilities, has invested in a range of healthcare facilities and services across the island of Ireland in 2023 which has led to the creation of 60 new jobs nationwide. As a result, the company now employs over 400 professionals who provide medical services to over 300,000 patients in Ireland annually.

The multi-million investment, spread over the past 12 months, includes the installation of eight new MRI machines nationwide, allowing Affidea to conduct 60,000 additional MRI scans per year. With new MRIs deployed in Mallow, Drogheda, Limerick and Athlone, patients in these areas can now expect faster access to much needed diagnostic imaging. Four new X-ray machines and one new Dexa scan machine have also been installed, alongside the upgrading of their Ultrasound fleet with new GE Logiq E10 machines. In addition, a new purpose-built Diagnostics Clinic with two new advanced MRI systems, X-ray, Dexa and Ultrasound services will open in Charlestown in north Dublin in December.

Affidea is also delighted to announce that it will be constructing a new purpose-built medical clinic in Belfast. On completion, the clinic will offer a range of specialist medical services on-site including an ExpressCare clinic, several operating theatres, Endoscopy services and Consultant suites. In addition, it will also contain Northern Ireland’s newest and most modern diagnostic imaging facility which will comprise of MRI, CT, Dexa, X-ray, Mammography, Fluoroscopy and Ultrasound services.

The new Belfast clinic will leverage on the Affidea “Centre of Excellence” model and will become a leading orthopaedic facility on the island. Affidea operates the Fortius Clinic in London which is regarded as one of the leading Orthopaedic and Sports medicine groups globally. This new clinic will leverage the Fortius expertise creating a Centre of Excellence in Orthopaedics on the island of Ireland.

The diagnostic imaging department will have the capacity for up to 50,000 patients per annum. The clinic will lead to the creation of over 120 highly skilled jobs in the local market once completed, as well as significantly increasing the access to care for both public and private patients. The new facility will complement, expand and enhance the services already offered by Affidea at their existing portfolio of three established clinical facilities in Northern Ireland – Orthoderm, Hillsborough Private Medical Clinic and Affidea Belfast.

Barry Downes, CEO of Affidea Ireland, said: “Today’s announcement confirms Affidea’s continued commitment to continue to invest significantly in its infrastructure to facilitate improved and rapid access to quality, patient-centric healthcare catering to both the public and private markets across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This investment is resulting in the creation of over new 180 jobs across a variety of clinical and non-clinical positions. This includes a range of medical professional roles such as radiographers, doctors and nurses as well as a number of key managerial and administrative roles.

 

“The investment aligns with Affidea’s strategic direction to enlarge its clinical services portfolio with new Centre of Excellence services, better addressing the needs of the local communities, while expanding its geographic footprint throughout the country. The ability to deploy our “Centre of Excellence” model in Orthopaedics is something we are very proud of. Access to high-quality healthcare for all is a core focus for us. This additional investment will facilitate improved access for patients on both sides of the border. We pride ourselves on ensuring we always have the most modern equipment and clinical facilities available to our patients.”

 

Professor Roy Foster, Irish writer and historian, to be honoured with the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2023

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  • Foster’s award-winning literary career has spanned over four decades, with many published works including Modern Ireland 1600-1972, the two-volume W.B. Yeats: A Life and Vivid Faces: The Revolutionary Generation in Ireland 1890-1923

 

  • Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Professor Foster at the annual An Post Irish Book Awards in Dublin on 22nd November

 

  • Foster joins a host of distinguished recipients such as Anne Enright, Sebastian Barry, Maeve Binchy, Colm Tóibín, Eavan Boland and Séamus Heaney

 

The An Post Irish Book Awards is delighted to announce that Professor Roy Foster is the recipient of this year’s ‘Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award’. The award will be presented on 22nd November at the 2023 awards ceremony in The Convention Centre, Dublin.

 

As the 2023 Lifetime Achievement honouree, Professor Roy Foster will join a host of other distinguished recipients including Anne Enright, Sebastian Barry, Colm Tóibín, Thomas Kinsella, Eavan Boland, John Montague, J.P. Donleavy, Paul Durcan, John Banville, Maeve Binchy, John McGahern, Edna O’Brien, William Trevor, Séamus Heaney and Jennifer Johnston. All previous winners of The Lifetime Achievement Award can be found at https://www.irishbookawards.ie/history/hall-of-fame/

 

Professor Roy Foster has published widely on Irish history and has taught at some of the world’s most prestigious universities including University of London, Oxford, and Princeton. Foster’s oeuvre includes a two-part biography of W.B. Yeats, which was awarded the 1998 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Biography, and Vivid Faces: The Revolutionary Generation in Ireland, 1890 -1923, which won a British Academy Medal and the Frokosch Prize from The American Historical Association. Other titles by Foster include Luck and the Irish: A Brief History of Change from 1970 and On Seamus Heaney.

 

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

“Roy Foster has been described as “one of the most distinguished modern heirs of the great tradition of Anglo-Irish liberalism, which flows through Wolfe Tone and Charles Stewart Parnell to W.B. Yeats and on to such latter-day luminaries as the essayist Hubert Butler and the historian F.S.L. Lyons.”

 

Many will remember the impact of his magisterial Modern Ireland 1600-1972, published in 1988, it sold in quantities more normally associated with writers like Maeve Binchy and Seamus Heaney. It has since become the definitive history of the period in which Irish history was dominated by the paradox that a largely Catholic country was governed by a constitutionally Protestant one. Triggering the widely-contested “revisionism” debate, it succeeded in demonstrating that Irish history was more than just the story of Irish nationalism.

 

His two-volume biography of W. B. Yeats was no less of a publishing phenomenon when it appeared in 1998 and 2003 and all his subsequent publications, such as Luck and the Irish and Vivid Faces: The Revolutionary Generation in Ireland, 1890–1923, have consolidated his position as a genuinely popular historian capable of reaching a huge readership.

 

Widely admired in his own country for the wit, warmth, and eloquence he brings to the role of historian and public intellectual, Foster is a true internationalist who has taught at some of the world’s most prestigious universities such as the University of London, Oxford, and Princeton.

For all of the above reasons, the Board of the An Post Irish Book Awards wish to present the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award to Roy Foster.”

 

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

“The Board of the An Post Irish Book Awards is delighted to present the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Roy Foster. Foster is an internationalist and his knowledge, brilliance and passion are apparent through his many publications. He has enabled Irish social and political history to be accessible to all and is an inspiration for both writers and historians alike.”

 

Fintan O’Toole, historian, literary editor, journalist and critic, said:

“The great writers are the ones who really make us think about ourselves. Roy Foster has been an absolutely crucial figure in making Irish people think about what it means to be Irish, and I think most people believe that he’s done us a great service in making us think about the idea of being Irish as containing a lot of different identities and a lot of contradictions.”

 

The An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year it brings together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of Irish writing talent across 20 categories. The winners will be announced on 22nd November 2023.

 

The categories are:

  • TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year
  • Bookselling Ireland Biography of the Year
  • Cookbook of the Year
  • Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year
  • Dubray Non-Fiction Book of the Year
  • Eason Sports Book of the Year in association with Ireland AM
  • Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year
  • Irish Independent Crime Fiction Book of the Year
  • Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year
  • National Book Tokens Popular Fiction Book of the Year
  • Eason Novel of the Year
  • Foras na Gaeilge Irish Language Fiction Book of the Year Award
  • The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award
  • New Voices: The An Post Writing Prize
  • International Education Services Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy
  • Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Junior
  • Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior
  • Writing.ie Short Story of the Year
  • Listowel Writers’ Week Poem of the Year
  • An Post Bookshop of the Year

A one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on 6th December giving viewers an exclusive insight into the six books and their authors competing for the accolade of ‘An Post Irish Book Awards Book of the Year 2023’, culminating in the reveal of this year’s overall winner.

 

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

Ryan Tubridy – Back on the Radio!

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  • Star will helm weekday mid-mornings on Virgin Radio UK from The News Building in London
  • New show launching early January 2024
  • Ryan will be broadcasting live from London simultaneously on Dublin’s Q102
  • Ryan will also present a dedicated Irish weekend show across Wireless Ireland stations on Dublin’s Q102, Cork’s 96FM, Live 95 in Limerick and LMFM

 

London, 16 November, 2023: Virgin Radio UK today announces that star presenter Ryan Tubridy will be joining the weekday lineup on the station in the new year, broadcasting from the London studios of News UK. The star will follow The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio UK, and broadcast from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. Ryan joins Chris Evans and Graham Norton on the most exciting radio station currently broadcasting in the UK. Ryan will also be broadcasting live from London simultaneously on Dublin’s Q102.

 

Ryan, who most recently hosted the hugely popular Late Late Show on RTÉ 1 and The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio One will be the new voice of mid-mornings on Virgin Radio UK and Dublin’s Q102 every weekday from 10am to 1pm.

 

Ryan will also host a dedicated Irish weekend show which will mean that the much-loved presenter will be available to Irish audiences six days a week.

 

Ryan said: “I couldn’t be more excited to start this new chapter. New city, new stations, new beginnings. I love radio and what a joy to be back. It’s been a pleasure getting to know my new friends at Virgin Radio, all of whom have been warm, engaging and very entertaining. It will be great to be back on the radio in the UK and across Ireland.

 

“And big thanks to the London Irish who have made me feel so welcome in recent weeks. On a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment.

 

“To the listeners, wherever they may be, I urge you to join us on this adventure every weekday morning – and across Ireland at the weekend. There is much fun to be had!”

 

Wireless Ireland MD Sean Barry, comments: “Ryan is the biggest broadcaster in Ireland, a peerless professional and much-loved by his legion of Irish fans. He will be the perfect mid-morning companion on Q102. And his exciting new weekend show will be broadcast exclusively on Q102, Cork’s 96FM, Limerick’s Live 95 and LMFM. He will be an enormous hit with Wireless Ireland’s audiences.”

 

EVP, President of News Broadcasting, Scott Taunton, said: “Ryan is a star in Ireland and I’m delighted we are able to create a destination for those loyal fans, as well as a UK-wide platform across Virgin Radio UK. Ryan joins a stellar line up at Virgin Radio, as we continue to invest in the very best talent across News Broadcasting.”

 

Ryan Tubridy is a renowned broadcaster and best-selling author from Dublin. His stellar broadcasting career includes 14 years at the helm of the iconic Late Late Show, where he interviewed guests such as U2, Sinead O’Connor, Tony Blair, Russell Crowe, Hillary Clinton and Ed Sheeran, and helped raise more than €20 million for charity. His successful radio career has spanned more than 20 years to date, where each morning listeners tuned into his eponymous The Ryan Tubridy Show.

 

Ryan is also a best-selling author, having written four books to date. His first book, JFK in Ireland, a profile of US President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 visit to Ireland, was a number one bestseller and sold more than 100,000 copies.

 

Wireless Ireland assets in Ireland include Dublin’s FM104 and Q102, Cork’s 96fm and C103, Live 95 in Limerick, LMFM and U105 in Belfast. Its sales house is Urban Media.

 

Ryan will make his debut on Virgin Radio UK and Q102 in early January.

 

Three in ten Irish SMEs have written off bad debts over the past 12 months with €21,076 the average amount lost – new research from Bibby Financial Services

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  • One fifth (21%) of Irish SMEs say they don’t have the cashflow they need to grow while 11% don’t have enough cashflow for day to day activities

 

  • Rising interest rates, the cost of borrowing and access to finance are top concerns for Irish businesses

 

  • Nearly half (48%) of Irish SMEs say they are now more likely to use external finance than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic

 

Three in 10 (29%) SMEs in Ireland had to write off bad debts in the past twelve months according to a recent survey by Bibby Financial Services, Ireland’s leading independent provider of financial funding solutions to SMEs.

 

The research shows that the average figure written off by Irish SMEs was €21,076, up from €18,543, in the past 12 months. This average figure jumps significantly for the wholesale sector, which records the highest average amount written off at €47,000.

 

The survey results also show that interest rates and the cost of borrowing are top concerns for over a quarter (27%) of Irish businesses. Meanwhile, 19% are concerned about access to finance, with this figure rising to 24% for those operating in the construction sector.

 

Furthermore, supply chain uncertainly is also restricting cashflow, with 28% of those surveyed stating that customers have entered administration, while 34% say some of their suppliers have entered administration.

 

As a result, it is no surprise that over one fifth (21%) of companies say they don’t have the cashflow they need to grow. A further 11% say they don’t have sufficient cashflow to operate effectively on a day-to-day basis.

 

On average, businesses believe €108,580 is the right amount of funding required to support their business. The top uses for this funding are:

  • Domestic growth and expansion (44%)
  • International growth and expansion (28%)
  • Funding day-to-day operations (23%)

Almost half (48%) of Irish SMEs also say they are more likely to use external finance now, compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic. This figure rises to 54% for those in the Wholesale sector and 63% for those in the Transport and Haulage sectors. In addition, the figure also rises to 55% for those importing goods and 63% for those exporting.

 

The most prominent forms of external finance that Irish SMEs consider are:

  • Business loans (51%)
  • Government loans (26%)
  • Overdrafts (26%)
  • Credit cards (25%)
  • Invoice Financing (21%)

Positively, it’s worth noting that those considering Invoice Financing has risen by 5%, showing that more long-term sustainable forms of finance are being sought by business owners. Unlike a loan, credit card or overdraft, Invoice Finance does not involve borrowing any money and incurring ongoing monthly repayments. Instead, Invoice Finance offers businesses access to money outstanding from their unpaid invoices, helping them to access income they have already earned but not yet received. In addition to assisting with cashflow, the capital unlocked from an Invoice Finance facility can be used for a variety of activities such as training, staff salaries, equipment supplies and premises, as well as growth scenarios such as Mergers and Acquisition activity.

 

Mark O’Rourke, Managing Director at Bibby Financial Services, says that with the traditional banking landscape in Ireland changing dramatically over the past few years, there is now a significant range of alternative financial institutions who offer a host of reliable solutions.

“Alternative finance options, such as invoice finance, are now playing a more important role in a sustainable funding landscape. As alternative funding solutions provide certainty of payment and more sustainable sources of liquidity, they are often far more suited to the needs of an SME than traditional lending options. They also don’t involve borrowing any money – which is often a key factor for SME’s as they simply don’t want to take on term debt or cash flow loans that will result in monthly repayments for years to come. This hesitancy to take on debt is creating what we are calling ‘an investment gap’ at SME level in Ireland. This is resulting in a barrier to growth for Irish SME’s and what many companies don’t realise is that alternative funding solutions can help SMEs to overcome this barrier.

 

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to navigating the uncertain outlook ahead, by ensuring SMEs have access to a range of financing options that provide sustainable working capital and cashflow, they will be able to overcome any challenges and take advantage of any opportunities that arise over the remainder of 2023.”

 

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

 

Find us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter @BibbyFinanceIE

 

Introducing… Salsa Jeans’ best-selling signature ‘Grace’ coat

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Introducing… Salsa Jeans’ best-selling signature ‘Grace’ coat, designed to elevate every look this winter. The Grace coat is a timeless and elegant winter staple that is slim fitting and gives a gorgeous tailored silhouette. The coat is fully lined and made of high-quality wool, with hidden buttons and a stylish adjustable belt.

Retailing at €189, the classic Grace coat is available in black, camel, navy and burgundy. It is the perfect coat for both casual and formal occasions and a must-have this winter!

For a slightly more luxurious look, the Grace coat by Salsa Jeans is now available with a striking adjustable fur collar and sleek zip feature in black and beige retailing at €199.00.

 

The Grace coat is available to purchase online or in-store in Liffey Valley or Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

All imagery is available to download here and all references are linked below:

 

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

DP Energy Australia to power up Euston, New South Wales, with new 700MW wind farm development

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DP Energy Australia is pleased to announce a significant advancement in its nominally 700MW Euston Wind Farm project, located 8km north of Euston in New South Wales within the Balranald Local Government Area. Having recently received the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, DP Energy has now commenced preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as a critical step towards Development Approval (DA).

 

Situated within the South-West Renewable Energy Zone (SW-REZ), the Euston Wind Farm aims to contribute to New South Wales’s climate action targets of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The project is expected to generate enough electricity to power up to 324,903 New South Wales homes, incorporating approximately 100 wind turbines and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The project will contribute significantly to local development supporting jobs and local community programs.

 

DP Energy Australia’s Head of Projects, Hugh Cantwell, expressed enthusiasm about reaching this pivotal stage. “The receipt of the SEARs marks a key milestone in the Euston Wind Farm project, we are excited to be moving forward with this quality project which aligns well with the New South Wales Government’s goals to transform the electricity system into one that is affordable, clean, and reliable,” said Cantwell.

 

Jack Murphy, DP Energy Australia’s Environment and Development Manager, also commented on this milestone, saying, “As we move into the EIS phase, I am excited to further engage with the local community and the NSW Government. This project will play a crucial role in bolstering the NSW South-West Renewable Energy Zone and is a significant step toward Australia’s transition to achieving net-zero emissions.”

 

Established over 30 years ago, DP Energy has developed over 1GW of renewable energy projects across Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the UK to date and have a current project pipeline of over 9GW. DP Energy’s lead Australian projects include the 320MW Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park in South Australia, and the 430MW Callide Wind Farm in Queensland.

 

A dedicated website for the Euston Wind Farm project has been updated with the latest information and can be accessed at www.eustonwindfarm.com.au.

 

About DP Energy

 

DP Energy is an Irish company that develops renewable energy projects across the world. Head-quartered in Cork, Ireland, DP Energy has to date developed over 1GW (1,000MW) of renewable energy projects which are built and operational. With over 30 years’ experience in the global renewable energy sector, DP Energy is 100% committed to using the most sustainable and environmentally responsible methods in all of their energy developments.

 

Shortlist unveiled for ‘New Voices: The An Post Writing Prize’ in association with the An Post Irish Book Awards

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100+ writers from the Irish based Ukrainian community entered original short stories,

essays or poems in new competition and six have now been shortlisted

 

The shortlist has been unveiled for ‘New Voices: The An Post Writing Prize’ which, this year, focuses on the Irish based Ukrainian community.

 

This new writing competition was introduced for this year’s awards, inviting new and established writers from the Irish based Ukrainian community aged 16+ to compose a new and original short story, essay or poem in either English or Ukrainian describing their experiences of flight and exile in no more than 1,000 words.

 

Entries received covered a broad range of themes including the difficulties of abandoning one’s home to flee violence and destruction and the experience of settling in a new country. However, in the midst of these stories of hardship, there was hope, with many writers sharing the kindness and support of strangers and the establishment of new friendships where they had settled. These connections provided these writers with the strength to rebuild their life.

 

Over 100 entries were received for the new writing competition with six writers now shortlisted. They will be invited to attend the An Post Irish Book Awards ceremony at the Convention Centre, Dublin on the 22nd November where the overall winner will be announced.

 

The shortlisted writers are:

  • Anna Hodovychenko from Letterfrack, Co Galway with 3465 days / 3465 днів
  • Borys Koval from Dublin with The Way from War to Peace. The Valley of Gratitude / Шлях від війни до Миру. Алея вдячності
  • Lyudmila Boyko from Dublin with Ode to volunteers / Ода волонтерам
  • Olga Kitik from Letterkenny, Co Donegal with Memories License / Ліцензія на спогади
  • Tetiana Petrukhnova from Dublin with The Leap / Стрибок
  • Valeriia Shmyrova from Dublin with The Border / Кордон

The winner will be presented with an official An Post Irish Book Awards trophy and a €500 voucher to use in creative writing courses at the Irish Writers Centre. The five other shortlisted writers will each receive a €100 voucher for the Irish Writers Centre which can be used for a variety of writing courses.

 

Now in its 18th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year it brings together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of Irish writing talent.

 

The awards feature a diverse mix of exceptional writing from new and established writers across 19 categories, including Novel of the Year, Children, Cookbook, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Lifestyle, Short Story, Irish language, Poem, Newcomer, Teen and Young Adult, Irish Published and Biography.

 

To tie in with the announcement of the An Post Irish Book Awards shortlist, the public are now being asked to have their say and cast their votes online for the best books of the year on the An Post Irish Book Awards website anpostirishbookawards.ie/vote. All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five €100 National Book Tokens vouchers. Voters may cast their votes from 7pm on 19th October until voting closes on 9th November at 5:00pm.

 

Meanwhile, a one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on 6th 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 2023’, culminating in the reveal of this year’s overall winner.

 

The hugely successful #ReadersWanted campaign will also continue this year by An Post, celebrating the value and joy of reading and encouraging everyone to pick up more books, more often. Simply search the hashtag online to get involved.

 

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

“We are delighted this category was introduced to give new and established writers in the Ukrainian based Irish community an opportunity to share new and original work which gives us a very real and personal insight into their stories of flight and exile. We would like to thank everyone who entered and shared their experiences with us through the written word. This shortlist displays the sheer writing talent we have in this country and our incredible literary community which is constantly evolving and growing. I look forward to meeting all the shortlisted writers at the awards ceremony on the 22nd November and wish them all the very best of luck.”

 

David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, says:

“It is exciting to be able to use the platform of the An Post Irish Book Awards to introduce new writing. Even more so to share the work of Ukrainian writers as they navigate their experiences of war, exile and working to build new lives here. Our hope is that the works of these writers leads to a better understanding of Ukraine and contributes, in some way, towards the healing of those hurt by war.”

 

www.anpostirishbookawards.ie

Facebook: @AnPostIBAS

Instagram: @anpost_irishbookawards

Twitter: @AnPostIBAS

 

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

Young Irish consumers feeling more optimistic about their financial futures and property prospects than their older counterparts – new Dye & Durham ‘Ireland Pulse Report’

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  • impacted compared to 2022
  • Almost one-in-five (19%) would consider moving to a more affordable town or city in a different county to help improve their standard of living
  • Most Irish consumers have not yet tried AI for either personal use (58%) or professional use (68%)

  

Young Irish consumers are more optimistic than older generations when it comes to their financial futures, according to a newly launched report by Dye & Durham, the provider of practice management solutions to legal professionals. The Ireland Pulse Report for Q3 2023, a survey of 1,000 adults in Ireland conducted by YouGov, explores trends in the economy, the property market and technology.

The report’s younger respondents are feeling the best about their financial situations, with 29 per cent of those aged 18-24 and 26 per cent of those aged 25-34 saying their finances have improved over the past 12 months.

On the other hand, those aged 45 and older are feeling the most financially vulnerable, with more than half (55%) confirming that their finances have been negatively impacted compared to 2022.

Overall, almost half of respondents (48%) confirm their finances are in a worse place than they were 12 months ago and only 19 per cent of people suggest their finances have improved.

While sentiment about personal finances has dipped for some, consumers’ plans to purchase or sell properties over the next year have not experienced the same downward pressure, especially among younger buyers and sellers.

“Today’s tough economic conditions are making many people in Ireland feel financially worse off,” says Martha Vallance, Chief Operating Officer, Dye & Durham.

“The knock-on effect of this is reduced transaction activity across many industries, including the legal industry that we operate in. However, younger cohorts in Ireland are clearly optimistic about their financial futures, so we expect to see an upswing in areas like property transactions, business originations and others that should help legal firms bounce back from a slower-than-normal year.”

Younger cohorts also more optimistic about property

Those aged 25-34 have been the most active on the property market over the past 12 months, and plan to continue to be the most active cohort over the next 12 months. More than one-in-ten (11%) of those aged 25-34 bought their first home in the last year, and 16% intend to do the same over the next year. At the same time, 13 per cent sold an investment/income property and purchased a new investment property in the last year, and 10 per cent plan to purchase an investment property over the next year.

The next most optimistic cohort is those aged 18-24, 10 per cent of whom plan to buy their first home in the next year, and 8 per cent will be in the market for an investment/income property.

For those looking for a reprieve from the elevated cost-of-living, moving in search of affordability may be an option. Nearly one-in-four (24%) said they would consider moving to a different country to find a lower cost-of-living. Almost one-in-five (19%) would consider moving to a more affordable town or city in a different county, and 18 per cent would consider moving to a more affordable town or city in their current county.

Consumers gradually embracing AI

The Ireland Pulse Report also explored trends in technology and found that most consumers in Ireland have not yet tried AI for either personal use (58%) or professional use (68%).

Older consumers are least likely to have explored generative AI tools. Four-in-five of those aged 55+ (80%) have not experimented with AI for personal use, and 87 per cent have not experimented for professional use.

On the other hand, younger consumers (aged 18-24) are the most likely to have experimented with AI for personal (68%), while those aged 25-34 are the most likely to have experimented with AI for professional use (60%).

Overall, Irish consumers are hesitant about skilled professionals incorporating AI into the services they provide to their customers. Just one-in-five (20%) would be comfortable with real estate agents/brokerages and insurance brokers using AI. This drops to 16 per cent for mortgage brokers and 12 per cent for lawyers/conveyancers.

When asked what would help increase their comfort with generative AI being used by lawyers and conveyancers, 27 per cent said they would be more comfortable if it was used to improve their performance without replacing a real person, while 26 per cent said if it would guarantee a better outcome or better accuracy. A quarter (25%) would also feel more comfortable with lawyers and conveyancers using AI if it would significantly reduce the cost of the service provided.

“Ireland’s legal industry is already exploring the enormous potential for AI to provide cost efficiency and accuracy benefits – from estate agency through to finance and conveyancing – but consumer education is essential. It’s important to demonstrate how AI is already being deployed and the benefits it offers legal professionals in terms of efficiency and accuracy, which ultimately pass through to the client,” – says David Nash, Chief Product Officer, Dye & Durham.

For more information, visit https://dyedurham.ie/