Tender process opens for exclusive naming rights of Tallaght Stadium

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  • Successful tenderer will benefit from multitude of commercial, editorial, and broadcast opportunities at the home of Shamrock Rovers, the FAI Women’s National Football Team and the Men’s Under 21 Football Team

 

  • €11.5 million currently being invested in expansion and upgrade of Tallaght Stadium by South Dublin County Council

 

South Dublin County Council, in conjunction with Core Sponsorship and Tallaght Stadium, has opened a tender process for the naming rights of the stadium.

This unique opportunity will place the winning tender application at the heart of a community stadium which is home to Shamrock Rovers and both the FAI Women’s National Football team and Men’s Under 21 Team. The venue also hosted the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Finland, resulting in Ireland securing a play-off for the World Cup for the first time. It also hosted Shamrock Rovers recent game with Djurgårdens, and will feature upcoming encounters with Gent and Molde as part of the UEFA Europa Conference League fixtures.

The successful tenderer will benefit from a multitude of commercial options including substantial branding opportunities, extensive editorial mentions, TV broadcast and digital media exposure, ticketing and venue rental opportunities.

Funded by South Dublin County Council, approximately €11.5 million is currently being invested in the expansion of Tallaght Stadium, which is the only municipal stadium of its kind in Ireland. A new North Stand, which is under construction, will increase the overall capacity to 10,000+ and will further cement its position as a top-class arena which consistently hosts elite sporting events. The sod-turning for the new North Stand took place in June and the facility is due to be completed by July 2023.

The new development will cement Tallaght Stadium’s UEFA Category 4 status, allowing for the hosting of all UEFA competitive fixtures, including Internationals, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League games.

 

The stand has been architecturally designed to the highest possible standard with the under croft containing new commercial units, part of which Shamrock Rovers will occupy. With stadium seating and temporary on-field seating, the venue could accommodate up to 20,000 people and therefore South Dublin County Council also intends to use the stadium as a major concert and event centre, with the intention to host the first large-scale concert over the next 18 months.

As well as the new North Stand, major refurbishment work is also taking place across the West stand corporate areas to provide revamped conference and meeting room facilities, as well as enhanced amenities for media and sporting fixtures. Improvements are also being made to the Accessible Seating areas in the South Stand, while a changing places facility is also being installed.

The delivery of the North Stand at Tallaght Stadium forms part of the current investment of over €80 million by the Council in a range of infrastructure projects underway in Tallaght, such as the delivery of a new Heritage Centre, the Tallaght Innovation Centre, now under construction, the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, as well as a major public realm enhancement programme for Tallaght Town Centre.

The Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr Emma Murphy, said: “Today is a landmark day in the development of Tallaght Stadium as we open the tendering process for naming rights. This is an exceptional opportunity for businesses looking to be an integral part of a thriving community and also be a significant supporter of sport in Ireland. With the wide range of events to be held at Tallaght Stadium in front of large international and domestic audiences, we’re really looking forward to welcoming a new partner on board to work with us to maximise the most of this new opportunity for all parties.”

Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, said: “This significant commercial opportunity represents another exciting milestone in the development of Tallaght Stadium. The venue has proved to be an incredible success within South Dublin County and in Tallaght, serving as a unique identifier, source of pride and focus point for the wider community. The naming rights to the Stadium represents a unique opportunity for a new commercial partner to be right at the heart of a thriving community which will benefit directly with the reinvestment of funds arising in local sporting and community projects.”

Noel Martyn, Intelligence Director at Core Sponsorship, said: “Tallaght Stadium is one of the most interesting naming rights opportunities to enter the market in recent years. Home to Shamrock Rovers, the FAI Women’s National Football team and Men’s Under 21 Team, the stadium engages with a large cohort of the public – both those who attend matches at the venue as well as those who watch broadcasts at home etc. The naming rights opportunity offers a significant range of assets and benefits, including coverage of the named stadium on broadcast, print and digital channels, stadium signage, exposure on TV broadcasts, venue rental, ticketing etc. We expect there to be much interest from potential sponsors and are proud to be working in partnership with South Dublin County Council and Tallaght Stadium on this venture.”

Click here for more details on how to engage with the tender process:

https://tallaghtstadium.ie/sponsortallaghtstadium/

 

Medihive announces six-figure deal with leading UK-based pharmacy chain, Rowlands Pharmacy

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  • Medihive’s pharmacy product, HasHealth, announces significant partnership with UK’s longest-established chain of community pharmacies, Rowlands Pharmacy

 

  • The six-figure deal is projected to cover almost 6,000 pharmacies across the UK

 

Medihive’s pharmacy product, HasHealth, has announced a partnership with Rowlands Pharmacy, the UK’s longest-established chain of community pharmacies, as its online booking provider for clinical services. The move comes as Rowlands Pharmacy strives to provide an improved booking experience for patients and reduce time-consuming administration tasks for pharmacy staff.

 

HasHealth will be instrumental in achieving this goal as the Irish healthcare software solution provides a seamless booking system, innovative wait-list features, medical pre-screen questionnaires, and resource management capabilities to effortlessly transform everyday workflows and patient experiences.

 

David Crimmins, CEO of Medihive comments on the new partnership;

“Medihive’s pharmacy product, HasHealth, is delighted to support Rowlands Pharmacy in its new digitalisation strategy and rollout of clinical services. Rowlands Pharmacy has done an incredible job during the pandemic; we believe the industry is perfectly placed to provide front-line support to patients with a range of chronic conditions and support patients in staying healthy.”

 

“To do this, it is crucial to free up pharmacists’ time, allowing them to expand their role in the community while also improving the efficiency of the patient journey. HasHealth does this by automating patient communication and clinical data capture, giving pharmacists up to 20 hours back per week” states Olan O’Sullivan, Head of Growth at HasHealth.

 

HasHealth is part of Medihive, a software company built to transform medical processes that don’t work so patients can benefit from healthcare that does work. The organisation provides sophisticated software and clinical solutions to the healthcare, pharmacy, and insurance industries, as well as direct to consumers.

 

HasHealth drives digitalisation by using cutting-edge technology to create a purpose-built platform for community pharmacies. Some of the benefits of the software solution include:

 

  • Patients have the ability to manage their own in-clinic appointments via an online booking system
  • Integrated pre-screen forms save up to 15 minutes per in-clinic appointment and afford patients the privacy of filling in forms in the comfort of their own homes
  • Flexibility to manage new clinical services at Head Office and branch level, simplifying rollout and management processes
  • Resource management capabilities, such as waiting lists and appointment limits based on vaccine supply and pharmacist availability
  • Healthcare accessibility and digitalisation with integrated video and online payment features

 

“We pride ourselves on listening to our staff,” states Nigel Swift, Managing Director at Rowlands Pharmacy;

 

“Based on feedback, we knew we could do better with our digital proposition for clinical services and flu vaccinations in particular. We considered developing our own system but we were impressed with the wealth of features available with Medihive’s pharmacy product, HasHealth, and how quick and easy it was to set up and integrate with our existing systems. The software provides management flexibility to our staff and the white-label option was perfect because it allowed us to keep customers under our own brand.”

 

As part of this international, six-figure partnership, Medihive is now supporting over 400 pharmacies and is expected to take on the management of online bookings for up to 5,500 pharmacies in the near future, as the partnership also covers Numark Pharmacy, one of the UK’s largest drug buying groups.

 

Jeremy Meader, MD Numark, comments;

“Now that we have successfully integrated HasHealth into our Rowlands Operations, we can focus on adding this to our Hey Pharmacist product. This would allow our patients and customers to book services in their participating Hey Pharmacist Numark branch and give these Numark members access to the time-saving benefits.”

 

For more information or contact details:

 

Visit: www.hashealth.com or follow HasHealth on LinkedIn.

Contact: Breda Brown / Viv Murphy – Unique Media – Tel: 01 522 5200 or 087 2487120 (BB)

 

 

About: Medihive’s pharmacy product, HasHealth, is a virtual healthcare software solution that allows community pharmacies to schedule, manage, and communicate with patients easily online. It expertly combines cutting-edge video technology with market-leading booking and management software, which can be adapted to any clinical service.

 

In the UK, HasHealth has been approved as the NPA partner for clinical services. HasHealth is trusted by many of the leading pharmacies in Ireland, including McCabes Pharmacy, Adrian Dunne Pharmacy, Life Pharmacy and CarePlus Pharmacy.

 

Geophysical survey of 900km2 off Cork and Waterford coasts to be carried out by DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading renewable energy developers

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  • Five day survey begins on 8th September and Irish Lights Vessel (ILV) Granuaile has been commissioned to conduct the survey

 

  • Survey will provide valuable information on the make-up of the seabed to inform design of proposed Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park

 

 

DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy projects, is planning to carry out a geophysical survey beyond the 12 nautical mile limit at their proposed Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park off the coasts of Cork and Waterford.

 

The survey, which will cover approximately 900 Km2, will begin on 8th September and will take place for a period of five days. The work will be undertaken by Hydrographic Surveys of Crosshaven onboard the Commissioners of Irish Lights vessel, ILV Granuaile, a multifunctional ship which is equipped to operate in difficult sea conditions.

 

The Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is a 1,000 MW (1GW) offshore wind project which will use floating platform technology anchored to the seabed. Once operational, the proposed wind farm will generate enough clean renewable energy to power the equivalent of nearly one million homes. Delivery of this scheme, planned to be operational by 2030, will significantly contribute to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target of 7 Gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and the longer-term target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

 

To develop the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park project, DP Energy has partnered with global energy leader Iberdrola, one of the world’s largest renewable energy producers. Iberdrola has substantial experience in offshore wind development and, importantly, shares DP Energy’s commitment to a sustainable and ethical approach to development.

The upcoming survey of the Inis Ealga Marine Park location will provide valuable information on the make-up of the seabed and this will be used to inform the project design, siting of turbines and construction methods for the proposed park. The results will also assist in the preparation of specifications for additional future geophysical and geotechnical surveys.

 

Adam Cronin, Head of Offshore at DP Energy, outlines the processes that will be used:

“The equipment we are planning to use includes a hull mounted multibeam sonar and sub bottom profiler. This survey will provide information about the seabed make-up at various depths. We will be able to image the sediment and rock layers beneath the surface of the seabed giving us crucial information on sediment layers for design. The data obtained from the surveys will be utilised in the design of the project and the design will be in the public domain as part of the Development Consenting process.”

 

Commenting on the announcement Dave Ward, Commercial Manager at Commissioner of Irish Lights said: “Granuaile is a key asset of Irish Lights in delivery of its navigation safety service around the coast of Ireland. Irish Lights can provide a range of services, statutory and commercial to support local partners in the transition to offshore renewable energy. We are pleased to support DP Energy to enable and harness Irish natural resources in offshore wind, in order to drive the establishment of an indigenous Irish supply chain while underpinning marine based employment.”

 

Headquartered in Buttevant in North Cork and operating across the world, DP Energy is committed to using the most sustainable and environmentally responsible methods in all of their energy developments. Currently, DP Energy has a 5,000+ megawatt (MW) portfolio of wind, ocean and solar energy projects in development stages across Ireland, Australia, the UK and Canada.

 

In addition to the Inis Ealga project, DP Energy, in conjunction with Iberdrola, has also submitted Foreshore Licence applications for Clarus Offshore Wind Farm, off the coasts of Clare and Kerry (floating) and Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm, off the coasts of Wicklow and Wexford (fixed).

 

www.inisealgamarineenergypark.com

 

www.dpenergy.com

 

Twitter: @energydp | @Iberdrola_En

LinkedIn: DP Energy Group | Iberdrola Renewables

CALLING ALL SCHOOL LEAVERS AND ADULT LEARNERS….

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Over 400 courses now available to school leavers and adult learners across the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim region

 

 

  • Business studies, nursing, science, animal care, sports nutrition, tourism, technology and sustainability among courses available from Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education Training Board

 

  • Get paid as you qualify with a range of ‘Earn as you Learn’ Apprenticeship opportunities available in Cybersecurity, Software Development, Network Engineering, Commis Chef, Carpentry & Joinery, Sales, Craft Butchery, Electrical, Plumbing and Hairdressing and many more

 

  • Options include new innovative technology Traineeship in partnership with Microsoft Ireland to equip school leavers with in-demand IT skills to help address digital skills shortage in Ireland

 

Have you just finished your Leaving Certificate or maybe you’re looking to retrain and participate in adult education – but you’re just not sure what to do next? Maybe you’re interested in pursuing a career in Healthcare, Sports, Technology, Business, Craft Butchery, Welding, Beauty or the Creative Arts, but just don’t know what the next step is?

Whatever your passion is, make sure to check out Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education Training Board as the organisation now has over 400 courses across the three counties to choose from. So, whether it’s Cybersecurity, Sales, Tourism, Science, Technology, Agriculture or Sustainability, they have a course for you.

If you’re not keen on doing a course as you would prefer to start earning money now, there are a range of apprenticeship options which allow you to ‘Earn as you Learn’ in a variety of in-demand skills such as Cybersecurity, Software Development, Network Engineering, Commis Chef, Carpentry & Joinery, Sales, Craft Butchery, Electrical, Plumbing and Hairdressing and many more.

 

MSLETB – Where Learning meets Opportunity

 

All of the courses provided by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education Training Board are specifically designed to help school leavers and adult learners fulfil their individual potential and equip them with the skills necessary to go into employment or progress directly into further higher education opportunities in degree courses and third level education.

And don’t worry – there will definitely be a course near you that’s of interest, as the programmes take place in MSLETB’s 19 schools, 12 Further Education and Training Centres, five Youthreach centres and two Training Centres across the region.

The even better news for school leavers and adult learners in Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim is that the MSLETB courses are taught by 1,500 fully qualified and experienced staff who, through small class sizes, engage in collaborative learning as well as offering ongoing career guidance.

And if social activity is important to you, you’ll be delighted to hear that all MESETB locations across the three counties engage in a range of sporting and social activities with other Institutes of Technology and Further Education Colleges, offering all students the opportunity to meet new people, try new things and become involved in college life.

 

There are four key options school leavers and adult learners across Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim can choose from:

 

  • Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC’s) – Taking place across eight locations throughout Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim, these courses are full-time for one year. Options include science, technology, software development, agriculture, sports, healthcare and nursing, business, beauty and hairdressing creative arts. Each course is a mix of practical work, academic work and work experience. All courses are QQI recognised.

 

  • Apprenticeships – Over 2,000 people across the region take part annually in an MSLETB paid apprenticeship opportunity where they are specifically trained to become qualified craftspeople in a variety of sectors. Apprenticeships include Cybersecurity, Software Developer, Network Engineer, Commis Chef, Carpentry & Joinery, Sales, Craft Butchery, Electrical, Plumbing and Hairdressing. MSLETB works closely with over 1,000 employers across the region to facilitate these apprenticeships.

 

  • Traineeships – This offers job-specific training, which combines direct training and a significant period of Work-Based Learning (WBL) with an employer. These are full-time and all year-round opportunities to facilitate those entering the workforce for the first time. One of the most popular options is a new innovative national Traineeship in partnership with Microsoft – Microsoft Cloud Traineeship Programme – to equip learners with a host of in-demand ICT skills.

 

  • Range of Part-time Programmes – Part-time courses are delivered flexibly to suit the learner, including in the evenings, and are aimed at people who may want to learn new skills or want to build on their current skills but may not be available to participate in full-time courses. The courses on offer can provide you with essential and valuable skills that make you more employable. Evening courses offer formal recognised qualifications in a whole range of in-demand skills areas. If you are looking to refresh your current skills, gain new skills or enter the workforce for the first time, we may have a suitable evening course for you.

 

Tom Grady, Chief Executive of Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education Training Board says:

“Thousands of school leavers and adult learners in Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim engage in our courses, apprenticeships and traineeships every year. We’re proud of the extensive range of options we have and that we are in a position to provide school leavers and adult learners with a fantastic starting point for a successful and fulfilling career. As a result, every year we provide a host of skilled and professionally qualified personnel who move on to make a significant contribution to the Irish economy. This year will be no different, and we’re looking forward to welcoming adult learners and the class of 2022 to MSLETB this year.”

In addition to school leavers, MSLETB also supports secondary school students, lifelong learners, returning learners, employers and employees in the region through the delivery of full and part time education opportunities. Approximately 30,000+ take part in their courses on an annual basis. In addition to school leaver options, other courses offered include Further Education and Training options, Back to Education Initiatives, Literary and Numeracy courses as well as Youth, Music and Outdoor Education services for children and young adults up to the age of 18.

The MSLETB covers an area of 9,014 km2 and has the largest geographic area of all 16 Education Training Boards. From full-time courses to part-time courses and night classes. The MSLETB has a range of educational opportunities to cater to anyone looking to start their career, study for a new qualification or upskill for their current job.

 

For those starting out, upskilling or simply looking for a career change – there’s an option for everyone with MSLETB.

 

For more details, check out:

www.msletb.ie or contact us on 1800 100 100

 

Twitter and Facebook – @msletb

LinkedIn – https://ie.linkedin.com/school/msletb/

Closing date approaching for public observations on DP Energy and Iberdrola’s EIAR* Scoping Report for Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm off the east coast of Ireland

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  • Interested parties asked to submit their observations by 1st September 2022

 

  • Report still available for review at local County Council buildings, Garda Stations and libraries as well as online at www.shelmalereoffshorewindfarm.com/EIAR

 

The closing date is approaching for public observations on the EIAR Scoping Report for the proposed Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm, a development by DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy, and global energy leader Iberdrola. Interested partied are asked to ensure they submit their views on the EIAR Scoping Report by 1st September.

 

The EIAR Scoping Report sets out the proposed scope of, and methodologies for use in the preparation of, the future Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm.

 

The future EIAR will outline the potential effects that the proposed project, if carried out, could have on the surrounding onshore and offshore environment. Located off the coast of counties Wicklow and Wexford, Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm has the potential to be an up to 1,000 MW (1GW) fixed-bottom offshore wind project.

 

A copy of the EIAR Scoping Report is currently available for review at the following locations:

 

  • Wexford County Council offices
  • Arklow Municipal District Council offices
  • Wexford Town Library
  • Courtown Harbour Garda Station
  • Gorey Library
  • Enniscorthy Library
  • Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Offices

 

The EIAR Scoping Report can also be viewed online at the project website www.shelmalereoffshorewindfarm.com/EIAR.

 

DP Energy entered into a Joint Venture with Iberdrola in February 2021 for a 3GW pipeline of offshore wind projects, including the Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm. As one of the world’s largest renewable energy producers, Iberdrola has substantial experience in offshore wind development and importantly, shares DP Energy’s commitment to a sustainable and ethical approach to development.

 

The Shelmalere project is currently in its early development stage, with ecology surveys underway and site investigations surveys being planned. Once operational, it could generate enough clean renewable electricity to supply up to 1 million homes annually. The project is programmed to be operational by 2030 and will significantly contribute to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.

 

Fehily Timoney & Company and MarineSpace were appointed earlier this year to develop a full Environmental Impact Assessment Report to examine the potential impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding environment including sea, land and wildlife. The appraisal to be set out in the future Environmental Impact Assessment Report will look at the full project lifecycle from site investigations to construction and right through to operation and eventual decommissioning of the wind farm.

 

Edwina White, DP Energy’s Consenting and Environment Manager, said: “Publication of the EIAR Scoping Report for Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm is a significant milestone on the path to eventual preparation of a Development Consent Application for the project, supported by a robust and fitting EIAR. We very much look forward to engaging with all project stakeholders on the proposed approach to the EIAR set out in this EIAR Scoping Report.”

 

Declan McMahon, Iberdrola’s Offshore Development Senior Project Manager, said: We would encourage everyone who has an interest in the project to look at the proposals and let us know their views. We want to ensure that Shelmalere is positive for both national clean energy goals and for local communities.”

 

DP Energy would like to hear from anyone with any queries or comments about the EIAR Scoping Report. Please email [email protected] to get in touch.

 

www.dpenergy.com

www.iberdrola.com/home

 

Twitter: @energydp | @Iberdrola_En

LinkedIn: DP Energy Group | Iberdrola Renewables

Grafter, the Irish flexible workspace provider, opens first premium London location in Bedford House

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  • Bedford House extends to nearly 5,500 sq. ft over five storeys and offers private offices, customised workspaces and larger floor space for growing teams
  • Grafter focuses on stylish, luxury, productive and creative workspaces that allow work and life to co-exist in harmony

 

Grafter, the Irish flexible workspace provider that offers members a dedicated place for work, rest and everything in between, has unveiled its first premium location in London.

 

Situated in the heart of Bloomsbury, 23 Bedford Square is an outstanding historic building that has been sympathetically renovated to offer a seamless combination of contemporary design and mature architecture that will cater for every aspect of modern working. The venue offers a range of well-proportioned workspaces including private offices for personal use, customised workspaces for start-ups or larger floor space for a growing team.

 

Grafter, established in 2021, already operates a collection of beautifully restored buildings in the heart of Dublin city, Ireland. The overall aim of the Grafter proposition is to put ‘life’ back into ‘work’ by providing stylish, luxury, productive and creative workspaces that allow work and life to co-exist in harmony.

 

Extending to 5,321 sq. ft over five storeys, Bedford House opens with a generous hallway featuring a stunning staircase that benefits from excellent natural light from the ornate roof window. The individually designed offices and meeting rooms feature state of the art technology such as high-speed fibre connectivity, video conferencing services and CAT 5E cabling, as well as Bluetooth controlled sit / stand desks. Members have 24/7/365 access, and are supported by a dedicated onsite reception and concierge team. To facilitate creative collaboration with colleagues or other Grafter members, Bedford House also offers a range of social spaces, a private courtyard and a fully stocked kitchen for conversations and cups of coffee.

 

Emma Kennedy, CEO of Grafter, says:

“We are very excited to announce our expansion into the UK. Our members frequently travel back and forth between Ireland and the UK, so we felt it was important to have a base in Central London.

Our Bedford Square building has been extensively refurnished to an exceptional standard and this prime location now offers our members the high-quality flexible workspace and service we provide in all of our Grafter Houses. With its convenient location close to Soho and Mayfair, a five and 10 minute walk away respectively, along with easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow airports, Bedford House was the ideal choice for Grafter’s introduction to the UK flexible and serviced office market.

 

We very much look forward to welcoming our new local members to this location. We are delighted they’ve decided to partner with us and greatly appreciate the opportunity to support their business. We are actively looking for new houses in the London market and I personally look forward to seeing growth over the next few months and years.”

 

Home to some of the world’s leading educational institutions, publishing houses and museums, Bloomsbury is truly the heart of London’s intellectual centre, as well as being a village known for its best-in-class dining, shopping and entertainment. The area dates to the early 1100’s and is full of history; it is the namesake of the renowned Bloomsbury Set – which included intellectuals and writers such as Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forester – and home to Bloomsbury Publishing, publishers of the Harry Potter series.

 

At Bedford House, institutions such as the British Museum, University College London, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the London campuses of the University of California, Delaware and NYU are neighbours. Grafter members can also enjoy all of the energetic culture, restaurants, bars and cafes of Soho, just a five-minute walk away, while Mayfair is a mere 10-minute stroll. A number of main line stations are close by, including Tottenham Court Road and the new Elizabeth line, meaning Bedford House offers easy access from East to West and within the whole of Central London.

 

Find out more about Grafter here: www.grafteroffices.com

You can follow Grafter on

Linked In: Grafter

Instagram: grafterhouse

Online telehealth providers could be excluded from new government scheme to provide free contraception for women aged 17-25

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  • Webdoctor.ie says it’s ‘beyond belief’ that women may be forced to attend a physical GP clinic to access the scheme instead of availing of an online option

 

  • Department of Health ignores repeated requests for meeting to discuss the topic

 

  • Webdoctor.ie now calling on Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health to convene urgent meeting to ensure women’s’ healthcare rights aren’t dismissed

 

Webdoctor.ie, Ireland’s leading online GP service and health technology platform, is today expressing serious concern that the Government may exclude online options for the delivery of the proposed new scheme to make contraception freely available to women aged 17-25. Webdoctor.ie says that, as the 17–25-year-old age group consists of digital natives who are fluent in technology, it is beyond belief that the Government may exclude online consultations from the process.

 

The Department of Health has ignored repeated requests from Webdoctor.ie to meet to discuss the issue. Given that the topic is just too important to let lie, the company says it is now planning to write to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health to ask it to convene an urgent meeting on the subject.

 

Webdoctor.ie, which is based in Ireland and fully Irish owned, currently employs over 50 Irish registered GPs who provide up to 150,000 online consultations per year to patients right across the country. Upwards of 20,000 of these consultations are for prescriptions for oral contraceptive pills. Given the significance of these figures, Webdoctor.ie says it is essential that online consultations and repeat prescriptions are part of the proposed free access programme.  Recent research conducted by Webdoctor.ie also showed that 90% of women would prefer an online service when seeking a prescription for the contraceptive pill or patch.

 

The scheme was signed into legislation recently as part of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Act 2022 by President Michael D. Higgins and the Government has signalled that the service will be in place later this month.

 

Dr. Sylvester Mooney, Chief Medical Officer and Founder of Webdoctor.ie, says “The Department of Health’s continued refusal to engage in a meaningful manner with Ireland’s leading provider of digital health services on a matter so crucial for women is just ludicrous. We have pioneered the availability of online prescriptions for the oral contraceptive pill, launching our service in 2014, and ever since women’s health has been a core pillar of our offering. While we applaud the government for their decision to make contraception available free of charge for women of this age category, they have to ensure that ease of access to the scheme is a priority – and that includes offering online options. We are concerned that once again, women’s healthcare rights will be relegated to the bottom of the priority list and this just isn’t acceptable in 21st century Ireland.”

 

“It has already been advised to the Oireachtas Health Committee earlier this year that 70+% of GPs have closed their books to taking on new patients. Therefore where can the 17-25 age group access an in-person appointment when so many practices have closed their patient lists? An online service which is available 24/7/365 seems an obvious access point to make available to this group.”

 

“The use of telemedicine has become embedded in Ireland, especially since the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic. However, the use of digital pathways to access healthcare, especially for this younger segment of the population, pre-dates the pandemic and it is vital the Government reflect that in their roll out of this service. We strongly believe that telehealth is a core method for healthcare delivery that will only grow in the coming years in Ireland. That’s why it’s extremely important that online options are available to women to access prescriptions for contraception in the most convenient and cost-effective manner possible.”

 

What is webdoctor.ie’s process for contraception provision?

Our patients can complete a simple online medical questionnaire to receive pill prescriptions. Webdoctor.ie also provides a convenient GP video consultation service for first-time pill users. Our service is backed up by Medical Directors and IMC registered GPs with decades of experience, many of whom specialise in women’s healthcare and a majority of whom are women.

 

The health and safety of each and every patient is the top priority for us and the webdoctor.ie platform includes rigorous safety checks to ensure the highest levels of prescribing standards are adhered to. Up-to-date blood pressure readings and BMI checks are required from each patient every six  months to ensure the suitability of the requested medication, as well as querying and documenting individual patient risk factors as per UKMEC guidelines.

Lisney signs two year partnership agreement with The Dublin Horse Show to sponsor The Speed Championship event

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Lisney, Ireland’s largest independently owned multi-disciplinary property advisory company, has signed a two-year partnership agreement with the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS to sponsor The Speed Championship event.

 

The Dublin Horse Show, an integral part of Dublin’s annual social and cultural calendar, will take place from the 17th – 21st of August this year, with The Speed Championship happening on Sunday 21st August.

 

After being cancelled for the past two years due to COVID-19, the Dublin Horse Show is delighted to return to the RDS this year, with over 100,000 visitors and 1,600 horses due to attend over the five days. The show, which is one of the biggest events in Ireland, has one of the largest annual prize pools for international show jumping worldwide. The Speed Championship sponsored by Lisney offers a prize fund of €25,500 to the winning horse and rider.

 

David Byrne, Managing Director of Lisney, said:

 

“Lisney are delighted to see the Dublin Horse Show return to the RDS following two years of Covid related restrictions. The Horse Show is an iconic event celebrating the equine industry in Ireland and is a special opportunity to showcase Dublin as a cultural hub to both a national and international audience. It is a wonderful family day out with a celebratory atmosphere. Lisney have a longstanding relationship with the RDS and we are delighted and look forward to supporting the event this year and in the years ahead.”

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.

 

Michele Griffin, Deputy Chief Executive of Commercial at the RDS said:

 

“Everyone at the RDS is very excited to see the return of the Dublin Horse Show for the first time since 2019. We are also delighted to welcome Lisney to the stable of sponsors at the Dublin Horse Show. The sponsorship is the perfect match for two iconic Irish brands. The Speed Championship is always incredibly popular with the public and the Lisney sponsorship will bring a strong name to this exciting competition on the Sunday of the show.”

 

 

For more details about Lisney, visit www.lisney.com

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

 

 

GamerFest, Ireland’s biggest gaming and esports festival, returns to Dublin this October

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  • Latest games, esports, VR gaming, special guests and gaming challenges as well as  live stage content to feature at weekend celebration of all things gaming

 

  • Content creators confirmed to date include Antitinkerbell, Jamie Jay Car, The Gara Show, Audrey and event hosts All Cast Irish Gamers – more special guest announcements coming soon

 

  • 5,000+ gamers to gather in person for first time since Covid

 

GamerFest, Ireland’s biggest gaming and esports festival, is returning to the RDS, Dublin this October 22nd & 23rd. The epic weekend celebration of gaming entertainment will include the latest games, VR gaming, esports and gaming challenges, a host of special guests including top Twitch and YouTube creators, and a variety of live stage content.

 

Organisers have also announced an exciting new partnership with Lucozade, the 2022 Title Sponsor of GamerFest, who will be showing up big at the event and supporting a wide range of gaming activations across the entire weekend.

 

Since its establishment in 2017 GamerFest has established itself as a diverse, community-led gaming event for everyone with a passion for gaming, whether that be casual gaming with friends or those who engage in competitive esports tournaments, game development and design or content creation.

 

Over the last number of years GamerFest has become a hub for content creator talent in Ireland, with a host of YouTube and Twitch special guests set to attend October’s event. Content creators confirmed to date include Antitinkerbell, Jamie Jay Car, The Gara Show, Audrey and event hosts All Cast Irish Gamers with more special guest announcements coming soon.

 

Fans of esports will witness a packed line-up of competitive action on the GamerFest Main Stage including an Official Partnership with Ubisoft and the launch of the GamerFest Rainbow Six Siege Ireland Open. This tournament offers an incredible opportunity for Irish teams to qualify for the UK Ireland Nationals (UKIN) and ultimately earn a professional spot in the Rainbow Six Northern Premier League.

 

Organisers have also confirmed a ground-breaking partnership with Legion Collegiate Esports, Ireland’s dedicated esports series for third-level students in Ireland, which will see some of the best student esports talent in the country go head to head across a range of titles including Rocket League, Apex Legends and FIFA.

 

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to get hands on with HADO, the very latest in Augmented Reality (AR) gaming, where players do battle with virtual energy balls and shields on a real life court. HADO will also launch the first ever Irish HADO Championship at GamerFest which will see the winning team represent Ireland at the upcoming HADO European Championships in France.

 

The wide array of gaming entertainment on offer at GamerFest includes:

 

  • The latest titles, VR gaming and technology

 

  • A showcase of the best in Irish gaming content creator talent with a new ‘Creator Zone’ offering visitors the chance to meet their favourite Twitch and YouTube creators

 

  • An expo hall and market place to get the latest gaming equipment and gear

 

  • A host of esports tournaments featuring on the GamerFest Main Stage

 

  • A range of special guest appearances and Meet + Greet opportunities

 

GamerFest CEO Stuart Dempsey says:

 

“Like our visitors, the team behind GamerFest are gamers. Ever since our first event five years ago, we’ve kept an absolute focus on one thing – the gaming community. Community guides us in everything we do, ensuring we have the best games, content, special guests and entertainment possible at all our events.”

 

“Just like every other live event, it’s been incredibly tough not seeing our community since 2020 throughout the Covid pandemic. So, we’re incredibly excited to see the anticipation for the return of GamerFest this year. It will be wonderful to see people physically come together and celebrate all things gaming, bringing to life all the incredible friendships and relationships that have developed online over the last number of years.”

 

GamerFest takes place at The RDS, Dublin this October 22nd and 23rd

with tickets on sale now at GamerFest.ie.

 

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

Core creates “It’s got to be KFC.”

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Core continues to build upon their relationship with KFC UK & Ireland with another full solution campaign for the Irish market. Bringing together Research, Strategy, Creative and Media, the agency has developed their latest brand campaign in Ireland, launched this week.

Core Research and Strategy collaborated with Creative to develop a brand platform “It’s got to be KFC” that focuses on showcasing how people can shamelessly enjoy the great taste of KFC, no matter when the mood takes them. The platform is intended to change the relationship people in this country have with KFC, moving it away from being a bit of a guilty pleasure and towards a tasty treat for any occasion.

The first TVC of the campaign focuses on an assured bride in full gown shamelessly enjoying her KFC with her friend, fully in the belief that a KFC meal is a worthy reason for delaying her marriage to her groom.

The digital and media campaign, developed by Spark Foundry, part of Core and executed by Core Investment, includes a range of TV, digital video, social influencers and content. The campaign launched during Monday night’s finale of Love Island.

Speaking about the new brand platform, Tanya Jumabhoy, Brand Manager at KFC UK & Ireland, said:

“’It’s Got To be KFC’ is our new Irish brand platform and is an important strategic step in the right direction towards building KFC’s relevancy in Ireland. We wanted to highlight the sharing occasion that KFC is famous for and give it new meaning for our Irish market. The campaign speaks directly to enjoying the great taste of our food, whenever you want, with zero guilt – and absolutely owning it.”

Jonny Boyle, Client Partner at Core, said:

“Humorous sharing scenarios are at the heart of this campaign. We are excited by the potential this campaign has to expand beyond the launch TV and grow over the next couple of years, delivering further success for our friends in KFC.”

 

Core employs a team of 330 people and consists of eight Practices – Creative, Data, Investment, Learning, Media (comprising of Spark Foundry, Starcom and Zenith), Research, Sponsorship, and Strategy.

www.onecore.ie