Legendary Q102 Presenter Aidan Cooney moves to new weekend slot

Q102, Dublin’s feel-good music station, today announces that Breakfast Presenter Aidan Cooney will move to a new weekend slot on the station. After four years of early mornings, Aidan has decided that he has had enough of the 5am starts and has chosen to move to the weekend schedule.

 

Q102 provides a vibrant soundtrack to the daily lives of Dubliners aged 35 and over. Currently, legendary presenter Aidan hosts Q102 Breakfast alongside partner-in-crime Venetia Quick each weekday morning. Aidan has previously worked across a string of Q102 shows including Afternoons, Mid Mornings and Call Cooney each weekday evening.

 

We’re so excited for Aidan to join our weekend team, alongside the likes of Johnny Bowe and Lynsey Dolan, bringing his hilarious personality to a fun-filled 12-3pm slot each Sunday.  The presenter has lots of ideas planned for his new schedule, making it the perfect way to spend your fun-filled weekend!

 

Aidan Cooney comments: “Much as I love being on the radio, this nonsense of getting up while the rest of Dublin sleeps just has to stop! I want my sleep time back. It’s been a real blast to serve weekday Breakfast with Venetia for the past few years, and I want to thank her and all our listeners for putting up with me. I will now be moving to weekends on Q102 and look forward to being a part of a brand new FeelGood weekend for Dublin. I can’t wait to get started.”

 

Scott Williams, Wireless Group Content Director says: “I want to acknowledge the broadcasting legend that is Aidan Cooney. He has served Q102 well over many years right across the schedule. We understand that he wants to get some sleep in the New Year and are delighted that Aidan will remain a part of Q102 on his new weekend show.”

It’s time to Switch Christmas On for 2023! Christmas FM is back

  • Five-year-old twins Ben and Louis McPhillips from Mullingar win competition to officially Switch on Christmas FM for 2023

 

 

It’s FINALLY time to break out the mince pies and get into the festive swing as Christmas FM is set to return at midday tomorrow to Switch Christmas On right across the island of Ireland for 2023.

 

Five year old twins Ben and Louis McPhillips from Mullingar will officially turn on the radio station for 2023. The brothers won a competition run by Christmas FM to find a very special little helper to visit the Christmas FM studio and officially Switch Christmas On for 2023.

 

The much-loved station, which marks the start of the official Christmas season for many, will play round-the-clock Christmas hits, spreading an abundance of festive cheer and seasonal goodwill in the run up to the big day. Listeners can look forward to hearing all of their favourites including Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé and Slade as well as newer Christmas hits to add to their Christmas party playlist. Meanwhile the radio station presenters will be spreading lots of seasonal joy and fun, keeping the spirits of the nation merry and bright as we embark on the big countdown to Christmas Day.

 

Christmas FM will be broadcasting live on FM from midday on the 28th November

 

Cavan   92.8 FM

Clare 105.2 FM

Cork City, Part County 106.7 FM

Cork North, Part County 87.7 FM

Drogheda & Dundalk 104.2 FM

Dublin City & County 105.2 FM

Galway City 87.9 FM

Kildare North 88.1 FM

Kilkenny City 104.3 FM

Letterkenny 106.2 FM

Limerick City 105.5 FM

Longford 99.8 FM

Sligo Town 95.0 FM

South East 103.8 FM

Tralee/Killarney 105.0 FM

Waterford City  105.9 FM

Wicklow – Bray area 99.5 FM

Wicklow – Wicklow Town 106.6 FM

 

Christmas FM will also broadcast on Virgin Media Channel 900.

Find out all the ways to listen at https://christmasfm.com/listenin/

 

Christmas FM, which is celebrating its 16th year on air this year, has raised over three million euro for a range of charities since it began broadcasting. This year, Christmas FM will be continuing with their hugely successful ‘Magic of Christmas’ appeal, raising funds for 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.

 

Last year, The Magic of Christmas appeal raised almost €300,000 for the charities and the fundraising initiative is hoping to raise over €1,000,000 between 2022 – 2024 for Ireland’s Children’s charities and to maximise the impact of the funds raised by helping more children in need.

 

So, by donating to The Magic of Christmas, you will….

Give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every 

child deserves Magic at Christmas.

 

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. Meanwhile, the costs of running Christmas FM are covered by various sponsors, ensuring listener donations go directly to the fundraising initiative. This year the station’s premier FM sponsors are Coca Cola, An Post and Cadbury.

Christmas FM is broadcasting from The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley who have kindly donated their studio space again this year.

As well as broadcasting online and on FM from November 28th, Christmas FM also has a number of sister stations which are streamed globally, helping to sprinkle Christmas cheer and jolliness right across the world!

 

  • Christmas FM Classical plays ‘Classical and Carols’. The station brings you the best in Classical Christmas music mixed with a wide range of festive carols
  • Christmas FM Classics plays ‘Classics and Crooners’. It’s a mix of classic, pre-1970s Christmas songs from Bing Crosby to Frank Sinatra

Garvan Rigby, co-founder of Christmas FM says:

“We are so excited that Christmas FM is back for its 16th year, to Switch Christmas On across Ireland for 2023. We can’t wait to sprinkle Christmas cheer and joy around the nation all throughout the festive season. Cadbury, Coca Cola and An Post have returned as premier FM sponsors for 2023 and The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley have also kindly donated their studio space again this year.

 

Celebrating 16 years on air is a major milestone for us which we wouldn’t have reached without Coimisiún na Meán and our amazing listeners, fans and volunteers who have supported us and our chosen charities throughout the years. We are once again raising funds for The Magic of Christmas appeal, supporting a range of children’s charities across Ireland helping children in need who need it most.”

 

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

 

What charities will benefit from funds raised by Christmas FM this year?

Last year, the people behind Christmas FM unveiled The Magic of Christmas Appeal, a not-for-profit fundraising initiative to raise funds for 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 aim of The Magic of Christmas Appeal is to Give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every child deserves Magic at Christmas. Between 2022 – 2024, the fundraising initiative is hoping to raise over €1,000,000 for Ireland’s Children’s charities and to maximise the impact of the funds raised by helping more children in need who need it most.

 

themagicofchristmas.ie

You can follow The Magic of Christmas on social at:

@supportthemagic

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

  • 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

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

  • 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

  • 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!

  • 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

  • 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

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

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.