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/

 

DP Energy Australia successfully awarded Development Approval for 430MW Callide Wind Farm, Queensland

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DP Energy has been awarded Development Approval (DA) for its Callide Wind Farm project by the State Assessment Referral Agency.

 

The project, which will be located in the Calliope Range approximately 22km north north-east of Biloela and 75km west south-west of Gladstone and in the Banana Shire Council local government area, has the potential for a capacity of 430MW and is expected to produce enough energy to power around 130,000 average Queensland households.

 

The Callide Wind Farm will create direct employment opportunities during construction and operation, as well as indirect opportunities through increased demand for local products, materials, and services.

 

Commenting on the milestone, Hugh Cantwell, DP Energy Australia’s Head of Projects said: “We are delighted to have been awarded Development Approval for our Callide Wind Farm project in Queensland. This marks a significant milestone in the project’s lifecycle, and the DP Energy Australia team look forward to the next phases of the project, with the ultimate goal of creating a greener future for Queensland.”

 

Established over 30 years ago, DP Energy have developed over 1GW of built renewable energy projects across Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the UK and have a current project pipeline of over 9GW. DP Energy’s lead and announced Australian projects include the now operational 320MW Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park in South Australia, and the Euston Wind Farm project in New South Wales.

 

More information on the project is available at https://callidewindfarm.com.au/.

Acquisition of Speed Fibre Group by Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Ltd finalised following all regulatory approvals in Ireland and the UK

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Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited (LSE:CORD) completes acquisition of Speed Fibre Group

 

Speed Fibre Group, the holding company of Ireland’s leading wholesale and retail fibre services providers Enet and Magnet Plus, is delighted to announce that following all regulatory approvals in Ireland and the UK, it has been formally acquired by Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited (“Cordiant”), a specialist global infrastructure investor with a focus on digital infrastructure.

 

The equity consideration for the acquisition is €97million, based on a total enterprise value of €190.5 million.

 

With Cordiant, Speed Fibre Group will continue to invest and grow its network and services and expand its service offering with innovative telecommunications solutions in conjunction with the evolving requirements of its customers.

 

Cordiant will provide both sector operating expertise and a stable, long term capital base to support Speed Fibre Group’s strategy. The company’s alignment with Cordiant represents a strong partnership that will further accelerate growth and foster collaborative possibilities, while augmenting Speed Fibre Group’s customer focus and capabilities.

 

Commenting on the announcement, Peter McCarthy, CEO of Speed Fibre Group, stated:

“Both Cordiant and Speed Fibre Group are dedicated to excellence in the telecommunications sector. This acquisition arrives at a transformative juncture in the growth of Speed Fibre Group. We are poised not only to fulfil our clients’ evolving needs but also to harness momentum to expand our reach, delivering innovative telecommunications solutions on both domestic and international fronts. We eagerly anticipate the collaborative opportunities ahead as we join forces with the Cordiant team and the value that this will bring to our customers and staff.”

 

Steven Marshall, Chairman of Digital Infrastructure at Cordiant Capital, added:

“We are delighted to welcome Speed Fibre Group into CORD’s portfolio, which is now further diversified by asset class and geography. Fibre remains an integral part of digital infrastructure, supporting economic growth and social connectivity. As we remain committed our “Buy, Build, and Grow” strategy, the plan is to invest further in Speed Fibre Group’s network and work closely with the Irish government and local partners to extend high-speed digital access. This will nurture domestic innovation and provide a thriving ecosystem for homegrown tech companies to flourish.”

 

About Speed Fibre Group:

Speed Fibre Group is a prominent force in the Irish telecommunications sector, encompassing influential entities such as Enet and Magnet+. With an annual turnover in excess of €80 million, a dedicated team of over 230 professionals, and a customer base exceeding 11,000, Speed Fibre Group plays a pivotal role in shaping the connectivity landscape of Ireland. The group’s commitment to innovation and excellence has earned them a place of prominence in the industry.

www.speedfibregroup.ie

 

About Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited:

Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited is an operationally focused specialist digital infrastructure investor with a proven track record of strategic investments. The company’s “Buy, Build & Grow” approach is synonymous with driving excellence and innovation across the telecommunications sector. Cordiant’s vision aligns seamlessly with the ambitions of Speed Fibre Group, promising a future characterized by growth, collaboration, and transformative advancements.

www.cordiant.com

Grafter, the Irish flexible workspace provider, opens second premium London location at Mayfair House on Berkeley Square

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  • Mayfair House is eighth location in Grafters Dublin and London portfolio

 

  • Mayfair House extends to nearly 10,000 sq. ft over four stories and offers a blend of private and shared workspaces, lounge space and an inner courtyard

 

Grafter, the Irish flexible workspace provider that offers members a dedicated place for work, rest and everything in between, has unveiled Mayfair House, its second premium location in London. The venue will open in November and is currently taking registrations of interest.

 

Situated on Berkeley Square in the heart of the iconic Mayfair district, Mayfair House extends to nearly 10,000 sq. ft across four floors and combines stunning contemporary design and luxury amenities to provide a second-to-none business experience for Grafter members.

 

Mayfair House is the latest addition to the Grafter portfolio of beautifully restored buildings in the heart of Dublin and London. The business, which was established in 2021, has six locations in Dublin and opened Bedford House, it’s first London location last year.

 

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. With a Grafter membership, members are free to move between any of the Grafter locations across Dublin and London.

 

Designed by award winning interior designers and architects, Mayfair House offers a blend of private and shared office workspaces, members’ lounges and a stunning courtyard, all situated in the opulent surroundings of Berkley Square. The building features exquisite furnishings and art, making comfort a priority and eliminating the rigid formality of a normal office space. One of the design highlights is the private members’ inner courtyard with live greenery and the large indoor tree which extends from the ground floor through to the first floor.

 

Mayfair House has also been fully rewired with CAT 6 cabling throughout, along with managed wired and wireless WiFi networks, ensuring every member device is guaranteed fast, consistent and reliable web browsing, video conferencing and VoIP calls. Mayfair House also has an on-site support team along with shower facilities, a self-serve bar in the basement, fully stocked kitchens, and a range of social meeting spaces.

 

Emma Kennedy, CEO of Grafter, says:

“We are very excited to be opening our second London location at Mayfair House in the heart of the city. Mayfair is such a well-known and historic location and we are proud that we have refurbished such a beautiful building. We worked alongside award winning architects and interior designers to create a visually stunning but also cosy and comfortable space. With its excellent location, beside some of the city’s best restaurants and hotels and such close proximity to Hyde Park, we knew Mayfair House was the perfect location for our second London project.

 

We are looking forward to welcoming new members to Mayfair House and offering them a beautifully designed space where they can work and relax. We are also actively looking for opportunities to expand across different cities around the word and I personally look forward to seeing Grafter continue to grow.”

 

Mayfair House boasts a second-to-none location. Nestled in the heart of London bordering leafy Hyde Park, Mayfair is a renowned London neighbourhood. Grafter members can enjoy some of the city’s best dining, hotels, entertainment, culture and history – all a stone’s throw from their doorstep. A number of underground and main line train stations are close, while Oxford Street only a ten-minute walk.

 

You can find out more about Grafter here: www.grafterhouse.com

You can follow Grafter on

Linked In: Grafter

Instagram: grafterhouse

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The longlist of twelve bookshops around Ireland for 2023 are:

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

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

 

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

 

Each year, the An Post Irish Book Awards bring together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of new and established Irish writing talent and 2023 will be no different. Other categories in the An Post Irish Book Awards include Novel of the Year, Children’s (Junior and Senior), Cookery, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Short Story, Poetry, Teen and Young Adult and Irish Language.

 

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

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

Dawn Behan, Chair of Bookselling Ireland, says:

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

www.anpostirishbookawards.ie

Facebook: @AnPostIBAS

Instagram: @anpost_irishbookawards

Twitter: @AnPostIBAS