Rise In Numbers Seeking Business Support In Co Limerick

The impact of the downturn on the Irish economy has resulted in a significant rise in the number of small business operators seeking professional support and advice.

The County Limerick Enterprise Board (LCOEB) says an estimated 1250 people attended small business training courses throughout County Limerick during 2009, up 55 per cent on the number of participants in 2008. 160 Dell employees also attended an in-house training course, organised by the Enterprise Board.

Over 20 Limerick County businesses were supported through grant aid in 2009, representing a 270,000 euro investment in small business in the county. The LCOEB also co-funded and supported the development of five Enterprise Centres in Croom, Dromcollogher, Broadford, Ballylanders and Kilmallock.

Limerick County Enterprise Board CEO Ned Toomey says the increase in demand among new and established business owners for professional business support and advice is an encouraging sign for the Irish economy.

He explained: “In the current difficult economic climate, it is important to promote the advice and support available to assist those wishing to establish or develop a business. We have seen that a downturn in the economy can often lead to a sharp rise in entrepreneurial activity.”

He continued: “The Enterprise Board will host a series of training courses and workshops over the coming months to promote entrepreneurship as an opportunity to all sectors, levels and people in County Limerick. These events are aimed at assisting and facilitating new and established small and micro businesses, from the person that works on their own through to those that employ up to ten people.”

The upcoming business and networking events will feature expert advice on issues including Starting A Business, Sales and Marketing For Beginners, Taxation for Self-Employed, Developing an Internet Business, Time Management In A Small Business, Credit Control and Financial Management for the Owner Manager.

The series will commence on Tuesday 9th February 2010 in Deebert House Hotel, Kilmallock, when one of Ireland’s leading sales trainers, Robert Mc Kernan (pictured above) of Mc Kernan Training solutions, will offer advice on developing a sales strategy for 2010, as well as delivering a separate presentation for Food companies and related businesses on selling to large multiples.

Mc Kernan has spent over 25 years working in the Irish FMCG food industry and is the founder of Activsales, which works with teams with sales in excess of 500 million euro a year in Ireland, estimated to rise to 1 Billion euro by the end of 2010. He also works with Enterprise Ireland and Board Bia on food-related training programmes.

Limerick County Enterprise Board will host business and networking events during February, March and April. Event details are available from www.lcoeb.ie

Water Restrictions In Clare

Clare County Council says water restrictions in various locations throughout Clare will remain in place until further notice.

The Council says the shut offs and restrictions are essential for water conservation.


TEMPORARY PROVISIONS:

Tulla
Water will be turned off in Tulla today, Monday 18th January from 11am to 4pm and again from 8pm to 8am as per ongoing restrictions. Arrangements for delivery of water to Tulla will be arranged later.

Shannon Area
Water will be turned off in the Shannon Area today, Monday 18th January from midday to 5pm and again from 8pm and 8am as per ongoing restrictions.
Static standpipes will be available at the following locations:
? Bealach Bri (near Shannon Gardai Station) from midday to 5pm.
? Dun Áras Housing Estate, Ballycasey from midday to 5pm.
? Woodcross, Cratloe, from 2-4pm.
? Newmarket on Fergus Church, from 2-4pm.

Ennis Area
A static standpipe is still in operation today Monday 18th January from midday to 3pm at the Clarecastle Medical Centre and will continue to be in operation until further notice.

Westbury
Pressures are reduced there today due to restriction in the Limerick City Water Supply.

ONGOING RESTRICTIONS

Public water supply will be shut off in the following areas between the hours of 8pm and 8am, tonight Monday 18th January until further notice:
- Hurdlestown Housing Estate, Broadford
- Sixmilebridge
- Cappa Rossmanagher Group Water Scheme
- Deerpark Group Water Scheme
- Ruan
- Lahinch, Liscannor, Lisdoonvarna, including the areas of Ballycotton, Moymore, Doolin, Luogh and Doonagore
- Scarriff and Tuamgraney
- Tulla
- Newmarket on Fergus
- Cratloe and Bunratty
- Kilmurry and Kilkishen (this will also affect pressure in parts of Quin)

Ennis Area

Public water supply will be shut off in the Acha Bhile Estate, Lahinch Road between the hours of 10pm and 8am tonight Monday 18th January and each night thereafter until further notice.

All other area of Ennis should have their water supply maintained; however some areas of the town may experience low pressure. These shut offs and restrictions are essential for water conservation.

According to Sean Ward, Senior Engineer, Clare County Council: “Clare County Council is very conscious of the problems being experienced by customers throughout Clare due to the current shut-offs of water supply. We also very much appreciate the efforts which people are making in attending to leaks in their own properties and in reporting leaks to the Council.”

Relevant Contact Numbers:
- Pipe Leaks & Bursts Freephone 1850 287 787 (1850 BURSTS)
- All Council offices

Details of water restrictions are available on Clare County Council’s website www.clarecoco.ie.

Voyage Of The Orphans Centre Stage At The Belltable

‘Voyage of the Orphans’, a film and three-act play by the County Limerick Youth Theatre will be screened and staged at The Belltable this week.

The performances on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st January follow a successful three-night run at the Honey Fitz Theatre in Lough Gur during December.

The film and play tell the poignant true story of the 4,000 famine orphans who were transported from Irish workhouses to Australia between 1848 and 1850. Work on the project commenced in March 2009 and involved over 50 members of the local community in east Limerick, including 28 full-time members of the Youth Theatre. The idea to explore migration developed out of a series of workshops, facilitated by drama and arts specialist Fiona Quinn.

According to Fiona Quinn: “During the premier staging and screening of the play and film in the Honey Fitz Theatre, the audiences were visibly moved by the powerfulness of this true story of famine orphans being re-enacted by 21st century adolescents. Voyage of the Orphans also has attracted significant interest from other youth theatres who have heard about the sheer scale and authenticity of the project.”

Commenting on the background to the project, Ms. Quinn stated: “Arising out of the workshops was an interest and keenness among the Youth Theatre members to make a film and devise a play on the theme of migration. We successfully applied for a Youth Initiative Grant under the European Youth in Action scheme to help them research and produce the film and three-act play.”

She continued: “Looking at our own history of forced migration, the County Limerick Youth Theatre focused on the poignant true story of the 4,000 Irish famine orphans who were transported from the Irish workhouses to Australia during the Great Famine. This story of our past helped draw parallels between our nation’s experience of migration and the plight of migrants today. “

The County Limerick Youth Theatre was originally founded 14 years ago and is an initiative of Limerick County Council.

Speaking ahead of this week’s performances, County Limerick Arts Officer Joan Mc Kernan said the Youth Theatre has grown from strength to strength since its establishment fourteen years ago. “We established the Honey Fitz branch in Lough Gur four years ago to allow young people living in a rural isolated area direct access to the arts. There are now 28 full time members of the youth theatre aged between 13 -18 years old. We are always open to new members”, she commented.

‘Voyage of the Orphans’ is showing at The Belltable, 36 Cecil Street, Limerick, on Wednesday and Thursday 20th and 21st January 2010. Tickets: EUR10/5. Starts 8pm. Bookings on 061 319866 or email boxoffice@belltable.ie.

For more on the County Limerick Youth Theatre contact the Limerick County Council Arts Office on 061 496 498 / 496 300