Coffee Morning tomorrow Sat 30 August in aid of Camphill Communities

Please support the wonderful work done at Camphill Communities all over Ireland.
Marie and Liam McCallion are hosting a coffee morning at their home 4 The Links, Old Golf Links Rd Blackrock, Co Louth on Saturday 30 August from 11-4pm.

What is Camphill

Camphill Communities of Ireland is part of an international charitable trust working with people with intellectual disabilities and other kinds of special needs.

In Camphill the residents share their home, spiritual and working lives with those who are motivated to meet others as individuals needing support and recognition for what they are, and not as carer and cared for in the conventional sense. Most of the people providing support to those with disabilities are volunteers, coming locally or from abroad.

Camphill is a way of life, where each person according to ability contributes what they can towards the well-being of the other.

Pioneered by war refugees in Scotland almost 70 years ago, Camphill today numbers over 100 communities in 20 countries. In the Republic of Ireland, 18 communities of varying sizes and settings are home to around 500 people, plus a number of day attendees.

Each person with a disability supported by Camphill has different needs. Camphill has responded by establishing centres that cater to those needs and by constantly adapting itself to meet changes in those needs.

At the core of the community is the recognition of the dignity of people with mental disabilities, giving less importance to the material equivalent of the work that is done by those who care for them as part of the giving and sharing in communal life.

Free Seminar provided by Local Enterprise Office Louth on digital marketing Sept 9 and 17

 

 

Making the Most of Your Digital Marketing Strategy
HOW TO CREATE POWERFUL CONTENT THAT GROWS YOUR BUSINESS
 

Local Enterprise Office Louth would like to invite you to a free seminar on ‘content marketing’ as part of your overall digital business strategy. Traditional marketing methods are becoming less and less effective, and the growing trend is to communicate with your customers and prospects without doing ‘the hard sell’.  Good content marketing will make a person stop, read, think and behave differently and hopefully reward your company with their business and loyalty.


This seminar, delivered by Louisa Maher from MOR Solutions will look at the following:
  

• What is Content Marketing, why is it important and what does it involve?
• What steps do you need to take to create a Content Marketing strategy on a budget.
• Lucy Campbell, Marketing Director RTÉ Television | RTÉ Digital at RTÉ will also address the seminar on how RTÉ have embraced content marketing.

  
There will be networking opportunities with refreshments served.

  
WHERE:  
Tuesday September 9^th in the d Hotel Drogheda 
Wednesday September 17^th in the Crowne Plaza Dundalk 
 
WHEN:     9am -1.30pm 
Registration 9.00am-9.30am 
Seminar 9.30am -1.30pm 
Light Lunch will be served at 1.15pm 


HOW TO REGISTER:      
Drogheda: email enquiries@droghedachamber.com  Tel: 041 9833544


Dundalk :  email  brenda@dundalk.ie  Tel: 042 9336343   

Please advise if you have specific dietary requirements.   

These events are being run in conjunction with our partners Drogheda and Dundalk Chamber of Commerce.   

This programme is supported by the European Union's PEACE III Programme as awarded by Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership     

https://www.localenterprise.ie/louth  

Louth drivers: warning over petrol-stretching

Labour Senator Mary Moran has warned motorists in Louth to be cognisant of the dangers of ‘petrol-stretching’, which involves fuel being illegally contaminated with kerosene.

“In recent days, there have been reports of cars across the midlands, west and border regions having their engines severely damaged due to petrol-stretching.   

“Petrol-stretching involves a supplier adding up to 10 percent kerosene to petrol before it is being sold on to unwitting drivers. It is seen to be more dangerous than laundered diesel because of the speed at which it can damage an engine.

“I would urge all motorists in Louth, particularly those with smaller engines, to be cognisant of this potentially serious threat of petrol stretching. Watch out for the key signs that your car has been affected, including a lack of power, misfiring of the engine and a knocking noise. Customers who notice any of these should immediately alert a mechanic and the petrol station they last visited.

“According to the authorities, the petrol is being mixed with kerosene after it arrives into a county, and identifying the culprits is proving difficult due to the multitude of suppliers.

“However, I am aware that an investigation involving the Revenue, Customs and Excise Officers, and the Gardai is looking into this worrying new trend.” 

Be aware and stay safe at Electric Picnic 2014

 I would urge concert-goers who are attending this weekend’s Electric Picnic event to drink responsibly and to look out for friends.    
“Electric Picnic is the most anticipated event in the Irish summer festival calendar, celebrating music, arts, food and a range of other creative and artistic endeavours. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet up with friends in a fun atmosphere and mark the end of summer in a way that is memorable. 
 
“However, it is important to remember that if you are consuming alcohol over the course of the weekend, it should be done in way that is a balanced and mature. Excessive, binge-drinking is not only dangerous, but it could make you a burden on others if it goes too far. 
 
“Once again this year, drinkaware.ie has issued a Festival Survival Guide that is crammed with handy, practical tips and advice for concert-goers. If you are planning on driving home, always remember the ‘morning after’ - by making sure that all alcohol has left your system before you get behind the wheel.
 
“It’s also important to be cognisant of the safety of others, as well as your own, so if you see someone in distress or danger at any time, seek assistance by alerting the on-site authorities immediately.”

Best of luck to parents and students for the new school year.

 
As Seanad Spokesperson for Education, I would like to offer my best wishes to students and parents in Co. Louth as they go back to school this week.

“I would like to wish pupils, parents and teachers in schools across Louth the very best for the year ahead. This time of year can throw up mixed emotions, as many parents see their little ones off to his or her first day of school.

“It can also be an expensive time for parents, as they have back to school costs for uniforms, books, and other expenses. Parents should be aware that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for eligible families is open for application until 30^th September. Application forms are available on the Department website, www.welfare.ie.”

National Learning Network Dundalk open day Thursday 4 Sept 10am-1pm

 National Learning Network Dundalk will be holding an OPEN DAY on Thursday September 4^th between 10am and 1pm in their premises at the Ramparts, Dundalk
 
All staff members will be on hand to give any clients  information on the  FETAC Level 3, 4 and 5 programmes. They will also give short presentations on the 3 programmes and our links to external services such as O’Fiach, DIFE and Dundalk Institute of Technology  in Dundalk as well as the employers they link with in  Dundalk and Drogheda.
 
If you or someone you know are currently out of work or education due to Personal setback, Accident, Illness or Disability or perhaps are not ready for a level 5 programme, the NLN  programmes may be a starting point and platform in which they can build on.
 
This is a great opportunity to get an insight into the specialist services currently being offered by NLN Dundalk and a chance to meet some of the members from their Multi Disciplinary Team.
 
All welcome to attend to find out more about what is on offer in NLN Dundalk

Call to reduce Port tunnel toll for strike-hit commuters

The National Roads Authority should reduce the €10 peak-hours toll faced by commuters using the Dublin Port Tunnel for the duration of the rail strike, according to Labour Senator, Mary Moran.   “Up to 100,000 commuters are today experiencing major travel chaos as a result of the strike by rail workers.  
“The disruption to Inter-City, Commuter and Dart services in particular means that people in Louth and north Dublin suburbs who normally use rail services are now being forced to commute by car and use the Port Tunnel.
“Due to the €10 toll that applies to the tunnel between 6am and 10am, and again between 4pm and 7pm, it means commuters will fork out €40 altogether between Monday and Tuesday - and even more again if the strike resumes in September.
“It is unfair that motorists are being financially penalised for a strike that isn’t of their own making. Therefore I am calling on the NRA to reduce the peak-hours toll to €3 - which is the usual off-peak fee - in what would be a welcome gesture that would ease pressure on strike-hit motorists.
“In the meantime, I hope that all sides involved in this dispute will resolve this matter soon, so that we can draw this difficult episode to a close.”

North Louth Hospice fundraiser tonight in the Lisdoo. Adm €10 at the door

Concert in aid of North Louth Hospice this evening

The North Louth Hospice Shop on the Ramparts Road

A series of local musicians will be performing in the Lisdoo this evening in an event to raise funds for the North Louth Hospice.
Amongst those set to take the stage are James Humston, Stewart Agnew, Saoirse Kavanagh, Bobby McCarthy and Tony O’Kane.
Admission is €10 payable at the door.

Sosad organise Memorial Mass on World Suicide Prevention Day Wed 10th Sept @7.30pm Church of the Holy Redeemer Dundalk

Cooley Ploughing and Field Day this Sunday 24th August.

Oriel Centre final concert of traditional Irish music, song, dance and storytelling on Thursday 21 August

ORIEL CENTRE SUMMER SHOW – SEISIÚN 2014
 
Final Show This Thursday Evening 21^st August @ 8pm
 
Last opportunity to join us for the final performance of Seisiún 2014.
A Stage show celebrating Traditional Irish Music, Song, Dance and Storytelling
which is followed by an informal session with audience who wish to, participate.
 
(also some light refreshments served)
 
Tickets for this and all events available to book online at
www.orielcentre.ie Ph: 042 932 8887  e mail info@orielcentre.ie
 
--
*
Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann
Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol
Carrickmacross Rd
Dundalk
Co. Louth*
Ph  042 9328887 | Fax 042 9328873 |
www.orielcentre.ie<http://www.orielcentre.ie>

Dundalk moves up 8 places in cleanest town survey

 

Congratulations to everyone involved in helping to keep Dundalk clean and litter free. The results of a survey today from the business group Irish Business Against Litter found that Dundalk was the 20th cleanest town in the country, up 8 places from where it stood in January of this year.

This is very encouraging news for the Tidy Towns Committee and everyone else who works so hard to make Dundalk a beautiful place to visit.

Kilkenny was named as Ireland's cleanest town.

 

Go local during heritage week 23rd - 31st August.

Go local during Heritage Week and experience the hidden gems Co Louth has to offer.

Running from Saturday 23^rd to Sunday 31^st, Heritage Week offers plenty of intrigue to keep inquisitive minds busy. In the Dundalk area, some of the events on offer include:
A Cooley Ramble:
Archaeological and Folklife Features in the Grange Irish Area which will be led by Paul Gosling. It takes place on Saturday 23rd August 10:30 AM to 15:30 PM. The meeting point is near Murphy’s Garage, Bush on the Dundalk- Carlingford road.


A Tour of St Paul’s Graveyard, Heynestown, Dundalk
Led by local historian and author Noel Sharkey. This takes place on Thursday 28 August at 7pm, meeting at Heynestown graveyard.
See a Bird, Fold a Bird
Beginners-birdwatching for children, mixed up with origami and other craft activities. Learn about waders and geese at our new hide and then help make our very own flock of paper creations. This is aimed at the under 12 year olds and will take place on Sunday 31^st August at the Lurgangreen Birdwatching Hide, Dublin Rd, Dundalk, from 12 to 2.30pm
Opening Up Our Past: Participate in Indexing Archives
Participate in a group where a Louth archivist will show you how to index a selection of archives for online access.  Knowledge of using computers is essential for 50% of participants to facilitate database entry. Results will be placed on website. This event will take place in the Old Gaol, Ardee Rd, Dundalk on Monday 25th August 9:30 AM to 13:00 PM  and on Tuesday 26th August 9:30 AM to 13:00 PM
Explore Your Archives
Open the Story Box and discover the stories, the facts, the places and the people that are at the heart of our communities. You’ll be amazed to find what lies within. This history- themed event run by the Louth County Archives Service will take place on Thursday 27^th August in the Old Gaol, Ardee Rd, Dundalk from 9.30am -1pm and from 2-4pm


While it’s no wonder that Ireland continues to attract a growing number of foreign visitors, sometimes we can be slow to appreciate the beauty on our own door steps. Heritage Week serves us a timely reminder of the many fantastic attractions which the county holds, and is a great chance to get out and enjoy it.

Export Awareness Event in Dundalk on 4th September organised by Local Enterprise Office

 

 

Export Awareness Event 
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk - Thursday 4^th September 2014
 
AGENDA 
 
08:30  Registration and Coffee/Tea
 
09:00  Introduction and Context – Paschal McGuire, Regional Director, Border Region. Enterprise Ireland   

09.10 Session 1 - The business story of Easy Dry Ltd.,
The session will take the form of a conversation with Anne Butterly, MD of Easy Dry Ltd., about the company’s journey to exporting.
The conversation will explore the “do’s and don’ts” of servicing customers overseas and the risks and rewards that go with the decision to grow an exporting business.
Followed by Q&A

10.30  Tea/Coffee  
        
10.45  Session 2 – Get Export Ready

David Byrne, Manager, Potential Exporters Division, Enterprise          Ireland
This session walks participants through the Enterprise Ireland programmes that support new and early stage exporters, covering the information, training and financial products that help launch a new business idea.
Followed by Q&A
 
Joe English,Head, of Louth Local Enterprise Office (LEO).
Joe will outline the suite of supports available from the Louth Local Enterprise Office, to drive the development of local business.
Followed by Q&A
 
Click here for more info >>

People living with dementia to benefit from €30m funding.

I am delighted by the announcement today by the Minister for Primary and Social Care, Kathleen Lynch TD, that The Atlantic Philanthropies will make grants of €14.7m available to improve the care and wellbeing of people living with dementia in Ireland. This sum will be matched by the Department of Health and the HSE.

Ireland has benefited over the years from funding for various projects from Atlantic Philanthropies, who have been extremely generous in their investments  but this latest announcement is one of the most important. This  collaboration with Atlantic will ensure that we can make huge strides in implementing the National Dementia Strategy.
For those people living with dementia, as well as their families, this funding will go a long way towards improving their day to day situation. It will also enable us to carry out much needed research in the area of dementia.

Substantive agreement has been reached with The Atlantic Philanthropies on a number of collaborations which will include:

• A collaboration to implement elements of the draft National Dementia Strategy

• A programme of research relevant to dementia, in conjunction with the Health Research Board. This will include applied research to address specific policy concerns and will also be open to other research proposals which may emerge.

The Department of Health is providing some €1 million in matching funding to support the research element of the collaboration and the HSE is providing matching funding of some €15 million for the three priority areas of intensive home care supports, GP education and training, and dementia awareness.

Moran Congratulates Students On Leaving Cert Results

Senator Mary Moran, Labour Seanad Spokesperson on Education, has congratulated the 56,990 Leaving Cert students across the country who are receiving their results today.

I would like to welcome news that a record 27% of students sat the Higher Level Maths paper this year, up from 16% in 2011. This shows the awarding of 25 bonus points for those achieving a D3 grade or higher has clearly encouraged students to take the higher level paper. It is also positive that the number of students taking the Higher Level Irish paper this year is up by 8% compared to 2011.

While this will be a time of celebration for many students, there will be disappointment for some who did achieve the results they had hoped for. However, there are many options open to them, and I would encourage these students to look at all the options. It is important that students know that help is available to them, for any query they may have once they receive their results.

A free helpline run by the National Parents' Council and staffed with experienced guidance counsellors from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors is available to offer advice and support to students and parents from 10am to 7pm today and tomorrow, and 10am to 1pm on Friday. The Freephone number is 1800 265 165 and will also be open next week from 8am to 7pm on Monday and Tuesday, and 8am to 1pm on Wednesday.

Again I would like to congratulate all Leaving Certificate students and wish them well with their next venture. Finally I would appeal to all students to celebrate wisely and keep safe in the coming days.

Dundalk Chamber join with PayPal and eBay in providing business masterclass on August 27

Dundalk Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with PayPal and eBay will be hosting a special masterclass on growing your business online on August 27 at eBay Inc, Xerox Technology Park, Dundalk at 5.30pm with a seminar from 6 to 7pm.

Among the topics for discussionwill be how to utilise payment platforms online to grow your business.
The event is free and if you are interested in attending you should contact the Chamber of Commerce at 042-9336343 or email certs@dundalk.ie

€300,000 Seed Fund for digital sector launched at DKIT

The Regional Development Centre at DKIT has launched a brand new seed fund worth €300,000 aimed at stimulating the growth of the digital content sector across the border counties.
The Honeypot seed fund is part of Honeycomb-Creative Works, a €4.2million skills and business development programme funded by the EU's INTERREG IVA Programme, managed by the Special EU programmes Body and delivered by the Regional Development Centre, in conjunction with the University of Ulster and Creative Skillset.

Honeypot is targeted at digital content creators across the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland, parts of Northern Ireland and the western seaboard of Scotland.
The seed fund is available to companies and individuals involved int eh development of digital content through animation, film and broadcasting, computer gaming, interactive media and music technologies.

Kevin Fearon, Honeypot Project Manager at the Regional Development centre launched the programme this week and is encouraging digital content creators to get in touch for more information.

You can find more information on how to apply for funding at:
www.thehoneycomb.net/honeypot
or contact Kevin Fearon at the Regional Development Centre at DKIT

Best wishes to all Leaving Cert students awaiting results

On the eve of the Leaving Certificate results Senator Mary Moran, Labour Spokesperson on Education, has expressed her good wishes to all students who are awaiting their results.
“This is a stressful time not only for Leaving Cert students but also for their families.  After all the effort and hard work which has gone in to the preparation for the exam, results day is finally here.
“As a former secondary school teacher and a parent of past Leaving Cert students, I am fully aware of the pressures surrounding the day of the results and the subsequent days, when decisions have to be made regarding college places and courses.  
“A free helpline run by the National Parents' Council is available to offer advice and support to students and parents.  The Freephone number is 1800 265 165 and will be open on Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 7pm, and on Friday from 10am to 1pm.
“I would like to wish all students the very best, and I would appeal to everyone to celebrate wisely and safely in the coming days.”

Roche Emmets Ladies GFC Walk a Thon fundraiser for N Louth Hospice on 7 Sept

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Please support this very worthwhile event in memory of Úna Begley, on Sunday September 7th.
You can make a donation by clicking on the link at the end of this page.

 

 http://www.mycharity.ie/event/roche__emmets_ladiess_event

Blackrock Seaside Festival has fun for all the family this weekend

Come along to Blackrock this weekend and take part in the wonderful activities and entertainments which are available.

Best wishes to the organising committee for a very successful weekend.

Louth Co Council and An Garda Síochána invite you to have your say by August 22

Louth County Council and An Garda Síochána are conducting a community safety survey as part of their ongoing partnership approach to improving the daily lives of people living, working and visiting in the county.

Due to the unprecedented interest in the survey, which is currently being rolled out across the county, the closing date has been extended to Friday August 22.

Conducted under the aegis of the Louth Joint Policing Committee together with the Peace and Reconciliation Partnership, the survey seeks the views of a broad range of interest groups from young people, older people and the business community to the many intra-cultural groups, and other stakeholders, and asks them to comment about the impact of crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour on their daily lives. The outcome will be a community safety strategy, based on a co-ordinated, partnership-based approach to policing, where the agencies will work with local communities in a collaborative, action-based, problem-solving way to address issues of concern to them.

Encouraging all local residents to participate in the survey, Joan Martin, the newly-appointed Chief Executive of Louth County Council noted that the community safety strategy will support the valuable work already being done by all the statutory agencies, in County Louth, while building on the Peace III programme’s excellent work across a number of aspects of social and community life.

“Improving quality of life for people in Co Louth is one of the County Council’s main aims” she said, “and we look forward to continuing our good work with agencies and local residents in a targeted way to improve conditions at local level”.

Garda Chief Supt Pat McGee said that An Garda Síochána is committed to getting feedback from as many people as possible.

“Your views are important to us,” he said.

“We want to know what you think and how you feel about community safety, and we invite everybody to participate in this confidential survey. Its results will be used by the Louth Joint Policing Committee and the Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership to develop a Community Safety Strategy for County Louth so that people, no matter who they are or where they live, can get on with one another without fear of crime, conflict or anti-social behaviour.”

Share your views and complete this survey by Friday August 22. Log on to www.louthcoco.ie and follow the links, or click directly on:

Young Person’s Community Safety Survey: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1698936/1406130

General Community Safety Survey : http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1699586/1406131

Business Survey: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1700699/1406132 to complete this survey

For further information, call Valerie Artherton, Peace and Reconciliation Partnership, Louth Co Council, Boyne Centre, Drogheda on 041 9876161. This project is supported by the PEACE 111 Programme managed for the Special European Union Programmes Body by Co Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership.

National Learning Network offers educational courses in Dundalk

The start of the Educational Calendar is almost upon us again.

The National Learning Network currently has spaces available on 3 of their programmes , Freshstart FETAC level 3, Employer Based Training , FETAC level 4 and Information Technology with Office Skills, FETAC level 5. All 3 programmes deliver a Certification and work placement element to the students and vary over a 12 and 18 month time duration.

If you or someone you know are out of work due to accident, illness or disability or they have experienced a personal setback please feel free to contact Cormac Woods and he will book an appointment immediately to see one of their programme co-ordinators.

  They have a multi disciplinary team working at National Learning Network in Dundalk ranging from  Psychologists to literacy teachers and work placement officers. This specialist team is here to assist clients get back into education and the labour market.

  They will be conducting an open day at the end of August where more information will be readily available

Contact:
Cormac Woods (BA Hons) Business Management and Administration
Area Manager
National Learning network
Rampart road
Dundalk
Co.Louth
0429328441
0878034982

Help is available for Co Louth Leaving Cert Students

Ahead of next week’s Leaving Cert results,I am urging students and parents to avail of a free helpline which will offer advice and support on the CAO process.

“Run by the National Parents’ Council, this free service is there to help during this difficult and stressful time for students who are receiving their results. It is important that students know that help is available for them, for any query they may have once they receive their Leaving Cert results.

“The phone service will see experienced guidance counsellors ready to handle a huge volume of calls over the next two weeks from students who are wondering about their options. Last year the service dealt with thousands of queries from all over the country.

“With this helpline, students and parents should be reassured that expert advice is just a phone call away. The Freephone number is 1800 265 165, and will be open from morning to evening for three days next week and the week after.”

SoFAB project launch 4 short films on social farming

The SoFAB Project (Social Farming Across Borders) has produced four short films which reflect what social farming means to the various partners to the project.
 
You can access these films by clicking on the link below
  http://www.socialfarmingacrossborders.org/sofab-short-films-published




 

What is Social Farming?

Social Farming is the practice of offering family farms as a form of social service.  In Social Farming, the farm remains a working farm at its core but invites people to participate in the activities of the farm.  In return, the farmer is rewarded for the provision of the service.  Social Farming services provide disadvantaged groups of people the opportunity for inclusion, to increase their self-esteem and to improve health and well-being.

It has the potential to offer solutions to public service provision in rural areas and to re-connect farmers with their community. Social Farming is well established in a number of EU states such as the Netherlands and Belgium but poorly developed and supported in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

This project will increase public awareness of the opportunities that Social Farming offers, it will create a resource and contact point for Social Service Providers and those that use the service and it will ultimately expand the availability of the service in the cross border region. It also aims to positively influence public policy in rural development as well as health and social care service delivery in rural areas.

Contact

Laird House,

Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim,

 

Tel: +353 (0)71 964 1772

Email: socialfarming@ldco.ie

Web: www.socialfarmingacrossborders.org

 

Frontline Magazine article on Special Olympics in Limerick