Economy: Looking ahead to 2012
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Figures from the arts, politics, business and the media share their thoughts on the way ahead in 2012. Brendan Keenan Economics editor, Irish Independent It looks as if 2012 will be another year of stagnation for the Irish economy. The endless euro zone crisis has dashed hopes that the year might have seen the start of recovery from the deep, four-year recession. Most analysts expect the volume of goods and services produced this year to increase by only half a per cent or so. When the large profits earned by foreign companies are deducted, national income may fall again,...[full story]
Education: Transition year: promoting independence
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Transition year is “one of the few hopes” the Irish education system has of teaching pupils how to learn, as opposed to training them to pass exams, two Dublin principals tell Meadhbh Monahan. Designed to promote confidence, maturity and independent learning, transition year is an optional programme in most secondary schools, bridging the gap between the junior and senior cycles. It should be a model for the direction in which the leaving certificate must go, according to the headmaster of Belvedere College, Gerard Foley, and the head of Mount Temple Comprehensive, Liam Wegimont. In...[full story]
People: The Australian Ambassador
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011Australian Ambassador Bruce Davis explores Ireland and Australia’s place in a changing global landscape with Meadhbh Monahan. Twenty months into his role as Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Bruce Davis has been touched by his meetings with Irish families and communities searching for their Australian roots. These have been “opportunities to see the relationship [between the two countries] in all of its manifestations.” He explains: “In terms of the actual role as an Ambassador the most memorable events are the small, often community-based ones, where you’re coming across very...[full story]
People: Dublin’s Culture Night
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011As hundreds of culture seekers ambled in and out of Dublin’s museums, galleries, churches and historic houses, the streets were filled with the sounds of music and excited voices. Meadhbh Monahan joined them for Culture Night. Not to be mistaken for another Friday night in the capital, Culture Night on 23 September offered something different for the families, couples and lone explorers taking in the array of sights and sounds. Colourful balloons denoted where free entrance and entertainment was available. Irish music wafted out of the Grand Social on Liffey Street, while the Tallaght...[full story]
Meet the Media: Brent Pope
Monday, November 7th, 2011For rugby fans, RTÉ pundit Brent Pope has been part of the TV experience for years. He tells eolas about his other work pursuits, memorable moments and how the game has changed. Describe your education and career path. I grew up and was educated in Ashburton, a small rural township about 50 miles south of Christchurch, New Zealand. In Canterbury University I did a bachelor of commerce, then a post-graduate diploma in business management in Otago University. I became a registered property valuer and set up my own commercial property division as part of a major real estate company. In...[full story]
Cork: A regional overview
Friday, August 19th, 2011Cork is the largest county, and Ireland’s second biggest city is continuing to attract a strong level of foreign direct investment. Spanning a total area of 7,454 km2 and over 1,100 km of coastline (second only to Mayo), Cork is the largest county in Ireland and contains the second largest city in the country. Approximately 10.5 per cent of Cork consists of forestry or woodland, and the county has 125 rivers and 32 lakes. The main rivers are the Lee, which runs through the city, the Bandon and the Blackwater. Mountain ranges in the county include the Boggeragh mountains, the Slieve...[full story]
Cork: The place to be: Lord Mayor Terry Shannon
Friday, August 19th, 2011Cork’s Lord Mayor Terry Shannon speaks to Meadhbh Monahan about his plans for the city and his thoughts on local government reform. A jobs forum, an indoor bowls tournament and the creation of a mayoral and civic museum are some of Terry Shannon’s priorities during his term as Lord Mayor of Cork City Council. The father of four, who was elected Lord Mayor on 24 June, wants to “copper- fasten existing jobs” while looking at the possibility of reducing rates and developer fees in order to attract more jobs to the city. He also wants to encourage the already strong spirit of volunteerism...[full story]
People: Still going strong: the Horslips
Friday, August 19th, 2011Thirty years have passed since the Horslips introduced their unique brand of ‘Celtic rock’, but the band is still playing packed out venues across Europe. Meadhbh Monahan speaks to bass player and vocalist Barry Devlin about their comeback. Described in the 1970s and 80s as “the band that defined a generation,” 62-year- old Barry Devlin reflects that the Horslips were in fact “a band that were defined by a generation.” The legendary five-man ensemble, who made Irish traditional music ‘cool’, played what they thought would be their final gig in Belfast’s Ulster Hall...[full story]
