Rogers Named to Head Review

James Rogers, who has been managing editor of New Hibernia Review, the quarterly journal of Irish studies published by the University of St. Thomas, has been named editor. St. Thomas English professor Dr. Thomas Dillon Redshaw, editor since the journal’s founding in 1997, will remain as editor emeritus. 

Published by St. Thomas’ Center for Irish Studies, New Hibernia Review is considered a "journal of record" for Irish studies scholars and the only Irish studies quarterly in North America. It has nearly 400 subscribers to its print version and is available online to more than 1,000 libraries worldwide the Project Muse service of Johns Hopkins University. 

The journal offers articles on Irish history and politics, essays on Irish writing and perspectives on Ireland and the Irish from disciplines such as art history, economics, cultural studies and technology. It chiefly publishes scholarly articles, but also new work by Irish poets, personal essays and memoirs, and book reviews. 

Rogers, 53, of St. Paul, began his professional career in Irish studies with the Irish American Cultural Institute in 1983. He has a bachelor of arts degree in Irish studies from Metropolitan State University (St. Paul, Minn.) and a master of arts in English from St. Thomas. He is president of the Midwest region of the American Conference for Irish Studies (ACIS) and has published articles on Irish literature and on regional Irish history in many books and journals, including New Letters, New Perspectives on the Irish Diaspora (Southern Illinois University Press, 2000) and The Encyclopedia of the Irish in America (University of Notre Dame Press, 1999). 

In his last editor’s note in the journal’s summer issue, Redshaw wrote that "the journal heads into its second decade secure in its reputation. Helping make these pages a welcome home for all sorts of scholarly and critical inquiry into Irish studies has been our shared goal, and our shared education." 

New Hibernia Review’s next issue will be published this fall. Subscriptions, $40 per year for individuals, are available from the Center for Irish Studies, (651) 962-5662, or via its Web site, www.stthomas.edu/irishstudies http://www.stthomas.edu/irishstudies. To request more information, send e-mail to Rogers at jrogers@stthomas.edu.

Ireland Among Leaders in Destination Travel

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently launched its 2006 forecasts of Travel & Tourism’s economic performance for 174 countries. 

As Travel & Tourism continues to grow as one of the world’s highest priority industries and employers, WTTC, in partnership with Oxford Economic Forecasting (OEF) and its global sponsor Accenture, produces annually detailed Tourism Satellite Accounting reports. The research is based on the UN standard for Satellite Accounting, quantifies the wide-ranging economic impact of Travel & Tourism and provides solid, credible and professional statistical information that can assist in informing government policy and business decision processes. 

WTTC President Jean-Claude Baumgarten says "We are witnessing the power, speed and vitality of Travel & Tourism and how they can bring economic opportunity and jobs to people and economies seeking sustainable development". 

WTTC reported that Ireland is currently the 36th largest Travel & Tourism economy, the 125th most tourism-intense country and 117th in growth forecast. In 2006, WTTC is forecasting: 

Demand: Encompassing all components of Travel & Tourism consumption, investment, government spending and exports, Ireland is expected to generate US$28,531.3mn of economic activity (Total Demand) in 2006, growing (nominal terms) to US$55,098.2mn by 2016. Total Demand is expected to grow by 3.9 per cent in 2006 and by 4.2 per cent per annum, in real terms, between 2007 and 2016. 

Visitor Exports: Travel & Tourism is expected to generate 4.1 per cent of total exports (US$9,097.8mn) in 2006, growing (nominal terms) to US$17,622.0mn (4.1 per cent of total) in 2016. 

GDP: Ireland Travel & Tourism Industry is expected to contribute 2.3 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2006 (US$4,971.6mn), rising in nominal terms to US$8,701.2mn (2.1 per cent total) by 2016. The Travel & Tourism Economy contribution (per cent of total) should rise from 7.7 per cent (US$16,439.8mn) to 7.5 per cent (US$30,637.2mn) in this same period. 

Employment: Ireland Travel & Tourism Economy employment is estimated at 48,000 jobs in 2006, 7.2 per cent of total employment. By 2016, this should total 167,000 jobs, 7.5 per cent of total employment. The 48,000 Travel & Tourism Industry jobs account for 2.4 per cent of total employment in 2006 and are forecast to total 52,000 jobs or 2.3 per cent of the total by 2016. 

Access the following link for: 

A copy of the full TSA report http://www.wttc.org/2006TSA/pdf/Ireland.pdf

The one page summary http://www.wttc.org/2006TSA/pdf/1.Ireland.pdf

The world TSA report http://www.wttc.org/2006TSA/pdf/World.pdf

The Executive Summary http://www.wttc.org/2006TSA/pdf/Executive%20Summary%202006.pdf

However, one of the west of Ireland’s leading tourist accommodation groups says there has been no marked increase in tourist numbers to the region over the past two months. The Atlantis Holiday Group, which at the end of July announced it was developing a 250-seater Conference Centre in the Kerry Gaeltacht, believes the good start to the year and recent fine weather did not contribute to a general increase in visitor numbers to the west over the summer months.

According to figures published Aug. 1 by the Central Statistics Office, the number of foreign visitors to Ireland has increased dramatically during the first five months of this year. The figures show that the number of people visiting Ireland from abroad was up 14% between January and May compared to the same period last year. However, Paddy Maher, development and marketing manager with the Atlantis Holiday Group believes this increase did not continue into the summer months.

"The initial good start to the year in Co. Clare and beyond has not been sustained through the summer months. While there was a surge in business over the June Bank Holiday weekend, I do not regard this year’s tourism numbers to be any improvement on previous years. The overall increase in overseas visitor numbers has not really benefited been no real benefit to regional tourism where visitor numbers have remained static at best," Maher said. 

According to the C.S.O, trips from Britain were up almost 13%, while the number of visits from mainland Europe was up by 23% and from North America by 3.7%. "I welcome this increase in total visitor numbers to Ireland, however its must be noted that visitors are increasingly staying in Ireland for shorter periods of time." said Maher. 

"These shorter breaks and the concentration of tourist numbers along the eastern seaboard of Ireland is having knock on effects the trend for total tourism revenue. I would urge the Government and State tourism bodies to place a greater emphasis on this aspect of tourism growth, in addition to its ambitions to increase overall visitor headcount to 10 million by 2012," he concluded.

The 250-seater Conference Centre in the Kerry Gaeltacht is due for completion early next year, following the Atlantis Group’s acquisition of the Smerwick Harbour Hotel in Dingle, County Kerry for an estimated 2.5 million Euro. The Atlantis Holiday Group has opened two new hotels in as many months, the Cliffs of Moher Hotel in Liscannor and the €8 million Tír Gan Éan House Hotel and Holiday Complex in Doolin, County Clare. In total, the hotels have led to the creation of 70 new jobs. The group is also promoting the famed Joseph McHugh's pub in Liscannor and the AA 5 diamond Ballyvara House in Doolin, which was recently awarded 4-stars for accommodation excellence by the Fáilte Ireland. 

Clare Tourism Forum Launches National Campaign 

The Clare Tourism Forum has received an upsurge in inquiries arising out of a promotional campaign it launched a few weeks ago. The national campaign is a collaborative approach to attracting greater visitor numbers to Clare. It is anticipated that the current promotion will act as a prelude to a more elaborate campaign targeting tourist markets at home and abroad in preparation for the 2007 season.

The Clare Tourism Forum campaign got underway in July with a series of advertisements being placed on national radio and in the national press. From July 1-18, inquiries to Ennis Tourist Office were up 133% on the entire month of June. Public reaction to the promotional campaign has been described as "very encouraging" by David Collins, Clare Tourism Forum member and group marketing director with Lynch Hotels. 

"This initial campaign represents a major commitment on the part of Clare County Council, in support of Clare tourism, to lay the foundations for a concerted marketing drive in advance of the 2007 holiday season while also targeting tourism for this current 2006 season. What is further significant about this drive is the deliberate adoption of a branded approach to promoting Clare."

Collins added, "The county is currently competing against other homegrown destinations and more established overseas destinations, which are becoming increasingly accessible. It is evident, therefore, that an ongoing cross-media strategy is required to make an impression in what is an increasingly competitive market. The Clare tourism campaign's success to date can be attributed to this approach and the fact that there is already a degree of brand loyalty to Clare. This campaign, and the 2007 campaign to follow, aims to further develop this inherent loyalty into sustained all-year-round and cross-sectoral demand."

The Clare Tourism Forum was established earlier this year and aims to provide a collaborative approach to the promotion and development of the local tourism sector. It consists of a public/private organization partnership and is representative of all the sectors of the Clare tourism industry. Its membership includes representatives of the principle agencies involved in tourism in partnership with representatives of the hotel, vintners and B&B sector as well as the main tourism attractions in the county.

Meanwhile, the Clare Tourism Forum is currently using the information gathered through the "Banner Roar Competition" to help create an attractive new brand image for the county. Earlier this year, the Forum asked the people of Clare to submit the words that best describe the county. Some of the words used by the public included unspoiled, rugged, inviting and vibrant. The information collated during the course of the project will be used for the branding of future marketing strategies.

Commenting on the success of the Clare Tourism Forum to date, Richard Nagle, chairman of Clare County Council's Planning and Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee, stated, "For many years, there has been an obvious need to establish a collaborative and effective strategic approach to the development of the tourism sector in County Clare." 

Nagle went on to explain that the Clare Tourism Forum is quickly becoming the Banner County's number one marketing tool through its ongoing promotional work and its growing membership. "I am confident that the current campaign will be a success and I would urge the people of Clare, especially those in involved in the tourist sector, to support any future initiatives," he said.

Bernadette Kinsella, director of Service, Economic Development and Planning for the Clare County Council added, "The collaborative approach that has been established by this Forum is geared toward promoting tourism in the county and keeping tourists in Clare. The 30 Forum members must be complimented for the recent upsurge in inquiries relating to the county. I hope these inquiries will contribute to a sustained increase in visitor numbers to Clare and will establish the county as a domestic and international tourist destination alike."

Celtic Cruisin’ with Milwaukee Irish Fest Set in 2007

Milwaukee Irish Fest is known for bringing Ireland to the shores of Lake Michigan every third weekend in August. Now, it will also be known as Milwaukee’s first festival to set out on the high seas. Celtic Cruisin’ with Milwaukee Irish Fest will board the Norwegian Sun Cruise Ship from Feb. 18 – 25, 2007, in the Caribbean. 

In addition to entertainment and a variety of other activities such as Irish workshops, dancing and music sessions, the week-long adventure will also allow guests to add a Western Caribbean flare to their Irish festivities. Ports of call include Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, Belize City, Belize, and Santo Tomas Castillo, Guatemala.

"Irish Fest is more than a festival. It’s a spirit and a tradition that continues to preserve the music and culture that is alive in our hearts all year ‘round. Celtic Cruisin’ with Milwaukee Irish Fest is an extension of that and great way for festival-goers to continue to enjoy the authentic Irish culture and entertainment that makes our event unique each year," said Chuck Ward, Irish Fest entertainment coordinator.

Sailing from Historic New Orleans, cruisers will enjoy the finest in Irish and Irish-American entertainment including: Danny Doyle, Grada, Schooner Fare, Green Fields of America, Seamus Kennedy, Seven Nations and Malachy McCourt. 

"It’s important that Irish Fest entertainment be the best whether it’s being enjoyed on land or on water and the cruise’s featured line-up reflects that ideal. Guests will not be disappointed with this vacation. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime," Ward said. 

Cruise prices from $1,295 for an outside cabin and based on double occupancy. Cost includes cruise, all meals and Irish entertainment, transfers and port taxes. Reservations are limited. Take advantage of the early booking bonus that extends shipboard credit to all reservations with names and full deposits by June 13, 2006, a credit of $50 per cabin for Oceanview and $75 per cabin for balcony.

For more information or to book your cruise, please visit www.irishfest.com, or contact Fox World Travel at 1-800-463-6946. Air fare is available from most cities. 

New Drink Driving Laws Take Effect in Ireland

Special to The Irish American Post

New drink driving laws took effect in Ireland on June 15, 2006. The new laws stipulate that blood alcohol levels will play less of factor, compared to the number of drinks consumed. Customers will be given cards, similar to the ATM cards or gift cards, that show the number of drinks consumed. Pub owners will have machines that tally up the number of drinks purchased. The total number of drinks purchased and consumed will be taken at each establishment, so a more verifiable number will be readily available for gardai to check.

Pub owners are reacting by developing new containers for customers. "It is a mixed blessing for us," said Mallow publican Declan Gleeson. "On the one hand, with the relaxation of the laws, our customers feel less restricted, and will not be as afraid to stop in for a drink or two. On the other hand, we will be serving fewer drinks per evening." 

Enniscorthy publican Dessy McMenamin was on the committee to create the container. "We feel it is the best of a bad compromise for us. However, we are trying to make the best of the bad situation. We hope this works out well for us all."

Gardai officials say that those caught drinking past the legal limit of drinks consumed and blood level alcohol will be prosecuted. Wexford Garda commander Padraig Kirwin said Gardai from his district will be "extremely vigilant" in their enforcement of the new laws. "It is for our safety, nothing less. We would be derelict in our duty otherwise."

Casual Trading Bylaws Under Review by Clare County Council

Clare County Council is considering designating specific areas in the County for casual trading purposes in an effort to regularize trading activity. The elected members of Clare County Council have requested that trading activity be controlled as significant problems are being experienced, particularly in Kilkee and Miltown Malbay. The move will coincide with a general review of the Clare County Council Casual Trading By-Laws, adopted in 1998.

At present, casual traders must hold a General Casual Trading License while anyone wishing to trade at a specified event must hold an Event Casual Trading License. The holder of a casual license can trade anywhere within the county as long as an annual license fee of 275 Euro is paid.

Mayor of Clare Cllr. Patrick Keane, who has been seeking a review of the casual trading bylaws for over two years, has described the situation in Kilkee as an 'awful problem' for residents and the local business community. "Some businesses in O'Connell Square are being affected as traders are locating themselves directly in front of the premises. Access to these premises is restricted by oversized stalls which should be subject to restrictions under any new bylaws," he said.

Currently, 42 car sparking spaces in the towns' O'Connell Square are utilized by traders at weekends and during the week in peak periods. 

"The people of Kilkee pay their rates every year yet the traders are still allowed to take up prime car parking spaces at peak periods. Many leave their stalls up for the whole weekend while some trade on the footpaths. Their presence has contributed to traffic congestion problems in the town center. The same situation is reflected in Miltown Malbay during the annual Willie Clancy Festival when traders arrive into the town and cream off the prime spots," Mayor Keane stated.

"Nobody is saying that they want traders kicked out of their current locations but it is necessary that the current system governing casual trading activity in the county is reviewed and regulated. Many local authorities across the country have already introduced designated trading areas. I am glad to say that my fellow Councilors have pledged their support to such a process," he concluded.

Ger Dollard, director of services for Clare County Council, said, "The Council is aware of significant difficulties being experienced with casual trading in the county. Following discussion at Council level, Clare County Council's Environment Strategic Policy Committee has included the review of casual trading as part of its 2006 work program. As part of that review the Council is considering designating specific areas in the county for casual trading purposes. Such an approach would allow a greater level of control over this activity to the benefit of traders and the general public."

"By-laws introduced in 1998 are not adequate to meet current requirements and an overall review is therefore justified at this time," he added.

Before proceeding with the preparation of a detailed set of revised bylaws to designate specific areas, the Council will engage in a pre-draft consultation period. During this period, Clare County Council will invite submissions from any parties who may have views on the designation of areas, specific proposals for specific locations, and any suggested amendments to the 1998 by-laws. 

The local authority has proposed that the pre-consultation process would involve An Garda Síochána, Irish Organization of Market & Street Traders (IOMST), all Town Councils in the county, local Chambers of Commerce, as well as general public and local organizations. Any bylaws prepared by Clare County Council will be the subject of a separate public consultation process in due course.

10,000 Visit Ennis Sports Facility in First Year

Over 10,000 people utilized the facilities at Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park in its first 12 months of operation, according to figures released this week by Ennis Town Council. The local authority celebrated the successful first year of operation by hosting an Open Day at the Park on June 25. The aim of the event, which was supported by Clare FM, was to promote the facilities and raise awareness that both passive and active recreational needs are catered for at the Park.

Management at the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park say that up to 70 different school groups, sporting organizations and clubs have utilized the Park's facilities since it was officially opened in June 2005. The Park, which is ideally located on a site of approximately 134 acres at Drumcliffe, currently offers four conventional playing pitches, a floodlit all-weather pitch, a cross-country running track and three kilometers of woodland amenity walks. 

The site also comprises an accommodation building that includes eight dressing rooms, offices, toilets and parking facilities. It's estimated that the designated walkways and running track have been used over 100,000 times in the past year while up to 500 people availed of the all-weather pitch each week during peak periods.

It is anticipated that further developments will take place at the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park over the coming year. Ennis Town Council hopes to shortly begin construction of the skateboard park for which the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has allocated a grant of euro 90,000. The local authority is currently assessing tenders and it is envisaged that construction of the project will commence later this year following completion of the planning process. 

An application has also been made under the Sports Capital Grant Program 2006 for funding for a synthetic running track including floodlighting at the park, estimated to cost on the region of 1.3 million Euro. Ennis Town Council is also finalizing plans to expand the cross-country track. It's anticipated that this will facilitate the holding of Munster and All Ireland Cross Country Competitions to be held at the venue.

The Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park is a major asset for Ennis and the response from the public and local sporting organizations of all codes has been very positive, according to area business and political leaders. 

John O'Malley of Avenue United has in part attributed the success of the club's schoolboy teams to the facility. "Each Thursday evening and Saturday morning we train up to 70 children on the all-weather pitch. This would not have been possible previously and has allowed the club to develop a successful underage structure," he said. 

O'Malley added that the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park has now placed soccer on a level footing with all other sporting codes. "Throughout the year Avenue United hosted teams from all over Munster in the Munster Junior Cup. Each time the visiting teams were bowled over by the facilities on offer at Lees Road and I think this is a testament to the local authority and those who manage the Park," he stated.

The reaction from other sporting codes has been similar. Commenting on Lees Road, Clare senior hurling manager Anthony Daly said, "The all-weather pitch gives the county side the opportunity to train at any stage of the week. In my day, the lack of any floodlit all-weather facility meant that we could only train at weekends. It certainly has contributed to the development of the team. It's a fantastic development for the town and county."

Meanwhile, Ennis Town Council is urging members of the community and sporting organizations, clubs and individuals to view the facilities on offer by taking part in the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park Open Day this Sunday from 1-6 p.m. The event itself will include fun activities for all the family including a soccer blitz, GAA Urban Board Blitz, fun games, adult tag rugby and a puppet show. The first anniversary of the Park's official opening will be celebrated in style with a guest appearance from one of the world’s most famous rugby icons, the European Heineken Cup. 

The Open Day featured speeches from Mayor of Clare Cllr. Patrick Keane and the Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Frankie Neylon. Speaking ahead of the event, Ennis Town Mayor Cllr. Frankie Neylon said, "Ennis Town Council has achieved all of its objectives for the project since it was officially opened by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in June, 2005. 

Cllr. Patrick Keane, mayor of Clare said, "The Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park has been of great benefit to the people of Ennis and County Clare since it was officially opened by Minister John O'Donoghue last year. The huge numbers of people visiting the complex is reassuring and I am confidence that Lees Road will continue to attract even greater numbers. It is also reassuring to see the many clubs, sporting organizations, clubs and individuals from all over Clare utilizing the facilities on offer."

Eddie Power, town clerk, Ennis Town Council commented, "In showcasing the quality and range of facilities on the open day, the Council aims to both raise the profile of the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park and encourage participation in recreational activity at the venue. While many clubs are familiar with the pitches, we also want to highlight the passive recreational value of the woodland walks."

The Museums of Ireland Now at Bookstores

The Museums of Ireland, compiled by The Liffey Press, provides detailed information on 80 museums and galleries in Ireland, North and South. Each listing includes information on the museum's history and background, important features and collections, any highlights for 2006, a list of special programs or educational courses, details on its location, opening hours, costs and other practical information and images or highlights from its collection 

The guidebook includes all the major museums and galleries ˆ the National Gallery of Ireland, The Hugh Lane Gallery, the National Museum of Ireland, the Chester Beatty Library, the Hunt Museum and so on ˆ as well as very interesting smaller museums like the Sheelin Irish Lace Museum in Co Fermanagh, the Foynes Flying Boat Museum in Co. Limerick, the Museum of the Master Saddler in Co. Cavan and the Irish Agricultural Museum in Co. Wexford. In each case the reader will get a thorough understanding of the highlights of the museum and will be able to view specific exhibits in full color. 

The Museums of Ireland celebrates the diversity and high quality of museums on the island and will be an invaluable guide to visitors interested in Ireland's cultural heritage as well as museum goers of all kinds. 

For more information, contact, The Liffey Press, Ashbrook House, 10 Main St., Raheny, Dublin 5, Ireland (353-1- 851-1458; Fax: +353-1 851-1459 www.theliffeypress.com). 

100,000 Visitors Trek Aillwee Cave 

One of the Ireland’s leading tourist sites, Aillwee Cave, attracted over 100,000 visitors between January and July, 2006. The figures were released early in August as management at the Co. Clare complex announced plans to further expand the on-site facilities by developing Ireland's largest public falconry center. The center, which is expected to be up and running by early next year, will feature a large variety of raptors such as vultures, eagles, falcons, hawks and the country's only snowy owl.

"The Falconry Centre will be the largest of its kind in Ireland and its main focus will be on education," said Ben Johnson of Aillwee Cave. He said, "The center will enhance the overall educational aspect of the Aillwee Cave and Complex. In addition to Ireland's premier show cave, we currently offer visitors an extensive mountain walk, a garden center and coppice woodland. The new center will provide visitors with a daily opportunity to view a range of amazing raptors in flight. It will also act as a conservation and breeding station for birds of prey."

Falconry is reputed to be the oldest sport in the world originating in the Far East around 2000 BC, as a means of catching food. The art of falconry spread westwards reaching the shores of Europe long before the end of the first Millennium. Johnson added, "We expect that the center will be up and running sometime during the coming winter. We are very lucky, as we do not need to apply for planning permission. 

Only 'Change of Use' is required, as part of the garden center complex will be used initially for this project," Johnson added.

Commenting on the high visitor numbers to the complex, Susan Johnson of Aillwee Cave Co. Ltd. said, "Daily visitors range from 200 to 1,800 per day depending on the time of year and the weather. Unlike most day visitor attractions we hope for a rainy or a misty day, which brings the visitors underground in their droves."

Despite the recent fine weather, however, visitor numbers have remained high with over 100,000 people coming to Aillwee Cave during the first seven months of this year, she added. "We expect the coming months will see a further rise in visitors with more and more retired people taking mini-breaks and visiting the region," Ms. Johnson indicated.

Ms. Johnson pointed out that a number of significant developments have taken place recently at the complex. "While visitor numbers have been sustained in recent years, I anticipate that visitor number will increase as the Aillwee Cave will draw even greater numbers with the advent of new on-site facilities," she said.

She cited the mountain walk that has been extended to allow fantastic views over Galway Bay, as well as the newly established Garden center provides visitors with a range of unusual Burren flowers and shrubs. It site also has many of older and hard-to-find fruit trees, which used to be native to the area, Ms. Johnson added.

The local coppice woodland has been taken over by Stuart Fernie, who joined the Aillwee Cave team this year to revitalize the wood and take over the coppicing, according to Ms. Johnson. Coppicing has been undertaken in the area for centuries, charcoal, thatching spars, hurdles, and even furniture are some of the many uses of coppiced wood. 

Ben Johnson of Aillwee Cave has just won two British Cheese Awards for his Burren Gold Cheese, which is made daily in the site’s Farm Shop. The awards ceremony take place in September.

Ms. Johnson has also confirmed that there will be a rare opportunity to see Harris Hawks during the Working Wood Weekend taking place at Aillwee Cave on August 26 and 27. The event will also feature demonstrations and displays by four UK specialists in the areas of charcoal making and burning, tinsmithing, hedgerow furniture, rustic furniture, hurdles and pole lathes. According to Ms. Johnson, "This is a chance to see greenwood working and being used as it should be used, instead of just letting it lie fallow and rot. There will also be a car boot sale in the top car park on Sunday, Aug. 27 to cap off a fun weekend for all."

Anyone wishing to demonstrate a rural craft can contact 065-707-7036. For more information on Aillwee Cave log on to www.aillweecave.ie.

Northern Ireland news shorts courtesy of the Northern Ireland Bureau

Northern Ireland’s Unemployment Rate Remains Low and Output Levels Increase 

Northern Ireland's unemployment rate has remained below the UK average for the tenth month in a row. Latest figures also show increased output levels for both production and service sector industries. 

The NI seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in NI was 4.5% for the period March - May 2006. This is up from a rate of 4.1% recorded for the previous quarter, but is down from a rate of 4.9% recorded for the same period last year. 

During the last month, the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits decreased by 300. The latest seasonally adjusted claimant count figure stands at 28,000, down 700 over the year. 

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Maria Eagle MP said: "The continuing low levels of unemployment in Northern Ireland are very welcome. The latest rate is 0.9 percentage points below the UK average and is the second lowest rate among the UK regions."

Results from the Index of Production (IOP) for the first quarter of 2006 show that production in Northern Ireland has increased by 3.7% over the quarter and 2.9% over the year.

Northern Ireland manufacturing output, the main component of the production index, increased by 3.6% over the quarter and by 2.4% over the year. 

Maria Eagle MP continued, "The positive results recorded by our production and service sector industries also provide an indication that the Northern Ireland economy is continuing to perform well. Despite well-documented difficulties, our manufacturing companies have reported increased production levels during the year and this is in contrast to what is happening in the UK as a whole. Likewise annual growth in output levels from the Northern Ireland service sector is considerably higher than that recorded for the UK.

"Our companies are proving to be very resilient and are producing encouraging results in what can only be described as a fiercely competitive marketplace. The challenge will be to continue this growth through the development of innovative, high value-added goods and services."

Industry in the Pilot Seat with Academia

Bombardier Aerospace has hosted a research and development seminar in a bid to stimulate better academic linkages with the Irish aerospace engineering research community.

The Belfast seminar, held as part of a three-day Bombardier event attracted representatives from universities and colleges from Dublin, Galway and Limerick as well as Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster.

It was aimed at identifying common interests which could lead to exploring new opportunities for collaboration within the field of aerospace engineering.

Michael Ryan, vice-president of Bombardier in Belfast, said more investment was needed to develop new technologies, processes and materials in order to build faster, more economical and environmentally friendly aircraft.

"Our links with universities to date have played an important role in helping us to do this. But is has become even more important that industry and academia work together more effectively to ensure that research is focused and that it leads to cost competitive, innovative products and technologies being developed."

"Government support for research is also important in helping realize new and innovative ways of making an doing things," he added

Meanwhile, an environmental manager at Bombardier has won a national award. Brian Lewis was the winner of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) sponsored environmental manager of the year awarded in its inaugural year.

Belfast to Host International Geoparks Conference

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (UNESCO) has chosen Belfast to host the second international Geoparks Conference in 2006.

The four day conference is being held in the Waterfront Hall, from 17 to 21 September and is already attracting delegates from as far away as China and Mexico.

Northern Ireland’s only Geopark, in Fermanagh, is an area of internationally significant geological heritage where the geology and landscape are used as tools for sustainable economic development, primarily through tourism. 

Launching the conference Enterprise Minister, Maria Eagle said: "The conference represents a major coup for Northern Ireland and in recognition of our own special geological heritage which, in addition to the Marble Arch Caves Geopark in Fermanagh, includes places such as the Ring of Gullion, the Sperrins, the Mournes and the Causeway Coast and Glens."

The Minister extended a worldwide invitation to delegates and said: "I want to encourage early sign up for this prestigious event which has delegates already confirmed from Malaysia, Japan, Australia and Brazil.

"This conference is an opportunity to learn about our geological heritage and how it can be developed as an environmentally and economically sustainable tourism resource."

The Conference will not only appeal to geologists but also to the tourism industry, schools and colleges and those interested in cultural heritage and the economic benefits of a Geopark.

There is an impressive line up of speakers for the conference which includes Dr Walter Erdelen (UNESCO), Prof. Aubrey Manning (University of Edinburgh) and Dr. Stuart Monroe (Our Dynamic Earth). The speakers will explore the links between cultural heritage and tourism to sustain the economic development of Geoparks.

The conference has been part-funded by the International Fund for Ireland through financial assistance administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Debate on NI Sustainable Development Strategy

Students from the new Masters program in Leadership for Sustainable Development at Queen’s University, brought together representatives from all of the major political parties in Northern Ireland for the first public debate on the region’s new Sustainable Development Strategy, since it was launched last month by Secretary of State, Peter Hain MP.

Chaired by Jim Fitzpatrick, presenter of BBC Northern Ireland’s ‘Politics Show’, the high-level round table discussion featured, Patricia Lewsley, SDLP; David Ervine, PUP; Jim Wells, DUP; David Ford, Alliance Party; John Barry, The Green Party; Mitchel McLaughlin, Sinn Fein and Brian Crowe, UUP. The event was also being streamed live via the University’s Gibson Institute website.

Entitled: ‘Question Time - From Abstract to Reality: A Political Response to Sustainable Development in Northern Ireland’, the event took the format of a questions and answers roundtable discussion on the Department of the Environment produced strategy, entitled ‘First Steps Towards Sustainability’.

The event was organized by Ciara Brennan from Belfast, Cormac Ó Coileán from Dublin and Grainne Jones from Enniskillen, three students from the MSc in Leadership for Sustainable Development course at Queen’s, now in its second year.

Convenor of the MSc in Leadership for Sustainable Development at Queen’s, Dr Peter Doran said, "As our political representatives debate the future of the Assembly, it is worth remembering that all our futures are on the line, in the wake of climate change and our ‘scorched earth’ approach to economic development." 

Queen’s Formalizes Links with Top Medical Research Institute in India

Senior scientists including the Director of NII, Professor Avadhesha Surolia, have completed a six day visit to Northern Ireland; and confirmed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize research partnerships and joint collaborations in translational cancer medicine with Queen’s in Belfast. The formal links now pave the way for student internships and post-doctoral opportunities in both institutions and a follow up visit to India by Queen’s scientists has been agreed for this autumn. 

During their visit the scientists toured the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital and the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB) at the Queen’s University campus. Leading scientists from CCRCB presented the outcomes of their recent research to the visitors from Delhi, detailing ways of improving the susceptibility of cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs and radiotherapy.

Prof. Patrick Johnston, Director of CCRCB at Queen’s referred to the importance of global collaboration in tackling cancer in both our own society and the developing world. Prof. Surolia and his colleagues were attracted to Belfast by the strength of the Translational Medicine programs conducted by scientists within CCRCB and clinical consultants working within the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital. These programs connect basic research to patient care, so that the research outcomes can be applied to deliver improved and better informed treatment strategies to cancer patients. Professor Surolia shared his vision for developing similar translational medicine programs at the National Institute of Immunology with his counterparts at Queen’s, "Detecting cancer at the earliest stages means that current or future treatment should have a higher likelihood of a true cure and we view a partnership with Queen’s University as contributing to our mission of an internationally competitive intellectual knowledge base," Surolia said.

Irish Theater to be Promoted Abroad

The work of Irish theater and dance companies is to be promoted and showcased internationally as part of a major new strategy program.

The Irish Theatre Institute has set out a new program of work to create opportunities abroad and strengthen resources at home in an all-Ireland context for performing artists and producers.

In a statement, the institute said that the program was divided into three aspects: international, research and information and support.

The international aspect will include institute representatives attending 10 key international events over the next three years, including arts markets in Montreal, Canada and Adelaide, Australia.

Irish theater and dance work will also be showcased at national festivals and networking events. They will also attend and participate in conferences and seminars, many of which will be presented by organizations of which the institute is a member in Europe and elsewhere.

The institute will aim to promote one-off projects or seasons of Irish work abroad and exchange of theatre and dance artists between Ireland and other countries.

Research will center on documentation, analysis and publication of original data about Irish plays, performances, theater and dance companies, individual artists and practitioners. This will include an Irish language catalogue.

The institute already has a database containing information on 2,180 Irish plays, 800 playwrights and 11,800 theatre practitioners.

The institute is a resource organization for theater, funded by the Arts Council with project support from Culture Ireland and Foras na Gaeilge.

Queen’s Historian Shares Belfast Blitz Experience with GI’s

Jonathon Bardon, author of the Short History of Ireland series currently being broadcast daily on BBC Northern Ireland Radio, was in Knoxville USA to lecture on the Belfast Blitz and meet GIs who were serving here at the time.

The Queen’s University lecturer attended the 16th Ulster-American Heritage Symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Since 1976, the Symposium has met every two years at a university or museum in Northern Ireland or the United States in order to encourage and promote the scholarly study and public awareness of connections between Ulster and North America in all their dimensions.

Historian Jonathon Bardon spoke during a special program entitled "The GI Experience in Northern Ireland during World War II," and he recorded the devastation wreaked upon Belfast during the Blitz . Many veterans from East Tennessee were among those who served in Northern Ireland. Two of them, Clinton Riddle and Allan Monger, spoke about their memories in a panel discussion following the lecture.

Few Americans, except those who were directly involved, are aware that nearly 300,000 Americans served or were trained in Northern Ireland between 1942 and 1944 and that the province was one of the principal staging grounds for D-Day.

Máirtín Ó Cadhain in English 

As part of the 2006 Máirtín Ó Cadhain centenary celebrations, the Cúirt International Festival of Literature, in association with Arlen House, has published two of his most powerful short stories in English translation for the very first time. Dhá Scéal – Two Stories, a limited edition, commemorative volume, features the short stories ‘Ciumhais an Chriathraigh’ (‘The Edge of the Bog’) and ‘An Strainséara’ (‘The Stranger’) from Ó Cadhain’s 1953 collection Cois Caoláire. 

Despite his unquestioned status as the outstanding writer of prose fiction in modern Irish, to date, Ó Cadhain’s work has suffered from a certain inaccessibility to English-speaking readers – hitherto, the only English translation of his work has been Eoin Ó Tuairisc’s The Road to Brightcity, now long out of print. This latest, long-overdue endeavor will introduce to a new audience the work of one of Ireland’s foremost writers. 

Both stories contain unmistakable traces of Ó Cadhain’s signature, in style, form and content: the powerful sense of empathy with female characters in extreme circumstances, the dissatisfaction with the neat and tidy limits of the classic short story and, indeed, a certain awkwardness of style which he himself acknowledged as a feature of his early work. They are also a vindication of his stated belief that the perceptions into human psychology available through the techniques of narrative fiction are a defining principle of modern writing. 

Máirtín Ó Cadhain was born in the Connemara Gaeltacht of Cois Fharraige in 1906 and worked for a time as a primary-school teacher before being dismissed from his position for his involvement with the IRA. While interned in the Curragh military prison, ‘Ireland’s Siberia’, during the Second World War, he developed a narrative style dramatically different from that of his earlier work and heavily influenced by the short stories of Maxim Gorky. Following his release, he worked as a professional translator in Rannóg an Aistriúcháin, before taking up a lecturing position in the Irish Department at Trinity College Dublin, where he was appointed Professor of Modern Irish in 1969, the year before he died. 
Dhá Scéal – Two Stories is published by Arlen House and is available in all good bookshops and from Cló Iar-Chonnachta. 

Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Dhá Scéal – Two Stories
Translations by Louis de Paor, Mike McCormack and Lochlainn Ó Tuairisg
Price: €20
ISBN 1 903631 88 2 

For further information contact:

Louis de Paor
Phone: +353 91 524411 ext. 3660
Email: louis.depaor@nuigalway.ie

Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Phone: +353 91 593307
www.cic.ie <http://www.cic.ie> 
 

Máirtín Ó Cadhain i mBéarla

Mar chuid den chomóradh céad bliain ar bhreith Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, tá an Fhéile Litríochta Idirnáisiúnta Cúirt, i gcomhar leis na foilsitheoirí Arlen House, tar éis dhá ghearrscéal leis, aistrithe go Béarla den chéad uair, a fhoilsiú. Eagrán teoranta, comórtha is ea Dhá Scéal – Two Stories, ina bhfuil fáil ar na scéalta ‘Ciumhais an Chriathraigh’ (‘The Edge of the Bog’) agus ‘An Strainséara’ (‘The Stranger’) ón gcnuasach Cois Caoláire, a foilsíodh i gcéaduair i 1953. 

Ainneoin a cháil mar an scríbhneoir próis is cumasaí sa Nua-Ghaeilge, bhí deacrachtaí áirithe, go nuige seo, ag léitheoirí Béarla teacht ar a shaothar – is fada as cló anois aistriúcháin Bhéarla Eoin Uí Thuairisc, The Road to Brightcity. Meallfaidh an saothar is déanaí seo léitheoirí nua chuig saothar duine de shárscríbhneoirí Éireannacha na fichiú haoise – is fada iad ag fanacht lena leithéid.Tá guth sainiúil an Chadhnaigh le brath ar fud na scéalta seo, i gcúrsaí stíle agus foirme, agus ó thaobh ábhair de: an chomhbhá lena chuid bancharachtar agus iad i gcruachás, a mhífhoighne le srianta an ghearrscéil chlasaicigh agus easpa dlúis ó am go chéile sa stíl aige, rud a d’admhaigh sé féin ar ball. An léargas a thugann na scéalta dúinn ar aigne an duine agus í faoi bhrú, treisíonn sé leis an tuiscint a chuir an Cadhnach chun cinn gurb í an aigneolaíocht an ní is tábhachtaí ar fad sa phrós nua-aimseartha. 

Rugadh Máirtín Ó Cadhain ar an gCnocán Glas i nGaeltacht Chois Fharraige sa bhliain 1906. Chaith sé tamall ina mhúinteoir bunscoile nó gur briseadh as a phost é de bharr baint a bheith aige leis an IRA. Agus é sa ghéibheann, i gCurrach Chill Dara, ‘Sibéir na hÉireann’, le linn an Dara Cogadh Domhanda, shaothraigh sé stíl nua scéalaíochta dó féin agus é go mór faoi thionchar an scríbhneora Rúisigh Maxim Gorky. Bhí sé ag obair i Rannóg an Aistriúcháin nuair a tairgeadh post dó mar léachtóir ollscoile i gColáiste na Tríonóide i 1956. Ceapadh ina Ollamh é i Roinn na Gaeilge ansin i 1969, an bhliain sular cailleadh é. Áirítear gurb é an scríbhneoir próis is cumasaí ar fad sa Nua-Ghaeilge. 

Dhá Scéal – Two Stories – arna fhoilsiú ag Arlen House agus ar fáil i siopaí leabhar agus ó Chló Iar-Chonnachta 

Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Dhá Scéal – Two Stories
Aistriúcháin le Louis de Paor, Mike McCormack agus Lochlainn Ó Tuairisg
Praghas: €20
ISBN 1 903631 88 2

Tuilleadh eolais:

Louis de Paor
Guthán: + 353 91 524411 ext. 3660
Ríomhphost: louis.depaor@nuigalway.ie

Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Guthán: + 353 91 593307
www.cic.ie <http://www.cic.ie