Bluegrass returns to its roots!

17^th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival bound for Dunmore East

After 16 years, almost 1,000 gigs, 150 bands and artists and a whole heap of hoopin’, hollerin’, pickin’ and clawin’, the 17^th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival is returning to the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.

The line-up has been announced for the festival which takes place from August 25^th to August 28^th and in 2011 the Dunmore East festival is bringing together an enviable line up of bluegrass artists for Ireland’s largest free bluegrass music festival.

The famous local hostelries; the Strand Inn, The Haven Hotel, The Spinnaker, The Ocean Hotel, Powers Bar and Azzurro, will play host to over 50 free gigs throughout the weekend with local and national bands playing a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music.

The 17^th Guinness Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival will feature some well known bluegrass names, but the stages will be heaving to the strains of festival veterans, Knotty Pine, Molly Hicks, Little Ass Birds, and Bending the Strings amongst others.

Desert Aces are Dunmore Festival veterans. This highly talented six-piece has played extensively in venues throughout Ireland. Citing musical influences such as Kenny Hall, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Jerry Garcia, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, Cisco Huston, Pete Seeger and many more you can expect a high octane bluegrass performance from Ireland’s finest!

Having made a big impression at last years Electric Picnic, Galway band Mikey and the Scallywags are new to the Dunmore bluegrass scene. The band is composed of five skilled musicians; Mikey McCrory, guitar player and lead singer, brothers Alan and Brian Gosker playing banjo and drums respectively, Paulie Small on bass and Juliana Erkkonen playing violin and fiddle. The genre of their music varies from gypsy, folk, bluegrass and storytelling….. a must for any rhythm, roots and blues fan!

Now in its 17^th year the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival has firmly established itself as the Mecca for bluegrass fans from all over the country. According to Mick Daly, who established the festival in 1995, the festival is the highlight of the year for blues, roots and bluegrass fans.

“The Dunmore Festival has evolved to bring together a fusion of country, rhythm, roots, new grass and blues. Because the festival is free and has such an eclectic line-up over three days it makes it open to everyone, not just hardened bluegrass fans.”

“Coupled with the great headline acts, you have the stunning vista from Dunmore East Harbour, award winning restaurants and pubs, fringe entertainment throughout the village and, of course, some of the best musical entertainment for free!”

The 17^th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival kicks off at 7pm on Thursday, August 25^th at the Haven Hotel and will feature a wide selection of bands, playing 50 free gigs in the villages’ pubs, restaurants and hotels.

For more information about the 17^th Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford visit www.discoverdunmore.com

Mr. Binman supports Waterford's GAA

Mr. Binman recently announced that the company was to sponsor the Under 12 Leagues for Waterford Coaching and Games which commences in August.

Mr. Binman is a privately owned waste collection and recycling company providing services to both household and commercial customers. Not only extremely cost effective, “environmentally conscious” is an attribute that Mr. Binman is particularly proud of.

Mr. Binman was named "Recovery Operator of the Year" at the Annual Repak Recycling Awards for the third time. This prestigious award acknowledges Mr. Binman's outstanding performance in the area of recycling and waste management.

Pictured is Gary O'Keeffe, Commercial Manager, Mr. Binman handing over a sponsorship cheque to Michael Murphy, Coaching Officer with Waterford County Board.

Solas Centre launches the 2011 South East Run for Life… The Next Step

The Solas Centre, the South East’s cancer support service, is calling on all runners, joggers and walkers to get in shape for the Solas Centre South East Run for Life which takes place on Sunday October 16^th in Waterford City. Sponsorship cards are available from the Solas Centre, Sam McCauley stores and AIB branches through out the region.

The organisers are hoping 1,000 people take part in support of the 1,000 who will avail of the Solas Centre in 2012.

The Republic of Ireland and Wolves star Stephen Hunt was delighted to launch the 2011 event, “It is great to be involved with such a good cause that helps so many people through out the South East”.

The Solas Centre, which last year moved from its premises in a small estate house in Waterford to its new state of the art facility in Ardkeen, is now regarded as one of the finest cancer support facilities in the country today.

Built entirely from community fundraising and the generosity of the people of the South East, over €1.5million was raised over three years. The building was designed with ambiance and comfort in mind. There are relaxing therapy rooms and quiet comfortable sitting rooms for a confidential chat or for counselling. The art room is bright and airy and perfect for kids to splash paint or for adults to express themselves through art. The Centre’s assembly room is great for groups to meet and chat.

Iain Munro, SECF Chairman, said “The Solas Centre would not be here if it wasn’t for the generosity and goodwill of the people of the south east. Since April 2008, we have been campaigning to build and fund state of the art cancer support centre that offers excellent services to cancer patients and their families. Frankly, none of this would have been achieved if it wasn’t for the groundswell of support and kindness from the people of the South East.”

“Today the people of the South East can be proud in the knowledge that it is due to their support. Every single cent towards the design, build and running costs came from the endeavours of the Centre’s supporters.”

However the need for fundraising goes on. The event now in its fourth year is changing emphasis from building the Centre to maintaining quality cancer services. It is also expanding its appeal for participants not just from Waterford City but from the whole South East.

Each year across Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Carlow and Kilkenny, 2000 people are diagnosed with cancer. While last year cancer support was provided to 250 the Solas Centre anticipates that it will be able to provide support to 1,000 patients in 2012.

In order to provide the best support services to these cancer patients and their families fundraising continues to be crucial. Iain Munro added “Unfortunately, we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. The need to continue fundraising to support cancer patients is paramount. The 2011 South East Run for Life is a great event that not only supports the work of the Solas Centre but is a great opportunity to get fit and have some fun.”

For further information contact the Solas Centre on 051 304604 or check out the ‘Solas Centre South East Run for Life’ Facebook page.

Local crystal designer presents 9/11 sculpture to American Ambassador

This week the US Ambassador Mr. Dan Rooney launched a 9/11 commemorative crystal sculpture by Master Engraver Sean Egan of Sean Egan Art Glass in Waterford City. The launch took place at the Bishop’s Palace in Waterford City in the presence of the Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Pat Hayes and Michael Walsh, Waterford City Manager.

The piece, ‘Miracle on Stairwell B’ is a visual representation of one of the few ‘good news’ stories that came from the tragic events of September 11^th, 2001.

A group of NY Fire Department officers were one of the first respondents to the north tower (the first to be hit) in New York on 9/11. They immediately started climbing stairwell B in intense heat and carrying 50lb of equipment. They were on their way up when they first heard and realised that the second tower had been hit and was collapsing. Chief officer Jay Jonas instinctively knew that it would not be long before their tower also collapsed and made the decision to exit the tower.

On the way down when they found a woman, Josephine Harris with a police officer. He has to decide to risk his and his men’s lives by trying to help them or to leave and save themselves. Of course, (despite Josephine’s protests) they elected to carry them out but this slowed them down significantly. When they reached the fourth floor they thought they felt fresh air but it was really the building starting to collapse so Jay Jonas radioed in their position.

And that is just what it did, collapse all around them. The searchers, even though they knew their position, could not locate where stairwell B was. Eventually though one of the fire officers called Mickey Kross regained consciousness, looked up and saw daylight. He reached up his hand through the rubble and heard the words “We’ve found someone”.

It is this moment in time that Sean Egan has recreated, where the hands of Mickey Kross and the search team member are just about to touch.

Josephine Harris survived and became known as the ‘Angel of stairwell B’. The fire officers survived because in rescuing Josephine they were in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately most of the officers above and below the fourth floor died in the collapse of the north tower. Josephine lived until January of this year and was given a full official fireman’s funeral.

The Ambassador was thrilled and moved by the significance of the piece. Sean was also pleased with the feedback he received for his work, “I’m humbled by the effort the Ambassador had made to come down to Waterford and launch my work. I’m really looking forward to officially presenting it to him in the RDS on September 11^th this year”.

Sean Egan Art Glass was set up in April 2009 by Sean Egan, a Master Engraver with Waterford Crystal for 35 years. When Waterford Crystal ceased manufacturing in Waterford City in January 2009, Sean opened his own business as a freelance crystal engraver.

His aim is to keep the age old skill of copper wheel engraving on crystal alive in Waterford and Ireland. An age old craft which has been practiced in Waterford for many decades, Sean was passionate that the skill would not be left to die.

Sean’s designs are depictions of nature, particularly marine life and wild life, landscapes and historical monuments. All Sean’s artwork is designed and hand engraved by Sean himself, and no two pieces are exactly the same. “As a freelance engraver, I take my inspiration for my designs from everything around me”.

The sculpture was commissioned by the US Embassy in Dublin with financial assistance from Waterford City Enterprise Board, Waterford City Council and Waterford Area Partnership.

The public can visit Sean’s work at The Kite Design Studio on Henrietta Street in Waterford city or visit it on line on www.seaneganartglass.com

Home Instead Senior Care proves laughter is the best medicine!

A funny video posted by Home Instead Senior Care has received more than 3.2 million views in less than a month.

The video, starring senior Mary Maxwell, age 73, offers a humorous look at ageing and reminds us "laughter is the best medicine." The seven-minute-long video was filmed at Home Instead's annual convention in the USA.

In her "Dear Lord" prayer, Maxwell recognises some of the perils of growing old, such as "turning your left turn signal on in the morning and leaving it on all day," the appearance of "non-life-threatening skin growths large enough to name after deceased pets and relatives," and "driving up to a curbside mailbox and ordering a burger and fries."

"Mary was so funny and well-received at the convention, we decided to share the video in Ireland to provide a little comic relief for people during what is typically a very stressful time for them," said Danette Connolly, Director of Care, Home Instead Waterford. “The way the public has responded to Mary is heartwarming”, Danette added.

“The insight of a 73 year old woman who has so much life experience and so many funny tales to tell should be a lesson to us all. Often seniors aren’t afforded the time and respect they deserve, but they have so many interesting stories to tell and experiences to convey and deserve to be heard.”

The video has now been seen by 3.2 million people in 184 countries. As a result of this video, Home Instead has seen record web traffic in the last three weeks, including surges of 50-60% in new service and business development inquiries.

Ed Murphy, Chief Executive of Home Instead Senior Care, said, "One of our goals at Home Instead Senior Care is to actively change the face of ageing. Mary Maxwell perfectly embodies this spirit and we are thrilled that her humorous look at ageing has struck a positive and uplifting chord with millions of people around the world."

To check out Mary’s humorous look at life check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPFCn3itBFE or call Danette Connolly of Home Instead Senior Care on 051 333966 to find out more.

Legal Eagles put Credit Union under the spotlight!

Final year Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) Legal and Business Studies students recently examined the financial profile of four large credit unions in the South East that collectively have more than 100,00 members.

The students then made proposals for their financial management and suggested business initiatives that could be pursued.

The project commenced with a presentation by the Waterford CU financial controller, Peter Barry, and the students final output was viewed by the Waterford Credit Union general manager, Ilonda Parle.

Ms. Parle commended the students' application and innovation and welcomed the engagement of the educational process with the credit union movement. Lecturer John Maher remarked that this project gave the students a live case to which they could apply their skills and judgement.

Presenting such work also developed their interpersonal communications capability and this will stand to them in the workplace