Sean Gallagher inspires Waterford Transition Year students

As part of the National Student Enterprise Awards Waterford City Enterprise Board brought entrepreneur Sean Gallagher to the Tower Hotel to speak to over 300 transition year students on the topic of enterprise and starting your own business. 

Ciaran Cullen, CEO of Waterford City Enterprise Board was delighted with the event, “ Sean gave an inspiring talk for over an hour. It was obvious that the students took much from it by the amount of questions they asked at the end”.

Home Instead Senior Care shortlisted in the Ulster Bank Irish Franchise Association Awards 2013

The Waterford Home Instead Senior Care Team

Home Instead Senior Care has been shortlisted in the finals of the Ulster Bank Irish Franchise Association Awards in not one, but two, categories.

Home Instead Senior Care has been shortlisted in the Franchisee of the Year (Service) category and also Best Marketing Campaign.

The awards categories represent both retail and service industries and recognise excellence in franchising and reward outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals in the franchise industry.

Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s leading provider of non-medical, in-home services to seniors, with almost 1,000 branches throughout the world, opened its franchise office in Waterford in January 2009.  To date the Waterford office has cared for over 800 clients, employs 70 CAREGivers along with an office support team of 7, including 3 nurses.

Danette Connolly, Director of Care, Home Instead Senior Care, is delighted with both nominations and said “To be nominated in both of these categories is a great endorsement of what we have been doing here in Waterford.”

“When my husband Michael and I brought the Home Instead franchise to Waterford almost five years ago, we knew we were bringing a well respected brand, dedicated to the provision of optimum home care to seniors.  However, we like to think that we have also put our own mark on the senior care landscape in Waterford.  We have a dedicated and passionate team of CAREGivers who genuinely go above and beyond the call of duty.  I am energised every time I meet a client who has formed a close warm bond with their CAREGivers.”

The awards will be presented at a formal black-tie awards ceremony at The Clyde Court in Ballsbridge, Dublin on Friday October, 11th 2103. The Awards ceremony is one of the highlights of the much anticipated Ulster Bank Irish Franchising and Start-ups EXPO on October 11th and 12th at the RDS Dublin.

The award ceremony is expected to be an impressive business event reflecting the remarkable growth of the franchise sector in these challenging times.  In fact the

Irish Franchise Association announced today that the largest ever number of entries was received for this year’s Franchise Awards.

Home Instead Senior Care offers an array of senior care services such as light housekeeping and laundry, meal preparation, transport and companionship, up to and including personal care, dementia care, post hospital care and disability care.

 To find out more about the services provided by  Home Instead Senior Care call Danette Connolly on 051 333966 or visit www.homeinstead.ie

HCS Business Solutions to deliver free Microsoft Office training workshops

HCS Business Solutions will host a series of free Microsoft Office 365 workshops over the coming months.

The free practical, hands-on training workshops entitled “A New World of Work” will be delivered in Waterford, Kilkenny and Dublin in October, November and December.

According to Neil Phelan, Director of HCS Business Solutions, the premise of these practical workshops is to give small business managers, owners and business decision makers the opportunity to “test drive” the new suite of Microsoft technologies including Office 365, Sharepoint and Windows 8 across phone, tablet and PC.

Mr. Phelan commented, “How we work is being challenged with our work-life balance evolving.  The future of productivity is about how our approach to technology is changing, how we are increasingly working on the move and how the idea of the office as the primary work location is no longer accepted as the conventional norm.”

“The New World of Work workshops will enable attendees to address and assess their changing circumstances and discover the right solutions for their businesses. Participating in the workshops is the best way to learn about the business productivity tools and technologies for your business and is designed to be interactive, experiential, and fun.”

Mr. Phelan added that the benefits are manifold.  “Pre-empting the new direction in work practices and implementing a strategy to accommodate these changes has been proven to lead to increased productivity, better efficiencies and even a more content workforce. “

“With new technologies it is now possible to be connected anywhere, at any time and we can be as effective at home, at the airport or even waiting for a taxi”, Mr. Phelan added.

The series of free three hour training workshops will take place at HCS Business Solutions, Waterford on October 11^th, October 25^th and December 13^th, Castleknock Hotel and Country Club, Dublin on November 7^th and December 5^th and Kilkenny’s Ormonde Hotel on November 21^st.

As the first Microsoft Partner in Ireland to achieve the new Microsoft Gold Small Business competency, HCS is also the first company to roll out this new free training initiative.

Places are limited and early booking is essential.  To book your New World of Work training place, visit www.hcs.ie or call 051 595200.

Waterford’s Kite Design Studio celebrates two enterprising years!

The Kite Design Studio, a pilot project spearheaded by Waterford City Council and Waterford City Enterprise Board is, this month, celebrating two enterprising years in business in the heart of Waterford’s Viking Triangle.

Situated in a state of the art facility in Henrietta Street this unique design collective houses some of Waterford’s most talented designers and artists including glass blowers, crystal engraver, a goldsmith and several start up design enterprises.

The project initiated by Waterford City Manager, Michael Walsh and former Chief Executive of Waterford City Enterprise Board Bill Rafter, back in 2009, took almost two years to complete and was formulated to develop the Viking Triangle as a key tourism area in the city and to showcase Waterford’s long crystal making tradition.

Today the Kite Design Studio is home to a host of craft and design micro enterprises including Sean Egan Artglass.  Sean Egan, a Master Engraver with over 40 years experience, has built up a global reputation as a talented and creative craftsman, whose work has been presented to celebrities and presidents.

 In the world of show biz, Sean was commissioned to create a piece honouring the Monty Python member Graham Chapman who died in 1989.  In addition to this, one of the most renowned crystal pieces remembering those who perished on September, 11^th, 2001 was crafted by Sean and presented to then US Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney.

In 2013, Sean had the great honour of designing and crafting the stunning crystal piece, entitled the “Gathering Bowl”, which was presented to US President Barack Obama by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD following the traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Sharing floor space with Sean is The Irish Handmade Glass Company, which rose from the ashes of the closure of the Waterford Crystal plant in 2009.  The founders Danny Murphy, Tony Hayes, Derek Smith and Richard Rowe established the company in order to preserve Waterford’s proud glassmaking tradition and have almost 150 years cumulative experience in glass blowing and cutting.

Producing 100% mouth blown and hand cut coloured crystal the Irish Handmade Glass Company has quickly become one of Ireland’s leading crystal manufacturers.

One of the newest tenants at the Kite Design Studio is Button and Co.  The company, established by Waterford goldsmith Elaine Sarah Comerford, creates unique and innovative jewellery collections.

No stranger to accolades, in 2009, Elaine Sarah was a contestant on RTE’s Dragons’ Den and was backed by then Dragon, Niall O’ Farrell.  She was on the judge’s panel for the Young Entrepreneur Awards in Kerry, guest speaker at Dublin’s Rotary Club as part of their International Women’s Day Celebrations and Button and Co. has won several industry awards including Best Product and Editor’s Choice at the London International Jewellery Show.

Most recently Waterford City Enterprise Board and Waterford Adult Education Centre (WAEC) launched “First Flight”, an enterprise programme which assists small craft start-ups.  First Flight is working with a group of craft and fashion design students, providing them with workspace, mentoring assistance and practical business advice. 

The three businesses currently undertaking the First Flight Programme are Andrew Phelan of Crea Jewellery Design, Lucia Domoradova of Lutsia Fashions and Lenka Jindrichova of Blossom Jewellery Design.

According to Mr. Ciaran Cullen, CEO, Waterford City Enterprise Board, the Kite Design Studio project has had two great years assisting start – up craft enterprises.  “The premise of the Kite Design Studio is simply to encourage, harness, and showcase the high calibre of creative talent in Waterford.”

“We are delighted that the businesses within the Kite Studio have flourished and as we see them more and more in an international platform it acts as a reminder of the phenomenal artistic talent in Waterford.”

“Over the last two years some of the start-ups which were housed at the Studio have moved on to bigger premises.  We are delighted to have worked from the outset with such talent on their path to success; Bonzie Crotty, a vintage inspired designer, Stradbally Jewellery, which produces quality handmade silver jewellery and fine art printer Anne McDonnell Murphy.”
 From jewellery makers to glass engravers and silversmiths to fashion designers, the Kite Design Studio is an enviable and ambitious design centre that showcases the imagination and talent that Waterford proudly possesses.

The design studio is open to the public six days a week and visitors have the unique opportunity to experience in-house designers working on their

designs in situ.

For more information about the Kite Design Studio call along to the Henrietta Street premises, call 051 858914, or check out Kite Design Studio on Facebook.

South East Fun for Life – Guaranteed fun for all the family!

The South East Fun for Life Day takes place on Sunday, October 13th in the People’s Park, Waterford.  It’s guaranteed to be a jam-packed family fun day and all for a great cause, the South East Cancer Foundation.

There is full programme of events on the day including bouncy castles, penalty shoot outs with Waterford Utd, go - carting, petting farms and so much more!

The Fun for Life is the family-centric part of the day as the Solas Centre South East Run for Life gets under way that day.  Thousands of runners, walkers and joggers are expected to complete the 10 mile course and finish in the People’s Park.

 

For more information on the Fun for Life Day call the Solas Centre on 051 304604 or check out the Facebook page “Solas Centre South East Run for Life”.

New Certificate In Autism Spectrum Studies launched by UCC and NAS Training Centre

When it comes to discussing autism, Asperger Syndrome or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the focus often falls on the difficulties encountered by parents sourcing services or appropriate education for their children. Sometimes it is the personal account of a person who is on the autistic spectrum.

The Certificate in Autism Spectrum Studies at UCC takes a different approach.  Created by Adult Continuing Education (ACE) at UCC, in a remarkable example of cooperation, the Brothers of Charity, COPE Foundation, Cork Association for Autism and Shine Ireland have shared their expertise with ACE in the development of a programme that focuses on the different ways in which people on the autistic spectrum experience the world.

It is designed for those who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the issues affecting the lives of people who experience ASD and examines the historical and social practices that enabled autism to be identified.

The programme was developed following heavy demand from parents and siblings, teachers and front line workers, health care and other professionals and those who have an interest in the area of autism.

This one year part-time programme, as well as UCC’s two year part-time Diploma in Disability Studies, will be available in the NAS Training Centre in the Cleaboy Business Park from October.

An Open Information Day takes place on Friday, September 20th from 2-7pm in NAS Training Centre, Cleaboy Business Park, Waterford City.

For further information on the delivery of the Certificate in Autism Spectrum Studies or the Diploma in Disability Studies in Waterford contact Danette Connolly, Course Co-ordinator on 051 333960 or email danette@nas.ie

Crystal Craftsman remembers 9/11

Sean Egan, of Sean Egan Artglass, a former master engraver with almost 40 years experience created one of the most renowned crystal pieces remembering those who perished on September, 11^th, 2001.  His 9/11 Twin Towers commemorative engraved sculpture was presented to former US Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney in 2011.

 

The piece, ‘Miracle on Stairwell B’ is a visual representation of one of the few ‘good news’ stories that came from the tragic events thirteen years ago this week.

9/11 has had a deep impact on Sean.  “9/11 means so much to me.  I have met a lot of people who were there that day and have listened to their stories, so sad, tragic and some like the story of Stairwell B, so miraculous.”

A group of NY Fire Department officers were some of the first respondents to the north tower, the first tower to be hit on 9/11. 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 Stairwell B 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. Despite Josephine’s protests they elected to carry them out but this slowed them down significantly. When they reached the fourth floor, the building began to collapse, so Jay Jonas radioed in their position. 

The rescue team, even though they knew the position of the fire officers, could not locate Stairwell B. Eventually one of the fire officers, 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 recreated, where the hands of Mickey Kross and the search team member are just about to touch.

 Sean said, “My skill is to capture moments in time in glass and this is exactly what I did with the 9/11 commemorative sculpture.  I hope my piece goes some way in paying respects to those who died that day.”

“As we draw close to the anniversary each year I always think of the bravery and courage of the rescue teams, front line officers, emergency response units and the many ordinary men and women who did all they possibly could to help those in the Towers.”

Sean added, “I actually made my first 9/11 piece in 2006 for the fifth anniversary of September 11^th and then made two larger pieces which are in New York and Waterford Crystal showrooms respectively.  The “Miracle on Stairwell B” is currently housed in the US Embassy in Dublin.”

Sean’s connections with the US were further cemented this year as he had the great honour of designing and crafting the stunning piece, entitled the “Gathering Bowl”, which was presented to President Barack Obama by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD following the traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Mr. Ciaran Cullen, CEO, Waterford City Enterprise Board, which supports the Kite Design Studio in the Viking Triangle, where Sean Egan Artglass is housed praised Sean’s creative flair and empathy.  “Sean is a true artist who can replicate the most significant moments that have impacted on us all.  Miracle on Stairwell B was a momentous piece as it embodied the hope and optimism that came from the rubble of the Twin Towers.”

For further information about Sean Egan Art Glass and further details about his many exciting projects visit www.seaneganartglass.com