Archive for October, 2009

New photos

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

We’ve had the same images in rotation in our header for quite a while now (as is probably obvious, we try to display images appropriate to the time of day—night pictures at night, etc.) Has anyone got submissions for some new ones? In particular, would be great to have some morning or autumn shots. Feel free to post links in the comment thread here, or mail us at editors@limerickblogger.org.

Business Camp Limerick

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

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Simon McGarr of McGarr Solicitors speaking at the Business Camp in Limerick today

Experts in business were on hand to share their knowledge with entrepeneurs looking to start their own business at the Business Camp in Limerick today.

The event took place at the Absoloute Hotel, and while those present had the opportunity to hear the various talks, atendees were also encouraged to network amongst one another.

Alex O’Connor of Digital Active who spoke an Search Engine Optimisation at Business Camp

Entrepreneur consultant Peter Daly was on hand to advise those looking to get their business off the ground, while Alex O’Connor gave advise on harnessing the power the internet through Search Engine Optimisation.

Charlie O’Connor gave information on a new magazine dedicated to business start-ups, Silicon Ireland Magazine.  The monthly publication will be launched in November.

Solicitor, Simon McGarr gave a talk on the legal risks of companies using cloud computing to store personal data.

Fallowing the talks, there was a panel discussion.  Video of this will be uploaded later.

The event was organised by the Greenhouse Incubator project.  You can find out more from their website.

In God we Trust. Everyone else provide receipts

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

If only the political class in Ireland could adhere to this simple motto. In the aftermath of the “Johnny Cash” aka ex Ceann Comhairle’s forthcoming resignation from his position, local TD’s have been knocking themselves over in a rush telling us how good and great he was.

Despite being the first Ceann Comhairle in the history of the state to fall on his sword  our politicians once again show how far removed they are from the ordinary people.

Limerick TD Peter Power  has mixed emotions at the resignation of the Ceann Comhairle. In Peter’s opinion as  Minster for Arts, Sports and Tourism, John O’Donoghue delivered for Limerick. In my humble opinion whatever was delivered was funded by tax payers money and probably resulted in the delivery guy being tipped a few hundred Euro for his efforts.

Minister O Dea, rounds on his political opponents as the fall out from the expenses scandal continues. Despite representing a city that has suffered horrendous job losses over the past year and that continues to struggle with areas of poverty and social issues Minister O Dea has overlooked the largesse spending that would have seemed out of place pre French Revolution.

Outrage from the opposition parties has also been strangely muted. In what could prove to be the straw that broke the coalition back, the lack of opposition outcry and general condemnation of an expenses system that can allow an elected representative to tip a chauffeur driver in excess what many people live on each week is surprising. I open the local papers each day awaiting a strong condemnation of this type of behaviour and a call to overhaul a system that can not only allow but encourage this type of behaviour. Much like Bono, I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. Perhaps final word should be left to another individual famed for her largesse.

“qu’ils mangent de la brioche”  as they are found of saying in some parts of Kerry.

Alone it Stands!

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Or maybe not alone, but Saturday’s defeat to Leinster throws up some interesting stats for the Munster faithful. Losing 30-0 in the “Ladyboys” home patch Munster seemed a pale shadow of the side that has so dominated the Heineken Cup over recent years.

Munster’s heaviest defeat in any match since Toulouse beat them 60-19 in the second season (1996-97) of the Heineken Cup, they were beaten at all aspects of the game and suffered the loss of John Hayes to a red card for stamping on Leinster prop Cian Healy.

Munster’s heaviest Magners League defeat ever, eclipsing the 37-11 loss at home to Ulster last January and the first time Munster have suffered the indignity of drawing a blank in a competitive match since losing 9-0 to Leinster in 1971 has surely left Tony McGahan with selection worries ahead of this weekends Heineken cup fixtures.

It was a long and painful trip back from the RDS from the Munster faithful with many questioning whether the new jerseys seemed to have robbed their beloved team in red of the old fight and pride. This weekend offers Munster the chance to redeem themselves and start this years “quest” for Heineken glory off on the right foot.

1200

Monday, October 5th, 2009

No, not a movie review or the number on the live register.

1,200 is the number of children that played in an all day long hurling blitz held last Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds. Teams from all over Limerick county played in an Under 12 Hurling Blitz in Limerick’s GAA HQ. As part of the recent “Lifting the Treaty” new underage structures Saturdays blitz afforded the future generation of Limerick’s hurlers a chance to show their skills. With more focus on fun and skill rather than competition and winning, Saturdays blitz consisted of over 50 clubs playing from 10a.m until after 6.0 p.m.

It was good to see all of the city and county clubs in action and considering the skill levels of some players on view, some of us long suffering Limerick hurling fans may not have to wait too much longer for Liam McCarthy to come back Shannonside.

21,188

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

The live register figures have for September have been released, and show a slight drop in numbers since last month. However, the figures are almost twice what they were last year.

The figures for both Limerick city and county fell by almost 1,000 from 22,159 to 21,188.

In Kilmallock, the figure fell from 2,675 at the end of August to 2,534, a drop of 141. However, this figures for this month represent an annual increase of 94.2 percent.

In Newcastle West, the figure fell from 3,607 to 3,446, a drop of 161. Newcastle West had a year-on-year increase in live register figures of 100.2 percent.

In Limerick City, the figure fell from 15,877 to 15,208, a drop of 531. There was an annual increase in the city of 80.3 percent.

Full CSO report can be found here.