Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

Kedington Group Celebrate Completion Of The Development Of Research Centre

Kedington Group and Waterford Institute of Technology are delighted to announce the successful development of an energy-efficient data centre that will support the research of engineers and scientists into the future.

At any given time, the Telecommunications Software and Systems Group (TSSG), part of the Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), is working on an average of 40 – 50 research and development projects designed to push the boundaries of telecommunications networking. This level of research requires technical and business expertise, and state of the art facilities that allows them to develop and test prototypes and commercialization strategies. Together with TSSG, Kedington Group have designed and implemented such a system.

"The data centre is located within the new building on the West Campus and will be able to support numerous research

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Waterford gears up for likely February General Election

Waterford is gearing itself up for a February general election. Two Labour candidates were selected on Monday night. Fine Gael have nominated John Deasy and Paudie Coffey; Sinn Fein have nominated David Cullinane; Workers Party Joe Tobin; Green Party Jody Murphy; Independent Candidate John Halligan.

The Fianna Fail selection convention is expected to take place on Friday night with outgoing deputy Brendan Kenneally T.D. being nominated. No decision has yet been made to nominate a second candidate.

This is expected to be the most hotly contested general election held in decades and is bound to be the largest electoral turnout in modern times.

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A piece of treasured local folklore was destroyed recently when it was discovered last week that somebody had taken a chainsaw to the 'fairy tree' at Mahon Falls in the Comeragh Mountains. Online blogsites and discussion boards are teeming with comments and complaints from disgusted locals and visitors to the popular tourist attraction.

Remembered fondly by many locals as the little tree that caused cars to roll backwards uphill at the picturesque approach to the waterfall known as the 'Magic Road', the site is mentioned on many tourist sites as one of the things to see and do when visiting Waterford. It has yet to be established if the felling of the tree was an act of random vandalism or it if was carried out by someone

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Waterford has issued an invitation to the world. 150,000 postcards have been distributed to homes, schools, hotels and public offices in Waterford, urging locals to post them to friends and family both in Ireland and overseas, with an invitation to experience Ireland’s biggest Quayside Festival ever – The Tall Ships Races (Waterford) 2011.

Spearheaded by Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Mary Roche, over 500,000 people are expected in Waterford from 30th June – 3rd July to enjoy the spectacular sight of over 70 of the world’s most beautiful tall ships; brilliant free entertainment from both international and Irish acts; an unrivalled festival programme and new for 2011, a food village with the very best in local and speciality foods.

Speaking at the launch of the postcard campaign, Mayor Roche said, "The Tall Ships Races Festival is destined to be the greatest ever

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18 week welfare backlog for people with disabilities unacceptable - Ryan

Applications for Disability Allowance are taking an average of 18 weeks, according to the latest information from the Department of Social Protection. The Department outlined other average waiting times such as:

* Invalidity Pension - 16 weeks* One Parent Family Payment - 15 weeks* Widows Pension (Non-Contributory) - 12 weeks* Carer's Allowance - 11 weeks* Carer's Benefit - 11 weeks* Family Income Supplement - 10 weeks* State Pension (Non-Contributory) - 10 weeks

Labour Party Councillor Seamus Ryan said : "The long waiting times are particularly long where a disability has to be assessed and waiting times for these categories are getting worse. The average waiting time for Invalidity Pension was 12 weeks in August, now it's 16. Disability Allowance was 13 weeks in August, now it's

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Mature student at WIT awarded Nolan Farrell & Goff Merit Prize

Amanda Dunne, a student of the BA (Hons) in Legal Studies with Business at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), has become the latest recipient of the Nolan Farrell & Goff merit prize which is presented annually to a student who has excelled in their legal studies at WIT.

Amanda, a mature student from Dungarvan, began her study at WIT in 2007 on the Higher Certificate in Legal Studies course. After successfully completing the course, she continued her studies at WIT to expand the knowledge she had gained during her study for the certificate. Currently studying for a BA (Honours) in Legal Studies with Business, Amanda is considering doing a Masters Degree once

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Waterford Garden Plant Society Winter Lectures

Wednesday 2nd February 2011

'Spring in the Garden'

By Eddie McSweeney, B.AGR.SC.(Hort),  Sweeney's Garden Centre, New Ross. 

A practical interactive demonstration of spring plants.  Bring along cuttings for identification plus your gardening questions. Plants for sale.

Winter lectures are held at 8.00pm in St Joseph & Benildus Parish Centre, Newtown, Waterford

Contact: Joan @ 051 355808,  Margaret @ 051 851111, Kaye @ 051 381271, Tom @ 051 873937.

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The potato is lodged deep in the Irish psyche – for good reasons and bad – and even the most tentative veggie grower will stick in a few spuds if they have the space. The next GIY (Grow-it-Yourself) Tramore meeting will focus on all aspects of growing potatoes – including the fact that you don’t actually need a lot of space – and the best varieties for the Irish climate.

All are welcome, with or without experience of vegetable growing. The meeting will be on Wednesday, 2nd February, at 7.30pm in the Grand Hotel, Tramore. For more information, contact Sally on 086 3695252.

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AGM – New Chairperson & Committee

The County Waterford Community Forum AGM was held on Thursday 13th January and a new committee was formed. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Michael J Walsh, Lismore Area Executive on his new role as Chair of the Community Forum. Other officers elected on the night were:

Vice-Chair: Ned RyanSecretary; Niall O’ Brien Treasurer: Eamon Mc Grath

On behalf of the former Chair, Oliver Coffey, Executive and staff of the Community Forum, we would like to wish the new committee every success in their new roles.

The County Waterford Community Forum will hold a training course and workshop in Dungarvan on the following:

COMMITTEE SKILLS TRAINING: WED 9TH FEB - 10AM-3PM

A focus on how to hold a productive committee meeting and understand the protocols involved in roles such as Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

GET

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Europe Direct, Waterford hosts German Cultural Day at Central Library

The Waterford Europe Direct Centre at Central Library hosted a very successful German Cultural Day last Wednesday (19 January) with Peter Zingraf, The Deputy Head of Mission with the German Embassy in Dublin and pupils and teachers from Waterpark College.

Katherine Collins, Senior Executive Librarian welcomed Mr. Zingraf, who spoke about German history, the EU and the work of the German Embassy.

He also took questions from the very attentive students from Waterpark, all of whom study German. Three students from Germany, who are currently studying at Waterpark were also present.

Mr. Zingraf also referred to the "The Two plus Four Treaty" Exhibition, created by the German Embassy which is currently on display in The Index Gallery, Central Library. This important exhibition, details the events which led to German unity in 1990 with one

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Fiona OrmondSolicitor with MJ O’Connor Solicitors, Confederation House, Cork Road, Waterford051 355663 formondatmjoc.ie

Property Law: Commercial Leases in a Recession 

Ireland continues in a period of unprecedented economic downturn in which many businesses and companies continue to suffer not least from a reduction in revenues which has not been matched by a corresponding reduction in overheads. Most businesses operate from premises which are held under lease and most of these leases were negotiated prior to the recession and contain upwards only rent review clauses with little option to break and usually only with penalties.

The downturn has seen an unprecedented rise in companies seeking to appoint an examiner. Examinership is an option where a considerable prospect of survival is considered if the company is restructured. Examinership is governed by the Companies (Amendment) Act 1990 as amended by

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John Smiles, Qualified Financial Advisor,Hooper Dolan Financial

What about Irish Commercial Property in 2011?

B Richard Ellis Group ("CBRE"), the international commercial real estate firm, in their Commercial Property Outlook 2011 made a number of key predictions for 2011. While the outcome for the commercial property sector is largely dependent on the direction of the wider economy, 2011 should see the commercial property market emerge from the most significant and unprecedented crash ever experienced. A notable improvement in transaction volumes is expected as NAMA, banks and borrowers start to unwind their positions and bring properties to the market.  

29 investment sales totalling €241.7 million were transacted in the Irish market in 2010, an improvement on the €92 million generated from 13 investment sales in 2009. Transaction volumes are expected to increase in 2011 with the bulk of demand for prime

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Don’t Put Off Having a Smear Test – it Could Save Your Life

In support of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23-29 January), CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme is encouraging all women aged 25 to 60 have a free smear test.

A smear test only takes a few minutes and it is the most effective way to detect changes in the cells of the cervix (neck of the womb). The earlier cell changes are found, the easier they are to treat. There is a choice of over 4,150 male and female GPs, doctors and practice nurses nationwide – and it’s free.

Maeve Cusack, Head of Screening Promotion at the National Cancer Screening Service said: "CervicalCheck is delighted to support European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. As cervical cancer is a preventable disease, we encourage all women aged 25 to 60 to

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87% increase in stroke-related admissions due to Irish Heart Foundation F.A.S.T. campaign

Almost 60% more stroke victims in time for life-saving treatment

Stroke-related hospital admissions increased by a staggering 87% following the launch of the Irish Heart Foundation’s Act F.A.S.T. campaign to raise awareness of Ireland’s third biggest killer disease. Research carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) also showed that 59% more stroke victims got to hospital in time to receive potentially life-saving thrombolysis treatment during the first phase of the campaign in 2010.

The results of the study, which was conducted in Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Hospital, were announced at the launch of the second phase of the campaign in Dublin, attended by patients who survived their stroke because of the swift treatment they received after seeing Act F.A.S.T. advertisements.

The F.A.S.T. acronym was developed to inform

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Rathfarnham Parish National School were on hand to provide tips on skipping to John Noonan, Sales and Marketing Director of Flahavan’s and Michael O’Shea, CEO of the Irish Heart Foundation at the announcement of Flahavan’s sponsorship of Skipathon 2011.

John Noonan, Sales and Marketing Director at Flahavan’s said, "We’re delighted to support the Irish Heart Foundation for Skipathon 2011. It is an excellent programme that highlights the importance of daily exercise for young kids in a fun way. Early participation in exercise is vital for developing healthy lifestyle habits later in life.

This is the first year that Flahavan’s will sponsor Skipathon, the Irish Heart Foundation’s health awareness and fundraising initiative.

Skipathon raises vital funds for the Irish Heart Foundation and has been promoting the

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