Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

Some fresh sound in the form GOOD WILL OUT kick off Murphy's Bar Spraoi on Thursday the 28th acoustic Pop/Rock group currently working on songs for their debut album and also covering the likes of Oasis,

Radiohead, Kings of Leon, Paolo Nutini, Massive Attack, Snow Patrol, Arctic Monkeys,here's a little background for you. The Good Will Out are an acoustic Pop/Rock group based in Waterford. The band was formed by musician Sean Duggan and guitarist Darren Power. After much deliberation on the way forward they added Ed Hill on vocals and Ciaran Delaney on percussion. The band then started filling up a set list for gigs this summer. The band are also now working on songs for their debut album.

The renowned Cork based blues and rock band HOT GUITARS regularly perform in a wide variety of venues and festivals in Cork

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The Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers, the only body thatexclusively represents auctioneers and estate agents in Ireland, is this week taking out advertisements in the property pages of the national newspapers urging all investors to respond to the consultation document by the Minister for Finance on the proposed abolition of property-based tax reliefs.

In a sample letter to Minister Michael Noonan, IPAV states that thousands of ordinary income earners were encouraged to invest in schemes such as Section 23 relief in specific areas in order to help rejuvenate them. They also seemed an attractive way of building up a pension fund at the time.

These developments, the letter states, would not have occurred without the tax incentive offered. However, the proposed withdrawal of these reliefs as contained in Budget 2011, if implemented, would mean many will now suffer great financial distress.

"The

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Recent Finance Act changes have opened up new opportunities for members of Defined Contribution (DC) pension schemes at retirement. Irish Life has announced that an Investment Protection Annuity is now available and it offers an alternative to traditional annuities.

An Annuity is a pension for life.

An Investment Protection Annuity (IPA) is a way of protecting a member's capital fund value if they die early after annuity purchase. One of the traditional fears of annuity purchase was that a member could die soon afterwards and their capital would be lost. Choosing the Investment Protection Option at the time of purchase allows for the return of the "unused" capital on death to the member's estate.

A traditional annuity provides a stable income for life and good security against outliving your funds. An ARF provides more investment choice and protection against early death.

An IPA could

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Professor Kieran R. Byrne, has tendered his resignation as President of WIT.

During his tenure as President he steered the Institute of Technology to its pre-eminent position as the leading Institute in the country.

It was a very busy period in the tenure of the Institute as it developed its case for University status.

His departure from WIT was widely anticipated when the governing board of WIT refused to endorse his reappointment as President for a second term.

Up to then he was the sole nominee for the post which was publicly advertised. However, just before the appointment was to be made, a Freedom of Information request was submitted by the TUI branch in the College. Following on the publication of this information the decision to appoint Professor Byrne was postponed. A decision was made to appoint Deloitte to review budgetary spending procedure.

It should

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Following record highs in May, the pump prices of both petrol and diesel have dropped for a second consecutive month, albeit marginally. Petrol fell by 2 cents to an average of 149.3 cents per litre while diesel dropped by 1.7 cents month on month to an average of 141.1 cents. This minor reprieve however, is expected to be short lived as retailers strive to reconcile forecourt prices against the cost of crude oil globally.

"While a price drop is welcome, activity within the global markets surrounding the price of a barrel of oil would suggest that it's to be a short lived one." Says Miriam O' Neill, AA Ireland Spokesperson. "Global demand for oil is at its highest point since the beginning of 2011. Add to this mix the uncertainty surrounding the euro and we're likely to see quite a bit

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Tramore AFC awarded FAI Aviva Club of the Year

The FAI AVIVA Club of the Year was announced on Friday 15 July at the FAI pre-AGM delegates' dinner in the West County Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare. Tramore AFC emerged as worthy winners of the €5,000 prize after beating off stiff competition from Willow Park, Ratoath Harps, Tuam Celtic, Tulla United, Quay Celtic, Peamount United, and Carrigaline United.

The Award was presented in conjunction with the Irish Daily Star newspaper after the judging panel, consisting of Irish Daily Star's Ger Keville, Paul Martyn of the FAI, former FAI President and now honorary life member David Blood along with Aviva representative Mark Russell, witnessed presentations from each club on the day.

Tramore AFC'S dedication to community development over their 59-year history was a crucial instrument in them taking the award. It was a proud evening

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Memorial Cup Tournament perpetuates the legacy of Noel Treacy

Sunday July 24th marked the inauguration of the Noel Treacy Memorial Cups, in honour of Noel Treacy's association with Castleview Tennis Club spanning a period of 60 years. Members turned out in large numbers for this very special event and spoke of how happy they were to be honouring the memory of this unique, charismatic figure who did so much for the Club and who is remembered by all with fond admiration.

It was a wonderful Club day with some scintillating tennis played. The games were divided into two categories with grades 5 & 6 players in one final and grades 3 and 4 in the other. Bridget O'Dwyer and Brendan Butler were the winners in the former final beating runners-up Penny Alvarez and Jason Power.

The final of the grade 3 & 4

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VHI GAA Cúl Camps

Week 5 1st – 5th Aug Fourmilewater/Nire & Stradbally

Week 6 8th – 12th Aug Sc Heart, St Mary's, Passage, Rathgormack, Lismore, St Pat's/Nh Brid

Cost is €55 for 1 child, €100 for 2 children from same family and €35 per additional child from same family.

Bookings can be made through local club coordinators or online at http://www.vhiculcamps.gaa.ie

County Day Out for VHI GAA Cul Camps

On Mon 29th August in Walsh Park 1 boy and 1 girl from each camp will be in attendance for county day out. On this day there will be skills competitions, mini leagues and an opportunity to meet some intercounty stars. 1 boy and 1 girl from the oldest group is being picked and the end of each camp based on the weeks activities. All children in the oldest group will be considered for

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At the European Junior Championships in Talinn, Estonia last week came another outstanding performance by a young Waterford athlete 19 year old Thomas Barr from Ferrybank AC. Competing in the 400 Metres hurdles he made it through to the final with three brilliant performances. On Friday with a big personal best of 51.29 seconds a new Irish Junior Record  he won his heat and automatically went through to Saturday's semi final  and in this he once again set a personal best of 50.74 seconds beating his previous days record  to be beaten by inches into second place being given the same time as the winner and again easily progressed to Sunday's final on his 19th birthday. In a very competitive final won by a German athlete in 49.70 seconds a new championship best performance and in which the first five

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Last weekend proved to be a defining one as far as Waterford hurlers were concerned. On Saturday at Walsh Park the minor hurlers proved too strong for Kilkenny before running out 0-15 to 0-9 victors. This is only the second time that a Deise under 18 outfit has faced our great neighbours and rivals in All-Ireland competition and on each occasion have come out on top. Not many counties can claim that distinction. Meanwhile on Sunday before over thirty five thousand patrons the Senior Hurlers scored a magnificent ten point 2-13 to 2-13 win over Galway. The sides have now met on ten occasions in All-Ireland fare and on each occasion the Deise have prevailed. Not a bad record I'm pretty sure you will agree. No harm then in blowing

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US Ambassador Mr. Dan Rooney launching a 9/11 commemorative crystal sculpture (‘Miracle on Stairwell B’) by Master Engraver Sean Egan of Sean Egan Art Glass in Waterford City.

Last Monday July 18th 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 11th, 2001.

A group of FDNY officers were one of the first respondents to the north tower (the first

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Stephen Hunt with Adam O’Neill, nephew of a Solas Centre patient.

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 16th 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

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THOUSANDS of food lovers are expected to flock to Waterford City during the annual nine day celebration of food at the Waterford Harvest Festival from September 3 to 11, 2011. The festival programme was unveiled in Waterford City on Monday, July 18, to the delight of food connoisseurs, food producers and even music lovers.

Commenting at the launch Waterford City Manager, Michael Walsh said, “Waterford successfully hosted one of the largest festivals on the European calandar just last month, proving that the city is the ideal location for large scale, outdoor events. Both visitors and Waterford locals can now look forward to another family friendly festival in this historic city.”

The Waterford Harvest Festival offers a jam packed programme celebrating food producers, local produce, artisan workshops, restaurant trails, cookery

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Waterford County Council’s Arts Office has announced details of the successful recipients for various artistic summer schools 2011.

In receipt of assistance towards attending the Drama League of Ireland Summer School  at the University of Limerick are Padraigín Ní Chadhla and Barbara Wladecker both from Dungarvan Dramatic  Club and James Hyde, Brideview Drama, Tallow.

The recipients of the writing bursaries to the Molly Keane Writers Retreat Week in Ardmore are Dolores Ronayne, An Rinn and Anna Moore, Cappoquin.

The recipient of assistance towards attending the Irish Youth Choir Summer programme is Hugh O’ Farrell – Walsh from Dunmore East.

Margaret Organ, County Arts Officer said that they were pleased to support these bursaries and acknowledged the Arts Council’s input into these awards.

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Church collections for Trocaire's east Africa emergency appeal will be held in many parishes around the country on the weekend of July 23rd and 24th to raise funds for the 13 million people facing food shortages in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.

Prolonged drought in east Africa has left 13 million people in a food emergency. Malnutrition rates for children under the age of 5 are as high as 47 per cent in certain regions, while communities in Ethiopia have reported that up to 80 per cent of their animals have already died due to the drought.

“The seriousness of the situation in east Africa cannot be overstated,” said Trocaire Director, Justin Kilcullen. “There has not been sufficient rainfall in the region for a full year. For people who rely on animals and crops for their sole source of both income and food,

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