Drogheda Credit Union and Dundalk Credit Union have joined forces with a group of Credit Unions across Louth, Meath and North Dublin to fund the sponsorship of the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2018.

“ The Credit Union” has been announced as the main sponsor of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which will take place this summer in Drogheda from 12th – 19th August. Both Drogheda and Dundalk Credit Unions celebrate their 50th anniversaries this year and have been strong supporters of Fleadh Drogheda from the outset, forming a collaborative group of Credit Unions that also includes Ardee Credit Union, Duleek Credit Union, Dunleer Credit Union and Progressive Credit Union from North Dublin to support and sponsor the biggest family festival in the country.

Sponsoring the massive community event that is Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann ties in with the Credit Unions’ not-for-profit ethos and role at the very heart of communities all over Ireland. “The Credit Union” consistently aims to make our communities a better place by supporting community enhancing events and initiatives and identified Fleadh Drogheda as a unique opportunity to become part of a much wider initiative showcasing Drogheda and County Louth as a place of beauty, culture and a go to tourist destination. 

Tom Kiely, CEO Drogheda Credit Union said “Drogheda Credit Union are delighted to support our community on what is to be the biggest event ever hosted in the town of Drogheda.”

Commenting further on the announcement, Geraldine Gilsenan, Chairperson of Drogheda Credit Union Ltd said  “We are excited to be on board as Main Sponsor of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018 which will be hosted this year in Drogheda.  We have strong ties with our communities so it is great to be able to engage with such a huge event.  People in our Trim & Bettystown communities and across the counties of Louth, Meath and North Dublin are also gearing up for an amazing treat of seven days and nights of music, dancing, singing and craic.”

Billy Doyle, CEO of Dundalk Credit Union said“Dundalk Credit Union are thrilled that “The Credit Union” will be the main sponsor of Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann 2018. The Fleadh is the biggest celebration of Irish music and culture and we are very excited to support this unique and memorable community event as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations. This is the first year in its history that the Fleadh has come to Co. Louth and we have no doubt it will be a wonderful event for all ages to enjoy.“
Welcoming the sponsorship deal the Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Joan Martin said, “Louth County Council are very much looking forward to working with “the Credit Union” as we prepare to welcome Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Drogheda. “The Credit Union” is a perfect fit as a main sponsor given its exemplary track record in supporting ordinary people, community initiatives and local organisations not just in Louth but across the country.”

This is the first time in many years that the Fleadh will be held on the east coast of Ireland and the local economy is set to benefit to the tune of €40million. 400,000 visitors are expected to attend the week-long festival in August, with 30% of people expected to travel from overseas to enjoy the festivities on offer. Today’s sponsorship announcement comes ahead of next week’s official launch of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, when a full program of events will be announced.




ENDS

Last weekend saw the permanent tsb Ideal Home Show welcome 26,816 people into the RDS Simmonscourt across the three day event, resulting in an outstanding 98% visitor satisfaction rate. 

With over 220 exhibitors showcasing their bespoke pieces, innovative products and interiors, the visitors were spoilt for choice across the weekend. Exhibitors reported strong sales during the weekend with a 97% satsfaction rate. Up to €100 Million worth of revenue is expected to be generated by exhibitors from their participation at this year’s spring show.

The scale of the sales success spanned across all sectors, from high tech home automation systems to beautifully hand crafted creations for all aspects of the home. DublinBeds.ie reported non-stop sales over the weekend whilst Matt Britton Carpets were inundated with enquiries for their beautiful range of floor coverings. Windows, doors, soft furnishings and décor were in high demand, as were insulations, energy systems and home security.

Ian Shipley, The New CEO of SDL Exhibitions Ltd, organisers of the permanent tsb Ideal Home Show, commented: “In the 23 years that The Ideal Home Show has been at the RDS it is great to see that this event not only continues to be by far the largest and most successful home improvement show in Ireland, but that it is the best loved show among home owners, with over 26,000 attending.  Exhibitors responded with a 97% satisfaction rating when independently surveyed – one of the highest results in the history of the event.”

A range of familiar faces participated in the show, with Linda Barker of BBC’s Changing Rooms discussing her top tips on the Irish Times Home & Design Theatreas well as RTE’s Patricia Power and Declan O’Donnell who made a welcomed return to the show to answer building queries at the Irish Times Home & Design Theatre. Irish rugby players Tadhg Furlong, Jack McGrath and Sean Cronin were also in attendance over the weekend as they met fans at the AVIVA Smarthome on Sunday.

The Colourtrend Interior Design Forum was extremely popular amongst visitors, as it served as a place to garner inspiration for their own homes, with 7 creatively executed bespoke room sets on display by 7 wonderfully talented interior designers.
The show’s title sponsor permanent tsb had their team on hand to help with financial needs including mortgages, home insurance, current accounts, personal loans and much more.

This year’s spring show has been a resounding success, with exhibitors reporting increased sales across the board.

The permanent tsb Ideal Home Show returns to the RDS in autumn 2018. Log on to www.idealhome.ie for further information.

• 2018 forecast of new car sales 120,000
• New car registrations Q1 2018, totalled 71,805 -5.5% on Q1 2017
• New car Market share Q1 2018 mix, Diesel 56.3%, Petrol 37.5% and Petrol Electric Hybrid 5.4%
• Imported Used Car registrations Q1 2018, totalled 26,114 +9.44%  on Q1 2017
• C02 emissions Q1 2018 increase +1.4%  
• €754.7 Million Exchequer contribution from car sales Q1 2018 +0.2% on Q1 2017
• Cost of Motoring: Average price of a new car down -1.9%, Petrol prices down -0.7%, Diesel prices 
-0.5% on March 2017, Insurance Costs in March 2018 -13.8% lower than March 2017. Average motor insurance costs in March 2018 +37% higher than March 2013.

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today issued the SIMI Quarterly Motor Industry Review Q1 2018.
Car registration figures for the first quarter of show that new car registrations are down -5.5% (71,805) compared to Q1 2017 (75,982). New Light Commercial Vehicle registrations (LCV) were up 5.3% (12,529) when compared to last year (11,900), while New Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HGV) have declined 11.2% (916) year to date. Imported Used Cars year to date are 9.5% (26,116) ahead of 2017 (23,862)
The Report shows that in the first quarter of 2018 new diesel registrations accounted for 56.3% of the market a decline from 66.7% on quarter one last year while petrol accounted for 37.5% of the total up from 29.6% on Q1 of 2017. Average CO2 emissions for new cars sold were 1.4% higher in the first quarter of 2018 when compared to a year earlier. The recent move away from diesel to petrol has resulted in average CO2 emissions now trending upwards again after a prolonged period of desirable decline.
 
The SIMI Report highlights a number of price decreases in the cost of motoring. The average price of a new car in Q1 2018 was 1.9% lower than a year earlier; interestingly consumers are spending more on higher specification cars with the average OMSP (Open Market Sales Price) up 4.1% on Q1 last year. The cost of Motor Insurance in March 2018 was 13.8% lower than it was a year earlier; however average Motor Insurance costs in March were 37% higher than in March 2013. While the cost of fuel decreased slightly in Q1 of 2018 with Petrol prices down 0.7% and Diesel prices down 0.5% last year.
For 2018 new car registrations are forecasted to reach around 120,000 which would represent a decline of 8.6% on 2017 while used car imports by contrast are projected to grow by around 15% to reach 107,470. Similar to last year Brexit related uncertainty looks set to continue, largely due to the uncertain performance of sterling and the impact of used imports from the UK.
​
Jim Power, Economist and author of the SIMI Report commented : “It is clear that Brexit uncertainty and used imports from the UK continue to exert pressure on the domestic new car market. Looking forward to the remainder of 2018, the other economic fundamentals that underpin new car registrations look set to remain positive. Used imports from the UK, though, are likely to remain a significant feature of the market and will undoubtedly displace new car sales once again. The surge in used imports from the UK effectively means that UK used car values are directly impacting on the values of domestic second-hand car stock, and this is making the cost of change to a new car more expensive which is also serving to undermine new car sales.”
Alan Nolan, Director General of SIMI further commented: “The further fall in new car sales this year really couldn’t have come at a worse time from an environmental viewpoint, just as we are beginning to benefit from a wider range of Electric and Hybrid cars, at the very start of our transition to 2045 when it is projected that the entire fleet should be Zero emitting.  The fall in Irish used car values due to the huge increase in imported used car volumes, as a knock-on from the weakening of Sterling resulting from Brexit, has made the cost to trade-up more expensive and has slowed-down our new car sales.  
It is crucially important that our used car values, and particularly diesels which represent 70% of our newest used cars, remain high, Brexit notwithstanding, as trade-in values will be key in ensuring that we can deliver on improving our future carbon and air quality performance from transport.  Stable trade-in values will be crucial in relation to our ability to renew the national fleet and increase the penetration of Zero and Lower emitting cars.  With all of this we remain confident that such new and nearly-new diesel used cars will continue to hold good values, as diesel remains the workhorse for business and those in rural Ireland. The reduction that we have seen in the diesel share of the new car market may potentially leave these in shorter supply for those buyers for whom they are the best transport and environmental option at present, which you would expect to have a positive upward pressure in relation to future values.”       


Ends 

Secondary school students in Drogheda are being invited to take centre stage as part of the celebrations in the run up to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018. The Youth Committee for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as part of its ongoing Secondary Schools Project is inviting students to put their stamp on a major creative initiative.

In collaboration with The Men’s Shed in Drogheda, The Youth Committee is teaming up with local businesses to create small wooden sculptures of traditional Irish musical instruments. Youth Committee Chairperson Orla Brannigan is calling on schools to get involved by painting and decorating the sculptures, which will be displayed throughout the town during the week of the Fleadh from 12th – 19th August 2018.

Orla Brannigan said“The Secondary Schools Project aims to increase student’s awareness of Irish culture and tradition and encourage them to become actively involved in the celebrations for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann”.​

The sculptures will be ready in the coming weeks, then the work on decoration can begin. Those interested in taking part are asked to contact orla.brannigan@ucdconnect.ie.