• An eco-distillery powered by renewable energy with new innovative technology
• Driving its focus to the lucrative Asian market
• 20 new direct jobs announced at the distillery
• Up to a further 70 indirect jobs created when the distillery is fully operational
• 30 plus construction jobs in the restoration of the old mill

As construction begins on the new whiskey and gin distillery in Ahascragh, Co. Galway, McAllister Distillers is excited to launch this ambitious project and announce the creation of up to 100 direct and indirect jobs in East Galway.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, and Minister of State Anne Rabbitte TD, attended the launch and jointly laid the restoration stone to mark the commencement of this major and innovative project. Works are completed on The Old Mill Shop & Café, which will commence trading next week.

McAllister Distillery Ahascragh

McAllister Distillers was established in 2018 by husband-and-wife team, Gareth and Michelle McAllister. The couple are turning their passion for craft Irish spirits into a family business in the West of Ireland. The project will see the renovation of the old Ahascragh Mill and the construction of a world class whiskey experience and hospitality destination, positioning Ahascragh on the tourism map of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Irish Whiskey Trail.

The distillery will provide 20 direct jobs within three years. It will also support a further 60-70 indirect jobs through local supply chains. The project will immediately employ some 30 plus people in construction.

East Galway, like other parts of the country, has felt the effects of COVID-19 on the local tourism and hospitality sectors. The restoration and construction of the Old Mill will give a short-term jobs boost to the local economy with the creation of full-time sustainable jobs in the long-term.

Ahascragh Mill dates back to the early 1800’s, and up until the 1950’s processed grain into flour. Located in the heart of the small East Galway village, the mill complex has remained derelict for the past 70 years. Now, the McAllisters are giving the building a new lease of life. Designed by Gareth Roberts of Organic Architects, the distillery will be an eco-distillery, powered by renewable energy, with a drive to be carbon neutral. The visitor centre will be a unique and intimate experience, showcasing the history of the old mill, with a permanent exhibition of the salvaged mill equipment and the refurbishment of the mill race.

Speaking at the launch, Founder Gareth McAllister said: “We are honoured that Ministers McConalogue and Rabbitte laid the restoration stone of this exciting new project. Irish Whiskey has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years driven by double digit growth in exports. It is now the fastest growing premium spirits category in the world, with a growth of 140% over the last decade. We are also aware of the whiskey tourism opportunity with over one million visitors to distilleries in 2019. Michelle and I have spent a considerable time working in China and have seen at first hand the boom in demand for new and unique whiskeys and gins.”

Founder, Michelle McAllister said “We knew Ahascragh was the right fit when we first visited the beautiful old corn mill. Located in the heart of this small Galway village and on the doorstep of the Wild Atlantic Way, we couldn’t think of a better place to start this journey. We’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors to the distillery and in the meantime getting to know the locals as The Old Mill Shop & Café opens its doors this month.”

Minister McConalogue added: “I warmly welcome the announcement of this new distillery in East Galway and am delighted to support this exciting new venture. Being Minister with responsibility for the food and drink sector, I am heartened such an innovative and pioneering project has come to fruition. Driving a sustainable and balanced regional economic development is a key focus of this Government and the McAllister Distillery is a prime example of the entrepreneurial  spirit that is thriving in our food and drink sector. Distilleries like this are needed to meet growing global demand for high quality Irish whiskey, and to meet the targets set out in our food strategies. I am also impressed that the McAllisters bring a wealth of experience and expertise to this business, and their focus on the Asian market will help rebalance our spirit exports. Some 20 years ago there were only 3 distilleries on the island of Ireland, today we have some 42 distilleries.”​

Minister Rabbitte concluded: “This is a landmark day for East Galway and Ahascragh. The creation of 30 immediate jobs restoring this wonderful mill will help the local economy to pick up after our long lockdown and the delivery of 20 full time direct jobs is of enormous value to East Galway, in particular to the village of Ahascragh. I am delighted that the company has already employed locally for key positions and that the café and shop will soon be open for business. I wish Michelle and Gareth and all their team the best with this exciting new venture.”

Make-A-Wish Ireland are excited to announce a new family cycling event to run throughout the month of July. The charity is asking the public to join ambassador and professional cyclist Nicholas Roche in cycling 250km during the month, in order to raise funds to help grant wishes to seriously ill children.Participants can take part by bike, scooter, wheelchair or any set of wheels, and log their kilometres over the course of the month while encouraging friends and families to sponsor them. Those who raise over €250 will receive their very own custom medal.
 Roche is busily preparing for the Tour de France this summer but has made time to support Make-A-Wish, for whom he is an ambassador. He said, “I am delighted to get behind this initiative which combines two of my passions, getting the public involved in cycling, and helping bring some joy to seriously ill children and their families.”

Over the past 15 months, Make-A-Wish Ireland has experienced significant disruption to both their fundraising activities, and their ability to grant wishes. However, with the support of partners, volunteers, and the general public, they have been able to continue to safely bring hope, strength and joy to seriously ill children across Ireland. Despite the necessary lockdowns and restrictions, last year they granted 56 wishes to children across the country who are living with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, cystic fibrosis and heart conditions. These wishes ranged from having a garden play tower, to virtually meeting a favourite celebrity, to having a gaming laptop. 

One of those children who had their wish granted last year was 10-year-old Kate from Co Clare who wished for an e-bike and trailer!  
Kate's Mum Linda told us, "Kate absolutely loves her new trailer, and the e-bike for her Dad has made pulling her along at speed no problem - the faster the better! Hail, rain or snow, we will get out and about.

But the wish is not only for Kate. So many times the other members of the family have asked to go for a family cycle, but we were not able to make that spur-of-the-moment choice as Kate could not come, so we could only go if it was pre-arranged with care assistance or grandparents. 
The simple everyday option that most people take for granted is now possible for our family and for this, we are so grateful. We are already planning our trip west, to cycle the Greenway - something we have been putting off as we were not quite ready to go without Kate. Now we won’t have to!"

The charity is currently working towards granting the wishes of over 200 seriously ill children. These children are at various points along the journey to having their wish granted; from application, through working with Make-A-Wish volunteers to identify what their wish will be, to simply waiting for Make-A-Wish to work their magic.

As Make-A-Wish does not receive any government funding, they are asking the public to donate to help ensure these wishes come true. 

Those wishing to get involved in Wheels for Wishes can sign up now at www.makeawish.ie.

 

• Time Saving Digital Platform 
• Ready-Made Assignments In Line With Curriculum
• Automatic Homework Correcting System
• Easily Track and Monitor Class Progress

 
As we continue to adapt to changing teaching and learning styles, Folens Publishers have created Ireland’s very first digital homework platform for Junior Cycle students and teachers.​

Titled “Homework Space”, Folens have created this platform to enable teachers and students to keep on top of their work and the curriculum whilst working both remotely and from the classroom. Each Homework Space subject has been expertly structured and authored to ensure it is curriculum aligned.  Homework Space can be used alongside any textbook.

The concept is simple.  With an increased focus on blended learning, Homework Space acts as a support alongside other classwork and homework with a bank of ready-made assignments linked to topics learned in the classroom. It is very easy to use, the teacher simply logs in and assigns an activity to the class, the students complete the work at home, which is then corrected automatically within the platform. This saves the teachers a huge amount of time that could be spent elsewhere on other important teaching areas.

Homework Space enables teachers to track class progress and individual student performance on different topics within a subject. The platform highlights where performance is strong, what students might need that extra bit of help and what topics a teacher might need to revise with the class.  Reports track individual student performance, which can be used in parent-teacher meetings.

There are a variety of interactive question types within the subject choosing, ranging from multiple choice questions to matching exercises and fill-in-the blank questions. Subjects that are currently available are Science, Irish, Maths and French, with other Junior Cycle subjects coming soon, including Geography, History, Spanish, and German.

This unique digital offering is currently being piloted in 47 schools across Ireland, with an extremely high success rate from both the students and teachers perspectives.

You can find out more information about Homework Space at  https://www.folens.ie/books-and-programmes/post-primary/homework-space

One of Ireland's leading educational publishers, Folens, are making the transition from primary to post primary as seamless as possible for children and parents alike with the help of their new online booklet.
 
Created by experienced school counsellor and secondary school teacher Graham Richmond, the booklet covers topics such as attitudes at home; practicalities in terms of organisation and timekeeping skills. It also covers how to approach the major changes, for instance, the child may now have different teachers for each subject and be introduced to a range of new subjects.
 
There are encouraging tips about how to manage mental and physical health during the transition stage for the children. Areas covered include eating well, ensuring that children are getting enough exercise, taking part in extra-curricular activities, and also controlling their amount of screen time per day.
 
Speaking about the booklet, author Graham Richmond commented 'As a secondary school teacher and counsellor I am fully aware of the many challenges our children face as they make the move from primary to secondary school. I hope the advice and tips I've shared in this booklet can make the transition from primary school that little bit easier for your children.'
 
This booklet comes as part of the Folens Giving initiative, wherein Folens Publishers support a number of charities both at home and abroad, with the goal of supporting children and young adults throughout their education.
 
Head of Marketing at Folens Publishers, Elizabeth Ivory, added 'We have been working in education for over 60 years and are well aware of the changing needs of teachers and school children.  It is a big transition to post primary school and we were delighted to develop this booklet, which will give parents some practical advice for helping their children make the jump to secondary education.'
 
The booklet is available and ready for download for the general public at folens.ie

Folens Publishers has been a household name for more than 60 years, with children and parents alike enjoying the puzzles and quizzes and hints of nostalgia throughout the decades.
 
This year, Folens are celebrating 50 years of Annuals with the four Christmas Annuals of Súgradh, Spraoi, Siamsa and Sonas, keeping the tradition alive. Each annual is targeted at a different age group, ranging from Junior Infants all the way to Sixth Class. Each annual comes with a free pen or pencil, depending on the age group. All annuals continue to be printed in Ireland.
 
The Christmas Annuals provide hours of entertainment for not just the children, but evoking the feeling of nostalgia amongst their parents who will remember back to their own primary school days throughout the past 50 years. This experience is fostered by the unique magic of Ireland’s longest running Christmas annual.
 
Elizabeth Ivory, Head of Marketing at Folens, said; “Folens Annuals have been a favourite at Christmas time for generations of children over the past 50 years. We are delighted to continue this tradition and we know that many parents and grandparents today would have been entertained by annuals back in their schooldays.”
 
Folens continues to roll out their Folens Christmas Annual Charity Campaign by committing to donate one annual to charity for every ten annuals sold. This commitment to charity is symbolised in their almost decade-long partnership with Children's Hospital Ireland,  who are serendipitously celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year.
 
In response to the charitable donation, Anna Gunning, CEO of Children in Hospital Ireland, said: 

"Folens have been partnering with Children in Hospital Ireland now for almost a decade, distributing thousands of annuals to hospitals all around the country. 2020 has been a very different and difficult year for all of us, however, Folens celebrate 50 years of Annuals and Children in Hospital Ireland celebrates 50 years of happier hospitals and this year more than ever the arrival of these annuals will bring so much joy and delight to children who may have to spend time in hospital over the Christmas period. It means so much to these child patients and indeed their families."
 
Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI) is a voluntary organisation working directly with children helping them cope with illness and hospitalisation, through the provision of play sessions and providing family support. With the help of CHI, Folens Christmas Annuals are distributed to children's wards across Ireland to bring some Christmas cheer.

The past few months have been challenging for everyone and country music singer Nathan Carter and his brother Jake (DWTS Glitterball winner and Pop Singer) have had more ‘down time’ than ever before. There is no entertainment or live gig scene in Ireland at present, so Nathan and Jake have hatched a plan to help raise funds for charity during this challenging time.
 
The Carter brothers are using this down time to help the highly deserving charity Make-A-Wish to raise funds to enable them to continue to make ‘wishes’ come true for children across the country. 

Make-A-Wish Ireland grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions such as cancer, cystic fibrosis and heart conditions. No two wishes are alike, because no two sick children are alike. From the humble to the seemingly impossible. Since 1992, Make-A-Wish has granted wishes for more than 2,600 brave children across Ireland. A wish granted is true magic for the child, providing respite from their normal routines of hospitals, doctors and treatment. Make-A-Wish does not receive any government funding and relies generosity of the Irish public to continue granting wishes. 

Susan O’Dwyer, Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish Ireland, says  "2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, and at Make-A-Wish Ireland, we have had to contend with fundraising events being cancelled, and planned wishes having to be rescheduled and re-imagined. But we are inspired by our wish children, who deal with uncertainty, isolation and difficult treatment journeys and still hope for the magic of a wish come true - to just be a child for a day. COVID-19 has brought significant disruption to our ability to grant wishes, which means that by the end of the year, we expect to have around 250 seriously ill children waiting for their wishes to be granted. Now more than ever, these children need what Make-A-Wish can bring in the form of hope, strength, and the all-important smile."

Nathan and Jake have teamed up with Fortune Competitions to offer one lucky fan the opportunity to win a private concert with both the Carter brothers – double trouble! The prize can be used for a birthday party, a wedding or something more intimate, like an acoustic session in a living room - the two brothers will travel to any of the 32 counties of Ireland to deliver this prize in person!
 
Nathan said “the charity grants the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions - myself and Jake really hope we can raise enough money to ensure that a few more wishes can be granted in the months ahead”.

Jake says “it couldn’t be easier to enter – go online, answer the question, purchase your ticket, and you’re in with a chance to win this amazing prize. With every entry you will receive an entry number which will go into the draw, which will take place live on Friday 4th December. The tickets for the draw cost £5/€5.50”

Proceeds from the draw will go towards granting wishes to seriously ill children at Make-A-Wish
​

Recently recorded data nearly five times HSE recommended levels.
 
There is much pressure on the Government to open up Schools, Offices, Shops, Hotels and Pubs etc – all places where people congregate indoors. The Government has now produced a guideline roadmap of how society is to be gradually re-opened, and how we are to live with Covid-19 going forward.
 
Recent research was conducted in three Dublin Schools, from mid-October 2020 to the end of term, December 2020, into the quality of the air in the classrooms. The three schools were made up of two secondary and one primary school. 
 
The results of that research were quite shocking, with very high, and dangerous, levels of CO2, which were regularly detected in the classrooms.  
 
The HSE recommends an upper limit of 800ppm (parts per million) of CO2.  This limit was breached consistently during school hours, with values over 1500ppm.  Peaks of 3,803ppm (almost five times the recommended level) were recorded on many occasions.  
 
The key to combat these dangerous elevations of CO2 is measuring the levels, monitoring them every 30 minutes, and then mitigating the situation with the relevant actions.   
 
During class hours the following was found:

·      The threshold of 800ppm was exceeded 82% of the time
·      The average CO2 levels was 1062ppm
·      The maximum CO2 level recorded was 3,803 ppm
 
Earlier this week, Dr Cliona Ni Cheallaigh, Infectious Diseases Consultant at St James’ Hospital in Dublin, said that CO2 monitors should be installed in classrooms, to allow for the safe resumption of schools.
 
The HSE has said that in schools that rely on natural ventilation, indoor air quality meters for monitoring CO2 levels should be used.
 
A new Irish start-up technology firm, ZiggyTec, based in Dun Laoghaire in Dublin, produce easy to read monitors, that can be easily fitted in schools around the country, to measure the quality of the air we breathe. These small air monitors can be fitted wirelessly, and use IoT (Internet of Things) to relay real time information of Air Quality in a given area, every 30 minutes. 
 
This real time information on the quality of air can be relayed directly to the every classroom, via a simple wall mounted device, updated every 30 minutes. This information is also available via laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Teachers and pupils, equipped with the right information, can control the indoor air quality by the simple opening and closing of doors and windows. 
 
Recent research from Harvard University, has indicated that air pollution can heighten the transmission of COVID19, making it critical that organisations measure, monitor, and mitigate the indoor air quality of classrooms and offices, when necessary.

Particulates in the air, especially where air pollution is high, or in poorly ventilated areas, can increase the rate of transmission. Research, found that ‘an increase of just 1 microgram of particulate matter per cubic metre corresponded to a 15% increase in COVID19 deaths’. 

When levels reach excessive amounts, productivity is affected. Effects include drowsiness, headaches and even excessive heart rate.

• The APHCI warns employers to ensure back to work procedures include taking measures in advance of opening premises to employees and the public.

 
Due to the current emergency situation, many non-essential businesses including hotels, bars, swimming pools, gyms and leisure facilities, retail outlets offices, dental clinics, factories, schools, colleges and training centres closed at short notice.
 
It is vital that before employees return to work, these businesses take the correct actions and ensure that all systems in their buildings are thoroughly flushed, cleaned and disinfected. These systems include but are not limited to; heating, plumbing, drains, coolers, humidifiers, air-conditioning, fridges, catering equipment, garden hoses and sprinklers.  Common risk points include bath, shower, basin and sink outlets, spas hot- tubs/whirlpool baths, but all systems should be risk accessed and dealt with appropriately.
 
Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal lung infection (pneumonia) which can be caught by breathing in tiny water droplets, (aerosols) or contaminated particles left after the water has evaporated. It is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. It can be very serious particularly for the elderly or those with other health conditions. The risk increases for those over 45, males, smokers or those with impaired immune systems.
 
If legionella is present, the simple act of turning on a tap or shower can release the contaminated aerosol which can remain airborne for up to 30 minutes. A small hairdressers salon or an office with a single wash basin is at risk as well as larger businesses.
 
Legionella bacteria are found in low numbers in many water systems and are generally considered harmless, however with the correct conditions the bacteria can grow and multiply to dangerous levels. Legionella bacteria grow best at temperatures between 20 and 45 degrees centigrade, where there is water
stagnation and impurities in the water like sludge, limescale or rust that the bacteria can use for food. These conditions are currently present in many if not all closed business premises.
 
Members of the Association Plumbing and Heating Contractors Ireland along with their colleagues in the Heating and Plumbing Association of Ireland are concerned about the potential health risk to customers and staff are available to assist businesses big and small to safely recommission all systems.
 
Further information available on The Health Services Executive (HSE) and Health and safety Authority (HSA) Websites.
 
 

New car registrations for April declined 96.1% (344) when compared to April 2019 (8,904). As a result of COVID-19 retailer’s showrooms have remained closed since Mid-March, impacting heavily on sales. Registrations year to date are down 30.7% (50,626) on the same period last year (73,030).
​
The commercial vehicle sector is also feeling the impact of closures, with Light Commercials vehicles (LCV) down 87.3% (229) compared to April last year (1,799) and year to date are down 25.3% (9,603). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are down 67.8% (98) in comparison to April 2019 (304). Year to date HGV's are down 9.9% (1,070).
Used car imports for April (199) seen a decrease of 97.8% on April 2019 (8,887). While year to date imports are down 50.5% (17,669) on 2019 (35,719).