NEWS ROUND-UP
Markets around Sligo
Sligo farmers’ market is held on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm at IT Sligo. Rathcormac Craft Market is held on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm at Branleys Yard. The Achonry farmers’ market returns this Saturday from 10am to 1pm. Cliffoney Country Market will open again on Sunday, February 6.
Employment growth up 9%, figures show
Employment growth increased 9% in the North West in 2021 for companies supported by Enterprise Ireland, new figures show. Employment growth in Enterprise Ireland (EI) companies increased by 9% in the North West in 2021, a year of record jobs growth for EI companies who are connected to markets all over the world. Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar confirmed that nationally, net jobs created in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland increased by 11,911 in 2021, the highest jobs gain in a single year.
Last year €61.6m in funding was approved nationally for 341 Covid-19 impacted companies.
Employment increased across all economic sectors, with particularly strong jobs growth reported in Life Sciences (14%), Business Services (12%) and Digital Technology (10%).
TD Frank Feighan said: “I want to see the Sligo-Leitrim region continue to benefit from employment growth and a new Enterprise Ireland plan will be key to that.
“The new three-year strategy for Irish business has an ambition to create 45,000 new jobs by 2024 and increase exports to €30bn.
“It is clear to see that the food sector leads the way in employment with over 56,500 jobs. A good example is the food hub in Drumshanbo,
Co. Leitrim, which has witnessed huge growth since
2014.
“This growth meant the local community council expanded their operations with EI support of over €1m to establish a second food hub at the site of the old IDA advance factory in the town. “Enterprise Ireland are very clear that the new strategy will support the Government’s National Economic Plan which has a strong focus on creating more and better jobs, and in ensuring that job creation occurs throughout the country.
“They will work closely with our Local Enterprise Offices, ensuring a flexible service to help companies recover from the effects of the pandemic. “The focus now is on restoring the jobs lost in the pandemic and then grow employment beyond pre-pandemic levels. The Tánaiste has confirmed that as part of the Government’s ambitious vision for the future of our economy, there is a plan to bring job opportunities and growth to all parts of Ireland increasing total employment to a record high of 2.5 million by 2024.”
Sligo Parkrun on Saturdays
Sligo Park Run takes place every Saturday at 9.30am in Doorly Park. This is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. You can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. After the group grabs a post parkrun coffee in the Riverside Hotel.
Register before you join at www.parkrun.ie/sligo/.
Sad farewell to IT lecturer Dr Bödeker
The death has occurred of Dr Karl-Bernhard Bödeker. He passed away on Thursday, January 6, unexpectedly at his home in Ballyweelin, Rosses Point.
Dr Bödeker was a native of Münster, Germany, but had called Sligo his home for over 50 years. He is well remembered by Summerhill students, where he taught German and CSPE in the 1960s. He later took up a lecturing role at IT Sligo in German in the 1990s. His son, MacDara, is now an assistant lecturer at the IT.
Karl-Bernhard was predeceased by his sister Franzis. He is survived by his wife Olive, children Karla, Barry, MacDara and Peter, daughters-in-law Hope, Fionnuala and Mary, grandchildren Ralph, Karl, Oscar, Ben and Niall, sisters-in-law, nephews, niece, relatives, neighbours and many friends. Mass of the Resurrection was held on Tuesday at St Columba’s Church, Rosses Point.
Burial followed at Rathcormac Cemetery.
Traditional music classes
Traditional music classes are held in the Resource Centre, Tubbercurry, on Mondays. Beginners classes are at 6.15pm and advanced classes are at 7.15pm. Lessons will be given in whistle, flute and fiddle by Micheal Hurley. Phone Micheal at 086 6036242.
Yoga classes held in Gurteen
Sarah Waldron continues her yoga classes for all abilities in the Coleman Music Centre in Gurteen each Tuesday at 10am. Contact details are 086 6044621.
North West Simon thanks to community
The team at North West Simon Community have said ‘thank you’ to the general public who supported them this Christmas and who, by their generosity, made a difference locally to those less fortunate. North West Simon Community works with a vulnerable client group who often face difficulty managing their lives and
Gardaí are investigating an incident in which a vehicle crashed into a premises in Sligo town. On Saturday evening last, January 10, a car left the road on Markievicz Road and struck windows of a building at the bottom of Connaughton Road. No injuries were reported from the incident, which occurred at approximately 7.30pm. Another crash, between two vehicles, occurred in Sligo town on Tuesday evening on Lower Pearse Road.
for whom state services may be inaccessible without the direct support of the outreach workers.
Mary Mc Keon, Development Officer with North
West Simon Community, said: “Our outreach workers deliver a highly mobile early intervention and support service in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.
“The charity is heavily reliant on voluntary donations to fund services and due to Covid-19 we needed to postpone most planned activities. “It is wonderful to receive your valued support at this time and thank you from all the team.”
Mary thanked all who donated to the charity by post or through the website, all who took part in Christmas Jumper Day and Sing for Simon and all who volunteered their time for the cause.
“Thank you to
The Model recently announced the winner of its Christmas Winter Pirate Puppet art competition. The projects were judged by Emilie Mpoy and Lisa Conway, who selected the winning entry by eight-year-old Levi Coada. The runners-up in the competition were 11-year-old Korina Frankhan, seven-year-old Rosa Donnelly and 11-year-old Tiernan Highland-O’Connor. Emilie and Lisa said they were very impressed by the effort and imagination of all the children who entered the competition. All entries are exhibited and on view in the children’s Pirate Museum at The Model.
Profile Technology, SL Controls, O’Brien’s Sandwich
Bar, Carns National School in Grange and Carn National School in Gurteen, who all wore their Christmas Jumpers and raised funds.
“Thanks to Abbott Diagnostic Division for their ongoing support at Christmas. Thanks to Total Health Pharmacy in Riverstown for organising a ‘sleep out’ and raising an amazing €5,036. Sincere thanks to Brenda Kearins and Bit O’Red Supporters’ Trust for their support in organising a Sing for Simon on O’Connell Street and a Coffee Morning in Carraig Donn, raising a total of €4,357.89. “Thank you for making a difference locally this Christmas to those less fortunate.”
IT Sligo January open evening
On Tuesday next, January 18, IT Sligo will host its on-campus open evening, starting at 6pm. Students will hear from lecturers, other students and attend talks providing information on accommodation, fees, grants and their range of programmes.
Swim Ireland’s Weekly Dippers
Swim Ireland’s Weekly Dippers programme meets every Sunday in Ennsicrone and Dorrins Strand. They meet at 11.30am in Dorrins Strand and 12.30pm in Enniscrone. Dippers can join the session at any stage during the hour. It’s open to all ages and abilities and is free of charge. Just come on the day and check in with the coach.
‘Early decision is needed on Leaving Cert’
Labour representative Nessa Cosgrove has called for an early decision to be made on Leaving Cert 2022, backing the call of Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin for a return to the hybrid model of Leaving
Cert 2021. Ms Cosgrove said: “Final-year second level students have been through a huge amount of disruption over the last two years, with rolling school closures, and significant upheaval in their learning environment because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“By bringing certainty for students now, the Minister will remove any confusion for the rest of the school year by accepting again that the hybrid system of written exams and calculated grades will be needed again in 2022.”
Spanish classes for beginners
Spanish classes for beginners will take place Wednesday evenings at St Mary’s Community Centre from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Mary at 087 6336216 or email mary@ missmclanguages.com.
Showcase by Chapel Lane
For the first time in two years the Chapel Lane School of Performing Arts Showcase will take place at The Hawk’s Well. There will be a selection of musical theatre performances from Mary Poppins, Anything Goes, Matilda, Annie, Dogfight and All Shook Up. The dates are Friday, January 28 and Saturday, January 29 (6.30pm each evening). Admission is €15. Book at www.hawkswell.com.
Vanbrugh and Micheal McHale
On Sunday week, January 23, the Vanbrugh and Micheal McHale will be performing at The Model at 3pm. The Vanbrugh includes musicians Keith Pascoe (violin), Simon Aspell (viola),Christopher Marwood (cello) with Michael McHale (piano).
The programme includes Linda Buckley Solas na Gealaí for solo piano, Beethoven Piano Sonata No.14 Moonlight and Jean Françaix Trio à Cordes. Book tickets online at www.themodel.ie.