Tuesday, June 29, 2010

JOHN KENNEDY(Labour) new Mayor of North Tipperary

John Kennedy of the Labour Party was elected to the position of Mayor of North Tipperary on Monday last 28th June, 2010. John's position is for the year 2010/2011. We wish the new Mayor well and look forward to working with him for the benefit of Thurles. The Council meeting was held in the Tipperary Institute.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Tipperary Institute integrate into Limerick Institute of Technology

Cabinet approves the integration of Tipperary Institute into Limerick Institute of Technology
“We very much welcome the vote of confidence which the cabinet has made today in the future of higher education in Tipperary. The Tipperary campuses at Thurles and Clonmel can now focus afresh on developing and expanding educational opportunity for all the people of Tipperary and surrounding counties.” said Acting CEO of Tipperary Institute, Michael O’Connell. The integration with LIT provides for the maintenance and development of courses already available at Tipperary Institute but also provides for new courses specifically developed for Tipperary and the opportunity for Tipperary and indeed the Mid West students to tap into the wider array of choices available in the wider LIT organisation.
The new relationship with LIT will
1. Build the courses at Tipperary Campuses so as to service 1000 full time students from Tipperary and adjacent counties in 2014/15. Full time students stood at 337 in 2009
2. Protect the future of long term jobs and education by bringing the cost base of Tipperary campuses into line with national norms over a 5 year period.
3. Use the established LIT brand e.g. LIT (Tipp.) to build further students, parents and schools confidence in courses
4. Provide from an expanded LIT Governing Body to include membership from North and South Tipperary
5. Develop the campuses both in Thurles and Clonmel to meet demand from higher Education especially in new domains for Tipperary like Science and Education
6. Develop Enterprise Acceleration and industry support services to drive new business and economic activity in Tipperary
7. Preserve and strengthen key strong projects being delivered by TI e.g. the SERVE project and the Tipperary Energy Agency and the National Rural Network.

There are many benefits to the new organisation including
• It secures its future to provide 3rd level education in Tipperary and especially increasing interest from schools
• It makes wider range of courses and expertise available to it to meet Tipperary demands
• It preserves key strength of TI in sustainability, creativity and cross disciplinary approach
• Bringing TI into the IOT system will give credibility to proposals for expansion and development
• It provides expertise in Enterprise Development – the Community Enterprise Centre in Thurles and the development of a Enterprise Acceleration Centre in Clonmel
• Provides sound platform for future investment in campuses
• Access to expertise of TI staff especially in areas under developed in LIT
Michael O’Connell said “We are delighted with the cabinet’s endorsement and look forward now to a bright future for LIT Tipperary.”

Enquiries:
Laura O’Mahony
0504 28071

Friday, June 18, 2010

CABRAGH COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS

On Saturday 3rd of July the Cabragh Community Allotments group are holding an Open Day and having an official opening ceremony for the new Community Allotments in Thurles. These are the only active community allotments in Thurles and all plants are grown organically. There are currently 20 allotments providing fresh fruit and vegetables to 24 allotment holders and their families. The allotment site is located across the road from the Cabragh Wetlands Centre and parking is available at the Centre. The gates are always open and there is always someone there to to show visitors around the site which includes a compost toilet and a large polytunnel which each allotment holder has use of. The group meet evey second Saturday morning with expert organic gardner Marian Clarke who provides invaluable advice to anyone interested in organc gardening. Michael Lowry will be the guest speaker at the Opening Ceremony and there will be stalls selling homemade produce and bric a brac. There will also be guided walks on the Cabragh Wetlands for all ages and numerous kids actvities. The open day takes place between 2pm and 5pm and all are welcome

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Minister opens new extension to Technology Park in Thurles

Mr. Batt O'Keeffe TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation officially opened the new building at Tipperary Technology Park, Thurles on Thursday, 3rd June, 2010. This is a further investment of €3.7m into the Technology Park which shows confidence and committment to Thurles as a hub for investment for new and existing business. The first new business has already set up in the new building,Intellicom Ireland Ltd. and we wish them every good wish for the future. The Minister paid tribute to Shannon Development and in particular it's Chief Executive, Dr. Vincent Cunnane and to Mr. Brian Keating, Regional Development Manager. Mr. Sean Gallagher, Entrepeneur and panellist and investor on the Dragon's Den gave a most inspiring and motivational talk following the official opening.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Thurles elects new Mayor for 2010/2011.

Labour Councillor, John Kenehan was elected the new Mayor of Thurles at the Thurles Town Council meeting on 1st June, 2010. We wish Mayor Kenehan every good wish for his year in office and will support him in every way to promote Thurles as a location for business and in the procuration of new jobs for the Town.