Month: May 2017

Peter Hamilton writing for The Irish Times

The pharmaceutical company plans €280m investment in Irish plants over next three years.

MSD today announced that it will create 330 new jobs and invest €280 million over the next three years at two of its Irish manufacturing sites. Pictured at the announcement are Ger Brennan, managing director for human health at MSD Ireland, and An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD.

MSD today announced that it will create 330 new jobs and invest €280 million over the next three years at two of its Irish manufacturing sites. Pictured at the announcement are Ger Brennan, managing director for human health at MSD Ireland, and An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD.

Pharmaceutical company MSD announced Tuesday that it plans to create 330 new jobs in Cork and Carlow over the next three years due to increased global demand for the company’s medicines and vaccines.

As part of the growth, the company will invest €280 million in its Irish manufacturing plants.

The new roles at the Carlow and Cork sites include biotechnology, quality and operations positions.

200 of the new hires in Brinny, County Cork, are required to meet demand for work on medicines for lung cancer, melanoma, hepatitis C and rheumatoid arthritis.

In Carlow, the 120 new hires will work on the group’s new immuno-oncology treatment.

“Today, our Irish sites are involved in the production of over 50 per cent of MSD’s global top 20 products, exporting to over 60 countries worldwide and helping lead the development of new life-changing medicines for patients”, said Ger Brennan, managing director of MSD human health in Ireland.

The company currently employs over 1,600 people across its 4 sites in Carlow, Cork, Dublin and Tipperary. Its Irish operations had a turnover of €4.7 billion in 2016. Speaking on the importance of the Irish market, MSD executive vice president, Sanat Chattopadhyay, said: “In recent years our Irish businesses have played an increasingly important role in the production of some of MSD’s most important breakthrough medicines for the global market.”

Martin Shanahan, chief executive of IDA Ireland said, “MSD’s decision to invest in its Irish operations across a number of regional locations further strengthens Ireland’s positioning as a global destination for manufacturing excellence in biopharmaceuticals”.

Cork International Choral Festival Manager Sinéad Dunphy, although still busy wrapping up the 2017 Festival, isn't resting on her laurels.
She has been awarded the title of Business Woman of the Year in the Arts very recently, as part of Network Cork's superb acknowledgement of women working in business.

Founded in 1954 to be a dynamic force in developing choral music in Ireland, the Cork International Choral Festival is held annually over the five days preceding the first Monday in May. Cork welcomes choirs from across the world for a programme of Gala concerts. Sinead’s experience in managing teams and developing strategies has resulted in many achievements and from the strategic work carried out for the Cork International Choral Festival in the area of tourism the festival is now one of the top 4 Festivals in the country at driving tourism and economy.

Sinead has a proven track record of providing exemplary levels of service to a broad range of clients while utilizing excellent communication skills. The Cork International Choral Festival’s goals to ensure the development of the business are to maintain and develop international reputation of participation in the festival and increase the festivals reach through geographical expansion of its concerts and public performances. Sinead’s vision for future development for both the festival and the theatre landscape continues to drive her towards creating and delivering quality projects. Sinead says “Throughout my career, I have always striven to work tirelessly and it is this ethos which has seen me evolve in my career “. Sinead is constantly thinking outside the box and in the next three years plans to move forward to increase expenditure for Cork and the Choral festival. Well done Sinead you truly deserved this award.

She is now also focusing on her company Littleshoes Productions, presenting "Six Characters in Search of an Author" in Cork's Unitarian Church on Prince's Street on 1st and 2nd June at 8pm.
This reality-questioning play chronicles six characters as they seek an author to tell their story, and to present their real lives on stage. But the question remains as to where reality begins and pretence ends.
Tickets are available both on the door and from Eventbrite.ie at the affordable price of €15, however booking fees may apply online. Due to limited capacity, everyone is urged to book as soon as possible!

 There will be a festival-like atmosphere in the Cork City centre tomorrow, with live music, free finger food, special offers, competitions, workshops, and lots of fun.

Retailers, businesses organisations and the City Council come together to host Feelgood Friday, an exciting event that takes place throughout the streets of Cork City centre on the last Friday of every month. The first one of this year kicks off on Friday, May 26^th.

This month Feelgood Friday is teaming up with Music Generation to create musical May-hum in the city. The streets will come alive with the sound of music as children, young people and adults of all ages are invited to join in the ‘may-hum’. Most of this  will be centred near  the boardwalk on the South Mall from 12.30p.m.– 8pm which will feature performances by young musicians from a range of programmes in partnership with Music Generation Cork City. There will also be a Rap and Beats Parade with GMC Beats, where young local rappers and musicians will ‘rap-a-mile’ of cypher performances, starting and finishing near the footbridge on the South Mall..

Commenting, Lord Mayor, Cllr Des Cahill, said, “Cork City is a really unique shopping destination. Everything is within walking distance and it’s a lively and family friendly place to shop, dine and meet. The idea behind Feelgood Fridays is to reintroduce shoppers in Cork to the fun of shopping in the heart of their City. We are encouraging businesses across our wonderful city to make an extra special effort for their customers for Feelgood Friday, so come along and experience Cork at its best”

This year’s Cork International Choral Festival was yet again an outstanding success. Nearly 5,000 singers from all around the world arrived into the city for 5 days over the May bank holiday bringing with them approximately an audience of 50,000 people. There were 6 ticketed gala events, and almost 100 free events throughout the city including a Choral Trail, Friendship Concerts, Fringe Concerts and a Symposium.
The Festival, which is the oldest in Cork and one of Europe’s most prestigious Choral Festivals, included Gala Concerts, Schools Concerts, National and International Competitions, workshops and free outdoor performances. The event also spilled out to the streets of Cork including many impromptu performances in pubs, cafes, restaurants, churches and libraries - wherever you turned you could hear a harmony of voices. www.corkchoral.ie

A video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8FjYBGOuQk

The Cork Business Association’s annual Presidents Cup will take place in the stunning surrounds of Cork Golf Club on Thursday 25 May.

The prestigious championship golf course is routed through exceptional golfing terrain incorporating old limestone quarries and the inner reaches of Cork Harbour, so it really is an exclusive opportunity to play the course.

More than just a great day out for golf-lovers, the CBA President’s Cup offers fantastic networking opportunities for Cork’s business community, a fun team day or the chance to treat valued customers.

As there is a shotgun start, all 24 teams will tee off at 10am and meet afterwards for a meal in Cork Golf Club where the winners will be announced.  There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs this year.

The cost is €500 per team of four, which includes a round of golf on the magnificent course, refreshments and a 3 course meal and wine in Cork Golf Club.

To book contact Carmel on info@corkbusiness.ie or call 021-4278295. 

Join us next Thursday 11th May for our FREE after hours event in AIB Bank, 66 South Mall and learn how you can grow your retail business online.

Please RSVP and see more details here...