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‘You are the Difference’ with Alf Dunbar spreads positivity!

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The Cork Business Association would like to thank Joan Lucey, owner of Vibes & Scribes and member of the CBA Executive Board, Penneys store manager John McCarthy and Paul McGuirk, head of Local Enterprise Office Cork City for organising the superb customer service coaching event last wednesday in the Everyman Theatre.

The presentation was very informative, entertaining and inspirational. Cork business owners, managers and staff showed up in great numbers as the Everyman was nearly sold out. We have received nothing but positive feedback since!

This event was held in the context the Cork City Customer Service Charter and aims to build on Cork’s goal to become known as a city of excellent customer service.

Alf, who has successfully worked with businesses and organisations in 25 countries around the world, aims to inspire retail and hospitality managers and staff to become ‘best in class’ in their industry. He will also provide those attending with the tools to train their teams and deliver consistent excellent customer service using simple effective techniques

It is another big step towards making Cork City the best in Customer Service and the best place to enjoy shopping.

 

 

“You Are The Difference” 

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Customer Service Charter Training Event in Cork City with leading

UK performance coach, Alf Dunbar Tickets Still Available.
The Local Enterprise Office Cork City, in association with Cork City Centre Forum,  is hosting a fantastic motivational event on the evening of 6th November that we thought you and your team might be interested in attending.

 

Alf Dunbar, one of the UK’s top performance coaches within the customer service and leadership industry, will deliver his ‘You Are The Difference’ coaching session in the Everyman on Wednesday 06th November from 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm. The event is being held as a follow on to the launch earlier this year of the Cork City Customer Service Charter and aims to build on Cork’s goal to become known as a city of excellent customer service.

 

Alf, who has successfully worked with businesses and organisations in 25 countries around the world, aims to inspire retail and hospitality managers and staff to become ‘best in class’ in their industry. He will also provide those attending with the tools to train their teams and deliver consistently excellent customer service using simple effective techniques.

 

Companies can bring up to 20 staff along to the event where they will engage in an interactive, educational, inspirational and motivational performance-enhancing session for just €30 per business.

 

The ticket price includes refreshments, a copy of Alf Dunbar’s book, and a download link to his training video that owners/managers can use to help train their staff.

 

To register and for more information see https://www.localenterprise.ie/CorkCity/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/-You-Are-The-Difference-An-evening-with-Alf-Dunbar.html

Venue: The Everyman, 15 MacCurtain Street, Cork.
Date: 06/11/2019
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
BOOK NOW

Alliance Welcome Budget Funding For Gardaí And Judicial Council

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EXPRESSES CONCERNS REGARDING ‘2020 ESTABLISHMENT OF JUDICIAL COUNCIL’ COMMENT BY MINISTER

The Alliance for Insurance Reform has welcomed the additional funds committed to the Department of Justice (€39m) and An Garda Síochána (€81m) in Budget 2020 but has expressed concern regarding a comment about the timing of the Judicial Council made by the Minister for Finance in his Budget speech.

Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance for Insurance Reform said

“We welcome the allocation of an additional €39m to the Department of Justice and €81m to An Garda Síochána in the context of the urgent need to establish the Judicial Council and set up the Garda Insurance Coordination Unit.

“However we would be extremely concerned about a scripted comment by the Minister for Finance in which he stated that “2020 will see the establishment of the Judicial Council.”  The Judicial Council Act was signed into law by the President on 23rd July and the Minister for Justice has repeatedly stated that the Council would be established by the end of this year.  If Minister Donohoe’s comment means that there is additional slippage in this schedule, this is intolerable for the small businesses and voluntary groups facing closure in the next few months. We have urged the Minister to clarify his comments  and for no further delay to be applied to this critical insurance reform action.

“Finally, we urge the Garda Commissioner to move swiftly to set up the Garda Insurance Coordination Unit to spearhead the fight against insurance fraud.”

Rochestown Park Hotel Announces ‘Raising Dough for Marymount Cookbook’

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#RaisingDough celebrates 30 years of the Rochestown Park Hotel and aims to raise €30k for Marymount Hospice

Rochestown Park Hotel celebrates 30years at the heart of the community in Cork this year and when planning our celebrations we decided to take a different approach to the traditional party.

As a fitting tribute to our customers and the people of Cork, for their continued support, we have commissioned the #RaisingDough for Marymount Cookbook project.

The #RaisingDough for Marymount Cookbook project is the brainchild of our Executive Chef Gary Burke and aims to raise €30k in Rochestown Park Hotel’s 30th year for the Marymount Hospice.

Gary Burke, Executive Chef at Rochestown Park Hotel, has for a long time sought a way of repaying Marymount for the great care shown to his family and the families of his colleagues at Rochestown Park Hotel who have relied upon their dedicated support.

Why a Cookbook? Why not? Gary honed his skills under the tutelage of the Brennan brothers and Kevin Dundon, assisting with the running of the famed Cookery School at Dunbrody House. Having run restaurants, opened hotels and now serving sumptuous delights in Cork’s premier events hotel. It is safe to say Gary knows a bit about food.

But this isn’t meant to be just another cookbook, Marymount touches and has touched the hearts and souls of families throughout Cork and Munster. They provide care for the loved ones of husbands, wives, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, indeed all family members. As such this book aims at celebrating the family in all its glory.

The recipes range from the simple to the slightly more engaging, they showcase the best of Cork produce and local suppliers but more importantly they taste of Cork, of Home and of Family.

So, you knew it was coming!! Here’s the ask!

€20 is all they're looking for!
That’s right, you heard it, just €20 will help them on the way to ther target of €30k and what do you get………Well a shiny new cook book of course filled with Cork delights, a chance to gather the family around the table and the knowledge you’ve helped raised funds for a very worthy Pure Cork institution, Marymount Hospice.

If you wish to attend the #RaisingDough launch register your interest on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/raising-dough-for-marymount-tickets-73973096523

Venue: The Atrium @ Rochestown Park Hotel
Date: Thursday October 10th
Time: 6pm – 8:30pm

Executive Chef Gary Burke will be cooking up a storm on the night signing books, dishing out prizes and serving up delectable treats straight from the book. And of course we’ll have lots of books!!!!

The #RaisingDough cookbook will be available to purchase from the following outlets: Rochestown Park Hotel, Marymount Hospice Curraheen, Marymount Charity Shop, Oliver Plunkett St, Cork & Musgrave MarketPlace, Ballycurreen, Airport Road.

All monies from cookbook sales at the above locations will go directly to Marymount Hospice, thanks to the generosity of the sponsors detailed below.

The ‘Raising Dough for Marymount Cookbook’ was produced by Rochestown Park Hotel with the generous help of sponsors: Quigley Meats, All Fresh Wholesale, Ballycotton Seafood, O’Connell Butchers, Gulfstream, Cork Bar & Catering Equipment, CM Refrigeration, Meadowfresh Foods, John Giltsharp, Higgins Catering and published by Mercier Press.


CBA Welcomes land deal that will further accelerate Cork’s Docklands Development

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A huge €47m land deal paves the way for a near €1bn waterfront precinct on Cork’s south docks which could sustain thousands of residents and thousands of new jobs.

News of the largest ever single property deal in the city emerged yesterday just days before details are due to be released of an ambitious plan for a near 30-storey skyscraper on another key docklands site nearby.

Agri-services company Origin Enterprises confirmed yesterday it has reached a “conditional agreement” to sell 31 acres of land it owns on several sites in Cork’s south docks to O’Callaghan Properties.

The site contains waterfront real estate running east from the city, several landmark buildings including the R&H Hall grain silos and the historic red-brick Odlums building. It extends southwards to include the Gouldings fertiliser complex

It is hoped a mixed-use project here, which property experts say could represent an investment of up to €1bn and take over a decade to deliver fully, will create a new city precinct, with thousands of new houses, offices, shops, cafes and restaurants capable of sustaining up to 15,000 jobs.

There are an estimated 4m sq ft of development potential on the site, with a requirement that 40% be set aside for residential.

It prompted calls from Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill last night for the Government to introduce measures to incentivise apartment construction.

The conditional agreement to sell the site was announced to the Irish Stock Exchange yesterday.

(Sources Irish Examiner )

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Planning permission granted for the 15-storey Prism skyscraper set to transform Cork’s skyline

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by Alan Healy

An artist's impression of the planned Prism Building. Pic: Pedersen Focus

An artist's impression of the planned Prism Building. Pic: Pedersen Focus

 

Planning permission has been granted for a landmark 15-storey skyscraper that is set to transform cork city's skyline.

The €20 million office building called The Prism will be located on the small triangular site at Clontarf Street next to the city bus station.

Construction of the development is set to begin in the coming months and the Prism Building will create more than 100 jobs on site during development and a multiple of this figure over the next 18 months once occupied.

 

The Prism will be located on the small site on Clontarf Street. Photo: Billy macGill.

The Prism will be located on the small site on Clontarf Street. Photo: Billy macGill.

Cork City Council had already granted planning permission for the building but their decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by heritage group An Taisce.

An Taisce opposed the development on a number of grounds, including the height of the building.

“A structure of this kind will be the dominant feature on the east of the island when viewed from many parts of the wider city," they said.

However, in a decision this week the planning appeals body said the Prism would make a "positive contribution to the urban character of the area" and would "enhance the skyline of the area."

It "would not have a significant and detrimental impact on any important views and vistas within the city."

The Prism building on Clontarf Street. Pic: Pedersen Focus

The Prism building on Clontarf Street. Pic: Pedersen Focus

The Prism development had received the support from the Cork Business Association and the Cork Chamber.

Commenting CEO of the Cork Business Association Lawrence Owens said,

"We warmly welcome the decision to approve planning for this impressive new development, which has the capacity not only to transform the skyline but the local economy as well".

Tower Holdings Group, owned by Kevin O’Sullivan, will oversee the development of the proposed new office building.

Along with his brother Donal, the pair from Kerry has been responsible for a number of skyscraper developments in New York.

They have also acquired the triangular site at Custom House Quay where both channels of the River Lee meet and are planning another major skyscraper for this site.

Reacting to the news on the Prism this morning, Tower Holdings Director of Operations Conor Lee said the development will be transformative for Cork’s city centre.

"There is a strong demand for offices and commercial buildings within Cork city centre. In order to continue to attract investment into Cork, to accommodate commercial expansion and to meet the projections of Project Ireland 2040, Cork needs to have a supply of modern, fully equipped buildings where the growing population of Cork can work in a vibrant and dynamic environment," he said.

"We are delighted that An Bord Pleanála upheld the decision by Cork City Council to grant permission for this important commercial development for Cork. In particular, the size and scale of this commercial development, which accommodates 300 work stations over 60,000 square feet is very much in demand in Cork."

"We, at Tower Holdings, are ambitious for Cork, because we believe that Cork has enormous potential to rival other European cities in providing a world-class place for citizens to live and work.”

Asked about a construction start date Mr Lee said preparations were ongoing while awaiting planning and now they will be ramped up to commence as soon as possible - within the next number of months.

 

 

Source: Alan Healy, The Evening Echo

Cork International Choral Festival 2019 – Overview and Competition Results

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The 65th Cork International Choral Festival drew to a phenomenal close on Sunday May 5th with its closing gala concert of international choirs in Cork City Hall.

 

The festival which took place from May 1st – 5th, drew 5,000 singers and 50,000 visitors to Cork for five days of music and song and gave an estimated €10 million economic boost to the city.

 

This year’s festival was attended by An Tánaiste, Minister Simon Coveney T.D and Minister for Culture, Josepha Madigan T.D, who took time out from their busy schedules on day one of the event to meet some of the choirs and team at Cork City Hall.

 

Highlights from this year’s Cork International Choral Festival included gala concerts by the Cork School of Music Symphony Orchestra, junior and senior choruses with the Fleischman Choir; a performance of music written ‘Before and After Bach’ by Chamber Choir Ireland; an other-worldly concert by Norwegian jazz/folk singers, Pust; as well as the annual national and international trophy competitions including the much coveted Flieschmann International Trophy, won this year by Chamber Choir KGBL from Slovenia.

 

The Sean O Riada Composition Competition trophy was awarded to UCC MA student, James May for his work, street after street alike, while Cór Scoil Oilibhéir, from Ballyvolane in Cork were named winners of the National Primary School Choirs competition.

 

The festival team would like to thank everyone who supported this year’s hugely successfully. We are already gearing up for another unforgettable event in 2020. Mark your calendars for 29th April - 3rd May 2020.

 

 

 

Fleischmann International Trophy Competition Prize Winners

 

1st Prize

Chamber Choir KGBL, SLOVENIA

Conductor: Ambrož Čopi

92.75%

 

2nd Prize

Hamburg Academy of Music and Theatre Choir, GERMANY

Conductor: Cornelius Trantow

92.00 %

 

3rd Prize

The Women's Choral Society of the University of Oslo, NORWAY

Conductor: Marit Tøndel Bodsberg Weyde

91.89%

 

 

International Awards

 

Lady Dorothy Mayer Memorial Trophy

Donated by Chris Mahon

Special Award for the performance of a piece in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.

Awarded to:

Hamburg Academy Of Music And Theatre Choir, GERMANY

 

Conductor:  Cornelius Trantow

For the performance of: Iuppiter by Michael Ostrzyga

 

 

Schuman/Europe Trophy

In memory of Moira Pyne (1916 – 2009)

Special Award for the performance of a piece by a living European Composer in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.

Awarded to:

 

Kamarikuoro Näsi, FINLAND

Conductor:  MarkusYli-Jokipii

For the performance of: Vinternatten by Juhani Komulainen

 

Heinrich Schütz Perpetual Trophy

In memory of Hans Waldemar Rosen

Special Award for the performance of a choral work by Heinrich Schütz in the National or International Competitions.

Awarded to:

Mornington Singers, IRELAND

Conductor: Dr. Orla Flanagan

For the Performance of:  Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes

 

 

The McCurtain and McSwiney Memorial Trophy

Donated by the Cork Council of Trade Unions

Special Award, decided by the members of the International Jury, to a conductor in the International Competition for the performance of an imaginative and artistic programme. The recipient of this Trophy also receives a special award, kindly donated by Musica International, which offers them full access to the Musica International website and their virtual choral library.  Musica International is a major project of the International Federation for Choral Music.

Awarded to:

Conductor:                         Ambrož Čopi

Choir:                                  Chamber Choir KGBL SLOVENIA

 

 

PEACE Trophy

Donated by the P.E.A.C.E Movement Cork

Awarded to the choir that best embraces the spirit of the Festival, and fulfils the intentions of the trophy’s benefactors, the P.E.A.C.E. Movement, Cork.

Awarded to:

Cheep Trill, AUSTRALIA

Conductor:  Emma Dean

 

 

Ireland’s Choir of the Year

 

IRELAND’S CHOIR OF THE YEAR

and

Recipient of The Victor Leeson Perpetual Trophy

Donated by The Guinness Choir in memory of its founder Victor Leeson

1st Prize

Mornington Singers, Dublin

Conductor:      Dr. Orla Flanagan

90.56%

 

2nd Prize

Maynooth Chamber Choir, Kildare

Conductor:      Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh

88.00%

 

3rd Prize

Dublin Youth Chamber Choir

Conductor:      Lynsey Callaghan

84.11%

 

 

National Adult Competitions

 

National Competition for Chamber Choirs

1st Prize

NUIG Alumni Ensemble, Galway

Conductor:      Dr Peter Mannion

86.33%

 

2nd Prize

Euphonics, Dublin

Conductor:      Ciarán Kelly

85.00%

 

 

National Competition for Female Choirs

1st Prize

The Park Singers, Dublin

Conductor:      Orla Gillan

90.00%

 

2nd Prize

Dulciana Ensemble, Dublin

Conductor:      Judith Lyons

87.67%

 

 

National Competition for Male Voice Choirs

1st Prize

Portadown Male Voice Choir, Co Down

Conductor:      Gordon Speers

87.00%

 

2nd Prize

Wicklow Male Voice Choir, Wicklow

Conductor:      Anthony Norton

84.50%

 

 

National Competition for Mixed Voice Choirs

1st Prize

The Carrigaline Choral Group, Dublin

Conductor:      Robbie Pender

85.00%

 

2nd Prize

The Carrigaline Singers, Cork

Conductor:      Alan Carney

83.17%

 

 

National Competition for Youth Choirs

1st Prize

Dublin Youth Chamber Choir

Conductor:      Lynsey Callaghan

86.83%

 

 

National Competition for Light, Jazz and Popular Music

1st Prize

Douglas Harmonia Singers, Cork

Conductor: Lorna Moore

86.83%

 

2nd Prize

Gorey Choral Group, Wexford

Conductor: Eithne Corrigan

88.83%

 

 

National Competition for Church Music

1st Prize

UCC Singers, Cork

Conductor: Ben Jacob

90.50%

 

2nd Prize

Cappella Lyrica, Cork

Conductor: Maria Judge

89.50%

 

Special Awards – National Adult and Youth Competitions

 

IRELAND’S CHOIR OF THE YEAR

and

Recipient of The Victor Leeson Perpetual Trophy 
Donated by The Guinness Choir in memory of its founder Victor Leeson

Awarded to:

The Mornington Singers Dublin

Conductor:      Dr. Orla Flanagan

 

Trofaí Cuimhneacháin Philib Ui Laoghaire 
Donated by Cór Cois Laoi

Special Award for the performance of a choral work in Irish.

Awarded to:

UCC Singers, Cork

Conductor:      Ben Jacob

For the performance of: Fornocht do chonac thú  by Criostóir Ó Loingsigh in Ireland’s Choir of the Year Competition  

 

 

Perpetual Trophy for the Performance of Irish Contemporary Choral Music
Donated by The Contemporary Music Centre

Special Award for the performance of an original choral work by an Irish composer written after 1975 and chosen from the library collection of the Contemporary Music Centre.

Awarded to:

Mornington Singers, Co. Dublin

Conductor:      Orla Flanagan

For the performance of: A Nywe Werk by Seán Doherty in Ireland’s Choir of the Year Competition  

 

 

The John Mannion Trophy

Donated by the family of John Mannion

Special Award to a Chamber Choir for the performance of a work in the National Competitions.

Awarded to:

Choir:                          Maynooth Chanber Choir, Co. Kildare

Conductor:     Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh

 

For the performance of: It’s Strange about Stars by Séan Doherty in The Irelands Choir of the Year

 

 

 

Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition

The Seán Ó Riada Trophy

Awarded to Composer, James May, for his work street after street alike

 

National Competitions for Schools

National Competition for Schools: Section 1 (Primary School Choirs)

1st Prize

Cór Scoil Oilibhéir, Cork

Conductor: Angela Ward

88.75%

 

2nd Prize

Cór Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Cailíní, Cork

Conductor:  Maeve Ann O’Brien

86.5%

 

National Competition for Schools: Section 2 (Equal Voice Post-Primary School Choirs)

1st Prize

Laurel Hill Colaiste FCJ, Limerick

Conductor:  Orla Colgan Ahern

91%

2nd Prize

Ursuline Singers, Thurles (Co. Tipperary)

Conductor:  Joan Butler

90%

 

 

National Competition for Schools: Section 3 (Mixed Voice Post-Primary School Choirs)

1st Prize

Wesley College Senior Choir, Dublin

Conductor:  Helen Doyle

88%

 

2nd Prize

Newtown School Choir, Co. Waterford

Conductor: Fearghal Ó Conchubhair

85.25%

 

 

Special Awards – National Competitions for Schools

 

SCHOOL CHOIR OF THE FESTIVAL

and the Recipient of The John Cunningham Trophy.

Awarded to the school choir who received the highest overall mark in the National Competitions for Schools.

Awarded to:

Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Limerick

Conductor:  Orla Colgan Ahern

 

The Sing Ireland Trophy

Special Award for the performance of a piece in the National Competitions for Schools.

For the performance of:  The Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre, in the National Competition for Schools: Section 3: Post-Primary Equal Voice

 

Awarded to:  Wesley College Senior Choir, Co. Dublin

Conductor:   Helen Doyle

 

 

The Irish Federation of Musicians & Associated Professions Trophy

Special Award for the performance of a choral piece in Irish in the National Competitions for Schools.

Awarded to:

Ursuline Singers Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Conductor:  Joan Butler

 

For the performance of: Sí Do Mhaimeo Í by Michael McGlynn in the National Competition for Schools: Section 2: Post-Primary Equal Voice

 

The Sing Ireland Bursary for Conductors

Special bursary award to a conductor in the school competitions to attend Sing Ireland’s Annual Summer School.

Awarded to:

Angela Ward

Conductor of Cór Scoil Oilibhéir, Co. Cork

Let the countdown begin!

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Cork Christmas Lights to be switched on this Sunday November 18th

Organised by Cork City Council, the countdown to Christmas has truly begun with the announcement that the switching on of the Cork City Christmas Lights will take place on Patrick’s Street this Sunday November 18th.  The Christmas Lights will be switched on by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Mick Finn and there is a rumored appearance of Santa!

 

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Mick Finn said,

 

“Cork’s Christmas starts here! The Switching on of the Christmas City Lights officially marks the start of the countdown to Christmas in Cork. The Switch on will take place at approximately 7.15pm and I would encourage people to come into the city to experience this wonderful free family festive event. I would also encourage people to shop local for Christmas and help keep jobs and shops alive in Cork.”

Beginning at 6.30pm on Patrick’s Street, the Switch on Party will be hosted by KC and Ros Browne from Cork’s 96FM.

 

Ireland’s leading pop music school, The Academy of Popular Music will perform a selection of much-loved Christmas songs including All I want for Christmas, Merry Christmas Everyone and Fairytale of New York. Students from The Academy of Popular Music, have previously performed on the Late Late Toy Show, the Voice of Ireland, and Cork’s Got Talent.

 

They will be joined on stage by the Cork Deaf Choir who will sign and sing a selection of Christmas Songs, and they invite everyone to ‘Sign Along’ by learning the chorus of Santa Claus is Coming to Town which you can find  here: https://youtu.be/UfQOqkk5jPU or by searching ‘Irish sign language santa’.

 

Throughout the evening ISL Irish Sign Language Services will be on offer, and patrons with additional mobility needs will be accommodated close to the stage.

 

Due to the large volume of people who annually attend the Switching on of the Christmas Lights, members of the public are being asked to give themselves plenty of time to come into Cork City on Sunday. Normal Sunday parking restrictions will apply and traffic wardens will be on duty. Some additional road closures and lane restrictions will be in place from 12 noon to 10pm on the day, so drivers are advised to check the website. Park and Ride will operate on a Monday to Friday frequency from 11am-8.30pm from Black Ash to Lapps Quay, and with the last Bus leaving the City Centre at 8.10pm.

 

See www.corkchristmascelebration.ie for details on parking in the city.

The switching on of the Christmas Lights will kick start the city’s seasonal celebrations and a big promotional drive by Cork City Council and the Cork Business Association to encourage people to come into the city centre and to shop locally in the lead up to Christmas.

 

Cork will be transformed into a festive wonderland with the opening of GLOW on Friday November 30th which will run for four weekends in the build up to Christmas. Cork’s 96FM and C103 and the Evening Echo are the media sponsors of GLOW 2018.

 

For further information contact Eimear O’Brien PR

086 8900364/eimear@eimearobrienpr.ie

Incredible Jazz Weekend In Cork

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Corks 2018 Guinness Jazz Festival certainly hit new heights this Bank Holiday Week End. From the ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ (Day of the Dead) Jazz Parade to launch the Festival on Thursday 25th to the last gigs on Bank Holiday Monday. This must go down as one of the most successful events in its 41 year history! Attracting record crowds of over 40,000 to the city who fully enjoyed the carnival like atmosphere and the good weather also helped enormously.

From a CBA perspective we would like to congratulate all involved, especially the title sponsor Guinness (Diageo) who have supported this festival since the 1980's. Aside from the commercial benefit the Jazz Festival brings to business in the city, one couldn't put a value on the positive marketing such an event generates.

Congratulations also to the new Festival Director Sinead Dunphy who, in her first year in the role, has brought a new vision to the event. Typical of Sinead she is already planning for next year to make the 2019 festival even bigger and better!

A special nod to Executive Committee member Niamh Murphy and her team for their work behind the scenes promoting the festival and to everyone at The Metropole for carrying on the vision created by Jim Mountjoy 41 years ago.

Well done to everyone who worked tirelessly across the city and county this bank holiday weekend to make it one of the most memorable Guinness Cork Jazz Festival's to date.

 

CBA Urges Government to retain 9% VAT rate in the Hospitality & Services Sector

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The CBA fully supports the stance taken by RAI cheif executive Adrian Cummins when he outlined that, "Brexit is the hospitality industry’s most immediate threat in 2018 and that danger will follow into 2019. We must retain measures such as the 9% VAT rate to allow businesses remain competitive while we continue to measure the potential damage that Brexit could introduce to the industry."

To retain the growth that we have seen specifically in the Cork region within  the Tourism / Hospitality and Services sectors, it is essential that the VAT rate of 9% is retained until 2022. It is also important to acknowledge since the VAT cut, 54,400 jobs have been created in these sectors nationally. Consequently it is imperative that the reduced VAT rate is kept in place until 2022 in order for the Irish economy to remain competitive.

We must not eaisly forget when the economy went into decline, restaurants & service providers endured falling numbers , rising prices and great financial uncertainty, with many having to close their businesses. Money generated by this reduced VAT rate, however, has kick-started a reversal of fortunes. Since the VAT cut, employment in the Restaurant Tourism &  Services sector increased by approximately 54,400 direct jobs with an additional 25,024 indirect jobs which gives a total employment increase of 79,424. This growth will continue if VAT at 9% remains in effect."

Commenting Lawrence Owens CEO of the Cork Business Association said " Many of our members operate in the sector that will be seriously impacted by any upward change in the 9% VAT rate. We urge the Government not alone to heed the significant warnings from the sector but to factor in the uncertainty that Brexit poses to the industry. In essence we would simply say if it ain't broke don't fixit"

 

END