Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for September 2007
28/09/2007
A new eco-friendly £600 million Sirocco Quays redevelopment is to be launched today at a ceremony at the Laganside site. The 16-acre waterfront site will be developed by the Carvill Group at the former engineering works, and it is being hailed as one of the most prestigious waterfront developments
28/09/2007
One of the biggest single building projects in Ireland’s history is being planned for Cork's docklands. An application for a €2 billion development is to be lodged within weeks by Howard Holdings. It is to include two hotels, 600,000 square feet of office a 30-storey residential tower and a metro s
28/09/2007
A report issued by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has said government interference in the property and building sectors could impede in the necessary cooling down of the market. The latest quarterly economic commentary revealed the slowdown in house building is much sharper than
28/09/2007
Larnród Éireann is to invest €8 million in infrastructure at Rosslare Europort in County Wexford, to cater for future growth and shipping business needs. The majority of the investment into the upgrade of rail facilities, will replace the Linkspan on Rosslare Europort’s Berth 2, at a cost of €6.8m,
28/09/2007
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has expressed concern that the local economy could suffer if Belfast City Council introduces Congestion Charges and Road Tolls. Belfast City Council made the proposal in a submission to the Department of Finance & Personnel as part of a review into possible
28/09/2007
Work has begun on the £45 million development for one of the last remaining sites on Lanyon Place, close to the Waterfront Hall and Hilton Hotel. Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie announced that the new building, developed by William Ewart Properties and know as Lanyon Towers, will be a
28/09/2007
'Quality' is a word synonymous with any Patton Homes development, but with none more so than at Knockantern Green. Site Manager, Johnston Logan was one of only 400 site managers across the UK to receive the coveted NHBC 'Pride in the Job' Quality Award, for his consistent excellence and commitment
28/09/2007
Plumbing and Mechanical Services Training (PMST (NI)) Ltd has welcomed Jim Gourley to the post of general manager, further strengthening its lead role in providing apprenticeship training within Northern Ireland. PMST (NI) supplies a high quality, employer led training approach and was created in p
27/09/2007
An Irish development company has announced it is to buy a one-acre site in Philadelphia, for $36.7 million. Castleway Properties has bought the site from the city’s Parking Authority, located on the 1900 block of Walnut Street. It is understood Castleway outbid three other firms for acquisition ri
27/09/2007
Energy Minister Nigel Dodds today launched 'Solar Warmth', a joint grant initiative between the Government’s renewable energy grant programme, Reconnect and Phoenix Natural Gas. Solar Warmth is a grant-aided scheme offering new Phoenix Natural Gas customers and Reconnect applicants an additional £4
27/09/2007
Belfast City Hall is set to temporarily close for up to two years from early November 2007 to enable major refurbishment work can be undertaken. Renovations will include replacing heating, mechanical and electrical systems, re-roofing the building and installing computer network systems, with the b
27/09/2007
Northern Irish fabricator Dungannon Window Company Ltd has recently invested in a new Wegoma WSA4VE vertical quad welder to increase the speed and efficiency of its sliding sash window production. Established in 1987, the Dungannon-based company was the first in Ireland to specialise in fabricating
27/09/2007
A new eco-friendly head office has been awarded the Chambers Ireland overall award for corporate social responsibility. The Musgrave Group’s HQ, on Cork’s Airport Road, was given the award last night at a ceremony, where a judging panel praised its design and construction for ensuring the lowest en
27/09/2007
Dublin-based property company Shelbourne Developments have revealed they are to build the tallest building in North America. The Chicago Spire is due to be completed by 2011, and is designed by world famous Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava. The structure will stand at just over 600 metres tal
27/09/2007
Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has officially opened a new state-of-the-art upgraded Wastewater Treatment Works in Dundrum. The new Northern Ireland (NIW) facility will serve a population of approximately 2,000 from the village. Speaking at the event, Minister Murphy said: "The new fac
27/09/2007
Following its move from Kent last year, Staffordshire Moorlands MP Charlotte Atkins has officially opened Lafarge Cement’s £2 million state-of-the-art National Laboratory at Cauldon in Staffordshire, reinforcing the company’s focus on quality and meeting customers’ needs. The purpose-built, 728 sq
26/09/2007
Established in 1988 and based in Co. Carlow Ireland, Hi-Spec Engineering has grown steadily and built up a solid reputation as manufacturer of high quality machinery. The company has earned a universal reputation for the high quality and reliability of their products. This is primarily the result o
26/09/2007
Donegal crane firm Mantis Cranes has signed a landmark deal on a Government Trade Mission to the US which will see it introducing self erecting cranes into the American Market, according to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, TD. Speaking from New York where he witnes
26/09/2007
If you need a tank, then Killarney Plastics Ltd are the people to talk to. This company has been manufacturing tanks in Killarney since 1973, and are one of the most experienced composite manufacturing companies in Europe today. With locations throughout England, Scotland and Ireland, they can use
26/09/2007
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has commended the work of Ballyclare Community Concerns as she officially unveiled their new premises today. Foundry House, a state-of-the-art building on the Doagh Road, provides 700 square metres of office, retail and community space and is a replaceme
26/09/2007
A report released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has revealed a 25.6 per cent increase in the number of homes granted planning permission in the second quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year. The CSO said that planning permission was granted for 23,988 homes in the seco
26/09/2007
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has urged the Government to act now to restore confidence in the housing market, facilitate the retention of investment in Ireland and secure additional revenues for the State. Launching the CIF's annual 'Construction Review', Federation President Hank Fog
26/09/2007
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has welcomed the publication of Northern Ireland Housing Statistics for 2006/07. Among the findings in the report, which detailed recent trends in housing in the province, there were approximately 712,600 (provisional) dwellings in Northern Ireland at 31
26/09/2007
Speedy Ireland is acquiring the trading assets and transferring the staff from Hire Centres Dublin North with immediate effect. Hire Centres is an independent tool and equipment hire business with a strong fleet and an expertise in portable heating and air conditioning. The staff and the operations
25/09/2007
The Quinn Property Management Group has acquired a multi-million euro entertainment complex in Russia, it has been revealed. The 120,000 square metre Avrora complex which has cost an estimated €106 million, will contain a shopping mall, cinema, bowling alley, swimming pool and climbing wall in Ufa,
25/09/2007
Confirmation of a $330 million energy deal in the US by Dublin based Airtricity shows Irish companies can lead the way in the development of renewable energy, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheal Martin, has said. The deal was signed at the beginning of an Enterprise Ireland T
25/09/2007
A total of £2.1 million investment has been announced for the Larne Borough Council this year, it has been announced. Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, revealed the news, saying: "Traffic calming schemes totalling £45,000 are planned in Ballycarry Village and at Millbrook and Upper Water
25/09/2007
Irish building company McInerney Holdings has revealed that 100 fewer homes were built in the first six months of this year in comparison to the same period in 2006. The group constructed 257 homes from January to June, down from last year's figure of 362. Pre-tax profits declined by €2 million in
25/09/2007
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced details of its Proposed Decision to grant a licence to Fingal County Council to develop an engineered landfill facility and public recycling facility in Nevitt, County Dublin. The proposed decision provides for the development of an engineered
25/09/2007
The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), the trade association and business support organisation for timber frame manufacturers and their suppliers, is hosting a free networking event in Belfast for Northern Ireland businesses on Thursday 27 September. In the third of a series of events around the
25/09/2007
Local engineering firm Allen Mechanical Services, who install heating systems and solar thermal panels in homes and businesses across Northern Ireland, have won two awards for their excellence in solar installation - the Environment 2010 Award and the ‘Green Earth’ calendar competition. Organised b
25/09/2007
A major seminar on nuclear energy and its future in Ireland will take place this Thursday. Hosted by Engineers Ireland, the seminar will be addressed by international experts and will contribute to the national debate on whether or not nuclear energy should play in role in solving Ireland’s energy
24/09/2007
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley has approved a new structure for fees charged by An Bord Pleanala in relation to appeals, applications and other matters under the Planning Acts. The introduction of a fee for applications made under the new strategic consent
24/09/2007
Approval for the funding of 49 projects throughout Ireland has been announced, under the new Sustainable Communities Fund. The Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas Batt O’Keefe revealed the Sustainable Communities Fund that will support local authority pilot projects, which fost
24/09/2007
A new Institute of Designers in Ireland book has been launched by the Minister for Education and Science in the Chester Beatty Library. Mary Hanafin launched the book, called 'Why Design: A Guide to Studying Design in Ireland', which was born from a desire to give second level students a greater de
24/09/2007
The developer behind plans for Northern Ireland’s tallest building 'Aurora' has announced plans to help fund the current £16m programme of improvements to Belfast’s streetscape and public realm. Mervyn McAlister of McAlister Holdings says that he is willing to provide significant private funding to
24/09/2007
Martin & Hamilton (Ballymena) have been awarded Chartered Building Company status by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) - one of only eight construction firms chartered under the industry body in Northern Ireland. This accreditation recognises professionalism and quality workmanship in the
24/09/2007
Garda forensic experts are currently investigating the site of a fire which destroyed a timber warehouse in the outskirts of Cork city. The Protim warehouse, in Little Island, sells specialist products for treating and preserving timber. The alarm was raised shortly after 7pm on Sunday evening, an
24/09/2007
House rebuilding costs have risen marginally again over the past 12 months, according to a new survey published by Ireland’s largest construction and property industry body, the Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS). The SCS, which has launched its 2007 guide to house rebuilding costs to assist home
24/09/2007
StepLift Ltd of Ireland has been awarded the coveted 'Best Overseas Product' for the Powered Gemini hand delivery cart at the SHOP 2007 show in Dublin. The Powered Gemini impressed the judges at this year's show with its battery powered hand delivery cart. The world's first powered hand delivery ca
21/09/2007
A €5.8 billion spending plan on new water supply and waste water has been launched by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley. The National Development Water Plan Water Services Investment Programme includes 955 individual schemes to be advanced over the period of
21/09/2007
Irish renewable energy group, Airtricity, has joined forces with engineering group Fluor, to purchase wind turbines valued at €750 million, delivered from Siemens for the construction of its Greater Gabbard Offshore wind farm (GGOW). The scheme would develop a wind farm which has a capacity of 500
21/09/2007
Irish property development and investment group Ballymore Properties has spent €155 million on 93,000 square feet of mixed-use real estate on Kurfurstendamm in Berlin. The Kudamm Karee is a retail, office, restaurant, residential, theatre and car park space on the most important shopping street in
21/09/2007
A development company has offered Clontarf Golf Club €80 million to buy their land, which could result in members of the exclusive club receiving €100,000 each as part of the buy-out. Capel Developments has offered the cash to buy the land, and has offered to move the club to Portmarnock Links golf
21/09/2007
An Irish billionaire businessman has applied to An Bord Pleanala in an effort to demolish his €35 million home, after being previously refused by Dublin City Council. Denis O’Brien last year bought the exclusive Ballbridge home, which was the second highest price ever paid for a house in Dublin. Th
21/09/2007
It was revealed today that an initial spend of nearly £2 million of public money has been paid to consultants working on plans for the proposed Northern Ireland stadium. Plans drawn up for the 35,000-seater stadium to be built on the site of the old Maze prison have yet to be confirmed by authoriti
21/09/2007
Environment Minister Arlene Foster has visited Sion Mills and listened to proposals for the Mill complex which closed in 2004. The Minister was given the tour of the 170-year old flax-spinning mill - Herdman's Mill. She also met with the Sion Mills Preservation Trust and heard about proposals for t
21/09/2007
Industrial overhead crane and hoist specialist, Street Crane Company has appointed their first directly employed sales manager to cover the whole of Ireland. Stephen Hirst, a lifting engineer with 20 years mechanical handling experience, took up the post this month. "With so much development takin
20/09/2007
Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, has officially opened Glendarragh Valley Inn in Ederney, County Fermanagh today. The £722,000 tourism and community facility was developed by Ederney Community Development Limited, thanks to support from the Department for Social Development (DSD), Int
20/09/2007
Capital Bars group owners have announced they are seeking planning permission for a 300-bedroom hotel and transport interchange in central Dublin. Brothers Liam and Des O’Dwyer have proposed the scheme to be constructed at Abbey Street to Strand Street. Bennett Construction has teamed up with Capi
20/09/2007
Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, was in Dungannon today to visit a number of Department supported projects. Following a visit to EAGA, the company that manages the Department for Social Development’s Warm Homes Scheme, the Minister visited Dungannon West Renewal’s development at Bally
20/09/2007
The Department of the Environment has published new guidelines for developers on the size, location and design of new apartment blocks. New rules have been published to detail the amount of floor space, study room and storage each apartment should have. The guidelines also state developers will ha
20/09/2007
A new report by the ESRI has revealed the number of job vacancies in the economy dropped in August. The decrease was affected by a decline in the construction sector, which saw a downturn of five percentage points to five per cent - the lowest vacancy rate the sector has recorded since the survey b
20/09/2007
Davis Langdon PKS (DLPKS), one of Ireland’s leading construction cost and project management companies has announced two new senior appointments to reflect the ongoing success of their Limerick office. Cathal Barry, who manages the Limerick office, has been appointed Regional Director. Cathal gradu
20/09/2007
This year's Donovan Purcell lecture, organised by The Stone Federation will be given by Ptolemy Dean, the architect who is historic buildings adviser to the BBC’s 'Restoration' series and Hank Dittmar from the Prince’s Foundation. The topic will be 'Stone: Sustainability and Tradition in the 21st C
20/09/2007
Freefoam Plastics, a market leader in the PVC roofline and rainwater systems market, has recently launched its new Slate and Tile Trim range. The new product range offers homeowners greater peace-of-mind as it secures tiles and slates, giving a maintenance-free finish to the roofline. The trims are
19/09/2007
The Building Exhibition, Irish Sustainable Building Show and the iT Village are three co-located events covering the most important themes affecting Ireland’s construction industry. The 2007 Event, which will be held from 20 – 22 September 2007 at the RDS, Dublin, will be the biggest ever showcas
19/09/2007
A new golf hotel to the west of Dublin may be built after developer Jim Mansfield announced plans for a 170 bedroom property at Palmerstown Demesne in Johnstown, County Kildare. It is understood the plans include a 31,000 sq metre hotel beside the clubhouse of the existing golf course there. The si
19/09/2007
Irish Auctioneers Lisney have revealed that around 20,000 jobs will be lost in the construction industry within the next year. This is in contrast to Davy Stockbrokers forecast that 35,000 jobs will be lost to the economy. Lisney's Head of Research John McCartney said that new data from the Centra
19/09/2007
The talents of top local construction firm McAlister Holdings are set to be showcased as part of an international sustainable housing exhibition that is unique to the UK. The Northern Ireland-based property company beat off stiff international competition from 120 companies across the globe to win
19/09/2007
A Dublin-based private investment firm has announced it has acquired a 90 per cent stake in the Five Star St Regis Hotel in Washington DC. Although the sale price has not been disclosed, it is thought to be around $170 million. The company acquired St Regis in an off-market transaction from a join
19/09/2007
Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen since 1990, it has been reported. The latest figures were published by AEA Technology (AEAT) on behalf of Defra and the Devolved Administrations and show that Northern Ireland’s emissions have decreased from 1990 levels by six per cent for gre
19/09/2007
Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has announced details of a forthcoming conference, which will unveil new information on Northern Ireland’s natural resources. The Tellus project, a unique initiative conducted from 2004-2007, involved a land-based geochemical survey and a separate airborne geophysical s
19/09/2007
The Parks and Leisure Committee of Belfast City Council has agreed to develop the business case for a the development of a stadium in Belfast city centre. Meanwhile, the committee also agreed to discontinue the further assessment of two private-sector development proposals for a multi-purpose sport
18/09/2007
The Irish Sustainable Building Show is in its second year and never before has a show become more important with the issues of energy and climate change effecting the way we build our homes. The show is for anyone interested in building a new home or adapting their current home to make it more envi
18/09/2007
White Young Green (WYG), the multi-disciplinary consultancy to the built, natural and social environment, announced it has won a contract to survey buildings on the route of the proposed tunnels for the £120 million Belfast Sewers Project, which will upgrade Belfast’s ageing sewer network and reduce
18/09/2007
The Federation of Small Businesses has announced that it is to host the Northern Ireland Reception at next week's Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth, at which the First Minister Dr Ian Paisley and the Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward will be the guest speakers. The event, which is sponsored b
18/09/2007
The results of a competition to design a memorial to the victims of the Omagh bombing have been announced today. The artist Sean Hillen along with landscape architect Desmond, submitted the winning design, after a competition was launched in April to provide a tribute. The Dublin-based team’s theme
18/09/2007
Irish companies are urged to enter the European Business Awards 2008, the competition that showcases Europe’s business skills and competencies to the rest of the world. Adrian Tripp, Chief Executive of the European Business Award, stated: "European business is innovative and talented and it is impo
18/09/2007
The new chairman of the Irish branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has been elected - with Joe Behan taking up the office for the year 2007 / 2008. He is the Institute’s twenty-second chairman in Ireland. A consulting engineer, Joe Behan B.E., FIEI, FCIArb heads up the two Dubli
18/09/2007
Up to 3,000 people are set to attend an upcoming lecture by one of the world’s greatest living architects – making this the largest attendance at a public lecture on architecture ever staged in Ireland. Japanese Tadao Ando is renowned as one of the most remarkable living architects, having won virt
18/09/2007
North Down Borough Council won two top awards in the annual Sustainable Ireland Energy, Environmental and Waste Management 2007 Awards, held last week at the Ramada Hotel in South Belfast. The ‘Best Recycling Initiative’ Award was made to the Council for its two new £18 million state-of-the-art was
17/09/2007
International buildings group CRH has announced that it is planning to buy assets from Mexican cement company Cemex. The deal, which has been valued at between $3.5 and $4.5 billion, could be one of the biggest ever in Irish corporate history. Assets currently under negotiation include those in Fl
17/09/2007
The Minister of State for the Department of the Environment, Tony Killeen, has announced details of its spending plans on new water and sewage infrastructure for Co Clare. Speaking after the launch of the Water Services Investment Programme 2007–2009, the Minister said: “The Programme maintains the
17/09/2007
Ireland’s largest provider of hot tubs and spas has gone out of business, with debts amounting to €1 million. Despite a boom in the sales of spas, hot tubs and gazebos, Arctic Spas has been forced to declare itself insolvent. The company was incorporated in Ireland as Glowmount and had a distribut
17/09/2007
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has unveiled a major restoration programme at Crumlin Road Gaol and announced plans to open the Gaol to tourists and visitors. Some £1 million as been invested in improvements that include weatherproofing, health and safety repairs and restoration work.
17/09/2007
An Irish building firm has made the shortlist to build Britain's first carbon neutral housing scheme next year. MJ Gleeson has submitted plans for a €53 million carbon neutral homes scheme on the site of a listed former hospital building on the outskirts of Bristol. Galway bricklayer Michael Josep
17/09/2007
Tenders are currently being sought for improvements works to be carried out at two Garda Stations in County Clare. Minister of State and Clare TD, Tony Killeen, who received the confirmation from the Office of Public Works (OPW), said it was proposing to carry out alterations and additions to Newma
17/09/2007
Dublin City Council recently confirmed its negotiations with Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd, to develop a 600,000 metric tonne-per-year Energy-from-Waste project serving the city of Dublin and surrounding communities. The Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd is a joint venture between Covanta Energy, USA, a subs
17/09/2007
One in four Irish homeowners have changed address in the past year, leading to a loss of €16 million for marketing businesses, according to the latest research. NewAddress.ie, also found that half of respondents do not intend to move within the next year. Around two thirds of Irish residents also
14/09/2007
Clare County Council recently revealed that it expects to provide an additional 244 social houses around the county by early 2009. The announcement follows the provision of 17.5 million euro to the Local Authority’s 'Social Housing, Building and Acquisition Programme' for 2007. The allocation repre
14/09/2007
Swisstrax Interlocking Floor Tiles, the ultimate modular floor solution, are now available in Ireland from surfacing materials supply company Colourstone. Swiss designed and manufactured with over 2 million sq ms installed worldwide, Swisstrax is manufactured from Polypropylene and can withstand he
14/09/2007
Entrepreneur Ben Dunne has highlighted the benefits of undertaking a safety audit at a breakfast briefing hosted by Olive Safety in Dublin. Speaking to delegates in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Mr Dunne drew attention to a recent Olive Safety report which stated that on average Irish companies pay 350%
14/09/2007
The approach of the January 2009 deadline to possess Building Energy Rating Certificates (BER) for existing buildings means that renewable energy solutions are set to become an important area of business growth for trade customers, according to heating and plumbing supplier Heat Merchants. This is
14/09/2007
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has announced the commencement of major road works on Sandyford Road between the junction of Wyckham Way Extension to just beyond Blackthorn Drive. The significant road works will comprise watermains, drainage, broadband ducting, road reconstruction, cyclepaths
14/09/2007
One of Northern Ireland's leading specialists in timberframe construction has just launched a new brochure aimed at self-builders and developers. As this type of construction continues to grow in popularity across Northern Ireland, Clarke Homes - based in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh - have launched a f
14/09/2007
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has challenged the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to win public support for the planned M3 motorway by re-routing it away from the Tara Valley. A peaceful march, ending in front of the Taoiseach’s office, will take place this Saturday, September 15 and the USI is su
14/09/2007
Hundreds of people attended the recent ‘Traditional Building and Conservation Skills Heritage’ exhibition held in Adare, Co Limerick. Limerick County Council, along with the Irish Georgian Society hosted the Exhibition, which is held annually in Adare. It included demonstrations on traditional bui
13/09/2007
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has condemned the introduction of a €100,000 fee for planning applications to An Bord Pleanála for major infrastructural projects of national importance. Hubert Fitzpatrick, Director for the CIF said: "The State is advocating that the industry undertake sp
13/09/2007
Acheson & Glover, the rapidly expanding construction materials manufacturer, has bought the Finlay Breton business from Readymix plc, part of the global Cemex Group. The multimillion-pound acquisition means that Acheson & Glover is now one of the biggest construction materials manufacturers in Irel
13/09/2007
Councillors from Coleraine Borough Council have voted to keep the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre in public hands. Several DUP councillors were among those who voted in favour of the motion, which was put forward by the SDLP's council member John Dallat. The move came after Environment Minister
13/09/2007
A £3.6 million business centre in Londonderry will support the creation of 40 new businesses and up to 200 jobs over the next three years. Economy Minister Nigel Dodds was joined by Republic of Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, to officially open the development
13/09/2007
A smart news letter which reflects the many and varied schemes and services of a leading Ulster building company has been launched to mark the firm's 25th anniversary. Western Building Systems - a family-owned Coalisland firm - is celebrating its silver anniversary with a range of special events,
13/09/2007
The prized goal of all committed building materials manufacturers is 100% recyclability, and Rockwool has demonstrated its ability to deliver true sustainability in a joint trial with Eurobond, Corus and Sims Recycling Solutions. By developing a recycling process for composite panels, the need for
13/09/2007
Imperative Energy, the renewable energy company, has been officially launched by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, with the promise of a major contribution to Ireland’s requirements for displacing fossil fuels with clean and sustainable sources of energy. “W
13/09/2007
Salto Systems has installed a bespoke electronic access control package into Ireland's newest five-star hotel "the g" in Galway, the flagship property of the Monogram Hotel Group. A total of 130 smart chip controlled offline locks in a stainless steel finish have been fitted to the hotel’s luxury s
12/09/2007
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in Ireland is hosting the island’s first ever Marketing Week in October at a variety of venues. Spread over an eight-day period from 9-17 October, Marketing Week will involve the delivery of around 20 professional events in five regional locations that wi
12/09/2007
As part of its Fair Payment Campaign, the National Specialist Contractors’ Council (NSCC) has published a ‘toolkit’ specifically for Specialist Contractors. The NSCC Specialist Contractor’s Toolkit is divided into three key sections - Before You Start, While You’re There, and When You’ve Finished -
12/09/2007
SIAC organised a special presentation in SIAC Headquarters, Monastery Road, Clondalkin to honour the achievements of Kim Jordan, a recipient of the South Dublin Chamber’s Schools Business Partnership funding. Kim, a former student of Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Drimnagh is studying Architec
12/09/2007
One of Northern Ireland’s oldest family businesses is still leading the way in its field with a new invention that is set to revolutionise the global solar water heating industry. Belfast company Willis Heating & Plumbing Co Ltd, established by William Willis in 1887, is most famous for the inventi
12/09/2007
Since its launch in January, the direct marketing service 'Make My House My Home' has sent almost 12,000 packs of supplier’s product literature to self builders across Ireland. The pack goes directly to named individuals who have just received full planning permission to build a single dwelling. T
12/09/2007
Antrim Borough Council's Recycling Centre at Newpark, Antrim, has recently been the target of mindless acts of vandalism. Many of the recycling containers, including some of which are Charity owned, have been burnt and their contents destroyed. Michael Laverty, Environment Manager with Antrim Boro
12/09/2007
Rushfleet is one of the largest independent container depots in Ireland. Rushfleet specialise in the sale of new and used containers and operate as a container depot facility for some of the worlds largest shipping companies. The Rushfleet depot is located on the south side of Dublin Port, adjacent
12/09/2007
Aughrim, Co.Wicklow has been awarded the title of Ireland’s Tidiest Town 2007. Aughrim came close last year when they won the Tidiest Small Town category and were just one point behind the overall winner, Westport. The County Wicklow town was chosen from over 800 other competitors in this year’s Na
11/09/2007
An Irish-owned property company is set to develop one of Romania’s largest ever residential developments, outside of the capital Bucharest. The Irish investors, Dragoman Developments, have poured €56 million into the Alpine tourist destination, Brasov. It is understood a 9.6-hectare site has purch
11/09/2007
A report published today by John Dowdall CB, the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, highlights concerns over the transfer of surplus land to the private sector in four of the five Education PFI Pathfinder contracts. Although £23 million was generated from the transfers and a fur
11/09/2007
The Northern Ireland Exporters Association is being launched in Belfast today. The Association is being launched to strengthen links between Ireland and Northern Ireland so that all sectors - public and private - can work together at a pragmatic level to add value that will benefit exporters north
11/09/2007
Fusion Building Systems have expressed their delighted at taking part in the recent SmartLIFE Training event held at the SmartLIFE Training Centre, Cambridgeshire for two days on 5 and 6 June 2007. Fusion donated a ground floor unit of their factory insulated steel frame, complete with floor casset
11/09/2007
Plans to build a visitor’s centre at Northern Ireland’s top tourist attraction have been dropped, Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has revealed. Around £21 million of public money was to be used to rebuild the centre at the Giant’s Causeway, which had been burned down in April 2000. Environment Minist
11/09/2007
The 1000th customer has benefited from the government's renewable energy grant initiative, Reconnect. Energy Minister Nigel Dodds visited the McKenna family, at their home in Kircubbin, Co Down. The McKennas received two Reconnect grants to help install a wood-fuelled boiler and solar hot water pan
11/09/2007
Geoff Lister, the President of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), is the newest FMB member to join the employee benefits scheme, Template, having signed up his company Greenwood Estate & Property Management Ltd. Template is offered by B&CE Benefit Schemes to all FMB members as part of an ongo
11/09/2007
Engineers Ireland has welcomed the decision by the Department of Education and Science to introduce Maths tests in primary schools this year. Denis McGrath, Engineers Ireland Registrar, said today: "These tests should help prepare pupils for higher level Maths at second level. Maths is an essential
10/09/2007
Around 100 new jobs are to be created by a firm manufacturing environmentally-friendly wood pallets in County Cork. Eirebloc Ltd has announced it will be investing €16 million to develop a specialist facility to produce composite pallet blocks from recycled wood in Macroom. Enterprise Ireland have
10/09/2007
A privately funded proposal for a visitor’s centre at Northern Ireland’s top tourist attraction is to be backed by Environment Minister Arlene Foster. Ms Foster, in a statement, said she was "of a mind to approve" Seaport Investment's planning application for the visitors centre at the Giant’s Caus
10/09/2007
Regeneration work is due to begin today in Limerick to improve the city's most socially and economically deprived areas. Two agencies, established by the Department of the Environment, based in Moyross and Southill, will oversee the demolition and rebuilding of derelict homes in the area. The esta
10/09/2007
A public exhibition on a multi-million euro Draft Plan that will change the face of Cork, has been unveiled. The exhibition, which ran for a week at the Millennium Hall in City Hall, showcased a plan that will see the city’s riverside lands transformed over a 20-year period and is designed to give
10/09/2007
Corus the international steel company has expanded the growing Ireland business, with the opening of a new centre in Athlone. Corus, which is Ireland’s leading steel supplier, with three existing sites in Lisburn, Dublin and Cork, is making its unrivalled range of structural and strip steel product
10/09/2007
A marked decline in construction activity in August has been blamed on poor weather and lack of confidence as a result of mass construction job losses. The figures released from the Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), also shows the lowest reading for more than four years, re
10/09/2007
Fortress Doors, local door manufacturer, will be promoting their range of door solutions at this year’s Plan Expo, 8-10 November, RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin. With over 35 years in the industrial door market, Fortress Doors believe that Plan Expo 2007 is the ideal showcase for the company going forwar
07/09/2007
Imperative Energy Limited, a renewable energy company, has been officially launched by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, with the promise of a major contribution to Ireland’s requirements for displacing fossil fuels with clean and sustainable sources of energ
07/09/2007
Engineers Ireland, the representative body of the engineering profession on the island of Ireland, has welcomed the proposed Queen’s University Belfast initiative of offering students taking up courses in science, maths, technology and engineering an annual £1,000 bursary to encourage a greater upta
07/09/2007
Construction services company Siteserv has bought the utilities services provider Sierra Communications for €46 million. It is understood €4.6m will be payable in shares with additional amounts up to €6m payable based on Sierra’s performance over the next three years. Sierra operates four sites th
07/09/2007
There will be 230 events and properties open to the public this weekend as Northern Ireland’s part of European Heritage Open Days (EHOD). Last year, EHOD was enjoyed by over 40,000 visitors here in the annual two-day culture festival which again promises to delight and entertain across all ages and
07/09/2007
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is encouraging the public to visit its headquarters, MacNeice House on 8 September 2007 in a special event to mark European Heritage Open Days. This is the 10th anniversary of European Heritage Open Days which is a popular annual celebration of Europe’s built he
07/09/2007
Environment Minister Arlene Foster has opened Northern Ireland’s newest wood recycling plant in Newry. The Minister praised Urban Forest Ltd’s new facilities and the work that the company will do in re-using waste wood. She said: "What you are doing here is a fine example of both environmental and
07/09/2007
The first phase of a new residential development in the heart of Cork city has sold out before work on Phase 2 has even started, due in part to the quality of finish of the luxury homes. John F Supple Ltd, of Ardrostig, Bishopstown, has constructed the 49 one, two and three-bedroom apartments at El
07/09/2007
Genvex have announced details of their upgraded Combi HRV units – the COMBI 185EC. This new version uses a counter current heat exchanger with an Air-Air/Air-Water integral heat pump which can provide additional heat to the incoming fresh air and/or domestic hot water. The 185 litre cylinder comes
06/09/2007
Coalisland firm Western Building Systems has developed a new mobile park home and achieved export success following a £1.9 million investment supported by Invest Northern Ireland. Within six months of the investment, the company has secured export orders worth over £1.5 million for the new product
06/09/2007
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Newry & Mourne District Council, welcomed Environment Minister Arlene Foster to the councils ‘Albert Basin' site and afterwards to the new Tourism Facility, ‘Bagenals Castle’. The visit was a follow-on from a previous meeting a council delegation had held with the Mini
06/09/2007
Dungannon based refrigerator recycling company TechRec (NI) Ltd has seen a 50% increase in turnover in 12 months following its participation in an Invest Northern Ireland European cross border business initiative. TechRec (NI) has secured lucrative recycling contracts and is taking full advantage o
06/09/2007
The 2007 Wood & uPVC Machinery Exhibition is set to bring the whole wood processing industry in Ireland together at a stand-alone event for the very first time. The event, to be held at Simonscourt, RDS, Dublin from 10 – 13 October, will appeal to buyers from all levels of the industry including fu
06/09/2007
The Lifestyle Green Show 2007, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, will showcase all aspects of a greener lifestyle with everything from solar power to organic food, fashion to recycling and health to education, all under one roof. Sponsored by NIE Your Energy, The LifestyleGreen Show 2007,
06/09/2007
Invest Northern Ireland has revealed details of a £150,000 investment in a Coleraine business park. The investment at Invest NI’s Wattstown Industrial Estate has already improved the roads infrastructure, which in turn has freed up additional serviced sites that are now ready for new investment by
06/09/2007
Custom House is set to join some of Northern Ireland's most prized historical buildings in opening its doors to the public this weekend. The building, which was completed 150 years ago this year, will be taking part in the first day of European Heritage Open Day weekend on September 8, marking the
06/09/2007
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA has offered her support to a new Energy Efficiency Scheme being launched by Northern Ireland Electricity. The scheme offers 1,500 energy efficiency grants to provide free insulation and heating control measures to those on low incomes. The Minister
05/09/2007
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has welcomed the figures released from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) which clearly demonstrate the importance of construction to the Irish Economy and shows the continued moderate growth in employment in the construction sector. An increase of over 1
05/09/2007
Irish based company CRH, the international building materials group, announced today that it has acquired the remaining 55 per cent of Cementbouw BV not already owned by CRH. Following this buyout, CRH's investment in the business amounts to approximately €184 million. Cementbouw reported EBITDA o
05/09/2007
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan has announced the Greener Homes scheme has fulfilled its initial objectives, surpassed its targets ahead of schedule and fully committed its budget allocation. Since its inception 16,000 grants have been awarded. There has been
05/09/2007
Engineers Ireland has welcomed an increase in students specifying engineering courses as their first preference in 2007, compared to last year. Denis McGrath, Chartered Engineer and registrar of Engineers Ireland, said: "Engineers Ireland STEPS to Engineering Programme aims to raise awareness of en
05/09/2007
Northwood Technology has announced the appointments of Colm Ballantine as Field Sales Executive for the West of Ireland and Sylvia Kivlehan as Field Sales Executive for the North East and North West of Ireland. Colm and Sylvia have many years experience in the Security Industry and will be known to
05/09/2007
A £200,000 grants package to help community projects across Belfast has been unveiled. Belfast City Council has re-affirmed its commitment to driving economic regeneration in the city, through the Neighbourhood Economic Development Programme. The funding will be available - in the form of grants o
05/09/2007
A Ballyclare Estate Agent was fined £100 at Belfast and Newtownabbey Magistrates’ Court for an offence under the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991. In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Country Estates (NI) Ltd, with its registered
05/09/2007
A meeting of the newly established Practitioners' Forum is the latest in a long line of Council-led innovative initiatives aimed at driving Banbridge District’s economic growth forward. Made up of ten representatives working in the wider field of economic development, the main aim of the Practition
04/09/2007
A new survey has revealed that the number of people working in Ireland has increased by almost 4 per cent in the second quarter of this year. These figures, published by the Central Statistics Office’s (CSO) Quarterly National Household Survey also indicated that just over two million people were w
04/09/2007
Enterprise Ireland has announced that a number of its scaling client companies are on track to achieve €100 million sales by 2010. A further 19 Enterprise Ireland scaling client companies surpassed thresholds of €10m, €15m and €20m in global sales last year. Developing a cadre of large indigenous
04/09/2007
Ireland and UK based Lagan Construction has signed up to a major new initiative which aims to promote the health of people in the workplace as a top priority. BuildHealth aims to improve the awareness and management of health issues within the construction industry in Northern Ireland. The company
04/09/2007
Around 320 people will be affected by the sale of Irish precast concrete products company Readymix, it has been revealed. County Tyrone company Acheson and Glover, based in Fivemiletown announced the acquisition of part of the company for €49 million yesterday. Readymix has said it had a business
04/09/2007
One of the most photographed buildings of this summer was the new Killanin Stand at the Galway Racecourse, which was opened by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. The state of the art stand accommodates over 7000 people with seating for 700 on the first floor balcony. It incorporates almost 2000 m of Tegral Na
04/09/2007
Bathroom products manufacturer Qualceram Shires, has announced its interim financial results for the first six months of 2007. It has reported a drop in pre-tax profits until June of this year, as the housing slowdown has affected its Irish sales. Turnover for the period was €50.1 million down fro
04/09/2007
The Advisory Panel of Independent Experts appointed to help in the drive to improve the availability of affordable housing, have met for the first time. NI Assembly Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie chaired the meeting, which she described as "another important step towards addressi
04/09/2007
A plan to construct a Galway City park and ride facility for almost 700 cars has been rejected by An Bord Pleanála. Galway City Council had submitted the plans to build the facility on a three hectare site, to transport commuters in and out of the city on organised buses. However, An Bord Pleanál
03/09/2007
Newcourt-owned Ely Property has announced the acquisition of 45 apartments in Athlone. The investor in student flats has paid €21 million for the apartments, and has purchased another 75 flats in the €60 million Athlone Town Centre. Leading architects Murray O’Laoire and Associates have designed t
03/09/2007
Irish precast concrete products company Readymix, has sold part of its business to a construction materials manufacturer. It is understood Acheson and Glover bought it for €49 million in cash. Readymix has said it had a business turnover of €55.8 million and earnings before interest, tax, deprecia
03/09/2007
Irish property developer Sean Dunne has revealed he will spend €31 million on social initiatives as part of his planning application for the Jurys Ballsbridge and Berkeley Court hotel sites. The Mountbrook Homes boss lodged an application with Dublin City Council to build a 37-storey tower in the f
03/09/2007
Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has announced that public inquiries are to be held into the Randalstown to Castledawson dualling scheme. The decision comes after Roads Service published separate Statutory Orders and Environmental Statements for the Randalstown to Toome part of the scheme
03/09/2007
House prices have fallen by an average of around €9,000 since the beginning of the year, new figures have revealed. The house price index, compiled by the ESRI and Permanent TSB shows the three per cent increase, and also reveals prices fell by 0.4 per cent in July alone, following a 0.5 per cent d
03/09/2007
Irish buildings group Kingspan have announced pre-tax profits of €108.2 million for the first half of 2007, an increase of almost 30 per cent in the past year. The company’s earnings per share also grew 30 per cent to 52.7 cent and a 33 per cent higher interim dividend of eight per cent will be pai
03/09/2007
Designers are being asked to formulate ideas for Cork City’s waterfront in a ground breaking competition to encourage top-quality street furniture design. The competition, sponsored by Frinailla Developments, is the brainchild of the organisers of the first ever Design Week in Cork, planned for Nov
03/09/2007
Leading UK copper tube manufacturer Mueller Europe has its sights set on achieving even greater levels of performance. The business has committed to the Investors in Excellence (IiE) scheme, a rigorous programme designed to help organisations identify and deliver sustainable business performance im
