Galway Technology Centre invests €360,000 in facilities upgrade

Thu, Mar 26, 2015

Galway Technology Centre has announced the completion of the first phase of a €360K investment in its 50,000sq. ft. facility in the IDA Business Park in Mervue, Galway.

Helping hand need not be a secret

Thu, Mar 26, 2015

Q. One from left of field. I recently went to a career training company (not you, sorry!) and they did an excellent job at getting me ready for interview. The interview is on next week. I am thinking about making it clear to the interview panel that I had received professional training and support in preparation for the interview. My reasoning is to illustrate that I’m the kind of person who does what needs to be done to execute a project. What would your thoughts be? Should I ‘fess up or keep it secret? (DR email)

Clybaun Hotel acquired in multi-million deal

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Well-known entrepreneur and experienced investor Tom O’Gorman has checked-in to Galway’s vibrant hotel market with the purchase of the Clybaun Hotel in Knocknacarra, in a deal valued in excess of €3m. The Hotel Clybaun was offered for sale on the instructions of the joint receivers, Patrick Dillon and Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton.

Collins McNicholas Recruitment and HR Services Group picks up prestigious award

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Collins McNicholas has been named as one of Ireland’s ‘Best Managed’ companies in the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards Programme.

Female entrepreneurs encouraged to nominate themselves for national award

Thu, Mar 12, 2015

Professional services firm EY is calling on successful female entrepreneurs to nominate themselves for the 2015 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme. With less than two weeks to go until the deadline for nominations, the business awards programme hopes that Ireland’s high potential female entrepreneurs will put themselves forward for the accolade as the programme aims to profile role models in Irish business.

Galway’s jobs market in 2015

Thu, Mar 12, 2015

The jobs market so far this year is very, very positive according to Niall Toland of HAYS Recruitment. Indeed he says when figures are compared to this time last year, there is a massive 135 per cent increase in the number of interviews the company has arranged for potential candidates. And to back this up, there is a 150 per cent increase in the number of jobs which HAYS has filled as opposed to January and February last year.

Mr Toland says there are increases in the creation of jobs across the board but he nominates the life sciences sector as being particularly busy. “The pharmaceutical and medical device companies are constantly expanding and looking for engineers. People do not think this, but it has an impact on the construction industry also, these buildings require constant maintenance and refurbishment. And there can be new units being developed constantly.”

Antenna-like structures found on immune cells for first time by local scientists

Thu, Mar 12, 2015

A team of NUI Galway scientists have found that cells of the immune system have a previously undescribed ability. In a paper just published Journal of Cell Biology, the scientists describe the presence of primary cilia on immune cells. These antenna-like structures are found on almost all cell types in the body, but since the 1960s, it has been thought that they do not arise in blood cells.

On balance, saying ‘no’ was a good ruse

Thu, Mar 12, 2015

Q: The job was for a team leader. The interview was going grand until one fellow – the quiet one – piped up with ‘how much money have you in your bank account?’ I prevaricated and I procrastinated and I equivocated, and then I sighed and I smiled, and basically, in a nice, mannerly way, I told him it was none of his business.

Prospects for Galway builders and contractors to be outlined at briefing tonight

Thu, Mar 05, 2015

Builders and contractors throughout Galway will be given an update on the prospects for house building in Galway at a free briefing taking place in Galway on Thursday March 5. The event will also address the changes to public procurement for the construction sector and which will have massive implications for all those looking to win local public contracts such as schools, roads, social housing or water works.

Galway sees rise in planning applications and commencements in 2014 but growth in residential construction sector slows down

Thu, Mar 05, 2015

2014 saw Galway record an increase in planning applications of 3% and commencements of 45%, while nationally, the residential construction sector in Ireland experienced mixed fortunes as the rate of growth fell sharply in the last quarter of the year according to the latest edition of the National Housing Construction Index.

Galway tourism interests part of gathering to attract business tourism to the west

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Galway businesses were in Dublin this week to attend Fáilte Ireland’s Business Tourism Briefing and hear about plans for the business tourism sector for 2015 and beyond. Over 250 members from across Ireland’s business tourism sector were in attendance, representing conference venues, hotels, professional conference organisers, destination management companies, university conference offices and regional convention bureaux.

Credit Guarantee Scheme changes to help SMEs get loan finance

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

The Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD this week announced changes to the Credit Guarantee Scheme which will assist more small and medium sized enterprises (SME) to get loan finance.

The Credit Guarantee Scheme aims to help viable businesses which have been refused conventional bank credit facilities access a state-backed guarantee for 75 per of their loan.

Galway group takes the hassle out of organising exploration holidays

Thu, Feb 19, 2015

Do you dream of driving Route 66? Would you love to explore the Wild Atlantic Way? Or the Cotswolds? Don’t know where to start? A Galway company has solved an age-old problem for people organising walking, cycling or driving holidays.

Inspiring networking evening for designers and craft makers

Thu, Feb 19, 2015

The Local Enterprise Office, Galway brings together craft makers and other members of Galway’s craft and design community, at a special free networking session on February 26. Pop along to hear Bernadine Burke’s inspiring story about her business ‘Friends and Family Trees’.

Referee call must be good for you

Thu, Feb 19, 2015

Grand designs on work slot
Q. I’m a graphic designer and have been called to interview. Should I bring my portfolio of work with me even though I haven’t been asked to? (LT, email).

Q. I’m a graphic designer and have been called to interview. Should I bring my portfolio of work with me even though I haven’t been asked to? (LT, email).

Working from home Galwaywoman wins her fifth all expenses trip with Captain Tortue group

Thu, Feb 19, 2015

Aix en Provence, Marrakesh, St Tropez and now Barcelona are all exotic destinations of breaks won by Galway mother of two Valerie Totman on a luxury rewards programme run by the Captain Tortue Group direct selling company, not to mention numerous UK destinations such as Windsor, London, and Stratford Upon Avon.

iConnect acquires Screenway with the creation of 20 jobs

Thu, Feb 12, 2015

iConnect, Ireland’s Apple approved premium reseller has announced that it has acquired Galway company Screenway to roll out its Education arm in Ireland. The deal will see iConnect retain ten employees and create twenty new full-time Education Specialists positions expanding out of Galway and operating nationwide.

Gort-based Topform are named finalists in SFA Awards

Thu, Feb 12, 2015

Topform, the Gort-based makers of creative work surface solutions, has been named as a finalist in the year’s Small Firms Association Awards in the Manufacturing Category, sponsored by competitive energy provider Energia.

The announcement was made at the SFA Awards Showcase in Dublin Castle last week. The awards will be presented by awards patron, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, to all category winners and the overall winner at a Gala Event in March 2015.

NUI Galway global alumni network goes live

Thu, Feb 05, 2015

NUI Galway has over 90,000 graduates around the world, and at a recent NUI Galway event, RTE’s Sean O’Rourke, NUI Galway Alumni Association Chair launched a new departure through the means of an innovative social media platform for the University’s graduates to connect. The new Alumni Network is an exciting new way for graduates to connect with NUI Galway's global network and with each other, and it can be found at www.nuigalway.ie/network

Nolan demands Galway be considered in Aer Lingus decision

Thu, Feb 05, 2015

Any potential sale of Aer Lingus must take into consideration the impact on Galway and the economy of the entire western region.

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