2011 ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil

Ireland’s biggest classical music festival, ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil, is set to showcase the talent of over 4,000 musicians from all over Ireland at the annual festival from 4th to 15th April. The competition now boasts over 190 individual classical music competitions including voice, piano, strings, wind, brass and orchestra.

Laura Gilsenan, CEO, Feis Ceoil, said “Since its foundation in 1896, the Feis Ceoil has set the standard for the performance of classical music. We are vey grateful to our sponsor ESB Electric Ireland for their support which enables us to continue this competition, which plays a vital preparatory part in the career development of aspiring professional musicians, as well as a significant role in musical education in Ireland.”

Brid Horan, Executive Director, ESB Electric Ireland said, “ESB has sponsored the Feis Ceoil since 2008. This year is particularly exciting for us as we are supporting the Feis under our new brand name, ESB Electric Ireland. We are very proud to support Ireland’s emerging and extraordinary talent in classical music, reflecting the energy and passion that is evident in the performances of all the participants”.

Some of the most outstanding competitors from the 2011 ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil will be showcased at a special Gala Concert in the Dublin Convention Centre on April 16th 2011. The concert will feature The Celtic Tenors, and will be attended by the Patron of Feis Ceoil Association, President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

For the performers, in addition to the prestige of winning at the ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil, successful competitors will also enjoy over €50,000 worth of prizes.

Ticket prices for the competition are €5 per day and open to everyone.

Former well known Feis Ceoil participants:

• John O’Conor, internationally renowned concert pianist,
• Siblings Finghin & Dearbhla Collins, both renowned pianists who perform worldwide,
• Acclaimed opera singers Virginia Kerr, Regina Nathan, and Cara O’Sullivan,
• Young up and coming pianist Sophie Cashell,
• Harpists Anne-Marie O’Farrell & Cormac de Barra,
• Celebrated Composer Conor Linehan,
• John McCormack, Ireland’s most famous and critically acclaimed Tenor,
• Author James Joyce, who won a Bronze Medal for Tenor Solo.

Other Competitors of Interest:

• Comedian Risteard Cooper who won the Baritone Solo competition in 1987,
• Broadcaster Liz Nolan of Lyric FM,
• Contemporary eclectic cellist Vyvienne Long.

Current competitors of interest:

• Quaid Family siblings who perform as individuals soloists and in an ensemble, winners of Family Ensemble 2010 – all of whom will be competing individually in 2011,
• Seán Óg Boylan, accomplished pianist and organist and the son of former Meath manager, Seán Boylan (both pictured above).

Competitions of ‘note’ at ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil 2011:
Tuesday 5th April, RDS Concert Hall, from 5.00pm
Category: Choral
ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil School Choir of the Year Finals

Thursday 7th April, RDS Concert Hall, 7.00pm
Category: Piano
Mabel Swainson Pianoforte Award

Friday 8th April, RDS Concert Hall, 7.30pm
Category: Vocal
Cuisine de France John McCormack €8,000 Vocal Bursary Finals

Tuesday 12th April, RDS Dodder Room B, 7.00pm
Category: Chamber Music
Chamber Music Cup

Wednesday 13th April, RDS Concert Hall, 7.00pm
Category: Woodwind
McCullough Cup & RTÉ lyric FM €1,500 Radio Award

Thursday 14th April, RDS Concert Hall, 12.00pm & 2.00pm
Category: Strings
Aileen Gore Cup (for recital by Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Concert Harp, Guitar)

Thursday 14th April, RDS Concert Hall, 7.00pm
Category: Piano
Morris Grant €2,500 Bursary

Friday 15th April, RDS Concert Hall, 7.00pm
Category: Vocal
Gervase Elwes Memorial Cup

Lyons Gold Blend: Ireland’s Top Storyteller

Today Lyons Gold Blend has started a search for Ireland’s Top Storyteller. There latest campaign teams up with comedian Karl Spain, author and actress Claudia Carroll and storyteller Clare Muireann Murphy in a search for Ireland’s Top Storyteller - essentially Ireland's top talker.

Bringing on their ongoing campaign around the ‘secret ingredient’ in Lyons Tea and the adding of ‘richer talk’ to the tea to give Lyons Gold Blend its richer, full bodied taste, the campaign will seek out those with the gift of the gab and ask them to tell a rich and original two minute tale for a chance to win €10,000.

To enter just visit the Lyons Tea website and upload your entry in an MP3 or video file, or call 1513 415 010 to record their richer tale over the phone*. The story can be fact or fiction, from everyday life, from a favourite childhood memory, to a folk tale or even modern take on a classic children's story.

The six entries with the most votes will attend the National Final in Dublin in April and the entry with the most votes per province following the closing date will also receive a special prize.

On the site you can also hear a two minute tale from each of the judges to give you some inspiration.

Speaking of the search for Ireland’s Top Storyteller, Liz Finlay, Marketing Manager, Lyons Tea said, “Irish people all love a good story over a cuppa. Our Gold Blend richer tasting tea celebrates the telling of rich and colourful stories by searching for the best of Irish storytellers. And we really hit the "teapot” with our judging panels, some of Ireland’s best storytellers, Karl Spain, Claudia Carroll and Clare Muireann Murphy. So if you have a great story, or just want to have a listen, we urge everybody to go online and vote.”

In addition, Lyons Gold Blend will be running week long radio promotions on Dublin’s Q102, Galway Bay FM, Limerick Live 95FM and Cork’s 96FM from today to find four finalists to compete alongside the other six at the national final.

Speaking about the storytelling competition, Claudia Carroll, said, “We've a long a proud tradition of storytelling in Ireland and I think it's brilliant that Lyons are keeping the flames burning. I'm so looking forward to this gig as I know only too well, with most of us, the problem is never getting us to tell our stories...it's getting us to shut up that's the hard part. So if you think you've got the gift of the gab...we want to hear from you!"

Sharing his thoughts on what makes a good story, comedian Karl Spain said, “Well I obviously think humour is one of the key things for a good story to keep the audience interested. It can be difficult to get the funnies in but it can be hard to listen to a story without them. But the most important thing is the story itself, a good tale well told. When people get together in Ireland whatever the occasion it’s always about the swapping of stories. Be it birthdays or even funerals…its all about the stories.”

"This is a great chance for anyone in the country to try out their storytelling skills. It's brilliant to see Lyons tea promoting this dynamic art form that is such an integral part of the Irish personality. I can't wait to see the stories that get sent in", said Clare Muireann Murphy, renowned Irish storyteller.

Ireland’s Top 10 storytellers will go to a national final in Dublin where they can talk themselves into winning a Golden Cup and €10,000. The finalists will be given a series of storytelling challenges to complete in front of the panel of judges to see who wins the title of Ireland’s Top Storyteller. Closing date for receipt of entries is at midnight on Monday 11th April 2011.

*Calls cost €0.60 per call including VAT. Calls from mobile and other networks vary. You have two minutes to record your story. SP Phonovation Ltd. Helpline 0818 217 100

Arthur Guinness Fund - 'My Good News, My Guinness'

The Arthur Guinness Fund has joined forces with Sile Seoige, Alan Brogan, Baz Ashmawy, Jamie Heaslip and Shane Horgan, to share the good news of the projects benefiting from the Arthur Guinness Fund. Each of them will follow the progress of a specific project, and report back on a variety of milestones and good news updates via video messages and personal updates on the Guinness Ireland Facebook.

Activities that have already benefited from the Arthur Guinness Fund include:
* Failte Isteach with a national office in Meath has grown from 22 to 33 English language centres in three months
* Speedpak based in Clonshaugh, has provided FETAC level 4 qualifications to 40 people
* Pieta House has opened two new support locations in Limerick and Ballyfermot in Dublin
* GIY Ireland has increased its GIY groups in towns around Ireland by 13 since June to a total of 82 groups
* Growing Locally has recruited their first fifteen people for a yearlong training programme - the programme is underway
* Camara has opened computer recycling centres in Belfast and Galway

Speaking today Jamie Heaslip, who will be reporting back on the achievements of Camara Education, an organisation that reuses computers for educational purposes in Africa, said, “The work these different projects do is so inspiring. It is amazing how one simple idea can benefit a whole generation. I am really looking forward to following the journey of my old PC through Camara’s online tracking system as it makes its way to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia in the coming months.”

Meanwhile, RTE presenter and DJ Baz Ashmawy added “I signed my name in support of the Arthur Guinness Fund to help raise €2.5 million, so I am delighted to have this opportunity to show just where that money is going. My chosen project, Failte Isteach, does fantastic work uniting Irish people with those from other cultures, with the common goal of teaching and learning English.”

Dublin Football captain, Alan Brogan will be providing regular updates on the work carried out by Speedpak. Based in Clonshaugh, this innovative company has developed a Workplace Accreditation scheme, which captures workplace learning and skills development and converts them into a recognised education qualification in the form of a full FETAC level 4.

Meanwhile Irish Rugby star, Shane Horgan will be getting in touch with his green fingers whilst working alongside GIY (Grow It Yourself), a network of online and community based groups from all over Ireland who are committed to encouraging more and more people to grow their own food. The groups meet regularly to share information learn from each other and exchange tips, ideas and produce.

Radio and TV presenter, Sile Seioge who is also lending her support to the Arthur Guinness Fund, will be sharing Anam Cara’s good news. Anam Cara offers help and comfort for bereaved parents and siblings, through their loss. Since receiving the funding, Anam Cara has set up a sibling support group enabling them to deliver a schedule of support presentations nationally for bereaved parents.

The Arthur Guinness Fund 2010 Awardees were:
* Anam Cara – bereavement support service focusing on the needs of parents and siblings
* Camara – re-using technology to tackle global waste and education in disadvantaged areas
* Growing Locally – training people on low incomes to grow their own produce and improve their diet and exercise
* Fáilte Isteach – supporting older people to make a difference especially within migrant communities
* Grow It Yourself – promoting and encouraging food growing skills and the sharing of knowledge
* Kanchi – driving best practice in the inclusion of people with disabilities within society
* Pieta House – service focused on suicide prevention and intervention in a supportive environment
* Rediscover Fashion – recycling textiles establishing a new generation of eco-conscious socially aware consumers
* Speedpak WAM – a social enterprise providing employment and up-skilling for the long term unemployed
* Suas – a Service Learning Programme for young Irish people to help them become the leaders of the future

The Arthur Guinness Fund Globally
The Arthur Guinness Fund, which was born out of Guinness’ 250th celebrations, is a recognisation of the original social entrepreneur of his day, Arthur Guinness. Since establishing the Arthur Guinness Fund in 2009, a total of €7.4m has been invested in the Fund. This figure includes the €2.5m allocated to the Arthur Guinness Fund in Ireland. Guinness has also invested in some remarkable projects in Africa, Indonesia, United States and the UK. Most recently, Guinness announced a global partnership with Ashoka to enable the deployment of the funds to new social entrepreneurial projects around the world.

Ballygowan 'Think Pink' Week

This week (14th – 20th February) is "Think Pink Week" in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and the Marie Keating Foundation, with thanks to Ballygwowan Pink. Throughout the week Ballygowan Pink are encouraging people to raise awareness and get behind this worthy cause by ‘Thinking Pink’ in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation.

Above, sporting stunning pink dresses courtesy of Covet (Powerscourt Centre, Dublin), models Sarah McGovern and Emily MacKeogh kicked off Think Pink Week. The girls, College students and office workers all over the country will be ‘Thinking Pink’ this week, by wearing a pink accessory or by sporting a pink outfit, to show their support and help raise funds for the Marie Keating Foundation.

For those of us who don't have any pink to wear Ballygowan Pink is encouraging us to ‘Think Pink’ by choosing the pink Ballygowan bottle which is now a permanent part of the Ballygowan range. So by simply choosing pink people can make a difference and help raise awareness for breast cancer.

Lillian McGovern, CEO, the Marie Keating Foundation said, “While breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women in Ireland, the good news is that survival rates are improving both overall and for all age groups. A large contributing factor to this is an increase in breast awareness and early detection so we are calling on people to ‘Think Pink’ and show their support this week.”

Working closely with the Marie Keating Foundation, Ballygowan continues to raise awareness of breast cancer and highlighting the importance of early detection. Ballygowan Pink has already raised over 200K for the Marie Keating Foundation and will continue to raise much needed awareness throughout the year.

Ballygowan was at the IFTAs on Saturday to generate awareness and support from the stars and they got some amazing video footage featuring Kim Cattrall, Pierce Brosnan plus lots lots more. Check it out, it's well worth a watch, with Kim singing at the end!!

Carphone Warehouse: I Just Called to Say I Love You

The nature of how people communicate has changed in the last twenty years in ways that no one could have predicted. So when it comes to a day like today, built around telling someone special exactly how you feel, there are now a multitude of public, private, digital and non-diital ways to do it. What may surprise you is that a poll conducted by The Carphone Warehouse has revealed that 53% of people use their mobile phone to say I love you on St. Valentine's Day.

The poll also revealed:

• Only 2% of people favour a traditional love letter to say “I love you”
• 20% of people have sent a saucy text to the wrong person
• 89% of people would not break up with someone via text or in an email
• Flowers are the most popular gift to buy online (36%) for a loved one on Valentine’s Day, with DVD’s and CD’s the next most popular online gifts
• The gift people most covet is the iPad, with the iPhone and other smartphones following closely behind

Taking the last point to heart (pardon the pun), Carphone Warehouse have announced that they will be offering a FREE selected Pre Pay phone to anyone that buys the Nokia C7 on O2 Bill pay.

Visit www.carphonewarehouse.ie for more information.