Arthur Guinness Fund: Camara And Jamie Heaslip

Last week Camara made their 50th container shipment of computers to disadvantaged communities through the on-going support of The Arthur Guinness Fund.

Irish Rugby player Jamie Heaslip, who is an ambassador of the Arthur Guinness Fund, took time out of his busy schedule to lead a team of 8 people to help pack the 40ft container containing over 500 computers, including one of his own, for travel to Ethiopia.

Camara, one of the beneficiaries of the Arthur Guinness Fund, is dedicated to using technology to deliver education more effectively to disadvantaged communities in Ireland and Africa. The organisation takes in used computers from Irish companies and individuals and has a team of dedicated volunteers who prepare the computers to ensure they are in optimal condition for re-use. This rigorous process involves wiping each hard drive of data (in line with US Department of Defence standards), refurbishing and loading each computer with educational software, and finally setting them up as Learning Centres in Ireland and African communities.

Speaking about his involvement, Jamie Heaslip said “I am really proud to be an Ambassador for the Arthur Guinness Fund and to be able to support organisations such as Camara. I have donated an old computer of mine to include in this container and I am looking forward to tracking its journey and seeing the difference it will make when it is reused for education in a disadvantaged community. It has taken us over 2 hours and a lot of manpower to pack these computers today, but I had a strong team behind me and we had great fun doing it! Our container will leave in the morning and begin a 6 week journey to Ethiopia, where the computers will play a huge part in making a difference to the lives and education of local people. I look forward to sharing its progress on the Guinness Ireland Facebook page.”

Also speaking today John Fitzsimons, General Manager, Camara said “We are delighted to have the support of the Arthur Guinness Fund and their ambassador Jamie Heaslip. As a result of thousands of people just like Jamie, who have donated their computers to us, we are now in a position where we can begin to see the positive impact in disadvantages communities by providing working computers, software and training for educational purposes to thousands of people”.

Since receiving funding from the Arthur Guinness Fund, Camara has opened computer recycling centres in Belfast and Galway. Camara has to date received a total of 30,000 computers from Irish individuals and companies, including a donation of computers to the value of €70,000 from Diageo.

To follow the journey of Jamie’s computer as it travels from Ireland to Ethiopia and for other good news from the Arthur Guinness Fund log onto the Guinness Ireland Facebook Page.

New Liverpool 2011/12 Away Kit

On Saturday, Liverpool Football Club Football Club and adidas unveiled their new away shirt for the 2011/12 football season. The new adidas Liverpool away kit, which will go on sale on the 12th May and will be available in Lifestyle Sports Stores nationwide, takes its design inspiration from metallic elements. Solid grey in colour, the shirt is finished with metallic silver detailing on the iconic adidas 3 stripes across the shoulders, both sponsors logo’s and the laser cut woven crest.

Also new for 2011/12 season the kit includes a revolutionary sock design which features anatomically placed cushioning and an achilles protector.

On the field, the players’ kits will incorporate adidas’ cutting edge TechFit technology, to help improve speed, increased endurance capabilities and enhance awareness. This works by stabilising and focusing the muscles’ energy to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output.

The shirts also feature adidas ClimaCool technology, a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin in the key heat zones.

Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange: Buenos Aires To Belfast

Smirnoff have announced the next step in their Nightlife Exchange Project. Carrying on from their last event, which saw the Wright Venue turned into an Argentinian party night, Smirnoff have decided to bring the flavour of Buenos Aires to Northern Ireland. The event will take place at Kellys Portrush on Saturday, 14th May 2011.

Resident DJ at Kellys Portrush, Col Hamilton, who will play alongside David De Valera on 14th May, said: “The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange continues to break new ground in nightlife experiences. As Northern Ireland’s biggest nightclub we are pleased to host the latest phase of the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project. Our customers can expect the very best of Kellys and Lush! club culture mixed with Argentinean nightlife. I will be delivering the finest UK and European dance music that Lush! fans have got to know and love and the headline act, David De Valera, who played in Buenos Aires last year will bring some Argentinean dance sounds to Lush! It’s going to go down in Kellys Portush history as a legendary night – it’s a must BE THERE event.”

As well as a fusion of great Argentinean and European dance music, the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange project will also bring the many vibrant sights and tastes of Argentinean nightlife to Kellys Portrush. Visitors to the nightclub can expect delicious drinks including an Argentinean take on the signature Smirnoff® Mule, the best food from South America and Argentinean inspired theatrical acts including tango dancers and Paka the fire breathing horse.

Carol McHugh, Smirnoff Brand Manager, Ireland said: “I’m delighted that the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange is going on tour for the first time. Last November more than 18,000 people from six continents across 10 time zones swapped nights. This May, the best of Argentina will come alive in Kellys Portrush for what will be a one of a kind nightlife experience.”

Tickets for the event cost £7 and can be purchased at www.kellysportrush.com. Visit www.facebook.com/smirnoffireland for further information on the Nightlife Exchange Project and for the chance to win tickets to the event at Kellys Portush in May as well as other Smirnoff goodies.

blablabLAB - Be Your Own Souvenir!

This is a very cool piece of gorilla marketing produced by BlablabLAB earlier this year in Barcelona using open Kinect in a pretty brilliant way. Basically by utilising open Kinect's motion and inferred track functionality coupled with a 3D copier they were able to create a really engaging installation.

The aim was to connect street users with arts & science, linking them to their under-laying spaces and their own realities through a technological ritual where the audience is released from established roles in a perspective exchange: spectator-performer, artist-tourist, observer-object. The user becomes the producer as well as the consumer through a system that invites him/her to perform as a human statue, with a free personal souvenir as a reward.

Irish Consumer's Digital Behaviour

A nice infographic video from the chaps at Cybercom:

Saba To Go - Real Thai Food

As anyone who knows me would probably tell you, I'm a huge fan of Asian cooking especially Thai food. I cook a lot of wok dishes and curries, usually leaning towards the pretty spicy as more than one guest has found out. It was a no brainer then when I was invited by the guys at Saba to visit Saba To Go for a personal cookery lesson that I jumped at the chance. So last Tuesday evening saw me standing in the Saba To Go kitchen with Saba Executive Chef is Tweesak Trakoolwattana (known as Tao) wearing an apron and preparing to learn about my favourite food from a native and professional (Tao was born and trained in Bangkok).

Tao began by bringing me through the different ingredients that are key to good Thai food. Perhaps unsurprisingly at the core of this was fresh vegetables and the best cuts of meat. Saba To Go use nothing but the freshest vegetables and ingredients, prepared each day. Tao stressed that it was beyond important to use nothing but freshly prepared ingredients. From here he took me through the different types of Thai Curry Pastes and ways in which different Soy Sauces, Fish Sauce and Oyster Sauce are used.

So with prep all covered and a good understanding of the basics, it was now time to cook. The three dishes I would be cooking were Chicken Thai Green Curry, Beef Phad Nam Prik Pao and Prawn Phad Prik Sod. Of course as I prefer the spicy each of these was going to have a little extra chilli.


Chicken Thai Green Curry
1. Add oil to the wok and turn up the heat (it needs to be hot!).
2. Put a large tablespoon of Green Curry Paste in the oil and sauté until fragrant, then reduce the heat and gradually add 1 cup of thick Coconut Milk and a 1/4 cup of water.
3. Add the chicken and Kaffir Lime Leaves, continue cooking for 3 minutes until the chicken is almost cooked through. Season with 1/2 tablespoon Palm Sugar and 2 tablespoons Fish Sauce.
4. Add the vegetables (Aubergine, Chillies, Peppers, Bamboo Shoots, Green Beans and Onions) and cook for a further 2-3 minutes (you want the vegetables to still have a crunch).
5. Finally add Sweet Basil Leaves and turn off the heat.
6. Serve with Jasmine Rice.


Beef Phad Nam Prik Pao
1. Add oil, a large tablespoon of Chopped Garlic and a large tablespoon of Chopped Chillies to the wok and turn up the heat to high.
2. Put a large tablespoon of Red Chilli Paste in the oil and sauté until fragrant, then reduce the heat slightly.
3. Add the beef and continue cooking for 3 minutes (the beef can be cooked to your liking - rare to well).
4. Season with 2 tablespoons Fish Sauce, 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce and 1/2 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce.
5. Add the vegetables (Chillies, Mushrooms, Peppers, Baby Sweetcorn and Spring Onions) and cook for a further 2 minutes (again, you want the vegetables to still have a crunch).
6. Serve with Jasmine rice.


Prawn Phad Prik Sod
1. Add oil and a large tablespoon of Chopped Garlic to the wok and turn up the heat to high.
2. Add the prawns and continue cooking for 2 minutes.
3. Season with 2 tablespoons Fish Sauce, 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce and 1/2 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce.
4. Add the vegetables (Chillies, Woodear Mushrooms, Peppers and Onions) and cook for a further 2 minutes.
5. Finally add Sweet Basil Leaves and turn off the heat.
6. Serve with Jasmine rice.


Not only were each of these dishes easy to make but they were unbelievably tasty. I highly recommend trying them out yourself, and if you aren't eager to try out the cooking yourself then get on the phone to Saba To go and order some in. You won't be disappointed.

For more information on the cookery lessons that Tao does you can contact Fabulous Food Trails whom run the courses on Saba's behalf. Either call them on 01-4971245 or email info@fabfoodtrails.com. The lessons are run both for individuals and groups, and can be done onsite or in your own home.

My biggest thanks go out to Alan Cadden, Saba To Go's Owner, and Tao for the opportunity to do all of this. Much appreciated :)

Champion To Offer Facebook Deals

Well it looks like it's quite the day for Facebook Deals in Ireland. Just an hour ago I posted about Meteor's Facebook Deals and now I have a second bit of Deals news.

This afternoon Champion (Sport) announced that it is participating in Facebook Deals from today. Champion will be offering people special discounts when they check in to Champion stores across Ireland using Facebook Places.

To celebrate the launch of this new initiative by Champion, they will be offering the first 500 people to check into a Champion store through Facebook Places a top class football.

There are 23 Champion Sports stores around the country where people can check in and full details of the Facebook Deal are available on the Champion Facebook Page.

“Facebook is a great way for us to have conversations with our customers,” said Emily Barry of Champion. “So we are delighted to be participating in the launch of Facebook Deals, as it’s another opportunity for us to engage with our customers and give something back to them”

Meteor's Facebook Deals Offering

[Press Release]

Dublin, Ireland – 30th March 2011

Meteor today announced it’s participation in Facebook Deals, a new feature offering people special discounts when they check in using Facebook Places on their mobile in Ireland. To celebrate Meteor’s involvement in this new offering , Meteor will offer €5 free phone credit to the first 250 customers who check in at one of its 43 stores nationwide. The offer goes live this Friday, 1st of April.

Facebook Deals works by harnessing the power of your mobile phone by finding nearby deals using Facebook Places. This gives people another chance to get more value from businesses they visit or are near to.

Meteor’s, Dee Currid, marketing communications manager said, “Meteor, your social network, has always embraced online and we are lucky to have a fantastic community of Meteor customers on our Facebook page. Having just reached the 40,000 active Facebook fan mark in Ireland, we are glad to be able to give something back to our loyal community and hope that as many people as possible will avail of Meteor’s ongoing special deals. As always, it is important for Meteor to continue providing the best blend of technology and value for our customers.“

Meteor has enjoyed much success on Facebook and was one of the first companies in Ireland to launch an online shop as well as offering its customers the chance to top up on the social networking site. In 2010 Meteor was also awarded the Irish web award for the category of “Best Facebook page” for a business in Ireland.

Meteor now has over 40,255 fans on Facebook www.facebook.com/meteor since it’s launch last April.

2011 ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil Launch

Today saw the launch of the 2011 ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil. On hand were eleven year-old twins Emily Jane and Isabel Doyle who will be competing in the piano and violin categories of the Festival and seven year-old Edward Brown who plays the piano and is the youngest competitor.

Ireland’s biggest classical music festival will be taking place in the RDS from the 4th to 15th April with day tickets costing just €5.

Over 4,000 musicians from all over Ireland are set to perform in the competition, which now boasts over 185 individual classical music competitions including voice, piano, strings, wind, brass and orchestra. 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.

Laura Gilsenan, CEO, Feis Ceoil, said “We are delighted to be launching the programme for this year’s ESB Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil, and that some of our young competitors could be here to celebrate with us. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors ESB Electric Ireland and thanks to their support, the competition continues to grow with a very high standard of classical music performance.”

Brid Horan, Executive Director, ESB Electric Ireland said, “ESB Electric Ireland is proud to support the Feis Ceoil, Ireland’s biggest classical music festival, which plays a vital role in the development of young musicians in Ireland. From next week the RDS will be home to some of Ireland’s most talented young classical musicians. We wish them every success in their competitions and their ongoing musical pursuits.”

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.

Galaxy Ace ‘Slowdance’

This is the latest video from The Viral Factory for Samsung. The brief was to delivery a contemporary and trendy video for Samsung's latest model. This phone in question, the Galaxy Ace, is the latest smartphone powered by Android which is aimed at being one of the most competitive mid-range smartphones in the business today.

Personally I think it's a cool video and definitely an interesting way of showing off the phone's features in an unusual and compelling way.


Video Details
Agency: The Viral Factory
Creative: The Viral Factory
Production Company: The Viral Factory
Spanish Production Co: Icon International
Director: Jake Lunt with The Viral Factory
Producer: Jon Stopp
Spanish Producer: Nick Bolger
Editor: Owen Oppenheimer / The Viral Factory
Edit House: The Quarry London
Grade: Ricky Gausis
Online: Frasier Celland
Post Production: MPC London
Audio Design & Mix: Tristin Norwell

adidas is all in

Last Monday adidas launched their latest campaign, 'all adidas'. The campaign represents the first time in the brand’s history that a campaign has leveraged the three divisions that make up the brand – Sport Performance, adidas Originals and Sport Style, in a single commercial that shows the unique breadth and depth of the brand.

The campaign focuses on the adidas brand ambassadors, including football stars Lionel Messi and David Beckham, NBA star Derrick Rose, pop icon Katy Perry and the adidas skateboarding team, in their own surroundings doing what they love to do most. The main aim here is to showcase the brand’s distinctive presence across and into different sports, cultures and lifestyles, fusing the worlds of sport, music and fashion.

To celebrate the launch of the new campaign, adidas have had Irish International Rugby star Cian Healy produce a series of artwork depicting the Game Face theme of the campaign. Game Face is the visceral culmination of all that goes into the game, from the preparation, to the glory goal (or defeat), and features Cian's fellow international rugby stars Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Johnny Sexton and Ronan O’Gara. The artwork will be auctioned off for selected charities.

The commercial is supported with a brand new soundtrack from Justice called Civilization (official release date 4th April 2011). Directed by Romain Gavras, famous for directing Justice and M.I.A, the campaign is built around a 30 and 60-second version of the commercial for TV and Cinema as well as an extended 2-minute version for Online.

The campaign will also have a social media side through Facebook and twitter, where adidas are posting daily, in-depth exclusive content from the various parts of the brand – from new product releases to competitions for Katy Perry tickets and much more.

“In the past ten years we have successfully extended the adidas brand into three powerful sub-brands with adidas Sport Performance, adidas Originals and adidas Sport Style. Now we are proud to be able to show the breadth and depth of the adidas brand in one global brand campaign,” explains Erich Stamminger, member of the Executive Board responsible for Global Brands.

"’all adidas’ is the biggest campaign we have ever executed. Its creative concept brings together the diversity of the brand under one strong roof. From the court to the catwalk, the stadium to the street, we are giving an authentic statement with credibility only adidas has.”

Montreal-based agency Sid Lee created and produced the global campaign. Sid Lee was hired as the global advertising agency for lifestyle label adidas Originals at the start of 2008 and developed the global campaigns for Originals in 2009 and 2010 including ‘House Party’. In 2010, Sid Lee was announced as the global lead-agency for the entire adidas brand.

The “all adidas” campaign takes place throughout 2011 in a mix of environments from sport to music, lifestyle to fashion with different elements rolling out over the year. The ad will air on RTE 1, RTE 2, TV3, 3e, Universal, MTV, E!, E4, E4+1, Sky Sports 1 & 2, Sky Living, Sky Atlantic and Sky 1 through to 10th April. The ad will also feature in Cinema from 25th March to 28th April.

Lyons Tea - Fans Vote On Favourite Ending

Lyons has been putting the talk into tea very successfully for some time now but the next TV ad is being handed over to the fans. Never-before seen endings to the current Gold Blend TV ad are now available to view on the Lyons Tea Facebook page and fans are being asked to vote for their favourite clip in a bid to help Lyons Tea decide which ad to air next on television.

The current Gold Blend TV ad opens on the magical Lyons tea factory where the Master Blender and his young apprentice ponder the richer taste and richer stories of Lyons Gold Blend. The current ad then ends with Dad, Mum and their 3 year old boy sitting on the couch and Dad is recounting the age-old fairytale ‘there was an old woman who lived in a shoe’ to his son. However in true Irish style, Dad throws in a few exaggerations and a bit of colour for good measure.

However, this was just one of four potential endings for the Lyons Gold Blend ad. Storytelling is at the heart of each alternate version but we hear the story of Goldilocks in one, while the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs takes on some interesting twists and turns in the other versions. However it is always Dad recounting the tales in a rather exaggerated fashion so that the joke is always on Mum.

Lyons is calling on its Facebook fans to vote for their favourite ending to help them decide which ad to air next. Whichever ending is voted the favourite by Lyons Tea fans, the overarching message will remain unchanged, revealing that a richer talk’ added to the tea is what gives Lyons Gold Blend its richer, full bodied taste.

‘Animated’ - Irish Animation at Kildare Village for St Patrick’s Weekend

Kildare Village in association with Cartoon Saloon is creating a free family cinema experience to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Guests will walk the green carpet into a cosy family screening area with rugs, cushions and complimentary popcorn before enjoying a feast of short animated films including the award winning animation, The Secret of Kells. To coincide with the screenings, Kildare Village will be hosting workshops for 9 to 12 year olds. During “An Introduction to Animation”, children will create their own animation character and storyboard and bring it to life in a cartoon flick-book. The ‘group’ animation will be available for viewing on YouTube following the workshop.

The Secret of Kells is Cartoon Saloon’s first feature film and was directed by Tomm Moore. Nominated for an Academy Award ® for “Best Animated Feature”, the film has screened and won awards in major festivals worldwide. This vibrant animation is a spirited retelling of the provenance of Ireland’s most cherished artefact, the Book of Kells. With the Viking hordes approaching, the monks of Kells are forced to turn their attention from transcribing manuscripts to building barricades. The future of the precious book is in jeopardy and it falls to Brendan, young nephew of the abbot Cellach, to save the day.

Festivities in Kildare Village begin on St. Patrick’s Day itself, Thursday 17th March with a host of short animated films from Cartoon saloon shown hourly between 11am and 4pm. The Secret of Kells, a bewitching animated fairytale, will have a green carpet screening daily at 2.30pm while workshops will take place from 11am until 1pm daily from Friday 18th until Sunday 20th March. Celebrations will continue all weekend with workshops and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

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.

Kildare Village & The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival 2011

Kildare Village will play a key role this year in the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival, which is taking place from today, Thursday (3rd February), until Sunday next (13th February). Events are a fascinating mix of Chinese culture and heritage, and Kildare Village will be marking the start of the Year of the Rabbit in spectacular style with Chinese arts and entertainment from a host of home-grown artists.

The festivities at Kildare Village will take place next weekend (12th - 13th February) with a number of traditional and contemporary entertainment acts such as vibrant and energetic Lion and Dragon Dance displays and traditional Chinese kite-making classes for the whole family to enjoy. Se sure to don your finest red fashion pieces and head to Kildare Village for a great time.

To help you celebrate the weekend anyone visiting Kildare Village will have the chance to win one of the thousands of prizes by simply picking up a fortune cookie. Ranging from Kildare Village VIP cards to gift vouchers and much more, this is just another reason to pop down to Kildare.

Maria McGovern, Marketing and Retail Director of Kildare Village said, ‘Kildare Village is delighted to be involved with the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival again this year. It’s an opportunity for our customers to celebrate experience and engage in Chinese culture, while also being a great family day out. Supporting the Dublin Chinese New Year allows us to further extend our offering as a cultural and shopping destination for shoppers and tourists alike and we look forward to welcoming new visitors to Kildare Village.’

Declan Hayden, Dublin Chinese New Year Festival Director, at Dublin City Council agrees that the collaboration has again been a success, “We at the Chinese New Year festival are delighted to be working with Kildare Village again this year and hosting a weekend of Chinese festivities. Kildare Village is a popular shopping destination among the Chinese community in Ireland and we are proud to partner with them on such a unique cultural event”.

Lyons Gold Blend 'Rich Talk'

Anyone reading my blog should remember the two previous Lyons Tea campaigns that I've written about. Well I'm delighted to say that the latest in the series of Master Teablender ads is right on the ball, and continues this great campaign.

The latest advertising campaign reveals that a ‘richer talk’ added to the tea is what gives Lyons Gold Blend its richer, full bodied taste. The new campaign launched on television screens this week bringing to life those richer, more colourful conversations, where what begins as a casual chat, delivers more than expected.

The campaign has been developed by Rothco with this 30 second instalment directed by JJ Keith, produced by H2 Films and post-produced by Windmill Lane Studios. The campaign also comprises of one radio execution, and outdoor advertising on 48-sheet and 6-sheets, which will roll out next Monday (31st January 2011).

Speaking of the new advertising campaign, Liz Finlay, Marketing Manager, Lyons Tea said, “Irish people come from a long line of storytellers, poets and authors – talking is one of the things we do best. Lyons Tea is all about talk and the fuller flavour of our Gold Blend enhances this talk, making it richer, more colourful and leading to the slightly exaggerated tales we all know and love. We’re delighted with our new TV advertisement and we’ll be supporting the new campaign with some really exciting BTL and PR activity over the coming months.”

Ad Outline
The TV advertisement opens on the magical Lyons tea factory and the Master Blender and his young apprentice. The apprentice quizzes the Master Blender on why Lyons Gold Blend is so special, who replies, “It’s richer. Richer taste.” We see the rows of different boxes each with a different type of Gold Blend talk and the Master Blender continues, “So we put in richer talk… which leads to…. Richer STORIES.” The two then enter the Blending Room where we see the Master Blender adding the richer talk to the tea, creating Lyons Gold Blend.


The ad then cuts to a family home with Dad, Mum and their 3 year old boy sitting on the couch. Mum and Dad are enjoying a cup of Lyons Gold Blend and Dad is recounting the age-old fairytale ‘there was an old woman who lived in a shoe’ to his son. Dad begins the tale, takes a sip of his Lyons Gold Blend and then continues with a somewhat embellished version of the story, “which if her taste was anything like your mother’s...it wouldn’t have been cheap….still at least she only had one shoe…not 50 pairs. The voiceover then reveals ‘A richer taste for richer talk’.

Visit the Lyons Tea Facebook page for more Lyons info, or check out the ad here...

About Lyons Tea

• Lyons Tea employs expert master blenders and tasters to select the best blends and combination of some of the finest teas from Kenya, Assam from India and Ceylon from Sri Lanka to produce the highest quality tea. Lyons Tea is available from leading supermarkets and retailers nationwide.
• Lyons is Ireland’s number one tea brand with 42.8% market share***; Lyons is an iconic Irish brand with more than 100 years of tradition in Ireland, having started business in Dublin in 1902 near Christ Church Cathedral. It is now owned by Unilever Ireland.
• Lyons Tea is Ireland’s favourite tea. The Lyons Tea range includes Lyons Gold Blend, Lyons Original Blend, Lyons Gold Blend Reserve, Lyons Kenya Blend, and Lyons Decaffeinated Tea. Lyons Green Tea is available in original, with Lemon and with Mint. For further information on Lyons Tea visit www.lyonstea.ie
• Lyons tea is currently working with the Rainforest Alliance - independent experts in sustainability and by 2012 all our tea will only come from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms.
• For more information visit www.lyonstea.ie

Maltesers The Great Indoors

Maltesers have just launched a new campaign - celebrate the great indoors. Through a multi-channel startegy Maltesers want to help their fans through the January blues by staying in and enjoying everything the great indoors has to offer. The campaign has hundreds of 'Great Indoors' packs to be won.

To be in with a chance of winning the prizes enter either by texting MALTESERS to 51500, through the Maltesers Facebook Page or by tuning in to the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM every morning from Monday 24th until Friday 28th January.

The prizes include a fantastic Rock Band Starter Kit including game, guitar, drum kit and mic (Rock band starter kit prizes available online only) or “Great Indoors” packs. The packs are a one stop kit for your perfect night in including a blanket, slippers, a DVD and, of course, some Maltesers.

Of course it's not just a matter of staying in, sometimes you need a reason to avoid having to go out. For that Maltesers have even created an “excuse generator” right on their Facebook Page, to help you come up with hilarious reasons why you must stay in!

ESB Meter Reading App

The ESB have just launched a meter reading app for both iPhone and Android. The free app, which is available from today, is the first energy provider app for both iPhone and Android Smartphones and the first app developed by an Irish utility for electricity meter reading submissions.

The app allows customers to submit their electricity meter reading using their phone, effectively making estimated bills a thing of the past and giving them more control over their bills. The app is also capable of managing multiple properties and provides a Useful Contacts section with all the ESB emergency contact numbers at their fingertips.

I for one absolutely love to see utilities embracing technology in this, but also doing so in a way that is genuinely beneficial to their customers. I can think of so many times, especially living in apartments, that your meter reading gets estimated and you wind up hitting a huge bill the following month. I can't imagine any ESB customers who own an iPhone or Android and not downloading this! Get to it...

Haiti: One Year On

It's hard to imagine that the devastation suffered by Haiti was over a year ago. Of course I say 'was' over a year ago but the truth is that the last year has been anything but trouble free as the country tries to rebuild itself. A good friend of mine works for Concern and spoke to me recently about what they're doing in Haiti. From a digital perspective I thought it was really interesting that it’s the first time that an Irish International charity has done anything of note on Facebook so I thought it might be of interest to you folk.

To mark the anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti Concern ran an awareness campaign within Facebook. Concern are the first Irish charity to harness a Facebook homepage takeover, which is driving to a custom tab on their profile. The tab acts as the landing page for visitors that have not previously ‘liked’ Concern and outlines the key areas that Concern and ECHO have been working on. In addition, within the tab they have embedded a campaign specific video that is streamed from their YouTube channel, an interactive Google map that details what has been achieved in each location Concern is working in and twitter feeds from @Concern and staff that are in the field at the moment.

You may also like to take a look at this post from The Boston Globe. The images are absolutely incredible.

This is the Concern 'Haiti One Year On' video:

UpStart – Promoting The Importance of Creativity in Ireland

So what is all this about?

UpStart is a non-profit arts collective which aims to put creativity at the centre of public consciousness during the Irish General Election Campaign in 2011. The whole initiative is about reinterpreting the spaces commonly used for displaying election campaign posters in Dublin City. The objectives of UpStart is to encourage a debate on the role of the arts in this state. To do this they're asking artists to submit work for placement around the city to highlight the importance of creativity and ingenuity when society is in need of direction and solutions, and to emphasise the value of the arts to public life.

Submissions for the project are being sought from the full range of artistic disciplines and the hope is that over 500 submissions will be received from writers and visual artists, photographers, painters and graphic designers. These works will be duplicated and 1,000 pieces will be printed as election size posters and erected throughout Dublin city. They are also accepting works from musicians and film makers which will be hosted and exhibited through their website which will be launched on the day of the electoral poster campaign.

They believe that the future development of the country requires a healthy cultivation of the Arts and want all creative types to get involved with the project to spread the word as much as possible. To do this they made the above animated video to explain what they’re all about. As you'll have already noticed, Stephen Rea kindly did the voice over for them.

UpStart comprises artists and writers from Ireland and abroad and are non-aligned to any political party.

So why not favourite the video, share it to your blog or Facebook page, and remember to mention UpStart to other folk.