Latest news with #CorkPersonoftheMonth
Irish Examiner
29-05-2025
- Science
- Irish Examiner
West Cork students take first and second place at Young Engineers Award 2025
A group of enterprising young West Cork students have won a prestigious engineering award for their potentially lifesaving water safety device. The six young scientists, all of whom are in third class at Barryroe National School, won the Engineers Ireland STEPS Young Engineers Award for 2025 for their invention — an innovative Water Safety Wristband. The group, who named themselves 'The Burger Bites', designed a special wristband containing two chambers — one is a compressed air cannister, the other an inflatable balloon. When a small lever between the two compartments is pulled, the balloon chamber rapidly inflates into the shape of a cushion or lifebuoy, helping the wearer to stay afloat if they get into difficulty. The wristband also features some small lights to aid visibility. The team — comprised of Rian O'Leary, Meg Adams, Saidhbh Deasy, Conor Griffin, Aoife Whelton and Zac Guerin — chose to design a water safety device following a recent visit from and talk by personnel from the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Station, which is only a short distance from Barryroe NS. The group designed several different prototypes before they settled on the final working design. Students from another West Cork school, St Mary's National School in Rosscarbery, came second in the competition. Their project concept, titled 'Reel' power an abbreviation of 'Renewable energy eco-friendly lighting', featured streetlights along Rosscarbery's landmark causeway fitted with timers, and sensors at either end of the road. When a car drives over the first sensor, the street lights come on, before turning off once again when the car drives over the other sensor on the opposite end of the causeway. The design also features a bank of solar panels along the roadside to power the lights, and tidal turbines below the causeway for extra electricity. The 'Light Savers' team — comprised of Peig Corcoran, Clara Hogan, Caoimhe O'Driscoll, Ellie Dullea, and Éabha Duggan — said their design would help reduce carbon emissions, light pollution, and wasted electricity, without reducing road safety. This year's competition was judged by engineers from consulting firm ARUP, eFlow, Engineers Ireland, ESB, Intel, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Damien Owens, director general of Engineers Ireland, commended the nearly 4,000 primary school students who submitted 550 projects for consideration. Mr Owens said engineering was about the application of science to real-world problems and it was "marvellous to see the students at Barryroe National School excel in this approach to problem-solving". 'The future of Irish engineering is indeed in good hands," he said. Read More Patrick Coughlan named Cork Person of the Month for helping people in financial difficulty
Irish Examiner
29-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Patrick Coughlan named Cork Person of the Month for helping people in financial difficulty
A man whose work has helped thousands of people in financial difficulty for over 40 years has been named Cork Person of the Month for May. In the early 1990s, Patrick Coughlan helped set up a free service in the Cork city credit union where he worked – a service that proved hugely successful and ultimately evolved into the nationwide Money and Budgeting Advice Service (MABS). Cork Person of the Year awards organiser Manus O'Callaghan said Mr Coughlan has dedicated his career to helping those most in need. 'His work has provided a vital safety net for thousands of individuals and families facing financial hardship,' he said. 'His passion, vision and tireless advocacy has made a lasting difference, and his contributions to financial well-being in Cork and beyond will not be forgotten.' Mr Coughlan's journey with MABS began in the early 1990s, when he was working in the Lough Credit Union on the southside of Cork City. He and his colleague, Brendan Roche, decided to develop a structured approach to help members who were overwhelmed by financial difficulties. Recognising the need for a sustainable solution, they established an income and expenditure system that prioritised essential living expenses while ensuring regular repayments to creditors. Their approach to helping people in financial distress was strengthened by partnerships they helped forge with Cork City Council, Cork County Council, utility companies and financial institutions, who all agreed to facilitate the introduction of manageable repayment plans for those in financial crisis. As the impact of their MABS initiative grew, support was secured from the Combat Poverty Agency and the then-Department of Social Welfare, which allowed the fledgling service to expand its reach. What began as a local project soon evolved into a nationwide initiative and network. Mr Coughlan, who retired as manager and financial controller of The Lough Credit Union in 2015, is still the acting chair of South Munster MABS and he continues to play a key role in guiding the organisation. In 2024, the MABS national helpline handled 23,525 calls while South Munster MABS assisted 1,908 new clients, demonstrating the continued need for the service. Mr Coughlan said: MABS was born out of a real need to support individuals and families trapped in financial distress. 'Seeing the service grow from a small initiative at The Lough Credit Union to a nationwide support system has been incredibly rewarding. 'At the heart of MABS is the belief that everyone deserves financial stability, and I am proud to play a part in that journey.' Mr Coughlan's name now goes forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year, who will be announced at the annual gala awards lunch next January. Read More West Cork town to celebrate 200 years of the first lifeboat in Courtmacsherry
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Tidy Towns groups released from burden of insurance costs with new partnership
Tidy Towns groups across the country will no longer have to pay insurance under a new partnership between local authorities and Irish Public Bodies Insurance. The agreement will significantly cut the costs incurred by more than 1,000 active Tidy Towns groups and will enable them to focus their energy and resources on community activities. The initiative, which has already seen 700 groups sign up, pools the risk associated with Tidy Towns activities under a master policy undertaken by local authorities enabling the voluntary groups to focus on their core mission of improving the local amenity in their communities. Chair of IPB Insurance, John Hogan, said: 'As a mutual insurer, we believe in the strength of the collective and working together. This initiative demonstrates the benefits of collaboration to address insurance challenges that make a meaningful difference for our members and their communities. "We are delighted to partner with our local authority members to deliver a community insurance scheme that protects those who do so much for their communities on a voluntary basis.' Interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition has increased year on year with over 900 entries received for the competition in 2024. The competition has been running since 1958 and is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Welcoming the initiative, Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, said: 'Volunteer and local groups like Tidy Towns help keep towns clean and attractive, while offering ways for people to support their communities and address local needs. 'This partnership between Irish Public Bodies (IPB) Insurance and the 31 local authorities will mean Tidy Towns groups will have insurance cover, at no cost to them. This will enable local authority-backed Tidy Towns groups to continue their vital work bringing benefits to the community, and indeed the country, as a whole." He said the scheme also exemplifies the success of the Government's insurance reform agenda. "The implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform has yielded substantial benefits for consumers. Notably, insurance capacity is now accessible in previously challenging sectors, including hospitality, leisure activities, and community groups.' Anna Marie Delaney, Chair of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) said the changes will add to the grant funding which local authorities had already been providing to support community groups. The cost savings associated with the scheme should assist groups by ensuring they have more resources available to support their activities. Read More Tidy Towns champion who helped his town win coveted top award named Cork Person of the Month
