Latest news with #CountySligo
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Two iconic routes, one unforgettable trip
Start: Carrickfergus Finish: Derry~Londonderry This legendary route is awash with stunning attractions, whether it's ancient castles, spectacular cliff landscapes, or utterly charming fishing villages. It's also home to some of the most famous icons on the island of Ireland. Start: Inishowen peninsula, County Donegal Finish: Enniscrone, County Sligo A road trip of epic proportions, taking in some of the island's most magical and awe-inspiring scenery. From wildlife sanctuaries to surfer paradises, this route has much adventure to offer, and has served as inspiration for many a legend.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
GOCP Expands Coaching Services to the US Market
05/27/2025, County Sligo, Ireland // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Gerald O'Connor, founder of the executive coaching firm GOCP, has announced the expansion of his bespoke leadership services into the United States market. This expansion signifies his commitment to bringing his methods centered on transforming organizational culture through meeting effectiveness through a broader international client base. With a growing demand for leadership interventions that address cultural and communication challenges, O'Connor is seeking senior leadership teams ready to reimagine how they decide, collaborate, and lead. 'I've spent years observing how subtle power dynamics and poor meeting structures hold organizations back. It's not just in performance but also in morale, innovation, and retention. The US is full of forward-thinking leaders who know something needs to change but aren't always sure where to start. That's where I come in,' says O'Connor. O'Connor's philosophy revolves around the belief that meetings are diagnostic tools and levers for cultural transformation. His unique coaching model begins with an in-depth meeting analysis, which he utilizes to discover patterns in behavior, communication gaps, and decision-making inefficiencies that reflect the broader organizational culture. By improving the design and function of meetings, O'Connor helps leaders initiate cultural shifts that can lead to lower staff turnover, improved efficiency, and more accountable decision-making processes. Catering to the C-suite and senior leadership teams, O'Connor's coaching is highly personalized and usually includes structured one-on-one sessions between the CEO and each board member. This approach is essential to draw out underrepresented voices and nurture more inclusive, balanced decision-making. He helps executive teams understand the informal power structures and communication habits that shape their culture and guides them in using meeting practices as vehicles to influence change from within. O'Connor has witnessed firsthand that many meetings are bloated, underprepared, or poorly constructed. They result in lost opportunities and disengaged participants. 'What we need is fewer but more purposeful meetings, where the right people are at the table, and where everyone feels safe enough to speak up,' O'Connor states. He has seen too many cases where the best ideas were left unspoken because the cultural conditions don't allow for open contributions. Hence, O'Connor helps flatten hierarchical structures to empower teams, promote safer communication, and build a foundation of trust and accountability. The coach believes that meetings are a microcosm of the organization itself. When they're dysfunctional (i.e., dominated by a few voices, under-attended by the right people, or misused as performance rituals rather than decision-making forums), they're symptomatic of deeper cultural flaws. Inspired by a retired US Navy captain, O'Connor promotes decentralized leadership models where authority is distributed and initiative is encouraged. 'Authority should be bottom up rather than top down,' explains O'Connor. Over a decade in executive roles within one of Ireland's most respected sporting organizations informs O'Connor's approach. As a former County Board Secretary, he led initiatives in governance, strategic planning, and cultural transformation. These experiences became the basis for his book, The County Board Chair: The Unofficial Guide. It's widely respected for its candid insights into the realities of leadership in volunteer-driven organizations and its practical guidance for turning complex dynamics into shared purpose. Meanwhile, his work in the voluntary sector was where O'Connor realized the destructive impact of unaddressed power imbalances and workplace bullying. He now integrates this awareness into his coaching, helping leaders recognize the subtle behaviors that can poison team culture, such as information hoarding or strategic ostracization. His experience being undermined by such dynamics only motivated him further to teach others how to build systems of support, transparency, and mutual respect. As he sets his sights on US organizations, O'Connor is eager to connect with mission-driven leaders ready to turn their meeting rooms into engines of innovation. He believes his approach has universal relevance, whether working with startups, scaling firms, or legacy institutions looking to modernize their culture. 'I'm not just trying to fix how people meet,' O'Connor says. 'My goal is to create organizations where everyone can contribute without fear and where decisions are made with clarity, courage, and collective insight.' Media Contact Name: Gerald O'Connor Email: [email protected] Source published by Submit Press Release >> GOCP Expands Coaching Services to the US Market
BBC News
18-05-2025
- BBC News
Sligo: Lissadell community devastated over boy's drowning
There is shock and devastation in the community near a County Sligo beach over the death of a young boy who got into difficulty in the water on Saturday.A local councillor, Fianna Fáil's Donal Gilroy, said news of the young boy's death had caused great sadness around Lissadell Beach. The boy has been named locally as seven-year-old Alan Singh, from Ballisodare, County Sligo, Irish national broadcaster RTÉ reported. The alarm was raised shortly after 15:30 local time on Saturday when a member of the public spotted the boy in the water. He was airlifted by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter to Sligo University Hospital on Saturday afternoon in a serious condition, gardaí (Irish police) later died in said investigations are were offered for the boy's family at nearby Maugherow Church, with parish priest Fr Tom Hever telling RTÉ that people were devastated by the news. Mr Gilroy said local people were shocked, adding that Lissadell Beach had attracted "big numbers" during the recent spell of good weather."People are devastated to hear that a little boy has lost his life and our thoughts are very much with his family at this time." A woman who was on the beach with her children when the boy got into difficulty said "everybody was happy here playing and absolutely loving the fine weather"."We seen the helicopter coming and noticed then that someone was performing CPR on a person a good bit away from us," Suraya McDonald told RTÉ."But by that stage, the helicopter had landed at the scene. It all happened pretty quick."She added: "It's heartbreaking and I don't think anyone could ever understand how anyone would feel in that situation."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Boy dies after getting into difficulty in water off Sligo coast
A young boy has died after getting into difficulty in the water at Lissadell beach in County Sligo. He was airlifted by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter to Sligo University Hospital on Saturday afternoon in a serious condition, gardaí (Irish police) said. He later died in hospital. Gardaí say their investigations are ongoing.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- BBC News
County Sligo: Child dies in after getting into difficulty in water
A young boy has died after getting into difficulty in the water at Lissadell beach in County Sligo. He was airlifted by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter to Sligo University Hospital on Saturday afternoon in a serious condition, gardaí (Irish police) said. He later died in hospital. Gardaí say their investigations are ongoing.
