Latest news with #Fergal
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
New Wicklow sauna opens in riverside location
Eager to help the public relax and rejuvenate, whether they're 'looking to unwind after a long day, recover from an intense workout, or invest in their well-being', Boxfit Gym owner Fergal Redmond recently launched the new luxury sauna service next to the Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Station, on a site previously occupied by 'Murt's Diner'. On top of a sauna therapy service, which includes heated sauna rooms, fresh towels, a hydration station and access to the 'relaxation lounge', Fire Bath also boasts a premium cold immersion experience for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and those looking to boost energy levels, improve circulation, and strengthen their immune system, along with three ice baths with chilling machines. Fire Bath is one of two saunas Arklow native Fergal has established in the seaside town, with the 'Hot Box' at his gym in the Knockenrahan Industrial Estate proving hugely popular. Detailing how his sauna services were inspired by his experiences during the pandemic, when his access to saunas was restricted, Fergal said he hopes to open more locations to promote well-being among Arklow's soon-to-grow population. 'I suppose it all started during Covid, when there was nowhere I could get a sauna – I was desperate for one,' he began. 'I just love it, and I'd do it twice a day, so I ended up buying one for my house. Then I got one for the gym, and that has done really well since it opened. 'The sauna in the gym comes from China, while this new one is built by a Lithuanian company called Steam & Dream Saunas and is a wood-burning one, so there is a different kind of heat off it. I think it's an excellent location for it, and I think it will do well. 'I like to look ahead to what is coming next, and I'd like to put a few saunas around Arklow, but they are pricey, so I have to make sure the location will work,' he added. 'Saunas are really popular at the moment, though, and I know the one up in Wicklow town is doing really well. 'Obviously, there are places like South Beach and The Cove that would be great and that I have looked into, but they are a bit more complicated. 'I'd love to put a few more around the town, though, and I think, with the population of the town about to shoot up, there will be an enormous demand for saunas. The benefits of them are something people are really coming around to.'
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Kerry soccer club set to improve long-term playing facilities for members
Contracts between the club and Tralee-based company PST Sports were recently signed paving the way for a new all-weather pitch at its club grounds. It's taken over three years of hard work and organisation just getting to this point. Such a facility will enable players train and host multiple games throughout the winter months. The overall cost of a state-of-the art Astro pitch is expected to top €500,000. The club applied for Sports Capital Funding and received €100,000 – 50 per cent of what it applied for. Club members have been phenomenal in supporting various fundraising activities and training fees that have helped raise money for the project. The financial balance of the pitch will be paid for through a combination of future loans and fundraising. Given that Tralee Dynamos cater for adults and children including a new academy that accommodates over 100 girls, the club is disappointed not to have received more in the way of grant assistance for its facilities. By the time interest loans are repaid the new all-weather pitch will be 70 per cent member funded. 'It's great news for the club. We're targeting a finish date of the middle of September. There has been a big push over the last few months to try and have it done before the start of next winter,' said club treasurer, Fergal O'Shea. The club plays through the winter and usually by mid-season its two grass pitches are unplayable. This is due to a combination of weather and four or five teams playing on the same surface within days. With the club active mostly at evenings and weekends, an opportunity exists for community organisations to use the facility by day. Tralee Dynamos has a longstanding relationship with Kerry Parents & Friends Association. 'We contacted them and said they can have free access to it during the day. It is a great organisation and this would be an acknowledgment of the work they do. Hopefully, this is a relationship that can be built on with better club house upgrades in the future. This is something we will be actively pursuing,' said Fergal. 'But having an all-weather facility gives us flexibility. We can train every night of the week if we want and have four or five matches on a Saturday without having to consider its impact on the pitch. This is huge for us. "A big call out must go to our members who over the last three years paid their contributions through training fees. This put a lot of trust in us to deliver. A huge thanks to them. It's great for them to be able to see this is finally happening,' he said.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Hugs and tears as Irish troops reunited with family following Lebanon deployment
There were emotional scenes at Dublin Airport on Friday as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion were reunited with family members following the end of their peacekeeping mission in Lebanon . The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) troops returned home following a six-month deployment to south Lebanon. They have now been replaced by a new battalion of Irish soldiers. Soldiers were greeted by loud cheers from wives, husbands, children and parents, who were excitedly waving flags, balloons and posters as the troop filtered into the arrivals hall just after 3pm. The peacekeepers were greeted with banners and homemade messages of love and support, with some families waving Irish and United Nations flags. Tears of elation ran down faces as mothers embraced sons, fathers were reunited with their daughters, and some soldiers were introduced to their grandchildren for the first time. Drawn from many different Units across the Army and Air Corps, the majority of the 125th Infantry Battalion's personnel are drawn from the 28th Infantry Battalion based in Finner Camp in Co Donegal. The returning troops have operated in the IRISHPOLBATT Area of Operations (AO), since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began. It has been an especially difficult few months as tensions rise in the Middle East. The 125th Infantry Battalion is located in Camp Shamrock, known as United Nations Post 2-45, which is located a short distance from the Israeli border and is close to areas controlled by Hezbollah militants. On multiple occasions UNIFIL, and specifically IRISHPOLBATT were subject to GROUNDHOG (taking shelter in protected positions). However, the Irish troops of the 125th Infantry Battalion in UNIFIL continued to monitor the situation and conduct planned framework operations. Scroll down to see the emotional pictures. Families wait to greet home 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) as they return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 1 of 18 Families wait to greet home 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) as they return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 2 of 18 Cupcakes awaiting the 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) as they return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 3 of 18 Fergal is greeted home by Ellie Doran (3) from Wexford as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) return to Dublin Airport 4 of 18 Fergal is greeted home by Ellie Doran (3) from Wexford (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 5 of 18 Pvt Niall McManus with girlfriend Niamh as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 6 of 18
Dublin Live
08-05-2025
- Business
- Dublin Live
RTE announce major TV shake-up after Joanna Donnelly's departure
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info RTE has announced a major TV shake-up among its presenters as the station names its latest correspondent. Fergal O'Brien has been named as the station's new Business Correspondent after the recent departure of Will Goodbody. The Business Correspondent for RTE News covers a wide brief, including banking, retail, aviation, hospitality and stock markets. Fergal said: "I'm delighted to have been appointed to the role of RTE Business Correspondent at such a pivotal time for the business community in Ireland. "As I take on the position, I'm conscious that there is much uncertainty facing the Irish and global economies. The impact of the planned tariffs from the US administration has the potential to be the biggest challenge facing many businesses, households and indeed the State since Brexit and the financial crash. "Business crosses every sector and has an impact on all of our lives, and as part of my new role, I will hope to visit as many businesses as I can across the country, to tell the stories of those directly impacted by wider decisions." The Mayo native has worked as a multimedia journalist in RTE for the last seven years since October 2018 and has been across TV, radio and online news including RTE's Six One News, Nine O'Clock News, News at One on RTE Radio 1 and RTE online. The host studied Economics at Independent Colleges in Dublin, and Business and Psychology at Dublin Business School, as well Criminology and Criminal Psychology at City Colleges in Dublin. He began his media career at a local radio station MidWest Radio and went on to work in Today FM and Newstalk before joining TV3. With over 20 years of broadcasting experience, Fergal has reported extensively on key issues that have faced the country including the financial crash, Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as major events and elections. Fergal will be taking on the role this summer. His new role comes after Will Goodbody bid farewell to RTE in December after 21 years. He now works in communications for AIB. RTE also appointed David Murphy as the senior role of Economics and Public Affairs Editor. He will manage the RTE News Business Unit team and coverage. David previously held the role of Economics and Public Affairs Correspondent. The new shake up to presenters come after Met Eireann said goodbye to Joanna Donnelly earlier this month. It is unclear if the meteorologist will be replaced. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE announce major TV shake-up after Joanna Donnelly departs from the station
RTE has announced a major TV shake-up among its presenters as the station names its latest correspondent. Fergal O'Brien has been named as the station's new Business Correspondent after the recent departure of Will Goodbody. The Business Correspondent for RTE News covers a wide brief, including banking, retail, aviation, hospitality and stock markets. Fergal said: "I'm delighted to have been appointed to the role of RTE Business Correspondent at such a pivotal time for the business community in Ireland. "As I take on the position, I'm conscious that there is much uncertainty facing the Irish and global economies. The impact of the planned tariffs from the US administration has the potential to be the biggest challenge facing many businesses, households and indeed the State since Brexit and the financial crash. "Business crosses every sector and has an impact on all of our lives, and as part of my new role, I will hope to visit as many businesses as I can across the country, to tell the stories of those directly impacted by wider decisions." The Mayo native has worked as a multimedia journalist in RTE for the last seven years since October 2018 and has been across TV, radio and online news including RTE's Six One News, Nine O'Clock News, News at One on RTE Radio 1 and RTE online. The host studied Economics at Independent Colleges in Dublin, and Business and Psychology at Dublin Business School, as well Criminology and Criminal Psychology at City Colleges in Dublin. Fergal O'Brien has been named at RTE's new Business Correspondent He began his media career at a local radio station MidWest Radio and went on to work in Today FM and Newstalk before joining TV3. With over 20 years of broadcasting experience, Fergal has reported extensively on key issues that have faced the country including the financial crash, Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as major events and elections. Fergal will be taking on the role this summer. His new role comes after Will Goodbody bid farewell to RTE in December after 21 years. He now works in communications for AIB. RTE also appointed David Murphy as the senior role of Economics and Public Affairs Editor. He will manage the RTE News Business Unit team and coverage. David previously held the role of Economics and Public Affairs Correspondent. The new shake up to presenters come after Met Eireann said goodbye to Joanna Donnelly earlier this month. It is unclear if the meteorologist will be replaced. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
