Latest news with #Áine
RTÉ News
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Taste of Kildare: Celebrity chefs, live music, and local cuisine
A wholesome, food-filled, family-friendly event is coming to Kildare on August 16 & 17, 2025. Taste of Kildare, Kildare's premier food festival, is set to return to Naas Racecourse for a two-day celebration of food, drink, live entertainment, and family fun for just €15 a pop. "We have a great food offering here in the county," says Áine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare. "We're known as a farming community, so it's about farm-to-fork." In total, there will be 25 local vendors active throughout the weekend, so ticket-holders can try everything from hot dogs and champagne from The K Club to chocolate-covered churros from the Glenroyal Hotel. Budding chefs can enjoy live demonstrations from some of the country's finest talent, including Rachel Allen, Aisling Larkin, Gary O'Hanlon (The K Club), Barry Hayden (Lily and Wild), Phillip Gleeson (Killashee Hotel), and Bernard McGuane (Glenroyal Hotel). "It's everybody helping each other and supporting local businesses," says Áine, noting that the event brings a great sense of community pride. "It's a great location, people can walk in and out from Naas town, and we have a shuttle bus going from Sallins train station and the town centre, provided free of charge for people going to the festival." Homegrown vendors, craft-makers, and producers will also be on display, including Aisling's Taste of Home, Beara Bitters, The Nude Wine Co., SIÓG Botanicals, Ciara O'Keeffe Ceramics, Tamzen Lundy Designs, Kildare Candle Barn, and many more. Not only that, but there will be live performances from Newbridge Gospel Choir, Music Generation Kildare, Spring Break, Superfly, Noughty Tribute, and Morning Glory. "It's the Oasis weekend, so we'll have our Oasis tribute band on the Sunday for anyone who couldn't get tickets to the real thing," laughs Áine. "We'll also have our own Newbridge Gospel Choir opening the event each day." If you're looking for a weekend of luxury, a number of extra-special packages are available, giving guests the chance to step up their experience. For example, ticket-holders can enjoy a sit-down dinner in The Circle hosted by The Keadeen Hotel for €28 per person. Alternatively, if you just want to keep the kids busy while you soak up the atmosphere, there will be a bouncing castle, face-painting, games, arts and crafts activities from Tribe Arts Studio, and a hands-on science show from Junior Einsteins. "We had a lot of children last year, so we're very much geared up for that this year," says Áine, noting that children under 10 go free. "This isn't a profit-making thing for us," she explains. "We just want to pull people together and show what we have. It's lovely to see the community spirit."
Agriland
04-08-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Dromod Boxty founded on deep connection to rural living
A deep connection to rural living and its heritage ingredients provided the foundation for a food enterprise founded in Co. Leitrim that is celebrating 35 years in business this year. Dromod Boxty was founded by Timmie Faughnan and the venture is now led by his daughter, Áine, with eleven people employed. Áine said: "Life in rural Ireland wasn't just a backdrop. It shaped my dad's values, work ethic, and love for traditional food." Before founding Dromod Boxty, Timmy ran the local shop in Dromod. It was there that he began making boxty - a traditional potato pancake - using his mother's cherished recipe, initially just for family and friends. The response from locals was so enthusiastic that he recognised an opportunity to bring this traditional dish to a wider market. That was the spark that led to the creation of Dromod Boxty. Áine grew up alongside the business, often joining her dad on deliveries or lending a hand in the bakery. She said: "The business was woven into my everyday life from the start, shaping my passion for keeping the family tradition alive. "After travelling and gaining experience, I took over as managing director in 2015, proudly bringing the company into its second generation and continuing to build on my dad's legacy," Áine said. Starting a food business in rural Ireland in the early 1990s came with plenty of challenges, Áine acknowledged. Timmy had limited resources, had to convince retailers to take a chance on a niche traditional product, and worked hard to stay true to his mother's original Boxty recipe while scaling up production, she said. As the business grew, the family faced the constant evolution of food production technologies, needing bespoke equipment to suit their unique products and learning to adapt to these changes. "Finding and keeping skilled staff in a rural area has also been an ongoing challenge. "Support from Local Enterprise Office (LEO) grants has been a great help along the way, enabling investment in equipment and training," Áine said. Through resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to their roots, the family overcame the obstacles, transforming Dromod Boxty from a local kitchen project into a nationally recognised brand. While Boxty is the signature product and the heart of the business, Timmy added more of his mother's recipes, including potato bread and pancakes. Over time, the range has continued to grow, introducing gluten-free boxty along the way. Áine with some of the awards the business has won Under Áine's leadership, children's pancakes and protein pancakes were added to the range. "Despite this expansion, Boxty remains the cornerstone of the brand and the product that started it all," she said. The majority of Dromod Boxty's sales are in Ireland through the supermarket SuperValu, independent shops, and foodservice partners, but they also export to the US where many expat customers hanker after a traditional taste of home. Major upgrades have been made to production processes at Dromod Boxty, providing a much greater capacity to produce while still maintaining a handcrafted quality. "We continue to maintain our membership with Origin Green, having achieved gold membership two years in a row. "It is essential to the business to source from local suppliers for our raw ingredients such as potatoes and milk, ensuring sustainability and supporting the local economy. "Looking ahead, the focus is on expanding our market in Ireland and abroad, growing exports, and introducing innovative new products - all while staying true to the traditions and values that built Dromod Boxty," Áine said.
Sunday World
18-07-2025
- Sunday World
TG4 broadcaster says new series will lay bare Ireland's misogyny epidemic
Áine Ní Bhreisleáin reveals that she often suffers abuse if she posts anything online. An epidemic of misogyny in Ireland will be laid bare in a new platform inviting women to share their stories. Veteran journalist and broadcaster Áine Ní Bhreisleáin will front a radio series, podcast and TG4 documentary Fuath Ban – Irish for misogyny – and reveals she's been a target of online hate. She's inviting women to share their stories for the project in an Irish version of Everyday Sexism, the online platform set up in the UK by Laura Bates in 2012. It's influenced Facebook policies on rape and domestic abuse content and changed British Transport Police treatment of sexual offences. Áine reveals that she often suffers abuse if she posts anything online. 'Across Facebook and X there are people who spend entire days doling out abuse willy nilly, mostly towards women, often female politicians, sportswomen, broadcasters. 'When you are a broadcaster, in any forums you leave yourself open to comment. You are public property. 'You have to brace yourself to get comments like 'does she know what she's talking about?' often from accounts that have no name. 'You're asking yourself do I know this person? Are they hiding under an online identity? It's depressing.' The broadcaster says the rise in violence against women and girls in Ireland, north and south, shows that social media abuse spills over into reality. Women's Aid figures show the rate of femicide in Ireland has been rising for the last 15 years, following a worrying global trend. 'If you can act like that online it can bleed into people thinking they can act like that in real life,' says Áine. 'The figures for domestic violence and different forms of coercive control and femicide rates are terrifying. How is this acceptable?' The project is talking to teachers who have to deal with classroom incidents and abuse from young boys who have learned anti-women attitudes from online 'manfluencers' such as Andrew Tate, a self-confessed misogynist, and parents who have struggled to deal with the challenges of technology. It will look at the world of gaming, where sexism is rife, and the culture of incels, so-called involuntarily celibate men who blame women for their singlehood. The recent riots in Ballymena, following a protest allegedly opposing violence against women and girls, also showed how the issue can be weaponised, says Áine. 'It's using the broad term of standing up for women and girls to incite race riots,' she says. 'We're also looking at ways that victimhood for women is tiered. A white middle-class victim is more important than a community who have moved here. Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate. Photo: AFP via Getty Images 'It's people using dreadful incidents to incite men to go out and use violence against other men in the community in the name of violence against women and girls.' The project has invited men to share their experience of misogyny, and welcomes input from the trans community. It will also examine how women can be part of the problem. 'We'll talk about how the message bleeds into internalised misogyny in women, when they agree with this 'we are looking after our own'. 'Women will also comment online about other women's appearance, how they speak, what they wear. Someone will write something online they will never say to your face.' The idea for the project was sparked by the Stephen Graham Netflix drama Adolescence, about a young boy radicalised by online toxic masculinity who murders a female classmate. Áine believes education for young people is essential as well as greater accountability for social media companies. 'At a young age it has to be more unacceptable to behave like this. A lot of it is down to education for young boys and young girls. 'On platforms like X you can be reported for things but no one polices it. There is no comeback for doing or saying or writing something horrible. 'The regulation is so scant. It seems like an unstoppable tide,' says the presenter. Submitted anonymous stories will be published on Instagram at on Twitter at @FuathBan and on Facebook at Fuath Ban, and submissions can be made in English or Irish.
Irish Examiner
06-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Manufacturers need to invest in AI or risk falling behind, PwC advises
Irish-based manufacturers need to accelerate their adoption of AI tools to avoid being left behind Europe, Middle East and Africa, experts at PwC have advised. Just 3% of Irish manufacturing companies have fully integrated AI into their operations versus 8% for EMEA companies. While the gap cited in PwC's report 'AI in Operations — Revolutionising the manufacturing industry' isn't huge, Irish firms are being urged to act now and not let it widen. Áine Brassill, operations transformation partner, PwC Ireland, takes heart from the survey findings that there is a lot of AI innovation and piloting going on, with many Irish firms clearly looking to catch up. 'Around 70% of Irish respondents are piloting and scaling up their AI projects compared to 55% for EMEA counterparts. We can, therefore expect a surge in widespread AI implementation in Irish manufacturing in the years to come,' said Áine. 'While the initial focus regarding AI implementation is on operational and productivity improvements, the real interest lies in the potential to disrupt and fundamentally reinvent existing business models. AI agents will make the ability for AI systems to autonomously perform tasks a reality, enabling decision making and delivering real competitive differentiation. 'However, building trust in AI will be critical for customers, regulators and employees. Companies need to be confident in the integrity of solutions that will drive safe and secure AI outcomes. Taking a responsible approach, including upskilling employees, will be critical to getting the most from AI alongside confirming future compliance with regulators and the EU AI Act.' Áine Brassill, operations transformation partner, PwC Ireland. The report found that both Irish and EMEA manufacturers believe in AI's potential to increase profitability. Irish operations, however, are less optimistic than their EMEA counterparts as regards their belief in what AI can deliver. Some 73% of Irish manufacturing operations expect AI to increase profitability by 2030 versus 84% of EMEA respondents. Just 26% of Irish respondents expect AI to increase profit margins by at least 6% by 2030, trailing the 40% of EMEA manufacturers. The report features 400 manufacturing operations' executives in over 30 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa, including Ireland. In Ireland, 43% of respondents were in pharma/life science and med-tech multinational operations with the balance in retail and consumer and industrial products. AI in Ireland is also maturing relatively slowly. Some 29% of Irish respondents reported no business benefits as yet from AI versus 14% for the EMEA. Just 4% of Irish and EMEA manufacturers have already enjoyed financial benefits and return on investment from AI. A further 11% report that they have received measurable financial benefits (EMEA: 13%). Irish manufacturing operations are also investing less in AI initiatives than their EMEA counterparts. In the last five years, 32% of Irish manufacturing operations invested less than €1m in AI initiatives (EMEA: 29%). 15% invested in excess of €6 million compared to 41% for their EMEA counterparts. In both Ireland and EMEA, progress is slow on AI. Just 3% of Irish manufacturing companies have fully integrated AI into their operations compared to 8% for EMEA companies. At the same time, there is a lot of AI innovation and piloting going on with many Irish firms clearly looking to catch up: 70% of Irish respondents are piloting and scaling up their AI projects compared to 55% for EMEA counterparts. We can therefore expect a surge in widespread AI implementation in Irish manufacturing in the years to come. Gary Hanniffy, director of manufacturing, PwC Ireland, said: 'Like many businesses, the manufacturing industry is facing significant uncertainty stemming from geopolitical disruption, economic fragmentation, supply chain volatility, tightening regulation, climate change, technology transformation and increasing costs. 'AI offers a real opportunity for business model reinvention for manufacturing operations and our study shows that the potential benefits from AI will justify the effort. The survey suggests that manufacturing operations can become more competitive as a result of full-scale AI adoption. 'The survey highlights that a majority of Irish manufacturing operations, consisting largely of pharma, life sciences and med-tech multinational companies, are piloting AI initiatives rather than having moved to scaling and integrating the technology right across their business operations while EMEA companies are more advanced in their implementation journey. 'At the same time, they do have high expectations for realising the benefits from AI in terms of profitability and other financial benefits,' Gary added. 'Getting to the next level requires investment and results here are mixed, with some companies planning significant investment levels, others are not yet ready to commit. In Ireland, in particular, more investment in AI is also needed to keep up with EMEA peers.' Read More Business movers: People starting new jobs in Ireland The survey highlights a number of key challenges for successful AI implementation. These include: data quality; IT & data security; reliability of AI-generated content and data availability. Gary Hanniffy said: 'Strong organisational structures and processes are essential for steering and delivering a successful AI strategy and to enable safe and secure outcomes. Those manufacturing organisations who have integrated and scaled up their AI projects are using an organisational governance model that involves a central AI team (Ireland: 100%; EMEA: 71%). 'On the other hand, the majority of those organisations that have just started piloting AI lack coordinated governance and are using non-centralised organisational structures (Ireland: 76%; EMEA: 58%). This finding is in line with PwC's earlier 2025 GenAI Business Leaders survey, indicating that more work needs to be done on AI trust and governance such as building appropriate governance structures.'
Irish Independent
31-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Tríocha bliain ag foghlaim trí Ghaeilge – Gaelscoil Charman marks major milestone
With this school year marking thirty years since the Gaelscoil first opened its doors in Wexford town, the red carpet was rolled out and the community was invited to come and help pupils, staff and management to mark the milestone. While a sports day at Pairc Charman was supposed to form part of the celebrations, the weather failed to play ball, but things were quickly re-arranged and pupils showed off some of their musical talents as príomhoide Dearbhla Mhic Chaoilte thanked the local community and pupils and parents, past and present, for all their support over the years and cut a special 'birthday cake' with the help of the school's oldest and youngest pupils. On foot of a local demand, the first tentative steps to establish a Gaelscoil in Wexford town were taken back in 1994. Initially, the school opened with just 37 pupils, under the leadership of príomhoide Áine Uí Ghionnáin, and it didn't receive permanent recognition from the Department of Education until 1997. Twenty years ago, in 2005, Gaelscoil Charman received its permanent building on Whiterock Hill and it was a momentous day for Áine and her staff. In 2021, Áine retired from her role and was succeeded by Dearbhla Mhic Chaoilte. From it's humble beginnings, the Gaelscoil has gone from strength to strength and today it has over 200 pupils with eight mainstream classes and one ASD class. Indeed it was a huge source of pride when Gaelscoil Charman became one of the first Gaelscoileanna in the south east to open an ASD class and to offer education completely trí Ghaeilge. "Gaelscoil Gharman is proud of its inclusivity and welcomes all families of many different backgrounds,' Príomhoide Mhic Chaoilte said. 'The school community as a whole is united in its love of the Irish language and culture and is very proud to be able to pass on this love to its pupils.'
