The 4th Japanese Film Festival will arrive in Dublin in November showcasing the best in Japanese cinema for Dublin audiences.

The event expands this year as a result of a hugely popular event last year which showed the appetite in Dublin for Japanese cinema. The films screen at Cineworld, Parnell Street, on November 10th and 11th and in the Screen Cinema, D’Olier Street on November 12th and 13th.

The most acclaimed filmmakers from contemporary Japanese cinema are included in the packed programme, with a variety of themes, genres and topics to appeal to all audiences. Tickets are now on sale from access>CINEMA on 01 6794420 or online at www.accesscinema.ie, or from the box-offices of the individual cinemas. The Embassy of Japan, access>CINEMA and the Ireland Japan Association are the co-organisers of the festival.

The 2010 Festival boasted sell-out screenings in all locations and the organisers expect this year to be no different, with a carefully selected programme designed to intrigue, educate and entertain.

“We’re aware of the appetite around the country for world cinema through our day-to-day work with film clubs,” commented Maeve Cooke, Director of access>CINEMA. “Given the nature of the highly acclaimed films that are being consistently produced in Japan, it’s great that we have the opportunity to organise a Festival which can bring this quality international cinema to Dublin audiences who have always been massively supportive of the Japanese Film Festival. If you’re not familiar with Japanese cinema, we encourage you to experience some of the richly diverse films from this extraordinary country.”

The Festival, while providing entertainment and escapism, also includes more thought-provoking and challenging titles, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and society among Irish citizens and to strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries. Additional cultural events will take place on the periphery of the Festival showcasing other fascinating and intriguing elements of Japanese culture.

Highlights in the programme include Colorful, the highly acclaimed and multi-award winning animated feature from Keiichi Hara; Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, a mind-bending and surreal time-travel epic animation; the fascinating food documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, which is sure to appeal to the legions of Japanese food fans with its cinematic celebration of the art of sushi; the hilarious Sawako Decides, a thought-provoking satire on class, gender and age made all the more interesting coming from a Japanese point of view; and the richly detailed, multi-layered and moving character drama Villain from renowned director Lee Sang-il.

The festival will also tour Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Cork. The full programme is now available from www.accesscinema.ie, along with further information on additional activities taking place. Co-organisers access>CINEMA are the resource organisation for regional cultural cinema exhibition in Ireland, and are supported by the Arts Council.

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Wattics, the electricity management savings company, launched their money saving “Clever Metering” system which can save businesses thousands of euros. Wattics break-through technology helps customers understand and reduce energy consumption with a single meter, while producing the same breakdown as more expensive and complex competitor solutions.

Unlike their market competitors, Wattics assists businesses by monitoring electricity usage down to individual equipment with a single meter, which not only saves money, but provides a plug-and-play solution deployable in a only few hours.

The young Irish start up already has a successful track record with a wide range of businesses both here and in Europe, including; Charlestown Shopping Centre, Mandat International UN House, Geneva and Jurys Hotel Group. Key features of the management service include;

• Installation price €1,500 to €2,000
• 10-15 times cheaper than competition to maintain
• Delivery of significant savings greater than 25%
• Return of Investment within 1 year for customers with €1,000 energy bill or higher

Speaking at the launch, Antonio Ruzzelli, CEO said “We are looking for businesses who want to save money and reduce their electricity costs. Wattics can provide cost-effective solutions for companies, allowing full understanding of their energy-use profile by site, building and room, and even by “offending” appliance. The implications of this for energy saving and for appliance is globally immense”.

With deregulation and greater transparency required in the utility market, customers are demanding access to their own usage data and with an ever greening business environment, large enterprises demand energy consumption analytics in detail.

Speaking about working with Wattics, John Corroon, Lead maintenance manager, Jurys Inn Custom House said ” I have been amazed at the depth in which the reports go into each appliance by simply clipping a standard meter onto the boards, which allowed us achieve more than 25% reduction on the monitored distribution board for our air handling units”.

Wattics award winning technology won the Globe Sustainability Research Award 2011 for the most original and challenging research within the sustainability field developed in-house by their talented team, provides unprecedented insights into energy use, highlighting immediate opportunities for savings.

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Lord Mayor of Dublin Andrew Montague officially opened the event, joined by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, the Sky Ride Dublin ambassadors Nicky Byrne of Westlife and stylist Lisa Fitzpatrick, and Team Sky pro cyclist Russell Downing.

8km of Dublin’s streets were closed to cars, giving people of all ages and abilities a unique chance to ride their bikes freely around the city centre with no traffic. The free event, organised by Limelight Communications on behalf of Dublin City Council and Sky, allowed riders to take in the route at their own pace whilst enjoying some well-known landmarks including Merrion Square, the Pepper Canister Church, Grand Canal Square, Samuel Beckett Bridge, the National Convention Centre, and the Custom House. Participants were treated to a whole host of activities and entertainment throughout the day along the route, with performances from local entertainers, demonstrations by RampRage BMXers, and the Sky 3D ‘outdoor living room’ experience.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Andrew Montague said: “Dublin prides itself on being a cycle friendly city, but rarely do we see so many cyclists together as we’ve seen today at Sky Ride. Well done to everyone involved here today.”

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: “I’m happy to come along and see so many people participate in this event. The benefits are obvious – for young people in a city, there’s learning how to cycle in a group with no traffic and for families it’s an opportunity for good healthy exercise. I’m all for that!”

Sky Ride Ambassador Nicky Byrne commented: “It’s been a fantastic day here at Sky Ride Dublin with people of all ages getting back on their bikes and enjoying cycling around on traffic-free streets. I hope that all 8,500 people that have taken part today will be inspired to start cycling more regularly and continue to have fun on two wheels.”

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Now in its sixth year, the event has grown in strength and reached an all time high last year when they hosted Irelands’ first ever ETU European Triathlon Championships which saw over 50,000 visitors line the streets of Athlone for four days. The 2010 Waterways Ireland triAthlone generated €12 million for the local economy. The organisers are eager to exceed last year’s revenue figure for its upcoming event next week.

Commenting on the benefits of the event for the town, Siobhan Bigley, Chief Executive of Athlone Chamber commented, “The event as a whole has provided a great boost to the local economy and unprecedented tourism opportunities for the region. The organisers expected revenue of €9million for last year’s event however we are delighted to say the expectations were surpassed by €3million and we look forward to a repeat success for 2011. ”

Waterways Ireland triAthlone has an event for participants at all ability levels. To grow the fun and charity side of the triathlon this year, organisers have added relay team events for each of the 3 race distances: Try-A-Tri, Sprint and Olympic Distance. Teams can consist of either 2 or 3 members splitting the disciplines of swim, bike and run between them. This year six roses from Leitrim, Mayo, Limerick, Waterford, Kildare, Westmeath and UK are taking part in the event in relay teams and are raising awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Ireland.

Ireland’s Olympic triathlon hopefuls and well known triathletes Gavin Nobel and Bryan Keane are delighted to be taking part and to be in with a chance to compete for silverware in the event, after successful 2011 campaigns to date, putting them serious in the running to qualify for London’s 2012 Games.

Speaking at the launch earlier this week, Liam Heavin, Waterways Ireland triAthlone Chairman said; “We are thrilled to be encouraging new people to take the plunge and take part this year through our relay challenge. The year on year growth we have seen with this event is outstanding and we hope it continues. It’s fantastic to have the support of Waterways Ireland who have made a massive contribution that has been critical to the success of the event.”

Speaking about the launch, John Martin , Chief Executive Waterways Ireland said; “Waterways Ireland recognised years ago that events such as the Waterways Ireland TriAthlone contribute not only to the economic wellbeing of waterway towns and villages but to a rise in the use of the waterways for recreation as well as an increased sense of community and pride. Through the Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme over 70 events will receive support this year. Through the Waterways Ireland triAthlone continues to deliver for the town of Athlone and the wider area.”

The race will begin with a swim in the River Shannon, from which the competitors will then take to their bikes for a cycle through south County Roscommon before the exciting town-centre run which will see the event finish in the heart of Athlone. The event is running in tandem with Athlone Town Council’s Summerfest which will offer entertainment and activities for the whole family throughout the weekend (www.athlone.ie).

The 2011 event already has very limited places remaining to be filled organisers are advising anyone interested in taking part to log on today @ www.triathlone.ie to be sure to book their place.

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NOTE TO EDITOR:
• Triathlon is Ireland’s biggest and fastest growing sport.
• TriAthlone is Ireland’s biggest Triathlon
• Irelands top Athletes Gavin Nobel will participate
• TriAthlone is Europe’s top 10 Triathlon
• 2010 saw a records number of entries received for the competition – 4,000 participants (75% male 25% female).
• In 2011 there will be over 2,000 participants.
• Summerfest will be one of the biggest ever events in the Midlands
• The event generates significant revenue for Athlone and the surrounding
• Waterways Ireland manages and promotes the inland navigable waterways for recreational purposes. The Waterways Ireland triAthlone is one of over 70 community, recreational or tourism events being supported by the organisation in 2011.

The Irish Vocational Education Authority (IVEA) met with the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector earlier today to present their submission.

First established in 2009, there are now five Community National School (CNS) managed by the IVEA. These schools operate through an ethos of inclusiveness and respect for all beliefs, both religious and non-religious. Their establishment follows a recognition that there is a need for an additional choice that can accommodate the diverse preferences of parents for varying forms of religious education and faith formation during the school day, offering ‘multi belief’ schools.

The IVEA’s submission to the Forum is based on the Community National School model and the recommendations about how primary education should be reformed in order to cater for diversity are based on the way this model has developed.

Michael Moriarty, General Secretary of the IVEA said, “There is agreement on the nature of the problem; we now need to work together to find the ‘best-fit’ solution. VECs, with some 40 years experience of working in the management of community schools and designated community colleges are ideally placed to contribute towards a solution and are anxious to do so.”

He continued, “While acknowledging that the inclusion of religious education in the school curriculum poses challenges, we note that these challenges are already being met in Community National Schools. IVEA believes that the intention of those who established our national school system should now be realised. The time has come to change the way primary education is managed in order to cherish all our children equally and to enhance community and national cohesion, and we believe IVEA has a vital role to play in this, and is well placed to provide the expertise required.”

IVEA noted during its submission that catering to diversity in our schools is about more than the religious and cultural dimension; real inclusion must cater to all forms of diversity – socio-economic, learning, aptitudinal, amenability, among others.

“The debate on school patronage has focussed exclusively on religious education and religious instruction and the extent to which, if any, these should be included in the school day. IVEA contends that the issues of quality of service provision, good governance and accountability also need to be taken account of at this juncture,” commented Moriarty.

IVEA proposals suggest that in order to avoid community division, the State should seek, through structured, transparent discussions with existing denominational patrons, to have the patronage of some 33% of schools transferred to the State over a period of four years. The stakeholders in all local schools should be consulted on the understanding that the ultimate decision would be taken by the DES and that its decision would not be based on a plebiscite result.

“Providing a different school, with a different patron, to meet particular needs has cost implications for the State; the most cost effective solution is for the State, through agents such as VECs, to assume a patronage role, thus guaranteeing the educational rights of all children under the one roof,” Moriarty elaborated.

“A proliferation of patronage types means that different ‘belief groups’ grow apart from their earliest years; this can breed intra communal misunderstandings and divisions. Communities should not be divided in establishing the demand for diversity. Instead, every effort should be made to educate children together, irrespective of ethnic, religious, cultural and language or learning differences.”

Since the enactment of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, all VECs have been subject to stringent statutory requirements of governance and accountability and the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act 2001 further strengthened the governance, control and accountability of VECs. These developments are significant in the context of the proposal to vest patronage of the new community national schools with VECs.

In reforming national school patronage, IVEA submits that the present system which enables almost 100% of state funded primary education provision to be vested in a combination of religious bodies and/or private limited companies is inappropriate to satisfy the requirement of accountability which overarches the Education Act 1998. This is a matter that the Forum needs to address by way of firm and practical recommendations.

Moriarty summarised, “Each community should have access to a school that meets the relevant criteria, irrespective of its location. State patronage of primary schools is the key to success here. Some 40 years ago, State intervention through the establishment of community/comprehensive schools, and VEC community colleges made appropriate education available to swathes of Irish society that had been effectively excluded from such education. Similar State intervention is required today. All families should have access to primary education as of right; and all students should have their belief system respected and supported by the schools they attend.”

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Gathering for the 1pm cycle in Grand Canal Square, the ‘thousand plus’ cyclists took a spin around the city to promote health, fitness, money saving and stress free travel.

Google employees enjoying Dublin City's Bike to Work Day lunchtime cycle

Ciaran Fallon, Bike Officer, Dublin City Council speaking about the event said; “Dublin City Council are thrilled with the response to the event and are asking everyone based in or around Dublin city centre that cycles, has access to a bicycle or is part of Dublin Bikes, to cycle in the city more regularly and enjoy Dublin’s cityscape”.

Minister for Public and Commuter Transport Alan Kelly said: “This has been biggest and best bike week yet. There are huge advantages to cycling so the message to people who live close to their work or school is leave your car at home and get on your bike – it’s better for your health, better for traffic congestion, better for your pocket and better for the country overall.”

Prizes for best dressed male, female, bike and company were presented following the cycle along with the raffle prize of an Apple iPad for one of the lucky cyclists, Noel Rushe!

Further information on cycling in Dublin from www.dublincitycycling.ie.

Amy was joined by some friends and famous faces from TV, Film and Sport at a reception in Harvey Nichols which was sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey. Guests then went onto a packed cinema at Movies @ Dundrum where the film received welcoming response from audience members.

Commenting ahead of the gala screening, Amy Huberman said “I am very excited about the release of Rewind. It is a great achievement for all the crew and I am thrilled to be part of it. It was a fantastic opportunity to play a different type of role and in particular such a gritty character. It’s wonderful to see the film get recognition at the IFTA’s, and a nationwide release when it opens on Friday. Amy has also starred in A Film With Me In it, and has recently wrapped filming a leading role opposite Fionnuala Flanagan in Three Wise Women. She is also well known for her tv credits including “The Clinic”, and will be publishing her latest novel later this year.

Rewind, which screened to critical acclaim at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2010, stars Amy Huberman as Karen, a former addict whose life is shaken when a former boyfriend (Allen Leech) suddenly reappears and forces her to confront the demons of her past, and go to whatever lengths necessary to protect her family. The film marks the directorial debut of PJ Dillon, an acclaimed and award winning cinematographer (32A, Kings, The Runway), and also features a stand-out performance from Huberman as the troubled character unexpectedly caught between a mysterious past and a comfortable present. Crackling with tension throughout, the film displays the wealth of talent available in contemporary Irish cinema.

Rewind was produced under the Catalyst Scheme with the support of the Irish Film Board, FilmBase, TV3, The Arts Council, Screen Training Ireland, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The theatrical release at selected cinemas nationwide is supported by the Irish Film Board. The film was produced by Alex Jones and John Wallace for Carbon Films. Rewind has a 15A certificate.

Speaking from the London Film Festival, director Risteard Ó Domhnaill commented “The more we travel with this film, the more we are becoming aware of how universal the story and themes are – this is not solely a story about the Corrib gas line, but about family ties; small local communities at war with each other; and the astonishing determination of the ordinary person faced with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. The response in London has been phenomenal – we can’t wait for the Irish public to see this film, and we’re planning on touring the film around more festivals worldwide.”

Producer Rachel Lysaght said “It’s so gratifying to have such an overwhelming reaction away from home for this film, and for the characters involved. We feel it’s very much a testament to the spirit of those involved that their story resonates internationally.”

The film has picked up ‘Best Documentary’ at the Galway Film Fleadh, recently screened to great acclaim at the Toronto Film Festival, and will next be seen at the Cork Film Festival in advance of its national release on December 3rd. This will be preceded by a preview screening of the film at the IFI Cinemas, Dublin, on December 2nd, at which the filmmakers and those featured in the film will be in attendance, and will take questions from the audience. It is hoped that representatives from all sides of the dispute will be in attendance at this screening.

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Limelight Communications was delighted to be involved in the Annual World Conference hosted by Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland on Friday June 11th and Saturday June 12th in Citywest Dublin. The congress, which is an invaluable resource for patients and family alike, is an international meeting which enables families from diverse countries and cultures to explore the common challenges presented by Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and to learn from each other.

Ireland has the second highest instance of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalous in the world and this group of international speakers discussed and debated various aspects of care and the latest in research related to the conditions.

In particular Dr. Timothy Brei and Dr. Kathleen J Sawin discussed the issue of enhancing Independence in adolescents with Spina Bifida with reference to their research. Both speakers stressed the importance of early identification of individual priorities, action plans to achieve these priorities and multiple practice opportunities which are necessary to achieve these important skills for independent living and full participation in society.

Another speaker, Dr. Trudi Edginton discussed the findings from a two year ASBAH funded project that highlights the importance of assessing cognitive functioning and assessing the perceptions of individuals and their caregivers to increase their awareness and understanding of the specific cognitive and behavioural patterns associated with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Many individuals with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus experience difficulties with memory, language and attention, however a lack of understanding of specific strengths and weaknesses in each of these areas can lead to inaccurate perceptions and expectations of intellectual and behavioural functioning.

Eastenders actor David Proud was on hand to discuss his experiences living with the condition of spina bifida will offering inspiring words of wisdom and motivation for others in his position.

Speaking on the conference George Kennedy, CEO of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalous Ireland has said, “It was an invaluable and stimulating opportunity to meet with people from the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus community. It enabled patients and families to seek advice from prime specialists in the area. This is a conference that highlighted not only new findings and care methods, but also preventative measures as well.”

The company has acquired two mining exploration licenses covering 3.65 km² and 7.25 km² respectively in the Diyarbakir region in Turkey. Initial sample results from these areas show the potential of a world-class find with copper grade showing at between 37% and 51%.  Given that a commercial find for copper at less than 3% is considered economic, these results are outstanding. The excellent results continue with high grade chromite showing at 42% and 53% and high grade iron ore showing at 63% and 65%. 

This exciting new venture is led by a management team with a proven track record in geology, exploration mining and finance, consisting of Liam McGrattan – Chairman, Michael Holden – Managing Director, Nial Ring – Finance Director and Professor Zülküf Güneli. Each member of the management team has worldwide experience with established political and commercial contacts.

Michael Holden, Managing Director said: “Teknomining is a public natural resource exploration and development company, spearheaded by a team that comprises of not only technical knowledge but also experience in financing and launching mining companies onto the stock market.  This means we are ready to build on our already proven track record.”