Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

ARAB IRISH CHAMBER MAGAZINE T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E ARAB IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

TECH TALK LAND OF OPPORTUNITY CITY OF THE FUTURE TRAVEL & TRADE WOMEN IN BUSINESS

EXPO 2020 Colm McLoughlin Dubai Duty Free

Enda Corneille Chairman AICC

His Excellency Mr. Sultan Mohamed Majed Al Ali

Mike Hogan

Director of Enterprise Ireland

Ahmad Yonnis

CEO & Secretary General AICC

Enterprise Ireland The world’s number one VC* As the world adapts to the new normal, Irish companies are leading the way – helping global industries respond to their most pressing challenges.

And as the world’s largest VC, Enterprise Ireland is investing in the most cutting-edge Irish companies.

Across the Middle East, our network of advisors are connecting businesses with innovative Irish partners.

Talk to us and get the Irish Advantage for your business.

Irishadvantage.com/the-gulf/

*

IAJI121.indb 1

PitchBook 2020 Annual League Tables

17/02/2022 14:41

Brown Thomas is Ireland’s most beautiful department store featuring the best brands in the world Our flagship store, a landmark on Dublin’s Grafton Street since 1849, is the luxury destination for Fashion, Beauty, Home and Gifting

2 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 2

17/02/2022 14:41

Alexander McQueen | Balenciaga | Bottega Veneta | Burberry | Celine | Chanel Christian Louboutin | Fendi | Gucci | Hermès | Jimmy Choo | Louis Vuitton Moncler | Prada | Saint Laurent Paris | Tiffany & Co. | Valentino | Zegna

Dublin Cork Limerick Galway brownthomas.com Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 3

IAJI121.indb 3

17/02/2022 14:41

All Pages

4 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 4

17/02/2022 14:41

www.castleleslie.com Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 5

IAJI121.indb 5

05/09/2014 08:18

17/02/2022 14:41

CONTENTS 08. Welcome Welcome note from Ahmad Younis, Secretary General & CEO, Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce.

10. A World Showcase His Excellency Mr Sultan Mohamed Majed Al Ali, talks about why Expo 2020 is so important for the UAE, Ireland and the world.

12. Opportunity Knocks Irish business continues to grow across the Middle East writes Mike Hogan, Regional Director MENA for Enterprise Ireland.

16. The Sky’s the Limit He who knows what is best for an organization is one who knows it from the ground up – or in Enda Corneille’s case, from the sky down.

19. Arab Irish Trade Boom Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the two most important markets in the Gulf region for Irish companies supported by Enterprise Ireland, with exports topping close to €320 million.

21. Arab Health Eamon Sikafi, Senior Marketing Advisor at Enterprise Ireland MENA looks at how the Irish healthcare sector contributes to medtech innovation into the region’s healthcare sector.

26. Food for Thought As UAE consumers embrace sustainability, with a growing focus on healthier food choices, Bord Bia’s Regional Director for the Middle East region talks about how Ireland can answer the call.

32. Appliance of Science

Mass imports, a hostile climate and high wastage mean Gulf countries face multiple food security challenges. Can tech help to put more food on the table?

36. Living the Dream Once a tiny fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, today Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

40. Expo 2020 Create, Collaborate, and Innovate, Dubai’s World Expo features pavilions from more than 190 countries, showcasing the latest in innovation and technology.

50. Dubai Duty Free Irishman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free Colm McLaughlin discusses the phenomenal

6 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 6

17/02/2022 14:41

CREDITS success of Dubai Duty Free and the company’s continued investment in major sporting events.

58. Ireland to the Fore For a small island on the edge of Europe, Ireland punches above its weight as a golf destination.

63. Leading the Way

The breeding ground of champions and the birthplace of legends, Ireland is a leading source of thoroughbred horses worldwide.

69. Go Wild While the UAE has abundant glamour and sunshine, Ireland offers tranquillity and raw beauty beyond belief.

82. Retail Therapy Delightfully different, shop ‘til you drop from Dubai to Dublin.

90. Destination Weddings While the sun has its charms, the Emerald Isle is a dream location for a destination wedding beyond your wildest imagination.

96. Eminently Emirates Connecting people worldwide to a network of over 150 destinations, the world’s largest international airline marks ten years in Ireland.

99. Women in Business From filmmakers to fighter pilots, women continue to push boundaries, and even the sky is no limit to what they can achieve.

109. Smart City The growing interest in the smart city and the need to solve global challenges has led to unprecedented innovation and technological advancement.

Editor: Trish Phelan trish@devlinmedia.org Head of Production: Joanne Punch joanne@devlinmedia.org Sales: Michael Quigley michael@devlinmedia.org Contributors: Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce Enterprise Ireland | Bord Bia Copy & Editorial: Adele Land Lelde Blumfelde | Rachel Curran Design: minxdesign.ie A Devlin Media production in association with the Irish Arab Chamber of Commerce.

Whilst every effort has been made to make the information contained herein as comprehensive and accurate as possible the publishers accept no responsibility for additions, omissions or errors. No part of this publication can be copied or produced without the editor’s consent in writing.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 7

IAJI121.indb 7

17/02/2022 14:41

WELCOME It is with tremendous pleasure that I welcome you to the returning Arab-Irish Magazine. As many of you will be aware, this publication ran successfully for many years and was enjoyed by a wide and varied readership but has recently been on a hiatus. Now, however, in partnership with Devlin Media, we are delighted to witness its second coming – and we hope that you will be, too.

Ahmad Younis, Secretary-General & CEO at Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce.

The magazine — which is planned as a bi-annual publication — will, as ever, see the main focus on the ever-evolving synergy between Ireland and the Arab world. The Arab-Irish trade situation is particularly important, and will be covered in-depth.

Last year I was delighted to celebrate the remarkable growth in Irish exports to the Arab World. Figures for 2020 witnessed a rise of 6.4 per cent on those for 2019. This performance occurred despite the first year of the pandemic and the second full year of Brexit impact. Now I am equally delighted to see further progress. For full year exports, we know from Bord Bia’s latest report that Irish exports of Food and Drink worldwide rose to a record level of €13.5 billion. While full-year official statistics are not yet available on a country-by-country basis, the signs from key Arab countries are very encouraging.

Between January and November of last year, for example, exports to Saudi Arabia were 7.3 per cent higher than during the same period a year ago. That is six times faster than the rate of growth in total trade over the same comparison period.

8 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 8

17/02/2022 14:41

Saudi Arabia is Ireland’s largest Arab trading partner and, in 2020, accounted for one-quarter of all exports to the Arab region – which is highly encouraging. There was even stronger export growth over this period to Morocco (+76.3 per cent growth), Syria Arab Republic (+31.7 per cent) and Sudan (+17.1 per cent).

some 160,000 jobs will be created during the recovery. But even when the strong multinational contribution to growth is adjusted for, the overall growth outlook remains strong. So-called Modified Domestic Demand measure is forecast by the ESRI to rise from six per cent to seven per cent this year.

At the same time, exports held steady in the United Arab Emirates, although declines occurred in exports to Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain. While a fuller picture for the Arab region awaits publication of the full-year set of figures for 2021, these trends in exports to some of Ireland’s larger Arab trading partners are certainly promising.

A key point to grasp is that, while certainly containing a strong element of multinational exports, Ireland’s exports to the Arab world are reasonably broadly balanced between multinational and indigenous exporters. The latter are more labour-intensive sectors such as food, beverages and traditional manufacturing, where demand in Arab states is growing quickly due to demographic factors. For up-and-coming Irish firms, this region presents an excellent opportunity to “get in on the ground floor.”

Similarly promising is the outlook for Ireland’s economy in the coming few years. Government and Central Bank forecasts detail robust growth in economic output and job creation in 2022, with the multinational sector playing a key role. In its latest World Economic Outlook forecasts (prepared in October 2021), the IMF project Ireland’s real economy, as measured by Gross Domestic Product, to average at close to 3 per cent in the coming five years.

Meanwhile, according to the Central Bank,

Despite impressive growth in exports to the Arab world, however, considerable scope remains for further growth. With a combined population of 420 million, the Arab world accounts for more than 5 per cent of the world’s population, while the IMF estimated the combined GDP of this important region to account for between 3.5

and 6 per cent of the world’s total1.

Ireland’s Arab, or “MENA” (Middle East and North Africa)2 - trade partners accounted for €2.45 billion worth of Irish exports in 2020 or 1.5 per cent of the total. That implies the potential for trade to double or treble in the future. As the Arab world grows and Ireland’s economy recovers strongly, we hope and expect trade with our partner countries to reach its full potential. And as that happens, the Arab-Irish Chamber will be delighted to help your company reach its full potential in this land of promise.

On behalf of us all in the Arab-Irish Chamber, may we wish you a very healthy and prosperous 2022, and we hope you enjoy our ‘new’ magazine.

Ahmad Younis

1

IMF (2018) data. In terms of nominal values, the combined GDP of Arab League states amounts to 3.5 per cent of world total, whereas in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (adjusting for lower price levels – relative to exchange rates - and consequent higher purchasing ability in Arab League states as a whole) the relevant percentage is 6 per cent.

2

Middle East and North Africa. This area is similar to but not identical to the twenty-two member states of the Arab League

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 9

IAJI121.indb 9

17/02/2022 14:41

A WORLD

SHOWCASE

The UAE Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Mr Sultan Mohamed Majed Al Ali, talks about why Expo 2020 Dubai is so important for the UAE, Ireland and the world.

The United Arab Emirates are blessed with a strategic geographical location between the east and west, making this country an international economic hub accessible to major emerging economies and the heavily populated markets of the Asia-Pacific region, linking shipping routes and facilitating the transportation of goods between the various regions in the Middle East, Eurasia and Africa. This is why the United Arab Emirates were by far the best choice as the hosting country of the World Expo 2020.

Traditionally, the World Exposition is one of the few mass events that command

worldwide attention where people come together to create, collaborate, exchange and innovate. Deferred for a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Expo 2020 Dubai is one of the first truly global, post-pandemic international gatherings of nations.

This one is the first ever World Expo held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region and it is hosted in Dubai, a city of the future in one of the world’s most inclusive, diverse, tolerant, ambitious, and futurefocused nations, in the year of the UAE’s Golden Jubilee.

Expo Dubai 2020, with its grand ambition of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ has recorded without any doubt the most culturally and ethnically diverse audience and that’s mainly because, for the first time in World Expo history, every participating country has its own pavilion where everyone can enjoy immersive cultural experiences and discover what makes each country unique and irreplaceable.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Expo 2020 Dubai has attracted millions of visitors from all around the world both on-site and virtually through the Virtual Expo Dubai website.

10 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 10

17/02/2022 14:41

UAE Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Mr Sultan Mohamed Majed Al Ali,

The Expo 2020 audience has the privilege to be introduced to and mesmerised by the renowned and rich Irish culture, arts, literature, traditional music and dance through a variety of cultural events and performances like ‘Riverdance’, ‘Expo World Choir’ and so many more. It was a great pleasure to have welcomed the Riverdance team to perform in front of thousands at the EXPO stage.

Expo 2020 Dubai is offering Ireland - as well as every other participating country - a stage in front of an enormous global and multicultural audience to promote the Emerald Island as a fascinating place to live, study and work and a beautiful destination to visit and do business.

Ambassador Al Ali points out that many Irish companies have already enjoyed success after setting up business in the UAE; they operate across various sectors, including ICT, engineering, life sciences, premium foods, aerospace and education.

Innovation & Collaboration

Expo 2020 Dubai is centred around innovation, research, science, collaboration and inspiration while at the same time it embodies the UAE’s commitment to build a cleaner, safer and healthier future for all.

Expo 2020 Dubai is a platform for expanding knowledge and exchanging ideas; for introducing important debates about the future of our planet and how to tackle major global challenges, such as climate change, equal access to education, health care, tolerance and inclusivity.

The technology and innovation on display is more relevant than ever. Expo 2020 Dubai brings together ground-breaking technology and innovative ideas, grouped into the three themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.

It is a unique global experience designed to bring people, communities and countries together in order to build bridges, develop a shared space together, strengthen ties over borders and learn from one another.

As well as being the celebration of unity, opportunity, creativity and sustainability Expo 2020 Dubai is also driving tourism and has created thousands of new jobs and enormous demand for new facilities, including housing, hotels, shopping malls and entertainment complexes.

Ireland has been a very committed and active Expo 2020 Dubai participant showcasing the very best of Irish entrepreneurship, as well as scientific, technological and innovation activities among various fields of the near future.

EXPO 2020 Dubai has created countless new opportunities for economic cooperation between the UAE and Ireland in many sectors including renewable energy, IT, agri-food, immunology and health sector as well as tourism and culture.

The strong relations and the economic partnerships between the two countries have been excellent and are growing further.

The visits of many Irish Ministers to Expo 2020 Dubai demonstrate both Ireland’s and UAE’s intention to strengthen trade ties.

There are substantial business prospects and tangible opportunities for Irish companies looking to start, expand or relocate in the UAE. The UAE offers endless choices of business premises and locations.

Depending on your business activity, you are at liberty to choose a place appropriate for the operations, whether on the mainland or in a free zone.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 11

IAJI121.indb 11

17/02/2022 14:41

OPPORTUNITY

in the

MIDDLE EAST

Mike Hogan, Director of Enterprise Ireland in the Middle East, speaks to Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce magazine about the burgeoning trade relationships between Ireland and the Middle East.

12 || Arab Arab Irish Irish Chamber Chamber Magazine Magazine 12

IAJI121.indb 12

The Arab-Irish Journal | 12

17/02/2022 14:41

Trade Relations

Looking at the historical perspective on trade relations between Ireland and the Middle East, Mike says it’s quite a long history in some respects: Obviously it’s very strong today, but we have had Irish companies active in the Middle East since the early 1970s. Some historical areas of strength are education, health care, equine and duty-free. In healthcare there has been a long history of medical students from the Middle East training in Ireland and that continues to this day, these connections have greatly aided Enterprise Ireland’s efforts to export Irish healthcare products and medical devices to the region Many of the ruling families in the Gulf have taken a special interest in horse racing and the breeding of thoroughbreds and made significant investments into the Irish equine sector These equine connections have now evolved into export opportunities for Irish companies in niches as diverse as equine nutrition and healthcare, electronic record keeping and compliance, to training of jockeys and the management of racecourses. This trend seems set to continue with big plans afoot in Saudi Arabia to develop its horseracing and equine sport sector.

The Middle East has undergone a transformation regarding globalization and decarbonization.

In the UAE there are very ambitious goals to decarbonize and be a smart city.

On the education side, Irish teachers and educators have been a long-standing feature in the Gulf, with perhaps as many as 2,800 Irish teachers practicing in the UAE out of an Irish population of around 10,000.

Often Emiratis first exposure to Ireland is perhaps through an Irish person teaching their children or through a doctor trained in Ireland, which is a very strong calling card on which to build trade.

The concept of duty free airport sales was invented in Ireland, so it’s no surprise to see Irish influence in both the origin story of the world renowned companies such as Dubai Duty Free and through the operations of Aer Rianta International in Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Lebanon and through its parent company DAAi which manages Terminal 5 at Riyadh Airport and was recently awarded the management contract for Saudi Arabia’s new Red Sea Airport

How important it is to cultivate relationships, particularly on a diplomatic, political and cultural level?

Ireland’s points of cultural contact are many and varied across the MENA region.

The Gulf has close to 16,000 Irish people living here, with the biggest concentration in the UAE. In November 2021, we had the residency of Riverdance at EXPO2020, and once Covid subsides, I have no doubt that we will return to norm of Irish musicians, comedians and entertainers returning to including the Gulf as part of their overseas tours. In sport, the GAA have made a remarkable contribution with 16 clubs set up across the Middle East with as many as

Mike Hogan

1,600 active players, several of whom who would have played previously at intercounty level. Regular tournaments are held across the Gulf along with visits by All-Ireland winning teams and the GAA Allstars. Dubai is a popular winter training location for teams from many sporting codes, and the Irish Cricket Team are regular visitors for winter tournaments and qualifiers

Is there a strong sense of curiosity from the local population, and has Ireland got a strong identity in the region?

It depends on where you’re coming from. If you’re from some of the sectors I mentioned, like education or healthcare, it’s a very strong identity, because people would have a higher level of familiarity Another example is the ICT sector where Ireland’s stock is high not solely because of its world class offering, but also because Ireland hosts the European and Middle East HQ of a raft of ICT and born on the internet multinationals. In historical terms, much of the Gulf along with Egypt, Jordan and Iraq would have been British Protectorates in 19th and 20th centuries, so there would be some context in terms of an understanding of Ireland. More widely there would be recognition of Irish actors and musicians, though up until recently probably the most famous Irishman in the Gulf in sports terms was probably Conor McGregor

The Middle East has undergone a transformation regarding globalization and decarbonization. How significant is that and what impact might it have for Irish companies.

In the past we have situations where the oil price dropped and the countries of the Gulf immediately go into overdrive with policies of economic diversification, only for the enthusiasm to subside when energy prices rise. This time it’s different, even though energy prices have recently rebounded, all the countries in the Gulf recognise the temporary nature of oil wealth, the need to decarbonise and what the future economy

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 13

IAJI121.indb 13

17/02/2022 14:41

driven by data with citizens and residents sharing a great deal more personal data with the state as compared to the European norm. Given this background this opens up opportunities for Irish companies in the sustainability space in particular areas such as smart energy systems for building, energy reduction technologies, water treatment and management and digitalization of services.

The wider Middle East is fast growing in population terms, and this fact alone drives demand for education, healthcare and infrastructure services. In 1980, the population of Saudi Arabia was 9.6m million, today it’s 34.8 million, and set to be nearly 40m by 2030. Egypt is adding two million people per year; it already went through the 100 million barrier in 2018. Oil wealth will not service such bigger populations and economic diversification is now a national priority across the Gulf to create a broad based economies that can provide jobs and quality of life for its citizens.

Some forecasters also look at what is called ‘Generation M’ and the develop of products and services orientated toward Muslim tastes and needs. Halal foods would be commonly understood in Ireland, however halal is now be applied to other products such a halal cosmetics, modest fashion and tourism products tailored to Islamic needs and identity. According to the Pew Research, as some point between 2040 and 2050, there will be the same number of Muslims in the world as Christians, which clearly creates an impetus to create and design products and service to match that market dynamic.

SmartPalm is a self-sustaining station for outdoors in the shape of a palm-tree, the main symbol of Dubai. A fusion of easy access to information, WIFI and sustainable technology, Smartpalm is one of the initiatives the government of Dubai committed to ahead of the World Expo 2020.

might look like. All are ploughing huge sums into sustainability, expanding infrastructure, creating transport and logistics hubs, building a tourist sector and transforming the way they educate their populations so that they are ready for the jobs of the future.

In the UAE for example, there are very ambitious goals to decarbonize and be a leading Smart City. Dubai has set ambitious goals to be carbon neutral by 2050, to have 25% driverless cars by 2030 and to become

more self-sufficient in food production.

Already Dubai is becoming a leader in urban farming through hydroponics. 95% of Dubai’s GDP is non-oil based and it is naturally motivated to diversify its economy through services, tourism, logistics and as the HQ of choice for the Middle East.

The UAE in general is at the forefront of eGovernment and has national goal to have paperless transactions between the citizen and government. The UAE rapid delivery of its Covid vaccination programme was

Another area of transformation is aviation, and while the Gulf is famous for its mega carriers such as Qatar and Emirates, we have seen the birth here of domestic airlines and low-cost models that connect cities across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia recently announced an initiative to develop its own mega carrier to match its tourism and economic development ambitions.

The building of airport infrastructure has expanded, and Irish companies have carved out a rich seam of activity providing product and solutions across in MENA. The opportunities are growing across the region from the development of Morocco’s aerospace production cluster near Casablanca, the emergence of Ryanair in Jordan and with Irish leasing companies active in the delivery of Egyptair’s new wide body and short haul fleets. In parallel, rail has remerged, with all six countries in the GCC looking to be rail connected by 2030, changing the dynamic of how these countries trade with each other.

In Ireland, we talk about population growth, but it pales in comparison to the figures you quote. Is the birth rate affected by the influx of people from other countries, and is this growth a positive thing?

The influx of foreign workers has undoubtedly added to the increase in

14 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 14

17/02/2022 14:41

population, however most countries in the Gulf have national policies whether they be called Emitarization or Saudisation to replace foreign workers by creating new opportunities for its own citizens. Emphasis is being placed on working in the private sector and creating startups by making such activities equally or more attractive than working in the public sector. The logic is simple, if you have country of eight or nine million people with significant oil revenues, that’s one set of circumstances, but when that country grows to 34 million people or higher it is a whole different set of circumstances. All those people need jobs, have to be educated, and need access to health care facilities, new homes have to be built and there has to be sufficient energy to run their homes. People need to move around, so you have to build the roads and transport infrastructure and continue to build better services to match societal needs. All these activities create opportunities for Irish companies and in parallel creates a better export market as a whole as market size increases. The UAE is also a melting pot for other nationalities and is a perfect test market for products that can be later sold into markets such as India, Pakistan and Ethiopia

Should Irish companies try to take advantage of that base and is social media important?

The number of companies exporting to the region is growing, and now we have many small to medium-sized companies heavily engaged here. We obviously have companies market-ready to come in here, but many companies are being brought in by enquiries that are coming out of the region. So, you have an organization looking for a particular solution. They do a lot of work themselves, scan the internet, and potentially find the company in Ireland, which they then contact. Irish companies would then typically contact Enterprise Ireland to understand next steps Social media is a critical tool in terms of exposure. Saudi Arabia, for example, with Instagram is one of the highest users in the world, the same with WhatsApp and its use for commercial purposes. Normally, we talk to our clients and bring them into the market in a planned way, through market research, partner search and market visits.

However, equally, if you’re a small Irish company, but a product or service that can use e-commerce, it’s been made massively easier to transact through the likes of Amazon and local competitors such as Noon. For many smaller Irish companies, it is possible to sell via ecommerce platforms that handle everything from product registration, logistics and delivery, payment through a secure channel and with systems that calculate any customers duty or VAT in advance. Essentially, the customer in the Gulf can buy your products straight out the door without interaction with an Irish

vendor. Many of our clients have discovered they already have customers in the Gulf that they are not aware of. It is also a great way of testing the market. If an Irish business is selling products to the US or Europe using eCommerce platforms, it is equally valid for them to consider the Gulf and the wider MENA region. This is a major change that wasn’t there four or five years ago and seems set to grow. On a bigger scale Supervalu products from Musgraves are available on Noon’s platform in the Gulf and even the ubiquitous Barry’s Tea can be bought online via a local platform.

In the education sector, Education in Ireland has vastly expanded its Arabic language social media channels in the Gulf to attract students to Ireland, and to make their parents aware Ireland’s education offering. Education fairs went virtual during Covid and the experience of this has given Irish colleges the confidence to broaden their activities across MENA. The key takeaway here is that Irish companies who want to be successful in the broader MENA region will need to have a proper social media strategy that reflects their ambition to penetrate the market.

What advice would you give Irish companies?

I would say that if you haven’t visited the region recently, do so, there have been big changes and secondly to look again at Saudi Arabia, which will be the big growth story for the rest of the decade.

Saudi Arabia is by far the biggest market in MENA with big untapped potential for Irish companies. This is something we recognise in Enterprise Ireland and our resources will be configurated to match the growing opportunities in Saudi Arabia across all sectors of their economy.

In logistics terms, we have a lot of connectivity here, so it’s easy to hop on a plane and fly directly to Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Qatar and connect to the region. Direct flights to Cairo are also imminent. The visa

regime is light or non-existent, so as an Irish person, you can arrive here in Dubai or Riyadh and have your meetings, explore the market, and gain your own view of the opportunities. Saudi Arabia’s change of visa policy has been a real gamechanger.

Simply by going to the Visit Saudi Arabia website you can get a visa and insurance for under €100, which also gives you 3 entries for business research and negotiation purposes. Across the Gulf, there are a lot of inbuilt, Irish connections in place, this is not a place that the Irish are in short supply with social and business groups including the Irish Business Networks in Riyadh and Dubai, and business associations in Abu Dhabi and Jordan. The key thing is, do your homework and do it before you get here.

There is no point coming to an exhibition on spec, you need to contact people in advance, reach out to potential partners, so that your visit is more impactful. Likewise, be mindful of the culture and traditions of the region. Dubai is an international business city and companies can get the false impression that the way business is done in Dubai is the way it is conducted throughout the Gulf. A common sense approach is best and Enterprise Ireland have long worked with clients to help them navigate the operational norms across the region. Many younger Saudis and Emiratis are used to doing business internationally and are familiar with business terminology and have an understanding of business culture. It is important to remember that in a hierarchical system the decision maker can come from an older generation, so it’s important not to assume too much from first meeting and to take the time to get a deal done right. Typically, it can take up to 18 months to land a first deal, patience and persistence is essential.

Enterprise Ireland is the government organization responsible for developing and growing Irish enterprises in world markets. It works in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales internationally.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 15

IAJI121.indb 15

17/02/2022 14:41

“The Arab world

represents an enormous and developing market for Irish exporters to expand into and the Arab Irish Chamber is uniquely placed to facilitate this.

”

16 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 16

17/02/2022 14:41

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT The one who knows what is best for an organization is one who knows it from the ground up – or in Enda Corneille’s case, from the sky down.

County Manager for Ireland at Emirates Airlines and Chairman of the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce Enda Corneille would describe himself as ‘plane mad.’ In fact, he once dreamed of becoming a pilot.

In the late 1980s, while working for Aer Lingus, Enda passed the cadet test, passed the first interview, then before interviewing with pilots, he headed out on a two-seater aircraft with a young Aer Lingus First Officer, “so I knew what I was talking about,” he says. The instructor it turns out was a young Willie Walsh, current Director General of the International Air Transport Association and former CEO of Aer Lingus and British Airways.

So, to say Enda knows the business from the ground up is an understatement. His experience in the industry and in the Arab world saw him take on the role of Chairman of the AICC in 2019, focusing on making it easy to do business in the Arab world for members and the wider community.

Here he tells us about mutually beneficial opportunities between Ireland and the Emirates and how the Chamber is uniquely placed to facilitate new opportunities.

One Stop Shop

The Chamber exists as a one-stop-shop in facilitating Irish businesses exporting to the Arab world. We are always working to make the process easier and more straightforward for members and customers alike. The Chamber’s proprietary online certification system launch has been a huge innovation in making doing business in the Arab world more accessible than ever before.

Our board has also seen some changes with a renewed emphasis on prospective board members being active in doing business in the Arab world. This means that our board is now uniquely placed to understand the real challenges facing exporters doing business in this region. From this informed standpoint, we are well placed to drive the Chamber forward to the benefit of all.

Commerce between Ireland and the Arab world has been growing strongly for many years, however, I believe we in the Chamber have more work to do in nurturing and developing the entrepreneurs and exporters of the future if the levels of growth we are seeing are to continue.

would suggest it will continue to increase through the current year as airlines return their schedules to pre-Covid levels, in line with market restrictions. Air cargo increases are significant and likely to increase in the medium term as Irish exporters grow their own businesses in the region.

I believe education will be at the forefront of that process both in a business sense and culturally. The Chamber has a vital role to play in this regard, and 2022 will see the Chamber devote resources to this crucial area.

One particular driver of business into the Middle East at present is EXPO in Dubai, which itself is a popular business hub in the Middle East and a growing centre for international trade. Although a global event with over 9 million visitors so far, EXPO is ideal for Irish exporters wishing to make initial contacts and learn more about new markets across the Arab world.

The Brexit Bounce

The Arab world is proving itself an important prospect and an alternative channel to the UK for Ireland’s exporters. Companies in Ireland whose businesses have been negatively impacted by Brexit have a real opportunity here. This was evidenced by the remarkable growth in Irish exports to the Arab World during 2020, a rise of 6.4 per cent on 2019. We saw significant growth in exports from the food, technology and pharmaceutical sectors.

The Chamber had to adapt quickly to respond to the increases in demand so no shipments would be delayed. This performance occurred despite the first pandemic and the second full year of Brexit impact.

The Irish Government and associated agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia have been huge supporters of growing trade between Ireland and the Arab world. However, I believe even more effort is required, especially in the area of trade agreements between Ireland and the individual Arab states, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which account for 50% of overall exports to the Arab world. With Brexit continuing to challenge Irish exporters, the Arab world represents an enormous and developing market for Irish exporters to expand into and the Arab Irish Chamber is uniquely placed to facilitate this.

Travel to the Middle East has already snapped back, and the data I am seeing

This market represents a unique opportunity for Irish exporters to sell into a growing, young, and vibrant basket of markets. I am confident that the significant levels of growth heretofore can be built upon into the future. However, as we saw during the pandemic, long term planning is fraught with uncertainty. This notwithstanding, we continued to see growth from Ireland during Covid, and I am confident this will continue.

Enda’s advice for those wishing to explore opportunities in the Arab states? As is the case for any new market, prospective exporters need to do plenty of research in advance of any decision to branch out to the Arab world. However, what is uniquely important in doing business in this region is to appreciate the cultural dimension of any potential trade relationship. Developing trust can take time, but it is time well spent.

Exporters who have been particularly successful in the region have been mindful of the importance of investing this time at the start, rather than rushing things and expecting to be up and running quickly.

While the rewards are certainly there to be had, travelling to the market, making contacts and developing relationships are critical if a company wishes to establish business relationships here.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 17

IAJI121.indb 17

17/02/2022 14:41

Corporate Risk & Broking Specialists We know how companies can unlock potential through effective risk management. Our clients rely on us to craft strategies to quantify, mitigate and transfer risk, taking advantage of our specialist industry experience and unparalleled market knowhow. The result is a new way of embracing risk that drives superior results.

For more information about how we can help your business, contact: Ronan Doyle, Director D: +353 (0)1 632 6939 E: ronan.doyle@willistowerswatson.com

Willis Towers Watson Insurances (Ireland) Limited t/a Willis Towers Watson is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Registered in Ireland number 78812.

Registered Office: Willis Towers Watson House Elm Park, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 P231.

willistowerswatson.com 18 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 18 Ireland_Arab-Business-Mag-Ad.indd 1

17/02/2022 14:41 21/10/2021 10:52:56

10:52:56

IRISH-ARAB

TRADE BOOM

Irish exports to the Arab world were up 6.4% for 2020 compared with 2019 despite the ongoing global pandemic, with exports to the region surpassing the overall Irish export market, which grew by 5.4%.

Ireland exported a total of €2.4 billion worth of merchandise products to the Arab countries in 2020, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates accounting for almost half. According to Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce CEO Ahmad Younis, strong growth in merchandise exports to Arab countries can contribute to Ireland’s export recovery and ease the impact of Brexit.

However, a notable rate of growth to other Arab countries, including Algeria (up 40%), Qatar (up 33%) and Jordan (up 28%) indicates significant potential for Irish companies considering their export options. There were also considerable increases in exports to the UAE (up 18%) and Iraq (up 17%).

As evidenced by these figures, the Arab world is proving itself an important prospect and alternative channel for Ireland’s economic recovery. Companies in Ireland whose export business has been negatively impacted by Brexit have a real opportunity here. Particularly striking are the rapid growth rates of between 30% and 40% recorded in exports to some of the larger Arab nations.

In 2019, an Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce report (Arab Irish Chamber EY-DKM report) forecasted the potential growth areas. The 2020 findings are particularly encouraging, with growth of 40% in 2020 to Algeria showing just how

much potential there is for Irish businesses to export here.

Continued Growth

Technology is a major player in terms of the types of products in demand, but there is also growth in more traditional sectors such as food.

While Ireland’s high-tech exports are performing strongly, as they are all over the world, demand for Ireland’s food exports is also robust. Given the Arab world’s current population of 420 million (and growing) and rising incomes in the area, this is an exciting market for Irish food producers contemplating a long-term strategy in response to Brexit.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 19

IAJI121.indb 19

17/02/2022 14:41

A breakdown of trade between Ireland and its largest Arab export market, Saudi Arabia, shows the country’s huge dependence on a wide range of Irish-produced goods.

Essential oils, perfume and toiletries accounted for the plurality – just over one third – of merchandise exports last year at €233.8 million. Medicinal and pharmaceutical accounted for €164.3 million, office machines and data processing €54.1 million, and food exports including dairy and eggs totalled over €90 million.

In monetary terms, a total of €2.45 billion worth of merchandise was exported to the Arab States last year, an increase of €146 million on 2019. Saudi Arabia accounts for one-quarter of this (€627 million), followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which accounts for a further half a billion.

This overall upward trend is encouraging evidence in relation to another forecast made in the Arab Irish Chamber EY-DKM report to the effect that exports to the region, including the exports of traded services, will reach €12 billion by 2028.

Food for Thought

Dubai remains a hub for e-commerce growth in the MENA region. With the pandemic changing consumer habits, the growth of digital shopping has accelerated, resulting in many companies investing in online sales activity and omni-channel methods.

Ireland’s leading food retail, wholesale and foodservice company Musgraves recently announced that it is doubling its SuperValu product range sold on noon Grocery, the Middle East’s largest online grocery marketplace and noon.com’s dedicated fresh grocery platform. It will see 250 SuperValu products available across the UAE on noon, to include items from SuperValu’s fresh food range.

The partnership with the Irish food retailer is the first direct distribution partner with the Saudi e-tailer. Musgrave aims for up to 500 products available by the end of 2022 on noon Grocery as the partnership continues.

€2.4 billion worth of goods exported to the region in 2020, with Saudi Arabia and UAE accounting for almost half.

Dairy, eggs, pharmaceuticals and technology contributed to the surge in growth.

Ali Kafil-Hussain, Chief of Staff, noon, said: “Grocery is increasingly moving online, especially as e-commerce penetration has surged significantly in this region. noon Grocery, our next-day fresh grocery delivery service, currently stocks more than 60,000 products. When we launched the SuperValu range by Musgrave earlier this year we received an overwhelming response from customers in Dubai, particularly those in the ex-pat community, who were delighted to be able to get a part of home delivered to their second home here in the UAE.” According to a study by the Dubai Chamber

of Commerce and Industry, the UAE’s retail e-commerce market reached a record $3.9 billion in 2020, a 53% year-over-year increase driven by the Covid-19-led digital shift, while e-commerce accounted for an 8% share of the retail market during the same year.

Opportunity Knocks

The Middle East region, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, provides significant opportunities for Irish green innovators who can help local partners solve their sustainability challenges through cuttingedge innovation, digitisation, quality, compliance, and future-focused energy reduction methods and conservation technology. Across cleantech, fintech, and medtech, Irish companies are supported

by Enterprise Ireland to further grow commercial opportunities.

Overall, there is vast potential for trade from Ireland to the Arab States, and the timing has never been better with ambitious plans to increase Ireland’s engagement with the Middle East over the coming years. Under the Global Ireland 2025 strategy, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will expand its diplomatic mission in the UAE and open two new embassies in Jordan and Morocco, giving Ireland a permanent foothold in the Levant and the Maghreb.

Ireland is a small nation but unburdened by the colonial legacies dogging other countries in Western Europe, it has received a warm reception in the Arab world. Irish businesses with high-quality products or services that are willing to put in the effort to cultivate new opportunities are on a path to success.

There is a lot of help and advice available locally to business owners looking to expand their international exporting potential.

Organizations like Bord Bia, the AICC and Enterprise Ireland have specialist teams across the region to specifically support Irish firms in getting established and providing advice on the different business models that operate in the UAE.

20 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 20

17/02/2022 14:41

MEDTECH:

THE IRISH ADVANTAGE Irish healthcare sector sets its sights on the UAE and wider Middle East region to greatly increase Irish medtech innovation into the region’s healthcare sector.

With over a 40% increase in Irish companies participating at the Arab Health Exhibition this year compared to 2020, it demonstrates strong progress in the momentum in the region being achieved as part of the reinvigorated strategy by Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Government agency for trade and innovation, to increase the Irish healthcare exports to the UAE and wider region.

Twenty leading Irish medtech companies participated at the Middle East’s largest medical industry event, Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai, which attracted over

50,000 healthcare professionals looking for the latest innovation across the healthcare sector to benefit patients in the region.

At the Exhibition, Enterprise Ireland showcased the breadth of Irish leading healthcare innovation on its ‘Ireland’ stand.

According to Eamon Sikafi, Senior Market Advisor at Enterprise Ireland MENA, Ireland has forged a strong global reputation in the healthcare sector, especially with leading innovation in medtech that is being adopted across the world. As one of the leading digital tech

and medtech hubs worldwide, Ireland has delivered an increased supply of lifesaving equipment and new innovations in the fight against Covid-19, which has positioned the country fifth in the world for the global exports of Covid 19-related goods and services, according to the OECD. Medtech is one of Ireland’s biggest success stories. One of the top five global medtech hubs, Ireland is home to up to 350 companies in the sector, including 14 of the world’s top 15 medtech companies.

With 45,000 people employed in the sector,

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 21

IAJI121.indb 21

17/02/2022 14:41

they are the largest medtech employer per capita in Europe. The Irish medtech industry exports to over 100 countries every year, worth over €13bn, positioning Ireland as the second-largest exporter of medtech products in Europe.

Leading the Irish trade agency’s participation at Arab Health, Eamon said: “Irish medtech plays a central role in major industry shifts, including the move to preventative care, digitalization outside of hospital settings, the emergence of new technologies, and the development of new distribution and inventory management models. Enterprise Ireland was delighted to showcase the latest healthcare solutions from 20 leading Irish medtech companies at Arab Health, with a focus on their contribution to shaping the post-pandemic healthcare world.”

Inward Investment

The Middle East is an extremely important market for Irish company Aerogen, a global market leader in medical devices specializing in designing, manufacturing, and commercializing aerosol drug delivery

systems. Having established a Middle East commercial office in Dubai in 2018, Aerogen has grown from a team of two to 10 fulltime staff based in the region. In order to further strengthen their commitment over the coming years, Aerogen announced its partnership with Gulf Medical in KSA. This partnership will ensure that all hospitals in the KSA market will have access to training and support on Aerogen to ensure they can continue to deliver superior patient care.

Enterprise Ireland is actively involved in the healthcare market in Saudi Arabia with many client companies working with local partners to provide leading healthcare and medtech solutions into the market; a process made easier due to the large number of Irishtrained, Saudi-based health professionals and the number of healthcare decision makers who trained at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Dublin City University is also actively involved in the training of nurses in Saudi Arabia.

Traditionally, Irish cooperation was entirely focused on medical education, but in 2020, Enterprise Ireland noted increased

engagement between Saudi Arabia and its healthcare sector focused client companies due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In data captured by Ireland’s Central Statistics Office, overall Irish exports of goods to Saudi Arabia grew in 2020, primarily due to increases of exports to €163.4m in Medical and Pharmaceutical Supplies.

During the Gulf trade mission led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD in December last year, providers of vehicle intelligence solutions for support of Pre-Hospital Care clients, ACETECH announced the signing of a multimilliondollar contract with Bassam Trading (BTC) for a technology deal on emergency vehicles in KSA. ACETECH is a global manufacturer of vehicle intelligence for emergency service fleets. Their solutions include cloud-based fleet management software, specialist safety and eco-friendly modules and intelligent electronic control units that integrate seamlessly with emergency service vehicles to boost their performance, improve safety and revolutionize the operation of the fleet.

22 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 22

17/02/2022 14:41

Innovate & Collaborate

Irish medtech companies at Arab Health that are collaborating with Middle East healthcare providers for improved healthcare capabilities include: • Deciphex: For the UAE and MENA, Deciphex enables both the patient and the referring institution/physician to refer to the top level of pathology sub-specialists without the need to travel.

Deciphex is focused on developing software applications for preclinical/toxicologic pathology that improve productivity and help pathologists focus on the critical content.

Deciphex recently launched its clinical diagnostic service, Diagnexia, which provides on-demand access to remote subspecialty pathologists for primary diagnostics and secondary consult services, supporting the achievement of turnaround time goals and delivery of the highest quality of patient care.

• Medical Eguides Ltd: MEG is set to expand its presence in the Middle East with a new office in the region, employing an on-ground regional business director and signing on new partners and deals in Saudi Arabia.

MEG provides a suite of applications that can improve healthcare quality through audit, feedback, and reporting. It provides tools on mobile and tablet devices that provide real time results and alerts. The software also provides training information and guidelines to train staff at the point of care. Using this technology, audits are more accurate, it saves time, and results are available instantly, allowing teams to spend more time on improved patient care reducing costs. MEG supports the vision to

deliver great care for every patient every time with an intuitive, all-in-one digital quality management system connecting the key components of governance for quality, patient safety and compliance in one place.

• MyPatientSpace: myPatientSpace are currently working in Europe, the Middle East, Israel, and the Americas. myPatientSpace is a leading innovative digital health company, founded in 2017, powering connected patient solutions for global healthcare providers and life sciences companies. Its goal is to improve the healthcare experience for millions of patients globally by connecting them across their care journey. myPatientSpace achieves this by providing an innovative no-code platform that allows customers to provide personalized medical grade digital companions for patients. They help make patient-centric care a reality. myPatientSpace is trusted by world-leading healthcare institutions and today powers solutions in disease awareness, pre-and postsurgery care, chronic disease management and research trials in several therapy areas: Sleep, Oncology, Rheumatology, Respiratory, Chronic Kidney Disease, Orthopedics and others.

• Novaerus: In Q4 2021, Novaerus secured a new channel partner in UAE and Qatar.

For over a decade, Novaerus has been providing medical-grade solutions that address a global problem, unhealthy indoor air. Led by a dedicated and highly skilled team of scientists, the company took a fundamentally different approach to air disinfection, which led to the transformational discovery of NanoStrike – the unique, patented

technology at the core of all Novaerus portable air disinfection devices today. This nanotechnology inactivates all airborne microorganisms on contact providing the first line of protection against viruses and bacteria.

Utilizing NanoStrike technology, Novaerus devices help prevent the spread of infection in thousands of hospitals, senior living facilities, IVF clinics, dental offices, schools and homes around the world.

• Scope Healthcare: Scope’s complete and innovative ranges of eyecare, allergy and wellbeing products are now available for distribution in EMEA, APAC and LATAM markets.

Scope is a healthcare and pharmaceuticals company with locations in Ireland, UK and USA that provides healthcare professionals and patients with high quality, effective and innovative products. Ophthalmics Scope offers innovative eyecare products for AMD and ocular surface diseases, such as dry eye disease, blepharitis and MGD. Healthcare Scope offers a range of innovative products to pharmacies and health food stores, such as Bio Kult probiotics, Vivio Junior Multivitamin & Cough Syrup, Vivimune Immunity tonic, and many more.

• SureWash: SureWash helps hospitals within the GCC earn the Joint Commission International (JCI) Standards ‘Gold Seal of Approval’. Seven of the JCI goals are directly related to SureWash features, promoting quality and patient safety.

SureWash revolutionizes hand hygiene training. The leading technology delivers on-site and remote training and assessment to the World Health Organization (WHO) protocol. The validated technology ensures

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 23

IAJI121.indb 23

17/02/2022 14:41

• Fleming Medical Ltd: Fleming Medical prides itself on having over 30 years of experience developing and supplying medical devices, equipment, diagnostics, consumables and products to the Irish and international healthcare and pharmacy industries. Fleming Medical are innovators and lead the way in chronic health conditions by adapting wearable technology to healthcare solutions. Fleming, along with NUIG, RCSI and The Tyndall Institute are developing Dermatrax, the world’s first smart wound care dressing. The wound dressing will assess the wound viability via sensors that send information to an app for a more accurate assessment, thus reducing wound care costs and patient discomfort.

training and education is accessible and convenient to help reduce hospital acquired infections and improve patient outcomes.

Training and re-training is accessible 24/7 for medical professionals, patients, and visitors.

The system encourages self-directed learning and provides objective, real-time feedback on the user’s hand hygiene technique during training. Customizable lessons and quizzes support the practical training to address gaps in knowledge within a facility.

• Vitalograph: Vitalograph recently signed

new distribution partnerships in Kuwait and Jordan and has a pipeline of UAE projects and collaborations set to be confirmed this year.

A global leader in respiratory diagnostics, Vitalograph manufacture and supply high quality spirometers and medical devices which aid the detection, diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions. Its products are used in over 113 countries by medical professionals in healthcare and occupational health settings. Vitalograph has also delivered successful clinical trials for many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, biotech and contract research organizations. Its product range includes spirometers, lung and asthma monitors, COPD screeners, medical workstations, and software and consumables.

• Solvotrin Therapeutics: Active Iron is clinically proven to be significantly better absorbed than the gold standard ferrous sulphate but uniquely avoids the negative gastrointestinal side effects commonly associated with oral iron. Active Iron is available in 12 markets worldwide, including the UAE. Solvotrin Therapeutics is an Irish healthcare development company focused on optimizing

established therapies through innovative science with patent protection. Headquartered in Cork, Ireland, Solvotrin has a team of 20 people with the R&D team members located at Trinity College Dublin. Driven by innovative science, Solvotrin redesigns essential medicinal and healthcare products, making them safer and more effective.

Solvotrin’s approach has produced two distinct patent-protected platforms with applications in a wide array of medical settings. The first product range developed and successfully commercialized is the Active platform technology, led by a range of innovative oral iron products branded as Active Iron.

Other Enterprise Ireland client companies showcasing Ireland’s strength in the medtech industry at Arab Health: • Aerogen: Aerogen is the world’s leading medical device company specializing in designing, manufacturing, and commercializing aerosol drug delivery systems. Its patented vibrating mesh technology turns liquid medication into a fine particle mist, gently and effectively delivering drugs to the lungs of critically ill patients. With a wealth of international awards, the company has a strong global presence with offices in Ireland, UK, Germany, the United States, the Middle East, Asia, and India.

• CF Pharma Ireland Ltd: CF Pharma is an ISO 13485 and HACCP accredited company based in Ireland that manufactures a range of novel specific Health Food Supplements, Medical Device Formulations and Advanced Topical Dermatological Solutions for both Human and Animal Healthcare.

• HealthSectorTalent: HealthSectorTalent, also known as HST, is an award-winning healthcare talent consultancy founded on a culture that is passionate about transforming the way healthcare providers, state agencies and governments manage the acquisition of both clinical and nonhealthcare talent. From creating and delivering talent attraction strategies to designing applicant flows and providing outsourced recruitment process administration, its customizable clientfocused talent acquisition solutions support direct supply, hybrid RPO and end-to-end recruitment.

By focusing on the entire talent acquisition ecosystem including strategy, processes, attraction and candidate management, HST deliver greater predictability of supply and a lower candidate acquisition cost through a partnership that goes beyond simply filling a vacancy.

• HiberGene Diagnostics Ltd: HiberGene Diagnostics is a Dublin-based, private Irish company that develops, manufactures, and markets molecular diagnostic tests for the direct detection of human infectious diseases, using the LAMP (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) technology. In 2020, HiberGene successfully completed the CE marking of a new fast molecular Covid-19 test. Positive results are returned within a few hours, enabling rapid diagnosis of the disease at the early and highly infectious stage of infection. With its expanding HG product line, HiberGene is committed to providing rapid and highly accurate testing solutions that are cost-effective and simple to use. HG tests address the unmet clinical need for a rapid, highly accurate and simple testing solution, making them ideal for use in a wide range of clinical, near-patient and laboratory environments.

• Kersia: Kersia is a global leader in biosecurity and food safety with value added products and solutions to prevent diseases or contamination in both animals and humans at every stage of the food supply chain. The company also offers solutions to the healthcare sector.

Kersia operates in more than 120 countries with a workforce of over 1,500 people and a turnover of more than €300 million. With Kersia, farmers, food processing plants and retailers have the most trusted partner with the scientific and field experience to identify risks and deliver innovative solutions.

24 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 24

17/02/2022 14:41

• T-Pro: T-Pro is a global leader in clinical documentation improvement software. Their AI-driven solutions enable workflows for efficient and accurate speech recognition, medical transcription, messaging, telehealth, document distribution and coding. T-Pro facilitates a patient-centred solution by making it easy for doctors to capture the patient narrative and delivering information when needed most – at the point of care. T-Pro’s technology allows healthcare providers to voice enable their existing EPR, reduce transcription costs and outsource overflow tasks. Over 500 client organizations and over 20,000 active users enjoy the benefits of T-Pro solutions today. Recently, T-Pro accelerated AI technology strategy for healthcare with the consolidation of Indian service providers under T-Pro Medical PVT. • ACETECH: A global supplier of software and vehicle solutions for the emergency services market, ACETECH designs innovative cloud-based fleet performance software, specialist modules for safety, eco-friendliness and asset protection, and intelligent control systems for healthcare providers and government bodies. These solutions integrate seamlessly with emergency service vehicles to help them perform better. ACETECH’s scalable integrated solution helps track all emergency vehicles and assets, coaches safe and productive driving, and reduces fuel consumption.

• Empeal: A health risk management tool focused on prevention and management of chronic diseases, the Empeal platform gathers medical, nutrition, lifestyle, behaviour data, and personal goals data from users through interactive questionnaires and integrated technologies like wearables for practitioners to visualize early trends. These data points are linked using unique algorithms to deliver highly personalized nutrition and lifestyle programmes. Empeal work with RCSI’s Centre for Positive Health and Psychology and are the technology partner of CPL’s Future of Work.

• Gasgon Medical: Gasgon Medical is an award-winning start-up medical device company based in Cork, Ireland, developing innovative fluid management products for the clinical market. Gasgon tackles the challenges of making IV infusions better for patients and clinicians. In December 2021, the company closed a seed round of €2m to manufacture and launch its premier device, AirVault. The company was recently awarded as the overall winner, with a prize of €100,000 at Seedcorn, the largest business competition in Ireland.

• Medfind Solutions: Established in August 2015, MSL Healthcare is active across Irish hospitals and retail pharmacies, focusing on strong, value-added products which make a real difference to patients’ lives. With a combined experience in the Irish healthcare market of over 40 years, it aims to build a quality offering that empowers the physician to make an informed decision regarding their patient’s therapy. A further major strength lies in their ability to access key customers, payers and stakeholders across all Irish hospitals. Recently, the company

Eamon Sikafi

commenced the trading of MedFind UK Ltd, which can source and supply UK products for export markets as well as seeking partners for supply of unlicensed medicines to the UK and Irish markets. The company also provide distribution facilities to business partners who wish to establish new operations in the UK and Ireland.

• O’Flynn Medical: O’Flynn Medical is a familyowned company specializing in supplying and renting medical equipment and service to the HSE, care facilities, and private homes across Ireland. Since its establishment in 2002, it has gone from being a small maintenance company working in the healthcare sector to a company that supplies specialist innovative healthcare products across Europe. Scrubex, its scrub management system, has been saving money, tightening infection control procedures, and improving the effectiveness of HSE hospital laundries since its introduction into the Irish Health Service in 2008. Now, it is also the preferred solution in Acute Hospitals in the UK and Germany. Its Stryker high end, pressurerelieving products are proving to be reliable, clinically effective and cost effective across all areas of the Irish Health Service. The innovative O’Flynn Medical tablet crushing system is now being introduced into the UK market.

• The Irish medtech industry exports over €13bn to over 100 countries every year, positioning Ireland as the second-largest exporter of medtech products in Europe.

• The Gulf region is a major growth market for Ireland. Exports to United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in 2020 grew by 12% and 6% respectively. In 2020, Irish exports to both markets continued to grow, even against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a combined market value of close to €320 million Euros ($367 million USD).

“As we emerge from the pandemic, innovation in the industry continues at pace. We are moving into a world where healthcare needs have changed significantly and medtech innovations are needed more than ever before.

And once again, Irish innovators are responding quickly with some great innovations.”

• In data captured by Ireland’s Central Statistics Office, overall, Irish exports of goods to Saudi Arabia grew in 2020, primarily due to increases in exports to €163.4m in Medical and Pharmaceutical Supplies.

• Enterprise Ireland is actively involved in the healthcare market with many client companies working with local partners to provide leading healthcare and medtech solutions into the market.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 25

IAJI121.indb 25

17/02/2022 14:41

FOOD FOR THOUGHT There is more Irish produce on the shelves of supermarkets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) than in any other market outside the UK and Ireland, says Kieran Fitzgerald, Bord Bia’s new manager for the UAE and ME. 26 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 26

17/02/2022 14:41

Irish food and drink has some pretty impressive feathers in its cap these days, like the fact that we produce enough dairy each year to fill about 3,000 olympic-sized swimming pools; that Irish beef is served at the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai; and there is more Irish produce on the shelves of supermarkets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) than in any other market outside the UK and Ireland.

During the 1840’s famine period in Ireland and for a very long time afterwards, Ireland’s biggest export was our people.

Not any longer though. As an island nation with a population of just five million people, Ireland now produces enough food to feed 25 million people.

Food and drink is now Ireland’s most important indigenous industry and one of our fastest growing export areas (if you’re on an Emirates flight you’ll notice Keogh’s crisps are being served). Having worked for Bord Bia in China and being part of the team that launched Irish beef in China and Irish lamb in Japan, I know what consumers come to expect of Irish produce.

I am delighted to see a new generation of talented young people in Ireland being attracted into farming and food production, who value excellence in our indigenous industry, because when it comes down to it, what makes Ireland really stand out as a food producer? Ireland’s mild climate and rainfall with little heavy industry is the reason that 80% of the country is covered in lush green grass year-round and this unspoilt landscape allows farmers to produce in harmony with nature.

Food has always been intrinsically linked to both of our cultures, where consumers hold food security and traceability as priorities. In the UAE and ME consumers are very familiar with our Irish beverages, grass fed beef and dairy, seafood from our Wild Atlantic Way, and our prepared consumer foods – think Flahavan’s oats, Golden Irish eggs, and Butler’s Chocolates.

As a committed member of the EU, Ireland adheres to the strict EU food safety standards and we encourage our farmers and processors to reach even higher standards by participating in our Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes, refined over the last 20 years, in a process of continuous improvement and the pursuit of excellence.

As we enter the final decade of delivering on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the global food and drink sector is facing unpresented reputational, regulatory and market pressures to reduce its environmental and social impact, as well as develop innovative solutions to increasingly complex consumer demand. Bord Bia recently completed a Future Proofing toolkit to further understand preferences

and behaviours from consumers in UAE

Food and drink is now Ireland’s most important indigenous industry and one of our fastest growing export areas.

Kieran Fitzgerald

and Saudi Arabia emerging from the pandemic. What we found is a growing interest in healthy and organic foods to boost immunity along with safely packaged food – a direct response to food security concerns from consumers who are now more inclined to purchase from a well-known brand where the origin can be traced.

Ireland is perceived worldwide as a clean, green country and an ideal place to produce food. This is true. But today saying this is not enough, we prove it through the Irish government’s Origin Green initiative – the only one of its kind worldwide - working across the supply chain to assist farmers, companies, retailers and food service operators to meet their sustainability commitments on an on-going basis.

Irish food and drink exports to the Middle East was worth €344 million in 2020, a very strong performance given difficulties presented by the pandemic, especially for those companies supplying to the foodservice sector. This growth is a direct result of our invested relationship with the region.

Looking ahead, Bord Bia has a number of exciting announcements in the UAE and ME, including the launch of Irish lamb to Kuwait in November 2021 and the relaunch of our acclaimed Chefs’ Irish Beef Club in Dubai, an exclusive international forum which brings together some of the region’s leading chefs who collectively endorse Irish beef.

Bord Bia will be present at Expo’s Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods themed week from 17th- 23rd February 2022, and at Gulfood 13th-17th February 2022.

One more feather in our cap.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 27

IAJI121.indb 27

17/02/2022 14:41

SPREADING IRISH FLAVOUR Ornua, owner of the world-renowned Kerrygold brand and is Ireland’s largest export of dairy products, is expecting strong growth in the Middle East in the coming years.

28 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 28

17/02/2022 14:41

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members Ireland’s dairy processors, and in turn, Irish dairy farmers. Ornua has been establishing successful routes to market for Irish dairy for more than 60 years. Today, the cooperative exports to more than 110 global markets. With a presence in the Middle East spanning many decades, Ornua’s portfolio within the region includes a range of cheese and butter products sold under the Kerrygold brand. In 2016, Ornua established a manufacturing facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to produce a selection of innovative white cheese solutions on behalf of the B2B ingredients sector.

Previously the Irish Dairy Board, Ornua & Kerrygold’s presence in the Middle East market dates back to the 1980’s. With a view to driving the strategic development of the brand across the region and aligning teams with customers and consumers on the ground, Ornua established a local sales office in Dubai in 2008. Sustained presence in the market has facilitated the local sales teams in overcoming some of the challenges of doing business across the diverse Middle East markets – through market insight and strong customer relationships.

In terms of Ornua’s flagship Kerrygold brand, numerous market dynamics point to strong opportunity throughout the region over the coming years. Covid-19 has resulted in an upsurge in consumer retail spending and an increased demand for foods deemed healthy, natural and less processed (1). Food accounts for the second-largest consumer spending category in the Middle East – the fastest growing retail landscape worldwide (2).

Ireland enjoys an excellent reputation as an exporter of quality consumer foods to the region, especially among European ex-pats who have an existing familiarity with Irish produce, including Kerrygold’s portfolio of butter and cheese.

This is reflected in the wider success of Irish exports to the region, registering 6.4% growth in 2020 on the previous year (3).

Further opportunities for Kerrygold exist in targeting the ethnic majority communities across the GCC – predominantly Arab and Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 29

IAJI121.indb 29

17/02/2022 14:41

South Asian consumers who purchase butter frequently and are becoming increasingly brand and quality-conscious.

Visibility across the online channel will also be of strategic importance for the brand – with E-commerce in the region experiencing exponential growth amid the Covid-19 landscape (4).

Ornua Ingredients produces a range of bespoke white cheese offerings on behalf of B2B ingredients and bakery customers. The facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia employs recombined technology, previously developed in partnership with Teagasc in Ireland. Sold under Ornua’s foodservice brands, Palatina and Mersin, the products produced here include labneh and white cheese - popular fillings within pastry-based ‘on the go’ snacks in the Middle East. The facility’s customer innovation centre allows for development of these ingredients directly alongside the customer, facilitating the region’s diverse flavour and application requirements.

Ornua has been a long-term ingredients supplier to customers throughout the MENA region and success can be attributed to the preference that numerous food manufacturers have for Irish dairy ingredients – primarily due to their premium taste and quality. With an agile production process, strong customer service and an innovative product offering, Ornua has proudly increased both its consumer base and product portfolio on a year-onyear basis. Despite the numerous challenges posed to the B2B and foodservice channels throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the outlook moving into 2022 is positive.

The GCC will host both Expo2020 and Qatar2022 over the coming year, with an expected upswing in visitors to the region and in line with that, renewed opportunity across these channels.

In terms of Ornua’s flagship Kerrygold brand, numerous market dynamics point to strong opportunity throughout the region over the coming years. Covid-19 has resulted in an upsurge in consumer retail spending and an increased demand for foods deemed healthy, natural and less processed.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

The Middle East food landscape is a challenging arena for food imports, with strong competition from global food manufacturers. However, through continued investment in line with market dynamics – including increasing consumer demand for taste, quality and healthier food, Ornua is well placed for sustained growth within the Middle East over the coming years.

Sources: Euromonitor Consultancy-me.com Arab Irish

30 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 30

17/02/2022 14:41

full-page ad ME.pdf

1

15/11/2021

14:05

B E C A U BS EE CTAA US S T EE ITS A ESVTEER YI TS H I N G .

E V E R Y T H I N G.

For seasonal recipe inspiration, visit www.kerrygold.com/ara bia For seasonal recipe inspiration, visit www.kerrygold.com/ara bia

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

IAJI121.indb 31

17/02/2022 14:41

APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE Mass imports, a hostile climate and high wastage mean Gulf countries face multiple food security challenges. Can tech help to put more food on the table?

Food security is a worldwide concern taking different forms in each country. In the UAE, food availability is a challenge with little arable land, water scarcity, and an ever-increasing population. To relieve this pressure, the UAE is employing modern technology and innovative approaches to improve the availability of homegrown produce. The strategy includes launching numerous initiatives that utilise modern agricultural technology (AgTech) to find solutions to climate and environmental challenges of the current food systems.

Contending with limited freshwater, intense heat and sandy soil, farmers in Dubai can’t go about farming in the traditional sense, so Dubai’s International Center of Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) is creating solutions to boost local food production in the driest and hottest conditions. This not-for-profit has amassed a collection of over 13,000 highly nutritious crops that can adapt and survive in extreme weather conditions. Working with the land’s resources, their crops can grow using seawater and brine from desalination projects.

Abu Dhabi’s ambitious Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) project that aims at producing alternative aviation biofuel and seafood. The SEAS projects will bolster the economy by supporting the growth of multiple sectors such as aviation, oil refining, agriculture and aquaculture.

Dairy & Seafood

Since human survival also depends on protein, another UAE-based farm provides fish for local supermarkets. Fish Farm, the UAE’s first organic aquaculture business, was founded in 2013 to grow a variety of foreign species and reduce the country’s reliance on imported products. It supplies supermarkets with sustainably farmed fish at practical price points, without the negative environmental impacts of open-sea farming.

Dairy is also a priority and to this end, Ain Farms, the official dairy Provider of EXPO 2020, founded by the Founding Father of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was the first dairy company in the UAE to start dairy operations for the nation.

32 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 32

17/02/2022 14:41

His Highness Sheik Mohammad:

Continuing the path of sustainability and food security for 40 years, Al Ain Farms has grown to become the largest integrated local company in the UAE. The company runs four farms under its brand – dairy and juice, a camel milk production business, and its poultry unit that supplies fresh chicken and eggs. Locally produced in Al Ain, in the heart of the UAE, Al Ain Farms is playing a pivotal role in the country’s food security, with its products being delivered to all parts of the UAE daily.

In a recent development, the UAE, Jordan and the Netherlands have issued a joint call to work together on food, water and energy security by strengthening critical resources.

Government ministers, leading researchers and youth participated in person and online for a trilateral meeting during Expo 2020.

Scientists and researchers are involved in the partnership to find innovative techniques and share data on growing crops in arid climates in the Middle East.

Saleh Al Kharabsheh, Minister of Energy

and Mineral Resources of Jordan, said collaboration and collective action would increase understanding of the interdependent relationships between water, energy, and food security.

“In the coming decades, the world will need increasing amounts of resources. Population growth, resource-intensive lifestyles, and the damaging effects of climate change will lead to water, energy, and food insecurity across the globe,” he said.

To add to the many positive developments, the recently launched Food Tech Hub in Dubai seeks to triple the UAE’s food production. The iconic hub building, shaped like a sheaf of wheat includes a smart food logistics hub, R&D facilities as well as agricultural technology and engineering labs.

A beacon of innovation and design for the modern world, the UAE looks well set towards achieving its goal of self-sufficiency while conserving essential resources.

The UAE’s food trade exceeds AED100 billion annually. Our country is a global food logistics hub, and we will work to create a nurturing environment for agribusinesses to develop new farming technologies and enhance our future food security.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 33

IAJI121.indb 33

17/02/2022 14:41

Manufacturers of Bespoke Food Display Equipment ..........................................................

Tel: 00353 (0)404 69215 Web: www.astroneng.ie Email: info@astroneng.ie

IAJI121.indb Astron A4.indd341

17/02/2022 28/01/2022 14:41 17:04

22 17:04

FLYING HIGH

- three decades on

In the same year that Concorde made its first commercial flight, Astron Engineering Limited took off and, unlike the British/French project, has been flying ever since.

Astron’s fortunes have been on a steady, upward trajectory since its establishment

by Tom O’Dowd in 1977 and over the last three decades it has become a go-to firm for discerning customers at home and abroad seeking bespoke food display equipment.

From its headquarters in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, the O’Dowd-led firm has grown and developed to establish an unrivalled reputation in its field.

As the company’s current Managing Director, the aforementioned O’Dowd still has his hands on the tiller some 44 years on from giving oxygen to his brainchild. He has overseen many changes concerning his firm and the industry itself since the time he first entered the market place subcontracting to bigger refrigeration companies.

manufacturers of Salad Bars and food display equipment, working with and supplying numerous cabinets to some of the largest retailers in Ireland, the UK and UAE. The noughties marked another landmark move by Astron when, in 2008, the company exported its first self-serve Salad / Juice Bar to Dubai, with the help of an independent Middle East salesperson. The response to the Salad / Juice Bar was very well received and led to more orders. As a consequence of this, O’Dowd and co. decided to begin supplying directly to customers in the Middle East so as to ensure better quality of service. In 2010 Astron Engineering formally began exporting its products directly to its new customers abroad.

Less than 10 years after coming into being, Astron Engineering developed a significant relationship with Superquinn. The Garden County outfit began designing and installing custom made Salad Bars to each of Superquinn’s stores and business quickly mushroomed.

With a go-ahead, united and ambitious team, Astron has amassed a peerless reputation due to the quality, durability, reliability, functionality and aesthetic appeal of its bespoke cabinets. Add in the company’s supremely personable customer service - from conception to completion and beyond – and the firm’s winning formula becomes all the more apparent.

With continued research and development over the years, Astron Engineering consolidated its solid foundations to evolve and become one of Ireland’s leading

Customers love the intimacy, comfort and convenience that comes with Astron’s ability to design and manuafactured onsite at its workshop in Rathnew.

But to keep ahead of the posse, Astron continues to research intensely the most durable, cost efficient and environmentally friendly components to construct its cabinets. Pointedly, each cabinet is tested to European Standards before it leaves the company’s workshop.

Astron’s workforce is not one that wishes to rest on its laurels and it is acutely aware that a retailer strives to offer quality fresh produce while still offering value for money.

So at Astron Engineering top quality, energy efficient cabinets are offered to the customer; cabinets which also provide easy access and keep food fresher for longer.

Repeat custom is, of course, a key to any manufacturer’s success story and Astron Engineering prides itself on building a long-lasting relationship with such marquee customers as Dunnes Stores, Musgrave Group (which includes SuperValu and Centra), Spar, Fresh, Gino’s Gelato, James Whelan Butchers, Sheridan’s Cheese to name a few Irish retailers and Geant, Lulu & Nesto in the UAE.

Astron Engineering Limited can be contacted at: Milltown North, Charvey Lane, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, Tel: 00353 (0)404 69215, Email: info@astroneng.ie

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 35

IAJI121.indb 35

17/02/2022 14:41

LIVING THE DREAM Once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, today Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is home to nearly 200 nationalities and offers a truly memorable experience to all visitors.

Whether by the banks of the Creek or at the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Dubai lives and breathes a sense of possibility and innovation.

Dubai has long been known for its futuristic inventions, and the city’s plans to become the world-leading smart and sustainable city are expanding. Under the Dubai Smart City and Dubai Plan 2021, the emirate aims to become the best-connected in terms of telecoms, tourism, utilities, education, real estate, public safety, healthcare and transportation. In addition, The Dubai

Crown Prince has issued a Resolution to form a Supreme Committee for the Urban Planning of Dubai. The decision aims to regulate, ensure, and implement all the required deliverables of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan to make Dubai the «best city in the world to live in».

The Emirati city has become a staple of contemporary architecture in the Arab world, housing numerous landmarks designed by award-winning architects, such as the Opus by Zaha Hadid Architects and the upcoming Burj Jumeira by SOM. In addition, Dubai has launched a global initiative to make the city the world›s leader in 3D printing. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice

36 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 36

17/02/2022 14:41

Masdar City dwelling.

The Buildings are Equipped with Solar Panels on the roof

President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has created the plan for one quarter of new buildings to be 3D printed by 2025. The strategy hopes to utilize 3D printing to cut costs in the medical and construction sector and restructure economies and labor markets.

Accessibility and mobility are game-changers and the city aims to cut emissions and significantly reduce urban congestion.

The Roads and Transport Authority have been working tirelessly to this end and it is expected that driverless transport will be a commonly used means of transport in 2020 and beyond. In addition, the launch of the Hyperloop, a train that can travel up to 1225kph, will significantly change the journey time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi – from 90 minutes to under 12. The fast speed results from magnetic levitation removing friction between the train and the rails.

City of the Future

Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City has its eye on the prize as one of the world’s most sustainable urban communities. It is made up of a rapidly growing clean-tech cluster, business free zone and residential neighbourhood with restaurants, shops and public green spaces.

Masdar City is a pioneer in sustainability and a hub for research and development, spearheading innovation to realize greener, more sustainable urban living. Situated just 10 minutes drive from Abu Dhabi International airport and 40 minutes from Dubai, this ‘City of Future’ is built on the philosophy of economic, social and

environmental sustainability. It aims to promote a greener lifestyle by applying realworld energy and water efficiency solutions, zero-carbon transport, and reduced waste generation.

Abdulla Balalaa, Executive Director, Masdar City, said, “Innovation has become the cornerstone of the world’s progression towards a sustainable future for everyone. At Masdar City, supporting the advancement of ground-breaking sustainable technologies is the foundation of what we do.”

It’s an ambitious project spearheaded by the UAE government in partnership with a subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company. While the completion date is not until 2030, a significant portion of the city, including residential complexes, offices, a convention centre, and a wind tower, are already open for business.

Renewal Energy

Masdar City in the UAE is a ‘greenprint’ for sustainable urban development. A full-day tour of the city reveals its 500 eco-friendly residential units powered entirely by renewable energy. Electrical power is produced from the city’s on-site 10 megawatt (MW) solar energy panels. Spread across a 22-hectare site, it’s the largest grid connection solar facility in the Middle East. Visitors are also educated about the efficient water control system installed at all facilities in Masdar City, with every building equipped with extractors that take humidity from the air and convert it into water to be

One of the most prominent examples of sustainability is the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology campus where the entire complex is built on the principles of renewable energy.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 37

IAJI121.indb 37

17/02/2022 14:41

Masdar City Square with Water Cooling Tower.

used throughout the city. Water-efficient sinks in all residential units also control water flow, preventing wastage. The Wind Tower takes inspiration from traditional natural cooling mechanisms used in Middle Eastern architecture, with tall cylinders that carry the air inside from the top to the central portion, where it cools down before being rereleased.

The city has gone all out when it comes to promoting green mobility. Cars are banned, with the exception of electric cars.

Instead, Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) stations are used for transportation within Masdar. Visitors leave their vehicles in the parking lot at the entrance to the city and use sustainable transport to commute in and around. PRT stations have on-demand mini-pods with automated electrical single cabin vehicles that act as driverless taxis, featuring a touch screen to control the journey and running along PRT-only tunnels built beneath street level. Electric buggies and bicycles are also permitted with the city’s infrastructure having been designed to encourage walking with wellplanned and wide pavements throughout.

Science & Technology

One of the most prominent examples of sustainability in Masdar City is the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology campus, where the entire complex is built on the principles of renewable energy. The most iconic building on campus is the oval-shaped Knowledge Centre building, designed to capitalize on photovoltaic energy harvesting (harvesting energy from light, in laymen’s terms). Meanwhile, the inclined PV panels on the roof help stop direct sunlight from causing the building to overheat.

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

“At Masdar City, we have created a highly unique ecosystem of education, R&D, technology, and innovation, which is designed to bring companies together in a unique environment where they can build their networks, explore multiple investment opportunities, and test new technologies,” explains Balalaa.

The city is committed to advancing the sustainability agenda and spearheading innovation to realize greener, more sustainable urban living. It will be home to a wide variety of organizations - from multinationals and SMEs to homegrown startups including among others, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the UAE Space Agency, Siemens, the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and its two pillar entities, Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE, Tabreed, Honeywell, and the world’s first university dedicated to artificial

intelligence, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

Masdar City is also home to leading HealthTech company, G42 Healthcare (G42), which is known for introducing one of the world’s largest Covid-19 testing and diagnostics laboratories, and establishing the Omics Center of Excellence, the region’s largest and most advanced Omics facility in terms of technology coverage, automation, computational capacity, and throughput.

Today visitors can only explore the city on a day trip from Sunday to Thursday, as no hotels have yet been constructed, but there are plenty of eateries and cafes to compliment a day of discovery. Marl’s Organic is a top spot, with its homegrown Middle Eastern and continental menus and Kababji Grill, one of the oldest Lebanese restaurants in the UAE, recently opened a branch here too.

38 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 38

17/02/2022 14:41

LET THERE

BE LIGHT

NuLumenTek specialises in the design and supply of energy-efficient lighting solutions across a broad range of sectors growing significantly in Ireland and across the Middle East. The company has expert lighting teams operating throughout the Middle East supported by an engineering design hub in Cork.

Jim Healy, CEO, co-founded the company in Cork in 2012. Since then, NuLumenTek has expanded, opening offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh and London. Jim had over 25 years of experience delivering mechanical and electrical international projects in the UK, mainland Europe, Asia and the Middle East before setting up NuLumenTek. He brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the design and installation process on every project.

NuLumenTek focuses on the expert delivery of lighting design and supply for the new build and retrofit market, supporting clients in the end-to-end project life cycle and guaranteeing product reliability, low opex, superior energy performance, and best in class lighting efficacy.

internal, external, urban and landscape lighting – supporting the ambition to get to net-zero carbon emissions by helping companies to transition to low energy lighting solutions. Key clients include Dublin Airport, Iarnrod Eireann, ESB, and pharma and bluechip companies, including GSK, Sanmina, IBM, Becton Dickenson & Co, Flex and Keuhne & Nagle.

NuLumenTek has delivered some of the largest lighting retrofit projects in the Middle East and many high-end premium lighting projects since 2012. Projects delivered include the Doha Metro, hyper-scale data centres in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi and class A Royal residences. The company also supported Almarai to deliver one of the largest lighting retrofit projects in the Middle East.

NuLumenTek’s scale, global activity and local presence across Ireland, UK and the Middle East provide a dependable supply chain and direct access to a team of lighting experts.

“Although we have expanded significantly in the last few years”, says Jim Healy, CEO, “at our core, we are a business that partners with people for the long term. We have deep and ongoing relationships with our customers and partners.

NuLumenTek specialises in the supply of commercial and architectural lighting, both

“In an era where minimising carbon footprint has become critical, our expertise

in providing the most energy-efficient lighting solutions possible is what differentiates us, whether for the new build or retrofit market, across industrial, commercial or high-end premium settings.”

NuLumenTek has many projects in the pipeline. Continued growth in the Middle East, with the development of new cities and mega projects, has created a massive opportunity for the company in the region.

Closing Jim says: “We are highly committed to the Middle East market. We have teams of lighting experts across the region – who work and collaborate closely with our engineering design hub in Cork.”

Contact NuLumenTek sales team Sales@NuLumenTek.com Website: www.NuLumenTek.com.

Start the journey to becoming a Zero carbon business, switch to LED lighting

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 39

IAJI121.indb 39

17/02/2022 14:41

40 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 40

17/02/2022 14:41

EXPO 2020

THE WORLD IN ONE PLACE

Seven years in the making, and after a year-long delay, Expo 2020 Dubai is finally underway to inspire people, communities, businesses and nations with a contagious spirit of optimism.

The first expo to take place in the Middle East, and billed as ‘the world in one place,’ Expo 2020 Dubai offers a global experience with more than 200 participants, 192 countries and numerous businesses and organizations in one enormous 4.38-kilometre site.

Thousands of visitors from around the globe will pass through Expo 2020 Dubai every day, discovering new innovations, experiencing world cuisines, creating new and lasting memories and exploring new opportunities to enhance lives, open minds, push boundaries and bring positive changes to the planet. The event’s theme is ‘Connecting Minds - Creating the Future’, and organizers promise it will leave a meaningful legacy for future generations.

World Expos have been held in cities throughout the world since the first World’s Fair took place in London in 1851.

On November 27, 2013, Dubai and the UAE celebrated with spectacular fireworks lighting up the sky when the tiny Emirate learned it had won the bid to host the event in 2020. A new world was dawning in Dubai and the UAE, and along with the Expo site rising out of the barren desert, new infrastructure emerged, including hotels, roads and highways as Dubai prepared to welcome the world.

In October 2019, a year before the scheduled opening, a huge event took place at Burj Park.

International artists such as Mariah Carey and Emirati star Hussain Al Jassmi took to the stage to launch the countdown to the much-anticipated event. Then some three months later, the world ground to a halt, along with the opening of the Expo, as Covid19 pandemic swept across the globe. Organizers of the Expo were stoic in their response to the setback, maintaining the 2020 branding and saying ‘our purpose of connecting minds and creating the future’ would resonate even more as the world began to rebuild.

Expo 2020 Dubai has something for everyone, adults, children, entrepreneurs, foodies, techies, culture vultures, baby boomers, millennials and Gen Z. With up to 60 live events a day, along with cuisine from more than 50 cultures, the 182-day event is set to be the must-visit destination of the decade.

Located close to Al Maktoum International Airport and easily reached from Dubai and

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 41

IAJI121.indb 41

17/02/2022 14:41

Abu Dhabi’s airports and cruise terminals, the Expo site is linked to the Route 2020 Metro extension, and the dedicated Expo Rider bus is complimentary.

style carbon fibre entrance (the same material used in building spaceships), you know you are about to embark on a mindblowing experience.

Expo 2020 Dubai is a ‘city of the future’ with state-of-the-art innovations and incredible technology, digitally connecting the event to its visitors to guarantee an unrivalled experience. The Expo will go down as one of the most sustainable World Expos ever, with its cutting-edge architecture incorporating sensors that monitor energy efficiency.

Exploring Expo 2020 Dubai

The magnificent Al Wasi Plaza is at the heart of the Expo and is the central point for the celebrations that will take place during the course of the event. This iconic building is topped by a steel trellis dome – the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface. As soon as you step through the mashrabiya-

Explore Expo 2020 Dubai, explore the world! 182 days to collaborate, innovate and marvel at what humanity can accomplish together. Expo 2020 is a once-in-alifetime experience. Wander through the breathtaking architecture of pavilions housing ground-breaking technological advances and immersive experiences and travel the world’s cultures and cuisines in one amazing place.

Three distinct themed districts boast performance spaces, innovation galleries, art installations, parks and gardens with each district in its own unique pavilion.

42 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 42

17/02/2022 14:42

Sustainability District

The Sustainability District is all about how humans can live in harmony while embracing a high-tech future.

Experience the unique sights, sounds and aromas of Brazil’s Amazon basin as you walk through a ‘rainforest’ under the blues skies of the UAE. Take a wander through a forest canopy and climb to the hanging garden at the Singapore Pavilion.

Worked up a thirst? Enjoy authentic tapas at the Spain Pavilion and why not wash it down with a virgin Mojito at the Cuba Pavilion.

Learn about Sweden’s smart cities and how the country is developing the next generation of travel. Take a stroll through a ‘Nordic forest’ and enjoy a Swedish coffee break at the Sweden

Expo 2020 Dubai is a city of the future with state-of-theart innovations and incredible technology, digitally connecting the event to its visitors to guarantee an unrivalled experience.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 43

IAJI121.indb 43

17/02/2022 14:42

Situated between Al Wasl Plaza and Jubilee Park, the Expo 2020 Water Feature combines the elements of water, earth and fire. The 153 individual waves range from glistening sheets to bursts of water that literally leap from the walls as they make their dramatic descent to the plaza below.

At the feature’s centre is a “mysterious circle of fire” that produces enormous bursts of flames in hues of red, green and yellow.

Each surge of water is released on a musical cue, creating an orchestral masterpiece performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. The original score was written by the award-winning composer Ramin Djawadi, whose work includes the theme music for the HBO series Game of Thrones

Pavilion. Football fans will relish a visit to the Qatar Pavilion as the country prepares to host the Fifa World cup later this year.

biodiversity and listen to the environmental call from the Tuvalu Pavilion as they work to protect their islands from sinking.

and explore the delights of a tropical environment at the Eswatini Pavilion.

Mobility District

Opportunity District

Each week Expo 2020 Dubai brings different themes where visitors can learn and participate in events and seminars addressing global challenges.

Space exploration, innovated mobility devices, and connectivity can be explored at the Mobility District.

Immerse yourself in a world of chocolate at the Cote d’Ivoire Pavilion and discover the wealth of natural minerals at the pavilion of the tiny island of Nauru.

At the pavilion of Sao Tome and Principe embark on a journey through a paradise of palm-lined beaches and incredible

Understand how our lives and actions are interconnected in the Opportunity District and help shape the future by unlocking your own potential.

Contribute to the ever-changing digital message on the façade of the UK Pavilion and experience the story of the Emerald Isle on a 360-degree display at the Ireland Pavilion.

Be teleported from Dubai to the streets of Jaffa and Tel Aviv at the Israel Pavilion

Events & Experiences

October 1 brings the inauguration of all the pavilions. Expect to have your mind blown with a cacophony of sound, astonishing light shows and dance displays brimming with colour as the 192 countries pull out all the stops to showcase their culture.

After the breath-taking opening day, the

44 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 44

17/02/2022 14:42

rest of the Expo won’t disappoint. Every day unique events will be staged, each one capturing the hearts, minds, spirit and imagination of visitors such as a spectacular flyover of The Patrouille Acrobatique de France - the precision aerobatics demonstration unit of the French Air & Space Force.

Slowing down the pace a little and getting down to the serious business of protecting the planet, the calendar is packed with events and experiences relating to sustainability and the changing climate.

Learn how countries and island nations large and small are planning and working toward a green future. Meet the people behind the promises and experience the struggles of poorer nations as they try to play their part in ensuring the survival of the planet.

Learn how we can protect water – our most precious resource. Discover how we can reverse the impact of pollution on our ocean ecosystems, recognise the value of water to our economies and ensure we work toward a clean and reliable water source for all.

Make an early start at Expo Dubai 2022 and enjoy the Global Awakening. Meander through the Al Wasi Plaza and hear the sweet sounds of nature calling. When the sun goes down, the dome lights up against the night sky and tells stories from the Arab region and the world around us.

Take part in a little girl’s dream where the moon speaks – Ousha is a 12-year-old girl born without speech. Every evening Ousha’s special story will be told through a 10-minute projection show.

This decade is all about empowerment, wellness, self-belief and discovery. Hear the voices of women and girls from around the world who are taking control of their destiny as well as people from rural communities embarking on new challenges.

Tolerance & Inclusivity is extensively covered as seminars and events explore how we can work toward making the world a better and safer place for the LGBTQ community, people from diverse backgrounds and those living with disability.

Animal lovers will be fascinated by initiatives using domestic animals in therapy, and at how marine life plays such an important part in our ecosystem.

Sports fans can put on their game face with a range of sporting events including

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 45

IAJI121.indb 45

17/02/2022 14:42

Al Wasl Dome is a marvel – the centrepiece of Expo 2020 Dubai, equipped with the world’s largest 360-degree projection screen and more than 250 state-of-the-art projectors – but it’s only one of Expo’s many technological innovations.

Ride the world’s largest passenger lift, interact with the more than 150 robots offering assistance or delivering food, or experience what it feels like to travel at high speed on a hyperloop.

Experience the union of art and technology by stepping inside the 14-metre-high walls of a spectacular, 360-degree immersive water, light and fire show or be mesmerised by the front of the Republic of Korea Pavilion, which features descending rows of glowing digital cubes that spin and light up in synchronised displays.

a meet and greet session with AC Milan football team and a visit from Manchester City players. Basketball exhibitionists, The Harlem Globetrotters, will make an appearance along with boxing champion Anthony Joshua and tennis star Goran Ivanišević.

At the Lithuania Pavilion witness BITES in action, a 3D printer designed for real-time printing of snacks. These are natural high biological value snacks containing just three ingredients – a freeze dried product (or a mix of several) cocoa butter and pea protein isolate.

Buy and enjoy printed BITES at the retail store.

Countries and their leaders are honoured throughout Expo 2020 Dubai. Witness processions and cultural events throughout the site, celebrating the uniqueness of each country. Celebrate Halloween in high octane with an opera spectacular. The Diwali festival of lights will be celebrated with a special show in the Al Wasi Plaza and Christmas & New Year will be days and nights to remember.

Discover how the food is made, the history behind the dishes and how, in many cases, traditional methods are still preferred over modern food technology.

On Valentine’s Day, the Expo will celebrate love in all its guises and Moms will be honoured on Mother’s Day with a children’s choir. World Poetry Day will bring spokenword artists from around the world collaborating in the power of poetry.

Expo 2022 Dubai coincides with the UAE’s Golden Jubilee and provides the perfect platform for Emiratis to share the joy and pride they have for their nation.

Food & Agriculture

Food and Agriculture is an integral part of the events schedule. Learn about growing sustainably and the role of food in our lives.

Africa is specifically spotlighted, along with the ‘Innovation Challenge for Zero Hunger’ and the ‘Good Food for All event’.

World cuisine is one of the highlights of Expo 2020 Dubai, whether it’s the sultry spices of Asia, modern fusion cuisine, or if hearty rustic ‘peasant’ food is more to your liking, your tastebuds will not be disappointed. Take the opportunity to try new flavours, unusual dishes and food you wouldn’t ordinarily choose from a menu.

Innovating for a Shared Future

Unleash your inner techie, discover lifechanging innovations and experience a truly connected high-tech world. Countless technological advances await. Add your voice to a continuously changing collective message and get an awe-inspiring glimpse into the future, exploring everything from the commercialisation of space to artificial intelligence.

At the Emirates Pavilion visitors can experience the future of commercial aviation in UAE’s centennial year 2071 - a technically advanced, must-see opportunity to experience and influence the future of aviation.

Throughout the Expo business leaders from local start-ups or global conglomerates can discover new innovations and meet the people behind the ideas. With globalization at the forefront of world economy, entrepreneurs can explore business opportunities in different countries with no jet lag or time-consuming travel. The Expo Business Programme offers conferences, meeting and exhibitions and is a platform for highlighting business opportunities in the UAE and all participating countries.

A World of Imagination

Expo 2020 Dubai isn’t just about knowledge, learning and celebrations, it’s about feeding the senses. Be amazed by stilt walkers,

clowns, beat boxers, hip hop artists, flash mobs, fashion shows, classical music and sights and sounds from all over the world.

Every day or evening throughout Expo 2020 Dubai, visitors can experience a sensory overload with the music, culture, colour, characters and tastes of almost every country on earth. Countries and cultures that may seem out of reach are here for you to experience – around the world in 182 days!

From Spain to Saudi Arabia, from Bahrain to Bolivia – find out what makes these countries special, how they came to be, what makes their people tick, what their future looks like and how they play their part in the world.

Expect to be surprised, expect to be moved and most definitely expect to be amazed.

Getting around Expo 2020 Dubai couldn’t be easier, stroll from district to district at your own pace, jump aboard the inter-district people mover, or rent am Expo Buggy, complete with driver. You can also enjoy a sightseeing tour by sustainable transport with the Expo Explorer, unique electric and compressed- air trains.

Expo 2020 will come to a close after six months of innovation, connectivity and outstanding vision, but the end is only a beginning. The Expo site will transition into District 2020 and at least 80% of the infrastructure will be reused continuing the vision of being a connected, creative and innovative ecosystem.

Organisers say that “The connections we will all make, our hopes and aspirations, and the opportunity to experience the innovation, ideas, cultures and traditions of 192 participating countries will all translate into building a better tomorrow for all of humanity.”

Dubai promised us the world back in 2013 when it won the bid for Expo 2020 – it has more than lived up to its promise...

46 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 46

*Term

17/02/2022 14:42

Fly Emirates and get a

FREE DAY PASS to Expo 2020 Dubai

Fly Emirates to Dubai and get ready for a once-in-lifetime experience at EXPO 2020 Dubai. Simply book your flight to Dubai or include Dubai as a stopover* and get a complementary free day pass to EXPO 2020 Dubai.

*Terms and conditions apply.

IAJI121.indb 47

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 47

17/02/2022 14:42

HOME FROM HOME

The former Bonnington Hotel Dubai rebranded recently under IHG’s upscale brand voco, offering guests a modern, stylish, and unstuffy hotel experience.

The 208-room hotel embodies the characteristics of voco with exclusive features and distinctive hallmarks, setting it apart for a memorable stay.

Every guest will experience the signature ‘come on in’ warm welcome, promising a swift and simple check-in, with dedicated voco hosts available throughout the guest’s stay.

Located in the heart of bustling and cosmopolitan Jumeirah Lakes Towers and one of the newest hotels in the area, at voco Bonnington Dubai you are minutes away from Dubai Marina and its beaches and a short ride from a host of luxury shopping facilities and malls, restaurants, bars, and some of the world’s top golf courses.

Jumeirah Lakes Towers is a waterfront area home to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Free Zone, the largest and fastest-growing free zone in the UAE and an increasingly important regional commodities hub for trade and enterprise.

The 5-star voco Bonnington Dubai is just a short journey to the Dubai Expo 2020 site and Jebel Ali free zone. It is within easy reach from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi international airports and Dubai cruise port, making voco Bonnington Dubai the

48 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 48

17/02/2022 14:42

by a team of talented chefs. Sunday is carvery day; enjoy a Sunday roast with all the trimmings, a great day out for all the family, At the award-winning pub McGettigan’s JLT you can enjoy a warm Irish welcome. The perfect hangout spot where you can shoot some pool, relax in the outdoor beer garden, enjoy live music, comedy acts, live sports on the big screens and meet with friends.

Its tasty home-style food menu includes burgers, chicken wings, home fries and a range of other deliciously comforting dishes.

ideal location to explore Dubai, be it for business or for leisure.

Beautifully refurbished guest rooms benefit from the voco design concept with thoughtful comforts like cosy bedding made from 100% recycled materials, Antipodes high-quality organic amenities in larger dispenser bottles, high-speed WiFi, Smart TVs, executive desks and in-room refreshments.

All rooms and suite include complimentary coffee & tea supplies, complimentary water, fluffy bathrobe and slippers, complimentary WiFi, luxury amenities, stand-alone bathtubs, rainfall showers, hair dryer, flatscreen TV, in-room dining, and in-room safe.

Deluxe rooms feature big comfy beds and black-out blinds, guaranteeing the best night’s sleep. Enjoy marina or golf course views from superior rooms and relish in the extra space in the larger club rooms. Club suites boast some 60m2 of living space, and club deluxe suites and deluxe corner suites enjoy fabulous views.

Delightful Dining

Feeling hungry? voco Bonnington Dubai hosts a range of vibrant dining experiences to suit all culinary tastes. Whether you’re looking for intimate dining or fun with friends and colleagues, voco Bonnington Dubai has the eatery for you.

Dine at the Cavendish Restaurant with its carefully created international menu curated

The Cheeky Camel is Dubai’s best new neighbourhood bar eatery. With dynamic interior design combined with a menu of dishes blended from European and Middle Eastern flavours, this is set to fast become the place to eat in Jumeirah Lakes Towers for locals and visitors alike.

For a more serene and elegant experience, enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea at Authors’ Lounge. This special offering includes sandwiches, scones, cakes, tea and coffee, as well as a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. Every Saturday a live pianist plays graceful music while visitors indulge in delicious treats.

The Leisure Deck offers sweeping views of the Dubai Marina skyline, where guests can enjoy the swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna and steam rooms. As an added perk, the beauty salon and pool bar have enticing daily offers for guests.

The voco Bonnington Dubai is easily reached by public transport, just two kilometres from the train and subway station. Free onsite parking is available and accessed by a key card available from the front desk if you choose to drive. Valet parking is also available.

Special offers and events are available throughout the year. Contact the hotel directly for more information or visit their website. Call +971-4-3560000 or visit www.vocobonnington.com.

The voco brand combines the informality and charm of an individual hotel with the quality and reassurance of a global and

The voco brand combines the informality and charm of an individual hotel with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. respected brand. Whatever your reason for staying at the voco Bonnington Dubai, you are assured a warm welcome, top-class facilities and outstanding service - a real home away from home.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 49

IAJI121.indb 49

17/02/2022 14:42

Dubai Duty Free shopping complex at Concourse A

50 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 50

17/02/2022 14:42

CELEBRATING

the Irish Connections

There’s more to celebrating all things Irish than simply raising a glass on St Patrick’s Day. With a growing expatriate presence in the UAE, there are close and historic ties between Ireland and Dubai.

DUBAI DUTY FREE is a world’s leading company with strong Irish connections:

team, remained in Dubai and became known as “The Irish Trinity”.

When one speaks about the success of the duty free industry, the first name that comes to mind is Colm McLoughlin. The Galway man has been instrumental in positioning Dubai Duty Free at the top of the global duty-free ladder. From US$20 million sales in the first year of its operations in 1983 to US$2.029 billion in 2019, Dubai Duty Free has cemented its status as the leading airport retailer in the world.

Colm is the current Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free and reports directly to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. In 2019, the operation reached record sales of US$2.029 billion, making it the single largest airport retailer in the world. The award-winning operation covers over 40,000 square metres of key retail space at Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (AMIA).

It opened for business on 20th December 1983, following an agreement between the Dubai Government and Aer Rianta. A tenman team from Aer Rianta were given six months to set up the new operation, which replaced a series of small locally run retail outlets at the airport.

Colm McLoughlin, former General Manager at Shannon Duty Free, was asked to remain in Dubai at the helm of the new operation.

He, along with George Horan and John Sutcliffe who were also part of the original

Over the past 38 years, Colm has been an integral part of the Irish community in the UAE and as a result of his success as a business leader, has greatly enhanced the reputation of Ireland and the Irish in the UAE. 2020 was an extremely challenging year for the global travel retail industry and those challenges, which included the closure of DXB for three months and the continued

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 51

IAJI121.indb 51

17/02/2022 14:42

Colm McLoughlin Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free

Jim Sheridan with Breeda & Colm McLoughlin

???

Rory McIlroy and Colm McLoughlin at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open 2016

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Colm McLoughlin with the record tenth Frontier ‘Airport Retailer of the Year’ award

During its tenure as title sponsor, Dubai Duty Free has always been keen to have activations off the track.

52 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 52

17/02/2022 14:42

Dubai Duty Free shopping complex in Concourse C

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 53

IAJI121.indb 53

17/02/2022 14:42

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2021

Re-opening of Dubai Duty Free in Concourse B

closure of AMIA, are reflected in Dubai Duty Free’s sales of US$697 million, which is 65% down on the previous year. Yet, despite the challenges and the drop in revenue, Dubai Duty Free managed to transform and reinvent its business to maximise its performance and continued to achieve a number of highlights during the year.

As a result of all of this, Dubai Duty Free returned to profitability in January 2021 and expects to close the year with sales of over US$700 million.

Golf and Racing on Double Success

Sport is a major catalyst in strengthening the link between Ireland and Dubai and with sports sponsorship an integral part of Dubai Duty Free’s marketing, it allows the brand to reach a global audience via the media exposure and television coverage that goes with each of the tournaments and events the company is involved with.

The world of professional golf and horse racing came together in Ireland when the two exciting events – the Dubai Duty Free

54 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 54

17/02/2022 14:42

Dubai Duty Free shopping complex in Concourse C

Irish Derby and Dubai Duty Free Irish Open were both hailed a success.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has grown beyond recognition since the airport retailer took on the role of title sponsor in 2008. It has become one of the premier races in the global calendar and has a total prize fund of €1 million.

Free Irish Derby Charity Ball at the K Club.

Charities that have benefited from these efforts include Autism Ireland, the Jack & Jill Foundation and Sensational Kids.

Dubai Duty Free also worked with Kildare businesses and traders in a bid to involve local people in the festival as part of its

With our involvement, the prize money increased initially from €2 million to €4 million within a couple of years. So there was a real concerted effort from ourselves, the Rory Foundation and the European Tour to bring the tournament back to its former glory. Then, with the tournament becoming part of the Rolex Series in 2017, with prize money of US$7 million, the tournament really elevated its position as one of the key events on the European Tour calendar. We are very happy with its progression.”

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has grown beyond recognition since the airport retailer took on the role of title sponsor in 2008. It has become one of the premier races in the global calendar and has a total prize fund of €1 million.

“We have been the title sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby since 2008 but have been working with the Curragh Racecourse, supporting them, and sponsoring other races at the track for 20 years now. Our relationship with the Curragh began at a chance meeting between myself and the late Michael Osborne at Gatwick airport and that longstanding relationship Curragh is important and allows us to continue to promote our brand and the city of Dubai through our sponsorship of this prestigious race.”

During its tenure as title sponsor, Dubai Duty Free has always been keen to have activations off the track. Over the years the company has supported many Irish charities through direct donations and to fund-raising events such as the Dubai Duty

community drive around the race meeting.

Meanwhile, the retail operation took on the sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2015, and with Rory McIlroy as host, has helped restore the status of this major sporting event.

“Our decision to sponsor the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open came at a good time, with the Rory Foundation stepping in as host.

Already one of golf’s oldest and most historic events, having been played since 1927, it became part of the European Tour’s prestigious eight-event Rolex Series in 2017 which saw the prize fund increase to a whopping US$7 million, making it one of the biggest events on the Race to Dubai schedule.

Following the turbulence brought to the sporting world due to Covid-19, the past two years have seen the tournament played in Galgorm Northern Ireland in 2020 and in Mount Juliet in Kilkenny in 2021, with reduced prize funds. The tournament will return to Mount Juliet next year with prize money of US$6 million.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 55

IAJI121.indb 55

17/02/2022 14:42

Dubai Duty Free shopping complex in Concourse C

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin along with Sinead El Sibai, SVP Marketing presenting the trophies to the winning connections of Sovereign

Despite the challenges brough the global pandemic which has greatly affected its retail operation, Dubai Duty free has remained steadfast in his support of its sponsorships in Ireland.

A Different Ball Game

Back on its own base, Dubai Duty Free supports many sporting events, but it is perhaps the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships that takes the lion’s share in terms of investment. The tournament is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The 2021 Championships which celebrated its 29th year in March was played behind closed doors due to Covid-19, however it was watched by a potential 1 billion people and generated US$1.5 billion worth of TV coverage, of which US$586.7 million was for the Dubai Duty Free brand alone. The WTA week was won by two-time Grand Slam winner and former World No.1 Garbiñe Muguruza, while Wild Card entrant, Aslan Karatsev, won his very first ATP title.

Culture Crossing

In such a short period of time, the Dublin Arabic Film Festival (DAFF), which is organised by Oscar-nominated Director Jim Sheridan and presented by Dubai Duty

56 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 56

17/02/2022 14:42

Free, effectively established itself as an exceptional event which showcases some of the best feature films from the Arab world.

“Through our sponsorship of the Dubai Arabic Film Festival, we have seen that film is a great medium that crosses cultural divides and creates greater understanding and awareness.”

The airport retailer has been the presenting sponsor of Dublin Arabic Film Festival since its inception in 2014 when legendary actor, Omar Sharif officially opened the festival.

Dubai Duty Free Keeps Irish Eyes Smiling Colm has supported, where possible through his work, the promotion of Irish products at Dubai Duty Free.

In 2019, Dubai Duty Free’s business with Irish companies, specifically Irish whiskies and other products such as Baileys, Butler’s chocolates, Kerrygold butter and cheese, reached US$30.2 million.

The Irish Village

Colm is also the man behind the creation of The Irish Village, which is looked upon as a small piece of Ireland in the heart of Dubai.

He initiated and developed the bar and restaurant which includes ‘The Ballinasloe Post Office’ as a nod to his hometown.

Designed in the form of a typical Irish village street, its authenticity comes from the use of Irish materials, such as Liscannor stone, and craftsmanship used

in its construction, all of which have been imported from Ireland.

Celebrating 25 years of award-winning hospitality, since opening in October 1996, an Irish Village opened in Studio One Hotel two years ago. Its rich wooden interiors, big terrace and a waterfall keeps its link to the original in Garhoud. The outlet has quickly become a favourite for resident of Arabian Ranches and surrounding communities.

And recently, The Irish Village opened its doors to Expo 2020 visitors on 1st October 2021. The Irish Village is conveniently located in Jubilee Park, which is a main hub for entertainment for the six-month event. The look and feel of The Irish Village Garhoud have been recreated down to the weathervane on top of the clock and the Ballinasloe Post Office. Guests can enjoy sitting outdoors on the terrace listening to “Graham Mills”, a traditional Irish musician who has been flown in especially for the event – you can raise your glass to the world.

Through its Leisure Division, Dubai Duty Free also own and manage the Century Village, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium and the five-star Jumeirah Creekside Hotel at the Aviation Club.

Of the senior management team at Dubai Duty Free, three are Irish, while the two Irish Village bars and restaurants employ a further 16 Irish staff.

Colm McLoughlin at The Irish Village

“Through our sponsorship of the Dubai Arabic Film Festival, we have seen that film is a great medium that crosses cultural divides and creates greater understanding and awareness.”

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 57

IAJI121.indb 57

17/02/2022 14:42

TEE TIME

IRELAND TO THE FORE For a tiny island on the edge of Europe, Ireland knows a thing or two about golf. Everyone from champions Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Tigers Woods to actors Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Bill Murray all love playing golf on the island of Ireland, and it’s not hard to see why.

With world-class courses in spectacular locations, Ireland’s golfing credentials are sky-high.

Ireland is home to over 400 golf clubs, including a third of the world’s natural links courses, and a selection of exceptional championship courses in spectacular locations. Little wonder, therefore, that every year over 240,000 golfers from all over the world come to the island of Ireland’s greens to experience the impressive but unforgiving fairways.

The island of Ireland has been named International Golf Destination of the Year on more than one occasion by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. It continues to cement its reputation as an iconic golfing destination by hosting prestigious events, including the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2020.

Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny was selected to host the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, the second Rolex Series event of the 2020 Race to Dubai. The Jack Nicklaus

Signature Course has a prestigious history in hosting major golf events and producing world-class champions.

The course at Mount Juliet is set in lush, rolling parkland, part of a 1,500-acre old Irish country estate with an 18th-century mansion as the clubhouse. Magnificent mature trees line the fairways, with the River Nore cutting through the course, providing a natural water hazard. The course is described as parkland golf at its best; tranquil, beautiful, and at times generously open, but with elegantly framed holes.

Royal Portrush

North of the border is one of the island of Ireland’s premier courses. From Ballycastle to Portrush, Antrim’s famous coastline is truly spectacular and provides the setting for Royal Portrush Golf Club.

58 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 58

17/02/2022 14:42

The 148th British Open will go down in history as one of the great Opens after a week-long party in Portrush ended with a popular winner. Shane Lowry famously became the fifth Irish winner of The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, delighting home crowds with a stunning victory to seal his maiden Major Championship title, having already earned a first Rolex Series title at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA. The Open generated more than £100 million for the economy of Northern Ireland, attracting a record attendance for the Championship outside of St Andrews of 237,750 fans throughout the week. More than 5,400 hours of television coverage were broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers globally as Irishman Shane Lowry performed superbly to become Champion Golfer of the Year and lift the famous Claret Jug.

The Open is set to make a triumphant return to Royal Portrush in 2025, marking an exciting new chapter in golf’s original championship history and providing another outstanding showcase for golf in Northern Ireland.

According to Golf World Top 100, Royal Portrush “provides brilliant hole after hole tests to challenge every part of the game and the rough punishes any offline shot.

Providing you can hit the fairways; the incredible greens require a wide array of approach shots.”

With one of the most dramatic entrances to any golf club, Portrush stands on a rocky promontory that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. White Rocks, tall limestone cliffs that lead to Dunluce Castle and the Giants Causeway are to the east, while to the west are the hills of Inisowen.

Less than 1% of all the golf courses in the world are true Links. 85% of these geological rarities are located in Britain and Ireland.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 59

IAJI121.indb 59

17/02/2022 14:42

Golfing Greats Despite being such a small island, Ireland’s credentials as a golfing superpower are well established. Second only to Scotland in importance to the history of the great game, Ireland was sculpted to be the home of spectacular golf courses. Here are some of the other greats: The top-rated links golf course in Ireland is Ballybunion Golf Club in the Southwest.

Home to some of the biggest sand dunes you’ll ever see on a golf course, this golfing masterpiece is not only well-ranked in Ireland, but also features within the Top 20 Golf Courses in the World.

Ranked 1st on Golf Digest’s biennial ‘World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses’ list in 2016 and again in 2018, Royal County Down Golf Club is nestled in the Murlough Nature Reserve, flanked by the breathtaking Mountains of Mourne and running along Dundrum Bay. It is considered by many to be the most strikingly beautiful golf course in the world.

Lahinch hosted the Irish Open for the first time in 2019 and has been at the pinnacle of Irish golf ever since. Often referred to as ‘the St Andrews of Ireland’, this is a place where control of the golf ball is not just advantageous but necessary. For those who love real links golf, Lahinch Old Course is as good as any you will find, a definite must-play.

This world-class club set in rolling dunes with fabulous coastal views goes back to 1888. The 36-hole club has two links courses, the Dunluce Links (the championship course) and the Valley Links. It is a private members club, but visitors are welcome as long as they are members of a recognized golf club.

Adare Manor

An extraordinary, lavish experience, Adare Manor is one of Ireland’s most spellbinding Manor House Hotels. Built in the mid19th century for the Earl of Dunraven, this magnificent manor is luxury personified.

This nineteenth-century neo-Gothic masterpiece is steeped in history and surrounded by medieval ruins, walled gardens, winding woodland paths and a championship golf course. Every bit as strategic as it is scenic, this course demands precision but rewards risk and courage.

The setting for the 2027 Ryder Cup, Adare Manor Resort will provide the backdrop for golf’s greatest team event, 20 years after the 2006 edition was played at the K Club – where Ian Woosnam’s European team lifted the trophy.

Described as ‘parkland perfection’ by Rory McIlroy and cited as a firm favourite in Dubai, Ireland’s golfing greats are generous in their praise for the 2027 Ryder Cup venue: Padraig Harrington: “It’s second to none. A fantastic design, fantastic development. With the hotel and clubhouse, there’s nothing better.”

Rory McIlroy: “The course is absolutely incredible. To have it presented like this is phenomenal, it’s parkland perfection.”

Shane Lowry: “The best course in the country and one of the best in Europe. The whole venue is just incredible, like nothing else we have in Ireland.”

Situated in a breathtaking location on the shores of County Kerry, course designer Arnold Palmer, said of Tralee Golf Club: “I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course.”

Also in the ‘Kingdom of Kerry’ in the rugged southwest of Ireland, Waterville Golf Links is one of Ireland’s top ranked courses. In the face of the Atlantic Ocean, golfers from around the world make the pilgrimage to play on its spectacular links. In the words of Graeme McDowell, “I don’t want to spread the word too much, but Waterville is my favourite golf course in Ireland. I love it down there in that part of the world, it’s just a magical, magical part of Ireland.”

The only course designed by Greg Norman in the entirety of the UK & Ireland, Trump International Doonbeg is one of his masterpieces. It should be said however, that the greater credit belongs to Mother Nature.

The course is mesmerising in its natural beauty.

60 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 60

17/02/2022 14:42

Occupying a stunning headland jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the Old Head of Kinsale is spectacular beyond belief and one of the most recognised and sought-after golf experiences anywhere on earth. It is a sanctuary for those seeking the finest in golf, scenery and personalized service.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 61

IAJI121.indb 61

17/02/2022 14:42

SAUDI SUCCESS Made in Ireland MISHRIFF (IRE) Saudi Cup Winner 2021 Winnings over $15m Sired in Ireland Bred in Ireland

Contact Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to source your Irish Champion Phone 443 000 | Email info@itm.ie | Website www.itm.ie 62 |+353 Arab Irish45 Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 62

17/02/2022 14:42

S

LEADING

THE WAY Horse racing is in the blood in Ireland; it is the breeding ground of champions and the birthplace of legends.

Where to begin in terms of links between Ireland and the Arab world in the realm of horseracing and breeding? Perhaps at the very start, in 1704 to be exact, when the Arabian stallion purchased by English merchant Thomas Darley, en route from the sands of Syria, stopped off at Kinsale in County Cork before shipping onward to Yorkshire. Over 300 years later, this horse is the progenitor of 95 per cent of the thoroughbreds racing today.

It is therefore clear to see that the racing of horses is woven into the fabric of Ireland and the Arab lands. Ireland has taken these Arabian origins and fashioned them into something unique, something that has turned it into a genuine world leader when it comes to rearing and racing thoroughbreds.

And not just producing superb horses, but also generations of genius horsemen and women that have exported their knowledge and skills across the globe.

In Ireland, there are records of organised racing dating back to the 1600s. Much, much earlier, legend tells of mythical Celtic warriors conducting chariot races in ancient times. Around the time, Mr Darley’s Arabian was siring the antecedents of the sport’s equine heroes. The first steeplechase was conducted between the church steeples of Doneraile and Buttevant in Cork, adding a new dimension to how racing would be conducted.

Since the 1970s, the Arab influence in the racing we see today was sparked anew when two of sport’s modern patriarchs - principally the House of Maktoum from the Emirate of Dubai and Prince Khalid Abdullah from Saudi Arabia - took their first steps on a journey that has completely transformed and improved the game. Crucially, these visionaries prompted waves of interest in Ireland as the source for everything thoroughbred that continues today.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 63

IAJI121.indb 63

17/02/2022 14:42

As HH Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, also the driving force behind the world-conquering Godolphin racing and breeding operation says himself: “My love of horses is not remarkable; it is in my blood and part of my life and history; its roots originated in my land.”

Fast forward to 2022, and the crosspollination of enthusiasm, energy, employment and expertise between the Irish and their Arabic benefactors. It all combines to produce a world champion horse like Mishriff (IRE), bred in Ireland and ridden by an Irish jockey, David Egan, to become among the biggest moneyspinners the sport has ever seen.

Tadhg O’Shea is another fine example of how the two cultures have merged to tremendous effect. The County Cork native won a trip to Dubai as Ireland’s champion apprentice in 2001 and has been a constant,

compelling force ever since, winning the UAE champion jockey title on nine occasions. He will be hard to beat in his quest for a tenth title in 2021/22.

Top class racing entities are flourishing throughout the Gulf. Two of particular note, Qatar and Bahrain, are following the UAE and Saudi Arabia in offering excellent competition, facilities and prize money to its patrons. Elsewhere, Morocco and Kuwait continue to make progress, while the sport is extremely popular in Libya. Plans are in place for further development in the region.

What is common throughout the racing and breeding in the Arab world is the influence of Irish pedigrees and personalities and how well they adapt to the region. Much progress has been made, but there is tremendous potential for Ireland and the Arab countries to deepen their cooperation in the years ahead.

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) promotes Ireland as the leading source for the production and sale of quality thoroughbreds worldwide and as a premier country in which to own, breed and buy thoroughbreds.

Despite Ireland’s small size and population of just over 4.9 million, it is the largest producer of thoroughbreds in Europe and the third-largest in the world behind the United States and Australia. A temperate climate and calcium-rich soil provide ideal conditions for developing young stock. Irish-bred horses consistently enjoy international success at the highest level and our Sales attract visitors from over thirty countries every year.

There are over 6,000 registered breeders in Ireland, with some of the most successful breeders in the world choosing to base their

64 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 64

17/02/2022 14:42

operations here. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, HH The Aga Khan, Prince Khalid Abdullah, Coolmore, and the Haefner family have all invested significant resources in large stud farms and broodmare bands throughout the country and have reaped the rewards of this investment.

is a not-for-profit, non-trading, semistate organisation, with the strength and integrity of Irish Government support and the backing of the Irish Bloodstock industry, assuring absolute integrity and impartiality.

Breeding: Stallions, farms, pedigrees

The influx and establishment of such highprofile stud farms has resulted in some of the best stallions in the world standing in Ireland. Irish-based stallions consistently dominate the European sire tables in all categories. For example, eight of the top 10 stallions by winners in Europe in 2020 stand in Ireland, demonstrating the remarkable strength in depth of the Irish stallion roster.

Buying:

For privileged access to Ireland’s outstanding thoroughbred breeding industry, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing is your port of call. Established in 1991, ITM

Visiting Ireland:

Sales, agents, transport, insurance, buying incentives

Racing:

Racecourses, fixtures, ownership, trainers, Pointto-Point

Investing:

Investment opportunities, property

Learning:

Equine education courses in Ireland Itineraries, visas, hotels, transport

Information:

Success, statistics, ratings, history

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) promotes Ireland as the leading source for the production and sale of quality thoroughbreds worldwide.

ITM is a subsidiary of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the organisation responsible for the administration of horse racing in Ireland. It is the first point of contact for any overseas person seeking information on any aspect of the Irish bloodstock industry, including:

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing is always on hand to assist fresh interest in Irish racing and breeding so contact info@itm.ie with any queries.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 65

IAJI121.indb 65

17/02/2022 14:42

world leader in seaweed-based animal nutrition

camel care

equine care

dairy elite

Shamrock Camel Range contains Camel Licks and a Health Booster in a powder form. Shamrock has been marketing these products in the Middle-East for years with great success.

Shamrock Equine Care will allow your horses to reach their optimum performances with a full spectrum of minerals, trace elements and vitamins.

Shamrock Dairy Elite is a seaweed-based powder that contains high levels of phosphorous, rumen buffer and live yeast for increased milk yield and improved milk composition.

Animal, Consumer & Environmentally (ACE) friendly 66 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 66

ISO Certified

Over 30 years

Quality Assured

British Equestrian

Naturally Occurring

Company

experience

Products

Trade Association

Prohibited Substances

17/02/2022 14:42

Shamrock Farm Enterprises

a at of er ed lk

While the jury may be out on the success or otherwise of Cop 26, a recent piece of research on ways to reduce our methane emissions got a unanimous thumbs up by academics concerned by the ravages of climate change.

Findings from a study carried out by a leading university in Australia reported that an addition of just 2% of dried seaweed to a cow’s diet can make them healthier, more fertile and reduce methane emissions by as much as 99%.

And given the fact that the agricultural sector in Ireland is responsible for almost one-third of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, one can imagine just why the study caught the eye of vested interests.

Most people around the world treat seaweed as a dusty ornament; every now and then lifting it, turning it around before putting it down once more in its not-so conspicuous perch.

The good burghers at Shamrock Farm Enterprises in the Premier County, view seaweed altogether differently. To them, it is a treasured gift from the ocean to be appreciated and used in a valuable way.

Shamrock Farm Enterprises has been in operation for the past 31 years and is based at Bishopswood, Dundrum, Co. Tipperary.

Its raison d’être is to blend grass seed mixes and formulate seaweed-based cattle, sheep, deer, pigs, camel, buffalo and horse feed and mineral/vitamin supplements to provide a comprehensive, cost-effective package specific to the needs of the common garden farmer.

curring

bstances

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 67

IAJI121.indb 67

17/02/2022 14:42

Over the years, the use of seaweed in its products has been central to the growth and development of Shamrock Farm Enterprises’ winning formulae. As an unrivalled multisupplement, the seaweed harvested by the company delivers a blend of natural nutrients that can be deficient from soils and feed.

Seaweed contains over 60 minerals, and trace elements, vitamins, carbohydrates, amino acids, essential fatty acids, natural bio active hormones, growth factors and antioxidants.

The ocean contains a constant reservoir of micronutrients that are absorbed by seaweed and stored within the algae in a protected, colloidal state. This colloidal structure means that 98% of all the micronutrients are absorbed into the animal, allowing them to fulfil their diverse range of functions.

It was shortly after it came into being in 1990 that Shamrock Farm Enterprises started incorporating seaweed - harvested in Castletownbere - in all its products. Its then staff of five were utterly emboldened by the view that seaweed is one of the most natural products that can be used for both human and animal health. This is because the type of minerals, trace elements and vitamins it contains, are necessary for biochemical reactions in animals for growth, performance and disease resistance.

In terms of walking the walk, the people at Shamrock Farm Enterprises have been nothing if not consistent in pushing the boat out in their ongoing development of natural products for use in agriculture.

In that regard, seasoned observers of the agri industry in Ireland, can remember the

Dundrum-based crew pioneering the use of a biological silage additive just a couple of years after the company’s formation. That additive, called ‘cutzyme,’ continues to be used in numerous countries around the globe, being distributed by Shamrock Farm Enterprises.

In the early 2000s, the company decided to build its own manufacturing plants. Firstly, a liquid plant was established in Tipperary town and then a solids plant, in nearby Dundrum.

Shamrock Farm Enterprises now market products only under the Shamrock brand.

In recent years, the company has invested heavily in Research and Development for the equine industry. Pointedly, it is now the world leader in the provision of horse nutrition.

In 2018, a horse reared on the company’s nutritional solutions captured world headlines at the Goffs Ireland yearling sales when it made a record price of €3.2 million!

With distribution networks in most continents of the world, Shamrock Farm Enterprises continues to go places at breakneck speed.

And, in the business of promoting the benefits of seaweed worldwide as a means of improving nutrition and soil fertility, it’s a case of ‘winner alright’ for the Dundrumheadquartered behemoth!

Shamrock has just entered its 33rd year in business and is about to finish a new bioscience centre with a new manufacturing facility in Tipperary Town, with an investment of 5 million Euros and hope to have it opened by May 2022.

In recent years, the company has invested heavily in Research and Development for the equine industry.

Pointedly, it is now the world leader in the provision of horse nutrition.

68 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 68

17/02/2022 14:42

GO WILD

IN IRELAND

From the wind-whipped tip of Malin Head to the safe haven of Kinsale Harbour, wrap yourself in the western wilderness of Ireland on the world’s longest defined coastal touring route.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 69

IAJI121.indb 69

17/02/2022 14:42

The Wild Atlantic Way is a spectacular journey of soaring cliffs and buzzing towns, hidden beaches and epic bays. So, whether you drive it from end-to-end or dip into it as the mood strikes, it’s going to be a once-ina-lifetime experience.

With iconic cliffs at its edge, music at its heart and history all around, has Ireland’s wild west cracked the formula for holiday heaven? Out west, the island’s most improbable landscapes meet. Some were shaped by the Ice-Age, others resemble the moon; all are worthy of a visit. So, let’s start big with what must be Ireland’s most recognizable attraction. The mighty Cliffs of Moher in County Clare stand 702 feet high like a scene straight out of a movie set.

And it just so happens that the cliffs have

featured in blockbusters Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince and the Princess Bride.

Dave Davin, an Irish cameraman and producer on the movies says that the cliffs are a natural when it comes to cinematography.

“The Cliffs of Moher offer the director of photography an astonishingly beautiful, fullscale real set. From above or below through the lens, the images are spectacular. There is no need for huge green or blue screen sound stages with the actors imagining a computergenerated image. The Cliffs of Moher are real.

Nearly eight miles in length and 702 feet of real height. A place so real that it can be seen up close and in person, whenever we like.”

On a clear day, views from the cliff tops include the Aran Islands – a spectacular

setting in themselves and well worth a visit. The rocky, wind-buffeted islands have a desolate beauty. An extension of the limestone escarpment that forms The Burren in Clare, the islands have shallow topsoil scattered with wildflowers, grass where livestock grazes and jagged cliffs pounded by surf. Ancient forts here are some of the oldest archaeological remains in Ireland.

For nature lovers, this is paradise on earth: the cliffs are a Special Protected Area due to the myriad species of sea birds that call the cliff face home, and they form part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. Further north, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark add a splash of natural wonder into the mix

70 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 70

17/02/2022 14:42

The Wild Atlantic Way is a sensational journey of soaring cliffs and buzzing towns, hidden beaches and epic bays as an array of rare and beautiful plant life thrives amongst its limestone fissures.

Caves & Waves

Beneath the surface of The Burren’s lunarlike stone lies an underground world: a labyrinthine cave system with underground lakes, bridged chasms and underground waterfalls. They’re also one of the few cave systems you can explore without special equipment on the island.

The mighty Atlantic is a draw for many reasons, not least in these parts to droves of wave lovers in pursuit of ‘Aileen’s Wave’, which scientists at the National University of Ireland Galway have decreed is the nearest thing to the perfect wave. Local surfer John McCarthy is credited with

naming it after the nearby headland Aill na Searrach (the cliff of foals). Filmmaker Peter Clyne, whose video captured it in all its majesty, explains: “Aileen’s is the most spectacular place to spend time capturing film. Everything about the place is of giant proportions. The mammoth waves that Aileen produces are dwarfed by the majestic, unspoilt Cliffs of Moher.”

Fortresses & Tombs

This is an archaeological hotspot, and the Burren is home to 70 wedge tombs – some older than the pyramids – including the Neolithic Poulnabrone. One of Ireland’s most photographed ancient monuments, it was built more than 5,000 years ago.

Poulnabrone was excavated in 1986, and the remains of 21 people were found, as

well as pieces of pottery and jewellery.

Radiocarbon dating suggests that they were buried between 3800 and 3200 BC. When the dead were originally entombed here, the whole structure was partially covered in a mound of earth, which has since worn away.

Another relic of the past with a story to tell is Leamaneh Castle at the entrance to the desolate and beautiful Irish Burren. This one-time home of Red Mary, a fiery woman by all accounts and cut from the same cloth as Queen Maeve of Connaught and Grace O’Malley, Ireland’s Pirate Queen.

Maire Rua was a formidable woman. She lived at Leamanagh in the 17th century with her (at least) 12 children from her (at least)

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 71

IAJI121.indb 71

17/02/2022 14:42

7 Wonders of the Wild Atlantic Way Winding from the Inishowen Peninsula in northern County Donegal to the southern town of Kinsale in County Cork, the 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way reveals natural wonders around every bend. Explore these seven wonders in nine counties along an unforgettable touring route to enjoy breathtaking coastal scenery and exceptional experiences.

1. Slieve League Cliffs, Donegal The remote, rocky northern headlands, buffeted by wind and wave, are a ruggedly beautiful hiker’s paradise. Stand atop the sheer granite walls of Slieve League Cliffs, which count among Europe’s highest sea cliffs, and breathe the invigorating, salttinged ocean air.

2. Mullaghmore Head, Sligo

St

This picturesque promontory is the place to see the magnificent Atlantic swells that make this area a magnet for surfers. Witness waves up to 10m high crashing onto the shore as the ocean unleashes its power.

3. Cliffs of Moher, Clare One of the most inspiring natural attractions in Ireland, the spectacular Cliffs of Moher rise to 214m at their highest point and range for 14km. Walk along the cliff-side pathway and drink in uninterrupted views over the ocean to Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.

4. Killary Harbour, Galway & Mayo Killary Harbour is Ireland’s biggest fjord, a magical inlet ringed by mountains in Connemara National Park. Embued with tranquillity, it’s the perfect place to unwind with a gentle stroll or some dolphin watching.

5. Skellig Michael, Kerry

3 husbands. Her inherited wealth from the death of her husbands enabled her to build what must have been one of Ireland’s finest Tudor mansions in the 17th century.

Bunratty Castle

is a must on the itinerary of any visit to Ireland. The castle, built in 1425, is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland and contains furnishings, tapestries and works of art from that period. It is famous for medieval banquets which operate there throughout the year.

Bunratty Folk Park, set on 26 acres, is a stunning recreation of 19th Century Ireland and features various types of farmhouses, a church, a magical walled garden and village street complete with pub, post office and various shops. A traditional Irish Night operates in the Folk Park on evenings from April to October.

Musical traditions

Often copied but never equalled, the traditional Irish music session rounds off most days. Never a night goes by without a lively music session kicking off in pubs all over the west of Ireland, such as Monks Bar in Ballyvaughan, Vaughan’s in Kilfenora, Tubridy’s Bar in Cooraclare or Gus O’Connor’s in Doolin. Right on the river where it runs into the sea, this sprawling place dating from 1832 has a rollicking atmosphere when the music is in full swing.

It’s that popular, on some summer nights you won’t squeeze inside.

Bearing in mind that you can drive from the east of Ireland to the west in as little as two hours, it’s all there for the taking. So, take beautiful scenery, mix with Atlantic activities, add a dash of history and intrigue and serve with vibrant traditional music.

Holiday heaven achieved.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this unique island with its famous beehive buildings was a refuge for monks over 1,000 years ago. Now, known internationally as the hideout for Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it presents a gateway to another world.

I o

6. Coumeenole Beach, Kerry The southern peninsulas of the Wild Atlantic Way provide some of the most beautiful scenery on the island. This includes Coumeenole Beach on the Dingle Peninsula, a golden expanse of sand in a cliff-sheltered cove that is breath-taking whatever the season.

#

7. Old Head of Kinsale, Cork The Old Head of Kinsale is a headland like no other. Jutting into the Atlantic, its dramatic scenery and stunning ocean views gave it an edge-of-the-world feeling. Add to that a prestigious golf links and a lighthouse overlooking the underwater resting place of the tragic liner, Lusitania, and this becomes an unmissable Wild Atlantic Way wonder.

h

72 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 72

17/02/2022 14:42

St Senans Well and Round Tower, Scattery Island, Co.Clare.

Ormond Castle, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary

Kilkenny Castle, Co. Kilkenny

Ilnacullin, Garinish Island, Co. Cork

Ireland – Island of Inspiration #opwIreland #HeritageIreland

heritageireland.ie Photo credit: Gareth McCormack/garethmccormack.com

IAJI121.indb 73

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 73

Dún Aonghasa, Aran Islands, Co. Galway

17/02/2022 14:42

Doneraile House, Co. Cork

TAKE A TASTE

OF IRELAND

Ireland truly is a land of inspirational heritage. With over 70 amazing places to visit, the OPW (Office of Public Works) ensures you won’t have to travel far to find history, adventure and authenticity while you’re in Ireland.

Whether your plan is to visit some of the world’s the oldest passage tombs, take in the Views from the spectacular Rock of Cashel or visit Europe’s largest enclosed park in Dublin City centre you will have the opportunity to lose yourself in any number of wonderful places all across the country.

OPW staff take meticulous care of the heritage sites in their charge including the 70 historic sites with visitor facilities and are proud to collaborate with UNESCO to ensure the best care for Ireland’s two World Heritage Sites, Brú na Bóinne and Skellig Michael.

Conservation and a sustainable approach is central to the work that they do. Their highly trained staff and skilled craftspeople, from stone masons to carpenters to fine art conservators and historic garden specialists all take great pride in their work which is witnessed in the presentation of a number of the sites in their portfolio.

Perhaps you have already visited some of Ireland’s most iconic sites, like Dublin Castle or the Rock of Cashel and are ready to dig a little deeper, to travel off the beaten path to discover a truly unique experience.

If so check out the ‘Hidden Gems’ on heritageireland.ie and discover some of the less well-known destinations with all of the wow factor and at a little less hurried pace.

monarchy. Audio-visuals and technological installations bring this castle’s intriguing history to life.

Amongst these gems are some of Ireland’s finest castles. One such is Ormond Castle in County Tipperary which is the finest remaining example of an Elizabethan manor house in Ireland. Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond, built it in 1565 in honour of his distant cousin Queen Elizabeth. The magnificent great hall, which stretches almost the whole length of the building is decorated with some of the finest stucco plasterwork in the country. The plasterwork features portraits of Queen Elizabeth and her brother Edward VI and many motifs and emblems associated with the Tudor

Newgrange was built some 5 million years ago to embrace the mysteries of the solstice sunrise; Knowth contains the world’s largest collection of Neolithic art; Ceide Fields is quite simply the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world. Thousands of visitors flock to these momentous sites to experience their atmosphere of ancient ritual and ceremony.

Pre-historic monuments, in the care of OPW include Stone Age tombs and royal burial mounds, great ringforts and places of ceremonial inauguration. They are justly famous throughout the world.

Throughout Ireland, the pinnacles of Ireland’s early modern architectural achievement are found in the stately homes and their associated formal gardens. Many

74 || Arab Arab Irish Irish Chamber Chamber Magazine Magazine 74

IAJI121.indb 74

17/02/2022 14:42

of these are beautifully decorated with original furnishings and contain a treasure trove of artefacts, collections and relics of the families who once lived there.

In the heart of north County Cork, discover the story of Elizabeth St. Leger of Doneraile Estate, the first woman Freemason in the world, whose family gave their name to the famous St Leger Stakes in horse racing. The house, Doneraile Court, towers majestically over the glorious Doneraile Park, a 160 hectare landscaped parkland and wildlife estate. Built around 1645 on the site of a ruined castle by the time it was refurbished in the mid eighteenth century it had become an outstanding example of Georgian architecture. The fine parklands are designed in the naturalistic style of the famous Capability Brown. They include many beautiful water features, plus a parterre walled garden and gardeners’ cottages. There are numerous pathways and graded walks. Lucky visitors might just spot some of the red deer, fallow deer, sika deer and Kerry cattle that live on the estate.

In Ireland’s Ancient East lies Castletown House, set amongst beautiful eighteenthcentury parklands on the banks of the River Liffey in Celbridge, County Kildare. The house was built around 1722 for the speaker of the Irish House of Commons, William Conolly, to designs by several renowned architects. It was intended to reflect Conolly’s power and to serve as a venue for political entertaining on a grand scale. At the time Castletown was built, commentators expected it to be ‘the epitome of the Kingdom, and all the rarities she can afford’. The estate flourished under William Conolly’s great-nephew Thomas and his wife, Lady Louisa (the third of the famous

Ireland is famous for its Early Christian heritage and off the northern bank of the Shannon Estuary lies Scattery Island, the site of an early Christian settlement founded by an extraordinary man in an extraordinary location.

takes in seven counties. The architect Sir Edwin Lutyens designed the formal gardens, which are the centrepiece of the property. It is likely that renowned designer Gertrude Jekyll landscaped them. The gardens are composed of elements linked by a terrace that originally ran along the front of the house.

(Sadly, the house is no more.) One of the site’s most unusual features is a sunken garden containing an elongated pool, at whose centre stands a grand fountain. The Heywood experience starts beside the Gate Lodge.

Information panels and signage will guide you around the magical Lutyens gardens and the surrounding romantic landscape.

St Senan, who was born in the area, built his monastery in the early sixth century. It included a mighty round tower, which at 36 metres is one of the tallest in Ireland. There are six ruined churches on the site also. The Church of the Hill stands on a high spot, the very place where, legend has it, an angel placed Senan so that he could find – and then banish – the terrible sea-monster called the Cathach.

It is believed that Senan is buried beside another of the medieval churches. Scattery was invaded many times over the centuries.

The Vikings in particular believed that the monastery held many riches and returned several times to ravage it. A short boat trip will take you to the island, where you can explore its multi-layered, 1,500-year history.

Many OPW sites have top class facilities for MICE ( meetings, incentives, conferences, events) all in unique historic locations.

Locations range from the city based locations, such as the Parade Tower in Kilkenny Castle or state of the art facilities in Dublin Castle, which can cater for all sizes of groups. Around the country there are other location to choose from such as, Ionad Culturtha an Bhlascaoid ( The Blasket Centre) on the coast of Kerry offers an amazing location on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way or the 18th century Georgian splendour of Castletown House in Ireland’s Ancient East. OPW unique locations offer the opportunity to do business but enjoy inspiring locations at the same time.

Back on dry land, the entrancing eighteenthcentury landscape at Heywood Gardens, near Ballinakill, County Laois, consists of gardens, lakes, woodland and some exciting architectural features. The park is set into a sweeping hillside. The vista to the south-east

Whatever your interest, unique experiences and a warm welcome await you at every OPW historical site.

Lennox sisters), who devoted much of her life to Improving her home. Today, Castletown is home to a significant collection of paintings, furnishings and objets d’art. Highlights include three eighteenth-century Muranoglass chandeliers and the only fully intact eighteenth-century print room in the country.

It is still the most splendid Palladian-style country house in Ireland.

heritageireland.ie

ArabIrish IrishChamber ChamberMagazine Magazine||75 75 Arab

IAJI121.indb 75

17/02/2022 14:42

KILKENNY

IRELAND’S MEDIEVAL CITY From the hole in the wall pub run by the town’s cardiologist, who was the doctor for Metallica, to the milk bar where you can get a whiskey, Kilkenny has charm in spades.

76 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 76

17/02/2022 14:42

Poet Edmund Spenser described the city as ‘fair and beautiful’, and Condé Nast magazine nominated it as one of the friendliest cities in the world. Kilkenny has all of this and more. It is the Ireland of many people’s imaginations. Built from grey limestone flecked with fossil seashells, Ireland’s Marble City has heritage, hurling, and a thriving craft scene.

The city is the embodiment of Medieval Ireland and is best discovered by foot due to its compactness and medieval cobbled streets.

The most striking feature in Kilkenny is the massive Kilkenny Castle right in the middle of town. Located on a sprawling green lawn with a rose garden, it’s a stunning castle that looks like it belongs in a fairytale storybook. Richard de Clare, otherwise known as Strongbow, was the leader of the famous Norman invasion of Ireland. He built the first castle here in the 12th century. It became the seat of the King of Leinster making it the capital of Medieval Ireland. The castle was bought by the Butler Dynasty in 1391, who would remain owners up until 1967. Parts of the castle can be visited on a self-guided tour and the extensive grounds, popular with locals and tourists alike, are free of charge.

Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile is a trail that links Kilkenny Castle to St. Canice’s Cathedral.

This stretch is filled with shops, pubs, restaurants, picturesque alleyways and tons of history. It is easily navigated on your own, but if you love a good story, consider taking a guided walking tour. An absolute must is a visit to the Medieval Mile Museum, formerly the 13th century St Mary’s Church, where history is brought to life through multimedia interactive displays to intrigue all ages. Unearth 800 years of history under one roof and hear the stories of powerful patrons and inspired creators.

Located at the opposite side of the Medieval Mile from Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral is beautiful and impressive, with two of its biggest highlights being the colorful stained-glass windows and the Round Tower. The Round Tower is the oldest standing structure in the city of Kilkenny and one of only two round towers the visitors can climb in Ireland.

Visit The Shee Alms House, a Tudor building dating from 1582. Today it is the Kilkenny Tourist Office. The Black Abbey is one of the oldest churches in Kilkenny, serving the community for the last 760 years. The Famine Memorial is a new visitor experience to discover located within the grounds of MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre.

Check it out before hitting the shops.

Kilkenny may be known as Ireland’s Medieval city, but it’s also known for its local artisans and craft shops. In the 1960s, with the foundation of the Kilkenny Design Centre, many international artists moved here, and the city still has a thriving art scene. Today opposite

the castle, it remains at the heart of Irish craft and design as it is now home to The National Design and Craft Gallery. Many craft studios throughout the county welcome visitors, including Jerpoint Glass in Thomastown, The Bridge Pottery in Burnchurch and Nicholas Mosse in Bennetsbridge.

The people of Kilkenny are passionate about hurling - the fastest game on grass and the most skilful game in the world. It is also one of the oldest, with its traditions set in the mists of ancient Irish history. The first written reference to hurling dates back to 1272 BC. A stick and ball game played by teams of 15 on a rectangular grass pitch, the ‘stick’ is called a hurley (or a camán in Gaelic), while the ball is called a sliotar (pronounced slitter). The objective is to score by driving the ball through the goals or putting the ball over the H shaped bar. Said to be the world’s fastest field game, hurley combines skills from lacrosse, field hockey and baseball in a hard-hitting, highly paced battle. The sliotar can travel up to 180 kilometres per hour over the course of a game!

There is rarely a quiet month in this city with more festivals than you can count. The Savour food festival, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Tradfest, Kilkenny Roots Festival, Cat Laughs Festival, Kilkenomics, and Kilkenny Animated, are but a few.

Kilkenny’s countryside has many walking trails, river walks and woodland walks which is a great way to experience the stunning views of the countryside. There are many scenic villages such as Inistioge, which have been the setting for three major films, The Secret Scripture, Widows’ Peak and Circle of Friends. Medieval Kilkenny can also be explored by visiting sites such as Jerpoint Abbey.

While there are no direct flights to Kilkenny, the county is centrally located from all of the main Irish Airports.

Visitors can rent a car and explore the Irish countryside as they make their way towards a truly authentic Irish holiday experience in the heart of the Emerald Isle or avail of the many regular rail and bus routes from Dublin city.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 77

IAJI121.indb 77

17/02/2022 14:42

Explore a traditional Irish Woollen Mill

TOP

PLACES

TO VISIT

IN KILKENNY Located in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, Kilkenny is one of the top destinations in Ireland to visit. From cultural attractions, medieval sites to outdoor attractions and world class hotels and restaurants, Kilkenny is a ‘Go To’ destination for 2022! Here are some of the top places to visit: Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile

Take a ‘Medieval Kilkenny Tour’ with Kilkenny’s new audio guide. This innovative audio story recounts the beginnings of the city in the 6th Century, when a monastery was founded by St Canice and follows the city’s fascinating history through the centuries. The guide is designed with the visitors in mind and can be streamed to mobiles, tablets and computers.

Ireland’s oldest Sport

For a truly traditional Irish experience, the recently renovated Malzards bar in the village of Stoneyford brings together a local community in a lively celebration of storytellers, musicians and hurling enthusiasts.

Dating back to 1789, the MalzardO’Gradys Pub has been in the family of its current owner Fred Malzard for over five generations and 200 years. The family-run a ‘Hurling Experience’ where visitors can learn the skill of Ireland’s oldest game!

Visitors who want a truly authentic experience of an 800-year-old woollen mill can explore Cushendale Woollen Mill in this beautiful glass surround showroom, filled with all of Cushendale’s luxury woollen blankets, throws, scarfs and gifts. Located in the breath-taking setting of the small town of Graiguenamanagh, Cushendale is a sixth-generation family business. It is one of only two remaining vertical woollen mills in Ireland.

Michelin Star Dining

Kilkenny is home to two Michelin Star restaurants, the most prestigious award in the food industry. The Lady Helen & Campagne both take pride in local sourcing thanks to the bounty of excellent produce right on their doorstep, so even more reason to visit Kilkenny.

Ireland’s oldest Sport

Located in the beautiful Downton Abbey style Mount Juliet Estate, from the moment you enter the Lady Helen everything is grandeur personified. Head Chef John Kelly and his team are passionate and dedicated to serving the very best produce, all of which can we sampled in their seven course signature tasting menu with wine pairings, an utter treat for even the most discerning palettes.

Five-Star Campagne was established in 2008. Here the emphasis is on serving food that is based on high-quality seasonal produce, with French influences, in a relaxed and comfortable dining area.

Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile

Hawkey Falconry Experience

Learn the ancient art of falconry and meet the newest member of the Hawkeye School of Falconry, a Chilean blue eagle named Priscilla! The newly opened School of Falconry at Lyrath Estate is a first of its kind in the South East. It offers a unique experience for all the family to enjoy and a chance to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.

Guided Walking Tour with Shenanigans

Discover all the history of Kilkenny City with a Shenanigans Walking Tour. The guided walking tour, filled with laughter and tales of ‘Shenanigans’ in Kilkenny, was ranked number one on the top 10 list for Ireland in TripAdvisor’s Traveller Awards and is a ‘must experience’ for 2022.

Hawkey Falconry Experience

Butlers Gallery

Dating back to the Cromwellian era in the 1600’s, the location for Butler Gallery is steeped in history and culture. Spend an afternoon admiring some of the best artwork at this magnificent gallery. Weekend tours run throughout the year; an engaging walkthrough of modern and contemporary Irish art in the 20th and 21st centuries.

www.visitkilkenny.ie

Guided Walking Tour with Shenanigans

78 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 78

17/02/2022 14:42

MOUNT JULIET

HISTORY IN THE MAKING 2021 will be a historic year for golf at Mount Juliet Estate, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary and hosts the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

The Estate has a reputation for being one of the most sought-after places to stay with its world-famous golf course, Michelin star restaurant and the old school Irish charm that makes it feel like a home away from home.

A compelling history, splendid Georgian architecture, luxurious accommodation and facilities, Michelin-starred gastronomic delights, and some of the best landscapes in Ireland all come together to make Mount Juliet an extraordinary place.

To mark 30 years of golf at the Estate, a calendar of celebratory events is planned. The Nicklaus Anniversary Singles Competition will be held on Wednesday the 14th of July 2021, 30 years to the day of the opening of the Mount Juliet Golf Club. It is a limited field event for 100 players to mark this significant day in the Estate’s history. According to Matt Sandercock,

the Director of Golf at Mount Juliet Estate, there will be once-in-a-lifetime prizes that hold historical value for golf enthusiasts. This will be a fantastic opportunity for competitors to test their skills on the superior Mount Juliet Estate golf course, which would have held the final round of the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open ten days previously.​ Commenting, Matt Sandercock, Director of Golf at Mount Juliet Estate Golf Club said, “It’s going to be a great year, celebrating the 30-year legacy and enjoying key events in the 2021 calendar as we continue to maintain our position as one of Ireland’s leading golf clubs. It will be my first time overseeing the hosting of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at the Estate, and I hope to set new standards in hosting a European Tour event at the Estate.”​

Mark Dunne, General Manager of Mount Juliet Estate added: “It is a huge honour for us to continue the golfing legacy at Mount Juliet Estate. In the 30th year of golf here, we are continuously evolving. We are upgrading our academy, which will see the facility become one of the best in the country. We will be introducing a new PGA Professional to the team, which will give our guests and members enjoyable acute training to perfect their skillset at all levels.”

The Jack Nicklaus Signature Design parkland, set on 242 acres of lush countryside, has plenty of experience hosting top-level competitions and has welcomed the world’s leading golfers and tournaments. In 1993, 1994 and 1995, Mount Juliet Estate Golf Club provided the backdrop for Ireland’s national open, won

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 79

IAJI121.indb 79

17/02/2022 14:42

by world-renowned golfers Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, and Sam Torrance.

Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf came to Mount Juliet Estate Golf Club in 1997.

This was a challenge match between Tom Watson and Fred Couples, won by Fred Couples. The American Express World Golf Championships (WGC) were held at Mount Juliet Estate Golf Club in 2002, returning in 2004. Tiger Woods was the 2002 winner, beating Retief Goosen – who shares the Mount Juliet course record with Sergio Garcia – by one stroke, while Ernie Els won the 2004 edition, beating European Tour legend Thomas Bjørn by one shot.

In addition to the 30th Anniversary Celebratory Nicklaus Singles Competition, 2021 will see the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open return to Mount Juliet. Estate greenkeepers have undertaken extensive work led by Martin Lehane, to prepare the course for this high-level competition.

“Mount Juliet Estate golf course is a great course to work on,” Lehane says. “The naturally beautiful surroundings have been carefully and cleverly blended into the Jack Nicklaus Signature course design. We have extensive experience preparing and conditioning the Mount Juliet course for international tournaments, and working with the team here to prepare for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has been a continuing pleasure.”

The Estate is introducing new corporate partnerships this year, which will offer holders the benefits of enjoying a championship golf course and a state of the art golf academy, as well as the luxury and enjoyment the Mount Juliet Estate offers.

Steeped in 250 years of history, with Michelin starred dining, a health and leisure club, as well as an internationally recognised equestrian school, all set on 500 acres of beautiful countryside, Mount Juliet is an Estate built on love for exploring and relaxing.

A compelling history, splendid Georgian architecture, luxurious facilities, Michelin-starred delights and some of the best landscapes in Ireland all come together to make Mount Juliet an exceptional destination.

80 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

A4 MJ A IAJI121.indb 80

17/02/2022 14:42

BUY A HOUSE IN MOUNT JULIET A GREAT HOME AND INVESTMENT

Hooke & MacDonald regularly have a small selection of fabulous 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom residences for sale on the Estate.

These properties are perfect for owner occupation as permanent homes, sound investments with strong rental demand, holiday homes or investment cum holiday home, strong all year round rental demand +353 1 631 8402 +353 86 256 3851

M O U N T

J U L I E T

–

H O M E

O F

T H E

2 0 2 1

118 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 Email: mountjuliet@hmd.ie PSRA Licence No: 001651 D U B A I

D U T Y

www.mountjulietpropertiesforsale.ie A4 MJ ADVERT.indd 1 IAJI121.indb 81

F R E E

I R I S H

O P E N

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 81

16/08/2021 14:59 17/02/2022 14:42

RETAIL THERAPY

DUBLIN TO DUBAI Dubai is a retail paradise, from bustling souks to vast shopping malls, its sprawling metropolis is a haven for shopaholics.

82 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 82

17/02/2022 14:42

With more than a hundred malls in an area just over a third of the size of Dublin, A-list celebrities and mere mortals mingle to shop for luxury goods and famous brands.

The biggest mall in Dubai is the Dubai Mall, with an area of more than 50 football fields and boasting more than 1200 shops and service outlets. This huge centre is a major attraction for visitors to the Emirate. Dubai Mall is also home to the largest indoor aquarium globally and is the gateway to the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building.

The Mall of the Emirates opened in 2005 and is conveniently located on Sheikh Zayed Road. The mall boasts a range of stores from high-end luxury brands to more affordable well-known high street stores. The Mall of the Emirates is not just about retail therapy here you can also enjoy winter snow sports at the fantastic Dubai Ski centre.

One of the newer malls to open its doors is the Nakheel Mall on the Palm Jumeirah.

With 300 stores located over five floors and ample parking, this mall has proved hugely popular with residents of The Palm, the famous man-made group of islands, home to ex-pats from all corners of the globe.

Neighbouring Emirate, Abu Dhabi also has excellent shopping opportunities, and new shopping malls are springing up to join the established Abu Dhabi and World Trade Centre Malls. Traditional Arabic goods are a great buy in Abu Dhabi, and you can surprise your friends with unusual gifts such as camel milk chocolate, juicy dates, Persian carpets, and hookah pipes!

As with most things in the UAE, the shopping malls are big and bold. Expect to see fountains, marble, gold leaf, dazzling lights and lavish décor. Practically a small city under one roof, you can shop, eat, drink, or even get a makeover at one of the numerous spa boutiques.

Hundreds of clothing brands are represented in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from luxury labels such as Chanel, Louboutin, Gucci and Bulgari, to mid-range brands including Guess, DNKY and Calvin Klein, to popular high street brands like Zara, Mango and Massimo Duti.

It’s not just apparel shopping that attracts visitors from around the world; Dubai is famous for its traditional souks, mazes of small shops and stalls selling everything from parsnips to paintings and a whole range of things in-between. These traditional ‘malls of old’ are fascinating places to shop and some of the only places where haggling is considered acceptable.

Go for Gold

Located in old Dubai near the creek, the gold souk is a must-visit place if you’re travelling to the Emirate. The souk sets the fold standard for authentic Middle Eastern bazaar shopping. Wander through over 300 outlets, all selling jewellery. Most of it is gold, and thanks to the Government’s rigorous standards, it’s all high quality.

Whether you want to purchase some gold or simply take in the sights, a trip here is highly recommended. You will be dazzled by the array of intricate and ostentatious jewellery designs on display but if it’s something more straightforward that you want, choose from an assortment of simple chains, sold by the inch.

The gold at Dubai gold souk is of superior quality and, due to the lack of sales tax, can prove to be a bargain buy. Dubai recently introduced VAT on purchases, but this can be claimed back for tourists.

You can’t fail to miss the perfume souk, just follow the heady aromas of exotic oils and discover your signature scent, created especially to complement your eye, skin, and hair colour.

You’ll find Emirate locals (or their staff) doing their weekly shop at the grocery souk, and bargain hunters will be in their element at the flea market.

Dubai Outlet Mall and Outlet Village are the places to visit to shop for your favourite

labels – fashion, homeware, and accessories - at a fraction of the price. According to locals, Monday is the best day to pick up a great bargain as shops add further discounts after the weekend.

The shopping scene in Dubai was hard hit by the Covid 19 pandemic, with stores forced to close due to restrictions. Business savvy retailers turned to online offerings to recoup some business and even the famous Dubai Duty Free began a home-delivery service during the pandemic’s peak.

As the UAE and the rest of the world begin to get back to normal, the shopping malls are seeing footfall beating pre-pandemic numbers. While visitors to the Emirates head for the ‘super-malls’, many locals and ex-pats are staying closer to ‘home’ – there has been an upsurge in numbers of shoppers frequenting the more local, community malls such as Springs Souk and Meadows Souk. While not exactly small by global standards, these community malls have become places to meet friends, enjoy food and indulge in some retail therapy without the need to leave the neighbourhood.

The retail landscape in the UAE is everevolving, with new malls springing up all the time, and frequent visitors will find somewhere new to spend their money on each visit. Top tips for a shopping trip to Dubai are wear comfortable shoes, top up your credit card, and bring (or buy) a few empty suitcases!

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 83

IAJI121.indb 83

17/02/2022 14:42

A DAY OUT

IN DUBLIN From sampling Dublin’s best cinnamon buns and picnicpicking at gourmet food halls to scoping the city’s ‘antique street’ Dublin is a charming hotchpotch of shopping experiences.

Shopping in Dublin is fun, not least because whatever you want, you can easily find it, and often within walking distance.

Whether you’re after Waterford crystal, Celtic jewellery, or a unique piece by a local designer, the options are vast and exciting.

The capital city has two main shopping districts located on either side of the River Liffey which effectively splits the city in two.

Henry Street is the central hub of north-ofthe-Liffey shopping; a street of shopping malls, high street stores and the grand

old dame of the street (though now very modern and glamorous) Arnotts, Dublin’s oldest department store.

Located adjacent to the Spire, Henry Street is awash with stalls selling bags, hats and handbags and you will often see street traders pushing old-style prams filled with fresh fruit and flowers.

Crossing O’Connell Bridge towards the south of the city (and passing some famous landmarks on the way), Georgian Grafton

84 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 84

17/02/2022 14:42

Street is the epicentre of the southside, and for many, Dublin’s most elegant shopping area. It has everything from high-end boutiques to regular high street fare in a pretty, old-world setting.

Grafton Street has become famous for its open-air entertainment, particularly busking. Musicians, poets, street performers and skilled mime artists vie for the attention of passing crowds.

Dublin and perhaps Irelands most famous store is known locally as ‘BT’s’. It takes pride of place on Grafton Street, as does its famous doormen, who welcome shoppers and visitors alike with big smiles and the tip of a hat as you enter this classic store.

Brown Thomas is synonymous with luxury shopping, and the store offers the Irish version of Selfridges, an upmarket mix of prêt-à-porter and haute couture clothing, accessories and cosmetics. Hugh Brown’s Restaurant on-site offers an array of elegant all-day dining options, modern Irish cuisine and speciality house cocktails on Level 3 – the ideal pitstop before or after shopping.

Adjacent to BT’s is Weir & Sons. Established in 1869 by Thomas Weir, it is still a family business and is now run and managed by fourth and fifth-generation family members. A Dublin classic, the store stocks all major luxury jewellery brands but the service here is decidedly ‘old school’. With its charming front door panel and building steeped in history, it is like stepping back into a bygone era.

The St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre marks the top of Grafton Street. A 1980s version of a 19th-century shopping arcade, the dramatic, balconied interior and central courtyard are a hive of activity with an eclectic mix of shops. It sits at the gate to Saint Stephens Green, Dublin’s answer to Central Park, and like the famous park, a horse-drawn carriage ride around the immediate area is a treat as you are regaled by stories of famous Dubliners past and present.

Delightfully Different

The Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is a high end, boutique shopping experience set in an elegant Georgian townhouse just off Grafton Street.

Formally home to Richard Wingfield, 3rd Viscount Powerscourt (1744-1788), the house was used to entertain guests during Parliament season. Back then, the building was a house for parties, and it could be said that it lives up to that reputation to this day.

The third finest house in Dublin after Leinster House (government buildings) and Charlemont House (Dublin city gallery), Powerscourt is a fine example of Dublin’s Georgian architecture. It offers a range of upmarket retail and designer outlets in

an upscale, atmospheric setting. Peruse fashion, jewellery and antique vendors; visit pop up art galleries and marvel at the fine architecture of this classic building.

second most famous is Merrion Square, home to some of Ireland’s most prominent citizens in the past, including Daniel O’Connell, Oscar Wilde and W.B. Yeats.

Running parallel to Grafton Street, the South City Markets (today’s George’s Street Arcade) has been a fixture on the Dublin shopping scene since 1881.

Both squares become year-round open art galleries on weekends with local artists displaying their work on the surrounding railings. It affords a weekly opportunity for artists to socialize, network, and gain from visitors, patrons, and colleagues, both encouragement and critique. Whether you choose to buy or not, it’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon and to chat to locals and artists alike.

The ornate red brick and terracotta structure is a Dublin landmark, and the many stalls inside offer an eclectic mix of vintage boutiques, food markets and quirky collectables. This is a random, diverse and bohemian place where you can find things that you might not find anywhere else. Pick up flowers in Appassionata, coffee and cake in Lolly and Cook’s, and Dublin’s best cinnamon buns in Simon’s Place. The arcade also runs to belly dancing accessories, second-hand books, falafel, fudge, health foods and pre-loved clothing. It’s not your conventional shopping experience, but it’s fun, and you never know what you might find here.

The Great Outdoors

As a Georgian city, Dublin has several fine townhouse squares. These were common garden areas for those living in the large townhouses of the era, which lacked a private garden. The most famous of Dublin’s garden squares is Saint Stephens Green, while the

The size and layout of Dublin is such that shopping and sightseeing become intertwined. The tourist hub of Temple Bar is always popular, as are its cobbled streets.

Temple Bar is home to three different markets that provide something different for everyone over the weekend. Saturdays include the Temple Bar food market in Meeting House Square with a wide range of stalls selling everything from cheese to seafood and freshly baked goods. Meanwhile, at Cow’s Lane, the Designer Mart showcases the very best in Irish handmade craft and design with 20 different stalls. The Temple Bar Book Market is on Saturday and Sunday in Temple Bar Square and offers vintage books and vinyl for literature and music lovers alike.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 85

IAJI121.indb 85

17/02/2022 14:42

Hidden Treasures

Scattered across Ireland are little curio shops crammed with character and run by expert antiquarians.

Today there is a whole new market for this ancient trade. With deposit interest rates at historic lows, savers and investors are seeking alternative investments. Property, the stock market and gold are the most popular choices, but for some, antiques are an attractive option as buyers get to invest while living with and enjoying their purchase.

It may be cliché to say that antiques are a talking point, but with antiques, you get such a lot of beautiful, fine detailing that’s simply not done anymore, lovely gilt

mirrors, occasional tables with marble, marquetry or gilt inlay and fine brass lamps.

You can also pick up antique ceramics such as oriental vases, hand-painted urns, plant holders and Jardiniers – authentic statement pieces that add eye-catching vintage style.

Nestled in one of Dublin’s oldest neighbourhoods, The Liberties is one of Ireland’s oldest antiques and arts quarters.

Francis Street is legendary among those in the know with over 20 antique shops, galleries and craft stores. It’s central, too, located just a five-minute walk from St Patrick’s Cathedral. Lovers of vintage goods will relish exploring the treasure trove of goods here. Francis Street is Dublin’s main center for antiques with collectables from numerous centuries and eras. Come here for Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian period furniture, rare items, lighting, decorative items, oriental rugs and much more.

Linger over the intriguing window displays, then step inside stores to investigate shelves and spaces crammed with fascinating objects from the distant past.

Other items that might catch your eye are Irish paintings and sculptures, prints, old photographs, antique jewellery and Irish silver. Whether you are a serious collector

or not, there is something for everyone, and prices are all negotiable.

Outside of Dublin, Lonely Planet recommends The Whatnot in Derry as “an interesting little antique shop crammed with jewellery, militaria, bric-a-brac and collectables.” Norwegian interior designer Anette Frostad is a fan of Fado in Dingle, saying, “It’s so cozy for a start. You almost think it’s too small, and then you go digging and find hundreds of once-off decorative pieces and a massive collection of traditional Irish prints and posters.

Any decorator would spend hours there.”

Dingle on Ireland’s southwest coast is one of Ireland’s gems and a firm favourite for visitors along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. If you’re planning a trip to Ireland and love antiques, turn your trip into an antiquing tour of the Emerald Isle. A number of tour companies operating in Ireland offer tours explicitly designed for antique lovers. Choose a tour that stops at one or more of the many Irish antique fairs, or select a more luxurious trip with stops at grand country houses to see antiques in the homes of the Irish aristocracy.

A tangible link to our heritage, antiques tell a story. Relics of the past that carry on giving into the future, antiques are the link between modern living and a bygone era.

86 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 86

17/02/2022 14:42

A shopping experience like no other Just an hour from Dublin, discover 100 boutiques from leading brands, with savings of up to 60% on the recommended retail price. Dine in an array of restaurants and cafés. Plus, enjoy five-star hospitality with services such as complimentary Wi-Fi, personal shopping and Hands-free Shopping. Take junction 13 on the M7 to reach Kildare Village by car, take a 35-minute train journey from Heuston Station, or use one of the many coach services from Dublin city centre.

To find out more, visit KildareVillage.com

IAJI121.indb 87

17/02/2022 14:42

UNIQUELY BROWN THOMAS A luxury clothing and lifestyle store Brown Thomas is part of a global retail family that attracts the very best in luxury brands.

88 || Arab Arab Irish Irish Chamber Chamber Magazine Magazine 88

IAJI121.indb 88

17/02/2022 14:42

Located on Dublin’s most fashionable street, Brown Thomas is Ireland’s premier luxury department store and part of a global retail family which includes Selfridges in the UK, Holt Renfrew in Canada and de Bijenkorf in Holland.

This flagship store, and a landmark on Dublin’s Grafton Street since 1849, houses the world’s most prestigious designer brands from fashion and accessories to beauty and home. Featuring the world’s most prestigious luxury boutiques including Tiffany & Co., Hermès, Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Céline, Tom Ford and Louis Vuitton, Brown Thomas has achieved pre-eminent status; a store that is listed among the best in the world, yet it remains quintessentially Irish and unique.

From the doorman’s greeting to the sales consultant’s smile, the bond with the customer is all important. The aim is to

ensure that every visitor’s experience at Brown Thomas is a memorable one, and the team will be delighted to welcome you in store.

Personal service is key, and Brown Thomas will gladly deliver your shopping to your hotel so that you can enjoy the rest of your day at leisure around the city. If you wish, they can bring a selection of products to you so that you can enjoy shopping in the comfort of your hotel suite.

In the case of products over a certain weight, Brown Thomas can organise complimentary shipping to your country of residence. And if you live outside Europe, you will enjoy the benefits of tax-free shopping.

A shopping experience like no other, wherever your location or whatever your needs, Brown Thomas will deliver in every way possible so that memories of your visit to Dublin are with you for years to come.

“Featuring the world’s most prestigious luxury boutiques including Tiffany & Co., Hermès, Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Céline, Tom Ford and Louis Vuitton, Brown Thomas has achieved pre-eminent status; a store that is listed among the best in the world, yet it remains quintessentially Irish and unique.”

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 89

IAJI121.indb 89

17/02/2022 14:42

DESTINATION

WEDDINGS From celebrity couples to those with Irish roots, when it comes to weddings, location is everything, and when it comes to location, Ireland has it all.

It’s not called the Emerald Isle for nothing.

Ireland is a haven of tranquillity from pristine Atlantic coast beaches, serene lakes and streams, natural parks, green pastures, mountain ranges, and dramatic cliffs. What’s more, couples can choose to recite their vows at any number of unique locations.

Ireland has less strict requirements for legal weddings than other countries, allowing non-residents and non-Irish nationals to legally marry. Non-Irish couples only need to submit some documents and appear

before the Registrar’s office days before the wedding as part of the requirement for a legally binding ceremony.

For such a special day, many couples want a unique location as well as the opportunity to vacation with family and friends, and when it comes to fairy-tale settings, they don’t get much better than Ireland.

Since Ireland is a relatively small country, vast open spaces and endless castles with large swathes of land fit the bill perfectly.

90 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 90

17/02/2022 14:42

Whatever you choose, options are abundant – so get expert help in the form of the wedding organizer at your choice of venue.

They will already have all the answers, including legal requirements and ceremony options, as well as the ability to provide you with contacts for everything you need to know – or better still, to do it all for you.

Some worry that the weather in the Emerald Isle might be a bit off-putting, but contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t rain all of the time. Ireland’s climate is temperate, making

for an enjoyable visit at any time of the year. Therefore, you don’t need to be overinfluenced by selecting a particular time of the year. Focus on what aspect of Ireland you want to enjoy and let this determine the timing. For instance, those from countries saturated with sun love visiting Ireland in autumn and winter when log fires are burning, and nature puts on a spectacular colour show.

Regardless of the timing of your visit, the Irish welcome is always waiting and always warm.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 91

IAJI121.indb 91

17/02/2022 14:42

A DREAM

DESTINATION

Nestled on 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, dotted with ancient woodlands and glittering lakes, Castle Leslie is a stunningly beautiful, secluded Estate located in Glaslough, County Monaghan.

It is an incredibly romantic venue for a wedding.

Still in the hands of its founding family since the mid-17th century, it is steeped in history and full of character and charm.

A truly private rural escape, it is a magical setting for your special day.

At Castle Leslie Estate, expect individuality.

Here, no two rooms are the same and attached to each room is its own riveting story. One of the last great houses of Ireland still in the hands of the founders, the Leslie family arrived in Ireland in the 16th century and can trace their ancestors back to Attila the Hun, so when it comes to authenticity, it doesn’t get much better.

Filled with beautiful furniture, antiques and heirlooms, the castle has 21 original, uniquely decorated bedrooms and bathrooms. Which bedroom will be yours in this sumptuous castle hotel? Perhaps the Mauve Room where an Earl hid in the big white wardrobe to surprise a Queen, or the

Nursery where the giant dollhouse has been ingeniously turned into a bathroom. With its magnificent four-poster bed, the Red Room is blessed with the most stunning views of Glaslough lake and the pleasure gardens. The huge, panelled bath in the bathroom is the first bath ever installed in Ireland. This room has accommodated numerous famous guests, including W.B. Yeats, the Irish poet. Whether your idea of heaven is a romantic boudoir designed with relaxation and privacy in mind or a flamboyant room decorated with rich deep colours, there’s a room to suit all tastes.

Additional accommodation is available in the boutique country house style Lodge.

With its 50 sumptuous bedrooms and cut-stone stable courtyard, The Lodge has been lovingly restored and imaginatively decorated, retaining period features and original character throughout. As an additional option or for families who want

to stay together, the 2-bedroomed Old Stable Mews offer the convenience of hotel living, combined with private luxury home rental.

Castle Leslie Estate has a dedicated wedding team devoted to catering for your every need who appreciate that this is your special day. They will provide the discreet personal attention and service that fits every occasion. Turning a dream into reality is at the heart of what they do, having arranged bespoke weddings for couples from all over the world - including celebrity weddings for the likes of Paul McCarthy and Heather Mills and more recently Pretty Little Liars’ Sasha Pieterse and Hudson Sheaffer.

Renowned for superb food and tantalizing menus, the Estate offers a variety of banqueting options to make every celebration exceptional. Executive Chef Aaron Duffy combines years of Michelin experience and personal passion with some

92 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 92

17/02/2022 14:42

tried-and-tested recipes to create delectable menus. He and his team cater for all guests’ needs with style and a smile.

Castle Leslie Estate has several unique locations where you can host your celebration. The magnificent Castle can accommodate wedding parties of up to 70 guests and for larger wedding parties, the Pavilion is a delightful space overlooking the glistening Glaslough Lake which can accommodate up to 260 guests.

One of the last great houses of Ireland still in the hands of the founders, the Leslie family arrived in Ireland in the 16th Century and can trace their ancestors back to Attila the Hun.

The Estate has the facilities to host wedding ceremonies, civil ceremonies and partnerships, and there are some enchanting locations in which to host a ceremony or blessing. This might be inside the Castle or in the Castle Pavilion, or for an even more unique experience, ceremonies can be held in the grounds of the Estate. Think leafy woodlands, shimmering lakes and stunning gardens that can be dressed and tailored to your requirements. The grounds and woodlands also provide an exceptional background for wedding photography.

Activities

Wedding parties can look forward to a huge array of on-site activities. There is pike fishing for the nature enthusiast, exceptional walking trails for those who want to breathe in fresh country air, archery and clay target shooting for the more adventurous, falconry for those who like to experience nature up close, a Victorian spa for rejuvenation and of course the worldclass equestrian centre.

For something extra special, a hot air balloon ride is a wonderful way to glide over the Estate – or to hold a private aerial ceremony.

The Estate is ideal for fireworks displays and for something to warm things up inside, there are personalized cocktails and a gin bar serving over 100 gins from around the world, including Castle Leslie Estate’s very own Fighting Bishop Gin. Bishop John Leslie was the first of the Leslie’s in Ireland and the Bishop of the Isles of Scotland. Known as the ‘Fighting Bishop’, he was involved in the battle of Raphoe against Cromwell.

He bought Glaslough Castle Demesne in 1665. This earthy style of gin incorporates the Bishop’s Beech Leaves & Botanicals handpicked from the trees he planted in the 1600’s. He died aged 100 in 1671.

Castle Leslie Estate’s uniqueness, character and charm can only be felt, not described.

Therefore, the team at Castle Leslie Estate invite you to come and experience it for yourself and look forward to welcoming you so you can sample their renowned hospitality.

Contact the events team on +353 47 88100 or email events@castleleslie.com for further details. Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough, County Monaghan, Ireland. www.castleleslie.com

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 93

IAJI121.indb 93

17/02/2022 14:42

Traditionally in Ireland, brides wore blue dresses as it was seen as the colour of love and purity. However, over time this tradition faded, and the white dress became popular. The “something blue” is still incorporated into the brides’ accessories – be it on a garter, tied around the bouquet or sewn into the underneath of the dress.

The tradition of wedding flowers goes back to the day when it was customary to decorate the house that the wedding celebration was held in with locally grown flowers and plants. Some plants have become associated with Ireland, not least the now readily available ‘Bells of Ireland’, used in modern times for its symbolism.

No Irish wedding would be complete without the traditional toast. These days it is usually done with champagne, but traditionally it would have been with Poteen - a potent brew made from potatoes. Mead was the more palatable alternative. An Anglo-Saxon drink made of white wine mixed with honey and herbs, it was said to possess powers of fertility. It therefore became customary for the bride and groom to drink it for one full moon after their wedding, giving rise to the word ‘honeymoon’.

CELTIC TRADITIONS Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

You may be familiar with some Irish wedding traditions, but what do they mean, and where did they come from?

In Ireland when someone gets married, people say they are ‘tying the knot.’ It harks back to the Celtic tradition of Handfasting, which involved tying the hands of the betrothed together in advance of their actual wedding day. At the time, Ireland was ruled by Brehon Law and handfasting was recognized as a proper form of marriage

– some would say a pretty good one, in that you got to ‘try out’ the marriage for a year and if it didn’t work out, you found somebody else the next year.

The expression ‘his goose is cooked’ is still used in Ireland, especially in Dublin.

The phrase originated from the tradition of cooking a goose for the groom in the bride’s house the night before the wedding.

Once the goose was cooked, there was no turning back!

The tradition of a horseshoe is well known throughout the world. By placing the horseshoe upright over a door or in a room, the ‘luck of the house’ was kept intact.

The Greeks associated the horseshoe with the crescent moon and its symbolism of fertility. The tradition was also popular throughout Ireland and England, with the readily available horseshoe being carried by the bride as she walked down the aisle. It was then affixed securely by the groom in the marital home. Today, glass and ceramic horseshoes are symbolically used at Irish wedding ceremonies.

Irish mothers always tell children to keep a handkerchief in their pocket. Well so it was for brides and the tradition is alive and well today. The bride carries a hanky on her wedding day, and it is kept and later converted to a christening hat or bonnet for her first child. The hanky would be passed on from generation to generation to be reused in a similar manner.

Dowry-giving was well established in rural Ireland and was a source of pride for the bride’s family. Modernity has relegated this tradition to the history books; however it is still common for a bride’s parents to pay for the wedding, in effect paying to give her away.

94 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 94

17/02/2022 14:42

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 95

IAJI121.indb 95

17/02/2022 14:42

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

EMIRATES

The world’s largest international airline marks ten years in Ireland.

It’s hard to imagine a time when Emirates wasn’t operating direct flights between Dublin and Dubai, but the world’s largest international airline has just celebrated its tenth anniversary in the Irish market. Over the past decade, Emirates has become an essential cog in Ireland’s travel and export sectors. Since its inaugural Dublin flight in January 2012, Emirates has carried more than 2.8 million passengers on 10,000 flights between Dublin and Dubai.

Country Manager for Emirates in Ireland, Enda Corneille, who has been with the airline for eight of those ten years remembers the launch clearly. “We were in the middle of a global recession, discretionary spending had plummeted, businesses were suffering, and the mood of the country was pretty low. All eyes were on

Emirates, and in fact, some questioned the wisdom of launching in a relatively small market at the height of a recession.

“However, meticulous planning, a longterm vision, and the confidence both Emirates and our customers have in our product and service have contributed to one of the most successful route launches in the airline’s history.

“What Emirates brought to Ireland wasn’t just access to global markets. Of equal importance at that time was the boost of confidence it gave not only to the travel sector but also to the wider economy.

“And, notwithstanding recent interruptions, the operation in Ireland has gone from strength to strength, and the

outlook for 2022/2023 is hugely positive as demand returns.”

Supporting Ireland’s Export Market

Emirates is recognised for its role in helping to drive economic growth, trade, and job creation in the markets in which it operates, including supporting small local businesses such as VOYA, whose amenity products can be found in Business and First Class washrooms.

Since 2012, Emirates has carried 130,000 tonnes of cargo between Dublin and Dubai, of which 72,000 tonnes comprised Irish exports. Emirates Skycargo, the airline’s freight division, connects Irish exporters with customers across the Gulf market, and each Boeing 777 on the Dublin route can carry up to 25 tonnes of cargo, including

96 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 96

17/02/2022 14:42

Over the past decade, Emirates has become an essential cog in Ireland’s travel and export sectors. Since its inaugural Dublin flight in January 2012, Emirates has carried more than 2.8 million passengers on 10,000 flights between Dublin and Dubai. pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, computer servers, electronic components, seafood and dairy.

Emirates is currently operating a daily service between Dublin and Dubai and onwards to more than 120 destinations.

It continues to rebuild its network and is confident of returning to a double daily service between Dublin and Dubai during 2022. Demand is growing and Emirates is ready.

The Emirates Difference

From the moment customers step onboard, they notice the Emirates difference featuring the very best service in the utmost comfort. In Business Class, guests will enjoy extra onboard comforts, including gourmet cuisine, complimentary Champagne and

fine wines, lie-flat seats and a generous baggage allowance of 40kg. In First Class, guests can relax at 40,000 feet in their own private suite and across all cabins, guests will enjoy more than 4,500 channels of entertainment on ice Emirates’ awardwinning inflight entertainment system.

customers with even more choice. And, for premium customers and frequent flyers, Emirates has launched an online subscription platform, “Skywards+”, to offer its 27 million Skywards (loyalty scheme) members easy access to customised rewards and privileges.

Continuously innovating and always looking to enhance the customer experience, passengers connecting from Dubai to selected markets onboard Emirates’ signature A380 aircraft can now look forward to a next level experience, following the unveiling of a brand-new Premium Economy product onboard its newest A380 aircraft. Offering wider seats, extra legroom, a separate food menu and a bigger entertainment screen, Premium Economy was introduced to provide

Flexible & Agile

From a global recession to a global pandemic, the past ten years have not been without their challenges. But the way in which Emirates has responded has demonstrated just how flexible, agile and able an airline of Emirates’ size can be. This can be attributed to the strength of the Emirates brand, its people, an outstanding product and service and continued investment in technology and innovation.

We can’t wait to see what’s next!

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 97

IAJI121.indb 97

17/02/2022 14:42

AT YOUR SERVICE Founded in 2007, Leman Solicitors LLP is a renowned Dublin-based law firm which boasts an ever-expanding portfolio of international clients.

Highly valued customers based abroad are looked after by the company’s dedicated, experienced international-focussed team led by Head of Employment & Corporate Immigration, Bláthnaid Evans.

It is comprised of four key dedicated departments; Real Estate, Corporate, Dispute Resolution and Employment & Corporate Immigration and is a firm which is going from strength to strength thanks to its vision to being a unique legal business providing an outstanding client experience by the most efficient means. The firm prides itself on being an innovative law firm, making sure that its client get the advice they need on time, on a cost effective basis.

Evans and her colleagues’ modus operandi revolves around teaming up with international clients who carry out business both within and outside of Ireland. Leman also assist Irish based clients who are working abroad.

Leman’s lawyers are each experts in their own field with many having worked in some of the largest law firms in Ireland.

Accordingly, Leman has found great favour with a raft of companies who have established bases in Ireland, partly because of its own expertise but also because Ireland has long been a destination of choice for many foreign companies. This is largely due to it being an EU member; its pro-business environment and supportive regime for start-up; the fact that it is an English speaking country (the only one in the EU, post-Brexit); the presence of a well-educated workforce; its common law jurisdiction with a strong legal system; the attraction provided by a favourable low taxation system with a corporate tax rate of 12.5%; and, last but not least, the country’s extensive double taxation treaty arrangement.

Credited with being the first law firm in Ireland to operate a paperless office, Leman Solicitors LLP has also received kudos for its achievement in being the first law firm in Ireland to provide its clients with online access to their entire file. Leman operates on a fixed fees basis which ensures transparency on fees for clients.

Head of Employment & Corporate Immigration

Leman specialises in Tech, Real Estate, Life Sciences, International & Financial Services as well as corporate, employment, corporate immigration, property and litigation and is referenced both in the Legal 500 and Chambers Directories. It is also a member of IR Global and the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce.

Leman has garnered an unrivalled reputation among its peers for its work with its clients in finding commercially driven solutions to ensure all clients have full transparency on fees with the company’s fixed fee model.

In short, with Leman you can expect something different.

#WeAreLeman

98 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 98

17/02/2022 14:42

SOCIETY

OF EQUALS

UAE: A model for women’s rights in the Middle East.

Numbers suggest the United Arab Emirates is at the forefront when it comes to opportunities for women, gender equality and equal pay.

The UAE is ranked as a leading country in gender equality, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2021 Gender Gap Report. This achievement comes from the fundamental belief that women and men are equal partners in society.

and the right to inherit property as men.

Women are also guaranteed the same access to employment, health and family welfare facilities. As a leader of equality in economics, government, education and health, the UAE has been named one of the region’s pioneers.

Demonstrating the UAE’s progress in women’s inclusion, justice and security, the UAE is ranked 24th among 170 countries and the highest regionally in the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security’s 2021 WPS Index.

The UAE is taking keen interest in space science, information and communication technology, life sciences, and nuclear technology – typically male-dominated areas with just 10% of tech CEOs being female globally. However, the UAE bucks this trend, with 35% of tech entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) now women - three and a half times more representation for women in this area.

The Constitution of the UAE guarantees equal rights for both men and women.

Under the Constitution, women enjoy the same legal status, claim to titles, access to education, the right to practice professions,

Women’s participation is equally strong in the public sector, with women holding twothirds of public sector jobs in the UAE - 30% in leadership roles and 15% in technical and academic roles.

• 77% of Emirati women enrol in higher education after secondary school and make up 70% of all university graduates in the UAE. • 56% of UAE government university graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are women.

• In September 2014, the UAE opened the region’s first military college for women, Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School. The state-of-the-art military college provides world-class training, physical fitness sessions and leadership development. The UAE has four women fighter pilots and has also trained over 30 women to work with the country’s special security forces.

• The UAE had the highest number of women on Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen in 2020, with 23 Emirati women on the list.

• Women business-owners account for 10% of the entire private sector in the UAE. • 23,000 Emirati businesswomen run projects worth over AED50 billion, and occupy 15% of the positions in the boards of chambers of commerce and industry nationwide.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 99

IAJI121.indb 99

17/02/2022 14:42

Flying High

From filmmakers to fighter pilots, women continue to push boundaries, and even the sky is no limit to their ambitions.

Amna Al Qubaisi was the first Emirati female racing driver, beginning her karting career at fourteen. She was the first female Arab to participate in the Rotax Max Challenge (RMC) World Finals. Two years later, she began competing internationally, claiming top 10 finishes. Amna was the first Arab woman to win the UAE RMC Championship.

There are women pilots and then there’s Salma Al Baloushi, the Amelia Earhart of the Emirates. The first Emirati woman aviator to rise to the rank of First Officer at Etihad Airways, she found fame beyond her native shores at the tender age of 24, making it to the 100 Greatest Women in Aviation. “I aim to uphold my country’s name up in the sky,” she says modestly.

The Al Ain native joined Etihad Airways in 2007 studying the basics of flying, navigation and various associated technical subjects. After more than two years of training, she received her wings in 2009 and was promoted to Second Officer.

But Salma’s journey did not end here. She completed further ground school technical and aircraft systems training, spent time in Etihad’s A320 full-flight simulator and trained in the development of nontechnical skills applicable to working in a multi-crew environment. Finally, in 2012, she completed her final checks and was qualified as Etihad’s first Emirati female A320 co-pilot, graduating to the rank of First Officer alongside nine male colleagues.

Like most women, Al Baloushi has learnt to juggle career and home life and she acknowledges that her husband’s involvement in caring for their two children has helped her devote time to work. “People

felt I would have to choose between my career and family. But I love both, and it is support at home, from my husband, my family and from my batch mates that have helped me focus on my job.”

Now she is aiming higher. “I’m thinking about enriching my knowledge of the aviation industry by studying for a degree in aviation, and this would help me greatly in the future,” she says. She also wants to be a role model for her contemporaries: “I want to see myself as a very successful pilot in Etihad Airways and in so doing, to set an example for upcoming generations to aim high and become active members of the community.”

From one ‘high flying’ career to another, Mariam Al Mansouri, also listed as one of the 100 Greatest Women in Aviation, has one of the most challenging jobs in the world. Mariam was one of the first women to join the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) academy, graduating in

100 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 100

17/02/2022 14:42

Mariam Al Mansouri

Salma Al Baloushi

2007. She is now a fighter pilot flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Al Mansouri received the Mohammed bin Rashid Pride of the Emirates medal for excellence in her field.

Only 65 women worldwide have been in space, and 27-year-old Nora Al Matrooshi, the first female Arab astronaut, is on the path to being the 66th. As the UAE takes a giant leap forward with its space program sending astronauts to International Space Station, women are not left behind on this journey. In April 2021, UAE selected Nora as its first female astronaut. She is training with the NASA Astronaut Group 23 as an international mission specialist.

Al-Matroushi is not the only woman reaching for the stars. According to the Emirates Ministry of State for Advanced Sciences, women make up 80% of the science team behind the current Mars mission.

The United Arab Emirates is fast becoming one of the most innovative and futuristic cities globally, with both the local Emiratis and foreign ex-pats moving to Dubai for entrepreneurship opportunities.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 101

IAJI121.indb 101

17/02/2022 14:42

The Green Touch

Ambition is a defining feature of the UAE, and its Net Zero by 2050 strategy is the latest case in point. This message resonates with Adrienne Doolan, founder of Green Touches, a sustainable services and clean technology company in Dubai. “Say hello to Eco,” says Adrienne and say goodbye to chemicals and toxins.

Adrienne Doolan, Owner/Founder of Green Touches, has been in the UAE for 13 years, and she is passionate about sustainability.

When sorting out her waste in 2015, Adrienne realised that there was a better way to do things, and an idea was born.

Adrienne founded Green Touches in 2015 to promote an environmentally friendly society and achieve this using modern, clean technologies and innovative solutions.

She aligned her business strategy with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals with a bottom line of people, planet, and profit.

“The UAE offers interaction and knowledge sharing between Government and private sectors for those willing to get involved, and now especially, while working in the field of sustainability there is much to be done together,” she explains.

Green Touches supply commercial and residential cleaning in line with their Sustainable Green Cleaning Programme.

Their Aqueous Ozone O3 clean technology is a cleaning product that eliminates traditional cleaning chemicals while saving water and energy. “I like to think that we are an A to Z for your sustainable business journey as we supply from clean technology to toilet tissue, made from recycled pulp in the UAE,” she adds.

Adrienne Doolan

Green Touches promote 21st-century cleaning for a more effective and healthier clean. They encourage recycling programmes and food waste solutions such as Bokashi for residential and WasteMaster food composter for large commercial operations. “We offer tailormade sustainability reporting and implementation to reduce our carbon footprint and help clients to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions in line with the objective of the UAE,” she says.

Adrienne is involved in many sustainability committees and Boards, such as the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainability Action Society from the Capital Club in Dubai. She participates in panel discussions on her sustainability journey and food waste solutions to encourage others to join in.

A proud moment for Adrienne was his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visiting The Sustainable City where Adrianne lives and works.

“I was honoured to meet with HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and to share our CleanCore Technologies, LLC, Aqueous Ozone with him,” she says.

This initiative provides Aqueous Ozone,

a powerful non-toxic cleaner used by residents & businesses in the city to protect health and the environment. It will significantly reduce the UAE’s carbon footprint, something in vision with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s mission “to provide people with the best quality of life and ensure community happiness”.

102 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 102

17/02/2022 14:42

Amanda Gavin

A Passion for People

Dubliner Amanda Gavin is a PR and marketing consultant based in the UAE. Having moved to Dubai with her husband, Amanda immediately set about re-established her PR consultancy AGM Consulting there, gaining new clients, working for the Irish Business Network and writing for the Arab Irish Journal.

A graduate of the National College of Ireland and a leading marketing and public relations professional for over 20

years, Amanda is dedicated to helping others succeed. A champion for women in business and a successful entrepreneur, Amanda throws herself enthusiastically into the business networking communities of Dublin and Dubai and she is hugely positive about opportunities for women in the UAE. “People want to do business. In Dubai, they like to work with people who follow through. People are very respectful of women in business here and take on board what I say.”

In 2021, the UAE Security and Commodities Authority mandated that listed companies must have at least one woman on their board of directors.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 103

IAJI121.indb 103

17/02/2022 14:42

THE WADI TRIBE’S WINNING FORMULA! As founder of edutainment company The Wadi Tribe, Saniya Chughtai is on a mission to educate and amuse children through entertainment with an eye also to improving their wellbeing and mental health.

104 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 104

17/02/2022 14:42

Pakistani/Irish and based in Dubai, the public face of TWT heads a team of passionate professionals who want to transform emotional intelligence all around the globe by engaging children through Augmented Reality.

“Our business model is to introduce programmes into the schools, which are based on the CASEL competencies and Harvard’s social and emotional learning skill sets,” Chughtai enthuses.

“We are determined to arm young kids with emotional intelligence tools, to live a happier and more fulfilling life.”

To the initiated and uninitiated alike, TWT clearly has the material to be a global success story with fun and diverse characters energizing books, stuffed toys and other merchandise – all of which serve to strengthen the message of emotional intelligence.

TWT’s modus operandi of bridging cultural, mental well-being and educational gaps via fun and entertainment is a proven winner; making education more interesting and fun by leveraging technologies such as augmented reality and delivered through a SAAS model.

“We have seen a massive increase in demand for online wellbeing programs, which we cater for on different platforms,” TWT’s Dubai-based founder explains.

“The reason we have chosen to focus on primary kids is because you affect that child for their entire life. When you teach emotional intelligence to a child, he or she carries those lessons as a teenager, young adult, young professional, parent and then grandparent.”

TWT’s primary target market is all children up to 12 years old; an age group which is considered to have the greatest influence over their parent’s decision-making and be most excited about the brand.

Other secondary markets are those parents looking for an entertainment brand which educates their kids through entertainment.

Like all successful businesses, the thinktank at TWT places great emphasis on investing in R&D. In that regard, the company has, over the past five years, picked the brains of a team of academics, teachers and designers to meticulously construct the narrative behind each product with its social and emotional learning narrative being based on CASEL’s five competencies and Harvard’s 12 suggested skill sets.

So what of TWT’s products?

“We are very proud of them,” Chughtai declares.

“They are designed with diverse, unique multilingual and multicultural characters.

Founder of edutainment company The Wadi Tribe, Saniya Chughtai

“TWT has 28 characters in total, each having an emotional value attached to them and all the products are relatable and fun for our young audience.

www.thewaditribe.com info@thewaditribe.com

“Our most popular character is Tach the Hurler. He is a wee little turtle who loves to play the ancient games of hurling. We are delighted to share the exciting news that Tach’s story is going to have augmented reality! Not only are the stories interactive but they are a great fun way to teach kids emotional intelligence.”

With plans afoot to further collaborate with banks, retailers and the F&B sector, the team at TWT don’t intend to rest on their laurels. Indeed, character collaborations such as with Tach, are likely to transcend their original brand purposes and become iconic.

“We see our characters evolving from marketing tools into proper pop culture while all the while deepening brand affinity to the point that customers even become nostalgic for them years later.

“Through our unique storylines, we want to create consumer loyalty and long-term relationships but, most of all, we want to educate children in a fun way and we want them to be able to deal with life emotions,” concludes the Serial Entrepreneur, Business Consultant, Children’s Author, Interior Architect and International Designer.

TWT TWT mechandise is available globally from www.thewaditribe.com and also the Duty-Free shop in The Irish Village, Al Garhoud.

Scan our QR code for more details.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 105

IAJI121.indb 105

17/02/2022 14:42

IN THE PINK At 3pm on Saturday 1 November 1884, a group of Irishmen gathered in the billiards room of Hayes Hotel in County Tipperary to establish an organization that would foster and preserve Ireland’s unique games and athletic pastimes. Ireland’s most successful amateur sporting and social organization was born, and it beats to this day in the heart of communities in Ireland and worldwide.

Gaelic Games in the Middle East have been a key feature of the lives of communities across the Gulf Region for the past 30 years.

Traditionally affiliated as part of the Asia and Gulf Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Board, the Middle East GAA in 2013 became an autonomous, new regional county board.

Football, cricket and other professional sports may have their stamp of popularity across the world, but Gaelic Games are a fundamental expression of Irish identity and ‘Gaelic’ is thriving in the Middle East.

“It is good to see out here, it keeps us connected, and it is good for Irish people to connect, to have a bit of craic,” says Chairperson Stephen Twomey.

Middle East GAA has over 85 competitive teams in the region, accounting for over 1,000 directly affiliated members and more than 3,000 associate members. The Board coordinates and facilitates competitive league, championship and test-match competitions in men’s Gaelic football and hurling, ladies Gaelic football and camogie and a thriving Juvenile programme.

A willingness to assist and aid people remains an integral part of the Middle East GAA. “That is why the GAA is the heartbeat of the community,” Twomey adds.

October 2021 marked a significant month for the Middle East GAA as they remembered players who have been sadly

affected by Breast Cancer. The Middle East County Board turned its jersey pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Ireland and to raise awareness across the region. The jerseys were a massive success, with over 600 being purchased by clubs across the Middle East. A total of €13,350 was raised, and a cheque was presented to Adele Reilly from Breast Cancer Ireland in December 2021 by Clodagh Harris, Ladies Officer and Stephen Twomey, Chairperson.

“We would like to extend a massive thank you to Gaelic Armour for all their help and support in manufacturing the jersey and everyone across the region who purchased a jersey to raise money for such a worthy cause,” Clodagh Harris, Ladies Officer, Middle East GAA.

106 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 106

17/02/2022 14:42

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 107

IAJI121.indb 107

17/02/2022 14:42

Goldcrop Ltd, leader in the Amenity turf market.

We can support all your needs with a full range of Fertiliser, Amenity chemicals and high quality grass seed

Goldcrop Ltd Springhill, Carrigtwohill,Co. Cork, Ireland T: +353 (0)21 488 2800 E: amenity@goldcrop.ie

goldcrop.ie

G O O D TA S T E GETS NOTICED

LONDONESSENCECO.COM

Purest flavour from distilled botanicals ENJOYED IN THE WORLD’S BEST BARS

IAJI121.indb 108

17/02/2022 14:42

INVESTING

IN THE FUTURE

The growing interest in the smart city and the need to solve global challenges has led to unprecedented innovation and technological advancement.

With the launch of a UAE Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the establishment of a Ministry for Artificial Intelligence, the UAE has solidified its position as one of the most advanced regions for technological innovation.

The UAE’s leadership has positively embraced the potential for new technologies. In March 2021, the UAE launched its industrial strategy, Operation 300bn, a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan that aims to establish the UAE’s industrial sector as a success story in driving a sustainable economic model. More than 13,500 micro and small enterprises will benefit from financial and policy support through the newly introduced strategy, creating a subsidiary real economy.

Tech-savvy nations are defined not only by the support they provide to enterprises but also through their partnerships in research and innovation. The Abu Dhabi Advanced Technology Research Council, the first research council in the Middle East, was established to shape research

and development for transformative technologies. The establishment of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) aims to become a leading global research centre, dedicated to pushing the frontiers of knowledge. In so doing, it will place the UAE firmly on the map of tech-savvy nations.

Get Smart

Today a city’s success is measured by how wisely it uses energy, water, and other resources, how well it maintains a high quality of life for its people, and how smart it is in building prosperity on a sustainable foundation. In short, cities must become much smarter about using existing capacity and resources.

A smart city is a municipality that uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to increase operational efficiency, share information and improve the quality of services, welfare and resources.

According to Spain’s IESE Business School research, Dubai ranks 4th in the technology dimension for smart cities and number one for technology in the Middle East.

A high level of digitisation at private and public level is integral in classifying the UAE as a nation that invests in growth and sees value in technology. Silicon Park is one example of how the UAE is positioning itself as a dedicated provider of technologically smart spaces that contribute to the happiness index of citizens and entrepreneurs alike. By bringing together people, data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the UAE is solving not only financial but also social challenges such as the reduction of crime, models of sustainable farming for underprivileged groups and the creation of more urban space for a better quality of life in the cities.

The UAE has also made remarkable strides in advancing specialised industries such as aviation, military, mining, renewable energy and the information and communication technology sector through ground-breaking technology use. According to research, by 2030, the number of devices connected to the internet is estimated to reach 1 trillion globally, with the UAE alone expected to reach this figure by 2050. As

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 109

IAJI121.indb 109

17/02/2022 14:42

According to Spain’s IESE Business School research, Dubai ranks 4th in the technology dimension for smart cities and number one for technology in the Middle East.

110 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 110

17/02/2022 14:42

Food delivery service Talabat and China’s Terminus Group are using robots to deliver food to customers at Expo 2020 Dubai to provide sustainable last-mile delivery. The robots – jointly

a transit country connecting the east and west with a pro-business environment, the UAE has become a technology hub for the Internet of Things (IOT) in all applications, enabling digital transformation in airports, cargo, and logistics.

A Golden Ticket

The Golden Business Visa seeks to attract top tech talent, quality investors, entrepreneurs, and academics/scholars with outstanding scientific talent. The purpose is to welcome global entrepreneurs, increase the UAE’s competitiveness and reaffirm the country’s position as a worldwide incubator for talent. Furthermore, it provides an incentive to relocate talent, which goes hand in hand with tangible knowledge transfer to transform ground-breaking ideas into market-ready products.

The Business Visa allows entrepreneurs the freedom to explore and experiment in the UAE while securing a future for themselves and their families. Specifically, the Thrive in Abu Dhabi programme promotes long-term Golden Visas. It is a pathway to citizenship for international talent working, creating, studying and investing in key sectors and specialities in Abu Dhabi. The Golden Visa is available for international investors and top talent worldwide, providing them with visas for up to 10 years. This includes people and

created by both companies and designed to operate sustainably – will transport food from Talabat’s cloud kitchen to customers at the Expo site. The robots are capable of making thousands

researchers in science and technology such as doctors, specialists, and inventors.

Another golden opportunity presents itself shortly as a new tax regime kicks in in 2023. The new tax rate of just 9% is one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the world and is likely to attract more foreign direct investment and multinational corporations.

“Corporate tax, whenever it comes to a country brings a lot of transparency; it brings trust,” Anurag Chaturvedi, Chief Executive of tax accounting firm Chartered House, an Andersen Global collaborating firm. “If a country adopts a competitive tax regime, then it stands to become an attractive destination for corporates looking for open and agile jurisdictions.”

This phenomenon is most visible in Ireland, which currently has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the world at 12.5%.

As a result, Dublin has become a tech hub, attracting Amazon, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn and TikTok to set up their European headquarters there. The entire area is known as the Silicon Valley of Dublin, and aside from the obvious benefits the knock-on effect on housing, retail and entertainment are all positives for the local economy.

With the UAE adopting the 9% rate,

of orders daily. They also have password-secured compartments to enable several deliveries in a single trip and are fully integrated into Talabat’s app and Terminus’s robot management system.

multinationals have a significant incentive to establish new headquarters in the region.

In addition, it is a well-placed gateway to the rest of the Arabian Gulf, Africa and Asia, and well serviced by international air carriers.

Meeting of Minds

Through government support, a vibrant global pool of human resources, and the various incentives that bring together the public and the private sector, the UAE has become a frontrunner of technology globally. The country’s strong marketing and branding elements are an added bonus and reinforce this message, not only as an end but as a means to bring further foreign direct investment into the country.

Establishing an Onshore or Free Zone company in the UAE enables entrepreneurs to explore this exciting venue through these corporate solutions. The establishment of a company in the UAE is particularly attractive for those who wish to engage in e-commerce, the latter being one of the fastest growing e-commerce markets in the Middle East.

Expo Dubai’s theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” reflects the Government’s aim to inspire conversations that will shape a digitally inclusive, interconnected and sustainable future for all.

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine | 111

IAJI121.indb 111

17/02/2022 14:42

AI at Expo Expo 2020 will go down in history as the first international event where different types of robots were used to enhance the visitor experience.

Anyone lucky enough to visit would come across an adorable orange robot called Opti.

The famous Expo mascot greets visitors, shares information, gives directions, tells joke, and even

breaks into synchronised dances, much to the delight of children.

Arash Masomzadeh, General Manager of the robotic division at Terminus Technologies, the Expo Premier Partner behind the Optis, said the AI-enabled, fully autonomous mascots were created in under six months. “The expo management gave us the concept in the form of

drawings and animation. It took us less than six months, during the pandemic, to bring Opti from the drawing board to robotic reality,” he said.

In addition to 50 Optis, 22 security patrol robots, 30 concierge-style indoor robots, and a further 50 bots carry Expo maps, as well as distributing drinks and working back of house stock replenishment.

112 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

IAJI121.indb 112

17/02/2022 14:42

T H E BEST PA R T Y IN T OW N. L I VE MU SIC A ND CO NC ER T S.

mcgettigans.com

All the Major Sporting Action on our Giant Screens.

Classic and Modern Irish Dishes and Drinks.

Dairy from Ireland where we work in harmony with nature

Ireland’s lush green fields, fresh, clean air and plentiful rain create the perfect environment for rearing grass-fed cows.

Together with an agile industry that responds speedily to changing production requirements, we’re able to ensure a consistent, secure supply of premium quality dairy produce.

Our farmers and producers continue to work with care, commitment and respect for tradition.

As members of Origin Green - Ireland’s leading-edge national food quality and sustainability program their work is also measured and independently audited to drive continuous improvements in food safety, traceability, animal welfare and greenhouse gas emissions.

To learn more about how we work in harmony with nature like nowhere else in the world, visit irishfoodanddrink.com