NEWSLETTER
2023
Summer
THIS RUNS
SUMMER MESSAGE
Dear colleagues,
We are halfway through the year and preparing to enter an exciting and busy period of greyhound racing.
The 2023 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is only weeks away and we are all looking forward once again to an electric atmosphere at Shelbourne Park over the five weeks from the First Round on July 28th/29th right through the grand Final on September 2nd. On behalf of the Board, I warmly welcome the decision by BoyleSports to extend its sponsorship of the Derby up to 2026, resulting in an additional €1m in prize money being distributed over the next three years.
Trainers and owners across the country will also welcome the news that this year’s showcase event has been increased from €266,300 to €300,000, representing a rise of 13% on 2022. The change to the prizemoney structure involves an increased spread from the overall runner-up right down to unplaced second round entrants.
I am delighted to report that attendances for the first four months of 2023 are up to almost 79,000, compared to 75,000 in the same period last year and 29,000 in 2021. This is a good indicator of the ongoing recovery in the sector, the popularity of greyhound racing amongst the public, and the hard work of RCÉ staff and the wider community to grow the sport.
Off the track, staff have continued their good work in delivering RCÉ’s ever expanding programme of welfare and care initiatives from RCÉTS to our ongoing support for the work of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust. Our inspection regime of greyhound establishments has also intensified. While compliance remains very high across the board, RCÉ has invested considerable time and resources into rooting out and penalising those who would bring our industry and sport into disrepute.
With a supportive Board, Rásaíocht Con Éireann will continue to invest in the sport we love and grow our positive relationship with the wider greyhound racing community across Ireland.
I also wish to remind all staff of the importance of availing of your annual leave entitlement and to take a well deserved break and enjoy time with family and friends during the Summer. On behalf of the Board and the Executive, a sincere thank you, for your hard work and commitment during the first part of the year and we look forward to achieving and where possible exceeding our targets for the remainder of 2023.
Le meas, John Tuohey, Interim CEO, RCÉ
Greyhound Racing Ireland launch new-look Fundraising Brochure
In May, Greyhound Racing Ireland launched our newlook fundraising brochure, for all venues nationwide. The key message is based on the unique concept that greyhounds enjoy remarkable vision of 270 degrees, while us humans only have 180 degrees. So, it is no wonder that many clubs, organisations, schools, and charities turn their four-legged friends for successful fundraising for amounts from €1,000 to €100,000.
On offer are 3 visions – Monster Benefit, Ticket only and Nominator Draw,. The collateral includes easy to read options with the mechanics of how each event can be approached and executed, all with the support and assistance of the local stadia teams.
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Stephen Gough Tote & Wagering Administrative Assistant Pictured: Leon Blanche, Commercial Director, John Tuohey, Interim CEO of Greyhound Racing Ireland and Brian Collins, Racing Manager, Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium launching the new-look fundraising brochure. WELCOME Kathryn Byrne-Schilperoord Sales & Customer Service Agent WELCOME Michael Fagan Racing Operative WELCOMEGreyhounds In Gettysburg (GiG), Pennsylvania, USA
Greyhounds in Gettysburg is a four-day annual fundraising event organised by Nittany Greyhounds held in the historical town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. (made famous by the inspirational and famously short Gettysburg Address delivered by Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War). The event was filled with shopping opportunities (for pet owners), seminars, socials and more.
GiG began in 1998 with a small group of friends and has steadily grown every year. In 2013, Nittany Greyhounds took over the management of the event and their mission is to raise awareness about greyhound adoption, and all proceeds from GiG benefit their adoption efforts.
GiG has become the largest sighthound reunion in the U.S., thanks in the main to the dedication of countless volunteers, adoption groups, and the support of guests, sponsors and vendors. Hundreds of people and their hounds enjoy this fun weekend in the beautiful Gettysburg countryside. The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust were represented at the 2023 event by Mr. Barry Coleman (RCÉ Care and Welfare Manager and Secretary of the IRGT) who delivered a presentation on the workings, operations and successes of the IRGT in recent years and also RCE’s and the IRGT’s participation in the hugely successful Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) Irish Greyhounds to America Program which is a collaboration between the IRGT and a large number of U.S. and Canadian Greyhound Rehoming Organisations. It is hoped that Barry’s attendance at this event will ensure that the U.S. and Canadian Greyhound Rehoming Organisations who are involved in the GPA Irish Greyhounds to America Program will continue to look to Ireland when sourcing retired greyhounds for U.S. adopters.
Tote Quick Pick Salesperson of 2022
Congratulations to Sorcha Daly, Tote Operative in Tralee who was presented with the Tote Quick Pick Salesperson of 2022 Award at Tralee Greyhound Stadium on the 20th of December 2022.
WELCOME TO Evan Hughes Sales & Customer Service Agent
WELCOME TO Julie O’Connell Control Steward
2022 National Greyhound Racing Awards
The 2022 National Greyhound Racing Awards took place in Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium on the 5th of May. A huge congratulations to all the well-deserving award winners. Well done to the Marketing team & all the hard-working staff in Curraheen for producing this fantastic event & showcasing the stadium as a venue option for any type of occasion.
WELCOME TO David O’Connor Grounds Maintenance & Racing Equipment Operator
Stayer of the Year Award–Winner Crafty Kokoro
Pictured: John Tuohey, Interim CEO of Greyhound Racing Ireland, presents the owners award to Noelle Divilly, with Brian Divilly accepting the trainers trophy from Frank Nyhan, Chairman of Greyhound Racing Ireland. Richie O’Regan, GRI Board Member, presents the breeders trophy to Emily Looney on behalf of the Divillys. Pictured: Maura Nolan, Deputy Tote Manager, Sorcha Daly, Tote Operative & Noreen Murphy, Tote Manager.TO
WELCOME TO Ger McCoy Accounts
Con & Annie Kirby Memorial
2023
On Friday 21st April, in front of a packed Limerick Greyhound Stadium, Clonbrien Treaty became the 10th winner of the prestigious Con and Annie Kirby Memorial.
A large crowd from Clonbrien Treaty’s nominated Limerick GAA Club, Knockainey GAA, were in full-voice cheering home their favourite. The delighted club received a massive €10,000 from our sponsors JP & Noreen McManus.
Well done to all the staff involved in making the event a success again this year!
WELCOME TO Ken Nolan Head of Hospitality
WELCOME TO Mark O’Grady Welfare Officer
WELCOME
Leon Blanche Chief Commercial Officer
Payable / Payroll Administrator
Agricultural Shows
The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) will this year attend a number of Trade shows to promote greyhound rehomings. There was a very successful stand held at the Mallow Show from May 26th to 28th. The stand proved very successful over the three days, the sun was shining & there was a festival atmosphere at Mallow racecourse. Thank you to all the staff members who have volunteered to help at the stands. The shows the IRGT will be attending for the remainder of 2023 are as follows:
• Cork Agricultural Show: June 17th – 18th
• Tullamore Show: August 13th
• Iverk Show, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny: August 26th
• National Ploughing Championships: September 19th – 21st
If you are attending any of these events, remember to pop by the stand to say hello to your colleagues!
Pictured: Fionnuala Moloney, operator of the greyhound Care Centre in Croom, Co Limerick & Jeff Griffin, RCE head of Traceability with Matilda and Vic at the IRGT stand at Mallow show recently.TO
Finance Intern
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GRI Employee Intranet
The IT Department are in the final stages of creating an employee intranet, a private website that only employees with a GRIreland email address can access.
This intranet website will be centralised location for company news, events, updates, and information and includes features like employee benefits, achievements, and links to other company resources. The Intranet will be tested with HQ staff, before being rolled out to the entire company in July.
Employee Benefits Educational Assistance
GRI acknowledges that our employees’ efforts to further develop their work-related skills and knowledge may enhance performance and ultimately benefit the company. It is our aim to encourage and support all employees to this end. If you wish to apply for Educational Assistance, please contact your line manager or the HR Department for further information.
Employee Eyecare
Greyhound Racing Ireland have partnered with Specsavers to offer employees who habitually use display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work, a full eye test at any Specsavers store every two years. If glasses are required, employees’ will be able to select a pair of glasses from the €59 range. Alternatively, you can use the €59 contribution towards a pair of glasses from a higher price range and simply pay the difference yourself.
Safety Eyewear Vouchers are also available to the value of €63 for employees who work in an industrial environment where they are potentially at risk of damaging their eyes.
WELCOME Stephen Cronin Megan Scanlon IT Intern WELCOME Chris Ryan Racing Operative William Daniel Wilkinson Marketing InternEmployee Benefits continued
Employees wishing to avail of this benefit can contact the HR Department by email to obtain an Optical Eye Care eVoucher or a Safety Eye Wear eVoucher.
Bike to Work
The Bike to Work Scheme is a tax incentive scheme which aims to encourage employees to cycle to and from work.
The scheme applies to new bicycles and pedelecs. Employees can avail of the scheme once in a five-year period.
WELCOME TO Kieron
O’Neill Sales & Customer Service AgentThe employee visits a participating cycle shop, selects the equipment (total value not to exceed €1,250) and then requests the shop to invoice us.
We will set up a “salary sacrifice” agreement from the employee’s salary over an agreed timeframe (which cannot exceed 12 months) and we pay for the equipment.
Employees wishing to avail of this benefit can contact their line manager or the HR Department by email to obtain further information.
In the National Greyhound Lab
There have been a few new faces that have joined us in the Lab they are Jamie Lynch, Paul O’Sullivan, Cyra Balmeo and Sian Cooke. Let’s meet the new Team.....
WELCOME TO Cyra Balmeo Laboratory Analyst
Hi, my name is Cyra and just recently joined the laboratory. I’m from county Limerick, before joining the GRI I’ve previously did my work-placement in the State Laboratory and just recently finished college after completing a course on Forensic and Pharmaceu tical Science in T.U.S. My hobbies are I love reading books and binge-watching shows in Netflix.
WELCOME TO Sian Cooke
Laboratory AnalystHi, my name is Sian and I’m from a small village in County Offaly. I recently joined the GRI Laboratory after graduating from college last November with a degree in forensic and pharmaceutical analysis. I also spent some time working in the Biochemistry lab in the University Hospital Limerick. My hobbies include Handball, Irish Dancing and Walking.
WELCOME TO Jessica Walshe Laboratory Analyst
I am Jamie Lynch (Laboratory Analyst). I live in Limerick City. I enjoy walks, gardening and music. I worked in Beckman Coulter in O’Callaghans Mills before joining the laboratory in GRI.
Paul O’Sullivan here. I’ve spent over 25 years, working across the Chemistry field, from environmental, chemical, and pharmaceutical through standards manufacture and forensics. I’m now returning to forensic analysis as Team Lead in the Greyhound Lab. I am married to Olive, and we have 3 children. We love to hike and have climbed to the highest points of all 32 counties in Ireland (dragging the kids with us) I’m looking forward to my next challenge, both personally and professionally, here in GRI.
WELCOME TO Jamie Lynch Laboratory Analyst
WELCOME TO Paul O’Sullivan Laboratory Team Leader
