Connect Business_Nov-Dec 2018

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BUSINESS Remembering a Legend Weeshie FOGARTY

DAN HORAN Inspiring Entrepreneur

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS

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FIONA STACK Managing the Voice of the Kingdom

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Up-grading to a Shining New 191? .... See inside

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EDITOR NOTE Hello and welcome to Connect Business Last issue of the year for Connect Business and what a year!

We are publishing bi-monthly now alongside our monthly Connect Lifestyle and our Connect Business Club is launched, it’s all very positive.

Speaking of positive we chat to Dan Horan about life in business and how it has changed through the years, celebrating 30 years in Business between fruit and veg and health stores it hasn’t been easy but he has sailed the storms of recession and is still flying the flag for health and wellness in Munster.

We also chat to Fiona Stack about her role in Radio Kerry and we also remember fondly a colleague and a great team member in the Radio Kerry Family Weeshie Fogarty who passed away recently.

It’s the end of the year and for those of you planning a new car we have lots of tips for you, and we also bring all the news of new businesses around the county.

We also have an update on the revenues new regulations on payroll and we are delighted to let you know we are running a seminar on this subject, one you should definitely attend if you are on payroll duty in your line of work.

We thank you for your support in 2018 and we look forward to connecting all business around the county for 2019 Until then have a wonderful Christmas,

Margaret x

Editor: Margaret Kissane Design: Laura Hartnett Design For Advertising Enquiries: Margaret: 086 2408237 sales@connectpublications.ie For Editorial Enquiries: info@connectpublications.ie Connect BUSINESS | Nov/Dec 2018 | 3

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Fiona Stack

Managing the Voice of the Kingdom

By Marisa Reidy IN a media career spanning over 25 years, Radio Kerry General Manager, Fiona Stack, has proudly watched the station develop into Kerry’s number one station of choice – a feat she could only have dreamed of when she first joined the ranks as a journalist in 1991.

Fresh from graduating from the University of Limerick, the Ennis native got her first media job in Radio Kerry, where she initially spent 10 happy years, working her way up from a new reporter to Head of News.

Although she took a slight break from the station for a number of years, during which time she worked in Community Relations for Intel Ireland in Leixlip; at Kerry’s Eye Newspaper and as Station Editor at Newstalk in Dublin, she willingly accepted an opportunity to return to Radio Kerry as general manager in 2005 when the station purchased Shannonside/ Northern Sound.

Asked exactly what the role of general manager involves, Fiona admitted that it’s a complex one – but one she relishes.

“There are various parts to Radio Kerry - the on air output is what most people are familiar with and it involves all types of live programming seven days a week, year round – from news, sport and speech to current affairs, music, documentaries, short features and lots of specialist programmes,” she said. “The on air side is always busy.

There is always a programme on air and another programme preparing to go on and events can change in an instance. Lots of preparation and hard work goes on behind the scenes by the people involved.”

Then of course, there is the sales and advertising part of Radio Kerry, which Fiona told CONNECT is a just as big a part of the station.

“Radio Kerry is free to users and as we don’t receive a licence fee like RTE or have a cover charge like newspapers, we depend on advertising revenue. We couldn’t exist without the support of local businesses and advertisers and we are very grateful for this. We want to always work with them to find the best way for them to get their message to customers – whether that is through ads, sponsorship, competitions, Outside Broadcasts, our social media, video or by sitting down and coming up with ideas with them.”

On top of that, the station has in recent years moved into the area of concerts and events such as the Wedding Fair and also has a custombuilt training school which hosts a Radio Broadcasting and Digital Journalism course in conjunction with Kerry ETB – meaning Fiona’s work is never really done!

Centre Manager hain Fitzgerald, Training Students pictured with Eog Kerry.

General Manager, Radio (seated) and Fiona Stack,

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With a job as demanding as Radio Kerry’s general manager, there are bound to be challenges, but Fiona credits the ‘unique mix of creative and business people’ at the station with always overcoming any obstacles that arise.

“Sometimes challenges come our way, but that keeps us fresh and open to change. The technology we use has changed several times and we’ve just finished a major upgrading of studios in Tralee and in Longford. We had to stay on air while the work was being done so that was a challenge but everybody stayed good humoured about it,” she explained “The recession was a challenge for us but as a Kerry business ourselves it gave us an understanding of the challenges our advertising customers were going through and we tried to support them and ensure we were a means by which Kerry listeners heard their messages clearly. Big events such as elections, bad weather, things like Royal Visits are a challenge because we don’t have the same resources as people are familiar with in national broadcasters but we always manage to find a way to give comprehensive coverage.”

Asked what motivates her day to day, in a job that can be so demanding, Fiona again paid tribute to the Radio Kerry staff, who she said always work as a team for the

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good of the station, while not forgetting the Kerry public who contribute so much to the station’s success.

“I work with an amazing group of hardworking and talented colleagues and a very supportive Board of Directors all of whom are determined to ensure Radio Kerry is something Kerry people can be proud of,” Fiona said.

“We like to think that we are just a means by which the people of Kerry tell their own story, in their own words. Sometimes I think of the amount of those stories that would have gone untold if not for local radio like Radio Kerry. The power of the human voice in capturing the raw emotion of a Kerry All Ireland win, the first hand witness to tragedies, the changes in our society during that time, the access and the accountability that local radio brought.”

Back in 2012, Fiona was awarded a PPI Radio award for her outstading contribution to Radio - an accolade previously won by the likes of Gay

Byrne and Marian Finucane.

Admitting that she was utterly shocked to receive such humbling recognition, Fiona told CONNECT that she never saw it as a personal award.

“It was an award for Radio Kerry and everything it stands for in the radio industry – a commitment to standards, innovation, access, and a powerful pride and sense of place – and that’s down to everyone that has and does work in the station,” she said. “We have been named Local Radio Station of the Year five times and we couldn’t do any of it without the interaction and involvement of listeners and contributors throughout Kerry.”

Asked how proud she is of the Radio Kerry team and the station’s position as Kerry’s most listened to radio station, Fiona said it’s a huge honour and one that is certainly not taken for granted, “It’s something we never take for granted. If local radio was going to work anywhere it was in county like Kerry where people love to talk - whether that’s

about sports or politics, where there is such a pride of place, a way with words and a sense of community,” she said.

“We provide a voice for those stories and we are continually looking at ways to do that better.”

So just what is it about the station that allows it to consistently maintain that position in Kerry?

“We are here for the long haul and whatever we do we try to do it right and to the best of our ability,” Fiona said.

“Our relationship with listeners and advertisers is very important to everyone in the station, because we live the same lives as our listeners. We want to be the ‘go to’ place for Kerry people at home or abroad looking for up to date and reliable information on whatever is happening in Kerry, to be able to inform and entertain our listeners. If we can do this we are also providing a strong audience for our advertisers and ensuring their messages are heard.”

Remembering a Legend

On what was a sad day for the whole of Kerry it would be remiss of us here in Connect Business not to remember a legend who has left this life to accept his eternal reward. One of the all-time greats of our county Mr. Weeshie Fogarty passed away on Sunday November 18th and while the final whistle was blown for a life lived to the full he will never really be gone from those of us who knew him and had the pleasure to work or have any dealings with him.

My own personal dealings with Weeshie go back to the midnineties when I worked with Radio Kerry, Weeshie would do match reports and as the weekend receptionist when sport was the main show on Saturday and Sunday I would receive my list from then head of sport Seamus O Mahony RIP, Weeshie could be in any part of the county covering a game or he could be on a road trip with his on air partner Liam Higgins RIP, those two were an absolute entertainment package and it would amaze you the amount of calls we would get from abroad on the day of a big game asking if we would put them on hold on a phone line so they could listen to the match commentary from the two boys,(this was of course before the invention of the radio Kerry app which now makes life so easy) we in the weekend sports team often likened them to the two boys sitting on the gallery in the famous Muppet show as they were a double act who could say anything at any given time and simply get away with it all. If Weeshie was to ring in with a match report at 2.14 (timing was precision to Seamus..) Weeshie would ring at 2.10 6 | Connect BUSINESS | Nov/Dec 2018

the famous ‘hello there’ would sing down the phone line and he would always ask ‘how’s the form upstairs today’ as it could get heated if things were pressured… but I do think that Weeshie had a calming influence on everyone who crossed his path, he would always ring in the evening after finishing the match to say thank you. It may have been a small gesture on his part but he was that kind of man, always appreciative of those around him.

I worked on the Terrace Talk programme when it was launched in 1998 and I suppose it was a new venture for everyone, but no better man to take the wheel to steer it in the right direction and what a success it was, we had many great people feature on the programme but that was irrelevant to Weeshie really, it didn’t matter if you were the winning all Ireland team of that year or if you were the u 12’s coming last in a league everyone was always treated with the same respect, which I do hope something I learned from him and passed on to my own son playing sport, Weeshie often said to me ‘Mag if you have children of your own always encourage them to play sport and to respect everyone on the team as their teammate’ and I do hope I have passed that on.

We chatted in 2014 for Connect after he won a coveted award for his work and at the time said to me ‘I am honored to feature in your magazine’ when in fact we were the ones honored to have him feature. I am going to include a few snippets from the interview just to remind our readers what a gentleman Weeshie really was..

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very calming and comforting influences in my life. I like to go for a few pints in Killarney and talk sport, walk every morning in the magnificent national Park, the bellowing of the stags at the moment, rutting season is in I find very relaxing, I attend a film in town nearly every week, love watching documentaries, reading in bed at night, and presenting my programs on radio Kerry when the preparations are done I fine very relaxing. But at the end of the day I appreciate most of the entire old adage “Health is Wealth”.

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I guess without the listeners there would be no awards so how important do you think the LOCAL element is to the Radio Station?

Of course we might as well stay at home and watch TV if the great Kerry listeners were not tuning in. Everywhere I go the feedback from people is simply amazing. People from 8 to 98 want to talk about Terrace Talk and the one vital element I find and love to hear from people is, “I have no great interest in sport but i never miss Terrace Talk every Monday”. And then we have exiles all over the world who tune. Following the recent three hour Terrace Talk after the All Ireland final, I got an e mail which read. “Weeshie I listened to the show last evening sitting around a camp fire in the bush in Australia surrounded by some Aborigine people near the town of Wagga Wagga.” That says it all about Radio Kerry listeners. It’s an amazing station with such a dedicated bunch of wonderful people.

You have partnered many a good commentator through the years have you any special moment in particular you would like to share with our readers?

So many memories etched in my mind. One show we broadcast from the Burlington Hotel in Dublin some years ago I invited Jimmy McGee and Michael O’Muircheartaigh to sit in and present the show with me. It was a surreal experience to sit between these two giants of Irish broadcasting, two exemplary gentlemen. It was amazing. Sitting in with the late Liam Higgins was always very special and that last All Ireland final in Croke Park as Kerry won and Liam was dying of cancer, he was so ill and had a morphine pump attached to his body which he used to deaden the pain whenever it hit him. He died two weeks later. It was the bravest thing I have ever seen. I certainly could not have done it. I cried bitter tears that evening when I left him at the Airport Hotel.

Dare I ask how does Weeshie relax and wind down?

Is there a relaxing side to Weeshie that you would like to tell the readers all about?

How do I relax Margaret? My wife Joan and children Denise, Carol Ann and Kieran and granddaughters Lucy and Eva are

So as you see from the words of the man himself above you can realize what an impact he made on all of those around him he had dealings with, we have all lost colleagues and friends but I think this loss is a ripple throughout the county and indeed the country, there will never be another Weeshie and we wouldn’t want it as he was one of a kind, a legend who didn’t have a bad bone in his body, he spoke highly of everyone and genuinely meant it. You might be having a bad day and someone would be giving you grief and he would ask ‘are you ok’ you would tell the story of what was bothering you and you would get the reply ‘ ere he has his problems too offer it up’ he just had a way about him like no other.

To his wife Joan, family Denise Carol Ann, and Kieran, his adored granddaughters Lucy and Aoife my deepest sympathy to you all, you have lost a husband a dad, grandad and a mentor and you will miss him every day for the rest of your life but we hope you will take comfort from the fact he has touched so many lives in one way or another his legacy will go on for a long time To quote the lines ‘those who die don’t go away they walk beside us every day’ I am sure Weeshie will walk beside each one of us that were privileged to have him as a friend in our lives, in the words of the great man himself ‘May the sod rest lightly on you my friend’ and may you now have the rest you deserve and reap the rewards of the life you gave so selflessly to others while here with us.

You will always be in our hearts and minds Until we meet again RIP

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DAN HORAN Inspiring Entrepreneur

By Marisa Reidy IF ever you needed proof of just how important self-belief, determination and unfaltering faith can be in fostering success, then look no further than renowned businessman Dan Horan.

Founder of the Horan’s Fruit and Veg and Horan’s Health Food empire, the Scartaglin native worked his way up from an employee at the former Quinnsworth supermarket chain after leaving school to now owning 19 stores across the country.

Now quite content to describe himself as ‘semi-retired,’ the inspiring entrepreneur says he never takes his success for granted and credits his team of 90 loyal staff and management for helping him through the good and bad times.

Dan told CONNECT that after completing his Leaving Cert he got a job in the former Radiac factory in Castleisland, before moving to Browne’s and then to what was then the popular Quinnsworth supermarket in Tralee.

After a year in Quinnsworth, Dan moved to London, where again he continued to work in the supermarket industry for about 12 months, until a trip home for his brother’s wedding saw him change course again.

“When I was at home I met a man I knew from Quinnsworth who told me about a job coming up in Waterford, so literally the following day I did an interview and got the job,” Dan said. “I was there for three years until 1988 when I decided to open up my own fruit and veg shop. I had seen a guy beside Quinnsworth where I worked doing very well on his own and decided to go for it.”

Dan’s first fruit and veg store opened in Tralee’s Abbeycourt, where he knew he had to come up with a unique way of doing things to compete with the larger stores who once employed him.

“We knew we had to do things differently if we were to succeed, so if Quinnsworth were selling apples for 30 pence each, we were selling them at four for a pound,” he explained. “We couldn’t do the same as them, so we just changed the system a little and it seemed to work.“ Sourcing local produce for his customers was – and still is - hugely important to Dan, saying that people love to know if their spuds come from Ballyheigue or the Maherees, and that also played an important part in attracting and keeping customers from day one.

His approach obviously worked as Dan went on to open another store in Listowel in 1991 and Killarney the year after, before turning his attention to the health food side of the business between 1994 and ‘95.

tledge (left) and Dan Horan (centre), Kieran Rut mber Alliance at the Cha ee Tral from ht) (rig ey John Drumm rds last year Awa thly Mon ple Tralee Business Peo

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“Around that time I was advised that I should consider opening as a health food shop as well, and I thought that was a great idea,” Dan said. “I employed a lady, Sheila Healy from Scartaglin, to

oversee that side of things and she is still with us all these years later.”

Dan admitted that ‘not much happened’ for the next 10 years or so until an unintentional detour to Cashel, along with what he believes was some Divine intervention, set his next project in motion.

“In 2002, I had donated a bus to an orphanage in Bucharest to help take the kids to school, and a few years after I’d been there to visit I was driving home from Dublin and accidently ended up in Cashel,“ Dan begins. “Of course, the first thing I noticed was that there was no health food shop in the town. I saw a vacant premises and rang the auctioneer – who was actually based in Fermoy – and low and behold, by 2003 I had opened in Cashel and Fermoy. I would be hugely spiritual and my religion is very important to me, and so I firmly believe that I was meant to take that wrong turn that day. It worked out great for me and I do think it was because I donated that bus all those years previously that I was now getting something back. As the saying goes ‘It is in giving that we receive’ and I strongly believe that.”

Now the proud owner of 19 stores across Ireland – 14 health food and 5 fruit & veg – Dan says it does fill him with pride to look at the business he has built up over the past 30 plus years.

The road to success, however, was not always easy, he says….far from it!

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“We had some very lonely days as a team, but it’s like that well known story ‘Fooprints In the Sand’ – I always felt that I was being carried and that there was someone watching over me helping me get through the toughest times.

Whenever I felt those real lows, my faith always came to my rescue and when I look back now, I’m proud we came out the other side.”

Asked if he felt our Government could do more to help the self-employed, Dan scoffed at the word ‘more’.

“What is it they say about business? ‘99 per cent headache, and one per cent satisfaction,” he joked. “Don’t get me wrong, of course I got satisfaction from building the business to what it is today, but there were some very, very dark days along the way. Days when I had the bank manager on the phone telling me how much I was overdrawn. I could probably have gone bust about 10 times if I’m honest, so there were many sleepless nights, but I didn’t panic because I always had my faith.

“More for us? Sure they’re doing nothing at all to help us,” he said. “Take the last few months for example, the minimum wage and employees PRSI have increased. There are absolutely no incentives for the employer,” he said.

“I estimate that by employing 90 people I save the government about €3m a year because those 90 people are not on social welfare,” he said. “Yet, rates and taxes are crippling us. I’ve often wonder why people opt to open their own business at all, because we are always carrying the can and simply not being appreciated for the contribution we make.”

Condemning the lack of incentives for employers, Dan would love to see more being done to help.

“There’s lots that can be done, considering how much we contribute – such as dropping the PRSI like they did years ago, for example, or introducing a grant scheme for people who employ over a certain number of people,” he said. “Even if it was only a few thousand euro, it’s giving us something rather than nothing. The bottom line is that it’s nice to be appreciated.”

PROSPER KERRY EVENT HELD IN DUBLIN A Prosper Kerry event was held in the Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin on October 10th. Almost 100 Kerry people working in Dublin gathered to hear from Abbeydorney native Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland about his career to date and the work the IDA is doing to attract business to Ireland.

The event also heard from Colin Teahon, Managing Director of PST Sports and Damien Browne, Founder of Standard Access.

Prosper Kerry is a volunteer initiative developed to create a network of support among Kerry’s business diaspora to enhance prosperity in Kerry through co-operation, knowledge sharing, creativity, inspiration and a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Prosper Kerry series was developed by The Guinness Enterprise Centre in partnership with Kerry County Council, IT Tralee, the Kerry LEO office and Enterprise Ireland, along with a group of Kerry professionals based in Dublin.

Colin Teahon, Edel Fitzger ald, Stephen Fuller, Bridg et Fitzgerald, Eamonn Sayers, Martin Shanahan , Breda O’Dwyer, Moira Mu rrell, Mark Kenneally, Julianne O’Leary, John Mc Elligott, Keelin Kissane, Ma rtyn Rosney and Damien Browne.

LEFT: Damien Browne, Standard Access; Martin Shanahan, IDA; Colin Teahon, PST Sports.

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ADVANTAGES OF UPGRADING YOUR CAR TO A SHINING NEW 191 If the thought of cruising around Kerry in a gleaming new 2019 KY car appeals to you, then read on. A new car has the advantage of being shiny, exciting and eye catching - but there are lots more reasons to opt for a newer car. Is it time to ditch the 2011 or the 2014 model, a time for change and a time for a bright new beginning on the Kerry roads? A new car could lower your outgoings and provide greater safety and reliability. It may seem like a big expense but, in the long run, upgrading your car could save you money.

1. LOWER RUNNING COSTS: This This is very much dependent on how you use your car. A diesel car will more than likely give you better fuel economy, especially for long motorway journeys.

2. INCREASED RELIABILITY: With the development of technology and testing in cars, newer model cars are built to last.

3. IMPROVED SAFETY FEATURES: Newer car models are loaded with safety features such as ISOFIX child seat anchors and multiple airbags, as well as mechanical features such as Antilock Brake System (ABS), traction control and electronic stability control.

4. RANGE OF FINANCE OFFERS AVAILABLE: You may have paid for your last car with cash, or received a bank loan to fund the purchase, but many car manufacturers try to incentivise potential customers by offering 0% APR offers. Further to these offers, there is now a wide range of payment options. These include Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Personal Contract Hire (PCH) and Hire Purchase (HP). Each of these finance arrangements has their pros and cons.

5. LONGER WARRANTIES: Most cars now have attractive warranties. These warranties usually have a capped mileage (typically 100,000) and some Terms and Conditions attached. These are confident statements from manufacturers, giving you extra piece of mind when purchasing a new car.

HAPPY MOTORING and love your new car with a passion

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SAFETY TIPS FOR MOTORISTS HAVE YOU AN EMERGENCY KIT IN YOUR CAR? REFLECTIVE JACKETS - Reflective jackets are a good idea as they help you and your occupants be seen as they enhance your visibility to other road users. Hi-vis vests also allow the emergency services to find you more easily.

WARNING TRIANGLE - A warning triangle is also well worth carrying. If you break down, you should place the reflective triangle 30 meters behind your vehicle to warn other drivers.

FIRST AID KIT - A first aid kit is also recommended.

Statistics say that we are likely to be involved in at least one car accident in our lifetime, and a well-equipped first aid kit in your car could be a life-saver while waiting for emergency services. It can also help clean and protect cuts, burns, insect bites and stings so you can continue on with your journey without too much delay.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR CAR FIRST AID KIT: dressings, bandages and wash-proof plasters in various sizes, sterile cleansing wipes, powder free gloves, disposable heat retaining adult foil blanket, a disposable Revive-Aid resuscitation mouth to mouth face shield and a pair of scissors.

ESSENTIAL BITS AND PIECES It is also a good idea to carry spare bulbs for your car’s external lights. In addition, carrying spare fuses, jump leads, a torch and a fire extinguisher is recommended – as is a spare battery pack (charged) so you can power your phone; a bottle of water for your occupants; and one for the car in case you run out of screen wash.

De-icer is a must for winter and a blanket to keep warm.

A few safety tips like this can make motoring a lot easier.

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Honda Announce their 191 OFFERS ‘WAVE BUY BUY TO 2018 WITH HONDA’ At McElligott’s, Honda are delighted to bring a carousel of offers across the full Honda range for the 191 buying season.

Customers can drive away in any one of the ultra-reliable Honda models coming with the latest innovative safety systems as standard, class-leading interior space, record setting fuel economy, unrivalled driving pleasure and customer satisfaction for which Honda has long been renowned Offering great deals coupled with their new innovative technology, Honda are leading the way when it comes to 191 with three great reasons to wave ‘Buy Buy’ to 2018 with pricing starting as low as €199 per month on vehicles ordered before the 31st of December and registered by the 31st of January 2019.

1.3.9% APR Finance Available Across the Range OR 2. Free Service Plan OR 3. One year’s free road tax

These incredible offers mean there is a deal now available on every award-winning Honda model for 191. Drive away in a model of your choice from the Civic Family range Including the Irish Compact Car of the Year 2018, the Honda Civic 5 Door hatchback from €24,250 or the sophisticated Civic 4 Door Sedan both available in either the punchy i-VTEC petrol and the Guinness World Record setting i-DTEC diesel engines all with Honda Sensing as standard. The all-new

totally refined Honda CR-V, sporty and luxurious, the CR-V has been reimagined inside and out with a 7-seat option now available. The Honda Jazz, designed to be small on the outside, yet spacious inside, the Jazz sets new standards for small car design and the versatile HR-V, the compact SUV packed full of equipment and technology. Speaking at the launch of Honda’s 191 campaign, John Saunders, Sales and Marketing Director of Universal Honda Commented; “2019 marks a very exciting year for Honda. We will see the arrival of the CR-V Hybrid into Ireland in early 2019 completing a full range of sedan, hatchback, city cars and SUVs available with petrol, diesel and hybrid drive trains in both manual and automatic variant. We look forward to welcoming customers into our dealerships nationwide and availing of our wonderful offers”.

Introducing All-New FORD FOCUS ST-LINE RATHER STAND OUT THAN FIT IN? THIS IS YOUR FOCUS Never go unnoticed, as All-New Focus ST-Line takes sport-inspired styling to the next level. Thanks to a unique matte black mesh grille and a set of 18˝ sport performance alloys that grab attention as effortlessly as they grab the road.

Torque Vectoring Control reacts to the road surface 100 times per second. (That’s 33 times faster than the blink of an eye). Using this information, it balances the amount of power delivered to each of the two front wheels. This maximises grip and sharpens handling, helping you round corners and over undulations in the road.

The turbo auto beam assists night driving as it temporarily dips your headlights when it detects oncoming traffic and then automatically reverts back to high beam.

If this sparks excitement in you, this is your Focus!

Give Kerry Motor Works a call to find out more!

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APPOINTMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS in Valladolid, Spain

The tapas comprised of a native oyster cured in kelp seaweed, Guinness puree, plankton & oyster mayo, trout caviar, horseradish milk foam & shamrock cress all served in an edible oyster shell. It was a taste of Ireland in one bite comprising the flavours of the sea and the land.New Zealand won the title for 2018, taking home a prize of 6000 euro, however Chef Rob reports that he came really close! He reported that it was a wonderful experience to have taken part and to have competed alongside the best chefs in the tapas culinary world.

He stated “it was a privilege to have been able to display the quality produce that we have in this country and to show our culinary skills to such a wide audience of acclaimed chefs. He gave special thanks to his sponsors – Kerry Group, Tralee oyster Fisheries, Sua Basque Fusion, Terra foods & wine, Slemish Market Garden Ballymena, Brighter Gold Rapeseed Oil, Caviar Per Se, Live It Experience It and to Irish team captain Chef Gorka Arrieta for his great work in helping us compete at this high calibre competition. Gorka Arrieta went over as an award winner having won in the recent Connect Hospitality Awards so we look forward to hearing lots more about Gorka here in Kerry in the future.

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... in the County

Annascaul Native, Alex Hoffman

joins prominent Tralee legal firm Pierse McCarthy Lucey Solicitors Pierse McCarthy Lucey Solicitors are pleased to announce the recent appointment (September 2018) of the experienced solicitor Alex Hoffman as an associate to the firm which is situated on Ashe Street, Tralee, Co Kerry.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Chef Rob Curley from Slemish Market Supper Club a pop up restaurant based in Ballymena, Co Antrim represented Ireland at the World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, Spain. This year was just the 2nd world championship ever to be held and the 16th Spanish national championship with Gorka Arrieta over 70 chefs from countries such as Japan, Columbia, Norway, USA, Mexico, Argentina to name but a few. Chef Rob Curley represented Ireland with great help from team captain his good friend chef Gorka Arrieta of Sua Basque Fusion, based in Tralee, Co Kerry, giving his dish (a take on “Oysters and Guinness”) good representation from the north and the south of Ireland. The dish was called “Eire ”.

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WORLD TAPAS CHAMPIONSHIP

Originally from Annascaul, County Kerry, Alex graduated from the University of Limerick in 2003 with a Bachelor of Laws in Law & European Studies and qualified as a Solicitor in 2006. He subsequently studied with the Irish Taxation Institute and qualified as an AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) in 2010.

Alex is the son of dairy farmers Robert and Sandra Hoffman of Annascaul and he has strong GAA connections through his wife, Kay Healy who is a Dingle-native and daughter of the late Pat Healy, former Chairman of Tralee Club Kerins O’Rahillys. Alex and Kay have two young children who are excited about their move to Tralee. Alex’s sporting interests include Rugby, GAA, cycling and hillwalking.

Speaking on his arrival in Tralee, Alex said: “I am delighted to be returning home to Kerry and am excited to be joining such a well-respected and progressive law firm. Pierse McCarthy Lucey have a great reputation and I look forward to working with the team and using my knowledge and experience to grow the firm and expand the services which we offer to our clients.”

Risteard Pierse, Managing Partner from Pierse McCarthy Lucey Solicitors said: “We are delighted to welcome Alex to our team and we are confident that his experience and expertise across a range of specialities will be of immense benefit to our clients. Over the years, Alex has acted for a wide range of clients including prominent commercial property developers, financial institutions, insolvency practitioners and private & corporate clients. Alex also has considerable experience in Agricultural Law, Probate & the Administration of Estates, Taxation, as well as Residential Conveyancing. We wish Alex well and look forward to introducing him to existing and new clients over the coming weeks.”

Since its establishment in 1974, Pierse McCarthy Lucey Solicitors delivers a full range of legal services to clients in a professional and efficient manner while always ensuring clients’ confidentiality. The Partners of the firm are Risteard Pierse, Katie McCarthy and Niall Lucey.

Before joining Pierse McCarthy Lucey in September 2018, Alex trained and worked with P.J. O’Driscoll & Sons, Solicitors in Cork City for 15 years, where he practised in the firm’s commercial & residential property, commercial/corporate, and banking/finance departments.

Alex is a Chartered Tax Advisor who has also tutored students of the Law Society of Ireland in the areas of business law, covering topics such as company formations, shareholders and subscription agreements, franchising and distribution agreements, agency, competition law, alternative dispute resolution, and share/assets sales.

To make an appointment with Alex Hoffman, contact Pierse McCarthy Lucey Solicitors, 9 Ashe Street, Tralee, between 9:00am and 5:30pm Monday to Friday, on 066 7122900 or email alex.hoffman@pmcl.ie.

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Connect BUSINESS | Nov/Dec 2018 | 17

Connect | Business

What’s New

in Business Weightwatchers has a NEW FACE as new coach arrives in Killarney Mother-of-two Mags Savage Bell from Kerry lost over seven stone with Weightwatchers, she tells Connect how she did it, and how you can too.

“I was heavy my entire life. I come from a family of five and I was the only one in the family with weight. I had tried everything and anything down through the years, lost a bit, gained a bit, but before WW nothing succeeded in keeping it off.

You hear people talk about their ‘light bulb moment’.

I literally did wake up one morning and think; I can’t go on like this anymore, because I wasn’t living.

I was existing. I had so much pain – back pain, knee pain. I joined WW in 2004, and because I never stood on the scales I was totally gobsmacked at the number staring back at me.

Rita Holly has been my Mags Savage B Wellness Coach from the ell From: Tralee beginning and she has been Start weight: 18 fantastic – so much so, that I st Now: 11st 4lbs 9lbs travelled further than I needed Lost: 7st 3lbs* to, to attend her studio.

If you’re nervous about going to your first Wellness Workshop, don’t be.

Everyone is there for the very same reason – whether that is one stone, or seven stone.

Luckily, the programme clicked with me instantly. I lost large amounts quite quickly. You have to digest the books. It became my night time thing. It quickly became a way of life. Genuinely, I don’t feel like I am on a diet. My husband always says to me, ‘you never stop eating’. And he’s right. I don’t. We travel a bit and with the flex program I make it work I got to goal in 2009. I think it took me five years, which may seem a long time, but half way through my journey, I thought, ‘do you know what, I can do this on my own. I don’t need Wellness workshops anymore’, so I left and I slipped right back into the old habits. And the weight started to creep back up.

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Within that year, I re-joined, and I have stayed with it.

Now I weigh-in all the time and ALWAYS stay for the talk. The way I look at it is, you can stand on the scales at home, and not pay someone a tenner, but the talk is so important.

If somebody is having a really bad week, they air it in class and you can support them. If someone is having a good week, they can tell you why they had a good week.

Sometimes I am surprised at how relatively straightforward the maintenance has been. I have been lucky. It’s because it became a way of life. I no longer reward myself with food. Instead, I choose to reward myself by getting my nails done, or getting a blow-dry, because I used to say to myself that when I was at my heaviest, I would have ate that €20 in takeaways.

So I guess that is why when the opportunity arose to become a wellness coach myself, there was no question really I had to go for it and help people achieve what I have and make life a better place to be, yes it will be a change to what I have been doing workwise up to now and running your own class comes with responsibilities and its own headaches but it will also be an amazing challenge and one I know I am well up for, I am looking forward to working with all the regulars attending class and welcoming new members working with them to achieve their goals. So if you want to make the change don’t be shy, I am here to help you on your journey. See you Tuesday evenings KDYS Killarney 6.30pm, make the choice you won’t regret it.

See you soon,

Mags

Check her out on Facebook: WW with Mags Savage Bell or email: magsavage@hotmail.com

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Spúnóg opens its doors Spúnóg, which is Irish for spoon, is the new Irish restaurant in Kilflynn that started operation in October. It is a product of bond between brothers, of one who dreamed, and of another who believed. Brothers Stephen and Aidan Prendeville own it.

Stephen, Owner and Head Chef of Spúnóg always dreamed of running his own restaurant.

He is backed with his passion for cooking and over 20 years of experience including running the Old Head Gold Course restaurant in Kinsale for many years. While Aidan, a huge fan of his brother’s cooking, and with strong belief and support for his brother’s passion, brought in his entrepreneurial skills, and the two started their partnership. They worked hard to get the restaurant up and running. Stephen has the full control of the menu and manages the kitchen, while Aidan manages the Front of House, the finances, and makes sure service is exceptional.

Spúnóg believes in focusing in providing excellent food and service, and aims to be the best restaurant in North Kerry. It has a set menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also includes daily specials. Spúnóg’s steaks, burgers, and chicken wings in particular are getting a lot praises from its customers.

Except Tuesdays, the restaurant is open all week.

‘Ahh’ Inspired Art

Chris Gaisey has primarily supplied the greeting card industry with his ‘cute’ artwork for nearly 20 years. Having worked in the studio of Hallmark he decided the best way to enjoy creating his characters was to become a ‘freelance artist’ and set up his own business, ‘ahh’ inspiring art. The philosophy behind the artwork is that the ‘cute’ characters he creates have the ‘ahh’ factor, that warm cosy feeling you get when you see a little kitten or puppy which makes you say, ‘ahh’!

His most popular character to date is ‘Paddy Bear’ which is currently licensed in the gift and souvenir industry and is available across a wide range of merchandise in most top tourist destinations including airports and ferryports in both Ireland and Wales.

With the help of his wife Ginette they hope to introduce more ‘ahh’ inspired art to the shops especially with their new brand ‘happy out’ which focuses on the experiences of childhood innocense with a nostalgic perpective.

Currently, ‘ahh’ inspiring art is looking for outlets to stock our range of ‘Paddy Bear’ and ‘Happy Out’ greeting cards. Chris and Ginette are sure they will make a great addition to the vast array of beautiful products in Irish shops today.

The whole team behind Spúnóg is grateful for the successful kick off of the restaurant, all the positive and wonderful feedback it’s receiving, and for the warm welcome and support of the locals.

NOVA FOOD OUTLET

Opens in Boherbee

Nova Food Outlet has recently opened in Boherbee, Tralee and has already built up a loyal following in the county. This family owned business has a unique food offering focusing on high quality meat and produce from around Ireland.

Brian Looby, the owner of Nova Food Outlet says “There are alot of butchers and small producers doing great things around the country, we want the people of Kerry to be able to access them all under one roof here at Nova.”

Health and fitness enthusiasts are well catered for at Nova with Kerrigans Meats, The Naked Meat Company, Purepower Nutrition and more. There is also a large selection of gluten free products from meats to sauces, rubs, granolas and ice-cream.

Supporting Irish producers is key to Brian Looby, the owner of Nova Food Outlet. He has teamed up with the likes of Rohans Sauces, Meeres Puddings, Sussed Oils, Margarets Organic Eggs, Ballymac Dairy, Truly Irish, Spice O’Life and many more.

There is also a big focus on value and families with great offers on steaks, full back of bacon and chicken goujons ……. Perfect for feeding a large family or filling the freezer.

There is something for everyone at Nova Food Outlet and a few more very exciting brands to come so help support a new locally owned business and call in to see what great products are on offer. Just a few doors up from McElligotts Funeral Home.

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PAYE Modernisation and Real Time Reporting (RTR)

goes live from 1 January 2019 As an employer are you ready?

Yet again, businesses are faced with more changes and more challenges. This is the most significant reform of the PAYE system since its introduction in 1960. It will impact over 2.7 million tax payers and their employers and the impact of this change will be widely felt across all industries. So if you have any employees you need to be prepared.

From 1 January 2019 the following will happen: 1. Employers will calculate and deduct tax from employees’ pay and benefits based on the latest Revenue Payroll Notification (RPN) from Revenue. Employers must request the RPN from Revenue before making the payment to that employee.

2. Broadly speaking the RPN will contain details of each employee’s tax credits and appropriate tax bands. Each employee must ensure that this RPN is correct and they can do so themselves through their “myAccount” on revenue.ie/ROS. 3. Employers must notify Revenue on or before making of a payment to an employee, the amount of pay and benefits, date of payment and the taxes deductible for each employee.

Please note the same taxes apply as before, PAYE, USC, PRSI and LPT. 4. After the end of each month, Revenue will issue a statement which summarises all “Payroll Submission Requests” made during the previous month. If there are errors in this statement, the employer must correct this by the 14th of the month. If it is correct, no action is required.

5. Taxes that are due must be paid by the 14th of the following month e.g January 2019 taxes are due 14th February 2019 (23rd of the month where you are filing on line).

For those on a Direct Debit facility, Revenue are reviewing same and are looking at introducing a variable direct debit.

What are the risks and challenges ahead?

The main risk that arises for employers is that Revenue will have information real time and so they can act quicker and make more meaningful compliance interventions which for

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employers may result in a higher likelihood of interest and penalties. The key thing here is to be prepared.

From an employer point of view, what action or plan do you need to put in place to be ready for this change?

Here at PSC we would recommend that employers (or agent) would put the following plan of action into place prior to the changeover to RTR: An up to date list of employees needs to be filed with Revenue if you have not done so already.

In doing this you should check the following: • Your company/business is registered as employer.

• Correct PPS Number • Current Tax Credit Cert which is being used (form P2P).

• A P45 must be issued to all former employees.

• Check your payroll package for benefits in kind, expense reimbursements and see how this would impact the RTR. • Inform employees about the changes and about using My Account in ROS. • Check out your payroll software and if they are providing any training in the area.

• Have adequate resources in place because the P35 for 2018 will need to be filed as well as dealing with the challenge of RTR. • If possible, test run the RTR with one or two employees.

• Employers will need to review there timing of pay to see if could be regularised and reduce costs and time if it is weekly.

• Discuss with your agent how you are going to proceed in terms of notifying them about payroll payments.

As always, we here in PSC are available to answer any questions or concerns you have. Where necessary we will assist you with the change to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. www.psc.ie

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Connect | Business

Health and Safety Tips for Winter By: Majella Forde Kuleana Training & Consultancy

Keeping Well and Eating Well

Make the Home Safe for Vulnerable People

Food is fuel. It helps keep you warm. Have at least one hot meal a day. Have hot drinks throughout the day and one before bedtime.

Eat fresh fruit and vegetables daily.

Do not drink too much alcohol as it may increase the risk of falling. Stock up on some basic food for days when you may be unable to get out to the shops or do not feel like cooking

Anyone at any age can be vulnerable; this can be due to age or illness at any stage.

Listed below are nutritious and healthy foods to have in your cupboard for days when you can’t cook or get out to the shops: – frozen or tinned fish – dried milk and long-life milk – tinned meat – tins of peas and beans – packet soup – Complan, cocoa, Bovril, Horlicks, Ovaltine.

6. Is the kitchen floor free from liquid, grease or any other slippery substance?

The Bottle in the Fridge This is a voluntary community alert programme for older and vulnerable people to ensure that in the event of an emergency, essential medical information is readily available in a prominent location in the home. The ‘Bottle in the Fridge’ initiative enables the fire service, Garda Síochána, ambulance or other emergency agencies to provide immediate help for a vulnerable person in the event of an emergency. For instance, if an accident or sudden illness occurs in the home, medical information is available straight away. Contact your local Lions club for further information or your community Garda Fire Escape Plan In an emergency, dial 999 or 112 for the fire brigade, an ambulance or the Gardaí and remember: GET OUT! CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE! STAY OUT! Make a fire escape plan and practise it often. Keep escape routes clear at all times. Stay calm and put your fire escape plan into action. Check doors with the back of your hand – if they are warm it means the fire is on the other side, so don’t open them. Only open the doors you need to escape. If there is smoke, crawl along the floor where the air will be cleaner.

Raise the alarm, shout to wake everyone up and make your way out by the quickest route – usually the front door. Do not investigate the fire. Once everyone is out of the house, call the fire brigade. Do not go back into the house until the fire brigade says it’s safe to do so.

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1. Are pathways and footpaths outside the home even and free from cracks?

2. Are the walkways free from clutter?

3. Are rugs and carpets secured with non-skid tape?

4. Are non-skid mats placed in the bath tub?

5. Are there handrails or grab bars installed beside the stairs or in the bathroom next to the toilet and bath?

7. Have wheels been removed from all items of furniture?

8. Do you use a nightlight to keep the bedroom lit at night time?

9. Do you have light switches placed at each end of the stairway?

10. Are steps visible?

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR, BE AWARE, CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBOURS. DO NOT LEAVE IT TO OTHERS – THEY MAY HAVE LEFT IT TO YOU. Farmers Safety • There is an increased risk of injury during the winter month • Most injuries result from slips and falls causing fractures and head injuries.

• Clear a number of tracks around the farmyard, treat with de-icing salt and keep to these safe walkways.

• Herd out wintered livestock during daylight hours and be back before nightfall • Bring a mobile phone when going out herding or on other journeys

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Connect | Business

Thousands of us have trouble sleeping and it’s a huge problem for us all. it essentially comes down to the following areas but in many cases there are other underlying issues. If your suffering from insomnia please contact us directly for an appointment.

The 4 Steps 4 Survival: Hands Only CPR Step 1: When you see a person suddenly collapse, check for a response – call their name/shake them gently on the shoulder.

Step 2: If there is no response call 999 or 112 immediately to get help on the way.

Step 3: If they are still not responding and are not breathing normally (gasping or not breathing at all), then you need to make sure the person is lying flat on their back on a flat hard surface. Kneel closely beside them and place your two hands on the centre of their chest, one on top of the other and keep your arms straight.

Step 4: Start compressions hard and fast, pushing down at least 2 inches (5cm) on the centre of the chest and push at a rate of 100 beats per minute.

Handy Tip #1 Learn how to put your mobile phone on loud speaker so you can immediately start providing Hands-Only CPR while you’re calling for help and talking to the Emergency Call Taker.

9 tips for improving your sleep 1. Create a sleep schedule and stick to it 2. Create a bedtime ritual 3. Manage your stress 4. Get some exercise 5. Make your bedroom as quiet and dark as possible 6. Manage your naps 7. Don’t eat too late 8. Limit alcohol and smoking before bed 9. Be careful with caffeine ...............................................................

Handy Tip#2 Knowing your Eircode number and giving it to the Emergency Call Taker when you call will also assist the ambulance service ...............................................................

Majella Forde CFR, FAR, BLS instructor, Exercise and Sports Nutrition Consultant, Neuro Linguistics Practitioner, Life Coach, Mindfulness Practitioner, Pain Management Practitioner, Emotional Freedom Practitioner, Insomnia Management Practitioner. Currently attached to the MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology in WIT. For bookings call 087 210 3544, email info@kuleanatraining.com or visit www.kuleanatraining.com or see Facebook: Kuleana. ...............................................................

DENJOES WINS BIG AT

ANNUAL APACHE PIZZA CONVENTION The Annual Apache Pizza Convention took place at the Hudson Bay Hotel, Athlone recently. Many businesses from all over the country were represented on the night but the business that stole the show was Denjoes family restaurants.

A household name now synonymous with good food great value and excellent customer service the team here were thrilled with their win.

Angela O Conner spoke to us after the award ‘The prestigious award that was presented on the night was the overall Apache Store of the Year. Having won this award in 2014 out of 60 stores in Ireland at the time we never expected it again as there is now 164 stores in Ireland and Northern Ireland, so you can imagine our shock and surprise when our store was once again announced store of the year for 2018. We the O’Connor Family of Castleisland are overwhelmed by this great win. To add further excitement to our night Denjoes Family Restaurants Killarney & Castleisland were the joint Gold Winners of the Food Excellence Ireland award. It was to award us both for having the highest level of hygiene standards and practices in Apache Ireland. This is another huge honour to all of us and our amazing hard working team.

“All we can say is wow!! We are so proud and honoured to take home

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this award. What an achievement!! It’s a wonderful feeling to be recognised within Apache Pizza Ireland. We are very proud of this success and for this we thank our hard working team, for their excellence and brilliance and always making a stunning performance at work.

This award has now given us a platform to stand proud on” and we look forward to see what the future brings...”

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Connect | Business

HOW I GOT HERE ....

Maria Brosnan

By: Mary Lucey (Principal, Kerry College of Further Education) Maria Brosnan is a practicing Barrister on the South Western circuit covering the courts in Kerry, Limerick and Clare. She has just returned home to Kerry, having lived in Dublin for the last few years, to practice. Maria completed her legal studies in Kings Inns and spent her first year deviling in the Criminal Courts in Dublin.

Describe your industry sector …

Each day of work is different in my sector. As a junior Barrister, you have to devil (akin to an apprenticeship) for a Master (a more senior colleague) in order to learn your trade. It involves appearing in court on your Master’s behalf, researching and drafting legal documents, attending consultations with clients etc. A Barrister also has to build up their own work from Solicitors and I have been lucky with the portfolio of work I have built up.

Did you always want this career…

I adored history growing up, and admired Irish figures who had a legal background such as Daniel O’Connell and Mary Robinson. I knew I wanted to study law but wasn’t so sure about a long term career in it. I initially studied Law and European Studies in the University of Limerick, and as the years progressed I got more interested in political science. I choose to progress to an International Relations Master’s Degree in DCU, and then moved to Brussels to work in European politics.

I decided to pursue my professional qualification seven years after leaving college. I am glad that I had that time working in Brussels as that experience has benefited me immensely.

When did you first become passionate about your current career…

It was half way through my studies at King’s Inns when I realised that this really was the profession for me to work in.

Up until that point, I wasn’t quite sure if I would actually pursue a professional career as a Barrister. I had thought about using the qualification to perhaps work in other sectors. However, I remember winning a college debate and from that point on I knew I wanted this career for the rest of my life.

What skills are essential for your job…..

Determination above everything else is essential.

A career as a Barrister is a difficult path to pursue.

There is a lot of studying, exams, and once qualified your earnings at the initial stage are low. It is essential that you are good with people, have a strong work ethic and be highly organised.

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Did you ever change your career path….

Upon leaving college, I pursued a career in political policy and media. Slowly but surely, I realised that I did not want to work in these areas full time and I gravitated towards the law. This change proved difficult, having to take on part-time work over the past years to fund my studies. Working weekends and/or early morning/late night shifts, meant I did not have much free time but in the end it has all been worth it and I am now doing what I love.

If you had your time over again after leaving school, what would you change or do differently….

I would not change a thing! Sometimes I think I took a long road to pursue and eventually find my profession. However, the experience I gained working in other roles has stood to me and benefited me no end in my role as a Barrister. When you work in a job that you don’t like, it is very insightful because then you really know for certain that career is not for you. I realised eventually that the profession I really wanted was to be a Barrister.

What do you love most about your job…

I love helping people. In some areas of the law you meet clients who have had personal difficulties getting to court. It is a privilege to represent them and help them navigate the legal process. I also love that every single day is different to the previous. It is never boring!

Mary Lucey may be contacted at MaryLucey@kerryfe.ie or at 066-7121741.

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John Drummey communications

Tell us how it all began IT’S hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since I made the decision to set up my own business. May 2008 - I was at a crossroads. I still loved the thrill and challenges of being a daily current affairs presenter and journalist with Radio Kerry, but something happened early in 2008 that made me consider a change. My great friend and colleague, Ted Keane sadly passed away on the 24th of January.

Ted was the PR Consultant to the Rose of Tralee International Festival and in the couple of years before his untimely death, I was Ted’s understudy as the Master of Ceremonies at the Rose Ball and Festival Parade. I had also covered the Festival as a journalist and before that, I had worked as a commentator in the Town Park in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the great Dick O’Sullivan. Anthony O’Gara asked me to consider taking over from Ted, while I had also been approached by a number of local politicians and businesses to work with them on their PR and promotional needs. Everyday has been a school day but it’s been an exciting, challenging and fulfilling experience to date.

Have you always had a passion for communications?

Absolutely. I always wanted to be a commentator. Whether I was cycling home from school or playing football on my own in the back garden, I was always running a commentary in my head. Michael O’Hehir and Jimmy Magee were my role models.

It was through Fás that I started my work experience in Radio Kerry in 1991 and I owe my thanks, initially to Pat McDonnell and ultimately Dan Collins for giving me my first chance. I learned much from my colleagues there and when I went to Dublin City University as a mature student in 1996, I soon realised how big the ever-growing communications industry had become.

You are in the business 10 years now have you seen many changes in the industry?

Yes, social media is huge, continuously evolving and it has impacted greatly on how audiences expect to receive news and other commercial messages. You need to be in so many different “spaces” at one time – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and even Snapchat while not forgetting to target audiences of traditional media including radio, TV and the print media.

Tralee Business People Monthly Awards March 2017 Billy Nolan (centre), Kieran Ruttledge (left) and John Drummey (right) from Tralee Chamber Alliance.

Tell us about some of the services you provide under the umbrella of John Drummey Communications?

Public Relations, Media Training and Advertising are my key offerings to existing and new clients. The media and their audiences love a good story and I enjoy working with my clients to help them get their story across to the right audience. A well-written press release accompanied by a strong photograph and a coordinated social media campaign are important. The Rose of Tralee continues to attract extensive media interest and every year brings a group of new Roses and Rose Escorts who each have their own interesting stories to tell. I enjoy working with a broad range of clients in the tourism, medical, hospitality, legal and transport sectors.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

The communications industry is ever-changing and there is a lot of competition out there. Be respectful, build up a list of contacts, learn something new every day, know the deadlines of the media outlets that are relevant to you, and ask lots of questions – who, what, when, where, why and how! Apart from please and thank you, these are the most important words.

What does John Drummey do when not in the limelight?

I’m not sure about the calling it the limelight, but I enjoy being back on the radio and welcome opportunities to work as a Master of Ceremonies at corporate and social events. I have four beautiful children aged from nearly 11 to nearly one. Both Ann-Marie and I are self-employed but we try to enjoy timeout whenever possible.

I’m a bad golfer, an armchair sports fan and amateur chef.

John Drummey and Anthony O’Gara, Executive Chair Lorraine O’Mahony, Mater Private Cork, John Drummey, Rose of Tralee International Festival and Mandy McKenzie-Vass, Mater Private Cork Connect BUSINESS | Nov/Dec 2018 | 27

Connect | Business

TRALEE STUDENT hits Top Notes at finals of 2018 Frank Maher Classical Music Awards Paul Fitzgibbon (17) from Cloontarrin, Ballymacelligott, a sixth year student at Brookfield College, was one of only seven finalists at the 2018 Top Security Frank Maher Classical Music Awards held at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin in October 2018. It is Ireland’s largest competition for secondary schools with a €5,000 top prize for the winner.

Paul plays the viola and performed two pieces on the night , ’Concerto in E minor 1st Movement’ by Edward Elgar and ‘Nocturne in D minor’ by Tchaikovsky. He was presented with a €300 bursary by Emmet O’Rafferty, chairman of the Top Security Group as were each of the other finalists, Jane Brazil, (18), Mount Anville Secondary School, Goatstown, Dublin (piano), Alana McManus, (17), Sutton Park School, Sutton, Dublin (classical guitar). Tom Myles, (16), Regent House School, Newtownards, Co. Down (clarinet). Callum Owens, (17), Christian Brothers College, Cork (cello) and Tiffany Qiu, (17), St. Vincents Secondary School, Dundalk (piano) Emmet O’Rafferty said “As always, there was an incredibly high standard of entries, with top class performances from all the finalists on the night, which gave our judges the unenviable task of selecting the winner. Paul now joins the growing line of extremely talented young musicians who have taken part in this competition and I wish him the very best in his future career.”

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The winner of the €5,000 top prize was pianist Kevin Jansson, a sixth-year student at Presentation Brothers College in Cork and he said, “I plan to use my prize money attend upcoming auditions at colleges in Germany and the USA, as well as fees for music masterclasses abroad.”

The Awards were created in 2001 by Emmet O’Rafferty to honour the memory of his late teacher, Fr Frank Maher, who taught music at Castleknock College, his old school. Their aim is to showcase outstanding young musical talent in Ireland and are open to sixth year post-primary students of strings, woodwind, brass and piano. The €5,000 top prize must be used to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent.

Previous winners have gone on to attend some of the world’s most prominent music colleges, which includes Shenandoah University of Virginia, Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, Kronberg Academy in Germany, the Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas, Texas, the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy

of Music in London to name a few.

Killian White, last year’s winner, who is currently studying at the Conservatoire Nationale in Paris, returned to perform ‘Fantasie on Little Russian Songs’ by David Popper.

The judging panel was chaired by Dr Gerard Gillen, emeritus professor of music at NUI Maynooth, who was joined

by Brian O’Rourke, former principal clarinet and head of programming for the National Symphony Orchestra and classical pianist Darina Gibson.

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SUPPORT OUR CBC MEMBERS

Should you wish to join the club contact us on: T: 066 7123954 M: 086 2408237Â | E: margaret@connectpublications.ie

Winner of Best Gastro Pub - McMunns Bar

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Winner of Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant Park Hotel Kenmare

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OBITUARY

Tom Quirke EMPLOYMENT (Miscellaneous Provisions) BILL The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill passed the committee stage in the Dáil on the 17 May 2018 and is set to become law in 2018. The government has advised that the purpose of the bill is to improve the security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts, and those working variable hours.

POTENTIAL CHANGES: • The Bill provides for a new minimum payment for low paid workers called into work but sent home again without the promised work or any meaningful compensation.

• The Bill contains provisions for banded hours to give better certainty regarding working hours and income. Where an employee’s contract provided for 15 hours per week, but they have actually worked an average of 30 hours over 18 months or more, they will be entitled to be placed in a weekly band of 25-34 hours to reflect the reality of their hours of work.

• Where an employer penalises a worker solely for invoking their rights under the legislation, the employee can pursue a penalisation case through the WRC. • The new law will allow claimants to take a case to the WRC for breach of a right under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994.

This advice is provided by the HR Suite which offers specialist tailored and effective human resources and business solutions to clients throughout Ireland. The HR Suite can advise you and your organisation with the above in your Company. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 066 7102887.

34 | Connect BUSINESS | Nov/Dec 2018

48 Casement’s Avenue, Upper Rock Street, Tralee. Aged 70. RIP. Devoted husband, loving Dad, Grand dad, Great grand dad, Father in law, Uncle, Brother, Brother in Law, God father, neighbour and friend.

A man of many titles with the common theme of love for those he cared about and that were blessed with his presence in our lives. Never short of a kind word and a chat for all around him. Tom epitomised all that is good in the world. He devoted his life to his wife of 51 years, Maureen of Maureen’s Childcare Centre and his family.

The youngest and seventh son of Mary and Mortimer Quirke who had eleven children, 7 boys and 4 girls, Tom and Maureen were blessed with three daughters and two sons Sue, Mounthawk Montessori School & Busy Bees Nursery, Tom, James, Maureen & Liz, Sonsin-law and Daughter-in-law. He possessed a quick wit and a sharp intelligence and was quick to laughter. Tom adored his four grandsons, eight granddaughters and great-granddaughter and loved nothing more than to travel with his wife and family in the summertime. He exuded positivity and hope in all he did and showed quiet courage throughout his illness. A spiritual man, he never gave up his faith in the possibility of a positive ending. His knowledge and wisdom knew no bounds and his stories, tales and examples of life both practically and metaphorically will inform and guide those left behind in all aspects of our lives as we venture forth. A giant of a man, though quiet and unassuming, his influence is felt far and wide. His loss in this world has left us bereft and is felt keenly locally and globally by his wide circle of family, friends, neighbours and the medical team that cared for him and admired him so much. Tom Quirke an electrician by trade with a passion for cars and travel, spent years learning all there was to know about different engines and instilled the same passion in his sons, grandsons and nephews. He loved nothing better than finding out how something worked and seeing if there was anyway he could make it better.

The day after he received his diagnosis he and his wife took off on their final romantic adventure to France before they returned to face their new journey together, united as always. A man of dignity, integrity, honesty, with a head full of knowledge, generously shared and a heart overflowing with love and pride in those around him, left us much too soon and without warning. He died as he lived, without fuss or bother, he simply fell asleep on August 7th, 2018 holding hands with his beloved Maureen. He said ‘I am not afraid to pass, I know that my son James and my brother Jerry will be there to meet me when the time comes ‘. His advice was ‘when the moment has passed, it is too late, so don’t miss the important moments’. Though departed from this mortal coil, his spirit lives on in the horizon, the sea breeze, the rustle of leaves, and in the awe and wonder of nature.

Our loss is Heaven’s gain, and we will carry him with us in all we do forever. Our world will never see his likes again.

“Ar dheis Dé do raibh a anam”

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Connect BUSINESS | Nov/Dec 2018 | 35