News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

TIPPERARY

Commenting on the increase in the Irish Dairy Board Milk Price Index to 111.1 for December 2012, Tipperary farmer Pat McCormack, deputy president and chair of I.C.M.S.A.’s Dairy Committee, said that it again clearly highlights the fact that the price being paid by Co-ops to milk suppliers is well behind market developments and needs to move up immediately to reflect reality.

Mr. McCormack noted that cash-flow pressures are growing on dairy farmers by the day and co-ops must respond by passing back the improved market returns.
[Source: Tipperary Star]

TYRONE

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive looks set to be abolished, leaving staff and tenants in Mid-Ulster uncertain of what the future holds.

On Wednesday, January 9, Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland released a written statement to the assembly outlining plans to dismantle the organization, citing it as no longer "sustainable" in its current form.

For the past 40 years, the organization has had the sole charge of allocating social housing in Northern Ireland; however, under the proposed changes, it is likely that these homes will now be transferred to housing associations.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

A full visiting ban is in place at Waterford Regional Hospital (W.R.H.) as of last Tuesday, as a result of suspected cases of the Norovirus (vomiting bug).

Visiting to all wards of the hospital is prohibited apart from exceptional circumstances, which includes critical care patients and maternity wards where visiting is restricted to partners only. Meanwhile, parents will only be allowed to visit the Children’s Ward.

Waterford Regional Hospital said it regrets this inconvenience but it is necessary at this time to prevent the spread of these illnesses to both patients and staff.
[Source: Waterford News & Star]

WESTMEATH

"It's a very funny book," is how Robert Cogan describes “Ulysses,” which describes just one day – June 16, 1904, Bloomsday.

Just what Bloomsday was about is the theme of “The Bloomsday Story,” Robert's two-act play, containing words and music, which runs on February 1 and 2 at The Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar; February 2 being both the anniversary of Joyce's birth and of the publication of Ulysses.

"These are going to be fun nights," promises Robert, who takes part in the play along with his wife, professional singer Ann Tyrrell, and professional actor Paul Kennedy.
[Source: Westmeath Examiner]

WEXFORD

A play by Enniscorthy author Colm Tóibín, based on his 2012 novella about the life of Mary in the aftermath of the Crucifixion, is set to debut on Broadway this spring.

Harry Potter actress Fiona Shaw will star in “The Testament of Mary,” with previews beginning March 26 at the Walter Kerr Theatre. The opening-night show is set for April 22, when it will run for 12 weeks.

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Nster.com