News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

(Source: BBC News Northern Ireland)

Galway

Galway City proved relatively resilient to the economic downturn on the jobs front during 2010, with the creation of more than 1,100 new positions. Although Live Register figures continued on the rise for most of the year, there were also more than a dozen significant jobs announcements – the majority of which were attracted by the IDA. Last week two companies based in Galway announced a total of 220 new jobs – bringing the total number of jobs announced here to 460 in just four weeks.

(Source: Galway Tribune)

Kildare

Gardai held a checkpoint in Naas last weekend to check on the social welfare status of taxi drivers in the town. In total around 33 cars were checked by social welfare and PSV staff last Saturday night in Naas town centre. “The checkpoint was conducted in relation to investigations into social welfare fraud,” said Sgt Whitty. Some people driving taxis may be receiving the Back to Work allowance and only permitted to drive a certain amount of hours a week.

(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

A former resident of St Joseph's Orphanage in Kilkenny city is to run as a candidate in the upcoming general election. Noel G Walsh of Rioch's Street in the city spent his childhood in the notorious institution where a number of pedophiles preyed on young children with devastating consequences. One of a family of 13, he overcame the physical an d sexual abuse there and is now a community activist, helping people with their problems they may have with the HSE and/or various government departments and agencies of the State.

(Source: Kilkenny People)

Kerry

Quite where the Irish Open will find a headline sponsor for next July’s event is still anyone’s guess, but at least the European Tour were able to confirm one of the best established events on the schedule will return to Killarney Golf and Fishing Club over the August Bank Holiday weekend next year. George O’Grady, the European Tour chief executive, made the announcement when in Dublin for last week’s Irish Links Society Dinner.

(Source: Irish Times)

Laois

A little Chinese teapot, valued at €100, created a saleroom sensation last week when it sold for €50,000. The teapot, which would barely fill a mug of tea, was the unexpected “sleeper” in an antiques auction at Sheppard’s Irish Auction House in Durrow, Co Laois. The buyer was a Chinese collector who bid by telephone from Beijing. The teapot was made in China during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng who ruled between 1723 and 1735.

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