News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

A relaxed and tanned Una, straight back from L.A. where her band The Saturdays have just signed up with a new record label, gave tips on how to succeed in the tough world of show-business, and said she was inspired by her time at school to pursue her first love – music.

Principal Marie Collins said Una was just like any other girl, dressed in her wine uniform when she entered first year back in 1994. “She was bubbly, enthusiastic – everything a first year should be.” Una was involved in many extracurricular activities, and impressed at the County Tipperary Swimming Galas.
[Source: Tipperary Star]

TYRONE

Job-seekers in Coalisland and Dungannon are set to receive an early Christmas present with the news that an estimated 170 new jobs are being created in the two towns.

The Courier can confirm that 150 of the jobs have been earmarked for Coalisland's new Newell Stores Supermarket, while it is hoped a further 20 can be created at the Dungannon store.

The exact number of jobs on offer was not finalized until later last week, but a representative of Newell stores confirmed that these are the figures being looked at.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

A new website has been launched to promote “The Gathering” in Waterford, but also helps to stay in touch with the county’s diaspora beyond next year.

The famous holiday setting at Tramore beach was the venue for the unveiling of www.waterfordgathering.com, which is aimed at “creating a more lasting legacy” as a forum for communication with Waterford folk and their descendants worldwide, the organizers said.
[Source: Irish Times]

WESTMEATH

The cultural and arts scene in the Midlands was given a massive boost last Thursday when the launch of the $4.4 million Luan Gallery took place in Athlone.

Approximately 250 people attended the official opening of the facility by Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan.

Situated on Grace Road, adjacent to the town bridge, it is the first purpose-built, modern visual art gallery to be located in the Midlands. Its opening exhibition is entitled “Borrowed Memories” and comprises work from the collection of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
[Source: Westmeath Independent]

WEXFORD

An official invitation is to be sent to President Barrack Obama to visit New Ross in 2013.

The invitation will be sent as part of “The Homecoming” initiative, which was officially launched in the Tholsel two weekends ago.

The event, which formed part of the JFK50 Commemorations, was launched by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Brendan Howlin, on Saturday night, November 24.
[Source: Wexford Echo]

WICKLOW

Locals in Wicklow Town have been baffled by the weekend disappearance of a 60-foot-tall inflatable snowman.

The decoration was erected on top of the flat roof of a shop unit in the center of the town on Saturday, November 24, as part of celebrations which involved the switching on of the town's Christmas lights.

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Nster.com