Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for July 2010
30/07/2010
Plans for Magheramorne Quarry to be redeveloped into Ireland's first word-class recreational attraction have been approved. Environment Minister Sammy Wilson recently approved the proposals submitted by Lafarge Cement UK in May 2006 to build a harbour eco-village on the site of a derelict cement w
30/07/2010
The Newry bypass, a new section of the vital cross-border road link between Belfast and Dublin, was officially opened yesterday - a full five months ahead of schedule. NI Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Junior Minister Robin Newton and Irish Premier Brian Cowen led a VIP party of ministers
30/07/2010
A border construction project is proving to be a blazing success for a Co Fermanagh firm that has just been appointed as the main contractor for a €3.7 million two-storey fire station in Monaghan Town. To be located at Annahagh, it will also include an access road to serve the six-bay fire station,
30/07/2010
The average house price in the Irish Republic has now fallen to levels not seen since the end of 2002, according to the latest figures. The house price index from Permanent TSB and the Economic and Social Research Institute, published this week, revealed the decline in average house prices was 1.7
30/07/2010
Antrim-based contracting company Mivan has been awarded a £2m re-fit onboard the Pacific Pearl cruise liner. Work will take place in Singapore in November of this year for a period of 36 days, completing the week before Christmas. Mivan will be working for client Carnival Australia and the scope
30/07/2010
Fears of a further fall in Northern Ireland house prices, job worries and stricter bank lending helped push average property rents in Belfast up 4% in the second quarter of 2010, a major research report reveals. The detailed quarterly report by Northern Ireland’s largest dedicated online lettings s
29/07/2010
This weekend will see the first guests arrive at the 'New Chapter' in Northern Ireland's Merchant Hotel. The five star establishment, set in the heart of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, will publicly reveal for the first time its £16m extension. Incorporating a new luxury spa, decadent jazz bar, r
29/07/2010
Unlicensed architects may not be faced with compulsory assessment for registration after all. In a move that has been criticised as unnecessary by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), who said such legislation would undermine consumer confidence and protection; TD John O'Donoghue ha
29/07/2010
Mid-Ulster is set for a construction bonanza with Cookstown in line for a boost with two major retail and residential developments planned for the town centre. The former Tesco supermarket off the Orritor Road is to be transformed into a mixed development to include shops and new homes and - also o
29/07/2010
The final cross-border link in dual carriageway or motorway travel from Belfast to the Irish capital has been opened today. The new Newry bypass was officially opened this morning by the Stormont Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy. The official unveiling of the 12.7km (7.9 miles) Beech Hil
29/07/2010
Newtownards-based Pattons Bakery has officially opened new £375,000 premises with the construction project enabling the business to cater for increased demand from key retail customers - such as the Henderson Group and Musgrave Retail Partners. The company's investment in the purchase and fit-out o
29/07/2010
A well known block of run-down flats in the Lower Falls area of Belfast are to be demolished. In recent years the condition of the Ross Street flats has deteriorated and the area has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and this has been near intolerable for local people and a local man, Bap
29/07/2010
The downward revision of the National Development Plan in the Infrastructure Investment Priorities to 2016 could have been worse, but the investment should have been much bigger, say the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). According to the congress Ireland has a serious infrastructural deficit,
28/07/2010
A major school construction scheme is to get underway shortly on the outskirts of east Belfast. Marking a major move forward for the integrated Lagan College, it means the cross-community initiative has come a long way since it was founded in 1981 as an initiative in educating Protestant and Cathol
28/07/2010
Remedial works, estimated to cost €1 million, are to start shortly at Killarney House, Minister for Heritage John Gormley has confirmed. The house is part of an early 18th-century French-style chateau, which was donated to the State in 1998 but had been allowed fall into disrepair. It is situate
28/07/2010
A Co Antrim building firm was celebrating contracts worth almost £18m this month with the work including a major project in Birmingham constructing a storage facility for the British Film Institute. The contract is one of several just won by JBE Building Services Limited at Railway Street, Ballymen
28/07/2010
High Rise construction projects in the Dublin area are to be severely restricted with developers facing new hurdles when planning the construction of multiple floor buildings in the capital. This is expected to follow the introduction of the new Dublin City Development Plan next year. Dublin counc
28/07/2010
The Stormont Energy Minister Arlene Foster has announced a consultation on proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO). The NIRO supports the development of renewable electricity by encouraging suppliers to provide evidence that a specified proportion of their electricity
28/07/2010
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has announced that he has secured Government approval for the building of 700 prison spaces at the Thornton Hall site in north county Dublin. The site was acquired under the last government, with the intention to use a Public Private Partnership to build a prison with
27/07/2010
A major Irish civil engineering and construction firm, SIAC, has scooped a €450 million contract to build a 35km motorway in Poland. The motorway will run from Kryz to Debica and is scheduled to be completed within the next two years. The motorway will consist of 28 bridge structures, including a
27/07/2010
Major construction works are to start in the next few months on an extension to a Co Cavan college facility - with interested contractors being asked to make a bid for the work. The works at Virginia College, will entail constructing an extension over two floors to the existing school along with si
27/07/2010
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has launched the Government's six-year capital programme today, outlining a spend of €39 billion. The programme, called Infrastructure Investment Priorities 2010-2016, was revealed by Mr Cowen at the national convention centre in Dublin's Spencer Dock on Monday. He was accom
27/07/2010
Food retailer and distributor, the Musgrave Group, has announced it has signed an agreement with Airtricity to supply green electricity to its network of depots and sites across the island of Ireland. Under the terms of the contract, Airtricity will supply green electricity to all Musgrave Group
27/07/2010
The iconic home of flat pack furniture, Ikea, plans to open another new store in Ireland. According to Ballymun Store Manager Gary Deakin Ikea have their sights set on another outlet after the success of the city store - with a boost for Irish builders 'in store'. The Dublin store, which opened la
27/07/2010
A leading Irish light in designer whirlpools, air spas, easy access shower baths and anti scald shower systems, Advanz, has launched two new products. The new Twinline Walk-In Showerbath - This dual system utilises space more effectively than a separate shower and bath, and also makes both faciliti
26/07/2010
Tralee Town Council is seeking building contractors for the new Lee Valley Project which was given the go-ahead last month. The proposed €4.2m 8 hectare eco-tourism development comprises of a nature park focussing on the diversity of the internationally renowned Tralee Bay Nature Reserve. Novel
26/07/2010
Rates arrears in Northern Ireland have soared to a record £157m, according to Land & Property Services (LPS). The uncollected debt has risen by £19m from £138m in 2009 with nearly two-thirds of the arrears owed by non-domestic ratepayers. John Wilkinson, Chief Executive of LPS, said: "The length o
26/07/2010
There's a over €50 million sewage scheme being undertaken in Co Waterford. The Waterford Grouped Towns and Villages Sewerage Scheme (Seven Towns Project) had this month been approved for funding under the Irish Republic's Department of Environment Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2012. T
26/07/2010
Local concrete manufacturing plants have received top accolades in their company's own awards initiative, aimed at maintaining the highest industry standards. Acheson & Glover's Fivemiletown and Magherafelt plants scooped the awards run by the leading concrete products manufacturer. It runs an ann
26/07/2010
A company director has been banned from holding such office in a company for seven years. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has accepted a disqualification undertaking for seven years from Timothy Laurence Wilkinson, 50, of Ormiston Crescent, Belfast, in respect of his conduct as a
26/07/2010
Ulster Unionist Education spokesperson Basil McCrea has welcomed the decision by the Planning Service to speed up the planning process for school build projects at Tor Bank Special School and Lagan College. Commenting on the issue, Basil said: "The Department of Environment should be commended for
26/07/2010
A Co Antrim company has developed a unique portable sawmill that should generate significant export sales over the next few years. M. Large Tree Services, which employs 24 people in Newtownabbey and this year celebrates its 40th anniversary, took its first step into design and manufacture with rese
23/07/2010
A major school rebuilding plan in North Down has reached a crucial stage today with plans officially submitted for the building project. However, Holywood's long awaited £12.5 million superschool project will now depend on the availability of funds from the Stormont Executive after the South Easter
23/07/2010
Aliens may be about to land in a Co Antrim seaside town. Builders are to get a minor boost soon with news that a specialised centre is to be built in Larne for the short-term detention of suspected illegal immigrants or aliens. The Home Office-run UK Border Agency is considering submitting a plann
23/07/2010
The development of a major reservoir and waterway, fed by the River Shannon, (see:
23/07/2010
The €660m Limerick Tunnel has reached completion. Taoiseach Brian Cowen will officially open the 670-metre long tunnel to traffic on Tuesday. The facility will see 100 new jobs created and signal the removal of over 20,000 cars from city centre streets. The work was carried out by a consortium o
23/07/2010
A top environmental consultancy in Newry is investing £75,000 to increase export sales across new markets. With support from Invest Northern Ireland, McAllister Brothers Ltd - which is recognised as an industry leader in the use of trenchless technology to inspect, maintain and renovate pipelines a
23/07/2010
This autumn will see the arrival of a creative and innovative answer to Cork major event needs with the installation of one of the world's most sophisticated temporary structures The Veldeman TFS . With 40,000 square feet the state of the art structure is larger than the main hall of the RDS and i
23/07/2010
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has visited Ballynahinch to see at first hand the potential that exists for public realm improvements throughout the town centre. As part of his visit, Minister Attwood went on a tour of Ballynahinch where he listened to the views of the local MLAs and counc
22/07/2010
The majesty of the River Shannon is to be harnessed and up to 1,000 construction jobs created if plans by Dublin City Council to take water from the the iconic waterway to provide drinking water for the capital are approved. Details of the controversial scheme to take water from Lough Derg and st
22/07/2010
Plans for a €50 million, 5,000-seat events centre in Cork have been welcomed by the city manager. The seven-storey development by O'Callaghan Properties based on a two-acre site at Albert Quay, within walking distance of Cork city centre, would include the construction of a 260-bedroom four-star ho
22/07/2010
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has visited Downpatrick to launch a masterplan for the rejuvenation of the town centre. The masterplan aims to make Downpatrick an even more attractive destination for local people and visitors by reducing traffic congestion, improving the retail offering an
22/07/2010
Three more new play areas have been completed as part of Ards Borough Council's £700,000 refurbishment programme. Modern play facilities, including swings, slides, seesaws, climbers and a variety of other colourful and interactive equipment, are now being enjoyed by children at Demesne View in Port
22/07/2010
Construction has halted on Dublin's Poolbeg incinerator after the Department of the Environment failed to approve a foreshore licence. The Department is yet to process an application lodged in December 2008 for an out-flow pipe into the sea. Work on the €350m facility can't resume until the licen
22/07/2010
Plans for a £40m waste-to-energy recycling centre have been rejected by planners. Consortium Veridis Energy, led by Irish Recycling Services, had planned to build the facility on the Ballyutoag Road, situated between north Belfast and Nutts Corner. Verdis are said to be "deeply disappointed" with
22/07/2010
The Mullingar-based John Madden architectural practice is behind the success of a now granted planning application for the alteration and extension of part of the existing agricultural training college buildings at Franciscan Abbey, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath. The plans were approved in late July
21/07/2010
An Irish piling contractor, Trench Control - which is also a supplier of ground support equipment for hire - has launched a competition to give away €1,000 (or £1,000 for Northern Ireland customers) in a magazine competition over the new few months. The competition is being run solely through the i
21/07/2010
Robin Newton East Belfast DUP MLA has welcomed the good news regarding Tor Bank Special School and its new build programme. Robin Newton said the Planning Service had turned around plans for Tor Bank Special schools in the Dundonald area in just four and a half months due to the Pre Applications D
21/07/2010
A South Down-based joinery sub-contractor has won a £5m contract to fit out a restaurant for celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal. Newry's MJM won the contract for the new restaurant to be based in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hyde Park, London. Last year the MJM Group launched its new London based
21/07/2010
Big name Irish builders, WR McAllister and Heron brothers are enjoying a boost this summer as work moves up a gear at a substantial Co Down project. Newtownards motor insurance broker, Hughes Insurance, has commissioned a £2m building project at its base in the town in preparation for larger expans
21/07/2010
There has been praise for ongoing work on the regeneration of the Kilcooley Estate in Bangor. Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has visited the Co Down seaside town to see at first hand the work being done to regenerate the area. During yesterday's visit, the Minister met with loca
21/07/2010
A Co Antrim-based construction group has won a major contract in Liverpool to oversee the fit out a new museum. Ballymena's Patton Group, which recently scooped 'gongs' at the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Belfast, is beginning work at the new museum in the famous port city. The cont
21/07/2010
The Stormonmt Environment Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed the quarry industry's praise of Planning Service's performance in processing applications swiftly. Regional Director of Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI), Gordon Best, commented that an increasing number of its members’
20/07/2010
Building work is starting on a new €30 million building project at Dublin's St Patrick's College after the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan approved the contract for the project last week. The new 12,000sq/m facility, which includes new lecture theatres, libraries and o
20/07/2010
Funding to allow Kildare County Council to accept a tender of just over €24.6 million for the construction of a new water treatment plant has been approved. The bid, from Veolia Water Ireland is for construction of the Srowland Water Treatment Plant Design Build Operate (DBO) Contract which is the
20/07/2010
The Urban Regeneration Company, tasked with the physical, economic and social regeneration of Londonderry, has appointed four new board members. Ilex are responsible for the transformation of Ebrington and Fort George former security bases. The four new non-executive members are Dame Geraldine Kee
20/07/2010
An affordable housing scheme has been launched that will allow people in Dublin City Council's area to take advantage of a 'rent-to-buy' scheme as a first step into home ownership. It is the first time such a deal has been offered by a local authority and, under the scheme, tenants agree a fixed pr
20/07/2010
Builders are hoping for a fillip after news of plans for a Global Pharmaceutical Centre that could bring an €4.7bn investment to Tralee, Co Kerry. The project, which is at developmental stage, would also bring 4,000 jobs to the area on completion as well as hundreds of construction sector jobs duri
20/07/2010
It's to be 'lights, camera, action' soon as work on a €5 million National Film School at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) began this week. The Irish Republic's Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan approved the Drumcondra project and sai
20/07/2010
The Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has unveiled a new town centre masterplan for Carrickfergus, in Co Antrim. The masterplan provides a guide on the future regeneration and development potential of the town centre. The main aims of the plan include revitalising the town centre
19/07/2010
A top joinery business, MJM Group, has secured new contracts worth £6.2million with support from Invest Northern Ireland. The award winning Newry-based firm provides specialist joinery fit out and marine refurbishment services to clients from the banking, hospitality and commercial retail sectors
19/07/2010
HSS Training, the specialist training division of HSS Hire, tool and equipment hire company, has expanded operations to now offer training courses throughout Ireland. HSS Training offers over 100 industry-recognised technical and safety courses, delivered in more than 20 locations around Ireland by
19/07/2010
Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood, was guest speaker in Banbridge recently for the official launch of a new strategic vision document setting out the objectives and key priorities for the future development of the town. Over 50 representatives from the public and private sectors gathere
19/07/2010
The considerable shift within the Irish construction industry towards energy efficient building design is being acknowledged by a newly launched awards scheme, details of which were announced today. Building professionals including architects, engineers, builders and developers, across Ireland are
19/07/2010
A major construction project to build a 600,000 sq ft purpose-built factory in east Belfast is nearing the end of its first phase. Early in 2011, production of Bombardier Aerospace's CSeries aircraft wings is due to get under way early in the all-new factory, with this week, the CSeries family of a
19/07/2010
Armagh is to benefit as over 20 jobs are being created with the opening of a major new B&M Bargains store in the city. The large 10,000 sq ft outlet - complete with its own car park - is to be situated at the corner of Lonsdale Road and College Street. While B&M will be moving into premises built
19/07/2010
Waste is on the agenda today as Stormont Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, welcomed the publication of the provisional quarterly municipal waste management statistics for January - March 2010. "It is important to understand how far Northern Ireland has come in recycling waste over recent years. Fo
09/07/2010
High level support in the Irish Daíl for a symbolic cross-border building project has won praise in Northern Ireland. SDLP South Down Assembly Member PJ Bradley and his colleague SDLP activist Declan McAteer have welcomed the Irish Republic's Transport Minister Noel Dempsey's continued commitment t
09/07/2010
Delays to a long-awaited school rebuilding project in Co Tyrone have been criticised. Staff at Loreto Grammar School in Omagh were angered after the Minister for Education, Catriona Ruane, rejected proposals for a new school building, despite being promised a £14.6 million new build on its current
09/07/2010
The parent business behind some of the best-known construction names has suffered a major drop in its share value. Irish building materials group CRH has lost 6% in value after giving a downbeat outlook about its prospects in the second half of the year. The conglomerate, which owns Northstone, Fa
09/07/2010
NI Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, has announced proposals to reduce the landlord allowance on rates collection. The Article 21 allowance, which provides a discount to landlords who volunteer to collect all rates due on their properties and pay for vacancies, is proposed to change from next April.
09/07/2010
Northern Ireland-based soldiers, recently returned from Afghanistan, have organised their own unique way of marking the move into their newly constructed, purpose-built headquarters and workshops - a gun run and salute. 40th Regiment Royal Artillery (The Lowland Gunners) are based at Thiepval Bar
09/07/2010
NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has launched a Design Guide for the Magee Conservation Area, which provides advice for residents and prospective developers. The Minister said: "The designation of the Magee Conservation Area in June 2006 recognised the distinctive qualities of this area of speci
09/07/2010
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has claimed the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) spent over £68,000 investigating pollution incidents within the Lower Bann catchment between 2005 and 2009. Mr Dallat issued an Assembly question on the matter to the Minister for the Environment Edwin Poots.
09/07/2010
Construction and property workers are more likely than any other profession to turn to drink as a way of coping with work stress, a new survey has shown. The survey of 3000 people, by leading healthcare cash plan provider, Medicash, revealed that 47% of those in the industry, five times more than
08/07/2010
A Dublin firm is to represent Ireland at the world's largest architecture event, according to a newspaper report. Award-winning architects, deBlacam and Meagher will take part in the Venice Biennale, the Irish Times reports. The official launch of their participation in the 12th international arch
08/07/2010
The scenic north coast looks set to be blighted with news that a planning application for the building of a concrete batching plant at Craigahulliar, on the outskirts of Portrush looks set to go ahead. Despite efforts from Coleraine Borough Council to have the application scrapped, a letter from St
08/07/2010
Homeowners who wish to remain in their community following large-scale redevelopment received the full backing of NI Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today. Launching proposals to support owner-occupiers, Minister Attwood said the new plans would be of particular interest to residents of
08/07/2010
Belfast's iconic Harland and Wolff (H&W) shipyard has been awarded a contract to build a new tidal turbine for testing. The prototype will be produced for Orkney-based Scotrenewables (Marine Power) Ltd and the 80-tonne device - which uses rotors to generate power - will be placed in the Scottish is
08/07/2010
The redeveloped Blair Lodge Residential Care Home has been officially opened in Bangor, Co Down. Blair Lodge is a privately owned home run by independent health care partnership, Armstrong Care Services, for people with a learning disability with complex needs including Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and S
08/07/2010
A specialist supported living scheme has been officially opened this week in Antrim. Provided as part of the Department for Social Development New Housing Agenda by Helm Housing, the Pines scheme is jointly managed by Helm Housing and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. The new £1.5m single
08/07/2010
NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said a new £3.95m facility will help children with learning disabilities have a better quality of life within their own communities. The Minister was speaking as he officially opened eight-bedded children's treatment and assessment unit at Iveagh. The unit
08/07/2010
A major new hospital facility for the North West has been officially welcomed. The new £14.1million building project at Altnagelvin in Londonderry will treat patients with cardiac conditions and those suffering from stroke. Acute medical services and acute care services for older people will also
07/07/2010
A truly 'Titanic' construction project is well underway in Belfast - and this one is not inclined to ending in disaster. NI Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has visited the site of the new Titanic Signature Building to see how construction is progressing. Construction at the £97million development b
07/07/2010
NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £4.2million for structural road maintenance in the Derry city area this year. Minister Murphy said: "A range of local schemes have been delivered successfully by
07/07/2010
Contractors are hoping that a 'masterplan' for a scenic seaside NI village will soon be approved and be offered funding. The plans for Groomsport were unveiled at the end of June and include planned new paving, railings, landscaping and lights that would be installed along the most scenic stretch o
07/07/2010
Belfast-based soccer club, Linfield FC members have given their approval to a £30m redevelopment plan for its Windsor Park ground. The move would create a 20,000 all-seater stadium that will also be used for Northern Ireland international games. The members voted by a large majority to support a d
07/07/2010
Ennis Town Council has confirmed that the trial pedestrianisation of Ennis Town Centre has been ended - just six weeks into a six-month trial. Council Members voted against the continuation of the trial after the business community cited a reduction in business on Saturdays when the streets were cl
07/07/2010
A Co Antrim primary school is to be urgently demolished amid fears of both possible exposure to deadly asbestos dust and because of continuing anti-social behaviour and vandalism. There's no sign of any plan to rebuild on the site of Balee Primary School which is to be knocked down at a cost of aro
07/07/2010
Irish Defence Minister, Tony Killeen has confirmed that funding has been approved for the replacement of the main oil burner and boiler at Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna. The North Clare Deputy says he received confirmation of the grant allocation from the Department of Education
07/07/2010
A plan for apartments in a Co Down town is facing concerted local opposition. According to the local newspaper, the Mourne Observer, opponents of a social housing scheme in Ballynahinch, which has been likened to "a carbuncle," took their concerns to the headquarters of Down District Council. Memb
06/07/2010
A major entertainment venue is planned for the Springtown area in Derry, according to a newspaper report. The 70,000 square foot development will include a 10-screen cinema and six restaurants and could to bring around 350 jobs to the city, the Derry Journal reports. It is understood a number of p
06/07/2010
Andrew Muir, Alliance Party Councillor (designate) for the Holywood area has welcomed a £6m investment that will fund demolition and redevelopment of housing in the West Green Area, in Holywood, Co Down. Commenting on the recent announcement by Social Development Minister Alex Attwood, Mr Muir said
06/07/2010
Average processing times have fallen for all types of planning applications processed in Northern Ireland over the past year, a new independent report has revealed. Environment Minister Edwin Poots welcomed the publication of the Planning Service’s fourth annual development management statistical
06/07/2010
Sinn Féin spokesperson on the economy, Arthur Morgan has described reports that NAMA is not now expected to make anything like the profits predicted by the Government and could in fact make considerable losses as "deeply depressing for the taxpayer" but "unsurprising". Deputy Morgan said, "Reports
06/07/2010
Irish Housing Minister, Michael Finneran has announced his approval for a two year Capital Programme for Public Libraries, amounting to €7.8 million in 2010, which will contribute towards the development and refurbishment of a range of public libraries throughout the country. Minister Finneran was
06/07/2010
The Department of Education has revealed the full list of schools in Northern Ireland that have been approved or turned down for new building plans. A total of 34 out of 67 schools have been told they comply with policy. Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane has, however, said there was no money imm
06/07/2010
A new £50m library at Belfast’s Queens University is to be officially opened today (Tuesday). Nobel laureate, Seamus Heaney will be on hand to open the McClay Library. According to the Vice Chancellor of Queen's, Professor Peter Gregson, the opening marks the next step in the university's developm
06/07/2010
South West College is the first educational institution in Ireland to sign a unique ‘heat contract' with green energy company Rural Generation based in Londonderry. The contract will help the college save up to £25,000 on heat costs annually. The college, which houses its own Renewable Energy Acad
05/07/2010
The beleaguered building trade is set for a fillip in Limerick if a major new €12 million centre that is being planned comes to fruition. With the aim of helping to 'make dreams come true for sick children' the centre is expected to be underway in Limerick in the coming years. The Share a Dream Fo
05/07/2010
Lisburn is really getting on the road with news of the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £5.1million spend in the Lisburn area this year. Stormont Transport Minister Conor Murphy said: "A range of local schemes have been delivered successfully by
05/07/2010
Siemens Healthcare has been awarded a major contract for the new €90m hospital in Cork. Private hospital operator, Sheehan Medical, has announced that Siemens has been awarded the €8.5m contract to provide financing and healthcare technology in the Cork Medical Centre. The centre is due to open in
05/07/2010
The successful completion of a major building contact has been officially marked with over 4,000 people gathering in Shannon town centre for the official opening of the Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre. The new construction contract is great cause for celebration as 16 full-time and eight perman
05/07/2010
An educational facility in Co Tyrone has become the first educational institution in Ireland to sign a unique 'heat contract' with green energy company Rural Generation based in Londonderry. The move will see the South West College save up to £25,000 on heat costs annually. The college, which hous
05/07/2010
NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has encouraged people to take part in the public consultation on the Lisanelly Shared Campus in Omagh. Speaking after the fifth meeting of the Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus Steering Group the Minister commented: "With the Lisanelly Campus we are aiming
05/07/2010
NI Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood has visited Newtownards to launch a masterplan for the town centre. The purpose of the masterplan is to provide strategic guidance for the regeneration of Newtownards town centre. It also aims to protect the existing physical, social and economic capital
05/07/2010
A Co Londonderry man was fined £750 plus Department costs of £70 and court costs of £22 at Coleraine Magistrates' Court for non-compliance with a Planning Service Enforcement Notice. Mr Gerald James McDaid of Carrowreagh Road, Garvagh was required to cease the use of land at the same address for th
02/07/2010
It has been confirmed that upgrading works at five County Clare schools have been approved by the Department of Education and Skills. Ennis National School and St Joseph’s National School in Miltown Malbay are to benefit from heating system and disabled access works respectively, under the Departme
02/07/2010
A small step on the road to completing the Giant's Causeway visitor centre was taken this week. The sod-cutting marked the commencement of the first stage of works on the £18.5m project at the Giant's Causeway world heritage site. Tourism Minister Arlene Foster joined the National Trust's Director
02/07/2010
The Ulster Museum has won one of the most prestigious museums prizes in the world. At a recent awards ceremony in London, the museum was presented with the £100,000 UK Art Fund Prize. The museum, which reopened in October 2009, following a £17.2m rejuvenation, faced competition from museums acros
02/07/2010
Irish Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has announced that the Carbon Windfall Levy, introduced in the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Act 2010, has been signed into law by President, Mary McAleese. The levy will apply to electricity generators and recover a substantial portion of
02/07/2010
Newtonabbey Council is to move forward with plans to build a development of new homes on the site of Rushpark Community Centre, a newspaper has reported. The Co Antrim project – which is in conjunction with the NI Housing Executive – would see the facility making way for 16-20 social housing proper
02/07/2010
While some pundits claim NI has never left the dark ages, the Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots has just launched a new book about what life was like in Northern Ireland over the last 6,000 years. The publication by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) of 'Battles, Boats & Bones –
02/07/2010
A specialist firm has developed a virtually silent Air Conditioning (AC) system for use in broadcast and post production studios. Silentair have designed a system with an operational noise level of under 15dB even at maximum fan speed. This ducted AC system is very different to normal AC cooling so
02/07/2010
NI Environment Minister, Edwin Poots has launched new guidelines for business to help tackle waste head on and boost the Northern Ireland economy. As part of it’s Better Regulation Programme, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has joined forces with the Environment Agency in England and
01/07/2010
Construction activity in Ireland fell by 34% in the first three months of 2010, a new report has revealed. According to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the volume of output was 34.1% lower in the first quarter compared with the same period in 2009. The figures were among the largest
01/07/2010
It was 'lights, camera, action' today as the new Curzon apartment complex in Belfast was officially opened. The development has not been without controversy though, with residents in the area worried about the background of those given tenancies after the collapse of the housing market forced the a
01/07/2010
Work has begun on a new Co Armagh supermarket development that - once completed - is set to deliver a £25m investment and 300 new retail jobs for the area. The 42-week project to construct the Tesco Extra store in Craigavon will also provide employment for around 150 construction workers with the C
01/07/2010
NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has encouraged people to take part in the public consultation on the Lisanelly Shared Campus in Omagh, Co Tyrone. Speaking after the fifth meeting of the Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus Steering Group the Minister commented: "With the Lisanelly Campus we
01/07/2010
Northern Ireland must emerge stronger and more competitive from the period of public spending cuts ahead, the new Chairman of RICS Northern Ireland urges. Professor Alastair Adair - Pro Vice Chancellor of Northern Ireland's largest university - said that the reductions in government spending announ
01/07/2010
It's knock-down and start again for part of a suburban area east of Belfast with news of the redevelopment of housing in the West Green area of Holywood. The Stormont Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today announced plans to invest £6m to demolish vacant to be replaced by a more sustainab
01/07/2010
There's a proposal being placed on the agenda for the Stormont Assembly's Education Committee calling for it to support the Department of Education's bid to the Department of Finance and Personel for more money for school builds. Sinn Féin MLA and member of the Education Committee, Michelle O'Neill
01/07/2010
To celebrate the launch of its business landline and fixed broadband offering, telecommunications giant O2 has launched a €50,000 competition for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland. To enter, all an SME has to do is submit a short sales pitch either by email, text or Twitter – no more
