EuropeanIrish.com News Stories

More Irish people head to Europe, than to UK or USA

Cork Ireland, January 23rd 2008

A recent report by the CSO indicates that between the years 2006 and 2007, at least 25% of all Irish Emigrants settled in Continental Europe (CSO Population/ Migration Report December 07).
This is greater than those travelling to the UK 23.9%, and more than 3 times greater than the percentage travelling to the USA, both the traditional destinations for Irish emigrants.
It is estimated that approximately 300,000 Irish people have made their homes across Europe, and with 3.5 million trips by Irish residents to the Continent in 2006, Ireland’s relationship with her European neighbours has deepened considerably.
The Irish emigrants have settled in their new countries, raised families, and have sown the roots of future generations. As in the past, they have brought with them the wealth of culture that is unique to the Irish, a tradition long since enjoyed in both England and the States. A testament to this is the increasing number of Irish Clubs and Societies that have grown up across Europe, catering for both the Irish and native Europeans all of whom have a shared love of Irish Culture, Sport and Music.
For those interested in the Irish Scene across Europe, there is one unique central point – EuropeanIrish.com.
The brainchild of well travelled Irishman, Siasy Collins, this website is the focal point for all the information one needs to enjoy the Irish scene across Europe.
For the past 5 years the site has been managed on a part-time basis. Since May 2007, however, the emphasis has been on upgrading the existing site, to provide Irish in Europe with the opportunity to connect with other Irish in Europe, and with similar interests.
Siasy Collins, Editor & Publisher, EuropeanIrish, having been based in Europe himself, and involved in the local Irish scene there, explained that Irish people in Europe - want to find where to watch the All-Ireland or Heineken Cup, and where to find Irish Dancing Schools, Bands, Festivals, Irish Sports & Social Clubs, The Irish Embassy, and a choice of more than 2200 Irish Pubs across the Continent, when any local Irish Entertainment or Sport Events are on, and European Irish News.
“The new look Europeanirish.com has a lot of new benefits for visitors. The website is easy to use & navigate. You can build your profile and meet others through M I N E, which is My Irish Network in Europe. You can also chat with others, create a personal story and add events, items or news”, Siasy added.
Irish in Europe can always feel close to home, with the short and lower cost flights, and now through this website one can tune-in live online to over 50 Irish Radio stations, and download free music, supplied by Irish bands based at home and in Europe.

With thousands visiting the website daily, EuropeanIrish.com has something added for everybody, whether you’re an Irish person living in Europe or planning travel to Europe, or whether you’re from Continental Europe, enjoying Irish music, culture, sports or pubs.
Do you know any Irish person in Europe? Let them know today.
Are you planning a trip there for a vacation, on business, to study or to live?
The Next step is simple – just click on www.EuropeanIrish.com, browse the site, stay a while and enjoy it.
– Ends –

Wouldn’t it be great to hear more about top Irish sports stars who are competing for Ireland all across the Continent.

EuropeanIrish.com will feature any sport and all age groups too, if you are Irish and competing in Europe – you are just as important as the Irish Senior soccer team or Munster Rugby, or the Olympic Athletes.EuropeanIrish.com wants to hear from you all - simply visit http://www.europeanirish.com/ News and add the News story.

or maybe you are based in Europe and run a club or a member of one which features a number of irish players, - if you have a news story add it.The Irish in Europe would love to read about it.

2008 Athletics events across the Continent with Irish participation have been added today.

The Brand new website is going live his week.

we are currently tranfering the data from the existing site to the new one.

There are many  athletics events this year, chances than no matter what part of Europe you are based - Irish athletes will be competing nearby sometime this year.
These include events in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Russia, Estonia, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland and Belgium.
You can even start planning for 2009, with events in Russia, Italy, Lithuania, Serbia, Finland, Germany and Ireland all added already.

currently can be seen at

http://www.europeanirish.com/new/events.php

The first ever survey about Irish people in Europe is being conducted.

If You are Irish and are based in or moving to Continental Europe -

This short survey is for you!

Please forward this email to every Irish person you know living in Europe. 
It is really important for the Irish in Europe.
Please answer just a few short questions in 90 seconds or less Click the Link and answer the questions, thanks.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=c_2bbUKK6N36zUdjY5Fx1FKA_3d_3d

What are the best and hardest things about living in Europe ?
Why might you stay, why might you return?

This survey is specifically about you - Irish people living in Continental Europe.

If you know of any Irish person living anywhere in Continental Europe , please send this survey to him or her today.
If you know many Irish People living in Europe, please send this to them all. This very important survey about you and for you,  and is finishing this week. If you are Irish in Europe - now you can get your say. Click Here to take survey - Have You taken the survey yet? 

Thanks in Advance
Siasy Collins

The Hague, Netherlands, 8th December 2007

Killurin 3-13   1-10 County Europe
“Killurin, winners of the Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Championship defeated a brave ‘County Europe’  in the Historic Away Leinster Final  held in The Hague, The Netherlands on Saturday December 8th” reports Siasy Collins, Editor of EuropeanIrish.com.

There was no shortage of skill and clash of the ash on display, as Killurin and Europe played out a keenly contested close first half. Just a single point separated the sides at half time.
Played over the full hour, Europe team which although fit, had not played together as a competitive team before, and is used to playing the European Championship over shorter 2 20-minute halves.
The more experience of the Killurin club side from Offaly began to tell late in the second half. Having whipped to a 3 point lead 1-13 to 1-10 with a few minutes left in the match, they finished the stronger with 2 dynamite late goals, to an overall win 3-13 to Europe’s 1-10. Maastricht based Hurling referee was Tony Bass.

 “As the winners of the 2007 European Hurling Championship, Den Haag GAA Club of The Netherlands, one of the longest established and most successful GAA clubs on mainland Europe, were awarded the honour of hosting Killurin and Europe in this first ever match by a mainland Europe Hurling team in the Leinster Championship series.”, says Marie Sheehan, Den Haag GAA Club PRO. “County Europe team comprised hurlers from clubs in Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich and host club Den Haag.”

“European County Board (ECB) currently encompasses 27 clubs in 13 countries speaking 11 different languages with over 600 male and 170 female adult players, which is an increase of 28% on two years ago! The largest clubs in Europe being Paris, Luxembourg, Munich & The Hague but all still have less than 100 members each. “ stated Eileen Jennings, Chairperson of the ECB.

Killurin from Offaly were crowned Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Champions when they defeated Park Ratheniska from Laois on November 18th. On December 8th they added the first Away Leinster Special Junior Club Title to their honours.

www.EuropeanIrish.com

The Hague, Netherlands, 8th December 2007

Killurin 3-13   1-10 County Europe
“Killurin, winners of the Home Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Championship defeated a brave  “County Europe”  in the Historic Away Leinster Final held in The Hague, The Netherlands on Saturday December 8th” reports Siasy Collins, Editor of EuropeanIrish.com - the resource for Irish people living in Contiental Europe.

Hurling is one of Ireland’s two national sports, and is currently also played in Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubs across Continental Europe – in Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich, Den Haag, Maastricht, Amsterdam, Groningen,  Munich, Dusseldorf, Budapest, Vienna, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Knn Croatia and Llati Finland. Gaelic Football, Ireland’s other National Sport is also played in Sweden, Czech Republic and Portugal.

Played at lightening speed, hurling is similar to hockey, played on a sports field, and the players can pickup the ‘sliotar’ (ball) and strike it long distances with the hurley. With ‘H’ shaped goals, 3 points are awarded for a Goal under the crossbar, and 1 point for a score over the crossbar and between the posts. The match is played with 15 players per side, a standard club match lasting 60 minutes, played in 2 halves.

“As the winners of the 2007 European Hurling Championship, Den Haag GAA Club of The Netherlands, one of the longest established and most successful GAA clubs on mainland Europe, were awarded the honour of hosting Killurin and Europe in this first ever match by a mainland Europe Hurling team in the Leinster Championship series (Leinster is an Irish Province)”, says Marie Sheehan, Den Haag GAA Club PRO. “County Europe team comprised hurlers from clubs in Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich and host club Den Haag.”

There was no shortage of skill and clash of the ash on display, as Killurin and Europe played out a keenly contested close first half.
Just a single point separated the sides at half time.
Played over the full hour, Europe team which although fit, had not played together as a competitive team before, and is used to playing the European Championship over shorter 2 20-minute halves.
The more experience of the Killurin club side from Offaly began to tell late in the second half. Having whipped to a 3 point lead 1-13 to 1-10 with a few minutes left in the match, they finished the stronger with 2 dynamite late goals, to an overall win 3-13 to Europe’s 1-10. Maastricht based Hurling referee was Tony Bass.

“European County Board (ECB) currently encompasses 27 clubs in 13 countries speaking 11 different languages with over 600 male and 170 female adult players, which is an increase of 28% on two years ago! The largest clubs in Europe being Paris, Luxembourg, Munich & The Hague but all still have less than 100 members each.”  stated Eileen Jennings, Chairperson of the ECB.

Killurin from Offaly were crowned Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Champions when they defeated Park Ratheniska from Laois on November 18th. On December 8th they added the first Away Leinster Special Junior Club Title to their honours.

www.EuropeanIrish.com

(1) December 8 - Hurling - A First - Leinster Club winners take on European All Star
 
(2) December 8 - Ceiliuradh Le Cheile - Celebrate Together 19:00 - 04:00
 
(3) Monthly Events
 
(4) December 16 - Childrens Christmas Party Shillelagh Den Haag
 
(5) Message from our Italian Irish music lover
 
(6) CONTRACTOR FOR THE NEW STADIUM AT LANSDOWNE ROAD
 
(7) Cairdeas - an bronntana Nollag is fearr
 
(1). 
December 8 - Hurling - A First - Leinster Club winners take on European All Star

December 8 we www.denhaaggaa. com will be hosting, at the WRC, Westlands Rugby Club, Beresteinlaan 52, Den Haag the hurling match between Europe and the Leinster Junior Champions Killurin, Co. Offaly.

This is a historic occasion as it is the first time the winners of any GAA competition in Ireland will earn the right to take on the best in European hurling.  It promises to be a great game, certainly the highest standard of hurling ever to be played in the Netherlands since the County teams of Clare and Wexford played a game in Hurling Hockey Club in Amsterdam nearly 3 2 decades ago..
 
We expect a large number of supporters to come over from Ireland , so, let’s do all we can to get out a big home support as well.  I know we won’t get Croke Park figures but please show support for the efforts being made by European GAA to promote the best sport in the WORLD.Tony Bass European County Secretary will be the referee and well deserved considering the efforts and hours he has given to European GAA all codes. 

Special thanks to the Liam O’Neill and Sheamus Howlin, Leinster Council for allowing this to happen www.gaa.ie/leinster  .

Bring your family, friends and colleagues along to enjoy this unique occasion.

Bain taitneamh as!!

If you have a contact for a TV channel, newspaper or website, Dutch or Irish, send the details to Marie please.   mariesheehan@ yahoo.ie

(in Dutch )

Killurin, winnaars van het Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling kampioenschap in de finale tegen “County Europe” in Den Haag

Den Haag GAA club zal gastheer zijn voor de wedstrijd op 8 december 2007.

Den Haag, Nederland – 20 november, 2007 – De Den Haag Gaelic Athletic Association, kortweg GAA, is een van de oudste en succesvolste GAA clubs op het vaste land van Europa. Wij als club zijn er trots op dat wij gastheer mogen zijn van de finale van het Leinster Special Junior Club hurling kampioenschap, gespeeld door Killurin uit County Offaly, Ierland tegen ‘County Europe’.
 

Killurin uit Offaly werd Leinster Special Junior Club hurling kampioen door Park Ratheniska uit Laois te verslaan op 18 september jongst leden. Zij zullen naar Nederland af reizen om de finale tegen ‘County Europe’ - een team samengesteld van hurlers uit Brussel, Parijs, Luxemburg, Zurich en de gastclub Den Haag te spelen.
“Als winnaars van het Europees Hurling Kampioenschap 2007 zijn wij erg blij met het feit dat wij deze wedstrijd mogen organiseren. En wij verwelkomen Killurin bij onze club,” zegt Marie Sheehan, Den Haag GAA Club promotor. “2007 Is een zeer succesvol jaar geweest voor onze dames en heren

Directions to Westlandse Rugby Club Haaglanden (WRC):

Westlandse Rugby Club Haaglanden (WRC)

Beresteinlaan 52a (beside GONA)

Den Haag

www.wrc-haaglanden. nl
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Public transport: Tram 9 stop Beresteinlaan/ Melis Stokelaan & Bus 25 other end of Beresteinlaan by Lidl

By car:

From Amsterdam Direction (A4)

- Follow the A4 in the direction “Den Haag Zuid”

- Take exit number 12 “Den Haag Zuid (afrit 12)”

- Follow the road (it verves to the right) and continue straight

- When you come to the 4th set of traffic lights turn right onto Melis Stokelaan

- At the first ‘crossroads’ to left onto Beresteinlaan

- The rugby club, WRC-Haaglanden, is on your right hand side

From the Rotterdam Direction (A13)

- Follow the A13 in the direction Den Haag

- Take exit number 7 “Den Haag Zuid (afrit 7)”

- Go right in the direction “Den Haag Zuid A4 (E30)”

- Follow the direction A4 richting Den Haag Zuid (E30)

- Take exit number 12 “Den Haag Zuid (afrit 12)”

- Follow the road (it verves to the right) and continue straight

- When you come to the 4th set of traffic lights turn right onto Melis Stokelaan

- At the first ‘crossroads’ to left onto Beresteinlaan

- The rugby club, WRC-Haaglanden, is on your right hand side
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(2).
 
December 8 - Ceiliuradh Le Cheile - Celebrate Together 19:00 - 04:00

A GREAT FORMAL DINNER PARTY
WITH INFORMAL ATMOSPHERE !
SOUTH AMERICA MEETS IRELAND - CHICOLEO PART II
Strandweg 155, 2586 JM Scheveningen
(between the Pier and Carlton Beach Hotel)
Phone 070-3588642
Semi-Formal Attire

This event is organized by the Irish Club~Netherlands, Den Haag GFHC and Holland Ladies team as a celebration dinner for the winners on the day and also for the winning Leinster Junior Hurling Club (Killuren, Co. Offaly, Ireland) and as an end of season and Christmas party celebration for all the organizers after a very successful year of culture and sport.

Join in the ceol agus craic - An Oiche “Ceiliuradh Le Cheile”.

PROGRAM Saturday 8th of December 2007

19.00 hrs – RECEPTION
Welcome Cocktail (with or without alcohol).
On the tables you’ll find nachos and dips
Music:
Katie & Conor 
19.30 hrs BUFFET AI CARAMBA!
***
Presentations
***
Sean Kilkenny Irish Dancers
***
22.00 – 01.00 hrs Live Music with Band “Big Deal” a five piece cover band that have promised to get us all dancing. 

01.00 – 04.00 hrs DJ - Kutzai will help us make sawdust out of the dancefloor and keep us going until the wee wee hours of the morning. There will be a raffle and lots of spot prizes you’ll be delighted to know that all of this is included in the ticket price!

Contact: 06-20573678 to book your ticket NOW limited space 

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(3).
Monthly Events
(a). Contact Helen 070-3923273 if you would like to join this group.
Also, if you fancy going for a nice long walk any weekend please call Helen.

(b).  Ceadaoin 19/12/07
Beidh Teacht le Chéile le  caint agus craic as Gaeilge i ‘Murphy’s Law’ ó 8 i.n. go dtí 10 i.n.  Is cuma faoi do chumas teanga…tar chun do chúpla focail a úsáid agus b’fhéidir cúpla ceann eile a fhoghlam!!!!

Wednesday 19/12/07
There will be a Teacht le Chéile with chat and craic through Irish in ‘Murphy’s Law’ from 8pm until 10 pm.  Don’t worry about your language ability….come to use your few words and maybe learn a few more….

(Teacht le Chéile is the official name of the informal drink occasion, as Gaeilge, of the Irish Club~ Netherlands )
Maire Ni Shlatara (an muinteoir) mnishlatara@hotmail.com
Ait: Murphy’s Law, Dr. Kuyperstraat 11, Den Haag
(in aici le an Ambasáid na hÉireann chun Ríocht na hÍsiltíre)
irishclub_nederland@yahoo.co.uk

####
(4)
December 16 - Childrens Christmas Party Shillelagh Den Haag
Irish Club Netherlands
Children’s Christmas Party
14.00-17.00 hour’s
Sunday, 16th December

The Shillelaigh (Upstairs Functions Room), Javastraat 94, The Hague
Lots of fun and games
Entertainment: by the famous Zassie (clown) of course
Santa will be arriving as usual with bags full of presents
He needs to know your childs age, sex & name by  December 12th.
Please contact  Caroline macafici@planet. nl
070-4277123/ 06-24417780
or Eithne: 070-3657425

Members:   € 5.00                     Non-members: € 7.50

###################
(5)
Message from our Italian Irish music lover

Dear friends,

One of these days there will be a new Website where you can read more about the Irish, Italian and Dutch musicians and about the Irish dancers, who will play, sing and dance at our Music night on Saturday January 26, 2008, I will let you know when the Website is on line.

The tickets for this night will be available next week, starting on Tuesday November 27,in the Murphy’s Law, Dr. Kuyperstraat 7, 2514 BA  Den Haag, located between the Denneweg and the Koninginnegracht, right next to the Irish Embassy.

This nice Pub is closed on Sundays, but on all other days you can enjoy the cosy and relaxed atmosphere and all the good wines, beers, single malt whisky and much more, and every Monday night starting around 2100H,they have very nice jazz-jam sessions.

So if you would like to join our next Music night in January, this is the place where you can find your tickets, for those of you who live out of town, please send over 30 Euro p.p. to; A.J.G. Bruti  Gondelstraat 53     2586 ER  Den Haag  ING banknr. 67 53 16 928, with your name and address, and please mention; Contribution Music night. And I will send over your tickets by post.

In order to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for all of us that night, there will be a limited number of tickets available, so please get your tickets in time, and join us in the Church, where we will have many hours of pure music, pure food, and where good wine and beer will be available.
For those of you who didn’t receive my first email, for whatever reason, please let me know and I will send it again, for now all the best.

Sandro
##########

(6)
CONTRACTOR FOR THE NEW STADIUM AT LANSDOWNE ROAD

22/11/2007

SISK APPOINTED MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR THE NEW STADIUM AT LANSDOWNE ROAD

Sisk, Ireland’s largest construction company, has been appointed main contractor on the New Stadium at Lansdowne Road .  Sisk, who won the contract following a public procurement tendering process, will have overall responsibility for the construction of the stadium, which is scheduled to see its first action in 2010.  Sisk is currently mobilising on site.

The contract with the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC) was formally signed earlier today, 22 November, 2007, in the presence of Mr Seamus Brennan T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.  The New Stadium is a joint venture between the IRFU and the FAI with the Government providing €191 million towards the cost. 

Work on the construction of the new stadium began in May of this year with the awarding of both the demolition and sub structure contracts.  Demolition of the old stadium was  completed over the August bank holiday weekend with the demolition of the old West Stand. 

Work on the sub structure commenced in tandem with the demolition programme.  A key element in the new stadium, the construction of a podium over the DART line, was completed over the October bank holiday.  Along with the construction of the podium a major new underpass under the railway line was also completed over that weekend. 

Currently the sub structure programme is well advanced.  This has included the construction of a basement under the East Stand and work on a new underground car park under the back pitch. 

Sisk will have complete control over all of the various construction contracts in relation to the stadium including the structural steel, the cladding, the installation of the pitch etc.  In order to meet the LRSDC deadline of matches being played in the new stadium in 2010 many of these contracts were initially awarded independently.

Speaking on behalf of Sisk Mr Tom Costello, the Sisk director in charge of the project, said that Sisk was delighted to have won the contract given the fact that it has already been responsible for the construction of Croke Park .  “We believe we have a unique insight into what is required in the construction of a major sporting venue such as this.  We fully realise that Lansdowne is quite a different stadium than Croke Park but many of the challenges are the same.  We are really excited to have the opportunity to deliver what is another essential piece of Ireland ’s sporting infrastructure”.

Speaking on behalf of LRSDC Mr Philip Browne, chairman of the company, said that he was “delighted with the progress on the stadium to date. The work continues to be on schedule and that is essential.  I think everyone connected with sport in Ireland admires Croke Park .  It really is a fantastic stadium and I think everyone acknowledges that Sisk did a wonderful job there.  We are looking forward to having them on board and to seeing the new stadium rise out of the ground”.

On completion the new stadium at Lansdowne Road will have an all seated capacity of 50,000.  The new stadium will consist of a continuous curvilinear shaped stand enclosing all four sides of the ground.  The South, East and West Stands will have four tiers of seating for spectators.  The second tier will provide facilities for premium ticket holders while the third tier will provide facilities for corporate boxes.  The North Stand will comprise of one low level seating tier to reflect its proximity to the residential properties at that end of the ground.

Note on Sisk:

Sisk are Ireland ’s largest and longest established construction firm having been established in 1859 and currently employing 1500. A private, family owned enterprise, the company will be celebrating its 150 years in business in 2009.  The company has been synonymous with construction in Ireland having delivered such well known landmarks down the years as Cavan and Galway Cathedrals, Cork City Hall, Irish Life Mall, and more recently Croke Park, Dundrum Town Centre, Cork School of Music and the recently opened Ritz Carlton Hotel at Powerscourt.  Sisk are also currently constructing the new Convention Centre, Grand Canal Square, and major pharmaceutical facilities for Johnson & Johnson at Centocor and Cordis.  Sisk have seven offices countrywide located in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Waterford and Dundalk and have built a reputation for delivering complex projects, utilising latest construction innovations and managing within predetermined ! budgets and schedules. Sisk are focused on the following construction sectors Commercial, Retail, Pharmaceutical, Residential, Civil Engineering, Healthcare, Hotels & Leisure, Industrial and Social Infrastructure.  Sisk were recent recipients of the NISO Overall Construction safety Award for 2007.

*SEE OUR MEDIA GALLERY AT WWW.LRSDC.IE FOR THE LATEST PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE NEW STADIUM*
Regards,
Claire Seale

LRSDC

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Cairdeas - an bronntana Nollag is fearr

Friendship - the best Christmas gift of all  Cairdeas - an bronntana Nollag is fearr

Sonas agus siochain faoi Nollaig

From Irish Club~ Netherlands Board

Do you think that Gaelic Games should be an Olympic Sport.

Gaelic Football and Hurling are now played in  Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic,  Guernsey island, Jersey Island, Hungary, Croatia.

Add in the Asian Gaelic Games, Gaelic Games in Australia, Canada, UK, USA and you find gaelic football and hurling growing in global profile.

http://europeanirish.com

Gaelic Games as an Olympic Sport ?

30th November 2007
At the GAA European County Board Convention, being held in Budapest Hungary on 1st and 2nd December 2007, wording is being agreed to submit a motion to Ireland’s Annual GAA Congress to ‘pursue the recognition of Gaelic Games as an Olympic Sport’.

The motion being submitted by the European County Board looks to establish an International Gaelic Games Federation. This Federation would drive the development of Hurling, Gaelic Football and Camogie across the globe. It would look for recognition as a sport from official authorities in countries where Gaelic Games are played, and pursue the recognition of Gaelic Games as an Olympic Sport.

“This is just one of more than 75 Motions being discussed this weekend at the County convention of the European GAA County Board.” reports Siasy Collins editor of EuropeanIrish.com.

ECB Secretary Tony Bass of Maastricht Gaels explained that “Almost 30 clubs and one national federation …, over 600 men and 200 women played Gaelic Games on European soil during the year”

Chairperson of the ECB Eileen Jennings (Paris Gaels) is delighted “to welcome Helen O’Rourke (Ladies Football Association), Pat Toner (GAA Overseas Committee) and GAA club development personnel Con Hogan, Pat Fitzgerald and Kieran Leddy from Ireland and all European Club delegates to the 2007 ECB convention”
Delegates from every club arrive in Budapest Hungary for the weekend which comprises of a GAA Club Development Training Seminar, a Games Workshop, and the ECB Convention.

Follow a morning Training Seminar, the Convention opens at 16:30 on Saturday 1st December, with reports from the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The election of 2008 officers and voting on ECB Motions continues on Sunday from 10:00.

European County Board (ECB) is an official Gaelic Athletics Association County, under Croke Park (Dublin, Ireland) and the Leinster Council, similar to Kilkenny County Board or Dublin County Board.
In fact, Killurin from Offaly ,  Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Champions  travel to The Netherlands next weekend December 8th and will take on County Europe – a team comprising hurlers from Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich and host club Den Haag, in the away final of the Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Championship.

Read More on European GAA at www.EuropeanIrish.com

EP News

Plenary Session ( Brussels )

28-29 November 2007

How to combine social security for employees and flexibility for employers?

On Wednesday, the European Parliament will vote on a report by Danish MEP Ole Christensen which comments on the European Commission’s recent Communication on ‘More and better jobs through flexibility and security’.  On behalf of the Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee, Mr Christensen’s report highlights the need for a well-educated and adaptable workforce in the EU. The report agrees that ‘flexibility can be in the interests of the employee as well as the employer’, but it emphasises that the policy of ‘flexicurity’ (a combination of labour market flexibility and social security for the employee) ’should be based on common values that underpin the European Social Model’.  MEPs call on EU Heads of State and Government at the next summit meeting of the European Council (December 2007) to “adopt a balanced set of common principles of flexicurity”, which would include “core rights for all workers regardless of their employment status”, adaptable but reliable contracts coupled with action against abusive labour practices, measures to reconcile work and private life, gender equality and equal opportunities.

Irish MEPs on this issue: Marian Harkin ( Ind. - North West ); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South); Mary Lou McDonald (SF - Dublin ); Proinsias De Rossa (Labour - Dublin ) 

Quality of tourism in the EU

Italian MEP Paolo Costa has drafted a report on behalf of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, which looks at tourism in the EU and the drawbacks associated with EU Member States interpreting the classification of accommodation for example (number of stars, etc.) differently.  The report argues that this and other difficulties have hampered growth in tourism across the EU.  MEPs claim that an EU-wide classification should be introduced with a standard EC quality mark.  The importance of accessibility for all is emphasised in the report, not only for accommodation, but also for museums, restaurants, etc.  Procedures relating to the issuing of visas to non-EU tourists are also dealt with in the report, although the recommendations focus primarily on the Schengen Member States. 

Irish MEPs on this issue: Liam Aylward (FF - East); Jim Higgins (FG - North West ); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South);

The EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights

This week’s Plenary Session in Brussels will begin on Wednesday with a debate about the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, to which the European Parliament has been asked to give its approval.  This Charter sets out the rights to which EU citizens are entitled and aims to ensure that in all of its activities, the EU institutions respect those rights.  The Charter will also apply in the EU’s Member States when EU law is being implemented.  Jo Leinen MEP, Chairperson of the Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee will recommend on Wednesday that the Parliament approves the Charter. 

Irish MEPs on this issue: Proinsias De Rossa (Labour - Dublin ); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South); Seán Ó Neachtain (FF - North West ); Marian Harkin ( Ind. - North West );

In addition:

The Future of Europe

Brian Crowley (FF - South), Mary Lou McDonald (SF - Dublin ); Proinsias De Rossa (Labour - Dublin ) and Gay Mitchell (FG - Dublin ) will participate in the debate on the Future of Europe with the Prime Minister of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.  Marian Harkin ( Ind. - North West ) will also ask the Council of the EU about a consolidated text (one easy-to-read text) for the new Treaty.

Economic Partnership Agreements with the 78 ACP countries

Eoin Ryan (FF - Dublin) and Gay Mitchell (FG - Dublin) will speak during the discussion which will follow the European Commission’s statement on progress relating to the new Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) currently being negotiated with 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.  The current agreements are due to expire at the end of this year.

Agricultural development and food security in Africa

Gay Mitchell (FG - Dublin ) and Kathy Sinnott ( Ind. - South) will participate in the debate on the European Parliament’s resolution on advancing African agriculture.

Railways

Jim Higgins (FG - North West ), Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South) and Bairbre De Brún (SF - Northern Ireland ) will speak during the debate on three reports dealing with the railway network in the EU.  The measures are aimed at revitalising the network by removing the obstacles to the free circulation of trains throughout the EU.

Court of Auditors

Mairéad McGuinness (FG - East) and Gay Mitchell (FG - Dublin ) will speak following the presentation of the Court of Auditors’ Annual Report for 2006.

Humanitarian Aid

Kathy Sinnott ( Ind. - South) and Gay Mitchell (FG - Dublin ) spoke during the debate on humanitarian aid which took place in Strasbourg earlier this month.  MEPs will vote on a resolution on this issue on Thursday.

Trade and Climate Change

Kathy Sinnott ( Ind. - South) and Bairbre De Brún (SF - Northern Ireland ) will participate in the debate on the role of trade policy in climate change.

Individual MEPs:

·         Avril Doyle (FG - East) will deliver a speech to the European Landowners Organisation on the links between climate change and biodiversity; she will also participate in a meeting of the Parliament’s working group on Islam.

·         Kathy Sinnott ( Ind. - South) will speak about the following issues which will be on the Agenda of this week’s Plenary Session - GM food and feed; medicinal products for human use; residue levels of pesticides in food or feed; export and import of dangerous chemicals.

·         Mairéad McGuinness (FG - East) will participate in the Agriculture Committee’s hearing on the CAP Health Check on Tuesday.

·         Mary Lou McDonald (SF - Dublin ) will participate in the debate on the forthcoming constitutional referendum in Venezuela .

5-Dec Luxembourg Fil Campbell Luxembourg Folk Club

Fil is on the team at Newry’s new radio station FIVE FM.
Listen online or live at 8.30pm every Thursday night to “The Lough To The Glen”, Five FM’s weekly arts programme with Fil and guests.

EuropeanIrish Radio & TV

http://www.europeanirish.com/Radio/index.html

Last weekend in Maastricht, Gaelic football clubs from across the continent sent their coaches to Maastricht, for a coaching couse targeted at those who would like to introduce those interested in bringing gaelic football into schools. The principal objective is to qualify coaches to teach 8-12 y.o’s.

From Dublin 2 top tutors from the gaelic games in Ireland, new Hurling Development manager with Dublin, selector on their senior team, former Dublin hurling goalkeeper and one of the first full-time coaches in the GAA - Damian Byrne.

The 2nd coach Ken Fitzgerald is also a full-time coach, with both a leading Dublin Club football side, and a third level Colleges Football team.

The course had both a theory and a practical skills session.

This is the 2nd recent Coaching course in Continental Europe, one in October was held in Brittany France for the Gaelic Football Clubs that play in that championship.

Chris de Burgh will be doing a limited number of shows in 2008,
initially in Eastern and Western Europe.

Details to be announced soon!

http://europeanirish.com/Music/irishbandsontour.html

Maastricht Gaels, supported by the ECB, will host a foundation level football coaching course with two coach tutors from Dublin on Saturday, November 24th, between 10:00 & 17:30.

The couse is targeted at those who would like to introduce those interested in bringing gaelic football into schools etc. The principal objective is to qualify coaches to teach 8-12 y.o’s.

Both coaches are qualified tutors.
Damian Byrne is a former Dublin hurling goalkeeper and one of the first full-time coaches in the GAA. He was recently appointed Hurling Development Manager for Dublin and is currently a senior county team selector.
Ken Fitzgerald is full-time coach with a leading Dublin club and coach of a third level (DLIADT) college football team.

The course will be broken into a theory session in the morning and a practical skills session in the afternoon. A light lunch (soup/sandwiches) will be available. Copies of the slides etc will be made available. Participants should wear a tracksuit and bring football boots.

Please let Tony Bass (Secretary ECB) know as soon as possible if your club has anyone interested in attending.
Or indeed if you wish to introduce Gaelic Football or Hurling to a new area in Europe. Contact Tony at maastricht GAA club - details here:

http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA/gaaclubs.html