Connect with us

News

Minister launches new €3m research project in Killorglin

Published

on

ANNOUNCEMENT: Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD was at Fexco Headquarters in Killorglin to launch FINTECHNEXT. From left: Dr Ciar‡n Seoighe (Deputy Director General, Science Foundation Ireland), Denis McCarthy (CEO Fexco) and Professor John O'Halloran (Deputy President UCC). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD was in Killorglin on Friday last to launch FINTECHNEXT – a new €3 million research project which will run for four years from 2019 to 2022.

The project is a financial technology (fintech) research collaboration between technology company FexcoUniversity College Cork (UCC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).

The €3 million investment in the project will be provided by Science Foundation Ireland and Fexco in equal parts, with critical knowledge and expertise provided by researchers at the Cork University Business School (CUBS) within UCC.

The collaboration will see a team of 12 newly appointed researchers led by UCC, partner with Fexco in the delivery of applied and funded research dedicated to disrupting three key fintech verticals; Treasury and FX, Digital Taxation, and Corporate Asset Administration.

The research team will be co-located between Fexco Headquarters, where the company already employs over 1,000 of its global 2,300 strong workforce, and UCC. This collaboration, led by Professor Philip O’Reilly of CUBS, aims to stimulate the joint development of innovative solutions that will put Ireland on the world map as a fintech innovation hub. In July 2018, Fexco announced plans to recruit 175 additional high-skill staff to expand its research, development and information technology capabilities.

“Investment in research is key to developing and delivering the next generation of products, services and innovations that will disrupt the fintech sector, an industry that has been critical to the continued growth and development of the south west of Ireland and of Fexco,” Denis McCarthy, CEO Fexco, said.

“Fexco will enjoy a dual benefit from this project, the first is the opportunity to be at the forefront of identifying new trends and technologies that could create new markets for our business and the second in welcoming a team of world-renowned research experts to the organisation. Fexco’s staff, including myself, stand to learn a huge amount from them, and I want to wish all of the partners in FINTECHNEXT every success.”

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement

News

Carols by Candlelight

    St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be filled with music and glowing candles, as choirs from all over Killarney Parish gather for a community of voices together to celebrate Christmas […]

Published

on

0269131_St_Olivers___Sem_Trad.jpg

 

 

St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be filled with music and glowing candles, as choirs from all over Killarney Parish gather for a community of voices together to celebrate Christmas 2023, December17, at 7.00pm. Admission is free.

Ten Choirs from Killarney parish will join together and sing some of the world’s most beloved Christmas carols.
The carol service is directed by accomplished Musician and Choral Director, Paula Gleeson. Originally from Cork, her family have been involved in all aspects of choral and church music for 50 years.

“This is the best experience as director, working with Fr. Kieran O’Brien, and St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir, I get to work with so many talented people in Killarney. The commitment of Teachers, Principals, and the hundreds of students from the Primary and Secondary Schools is inspiring. The generosity of our sponsors, who were so willing to contribute has helped to make this night a reality. We are all so truly grateful,” she said.

Choirs include:
St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish Choir, organist Anita Lakner
Holy Cross Mercy School Choir
St. Oliver’s Primary School Choir
St. Brigid’s Secondary School Choir
St. Brendan’s Secondary School Choir
Killarney Harmonisers
Killarney Community College School Choir
Lissivigeen National School Choir
Gaelscoil Faithleann School Choir
Presentation Monastery School Choir

Continue Reading

News

The same but different – A tribute to three great Irish musicians

Published

on

Driving home from work last Friday, tributes for Shane McGowan were pouring out across the radio stations and while listening in, I got a strong sense of déjà vu.

It was only a few months earlier that we got the sad news that the talented Aslan front man Christy Dingham had passed away, and a short few weeks after that – Sinéad O’Connor.  The loss of three iconic Irish musicians that left music fans across the country reeling.

When I think about each artist individually, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Yet, for days after the passing of the Pogues frontman, I found myself wondering why I was so drawn to all three.

And then, over the weekend I stumbled across a completely unrelated article which led with a headline:

“In a year dominated by artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and disingenuity, “authentic” has somehow emerged as Merriam-Webster’s word for 2023.”

And there was my answer. The one characteristic that embodied all three of these great Irish musicians.

It was my mother that first introduced me to Aslan’s music. She grew up during their peak and loved all sorts of rock music. I regularly watch their Vicar Street performances back on YouTube and still get mesmerised by Christy’s intense stage presence. Using elaborate hand gestures to evoke a greater meaning behind the words, he always looked like he was away in his own world. Off stage, and particularly later in his career, I admired him for his honesty when talking about his struggles with addiction and mental health. He was talking openly about these issues long before it was the norm.

Sinéad O’Connor was another original soul who, because of her talent, was catapulted into a music industry consumed by artificiality; she was almost too pure for it all. I always admired her unwavering commitment to her beliefs. Her authenticity was evident in every aspect of her artistry. The way she unapologetically embraced her shaved head and boy-ish style, she challenged conventional opinions around beauty. Her music reflected her personal struggles and she never shied away from addressing issues of social injustice, religion, and gender equality. Her stances often drew criticism and controversy, but she always remained true to herself.

Shane MacGowan will always be remembered for his unfiltered nature, and while the lyrics of many songs were dark and gritty, there was also an element of empathy and compassion in what he wrote. Like Christy, he too struggled with addiction and mental health issues throughout his career. While his demons sometimes spilled over into the public eye, his honesty and vulnerability just endeared him even more to us Irish.

So isn’t it apt in a year we lost three great musicians, the word of 2023 happens to be the one undeniable trait that they all shared. Thank you Christy, Sinead and Shane for showing us that authenticity is not just about being different to everyone else; but also about possessing the courage to challenge the established, to question the norms, and to keep going, even when the going gets tough.

Attachments

  • 14 (329 kB)
Continue Reading

Last News

Sport