Lets be smarter and greener says Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Emer Costello

bDublin’s Lord Mayor Emer Costello today called for the creation of a smart green city economy. Speaking at the annual Spirit of Ireland Awards in San Jose California she said : “Today we face significant challenges in terms of the economy and public services. But these challenges are also opportunities. The challenges of today can help us rethink the way in which we run our societies and our communities. We can “green” our communities and public services thus achieving efficiency, reducing cost but also securing a more sustainable future where our footprint on this planet is more in harmony with the needs of our delicate planet eco-systems.
We can be “ smarter” in how we apply technology in business, in public services, in the home, the school, the hospital and community. By being smart in how we do things we can be more efficient , pool expertise and knowledge, and create more time in a busy world for people to be with family and one another.By being smart in this sense we can improve the quality of our lives.”

The Spirit of Ireland Award went to Bob Hennessey of Co. Tipperary for his work over the last three decades in his adopted USA. Bob has worked tirelessly to promote conservation while at the same time create jobs, provide education and secure futures for thousands of high school dropouts. The Lord Mayor as Guest of honour at the event delivered the keynote speech. In her words she acknowledged the key role played by innovators such as John Harnett of the Irish Technology Leadership Group. She welcomed the establishment of an Irish Innovation Centre in San Jose which provides a gateway for new creative Irish companies to enter the Amercian and Silicon Valley markets.


Over the last few days the Lord Mayor has led a mission of civic and business leaders to develop opportunities for co-operation around the smart green economy and the cultural industries. The visit comes against the background of Oscar nominations for three Irish companies in the creative field of animated film. The Lord Mayor told some 400 business and Irish community leaders at the Awards that future economic and social progress lies in innovative colloboration between major cities around the globe. She remarked “The economic co-operation that has existed between our two countries has shaped the economic well being of both. Over the last 24 years your companies have created hundreds of thosuands of jobs in Ireland. When people work together it is a two way street and today we are proud of the fact that Irish entrpreneurs here in Silicon valley have helped create some 90,000 jobs here.”

San Jose is the 10 largest city in America and is the capital of California’s Silicon valley. The city has pioneered partnership agreements with companies in the clean tech and smart business areas allowing them to testbed their products within the city infrastructure. Dublin has just entered into similar agreements with companies in Dublin . The objective is to provide a practical problem focused opportunity within which new products and services can be developed and tested. These products help create jobs locally and provide global commercial opportunities.

St. Patrick's Festival - 17.3.10 022

International Women's Day - DCC Events

International Women’s Day, 8th March, is a global day of celebration where women from all countries and of different political, economic, social, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds
can join together to reflect on the struggle for equality over the past century, celebrate the achievements to date and identify the challenges for the future.
In July 2007 the Members of Dublin City Council unanimously passed a motion agreeing to initiate a City Council programme of activities each year to “promote women’s participation in the political, economic and social life of Dublin City” . An all-party steering committee was established to develop an annual programme from 2008.
This year’s impressive and exciting programme of events builds on the success of the previous two years. The Dublin City Council International Women’s Day Programme is now firmly embedded in the annual calendar of the City.
I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the extensive programme of events for 2010, the Members of the IWD Working Group, Dublin City Council staff from Dublin City Libraries, Community Development and City Manager’s Departments for their ongoing support and commitment to this project.

Download International Women's Day Programme

Bohemian Football Club Honoured by Lord Mayor

Let your Tiger loose this Valentines Day at the Dublin Chinese New Years Festival Carnival

Dublin’s Chinese New Year Festival Carnival takes place in Wolfe Tone Park, Jervis St, between 12 noon and 7pm on Sunday 14th of February. This year’s Chinese New Year marks the Year of the Tiger and coincides with Valentine’s Day.

This vibrant carnival is a highlight of the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival (DCNYF) which runs from 12 to 21st February. Some of the Carnival attractions include:

Shanghai University dance troupe perform Chinese ribbon and sword dances
Chinese dragon and lion dances
Tai chi and martial arts displays
Sample a little bit of China at food and craft stalls, or even better, take part in the festival’s interactive art workshops
Ferris wheel and entertainment

Dublin’s Lord Mayor Emer Costello says “The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival Carnival is a great opportunity for the many Chinese people living in Dublin to showcase their unique and special culture and to celebrate their welcome place in Dublin society.”

Amy- Yin Zhang of DCNYF says “New Year is the most important festival for over 1 ¼ billion Chinese people all over the world. The Dublin carnival celebrates not just the fact that we are Chinese but also that we live here in Dublin and want to share our culture with other Dubliners. Zhong Guo Nian!’



ENDS



Notes to Editor:

Dublin Chinese Festival New Year’s Carnival is presented by Dublin City Council in association with Vodafone Ireland

Other festival highlights include:

Sino-Celtic Love – a century of fashion: 6th to 21st February, Treasury Holdings Building
Telling Images of China: 12th February to 2nd May Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle
A Dubliner’s Collection of Asian Art, National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
Gallery of Photography Exhibition: Reading the Self, Reading the Others , 14th to 20th February
Reading the Self, Reading the Others: 14th to 20th February, 15-19 Essex Street West, Temple Bar (Photography exhibition and cross community conversation)