Church services

Armagh - St Patrick ’ s Church of Ireland -- Sunday services at 10am ( Holy Communion ) , 11am ( Sung Eucharist ) and 3:15pm ( Choral Evensong ) .
Mon to Sat at 9:30am ( Said Matins ) and 12:30pm ( 1st Wednesday of every month ) .
Opening times for visitors are 9am to 4pm ( Nov-March ) and until 5pm ( April-Oct ) .
Group tours must be pre-arranged with the Cathedral Steward .
You will be most welcome to join us at any of our Sunday or daily services or just to spend time either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful architecture .
The Very Rev Gregory Dunstan , Dean of St Patrick ’ s Church of Ireland Cathedral , Armagh City -Further information is available by , visiting : www.stpatricks-cathedral.org Belfast Cathedral ( St Anne ’ s ) Eucharist at 8am , 10am and 11am and Choral Evensong at 3.30pm .
The cathedral is open for private prayer from 8am-6pm on Monday to Saturday and from 8am-4pm .
on Sunday .
There will always be a quiet area available .
The cathedral is open for cultural visits on Monday to Saturday from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and from 1pm-3pm on Sundays .
( It will be closed to visitors during services ) .
People of all traditions and all faiths are welcome to join us , Dean Stephen Forde .
Visit : www.belfastcathedral.org Christ Church Cathedral , Dublin City -- Eucharist at 11am and Choral Evensong at 3:30pm .
Weekday services at 10am ( morning prayer ) 12 midday ( Peace Prayers ) and 12:45pm ( Eucharist ) .
On Monday and Friday at 5pm , there is a Said Evening Prayer .
During term time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturdays and Choral Evensong at 6pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays .
Sung service times may vary , especially out of cathedral choir terms .
Visit christchurchcathedral.ie for further information and for visiting times .
A warm welcome awaits you , The Very Revd Dermot Dunne , Dean of Christ Church Cathedral .
Cork City ( St Finn Barre ’ s ) Sunday Services are at 8am ( Said Eucharist ) , 11:15am ( Choral Eucharist ) and 3:30pm ( Choral Evensong ) .
Weekday and Saturday Services are at 10am ( Morning Prayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Evening Prayer is at 5:15pm from Tuesday to Thursday and on Friday there is a Coral Evensong at 6:15pm .
The Cathedral is also open to visitors from 9:30am to 5:30pm from Monday to Saturday and outside of service times on Sundays .
Very Rev .
Nigel Dunne ( Dean of Cork ) .
For more information , visit : https : //corkcathedral.webs.com/ Derry/Londonderry ( Saint Columb ’ s Cathedral ) Services are at 8am ( Holy Communion ) 11am ( Cahoral Eucharist on 1st and 3rd Sundays , and Coral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Choral Evensong ) .
The Daily Office is said at 10.30am Mon , Wed , Thur and Fri ( The Litany ) in The Baptistery .
The Eucharist is celebrated on Tuesday at 10.30am in The Bishop William Alexander Chapel .
( For any changes to our regular services , please check the magazine online ) .
www.stcolumbscathedral.org The cathedral is widely recognised locally , nationally and internationally for its active promotion of ecumenical and bridge-building activities .
This role is reflected in the regard in which the building is held as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all sections of the community .
The Very Reverend Raymond Stewart , Dean Downpatrick -Down Cathedral -Sundays at 11:30am and Thursdays at 10am with Holy Communion .
You are very welcome to visit Down Cathedral .
Monday to Saturday , between 9.30am and 4pm .
It is situated within a short walk from Downpatrick town centre and is adjacent to The Saint Patrick Centre .
Down Cathedral is first and foremost a place for prayer and worship , not only for the local congregation and people of the Church of Ireland Diocese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and beyond who cherish the faith of Patrick .
It is in effect a house of prayer for all nations .
VISIT downcathedral.org for further information Enniskillen -St Macartin ’ s Cathedral -- Services are at 9am ( Holy Communion ) 11am ( Holy Communion on first and third Sundays , Morning Prayer on second and fifth Sundays , and Morning Prayer/Family Service on fourth Sundays ) .
Evening service at 7pm ( Evening Prayer on first , second third Sundays and Holy Communion on fourth Sundays and a Celebration of Wholeness and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services are at 11am on Thursdays ( Holy Communion ) and other services are as announced .
Visitors are welcome outside of service times , and admission is free -you will be most welcome .
The Very Rev Kenneth R J Hall , Dean of St. Macartins Cathedral .
For further information , visit www.enniskillencathedral.com Ferns , Co Wexford ( St Edan ’ s Cathedral ) Services are at 10am each Sunday and Wednesday morning .
On the third Sunday of each month we begin at 10:30am ( Family Eucharist ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will be most welcome .
The Very Revd Leslie Forrest ; Rector and Dean .
Tel : 053 9366 124 National Cathedral of Saint Patrick , Dublin THE THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE LENT - 9.15 EUCHARIST said in the Lady Chapel .
11.15 CHORAL MATINS sung by the Cathedral Choir Responses : Sumsion , Sumsion in G , Psalm:46 vv1-7 , Elgar : O hearken thou , Preacher : The Revd .
P.A .
Harvey , M.A .
Carney , Prebendary of Stagonil .
12.15 EUCHARIST said in the Lady Chapel .
15.15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Responses : Sumsion , Sumsion in G , Psalm:47 , Stanford : A song of Wisdom , Preacher : The Revd .
P.A .
Harvey , M.A .
Carney , Prebendary of Stagonil .
16.30 SEIRBHS NA NNA said in the Lady Chapel .
MATINS is sung at 9.00 and EVENSONG at 17.30 Monday to Friday .
EUCHARIST is said at 11.05 on Wednesday , Thursday and Saturday .
For further information visit www.stpatrickscathedral.ie or telephone 01 453 9472 .
All Saints Church , Belfast is located on University Street ( near to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 11am and 7:30pm .
We are proud to be hosting UniChurch Belfast every Sunday evening .
This is a new initiative that has a more relaxed feel and contemporary style .
Join them for coffee at 7:15pm with the church service starting at 7.30pm.You will be most welcome .
Rev Trevor Johnston .
Visit www.ascbelfast.com All Saints Church , Dublin -Eucharistic Service is at 9am and 10am each Sunday .
On the 4th Sunday of each month there is a Family Service at 10am .
Wednesdays at 10am ( Eucharistic Service ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2nd Sunday of each month ( Wholeness and Healing Service ) .
We are located on the Howth Road , next to Raheny Village , Dublin 5 .
All Welcome .
Rev .
Norman McCausland .
Visit http : //allsaintsraheny.org for more information Bangor Parish Church Traditional Service at 10am and Contemporary Service at 11:30am ; with refreshments served between each service .
We are located at the junction of Hamilton Road and Castle Street , Bangor , Co. Down .
For more information , visit : bangorparishchurch.org.uk Church of St John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , West , Clontarf , Dublin 3 .
Sunday 12th January at 8:30am ( Holy Communion ) and 10:30am ( Morning Prayer ) and Sunday Club in the Parish Centre .
Wednesday morning services take place in the Parish Centre at 10:30am .
All are welcome to join us for tea and coffee after 10:30am services .
Revd Lesley Robinson .
Visit : clontarf.dublin.anglican.org/ Church of St John the Evangelist -Sunday Service is at 11:30am and all are welcome .
We are located at Coolock , Dublin 5 , between the Oscar Traynor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Odeon Cinema .
Rector : Rev .
Norman McCausland .
Further details are found at www.coolock.dublin.anglican.org Howth , Co Dublin ( St Mary ’ s Parish ) Sundays at 9:30am ( Morning Prayer ) and 11am ( Holy Communion ) .
Family Service at 11am on 2nd Sunday of each month and Family Communion Service at 11am on 4th Sunday -this service has a Sunday Special group for young children during school term time .
Midweek Service on Wednesdays at 10:30am .
We look forward to seeing you , Canon Kevin Brew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immanuel Church , Dublin City , meets every Sunday at 11am in the Irish Church Missions building , 28 Bachelors Walk , Dublin 1 .
We extend a warm welcome to people from every race and nation and background .
Pastor Kieron Lynch .
For more details , visit : www.immanuelchurchdublin.org Kill O The Grange , Dublin we are an evangelical church , belonging to the Church of Ireland , and rooted in the community .
We aim to make worship , learning from the Bible , mission and being open to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life together .
Services are on Sundays at 8:30am ( Holy Communion ) and 10:30am ( All Age Service ) .
Wednesdays at 10:30am ( Holy Communion Service ) .
Visit http : //kotg.ie to find out more .
Rev .
Alan Breen , Rector Killarney ( St Marys -Church of the Sloes ) 11am at Kenmare Place , Killarney , Co. Kerry .
Family Service is on the first Sunday of the month , and Parish Communion on all other Sundays.. All are Welcome .
Visit : http : //churchofthesloes.ie/ St James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wicklow -Morning Worship at 11am .
Rector , Trevor Stevenson .
We aspire to be a blessing to the community in which we live , and we hope to grow as followers of Jesus .
We are located on the old Dublin Road half way between Bray and Shankill .
For more information , visit : www.crinken.ie Whitechurch Parish 8.00 a.m. , Holy Communion .
10.30 a.m. , Holy Communion .
*Sunday Club .
11.30 a.m. , Healer Prayer Union .
7.00 p.m. , A Late Evening Office .
Christ Church , Sandymount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Sandymount Green , Dublin 4 -all welcome .
Reverend K P Meyer Galway City -United Methodist and Presbyterian Church is located at Victoria Place ; just off Eyre Square and next to the Victoria Hotel .
We meet at 11:30am and all Welcome .
For further details , visit our website : http : //unitedchurchgalway.ie KELLS Bective Street , Kells , Co. Meath .
Morning worship 10.30am led by Mr. Theo Douglas .
Visitors are very welcome .
Tea/coffee served after the Service in the Church hall .
Limerick City -United Presbyterian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lynch .
All welcome .
We are located at 51 O Connell Street , Limerick City ; and known locally as Christ Church Belfast Central Mission , Sandy Row Sunday Service at 11am -Rev J Parke .
For further information , visit : belfastcentralmission.org or our Facebook page : facebook.com/SandyRowMethodistChurch Christ Church , Sandymount -United Presbyterian and Methodist Church .
11am at Sandymount Green , Dublin 4 -all welcome .
Reverend K P Meyer Dublin Central Mission , Abbey Street Sunday Service at 11am and weekly healing services at 1:05pm on Wednesdays .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dun Laoghaire , Co Dublin The Methodist Church , Northumberland Avenue , Dun Laoghaire .
Sunday Service 11am .
All Welcome .
For further details www.dlmc.org Dundrum Methodist Church Services at 10am ( Worship Service ) and 11.30am ( Contemporary Service ) .
There is one service at 11am on the first Sunday of the month .
All are welcome , Rev .
Stephen Taylor .
For more information , visit dundrummethodist.com Galway City -United Methodist and Presbyterian Church is located at Victoria Place ; just off Eyre Square and next to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all Welcome .
For further details , visit our website : http : //unitedchurchgalway.ie Limerick City -United Presbyterian and Methodist .
11:30am .
Rev V Lynch .
All welcome .
We are located at 51 O Connell Street , Limerick City ; and known locally as Christ Church Monaghan Methodist Church Rev Rowan Zeelie .
10:30am on 1st and 3rd Sundays and at 11:30am on 5th Sunday ( United Service Augher , Aughnacloy , Ballynanny Monaghan rotating venue .
Contact 087 2787 517 or 048 8676 2639 for details .
Sutton Methodist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Howth Road and Church Road , Sutton , Dublin 13 .
Service of Worship and Sunday school .
We warmly invite you to join with our Church family as we meet together on Sunday mornings to worship and praise God for all He has done for us .
Please stay after the service for a cup of tea/coffee and fellowship .
Revd David Nixon .
Visit : www.irishmethodist.org/suttonmethodist The Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland is a Gospel Partnership of 117 independent local churches who have voluntarily agreed to work together .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20,000 across Ireland -North and South .
For further information and for a full list of congregations , please visit : www.baptistsinireland.org Calvary Church , Castlebar , Co Mayo -we meet at Anchor House , 9 Humbert Mall in the centre of Castlebar .
Sunday Service is at 11am , and Bible study is at 7:30pm on Thursdays .
There is also an after-school Bible Club for children on Tuesdays from 4-5pm .
Pastor Stephen Childs .
All Welcome .
Visit www.calvarychurchcastlebar.ie Calvary Church , Charlestown , Co Mayo meets in the Charlestown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11am , and for Bible study at 8pm on Wednesdays .
Pastor David Murphy .
All Welcome .

CATHEDRALS
Armagh - St Patrick's Church of Ireland --Sunday services at 10am (Holy Communion), 11am (Sung Eucharist) and 3:15pm (Choral Evensong). Mon to Sat at 9:30am (Said Matins) and 12:30pm (1st Wednesday of every month). Opening times for visitors are 9am to 4pm (Nov-March) and until 5pm (April-Oct). Group tours must be pre-arranged with the Cathedral Steward. You will be most welcome to join us at any of our Sunday or daily services or just to spend time either in quiet reflection or looking at the beautiful architecture. The Very Rev Gregory Dunstan, Dean of St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh City -Further information is available by, visiting: www.stpatricks-cathedral.org
Belfast Cathedral (St Anne's) Eucharist at 8am, 10am and 11am and Choral Evensong at 3.30pm. The cathedral is open for private prayer from 8am-6pm on Monday to Saturday and from 8am-4pm. on Sunday. There will always be a quiet area available. The cathedral is open for cultural visits on Monday to Saturday from 9am-5pm (last audio tour at 4.30pm), and from 1pm-3pm on Sundays. (It will be closed to visitors during services). People of all traditions and all faiths are welcome to join us, Dean Stephen Forde. Visit: www.belfastcathedral.org
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin City --Eucharist at 11am and Choral Evensong at 3:30pm. Weekday services at 10am (morning prayer) 12 midday (Peace Prayers) and 12:45pm (Eucharist). On Monday and Friday at 5pm, there is a Said Evening Prayer. During term time, Compline begins at 6pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Choral Evensong at 6pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Sung service times may vary, especially out of cathedral choir terms. Visit christchurchcathedral.ie for further information and for visiting times. A warm welcome awaits you, The Very Revd Dermot Dunne, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral.
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Cork City (St Finn Barre's) Sunday Services are at 8am (Said Eucharist), 11:15am (Choral Eucharist) and 3:30pm (Choral Evensong). Weekday and Saturday Services are at 10am (Morning Prayer) and 12 noon (The Eucharist). Evening Prayer is at 5:15pm from Tuesday to Thursday and on Friday there is a Coral Evensong at 6:15pm. The Cathedral is also open to visitors from 9:30am to 5:30pm from Monday to Saturday and outside of service times on Sundays. Very Rev. Nigel Dunne (Dean of Cork). For more information, visit: https://corkcathedral.webs.com/
Derry/Londonderry (Saint Columb's Cathedral) Services are at 8am (Holy Communion) 11am (Cahoral Eucharist on 1st and 3rd Sundays, and Coral Matins on 2nd 4th Sundays) 4pm (Choral Evensong). The Daily Office is said at 10.30am Mon, Wed, Thur and Fri (The Litany) in The Baptistery. The Eucharist is celebrated on Tuesday at 10.30am in The Bishop William Alexander Chapel. (For any changes to our regular services, please check the magazine online). www.stcolumbscathedral.org The cathedral is widely recognised locally, nationally and internationally for its active promotion of ecumenical and bridge-building activities. This role is reflected in the regard in which the building is held as a religious venue, which is acceptable to all sections of the community. The Very Reverend Raymond Stewart, Dean
Downpatrick -Down Cathedral -Sundays at 11:30am and Thursdays at 10am with Holy Communion. You are very welcome to visit Down Cathedral. Monday to Saturday, between 9.30am and 4pm. It is situated within a short walk from Downpatrick town centre and is adjacent to The Saint Patrick Centre. Down Cathedral is first and foremost a place for prayer and worship, not only for the local congregation and people of the Church of Ireland Diocese, but for all those in Ireland and beyond who cherish the faith of Patrick. It is in effect a house of prayer for all nations. VISIT downcathedral.org for further information
Enniskillen -St Macartin's Cathedral --Services are at 9am (Holy Communion) 11am (Holy Communion on first and third Sundays, Morning Prayer on second and fifth Sundays, and Morning Prayer/Family Service on fourth Sundays). Evening service at 7pm (Evening Prayer on first, second third Sundays and Holy Communion on fourth Sundays and a Celebration of Wholeness and Healing on fifth Sundays). Weekday services are at 11am on Thursdays (Holy Communion) and other services are as announced. Visitors are welcome outside of service times, and admission is free -you will be most welcome. The Very Rev Kenneth R J Hall, Dean of St. Macartins Cathedral. For further information, visit www.enniskillencathedral.com
Ferns, Co Wexford (St Edan's Cathedral) Services are at 10am each Sunday and Wednesday morning. On the third Sunday of each month we begin at 10:30am (Family Eucharist). The cathedral is open daily to visitors and you will be most welcome. The Very Revd Leslie Forrest; Rector and Dean. Tel: 053 9366 124
National Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Dublin THE THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE LENT - 9.15 EUCHARIST said in the Lady Chapel. 11.15 CHORAL MATINS sung by the Cathedral Choir Responses: Sumsion, Sumsion in G, Psalm:46 vv1-7, Elgar: O hearken thou, Preacher: The Revd. P.A. Harvey, M.A. Carney, Prebendary of Stagonil. 12.15 EUCHARIST said in the Lady Chapel. 15.15 CHORAL EVENSONG sung by the Cathedral Choir Responses: Sumsion, Sumsion in G, Psalm:47, Stanford: A song of Wisdom, Preacher: The Revd. P.A. Harvey, M.A. Carney, Prebendary of Stagonil. 16.30 SEIRBHS NA NNA said in the Lady Chapel. MATINS is sung at 9.00 and EVENSONG at 17.30 Monday to Friday. EUCHARIST is said at 11.05 on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. For further information visit www.stpatrickscathedral.ie or telephone 01 453 9472.
CHURCH OF IRELAND
All Saints Church, Belfast is located on University Street (near to Queens University) and Sunday Services are at 11am and 7:30pm. We are proud to be hosting UniChurch Belfast every Sunday evening. This is a new initiative that has a more relaxed feel and contemporary style. Join them for coffee at 7:15pm with the church service starting at 7.30pm.You will be most welcome. Rev Trevor Johnston. Visit www.ascbelfast.com
All Saints Church, Dublin -Eucharistic Service is at 9am and 10am each Sunday. On the 4th Sunday of each month there is a Family Service at 10am. Wednesdays at 10am (Eucharistic Service). An evening service is held on the 2nd Sunday of each month (Wholeness and Healing Service). We are located on the Howth Road, next to Raheny Village, Dublin 5. All Welcome. Rev. Norman McCausland. Visit http://allsaintsraheny.org for more information
Ardamine Group, Co Wexford Monamolin 9.00am (Morning Prayer) Kiltennel 10.15am (Morning Prayer) Kilnamanagh 11.45am (Holy Communion)
Bangor Parish Church Traditional Service at 10am and Contemporary Service at 11:30am; with refreshments served between each service. We are located at the junction of Hamilton Road and Castle Street, Bangor, Co. Down. For more information, visit: bangorparishchurch.org.uk
Christ Church Bray Sunday 9th February 2020 8.30am Holy Communion ; 11am Holy Communion 2; 3pm Confirmation Service.
Church of St John the Baptist is located at Seafield Road, West, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Sunday 12th January at 8:30am (Holy Communion) and 10:30am (Morning Prayer) and Sunday Club in the Parish Centre. Wednesday morning services take place in the Parish Centre at 10:30am. All are welcome to join us for tea and coffee after 10:30am services. Revd Lesley Robinson. Visit: clontarf.dublin.anglican.org/
Church of St John the Evangelist -Sunday Service is at 11:30am and all are welcome. We are located at Coolock, Dublin 5, between the Oscar Traynor Road and Malahide Road; next to the Odeon Cinema. Rector: Rev. Norman McCausland. Further details are found at www.coolock.dublin.anglican.org
Cork Carrigaline Union. 930am- Holy Communion - St John's Monkstown. 11am- Morning Prayer -St Mary's Carrigaline. 7pm-Choral Evensong- St John's Monkstown. Every Wednesday at 1030am Holy Communion St Mary's Carrigaline. www.carrigalineunion.org
Finglas (St Canice) Septuagesima: 11.30 All-age Eucharist
Glasnevin (St Mobhi) Septuagesima: NO SERVICE. See Finglas.
Howth, Co Dublin (St Mary's Parish) Sundays at 9:30am (Morning Prayer) and 11am (Holy Communion). Family Service at 11am on 2nd Sunday of each month and Family Communion Service at 11am on 4th Sunday -this service has a Sunday Special group for young children during school term time. Midweek Service on Wednesdays at 10:30am. We look forward to seeing you, Canon Kevin Brew (Rector). Visit: www.stmaryshowth.com
Immanuel Church, Dublin City, meets every Sunday at 11am in the Irish Church Missions building, 28 Bachelors Walk, Dublin 1. We extend a warm welcome to people from every race and nation and background. Pastor Kieron Lynch. For more details, visit: www.immanuelchurchdublin.org
Kill O The Grange, Dublin we are an evangelical church, belonging to the Church of Ireland, and rooted in the community. We aim to make worship, learning from the Bible, mission and being open to the Holy Spirit, a priority in our life together. Services are on Sundays at 8:30am (Holy Communion) and 10:30am (All Age Service). Wednesdays at 10:30am (Holy Communion Service). Visit http://kotg.ie to find out more. Rev. Alan Breen, Rector
Killarney (St Marys -Church of the Sloes) 11am at Kenmare Place, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Family Service is on the first Sunday of the month, and Parish Communion on all other Sundays.. All are Welcome. Visit: http://churchofthesloes.ie/
Rathmichael Parish 08.30 hrs. Holy Communion. 11.00 hrs. Holy Communion. 19.00 hrs. Evening Prayer.
Santry (St Pappan) Septuagesima: NO SERVICE. See Finglas.
St James Church, Crinken, Bray, Co Wicklow -Morning Worship at 11am. Rector, Trevor Stevenson. We aspire to be a blessing to the community in which we live, and we hope to grow as followers of Jesus. We are located on the old Dublin Road half way between Bray and Shankill. For more information, visit: www.crinken.ie
St Matthias, Killiney - Ballybrack 09.00 Holy Communion, 10.30 Holy Communion. Wednesday 10.30 Holy Communion.
Whitechurch Parish 8.00 a.m., Holy Communion. 10.30 a.m., Holy Communion. *Sunday Club. 11.30 a.m., Healer Prayer Union. 7.00 p.m., A Late Evening Office.
PRESBYTERIAN
Blackrock St Andrews 9.45 a m.Reverend Andrew Gill.Junior Church and Creche.All welcome.
Christ Church, Sandymount -United Presbyterian and Methodist Church. 11am at Sandymount Green, Dublin 4 -all welcome. Reverend K P Meyer
Galway City -United Methodist and Presbyterian Church is located at Victoria Place; just off Eyre Square and next to the Victoria Hotel. We meet at 11:30am and all Welcome. For further details, visit our website: http://unitedchurchgalway.ie
KELLS Bective Street, Kells, Co. Meath. Morning worship 10.30am led by Mr. Theo Douglas. Visitors are very welcome. Tea/coffee served after the Service in the Church hall.
Limerick City -United Presbyterian and Methodist. 11:30am. Rev V Lynch. All welcome. We are located at 51 O Connell Street, Limerick City; and known locally as Christ Church
METHODIST
Belfast Central Mission, Sandy Row Sunday Service at 11am -Rev J Parke. For further information, visit: belfastcentralmission.org or our Facebook page: facebook.com/SandyRowMethodistChurch
Christ Church, Sandymount -United Presbyterian and Methodist Church. 11am at Sandymount Green, Dublin 4 -all welcome. Reverend K P Meyer
Dublin Central Mission, Abbey Street Sunday Service at 11am and weekly healing services at 1:05pm on Wednesdays. Visit dublincentralmission.ie to find out more.
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin The Methodist Church, Northumberland Avenue, Dun Laoghaire. Sunday Service 11am. All Welcome. For further details www.dlmc.org
Dundrum Methodist Church Services at 10am (Worship Service) and 11.30am (Contemporary Service). There is one service at 11am on the first Sunday of the month. All are welcome, Rev. Stephen Taylor. For more information, visit dundrummethodist.com
Galway City -United Methodist and Presbyterian Church is located at Victoria Place; just off Eyre Square and next to the Victoria Hotel. We meet at 11:30am and all Welcome. For further details, visit our website: http://unitedchurchgalway.ie
Gorey 11.00am Morning Worship, Rev katherine Kehoe
Limerick City -United Presbyterian and Methodist. 11:30am. Rev V Lynch. All welcome. We are located at 51 O Connell Street, Limerick City; and known locally as Christ Church
Monaghan Methodist Church Rev Rowan Zeelie. 10:30am on 1st and 3rd Sundays and at 11:30am on 5th Sunday (United Service Augher, Aughnacloy, Ballynanny Monaghan rotating venue. Contact 087 2787 517 or 048 8676 2639 for details.
Sutton Methodist Church, Dublin 10am at corner of Howth Road and Church Road, Sutton, Dublin 13. Service of Worship and Sunday school. We warmly invite you to join with our Church family as we meet together on Sunday mornings to worship and praise God for all He has done for us. Please stay after the service for a cup of tea/coffee and fellowship. Revd David Nixon. Visit: www.irishmethodist.org/suttonmethodist
BAPTIST
The Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland is a Gospel Partnership of 117 independent local churches who have voluntarily agreed to work together. These churches represent a Baptist community of over 20,000 across Ireland -North and South. For further information and for a full list of congregations, please visit: www.baptistsinireland.org
EVANGELICAL
Calvary Church, Castlebar, Co Mayo -we meet at Anchor House, 9 Humbert Mall in the centre of Castlebar. Sunday Service is at 11am, and Bible study is at 7:30pm on Thursdays. There is also an after-school Bible Club for children on Tuesdays from 4-5pm. Pastor Stephen Childs. All Welcome. Visit www.calvarychurchcastlebar.ie
Calvary Church, Charlestown, Co Mayo meets in the Charlestown Community Enterprise Building for Sunday Service at 11am, and for Bible study at 8pm on Wednesdays. Pastor David Murphy. All Welcome.


theirishtimes--2020-02-08--Galway homeowners have spent years living under the threat of CPOs

Deirdre Goggin ’ s cottage on the Headfort Road in Galway is picture perfect even on a rainy day .
Decades of work have gone into sculpting mature trees along the gravel driveway .
Inside a pitched pine ceiling reflects light into the oldest parts of the cottage .
A book-lined study leads to a kitchen and a conservatory overlooking a rock garden with mature trees .
It is not hard to see why she would oppose plans for Galway City Ring Road which is set to obliterate the house along with 21 neighbouring homes in the Ballindooly/Castlegar area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she and her husband love the home where they have lived since 1995 , the dual-carriageway “ is probably going to happen ” .
She is not “ anti-roads ” , and despite her Ballindooly Castlegar/School Road neighbourhood – part of the city Gaeltacht – being “ decimated ” , she accepts the “ greater good ” trumps individual households .
But she says the compulsory purchase of their homes by the local authority may ruin her financially – as well as many of the other 53 homeowners affected .
While the compulsory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet been confirmed , she says she and her neighbours have been in effective “ lockdown ” since their homes were identified as being on one of a number of potential route options in 2015 .
As candidate properties for a CPO the properties can still legally be sold , but in effect they would be virtually impossible to sell given the complexity of the CPO legislation and likelihood of a buyer not wanting to involve themselves in the process .
Goggin says the council paid for the services of a valuer some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not enough for any of them to buy a similar house elsewhere in the area , or to buy land and build anywhere nearby .
“ For my own part it is waking up at 3am , you are so tired you can ’ t open your eyes , and your brain starts up going in circles , then your stomach starts churning , ” she says .
Goggin contrasts the unfortunate vista with proposals to ensure Ballybrit racecourse is provided with “ stables and facilities which are of an equal or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
Neighbours Pamela Needham and Tom Rea said NUIG would be affected , but would be well treated with a new flood-lit sports pitch and work on its sports pavilion .
“ And the bats ... Every household was surveyed for their existence , ” says Goggin .
“ One set of mammals gets looked after and rehoused in specially designed roosts if necessary , culverts are installed for other mammals – the human mammal doesn ’ t count ” .
Mother-of -four Sharon Morris says “ the CPO process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If they can get horses and bats replacement homes why can ’ t they deal with humans ?
” Sharon and her husband have been trying to expand the home they share with their growing children , but they are now in the sixth year unable to apply for planning permission .
“ We need a bigger house .
We can ’ t sell ; if we rent our house out and rent a bigger one somewhere else we get a massive tax bill .
now we are facing a massive loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – it is about the process.
” On School Road , Marie O ’ Donovan and her husband Denis stand to lose their home .
Denis planned to retire and spend his time building a polytunnel– there was mention of a patio , home refurbishment .
That has all been on hold since the process started .
“ At 60 , I am the youngest here , all the others are in their 70s , ” Marie said .
“ One man has died already.
” In 2013 , the European Court of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orbital Road in a case taken by environmental campaigner Peter Sweetman .
Mr Sweetman has since signalled his intention to object to the current road scheme .
While the locals are glad of his input , the danger is being “ in lockdown ” , as they put it , for another 16 years .

Deirdre Goggin at Ballindooley beside the Headford Road. She says the compulsory purchase of her home may ruin her financially. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy.
Deirdre Goggin’s cottage on the Headfort Road in Galway is picture perfect even on a rainy day. Decades of work have gone into sculpting mature trees along the gravel driveway. Inside a pitched pine ceiling reflects light into the oldest parts of the cottage. A book-lined study leads to a kitchen and a conservatory overlooking a rock garden with mature trees.
It is not hard to see why she would oppose plans for Galway City Ring Road which is set to obliterate the house along with 21 neighbouring homes in the Ballindooly/Castlegar area.
Yet Goggin acknowledges that as much as she and her husband love the home where they have lived since 1995, the dual-carriageway “is probably going to happen”.
She is not "anti-roads", and despite her Ballindooly Castlegar/School Road neighbourhood – part of the city Gaeltacht – being " decimated", she accepts the "greater good" trumps individual households.
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But she says the compulsory purchase of their homes by the local authority may ruin her financially – as well as many of the other 53 homeowners affected. While the compulsory purchase order (CPO) has not yet been confirmed, she says she and her neighbours have been in effective “lockdown” since their homes were identified as being on one of a number of potential route options in 2015.
As candidate properties for a CPO the properties can still legally be sold, but in effect they would be virtually impossible to sell given the complexity of the CPO legislation and likelihood of a buyer not wanting to involve themselves in the process.
Goggin says the council paid for the services of a valuer some years ago, but the indicative valuations were not enough for any of them to buy a similar house elsewhere in the area, or to buy land and build anywhere nearby.
Going in circles
“For my own part it is waking up at 3am, you are so tired you can’t open your eyes, and your brain starts up going in circles, then your stomach starts churning,” she says.
Goggin contrasts the unfortunate vista with proposals to ensure Ballybrit racecourse is provided with "stables and facilities which are of an equal or higher standard to the existing buildings", she said.
Neighbours Pamela Needham and Tom Rea said NUIG would be affected, but would be well treated with a new flood-lit sports pitch and work on its sports pavilion .
“And the bats ...Every household was surveyed for their existence,” says Goggin. “One set of mammals gets looked after and rehoused in specially designed roosts if necessary, culverts are installed for other mammals – the human mammal doesn’t count” .
Mother-of -four Sharon Morris says "the CPO process is not fit for purpose".
“If they can get horses and bats replacement homes why can’t they deal with humans?”
Sharon and her husband have been trying to expand the home they share with their growing children, but they are now in the sixth year unable to apply for planning permission.
“We need a bigger house. We can’t sell; if we rent our house out and rent a bigger one somewhere else we get a massive tax bill. now we are facing a massive loss. It is not about the road – it is about the process.”
On hold
On School Road, Marie O’Donovan and her husband Denis stand to lose their home. Denis planned to retire and spend his time building a polytunnel– there was mention of a patio, home refurbishment. That has all been on hold since the process started.
“At 60,I am the youngest here, all the others are in their 70s,” Marie said. “One man has died already.”
In 2013, the European Court of Justice overturned plans for a Galway Outer Orbital Road in a case taken by environmental campaigner Peter Sweetman. Mr Sweetman has since signalled his intention to object to the current road scheme. While the locals are glad of his input, the danger is being "in lockdown", as they put it, for another 16 years.


theirishtimes--2020-02-08--Coronavirus: HSE concerned over differing cross-border approach

A divergence in the approach to handling a potential outbreak of coronavirus on either side of the Border is causing concern within the health service .
The UK on Thursday issued new travel advice warning its citizens to report flu-like symptoms if flying back from any of nine Asian countries .
The fresh strategy came as a third British coronavirus case was found in a passenger coming from Singapore who had not been in China .
Existing advice in the Republic , based on guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control , is limited to travellers returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach , one that differs from its European neighbours , presents Ireland with a major challenge in a post-Brexit scenario .
The challenge of protecting against coronavirus could rise even further should the UK further tighten travel controls .
British authorities are coming under increasing pressure to ban travellers from China , for example , a move that could see an increase in people travelling from Asia through Dublin Airport .
Health Service Executive chief executive Paul Reid has sought clarification from the Department of Health on the policies that would apply on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event of cases occurring in Ireland .
The HSE is particularly anxious to have clarified the arrangements that would apply in areas where cross-Border co-operation in health is well-established , such as between Co Donegal and Altnagelvin hospital in Co Derry .
“ Imagine the challenge of tracing the contacts of a confirmed case in the Border area , with one set of rules in the North and another down here , ” one health source said .
The number of reported cases rose on Friday to 31,503 , the vast majority in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU and UK .
The outbreak has caused 638 deaths .
The Department of Health ’ s chief medical officer , Dr Tony Holohan , said Ireland was “ in the hands of ” the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and would not arrive at a conclusion that was “ at odds ” with the stance of the two organisations .
There have been more than 30 suspected cases of the virus in Ireland to date ; all tested negative .
Those tested include a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been supplied with protective equipment , including masks and gowns , while supplies will reach regular GPs next week , according to the HSE .

MTR train passengers in Hong Kong wearing masks: The UK has warned its citizens to report flu-like symptoms if flying back from nine Asian countries. Photograph: Billy HC Kwok/New York Times
A divergence in the approach to handling a potential outbreak of coronavirus on either side of the Border is causing concern within the health service.
The UK on Thursday issued new travel advice warning its citizens to report flu-like symptoms if flying back from any of nine Asian countries. The fresh strategy came as a third British coronavirus case was found in a passenger coming from Singapore who had not been in China.
Existing advice in the Republic, based on guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, is limited to travellers returning from China alone.
Britain's approach, one that differs from its European neighbours, presents Ireland with a major challenge in a post-Brexit scenario.
READ MORE
Travel controls
The challenge of protecting against coronavirus could rise even further should the UK further tighten travel controls. British authorities are coming under increasing pressure to ban travellers from China, for example, a move that could see an increase in people travelling from Asia through Dublin Airport.
Health Service Executive chief executive Paul Reid has sought clarification from the Department of Health on the policies that would apply on both sides of the Border in the event of cases occurring in Ireland.
The HSE is particularly anxious to have clarified the arrangements that would apply in areas where cross-Border co-operation in health is well-established, such as between Co Donegal and Altnagelvin hospital in Co Derry.
“Imagine the challenge of tracing the contacts of a confirmed case in the Border area, with one set of rules in the North and another down here,” one health source said.
Reported cases
The number of reported cases rose on Friday to 31,503, the vast majority in China, with 29 cases in the EU and UK. The outbreak has caused 638 deaths.
The Department of Health's chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, said Ireland was "in the hands of" the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and would not arrive at a conclusion that was "at odds" with the stance of the two organisations.
There have been more than 30 suspected cases of the virus in Ireland to date; all tested negative. Those tested include a number of children.
Out-of-hours and on-call doctors have been supplied with protective equipment, including masks and gowns, while supplies will reach regular GPs next week, according to the HSE.


theirishtimes--2020-02-08--Voters go to the polls after parties hear demand for change from electorate

Voters go to the polls today after an election campaign which saw all parties claim they could meet a demand for change from the electorate .
About 3.5 million people are eligible to vote at 6,500 polling stations in 39 constituencies .
The most recent opinion poll , the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll , put Sinn Féin out in front , followed by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael , although the gap between the three larger parties has been relatively small .
Polls open at 7am and close at 10pm .
The Irish Times will publish an exit poll as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving the first indication of the outcome of General Election 2020 .
The results of the poll will be announced simultaneously at 10pm on irishtimes.com and on RTÉ One television .
The poll , carried out by Ipsos MRBI , has been commissioned jointly by The Irish Times , RTÉ , TG4 and University College Dublin .
Heavy rain is forecast across Munster , Connacht and Ulster during Saturday afternoon .
This will extend to remaining counties later in the evening , with risks of thunder and localised flooding .
The counting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with first counts expected from early afternoon .
Voters will elect 159 members of the 33rd Dáil which will have 160 seats , two more than the 32nd Dáil , with Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl automatically returned in Kildare South .
The new Dáil is due to meet on Thursday , February 20th .
At the dissolution of the last Dáil , Fine Gael had 47 seats ; Fianna Fáil had 45 , excluding Mr Ó Fearghaíl ; Sinn Féin had 22 ; Labour , seven ; Solidarity-People Before Profit , six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , two ; Independents4Change , one ; Aontú , one ; and Independents and others , 22 .
One seat was vacant due to the resignation of former Fine Gael Cork North Central TD , Dara Murphy .
There are 516 declared candidates and 160 , or 31 per cent , are women .
Marese Skehan , an independent candidate in Tipperary , died after nominations closed .
On the eve of polling , Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar said forming a government could be difficult .
He said nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
“ My fear is that a Fianna Fáil-led government or a Sinn Féin-led government , or the two of them in bed together .
That could set us backwards , so people have a big decision to make.
” Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has repeatedly ruled out a coalition with Sinn Féin and said he wants to form a government with Labour , the Greens , the Social Democrats and other like-minded parties .
“ Fianna Fáil has the realistic , doable programme for a new government , particularly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services and housing with the building of new council and affordable homes.
” Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said : “ I have been talking to a lot of voters over the past few weeks , a lot of people want change and Sinn Féin is the vehicle for that change.
” Ms McDonald ’ s party is expecting a strong showing but , because it is only running 42 candidates , is unlikely to be in a position to lead a government .
While a polling card is not needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identification .

Voters on the islands off the coasts of Donegal, Mayo and Galway are going to the polls one day ahead of the rest of the country. Video: Enda O'Dowd
Voters go to the polls today after an election campaign which saw all parties claim they could meet a demand for change from the electorate.
About 3.5 million people are eligible to vote at 6,500 polling stations in 39 constituencies.
The most recent opinion poll, the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll, put Sinn Féin out in front, followed by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, although the gap between the three larger parties has been relatively small.
Polls open at 7am and close at 10pm. The Irish Times will publish an exit poll as soon as voting ends at 10pm, giving the first indication of the outcome of General Election 2020. The results of the poll will be announced simultaneously at 10pm on irishtimes.com and on RTÉ One television. The poll, carried out by Ipsos MRBI, has been commissioned jointly by The Irish Times, RTÉ, TG4 and University College Dublin.
READ MORE
Heavy rain is forecast across Munster, Connacht and Ulster during Saturday afternoon. This will extend to remaining counties later in the evening, with risks of thunder and localised flooding.
The counting of votes begins at 9am on Sunday, with first counts expected from early afternoon.
New Dáil
Voters will elect 159 members of the 33rd Dáil which will have 160 seats, two more than the 32nd Dáil, with Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl automatically returned in Kildare South. The new Dáil is due to meet on Thursday, February 20th.
At the dissolution of the last Dáil, Fine Gael had 47 seats; Fianna Fáil had 45, excluding Mr Ó Fearghaíl; Sinn Féin had 22; Labour, seven; Solidarity-People Before Profit, six; Green Party, three; Social Democrats, two; Independents4Change, one; Aontú, one; and Independents and others, 22.
One seat was vacant due to the resignation of former Fine Gael Cork North Central TD, Dara Murphy.
There are 516 declared candidates and 160, or 31 per cent, are women. Marese Skehan, an independent candidate in Tipperary, died after nominations closed.
On the eve of polling, Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar said forming a government could be difficult. He said nobody had predicted a "three horse race".
“My fear is that a Fianna Fáil-led government or a Sinn Féin-led government, or the two of them in bed together. That could set us backwards, so people have a big decision to make.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has repeatedly ruled out a coalition with Sinn Féin and said he wants to form a government with Labour, the Greens, the Social Democrats and other like-minded parties.
“Fianna Fáil has the realistic, doable programme for a new government, particularly in terms of urgent action on the health services and housing with the building of new council and affordable homes.”
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “I have been talking to a lot of voters over the past few weeks, a lot of people want change and Sinn Féin is the vehicle for that change.”
Ms McDonald’s party is expecting a strong showing but, because it is only running 42 candidates, is unlikely to be in a position to lead a government.
While a polling card is not needed to vote today, all voters should bring identification.


theirishtimes--2020-02-08--Oral hearing into plans for €600m Galway ring road

More than 300 objections have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála in connection with a proposed €600 million ring road around Galway city which planners say is essential to ease chronic traffic congestion in the city .
The objections have come from a mix of individuals and groups and are linked to both the proposed development and the compulsory purchase of dozens of houses on the city ’ s outskirts which will have to be demolished if the bypass gets the green light .
The planning authority is to hold hearings into the 18km Galway Ring Road , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city from the east to the west , on Tuesday week ( February 18th ) with much of the focus likely to be on its impact on traffic congestion and pollution in the city which are both said to be damaging Galway ’ s reputation as a tourist destination .
It is not the first time local authorities in the area have tried to address the problem of traffic into and out of the city and a previous attempt to build an “ outer ” bypass of the city collapsed in 2013 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was rejected by the European Court of Justice on environmental grounds but now the bypass plan is back , this time as the Galway City Ring Road , which envisages a route closer to the city centre .
It involves a new bridge and viaduct over the river Corrib , two short tunnels on the city ’ s east side , the demolition of 44 houses and the acquisition of 10 more houses which would be seriously impacted by the development .
Traffic congestion on the current N6 is severe from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city via a series of roundabouts and signal-controlled junctions through suburban Galway .
Traffic for the city centre and west Galway is also mixed with traffic for Briarhill and Ballybrit business parks .
The current route continues to be severely congested crossing the Tuam Road and on to the Headford Road .
Traffic volumes at the start of the route are just under 30,000 vehicles a day and just under 25,000 vehicles a day between the Tuam and Headford roads .
Google Maps , which monitors traffic in real time , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Coolagh Roundabout to the Headfort Road at peak times , a distance of just 6.5km .
Traffic volumes fall off rapidly once motorists cross the Corrib heading west and it is this “ western region ” that Galway city and council councils want the road to open to development .
The aims also include opening up existing road space for pedestrians and “ smarter travel ” such as cycleways , improving air quality in the city centre as well as access to University College Galway and NUIG .
In a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing the scheme on behalf of itself and Galway City Council , said “ an efficient transport network which works for Galway city and environs will improve access to the western region , enhancing its attractiveness for inward investment and new employment opportunities and will contribute to enhanced competitiveness by reducing transport costs ” .
The council said “ delivery of the road will have a major positive impact on the quality of life of the thousands of people living in the area ” .
It said the road was “ congruent with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set out in the various policy documents over the past number of years ” .
The council ’ s project team will present the case for the proposed ring road at an oral hearing organised by An Bord Pleanála on February 18th .
The planning hearing will begin at the G Hotel at 10am .
It is expected to continue for several weeks .
At the same time , An Bord Pleanála will consider an application for the compulsory purchase of 54 homes which are required for the project to go ahead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a case against previous plans for the outer bypass of the city , has also objected to the current scheme .

More than 300 objections have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála in connection with a proposed €600 million ring road around Galway city which planners say is essential to ease chronic traffic congestion in the city.
The objections have come from a mix of individuals and groups and are linked to both the proposed development and the compulsory purchase of dozens of houses on the city’s outskirts which will have to be demolished if the bypass gets the green light.
The planning authority is to hold hearings into the 18km Galway Ring Road, which is set to loop around the north of the city from the east to the west, on Tuesday week (February 18th) with much of the focus likely to be on its impact on traffic congestion and pollution in the city which are both said to be damaging Galway’s reputation as a tourist destination.
It is not the first time local authorities in the area have tried to address the problem of traffic into and out of the city and a previous attempt to build an “outer” bypass of the city collapsed in 2013 after more then a decade in planning.
READ MORE
It was rejected by the European Court of Justice on environmental grounds but now the bypass plan is back, this time as the Galway City Ring Road, which envisages a route closer to the city centre.
Under road plan, houses will be demolished at Ballindooley beside the Headford Road in Galway. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy
Bridge and viaduct
It involves a new bridge and viaduct over the river Corrib, two short tunnels on the city’s east side, the demolition of 44 houses and the acquisition of 10 more houses which would be seriously impacted by the development.
Traffic congestion on the current N6 is severe from the Coolagh roundabout on the approach to the city via a series of roundabouts and signal-controlled junctions through suburban Galway. Traffic for the city centre and west Galway is also mixed with traffic for Briarhill and Ballybrit business parks. The current route continues to be severely congested crossing the Tuam Road and on to the Headford Road.
Traffic volumes at the start of the route are just under 30,000 vehicles a day and just under 25,000 vehicles a day between the Tuam and Headford roads.
Google Maps, which monitors traffic in real time, last week advised motorists to allow 44 minutes from the Coolagh Roundabout to the Headfort Road at peak times, a distance of just 6.5km.
Traffic volumes fall off rapidly once motorists cross the Corrib heading west and it is this “western region” that Galway city and council councils want the road to open to development.
The aims also include opening up existing road space for pedestrians and “smarter travel” such as cycleways, improving air quality in the city centre as well as access to University College Galway and NUIG.
‘Attractiveness’ and ‘opportunities’
In a statement, Galway County Council, which is developing the scheme on behalf of itself and Galway City Council, said “an efficient transport network which works for Galway city and environs will improve access to the western region, enhancing its attractiveness for inward investment and new employment opportunities and will contribute to enhanced competitiveness by reducing transport costs”.
The council said “delivery of the road will have a major positive impact on the quality of life of the thousands of people living in the area”. It said the road was “congruent with current transport policy and planning policy as set out in the various policy documents over the past number of years”.
The council’s project team will present the case for the proposed ring road at an oral hearing organised by An Bord Pleanála on February 18th. The planning hearing will begin at the G Hotel at 10am. It is expected to continue for several weeks.
At the same time, An Bord Pleanála will consider an application for the compulsory purchase of 54 homes which are required for the project to go ahead.
Environmental campaigner Peter Sweetman, who took a case against previous plans for the outer bypass of the city, has also objected to the current scheme.


theirishtimes--2020-02-08--More than 15,000 new hotel rooms planned for Dublin

More than 15,000 new hotel rooms are being planned for Dublin over the next three to five years , almost doubling the city ’ s current capacity .
A comprehensive industry analysis seen by The Irish Times shows that some 100 new hotels or guest accommodation developments are either already in construction or working their way through the planning process .
They represent 15,000 new rooms on top of the existing 18,000 rooms already in the capital spread across 250 existing hotels .
Some of these will not materialise due to a lack of planning permission or other hurdles during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show that amid a housing crisis , residential developments are competing for land and investment with hotels and other forms of short-term accommodation .
“ They are in very serious competition ; they ’ re a choice as opposed to building housing because of the land available in the city , and the price of land in the city , ” said Mike Allen , director of communications and advocacy with Focus Ireland .
“ We have created a financial incentive for investors to build student accommodation and hotels .
Of the available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people towards non-home construction projects.
” The majority of hotels in the city have been established for some time , but attractive returns on offer to investors have led to several large new establishments being constructed right in the centre of the city .
Among these are the 234-bedroom Hyatt Centric on Dean Street in Dublin 8 ; Marriott ’ s 158-bedroom Moxy Dublin City hotel at Sackville Place , Dublin 1 ; and the 300-bedroom Marlin Hotel on Bow Lane East in Dublin 2 .
The Mayson Hotel , next to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developer Johnny Ronan ’ s Salesforce Tower at North Wall Quay , was recently opened by Press Up Entertainment Group , the hospitality company run by Paddy McKillen jnr and Matt Ryan .
The same company is involved in the delivery of a new 213-bedroom hotel as part of its wider development of the Clery ’ s Quarter on O ’ Connell Street .
More than €100 million was spent on prospective hotel sites in Dublin last year , with investors attracted by the relatively light regulatory burden offered by hotel investment compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven by an expanding economy and tourism sector .
A spokeswoman for Fáilte Ireland said its analysis showed there 18 new hotels , five extensions and seven apart hotels were under construction .
“ After almost a decade of inactivity , a strong pipeline of new hotel accommodation stock is expected to improve tourism capacity pressures in Dublin .
Ireland got caught in a situation where it was losing business because there wasn ’ t enough hotel capacity in Dublin , particularly to cater for the lucrative conferences and events business tourism sector.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was forecasting a need for 5,000 new rooms by 2021 .
It estimates each 200-bed hotel creates tourism revenue of €9 million and contributes €2 million to the exchequer per annum .
Aiden Murphy , a partner and hotel industry expert with Crowe Ireland , said Dublin hotels are among the busiest in Europe .
“ Occupancy has dropped from 84 to about 82 per cent but it is still probably second- or third-highest of any capital city in Europe , ” he said .
Mr Murphy said that globally low interest rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generate a return on investment , meaning appetite for Irish hotels remained high .

The 300-bedroom Marlin Hotel on Bow Lane East in Dublin 2 is one of several large new establishments being constructed in the centre of the city. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
More than 15,000 new hotel rooms are being planned for Dublin over the next three to five years, almost doubling the city’s current capacity.
A comprehensive industry analysis seen by The Irish Times shows that some 100 new hotels or guest accommodation developments are either already in construction or working their way through the planning process.
They represent 15,000 new rooms on top of the existing 18,000 rooms already in the capital spread across 250 existing hotels.
Some of these will not materialise due to a lack of planning permission or other hurdles during the development process, but the figures show that amid a housing crisis, residential developments are competing for land and investment with hotels and other forms of short-term accommodation.
READ MORE
"They are in very serious competition; they're a choice as opposed to building housing because of the land available in the city, and the price of land in the city," said Mike Allen, director of communications and advocacy with Focus Ireland.
“We have created a financial incentive for investors to build student accommodation and hotels. Of the available things to be built we are pushing people towards non-home construction projects.”
The majority of hotels in the city have been established for some time, but attractive returns on offer to investors have led to several large new establishments being constructed right in the centre of the city.
Among these are the 234-bedroom Hyatt Centric on Dean Street in Dublin 8; Marriott’s 158-bedroom Moxy Dublin City hotel at Sackville Place, Dublin 1; and the 300-bedroom Marlin Hotel on Bow Lane East in Dublin 2.
The Mayson Hotel, next to the new Central Bank building and close to developer Johnny Ronan's Salesforce Tower at North Wall Quay, was recently opened by Press Up Entertainment Group, the hospitality company run by Paddy McKillen jnr and Matt Ryan.
The same company is involved in the delivery of a new 213-bedroom hotel as part of its wider development of the Clery’s Quarter on O’Connell Street.
Light regulation
More than €100 million was spent on prospective hotel sites in Dublin last year, with investors attracted by the relatively light regulatory burden offered by hotel investment compared with housing, as well as returns driven by an expanding economy and tourism sector.
A spokeswoman for Fáilte Ireland said its analysis showed there 18 new hotels, five extensions and seven apart hotels were under construction.
“After almost a decade of inactivity, a strong pipeline of new hotel accommodation stock is expected to improve tourism capacity pressures in Dublin. Ireland got caught in a situation where it was losing business because there wasn’t enough hotel capacity in Dublin, particularly to cater for the lucrative conferences and events business tourism sector.”
The spokeswoman added that Fáilte Ireland was forecasting a need for 5,000 new rooms by 2021. It estimates each 200-bed hotel creates tourism revenue of €9 million and contributes €2 million to the exchequer per annum.
Aiden Murphy, a partner and hotel industry expert with Crowe Ireland, said Dublin hotels are among the busiest in Europe.
“Occupancy has dropped from 84 to about 82 per cent but it is still probably second- or third-highest of any capital city in Europe,” he said.
Mr Murphy said that globally low interest rates had driven investors towards assets that could generate a return on investment, meaning appetite for Irish hotels remained high.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Media literacy class: Teaching young people to spot fake news

Not so long ago , the official advice to young people on staying safe online was to never share images of yourself .
“ Today , kids all over the country are posting TikTok videos of themselves dancing in their bedrooms , ” jokes Erin Barrett , a sixth-year student at Ardscoil Mhuire , Co Limerick .
So it goes online .
In an increasingly bewildering media environment , technology changes and new fads replace old ones .
It ’ s hard to keep up – even for young people themselves .
It ’ s one reason why the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe online is boosting their overall “ digital media literacy ” skills .
The phrase is used to cover everything from critical thinking , being aware of echo chambers , spotting fake news online and being alert to how your personal information can be used .
With democracies around the world threatened by the seemingly unstoppable onslaught of false information , these are skills which are increasingly vital in navigating the modern world online .
To mark Safer Internet Day , Webwise – a State-funded internet safety group – is today ( February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on digital literacy for Junior Cycle students called Connected .
This resource tackles online wellbeing , news , information and false information , big data and the data economy , as well as rights online .
While today ’ s “ digital natives ” can master devices , experts say they often lack the critical skills to interpret the world around them .
Brian O ’ Neill , professor of media and communications and director of research at Technological University Dublin , believes the ideal place for digital literacy to be taught is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the skills and competencies to be able to operate effectively in the digital environment , ” he says .
“ It is deliberately quite broadbased : it ’ s attitudes , values , skills and understanding , so education is the most appropriate place in which to provide that foundation , this digital readiness , for the kind of environment that young people now live in and in which they are developing their own identities and their own future careers.
” Regarding the Connected programme specifically , he believes it is well-curated and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programme touches on digital wellbeing , technical skills and being able to work with technology as well as content issues and awareness of the political environment .
“ Webwise have put in good digital skills for living at the starting point , so it ’ s meaningful for all students , regardless of their own particular disposition – some more creative-oriented , others lean towards the technological end , it will appeal to all , ” says O ’ Neill .
The Connected programme is just one of many available online for use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below ) .
At Ardscoil Mhuire , the volume of activities planned for Safer Internet Day means it has extended into Safer Internet Week this year .
The school has organised an expo for students .
“ It ’ s going to be fun and games , it ’ s going to be a lot of information as well but delivered in a very fun and active way , ” says Patrick Huff , assistant principal at the school .
This includes the “ Nana Test ” , where a student dresses up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested to see if the information they put up online is suitable to show to their granny .
If not , the advice is that it shouldn ’ t be posted .
Huff believes the test is a good way to “ urge students to be reflective about their online presence and their online behaviour ” .
“ I ’ m there as a facilitator , ” says Huff .
“ The students take the lead , I help them out but it ’ s very much their vision , and they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inclusion and making sure everybody gets the best out of it .
They have cast a wide net , but I have no doubt in their capabilities to achieve what they ’ ve set for themselves.
” Erin Barrett became involved with Webwise while in transition year through Young Social Innovators , where her class ran a campaign to raise awareness about the implications of teenage ‘ sexting ’ .
Today she is a member of Webwise ’ s youth advisory panel .
Barrett describes the panel as “ facilitating synergy between many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety education , and provides us [ those on the panel ] with skills and opportunities to spread awareness on an even wider scale ” .
The school has also branched out into the local community , with students due to visit two primary schools to discuss internet safety , addressing topics such as how to do effective research and how to spot false information , and the dangers of echo chambers and filter bubbles .
In the meantime , schools are being encouraged to explore Connected and other resources to boost students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these skills are so crucial , should they be mandatory on the national curriculum for all children ?
O ’ Neill says : “ We can always do more .
It ’ s not to say that we haven ’ t done lots of good things in the past .
By developing this resource [ Connected ] for the Junior Cycle , Webwise are making a very distinctive statement – that students need a strong digital literacy foundation to allow them to develop skills across lots of different domains As for Barrett , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as vital to navigating the world online .
“ For example , being digital media literate means that you do not instantly believe some of the false information that has come to dominate social media in recent years , ” she says .
She believes digital literacy is a vital skill to teach young people , “ as technology keeps changing every single day , so it ’ s so important that we keep informed so that we can make the best decisions online .
It ’ s definitely something that we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to keep learning and keep informing ourselves about.
” Webwise.ie , the State and EU-funded internet safety awareness centre , has produced a range of classroom resources .
Here ’ s a guide to some of the most popular : Html Heroes : An introduction to the internet This new SPHE resource has been developed for third- and fourth-class pupils on safe and responsible use of the internet .
There are eight interactive lessons included in the programme such as online gaming , screen time , fake news and online advertising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online sexual coercion and extortion .
There are three lesson plans and it is supported by the Garda School Programme .
This SPHE resource was developed to engage second- and third-year students on the topic of non-consensual image sharing .
There are two short , high-quality animations , six lessons and information for school leaders .
This resource includes activities for addressing bullying , colourful stickers and supplies for creating interactive poster campaigns .
Also included is the # Up2Us Anti-Bullying Teachers ’ Handbook with Junior Cycle SPHE lesson ideas .
This primary-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resource developed to engage fifth- and sixth-class primary school students on the topic of cyber bullying .
A series of short animations are the centrepiece of the resource .
Designed for teachers of Junior Certificate CSPE , ThinkB4UClick explores the issue of online privacy in the context of online rights and responsibilities .

Not so long ago, the official advice to young people on staying safe online was to never share images of yourself.
"Today, kids all over the country are posting TikTok videos of themselves dancing in their bedrooms," jokes Erin Barrett, a sixth-year student at Ardscoil Mhuire, Co Limerick.
So it goes online. In an increasingly bewildering media environment, technology changes and new fads replace old ones. It’s hard to keep up – even for young people themselves.
It’s one reason why the latest trend in empowering young people to stay safe online is boosting their overall “digital media literacy” skills.
READ MORE
The phrase is used to cover everything from critical thinking, being aware of echo chambers, spotting fake news online and being alert to how your personal information can be used.
With democracies around the world threatened by the seemingly unstoppable onslaught of false information, these are skills which are increasingly vital in navigating the modern world online.
To mark Safer Internet Day, Webwise – a State-funded internet safety group – is today (February 11th) releasing a free classroom resource on digital literacy for Junior Cycle students called Connected.
This resource tackles online wellbeing, news, information and false information, big data and the data economy, as well as rights online.
Lack the critical skills
While today’s “digital natives” can master devices, experts say they often lack the critical skills to interpret the world around them.
Brian O'Neill, professor of media and communications and director of research at Technological University Dublin, believes the ideal place for digital literacy to be taught is in school.
“Digital literacy encompasses the skills and competencies to be able to operate effectively in the digital environment,” he says.
“It is deliberately quite broadbased: it’s attitudes, values, skills and understanding, so education is the most appropriate place in which to provide that foundation, this digital readiness, for the kind of environment that young people now live in and in which they are developing their own identities and their own future careers.”
Regarding the Connected programme specifically, he believes it is well-curated and will resonate with young people.
The programme touches on digital wellbeing, technical skills and being able to work with technology as well as content issues and awareness of the political environment.
“Webwise have put in good digital skills for living at the starting point, so it’s meaningful for all students, regardless of their own particular disposition – some more creative-oriented, others lean towards the technological end, it will appeal to all,” says O’Neill.
The Connected programme is just one of many available online for use by teachers and their classes (see below).
At Ardscoil Mhuire, the volume of activities planned for Safer Internet Day means it has extended into Safer Internet Week this year.
The school has organised an expo for students. "It's going to be fun and games, it's going to be a lot of information as well but delivered in a very fun and active way," says Patrick Huff, assistant principal at the school.
‘Nana Test’
This includes the “Nana Test”, where a student dresses up as a granny, and students are tested to see if the information they put up online is suitable to show to their granny. If not, the advice is that it shouldn’t be posted.
Huff believes the test is a good way to “urge students to be reflective about their online presence and their online behaviour”.
“I’m there as a facilitator,” says Huff. “The students take the lead, I help them out but it’s very much their vision, and they’re very driven by a sense of inclusion and making sure everybody gets the best out of it. They have cast a wide net, but I have no doubt in their capabilities to achieve what they’ve set for themselves.”
Erin Barrett became involved with Webwise while in transition year through Young Social Innovators, where her class ran a campaign to raise awareness about the implications of teenage ‘sexting’.
Today she is a member of Webwise’s youth advisory panel. Barrett describes the panel as “facilitating synergy between many young people who feel passionately about internet safety education, and provides us [those on the panel] with skills and opportunities to spread awareness on an even wider scale”.
The school has also branched out into the local community, with students due to visit two primary schools to discuss internet safety, addressing topics such as how to do effective research and how to spot false information, and the dangers of echo chambers and filter bubbles.
In the meantime, schools are being encouraged to explore Connected and other resources to boost students’ digital media literacy skills,
If these skills are so crucial, should they be mandatory on the national curriculum for all children?
O’Neill says: “We can always do more. It’s not to say that we haven’t done lots of good things in the past. By developing this resource [Connected] for the Junior Cycle, Webwise are making a very distinctive statement – that students need a strong digital literacy foundation to allow them to develop skills across lots of different domains
As for Barrett, she has come to understand digital literacy as vital to navigating the world online.
‘False information’
“For example, being digital media literate means that you do not instantly believe some of the false information that has come to dominate social media in recent years,” she says.
She believes digital literacy is a vital skill to teach young people, “as technology keeps changing every single day, so it’s so important that we keep informed so that we can make the best decisions online. It’s definitely something that we need to keep on top of, and we need to keep learning and keep informing ourselves about.”
Internet safety and digital literacy : free classroom resources for teachers:
Webwise.ie, the State and EU-funded internet safety awareness centre, has produced a range of classroom resources. Here's a guide to some of the most popular:
Html Heroes: An introduction to the internet
This new SPHE resource has been developed for third- and fourth-class pupils on safe and responsible use of the internet.
There are eight interactive lessons included in the programme such as online gaming, screen time, fake news and online advertising.
[ webwise.ie/html-heroes/ ]
Be in Ctrl
This Junior Cycle SPHE resource addresses online sexual coercion and extortion. There are three lesson plans and it is supported by the Garda School Programme.
[ webwise.ie/beinctrl/ ]
Lockers
This SPHE resource was developed to engage second- and third-year students on the topic of non-consensual image sharing. There are two short, high-quality animations, six lessons and information for school leaders.
[ webwise.ie/lockers/ ]
#UP2US anti-bullying kit
This resource includes activities for addressing bullying, colourful stickers and supplies for creating interactive poster campaigns. Also included is the #Up2Us Anti-Bullying Teachers’ Handbook with Junior Cycle SPHE lesson ideas.
[ webwise.ie/up2us-2/ ]
MySelfie and the Wider World
This primary-level anti-cyberbullying teachers’ handbook is an SPHE resource developed to engage fifth- and sixth-class primary school students on the topic of cyber bullying. A series of short animations are the centrepiece of the resource.
[ webwise.ie/teachers/my-selfie/ ]
Think B4U Click
Designed for teachers of Junior Certificate CSPE, ThinkB4UClick explores the issue of online privacy in the context of online rights and responsibilities.
[ webwise.ie/teachers/thinkb4uclick-2/ ]


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Safer Internet Day: guide to the best free classroom resources

They may be digital natives - but young people still need all the support they can to stay safe online .
Internet safety and digital media literacy are playing an ever-bigger role in subjects such as Social Personal Health Education ( SPHE ) or Civic , Social and Political Education ( CSPE ) .
While there are lots of resources online , the choice can be bafffling .
Most are not aligned with the Irish curriculum and quite a few are either outdated or questionable quality .
Some of the best and most relevant we ’ ve found are produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to promote safer internet use .
It has produced several high quality classroom resources aimed at primary and secondary school teachers .
Here ’ s our guide to the best resources available that are aligned to the school curriculum , who the target group is and what they consist of : www.webwise.ie/connected/A new resource for Junior Cycle students on developing digital media literacy skills .
It explores topics including big data , privacy , rights online , misinformation and more .
The programme – called Connected - is due to be formally launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) 2020 .
Html Heroes : An Introduction to the Internet This is a new SPHE resource developed for 3rd and 4th class pupils .
The resource will support primary school teachers and young people as they learn about safe and responsible use of the internet .
The online programme is specifically designed for primary school teachers who wish to introduce internet safety into their teaching of the SPHE curriculum .
This education programme is developed to assist and support educators when teaching students about the safe and responsible use of the Internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with some very important areas of technology and online use , including online gaming , screen time , fake news and online advertising .
The lessons are designed to help pupils develop digital media literacy skills , practice safe online communication as well as raising awareness about privacy and thinking about what you can trust online .
www.webwise.ie/beinctrl/This is a Junior Cycle SPHE educational resource addressing the issue of Online Sexual Coercion and Extortion .
The resource includes information for school leaders , three lesson plans and is supported by the Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adapt the resource depending on their class requirements .
The Be in Ctrl resource complements the Lockers resource .
It is recommended that Lockers is used in the SPHE class before the Be in Ctrl resource .
Skills : Online awareness , particularly of sexual coercion and extortion This is a SPHE resource developed to engage 2nd and 3rd year students on the topic of non-consensual image sharing .
The resource includes two short high-quality animations , six lessons and information for school leaders .
This is aimed at taking the first steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can order a free kith which includes activities for addressing bullying , colourful stickers and supplies for creating interactive poster campaigns .
Also included is the # Up2Us Anti-Bullying Teachers ’ Handbook with Junior Cycle SPHE lesson ideas .
This Primary Anti-Cyber Bullying Teachers ’ Handbook is an SPHE resource developed to engage 5th and 6th class primary school students on the topic of cyber bullying .
A series of short animations are the centrepiece of the resource .
These are aimed at helping students develop the skills and understanding to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users , as they explore social networks for the first time .
Developed with the ICCL , ThinkB4UClick is specifically designed for teachers of Junior Certificate CSPE .
ThinkB4UClick explores the issue of online privacy in the context of online rights and responsibilities .
The ultimate aim of this resource is to empower students to be effective , autonomous and safe users of new media .

They may be digital natives - but young people still need all the support they can get to stay safe online.
Internet safety and digital media literacy is playing an ever-bigger role in subjects such as Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) or Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE).
While there are lots of resources online, the choice can be bafffling. Most are not aligned with the Irish curriculum and quite a few are either outdated or questionable quality.
Here’s our guide to the best resources available, who they are aimed at and what they consist of:
READ MORE
Free online talks for parents
www.surveymonkey.com/r/InternetSafetyOnline2021
The National Parents Council Primary is running free online interactive workshops on “supporting parents to support their children’s mental health and wellbeing” in conjunction with St. Patrick's Mental Health services.
It explores how the building of resilience in children helps them to manage and cope with the day to day stresses of life , along with ips on how best to support their child’s positive mental health and wellbeing.
The sessions take place online via Zoom at between Tuesday February 9th and Friday February 12th this week. Just click on the link above to register.
Target group: Parents or teachers
Duration: Hour-long talks
Skills: Fostering postive mental health, building resilience
***
Connected
www.webwise.ie/connected/
A brand new resource for Junior Cycle students on developing digital media literacy skills. It explores topics including big data, privacy, rights online, misinformation and more.
Target group: Junior Cycle students (1st to 3rd year)
Duration: Five taught modules, including one project based assessment
Skills: Digital media literacy
Html Heroes: An Introduction to the Internet
www.webwise.ie/html-heroes/
This is a new SPHE resource developed for 3rd and 4th class pupils. The resource will support primary school teachers and young people as they learn about safe and responsible use of the internet.
The online programme is specifically designed for primary school teachers who wish to introduce internet safety into their teaching of the SPHE curriculum. This education programme is developed to assist and support educators when teaching students about the safe and responsible use of the Internet.
There are eight interactive lessons which deal with some very important areas of technology and online use, including online gaming, screen time, fake news and online advertising.
The lessons are designed to help pupils develop digital media literacy skills, practice safe online communication as well as raising awareness about privacy and thinking about what you can trust online.
Target group: Primary school (3rd and 4th class)
Duration: Eight interactive lessons
Skills: Digital media literacy, online awareness
Be in Ctrl
www.webwise.ie/beinctrl/
This is a Junior Cycle SPHE educational resource addressing the issue of Online Sexual Coercion and Extortion. The resource includes information for school leaders, three lesson plans and is supported by the Garda School Programme. Teachers are free to adapt the resource depending on their class requirements. The Be in Ctrl resource complements the Lockers resource. It is recommended that Lockers is used in the SPHE class before the Be in Ctrl resource.
Target group: Junior Cycle students (1st to 3rd year)
Duration: Flexible
Skills: Online awareness, particularly of sexual coercion and extortion
Lockers
www.webwise.ie/lockers/
This is a SPHE resource developed to engage 2nd and 3rd year students on the topic of non-consensual image sharing. The resource includes two short high-quality animations, six lessons and information for school leaders.
Target group: Junior Cycle students (2nd and 3rd year)
Duration: Six lessons
Skills: Online awareness, particularly of non-consensual image sharing
#UP2US Anti-Bullying Kit
www.webwise.ie/up2us-2/
This is aimed at taking the first steps to beating bullying in your community. You can order a free kith which includes activities for addressing bullying, colourful stickers and supplies for creating interactive poster campaigns.
Also included is the #Up2Us Anti-Bullying Teachers’ Handbook with Junior Cycle SPHE lesson ideas.
Target group: Junior Cycle students (1st to 3rd year)
Skills: Awareness and proactiveness relating to online bullying
MySelfie and the Wider World
www.webwise.ie/teachers/my-selfie/
This Primary Anti-Cyber Bullying Teachers’ Handbook is an SPHE resource developed to engage 5th and 6th class primary school students on the topic of cyber bullying. A series of short animations are the centrepiece of the resource.
These are aimed at helping students develop the skills and understanding to be responsible, socially conscious and effective internet users, as they explore social networks for the first time.
Target group: Primary school (5th and 6th class)
Duration: Flexible
Skills: Online awareness, responsibility
Secondary school students at a recent Safer Internet Day event organised by Webwise.
Think B4U Click
https://www.webwise.ie/thinkb4uclick/
Developed with the ICCL, ThinkB4UClick is specifically designed for teachers of Junior Certificate CSPE. ThinkB4UClick explores the issue of online privacy in the context of online rights and responsibilities. The ultimate aim of this resource is to empower students to be effective, autonomous and safe users of new media.
Target group: Junior Cycle CSPE students (1st to 3rd year)
Duration: Flexible
Skills: Online awareness


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--‘If a shop’s food is not tasty, that is not reason for taxpayers to finance enforcement’

A couple of weeks back we wrote a piece suggesting ways any future government could help Irish consumers .
One of the ideas was for a new consumer body to be set up which would fight the corner of individuals wronged by businesses .
This new body could have people employed specifically to contact those businesses on behalf of consumers .
We suggested the new organisation could operate like the food watchdog , a body which appears to have no problem shutting down shops and restaurants – even for a couple of hours – and then highlighting the ways such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We also suggested the new watchdog could have a monthly magazine filled with interesting features on how to save money , independent and exhaustive product reviews , stories of how companies have got it wrong and got it right .
In addition to the magazine , the new consumer organisation would also use the internet to reach out to people .
It would blog , tweet and use Facebook and Instagram to fix people ’ s problems and empower them .
We got an interesting response from Prof Stephen Calkins .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with only minor tweaks : “ I read with interest [ the Pricewatch ] column offering five ways the next government could protect consumers .
.
.
[ the ] recommendation that one of my former agencies , the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( CCPC ) , devote massive resources – and it would take massive resources – to champion individually every consumer complaint is off the mark .
“ All enforcement agencies must prioritise .
Most consumer enforcement agencies , worldwide , aspire to use limited resources to maximise consumer benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an agency engaging in consumer advocacy with the legislature or sectoral regulators , or in working to educate and empower consumers .
“ It might result in an agency conducting unannounced inspections and taking enforcement actions against violators of consumer laws and even criminal enforcement measures against serious wrongdoing such as car clocking or cartel behaviour .
“ It might result in an agency preserving competition by blocking anticompetitive mergers , or excluding thousands of dangerous products , or conducting studies better to understand how to make markets work , or learning from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harmed in new ways ( for instance in digital marketplaces ) .
“ And – here ’ s the key point – the CCPC , while by no means perfect , has been doing all these things .
“ Another way to prioritise is to engage in what is known as ‘ inbox prioritisation ’ .
This approach concentrates much of an agency ’ s resources on individually helping whoever files a complaint – perhaps even in the order complaints are received – without regard to the extent of consumer harm or other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ approach would require an agency to take on a coffee shop that sold cold coffee or a bakery that sold stale bread .
A sensible approach would realise that such concerns can best be addressed by consumers directly , by word of mouth and social media , and by consumers taking their custom elsewhere .
“ The right remedy for much consumer unhappiness is self-help .
If a shop ’ s food is not tasty or the portions not generous , that is not reason for taxpayers to finance an enforcement action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shop owner to have to answer to a law enforcement agency .
“ Consumers have almost endless complaints .
( For comparison , the US FTC , the agency comparable to the CCPC , received almost three million complaints in the most recent reported year .
No imaginable amount of resources would permit all those complaints to be pursued . )
“ Perhaps one might claim that it is quick and easy to intervene for a consumer .
That might be true for a media columnist , who can just ring up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it is not true for an enforcement agency .
An enforcement agency is limited to enforcing the law , so the agency should not demand a remedy unless it reasonably concludes that there has been a breach .
“ The small shops that [ Pricewatch ] promotes would be harmed were an agency to interfere where the law had not been violated .
And if an agency does accuse a trader of violating the law , the agency would suffer reputational harm if it did not address recalcitrance by bringing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an agency should carefully consider consumer complaints , and the CCPC does .
But there is no single right response to a complaint .
For instance , some complaints should lead to a secret investigation and possible dramatic action .
“ According to public sources , the CCPC learned about serious consumer harm caused by the ‘ click.ie ’ website , and eventually took action that led to the site being closed , thus preventing substantial consumer harm .
That is a much better use of resources than serving as an advocate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ] words , has ‘ been let down by a service provider or retailer ’ .
“ The CCPC provides much more individualised assistance than the US FTC , through a ‘ helpline ’ that in the most recent reported year advised 42,364 consumers of their legal rights .
On its website the CCPC states that it is ‘ not an ombudsman and so we can not act on individual complaints or get involved in individual consumer or business issues ’ .
“ The FTC uses somewhat more felicitous language : ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual consumer disputes , its law enforcement partners .
.
.
can use information in the database to spot trends , identify questionable business practices and targets , and enforce the law.
’ “ Both agencies , however , properly work to try to provide the greatest consumer benefit for the available resources .
“ I agree with [ Pricewatch ] that the CCPC ( and the FTC , for that matter ) should do more and should have more resources .
But both agencies should use their resources wisely , not reflexively.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at UCD Sutherland School of Law and a professor at Wayne State University Law School .
He is a former Member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of Ireland and a former General Counsel of the US FTC .
He is speaking only for himself , not for any institution .

A couple of weeks back we wrote a piece suggesting ways any future government could help Irish consumers.
One of the ideas was for a new consumer body to be set up which would fight the corner of individuals wronged by businesses. This new body could have people employed specifically to contact those businesses on behalf of consumers.
We suggested the new organisation could operate like the food watchdog, a body which appears to have no problem shutting down shops and restaurants – even for a couple of hours – and then highlighting the ways such places have let down their diners.
We also suggested the new watchdog could have a monthly magazine filled with interesting features on how to save money, independent and exhaustive product reviews, stories of how companies have got it wrong and got it right.
READ MORE
In addition to the magazine, the new consumer organisation would also use the internet to reach out to people. It would blog, tweet and use Facebook and Instagram to fix people’s problems and empower them.
We got an interesting response from Prof Stephen Calkins. We’re happy to reproduce it in full with only minor tweaks:
“I read with interest [the Pricewatch] column offering five ways the next government could protect consumers . . . [the] recommendation that one of my former agencies, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), devote massive resources – and it would take massive resources – to champion individually every consumer complaint is off the mark.
“All enforcement agencies must prioritise. Most consumer enforcement agencies, worldwide, aspire to use limited resources to maximise consumer benefit. Such a strategy might result in an agency engaging in consumer advocacy with the legislature or sectoral regulators, or in working to educate and empower consumers.
“It might result in an agency conducting unannounced inspections and taking enforcement actions against violators of consumer laws and even criminal enforcement measures against serious wrongdoing such as car clocking or cartel behaviour.
“It might result in an agency preserving competition by blocking anticompetitive mergers, or excluding thousands of dangerous products, or conducting studies better to understand how to make markets work, or learning from international experience how consumers might be being harmed in new ways (for instance in digital marketplaces).
“And – here’s the key point – the CCPC, while by no means perfect, has been doing all these things.
‘Inbox’ approach
“Another way to prioritise is to engage in what is known as ‘inbox prioritisation’. This approach concentrates much of an agency’s resources on individually helping whoever files a complaint – perhaps even in the order complaints are received – without regard to the extent of consumer harm or other enforcement values.
“An ‘inbox’ approach would require an agency to take on a coffee shop that sold cold coffee or a bakery that sold stale bread. A sensible approach would realise that such concerns can best be addressed by consumers directly, by word of mouth and social media, and by consumers taking their custom elsewhere.
“The right remedy for much consumer unhappiness is self-help. If a shop’s food is not tasty or the portions not generous, that is not reason for taxpayers to finance an enforcement action nor, for that matter, for the shop owner to have to answer to a law enforcement agency.
“Consumers have almost endless complaints. (For comparison, the US FTC, the agency comparable to the CCPC, received almost three million complaints in the most recent reported year. No imaginable amount of resources would permit all those complaints to be pursued.)
“Perhaps one might claim that it is quick and easy to intervene for a consumer. That might be true for a media columnist, who can just ring up a trader and speak for a consumer, but it is not true for an enforcement agency. An enforcement agency is limited to enforcing the law, so the agency should not demand a remedy unless it reasonably concludes that there has been a breach.
“The small shops that [Pricewatch] promotes would be harmed were an agency to interfere where the law had not been violated. And if an agency does accuse a trader of violating the law, the agency would suffer reputational harm if it did not address recalcitrance by bringing an enforcement action.
“Of course, an agency should carefully consider consumer complaints, and the CCPC does. But there is no single right response to a complaint. For instance, some complaints should lead to a secret investigation and possible dramatic action.
“According to public sources, the CCPC learned about serious consumer harm caused by the ‘click.ie’ website, and eventually took action that led to the site being closed, thus preventing substantial consumer harm. That is a much better use of resources than serving as an advocate for everyone who, in [Pricewatch’s] words, has ‘been let down by a service provider or retailer’.
Individualised assistance
“The CCPC provides much more individualised assistance than the US FTC, through a ‘helpline’ that in the most recent reported year advised 42,364 consumers of their legal rights. On its website the CCPC states that it is ‘not an ombudsman and so we cannot act on individual complaints or get involved in individual consumer or business issues’.
“The FTC uses somewhat more felicitous language: ‘While the FTC does not intervene in individual consumer disputes, its law enforcement partners . . . can use information in the database to spot trends, identify questionable business practices and targets, and enforce the law.’
“Both agencies, however, properly work to try to provide the greatest consumer benefit for the available resources.
“I agree with [Pricewatch] that the CCPC (and the FTC, for that matter) should do more and should have more resources. But both agencies should use their resources wisely, not reflexively.”
Prof Calkins is a Sutherland Fellow at UCD Sutherland School of Law and a professor at Wayne State University Law School. He is a former Member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of Ireland and a former General Counsel of the US FTC. He is speaking only for himself, not for any institution.