Category: 2017 Archive

How can communities utilise the power of community to improve the safety and wellbeing of their members?

At the Ploughing Championships, today Muintir na Tíre has announced details of its new mobile app – Cairde Muintir is the National Association for Community Development and supports over 1,600 Community Councils and Community Alert Groups nationwide.

At the launch, Niall Garvey, CEO, said “At our recent National Conference issues such as fear of crime, isolation, and health were to the fore. Cairde aims to address these issues in a practical way. Cairde stands for Connects, Alerts, Informs, Responds, Deters, Empowers.”

He added “Cairde is a service that enables communities and individuals within the communities to communicate effectively. It incorporates many practical tools such as the ability to receive Garda Text Alerts and a panic button which can monitor responses with real time location and time of arrival. It can link with other smart devices such as doorbell monitors and smart plugs. A very practical use could be analysing the usage of a kettle on a smart plug – if the kettle is not used at the normal time on a day, an alert can be issued to the person’s cairde – friends or neighbours”.

Cairde can also be used for community messaging – be it arranging events, surveys, reporting missing pets, or whatever is relevant within the community. It eliminates many of the restrictions associated with SMS texting, such as length and cost, and can incorporated multi-media attachments.

Speaking at the launch at the Ploughing Championships, Muintir National President, Michael Sweeney, said “Muintir na Tíre has empowered Community Groups since 1937 and remains just as relevant today. We are proud to use modern technology to allow groups communicate effectively, internally and externally. The response at the Ploughing has been very positive. Muintir has operated Community Alert in partnership with An Garda Síochána for over 30 years and this represents further tool for crime prevention.”

In conclusion, Mr Garvey said “We will be rolling this app out to groups over the coming months but in the meantime, we have a short explainer video available at www.muintir.ie/cairde, or simply call to our stand 278 at the Ploughing and we will be happy to demonstrate it to you.”

The Drinkaware team is set for a busy three days at this year’s National Ploughing Championships (19-21 September) in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. We look forward to welcoming attendees to our stand in the Health and Wellness tent during the week, where they can learn the key facts about alcohol and its effect on health and wellbeing.

We will also be handing out free resources including our Standard Drink Measure Cup and Drinks Calculator Wheel, which features nutritional information about alcohol including calorie and sugar content. The team will also be on hand to provide parents with the facts about underage drinking and advice and support to help to start an informed conversation about alcohol with their children. Over 30,000 people have used our online Drinks Calculator to find out the true impact of their average alcohol intake over the past six months. Visitors to our stand will be offered the chance to use the calculator and our other online tools.

Niamh Gallagher, CEO of Drinkaware, said:

“The Drinkaware team is thrilled to be attending the National Ploughing Championships for the first time this year. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with people from communities across the country. We are encouraging people to visit our stand throughout the week where you can ask us questions, try out our alcohol consumption tracking tools and get resources to help you better understand your drinking habits. Making small changes to how you consume alcohol can make a real difference in the short and long-term.”

You will find the Drinkaware stand at Block 2, Row 29, Stand 644, Unit 34, in the Dunamaise & Nore – Health & Wellness tent.

We look forward to seeing you in Screggan!

Offer Help at the Ploughing Championships 2017

The Citizens Information Service (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) will return to the National Ploughing Championships from 19th – 22nd September to once again offer information and advice to some of the almost 300,000 visitors expected to attend.

The Citizens Information Service will deal with a wide range of queries from visitors to the marquee – focusing in particular on flooding assistance, Farm Assist, Maternity Benefit and income supports for older people. Likewise the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) will help people with concerns over debt issues, and Abhaile, the Free Mortgage Arrears Service which is accessed through MABS, will also be on hand throughout the event to offer help and advice.

Michelle O’Hara, Development Manager, Carlow Citizens Information Service (CIS), who will be attending the Ploughing Championships commented:

“There are 215 Citizens Information Services around the country, resourced with people available to help the citizens of this country with their queries and dilemmas.  No request is too small and the personal service offered at the Citizens Information offices is a vital part of the fabric of our society.  The online service is also very popular with a wide range of terms searched every day.  For example, during August people searched a range of topics

• Irish citizenship through birth or descent
• Fuel Allowance
• Applying for your first Irish passport
• Family Income Supplement
• Minimum rates of pay

This shows the breadth of queries the Service receives over any period.  The Citizens Information Service is a free and confidential service that ensures that all citizens have easy access to good quality information, advice and advocacy. Our objective is to ensure that all citizens are fully aware of their rights and advised and assisted when the need arises to avail of the benefits or allowances to which they are entitled

Clonakilty Food Co. are excited to attend the National Ploughing Championships for another year running. Located at Block 3, Row 32, Stand 662, they promise to bring you lots of excitement over the course of the three days including special offers on their full product range, cooking demonstrations and a chance for you to win a family trip to the idyllic town of Clonakilty.

They will be joined by special guest and friend of Clonakilty, TV3’s chef Joe Shannon, who will be showcasing new ways to ‘Cook with Clonakilty’ so be sure to pop in and sample some of the delectable dishes he’ll be cooking up each day.

If you love Clonakilty Sausages and Clonakilty Blackpudding, you are now in for a special treat. Clonakilty Food Co. have combined two of their best loved products – the traditional flavour of Clonakilty Ispíní mixed with the unmistakable texture and flavour of their famous Clonakilty Blackpudding – to make Clonakilty Blackpudding Sausages which they’ll be sampling at their stand. Clonakilty will of course be also sampling lots of their Clonakilty Blackpudding, Whitepudding, Sausages and Rashers throughout the three days so just follow the sound of the sizzle to find them!

With plenty of attractive offers, exciting giveaways and lots of free samples set to come your way, the Clonakilty Food Co. stand promises to be a fun filled experience for you and the whole family. They look forward to seeing you there!