Tag Archives: launch

To lightly paraphrase the words of the late Jimi Hendrix – Are you X-Perienced? Well I am, as I’ve driven the Leon X-Perience, the first 4×4 ever produced by Spanish firm, SEAT. The Leon is now their best selling model, so it makes sense to start from here, although we’re told that this particular model is only the first of a number of four wheel drive cars which will come onto the market over the next few years. The X-Perience is based on the ST or estate model and for this particular application, the looks have been suitably machoed up with more rugged bumpers, black roof rails and crucially for off-road ability, a ride height raised by 30mm. To take advantage of the extra ground clearance, grip is enhanced by a fifth generation Haldex four wheel drive system, which normally sends all power to the front pair of wheels. As conditions dictate, though, up to 90% of torque can instantly …

#Digital Clare, a newly-founded digital marketing network for County Clare, reached 3.5 million people after it was launched at an event in the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis this week. The initiative, which has been run under the CLDC programme, Ditigal Animation, funded by LEADER, has been facilitated by Digital Training Institute founder and Apprentice finalist, Joanne Sweeney Burke. Speaking to The Clare Champion, Joanne explained how the network came about. During the first phase of the programme, Joanne conducted digital marketing and social media courses, delivered from June to October, where she trained 125 people in Clare and delivered 90 one-to-one mentoring hours. “We had such a huge response that we felt we were onto something and that there was an appetite there. We then developed phase two, to create something more formal, like a network, so the idea of DigitalClare was born. Everything that CLDC do under Leader is all about scalability. While I’m contracted as a facilitator …

IN preparation for Irish Wheelchair Association’s (IWA) national fundraising Angels campaign, which takes place each November, the association was joined by local members, volunteers, supporters and RTÉ sports presenter, Marty Morrissey, to launch the campaign in Clare. The Angels campaign will begin this Thursday, with volunteers selling Angel products in towns, communities and outside all ALDI stores, as well as other stores nationwide. Funds raised through the sales will be used to support all essential services which the association provides throughout the country. Speaking at the launch, Johnny Crawford IWA Angel co-ordinator said, “The support of local volunteers, as always, is a vital component to the success of Angels and, each November, we appeal to the general public, our members and supporters to volunteer with us and assist with the campaign locally in Clare. This may mean volunteering to sell Angels products on the street or through local schools and shops, or organising a special event, like a coffee morning …

THE day Siobhan Mungovan started walking was the day her father, Noel almost keeled over. Aged three and diagnosed with Spina Bifida, walking wasn’t on the list of what was expected of the now 28-year-old Connolly girl, who, these days, works in the planning department of Clare County Council. Siobhan, who along with Clare Champion journalist, Carol Byrne, has written Me and My Backbone, My Journey with Spina Bifida detailing her life with Spina Bifida, clearly recalls the circumstances surrounding her first, albeit unsteady, steps. “Dad roared out to Mam, ‘where are my fags, Ger?’ Mam didn’t take a blind bit of notice because he’s always roaring for something. Lo and behold, out of nowhere, Siobhan gets up with a wobble and takes herself across the floor to get the fags,” Siobhan recalled, ahead of the book launch on November 7. “He was shocked, obviously, that I walked but he was more shocked that I knew what fags were,” she …

Bodyke-based milliner, Ailish McElroy has recently launched her own line of handmade, bespoke hats and headpieces. Ailish is originally from Rathfarnham in Dublin and worked abroad for a few years, before returning to Ireland to settle in Bodyke with her family. Her designs are classic and edgy, with maximum elegance, creating that finishing touch to complement any outfit. Specialising in unique and imaginative headpieces, she was the official milliner for the Clare Rose at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival. Millinery is a craft form that has been rapidly expanding of late and Ailish explains how she got involved in it. “I have always been a very creative person and I have been a graphic designer for many years. I always had an intense interest in all types of design; fashion, interiors, architecture. After attending Ladies Day at the Galway Races last year, I developed an interest in millinery. I was soul-searching for an area I could devote myself …

Jaguar revealed their brand new XE sports saloon at a spectacular launch event at Earl’s Court, London, this evening. The scene was more akin to a West End Show than the usual exhibitions normally seen at the venue. The 90 minute spectacular was narrated by actor, John Hannah and featured performances from Emili Sandé, The Kaiser Chiefs, Eliza Doolittle and what appeared to be half the actors currently appearing on the West End. The story brought us through scenes from Jaguar’s illustrious history as a 16 year old boy, aided by a time traveller, attempted to create a new Jaguar for 2015, distilling the ethos of the brand in the process before the final, spectacular reveal. It was certainly an enjoyable, at times breath-taking performance and really brought home how important the success of the XE is to Jaguar. I’m sure there were many celebrities attending, but I don’t write for Hello and I didn’t recognise any faces, beyond Sir …

AN award-winning Great Dane was one of the star attractions at the official launch of one of the major social events in South-East Clare. Charlie the Great Dane helped to launch the 24th annual South-East Clare Show in Bridgetown, with his three-year-old owner and best friend, Brianna Lync,h and her mother, Arabella Scanlan. This amazing dog, who captured the hearts of the country when The Clare Champion highlighted his uncanny ability to detect Brianna’s epileptic seizures up to 20 minutes before each episode, was coolness personified with all the hustle and bustle at the show launch. Charlie has already been honoured by the Irish Great Dane Club for his amazing sixth sense and also received a Great Paws Award for his services, which will be featured on RTÉ again in the coming weeks. With a total prize fund of €20,000 and more than 2,500 equestrian, cattle and horticultural entries expected, the 2014 show will draw thousands of people to watch …

THE invaluable service that Rape Crisis Midwest provides from its Ennis centre is to be given a promotional boost this month. The county’s men are being urged to ‘walk a mile in her shoes’ to raise awareness of violence against women. After receiving a grant from COSC, The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, Rape Crisis Midwest have been able to purchase a number of new promotional items to highlight their centre at the Tracklands Business Park and its website, www.rapecrisis.ie. To celebrate this, they are holding a promotional launch at Glór on Thursday, April 10 at 12.30pm. A number of special guests will be saying a few words, along with representatives from Rape Crisis Midwest.  Supports and volunteers from the centre are also invited to attend and the general public is welcome to come along. Rape Crisis Midwest opened its doors in Limerick in 1980 and has grown since then, opening an outreach centre …