Shannon

EAST Park-based Mentor Graphics has opened its newly constructed regional data centre, which was developed at a cost of some $15 million.Seven jobs have been created to date and a similar amount of jobs are set to follow in the next few years, according to site manager Martin Gennery. “We’ve spent $15m installing a new consolidated regional data centre. This facility is to host up to 6,000 servers, which will be used by the 1,000 software development engineers that Mentor Graphics has in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.“We’ve added about seven [employees] so far and in the next three years we’ll probably add another seven. The rate of growth is something that’s hard to predict because there are so many other factors. There’s a technology change called virtualisation, which is driving a lot of growth. We’ve built two halls in the data centre and in the next three years we’ll fill hall one and then spill over into the …

WITH a decision on the future of the airport imminent, there will be much interest in Transport Minister Leo Varadkar’s address at Shannon Chamber’s spring lunch at the Oakwood Arms at 1pm on Friday.Chamber president Damian Gleeson has encouraged tourism providers, operators and members of the business community to take time out to meet the minister and voice their views on the Booz Report.“Opinions only turn into action when they are heard and heard by the decision makers. While the minister has spoken to chamber executives in advance of publishing the recent report, he has not, as yet, had the opportunity to address or mingle with the business community at Shannon, for whom the airport is an imperative component of their business operations, for both passenger and freight movement. This is possibly the last opportunity for engagement on a very pertinent issue for the Mid-West Region before the final decision is made.”He said he hopes to hear a few more …

THERE will be huge interest in the address given by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar at Shannon Chamber’s spring lunch, on Friday, March 30, given that Mr Varadkar has said he will provide details of his plan for Shannon’s future by Easter, which is the following weekend.

ONE of the Shannon College of Hotel Management’s most illustrious alumnus, Gerald Lawless, came back to his alma mater last Thursday, for this year’s graduation ceremony.Mr Lawless is currently Executive Chairman of one of the world’s top hotel groups, the Jumeriah Group. Based in Dubai, the group is regarded as one of the most luxurious and innovative hotel and resort groups in the world and among its flagship operations is the renowned Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, which is regularly described as the world’s only seven-star hotel.He said that his years in Shannon had been very positive for his career. “One thing I’ve always said about Shannon, and I was here from ’71-’75, is it instilled great self belief and confidence in the students. At that time we had to be a year out of school before coming then we worked in the airport kitchens for the summer. Then we had a year in Shannon, I spent …

CRIME in Shannon’s industrial estates has experienced a huge drop since the establishment of Shannon Business Watch, while the value of goods stolen dropped by €100,000 last year.A letter from the Gardai and Shannon Business Watch to last week’s town council meeting sought funding for CCTV and outlined some of the benefits that have accrued since the establishment of Business Watch.“Business Watch is a crime prevention programme designed by An Garda Siochána and was established in Shannon in 2009. It is founded on the same principles as Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert which is the practice of the Gardai and the community coming together to prevent and reduce crime, the only difference being that the community which this scheme targets is the business community.“The Business Watch Schemes in Shannon has been widely recognised by garda authorities as being one of the best practice examples of Business Watch in the country and the benefits of this can be seen in a …

A DRAFT plan to improve the appearance of Shannon includes landscaping at the Ballycasey Roundabout, improvements at the forecourt of the Seán Lemass Library and improvements to signage in the town.

ST Senan’s National School celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend and principal Sally O’Neill said there had been great celebrations.

WELCOMING the publication of the Booz and Co Report on the future ownership and structure of Cork and Shannon airports, Shannon Chamber president Damian Gleeson expressed satisfaction that a definite decision is imminent.