Archive for April, 2010

The EC, the IMF and Greece seem to be near completion of a deal which is likely to cost European countries about 100 Billion Euro over the next two years.

This follows on the spending of tens of billions to bail out banks in Ireland, Spain and other European countries.

One of the consequences of this is that the Euro is now weaker against the US dollar than it has been for a number of years. Therefore European exports will be more competitive and also Americans will be more likely to visit Europe, stay longer and their dollars will be worth more.

As I said before, it’s an ill wind……

Stevie Wonder is scheduled to perform at The O2, Dublin on 24th June 2010.
Tickets will be on sale from Thursday the 29th of April through Ticketmaster and other usual outlets throughout the country.  This is part of a European tour.

Stevie Wonder has had 49 top 40 singles including 32 number-one singles,

One of his best-known hits is “I Just Called to Say I Love You,”

This event is expected to be very popular so early booking is advised.

For those travelling from outside of Dublin there are many hotels, bed and breakfasts and hostels in the vicinity of the O2.
See here for booking accommodation, dublin hotels etc,

Dublin fans of Rock Star and celebrity Bret Michaels are shocked at the recent collapse of the star from a brain haemmorhage. There have been concerted efforts recently to get Michaels to do a gig in Dublin soon but this is less likely than ever as he remains in a critical condition in intensive care in an undisclosed hospital.

His condition is said to be caused by a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which causes bleeding in the spaces around the base of the brain.

Doctors say that about 10 percent of people don’t survive this event.  About another 25 per cent don’t make it through the first couple of days in the hospital and 30 percent make a full recovery.

Doctors remain hopeful for a full recovery but it can take several weeks or months of intensive care and rehabilitation.

So, Dublin fans will have to wait a little longer.

Will Ireland’s economy return to growth through international investment or through the efforts of local small industries?

With the lack of credit available for the foreseeable future it is going to be difficult for indigenous industries to make any substantial impact soon.

The office letting market is still very challenging in Dublin but was eased somewhat last year by the takeup of office space by companies such as Facebook (1,050 sq. m at Hanover Reach) and Amazon (1,300 sq. m at Kilmainham Square). It is encouraging that International on-line operators are continuing the lead of Microsoft and Google by locating substantial parts of their business here.

Ireland offers many advantages to companies as an international headquarters location. As well as our  tax advantages, we  have a large, well-educated labour pool, vacant office space at competitive prices, and improving communications infrastructure.

There has been some haemorrhage of business relocating to cheaper labour markets of eastern Europe and Asia but Ireland is still an attractive location for many companies.

Whitney Houston was determined to fulfill her engagement at Dublin’s O2 Arena despite the fact that her flight was grounded because of the volcanic ash cloud.

Appearing at the O2 on Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th and Tuesday 20th  of April Whitney drove from Birmingham to Holyhead and got on the ferry for Dublin.

This tour has been dogged with problems. She was forced to cancel her first three engagements because of health concerns which landed her in a Paris hospital.

The volcano in Iceland continues to erupt and the cloud of volcanic dust continues to hang over Europe.

80% of passenger flights have been cancelled and in Ireland Aer Lingus has cancelled all flights until tomorrow and Ryanair says that it is unlikely that there will be any flights until Wednesday at least.

Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair are thought to have lost millions so far although no definite figures are available. There is a fear that some small airlines throughout Europe who are already struggling may find it difficult to survive these losses.

The hospitality industry in Ireland is reporting a noticeable drop in visitors in the past few days.

The old adage: “It’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow good to somebody” was demonstrated this week by the catastrophic volcano eruption in Iceland.

Who would have thought that such a disastrous event which spewed volcanic material into the atmosphere causing flight disruption all over northern Europe effectively closing airports with losses of millions of euros to business and individual travellers could be good for anybody?

In Ireland and the UK all airports are virtually shut down and Aer Lingus and Ryanair have grounded all their planes until tomorrow (Monday) at least.

However some people just have to get to their destination and are finding alternatives. Even celebrities have to take the Ferry. In order to fulfil her concert engagement in Dublin Whitney Houston got on board the boat.

Over Thursday and Friday Stena Line reported that 6,000 extra foot passengers and 2,000 extra cars were carried across the Irish Sea, which is a 700 per cent rise in business.

Other ferry companies in Ireland and throughout Europe are reporting similar increases in traffic.

Well, here’s what we’ve all been waiting for- it’s the bank holiday weekend, and a richly deserved chance to relax and recharge. And with the off-licenses closed for business, in theory we should all be having a healthy evening in.

Realistically, there’ll probably be more drinking done tonight than most other nights of the year, judging by the queues to stock up on ‘refreshments’ last night. And maybe its time to ask, is there really any point to this Good Friday ban? At best, the absent minded may find themselves without a drink for a night. At worst, it encourages nationwide binge drinking. (Forbidden fruit and all that).

I may be biased though. I didn’t make it to the shop myself, and I’d love a frosty beer.