Ireland leads Europe in hiring optimism
The latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey shows a +29% Net Employment Outlook for Q4 2025 — the strongest in Europe.Key takeaways: 49% of hiring is driven by business growthMunster leads in regional confidence, with Dublin close behindIT & Pharma are the fastest-growing sectorsWork–life balance tops staff retention strategies Despite 70% of employers rating their hiring processes as efficient, attracting qualified talent remains the #1 challenge For your complimentary copy of the report please
US Presidential Proclamation Announcing New $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
On September 19, President Trump issued a presidential proclamation that bans an H-1B specialty occupation employee from entering the United States unless their employer has paid a $100,000 fee for the sponsored employee, effective on Sunday, September 21. On September 20, the White House and federal agencies issued guidance in an effort to clarify the scope of the proclamation’s restrictions. However, many open questions remain, and further official guidance regarding these open questions is still
Oaktree Financial to Host Black-Tie Charity Gala Celebrating 15 Years in Business
Oaktree Financial will mark a significant milestone this year with a glamorous 15th Anniversary Charity Gala, taking place on Friday, 22nd November 2025, 6pm at Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork. The black-tie event will raise vital funds for two Cork-based charities: Cork ARC Cancer Support House and the Eating Disorder Centre Cork. Founded in 2010, Oaktree Financial has grown into one of Ireland’s leading financial planning firms, known for its people-first ethos, independent advice, and deep commitment to
Host an International Intern!
Welcoming an international intern is a chance to bring fresh energy, new ideas and a global outlook into your organisation. Your team gains valuable support while also developing their own mentoring and management skills in the process. With no long-term commitment required, it is a simple way to trial future entry level talent while making a real difference in a young professional’s career journey. Career Training Internships gives international interns the chance to gain hands-on training with
ASA Group Marks 40 Years of Innovation, Growth and Global Success
ASA Group incorporating ASA Brands and ForWare, is celebrating 40 years in business. Founded in 1984 by Aodh and Judith Bourke, the company has grown from a small family-run enterprise into an international success story with operations in Cork, Dublin and Belfast, and partnerships across the globe. Today, the ASA Group is led by sisters Michelle Johnson, CEO, and Caroline Bourke, COO, who have successfully combined the company’s family values with an ambitious entrepreneurial vision. Since taking the
Fzin Coffee Expands Drinking Chocolate Range with Three New Flavours
Fzin Coffee has launched three new drinking chocolate flavours, Coconut,Biscuit, and Buonito, further expanding Ireland’s most innovative range of hot chocolates. Each flavour is palm oil free, reflecting Fzin Coffee’s commitment to quality and environmentally responsible sourcing. Building on its established range of sustainable beverages, Fzin Coffee continues to introduce products with a unique flavour profile that combine indulgence with eco-conscious values. The expanded drinking chocolate
Bibby Financial Services and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland announce new €30m finance fund for Irish SMEs
The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), the State’s promotional financial institution, and business lender Bibby Financial Services Ireland have announced a new €30 million fund to help Irish SMEs manage their cash-flow. The new fund brings the SBCI’s lending partnership with Bibby Financial Services to €100 million, with over €70 million deployed by this partnership in support of hundreds of Irish SMEs across multiple sectors since 2016. The latest €30 million facility will allow Bibby
Northside Cork Company SE Systems Shortlisted for National Energy Award
Cork-based SE Systems, a leading one-stop shop for energy-efficient retrofits, has been shortlisted for the 2025 SEAI Energy Awards, recognising its outstanding contribution to sustainable housing and community transformation. Founded and headquartered on Cork’s northside, SE Systems works with businesses, homeowners and community organisations to deliver complete retrofit solutions, from initial design and grant facilitation to project management and final delivery. The company’s shortlisted project,
Springboard Communications Named PRII Consultancy Team of the Year
Independent Irish communications agency Springboard Communications has been named Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) Consultancy Team of the Year at the inaugural PRII Communication Impact Awards. Presented at a gala event at the Conrad Hotel, Dublin, the award recognises the agency’s leadership in purpose-led communications, innovation, and long-term investment in its people and clients. This caps a standout year for the Cork-headquartered agency, which also won PRCA Agency of the Year at the
Fzin Coffee and Musgrave Marketplace Partnership Helps Irish Businesses Reduce Single-Use Waste
Fzin Coffee’s sustainable coffee and beverage ranges are available through Musgrave Marketplace Extended Range, giving more than 50,000 B2B customers nationwide access to certified compostable capsules, sustainably manufactured coffee beans and ground coffee, and eco-friendly beverages. The partnership has positioned Fzin Coffee as a trusted supplier for hotels, cafés, restaurants, and offices that want to reduce single-use waste, from capsules to plastic syrup bottles, without disrupting their existing
Clearwide Environmental, Celebrating 3 Years in Business
This month marks our 3 year anniversary at Clearwide EnvironmentalClearwide was started with very little - a 2008 van and just work ethic. I've a passion for the drainage industry with a service that won’t be beaten. Is there anything I would change and the answer is plenty I’d change a few things I probably would have done different but it’s all part about learning. Clearwide is built on it’s reliability to provide end to end solutions day or night 7 days a week We have over 120 positive reviews online
Guaranteed Irish Expands in Cork to Support Growing Network of Local Members
Guaranteed Irish, recognised as the national symbol of trust for doing business in Ireland, is expanding its presence in Cork to support and champion local businesses across Munster. The organisation works with some of the region’s most successful and innovative companies, including Musgrave, Clonakilty Food Co., Cork Builder Providers and Pipelife. Guaranteed Irish will be hosting events locally for their ecosystem and expanding on local supply chains. Research carried out this year showed that 75% agree
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Cork-Based WedPro Shortlisted for 2025 Boutique Hotelier Awards - Help us win an international award by voting today!
Third Time’s a Charm? WedPro by WeddingDates, a Cork-based business in the wedding and hospitality technology sector, has once again been shortlisted for the Boutique Hotelier Awards 2025 in the category of Best Hotel Technology Product (under 100 employees). This marks their third consecutive year being recognised on the UK stage. Ciara Crossan and the team at WeddingDates proudly took home the award in 2023, reached the finals in 2024, and now in 2025, they are hoping to bring the trophy back to Cork
Tech Industry Alliance Launches 2025 Leaders Awards with Two New Categories
Tech Industry Alliance (TIA) has officially launched the 2025 Leaders Awards, which will take place on Friday, 28th November 2025 in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork. Nominations are now open for the awards and will remain open until 10 October 2025. Individuals and organisations are invited to nominate those making an exceptional contribution to the tech industry in the South-West. Now in its 18th year Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards is the highlight of the business and technology calendar in the
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Fzin Coffee has achieved 4-Star OK Biobased certification
Fzin Coffee has achieved 4-Star OK Biobased certification for its Aromatico compostable capsule range, compatible with Nespresso®, L’OR, and De’Longhi® machines. The certification confirms that the capsules are produced from renewable, biobased raw materials and provide a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic and aluminium pods. The OK Biobased 4-Star label is the highest rating available, offering customers independent assurance of the product’s environmental credentials. It reflects Fzin
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Famine Unfolding in Gaza
Undoubtedly, you are hearing about the catastrophic situation unfolding for children in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis has reached an unprecedented level. According to the latest IPC Alert, two of the three famine thresholds have now been breached, with widespread food shortages and acute malnutrition among children. The only remaining threshold before famine can be officially declared is starvation-related deaths. Time is running out. In recent days, Israel has permitted limited humanitarian access
Reframing famous paintings at Triskel for Autumn 2025
Reframing famous paintings at Triskel Áine Andrews’ popular series on Famous Paintings and their Hidden Histories returns to Triskel in October. But for those of you needing some art history before then, Dr Matthew Whyte from Sample-Studios will run his latest series, Art History Reframed, from Tuesday 16 September. Both series run for six weeks each with lectures on Tuesdays from 11am to 1pm. Each lecture is €25 or get 20% off when you purchase all six lectures in a series. Tickets are on sale now
Saturday Lunchtime Concerts Are Back at Triskel for Autumn 2025
Saturday Lunchtime Concerts Are Back at Triskel Classical music has been proven to improve memory, reduce stress and boost overall mental wellbeing. Even more reasons to attend Triskel’s series of lunchtime classical music concerts. They have just announced their autumn series of concerts, which includes four concerts in the Spotlight Chamber Music Series, which is curated by Aoife Burke, and four string quartets from the National String Quartet Foundation. The concerts begin on Saturday 6 September
Fzin Coffee Celebrates International Award for Oro Ground Coffee
Fzin Coffee is proud to share that Oro Ground Coffee, part of its core product lineup, has received the International Coffee Tasting Award 2025 for quality and taste from the International Institute of Coffee Tasters (IIAC) , one of the most prestigious honours in the global coffee industry. The International Coffee Tasting Award is a scientifically structured competition judged by panels of trained sensory experts. Products are evaluated blind using strict scoring criteria, ensuring that only the
Springboard Communications named PRCA Agency of the Year for the second time
Springboard Communications, the independent Irish communications agency, has been named PRCA Agency of the Year at the 2025 Spotlight Awards for Excellence in Communications, held at The Shelbourne, Dublin on 20 June. This marks the second time the agency has received the prestigious national award, having previously won in 2023. The PRCA recognised Springboard Communications for its people-first approach, long-standing client relationships, and commitment to purpose-led growth. Judges also commended the
Seaman family leads the charge as hundreds set to ‘Make their Mark on Cancer’ on Sunday, July 13th
Hundreds of walkers are expected to take to the road on Sunday, July 13th for the ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ charity walk, a 22 km journey from The Viaduct to the Town Hall in Bandon, in support of the Mercy Cancer Appeal.Now in its twelfth year, the walk continues to honour the memory of Mark Prendergast, a beloved Bandon man who lost his life to testicular cancer in 2012. Since the inaugural event in 2013, the walk and its supporting fundraisers have raised over €566,528 to support cancer services at
Mercy University Hospital opens state-of-the-art Seminar, Skills and Simulation Classroom to enhance healthcare training
Mercy University Hospital (MUH), Cork, has opened a state-of-the-art Seminar, Skills and Simulation Classroom within its Centre of Nurse Education. Designed to deliver immersive, realistic training, the new facility aims to transform how healthcare professionals develop clinical and teamwork skills by simulating real-life scenarios in a safe environment. The Seminar, Skills and Simulation Classroom was developed in the Mercy’s Centre of Nurse Education (CNE) complex, led by its Director, Ann Cummins and
EHS International Announces New Partnership to Tackle Rising Compliance Demands
EHS International, a leading Irish provider of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) solutions, has partnered with EHA Soft Solutions to adopt its mai™ platform, helping organisations move all their health, safety, and compliance tasks online — making them faster, clearer, and easier to manage. Replacing outdated, manual tracking systems with real-time oversight and mobile-first workflows, EHA Soft’s mai™ platform helps centralise, digitise, and automate key compliance processes — from contractor
Rachel Stevenson appointed as CEO of Mercy Hospital Foundation
The Mercy Hospital Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel Stevenson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the voluntary sector, Rachel is a highly accomplished senior leader with a deep commitment to driving positive change. Rachel began her career in London and has championed causes across disability, social disadvantage, Black & Minority Ethnic issues, and homelessness. For the past 23 years, she has served as Director of Fundraising at
RDJ Announces B Corp Certification
RDJ, a leading Irish corporate law firm, is officially a Certified B Corporation, a global certification for businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. With offices in Cork, Dublin, and Galway, RDJ is the first Irish law firm to become certified B Corp. RDJ’s certification follows a rigorous 18-month-long assessment, with key initiatives undertaken in recent years including increasing female representation to 35% in senior management and transitioning to 100% renewable
Triskel Sample Project space visual arts development programme in Cork continues into a New Year
The exciting visual arts partnership between Triskel and Sample-Studios continues into 2025, offering another twelve months of providing a visual arts project space for artists, especially emerging and mid-career artists, to test ideas and to develop new work that can be seen by the public. Triskel Sample Project Space offers tangible career development and audience engagement opportunities to artists on their ‘home turf’ where they have a safe space to develop new ideas, within which risk-taking is
MTU hosts Simulated Maritime Cyber Attack team exercise in collaboration with the Irish Naval Service and the NMCI.
MTU hosts Simulated Maritime Cyber Attack team exercise in collaboration with the Irish Naval Service and the NMCI. For centuries, Cork has been a safe harbour from storms, rough seas, and pirates. However, in 2024, the concept of a safe harbour has evolved. This was evident on Friday during the MTU Smart Maritime Cybersecurity Challenge, where the focus shifted to defending Ireland’s harbours and ports against cyber threats. The event featured a cyber attack simulation on a virtualised maritime port,
Marbral Advisory have appointed Conor Gourley as a Business and Talent Development Manager
International change and project management specialists Marbral Advisory, have appointed Conor Gourley as a Business and Talent Development Manager in Dublin. The new role has been created in response to the Company’s growing multi-jurisdictional portfolio and expansion into Ireland. Mr Gourley will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, building and maintaining client relationships, and developing a regional pool of high-quality consultants to meet client demand. He will be
