Calling all Marathon Runners

The ING NYC Marathon is surely the most popular marathon in the world, annually attracting over 100,000 entries with only 38,000 places available.  There is so much to see in New York during your 26.4 mile run which takes in all five boroughs of the city, many of the bridges and famous landmarks, and the finish line right in the middle of Central Park.   We can take all the hassle out of making your arrangements to ensure you get to the start line on Sunday 7 November 2010.  All you need to do is raise sponsoship for Co-operation Ireland and get out and train.  You

Who needs our money more?

Over the weekend I have been preoccupied by the relief operation in Haiti. I watched in amazement as a young man was brought out from under the rubble. Living on coke and crisps, he survived for 11 days – his brother who had not given up hope of finding him, heard his tapping and eventually he was freed.

Maracycle again?

Dublin and Belfast are gettin further apart - well they are if I get my way and reinstate the Belfast - Dublin Maracycle over the last weekend in June. Instead of incurring the wrath of Police forces, North and South by cycling on motorways, we'll be asking cyclists to take a more leisurely approach on rural country roads avoiding city centres and heavy traffic ( hope thats what you want ). We want people to enjoy the shared friendship and fun of the flagship cross border bike ride Maracycle which attracted 45, 000 participants over its previous 15 year history.

The Road to Kilimanjaro

Reading through the info, the trek to Kilimanjaro sounds absolutely fabulous and apparently is one of life's greatest challenges.  Talking to a few people about this trip, it sounds like there are quite a number of you out there who watched the celebrities take it on last year and are now thinking 'if they can do it, so can I'.    If you are one of them, I would love to hear back from you.  Any questions on the trek welcome.
 

Pride of Place Ceremony

The Co-operaiton Ireland Pride of Place Awards Ceremony was, as I predicted. a night of celebration for those groups who with won in their categoty or came runner-up. 
People from all over the island, braved the terrible weather and made a real occasion of the night. Groups from Kerry to Derry and everywhere in between made the journey to Newcastle, Co Down and by all accounts it was worth their effort.

School Choir Competition

I have been in Northern Ireland for one month and half. My university gave me a grant (Leonardo da Vinci) to work in Belfast to improve my skills and knowledge in Journalism and in Conflict Resolution, as they are what my degrees are in After a week here, Kevin Shine who is my coordinator, arranged an interview for me with Cooperation Ireland. He told me: “They do workshops and several activities between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to reinforce our bonds”. They were interested in me and I was in them, and then my adventure began.
 

Pride of Place Gala Celebration

This weekend, the 2009 Co-operation Ireland Pride of Place Competition Winners will be announced.

All the short-listed groups will come together for a gala evening of celebration at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle. This gala event is not only a great occasion for everyone to get their glad rags on but it is the ideal opportunity for people to meet, get to know one another and share ideas about what works best in their community.