DKIT Sport opens doors to the public

Dundalk FC duo Daryl Horgan and Ciaran O’Connor at the launch of DKIT Sport yesterday with manager Kelly Gaffney and DKIT president Denis Cummins

DKIT Sport officially opened its doors to the public for the first time yesterday.

Formally ‘JJB’, DKIT Sport was purchased in early 2014 for a cost of €3million. The facility will be managed by the Holohan Leisure Group and is located adjacent to the 90-acre DKIT campus at Dundalk Retail Park.

The state of the art sports facility boasts a 20 metre swimming pool, changing rooms, jacuzzi, steam room, gym area, an aerobic studio, 1 indoor cycling studio, 10 indoor sports pitches and a dedicated high performance strength and conditioning training zone. The high performance, strength and conditioning zone is specifically designed for increased team performance and is the first of its kind in Co Louth.

The gym itself includes the latest, brand new, gold standard,’Precor’ gym equipment. The indoor sports pitches will be available not only to students and staff, but to local sports teams, clubs and the public for recreational purposes. There will be catering facilities also.

The acquisition of DKIT Sport forms part of the development of a comprehensive Sports Strategy by DKIT that includes the Centre of Sport, Exercise and Health with the Institute now offering a range of sports related courses such as BA in Sport, Exercise and Enterprise, BA (Hons.) in Community Sports Leadership and B.Sc. (Hons) in Health and Physical Activity.

Members of Dundalk FC were amongst those who attended yesterday’s launch, as well as Dundalk IT president Denis Cummins, who said it was a “great day for Dundalk Institute of Technology and Dundalk as a town”.

He said: “Today is the soft opening of the new DKIT Sport and we will do another official launch in September or October when all of the students are back.

“We are now open to the public and have grown to over 600 (public) members over the last couple of days as well as the 5,000 students all being members too so it’s a great day for everyone to be involved in.

“We have all worked really very hard over the last year to get to this point and it is brilliant to see this wonderful facility back in business. We have 20 staff employed at the moment and that will increase as the numbers continue to grow.”

Further details can be found at www.dkitsport.ie

New sculpture lands at Dundalk IT

The new sculpture at Dundalk IT

A new sculpture has been unveiled this week at Dundalk IT.

The sculpture, which was created by contemporary visual artist James L Hayes, is a large scale five metre mirror of polished stainless steel in the form of a paper plane.

The plane symbolises the optimism of youth, suggesting a flight or departure, communication and ambition. The temporal and often short life of the childish paper plane has been made permanent and monumental in the sculpture celebrating the spirt of youth.

The project, which has been managed by Dundalk Institute of Technology was supported by the Building Peace through the Arts – Re-Imaging Communities programme, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the European Union’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE III) managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and the International Fund for Ireland. The programme supports arts projects that promote a shared future and build positive relations within and between communities.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: ‘Today we are celebrating journeys; journeys which have brought the community of Dundalk and in particular the community of this academic institution to where they are today. The Building Peace Through the Arts programme has at its core the ability to bring communities together, through creative led engagement.  We have witnessed countless communities in the border counties and Northern Ireland experience the transformative power of the arts, DkIT is no exception and we are delighted to be part of the unveiling of this eye-catching new landmark which symbolises the journey students from this institute will make through learning and coming together.

“Inscribed on its wing the message ‘Unity Through Design’, the plane is a response to the contemporary nature and diversity of the DkIT campus as well as being a symbolic gesture to the themes of the Building Peace through the arts programme,” said Roisin.

Paddy O’Rourke, Vice President of the DkIT Students’ Union said: “This is great project that will symbolise the intentions and efforts of peace building between communities both North and South.

“In recent weeks as the ground was being prepared for the sculpture and the mirrored wings were being polished, a competition was run by the Students’ Union at DkIT. This competition invited students to submit a sentence or phrase explaining what attending DkIT means to them. After much deliberation the phrase “Unity Though Design” was chosen as the line which is representative of  the DkIT campus and the intentions of its scholars and community participants in the Building Peace through the Arts initiative.

“The area of Dundalk and the Institute itself have become a melting pot of cultures over the last decade, this has presented its challenges but also offered a diversity rich in culture and experience.  The student community have embraced their diversity and proudly reference it in this shimmering new artwork,” he said.

Largest gym installation in Ireland under way at Dundalk IT facility

The largest gym installation in Ireland commenced this week at the new Dundalk Institute of Technology Sports Campus at the old JJB premises at Dundalk Retail Park.

The install by McSport will have over 300 pieces of equipment and will take the installation team over two weeks to fit out in total.

McSport have kindly previewed the facility, which will open to the public on Monday June 29^th.

A pre-sale event will take place in the days prior to that with DKIT Sport well on the way to opening now that its signage has also been placed on the building.

The website for the facility also went live today so why not check it out at www.dkitsport.ie

Dundalk IT sign Memorandum of Understanding with Monaghan Institute

A Memorandum of Understanding between Monaghan Institute and Dundalk Institute of Technology was officially signed this morning.

The memorandum means the Bachelor of Business, Level 8 Honours degree will be delivered in Monaghan Institute for the first two years, with the third year in Dundalk.

The three year programme will promote academic, intellectual and personal development and enable graduates to work as business professionals.

Dundalk IT students unable to register to vote after Garda no show

Students at Dundalk Institute of Technology, who had hoped to register to vote in the upcoming referendums on May 22^nd, were unable to do so on Monday.

Brian Fitzpatrick, president of Dundalk IT students’ union, said the registration event at the college had been arranged via LGBT organisation Dundalk Outcomers. A Garda presence on campus to register new voters on Monday before the May 5th deadline had been arranged, he said.

No gardaí attended the event, which was to take place for the first four days of this week and had been advertised on social media, Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“Now we have to tell students to go to their local Garda station. Luckily 50 per cent of our students are local.”

No one from Dundalk Garda station was able to comment on the matter when contacted by The Irish Times.

It is understood that Gardaí opted not to attend after the recent controversy over a Garda member appearing in a photocall campaigning for a Yes vote in the marriage equality referendum.

Laura Harmon, president of the Union of Students in Ireland, said that USI recognises the “necessary role of gardaí to verify identities to ensure that people can get registered to vote.

“We are very clear that gardaí have no political role in referenda,” Ms Harmon said.

The union encourages everybody to register to vote and “have their say, regardless of their political stances”.

Ms Harmon said “USI has for many years been extremely grateful to community gardaí for attending on campuses right across the country to verify identities for supplemental registration”.

Dundalk 29th in latest IBAL survey

Clanbrassil Street was one of the areas the survey found to be littered

Dundalk was ranked 29^th out of 40 towns in the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) Anti Litter Survey, released today.

The town was found to be Clean to European Norms, although it was in the bottom half of the league.

Neighbouring Drogheda was found to be moderately littered, which suggests that the local authority have work to do to raise the standards heading into the New Year.

Some of the better sites in the town included Dundalk Grammar School, the ‘managed’ Recycle Facility and Dundalk Institute of Technology. Clanbrassil Street was seriously littered as was the connecting road between Dundalk and Drogheda.

The full details of each area surveyed is below:

Approach from the North: Grade A. This was a very good route with attractive red paving for the pedestrian and cycle paths. The grass was neat and shrubbery / trees were in good order.

Dundalk Grammar School: Grade A. A very well presented and maintained educational environment – well done to all involved in same.

Dundalk Recycling: Grade A. This is a ‘managed’ facility where you drive through a barrier. The entrance was in excellent order – red brick paving, abundant flower boxes, grass and road markings / signage were very good. There was a complete absence of litter in the area surveyed.

Dundalk Institute of Technology: Grade A. Dundalk Institute of Technology is very much living up to the ethos of the Green Flag – it was spotless throughout. As well as a lack of litter the overall presentation of buildings / greenery / signage etc. was excellent.

Castleblaney Approach Road: Grade B. There was a variety of litter at this site, much of it food related e.g. sweet papers, plastic bottles, fast-food wrappers and cans. As well as these items cigarette packs and butts were also very much in evidence.

Dunnes Stores Car Park: Grade B. There was litter within the car park proper and the surrounding pedestrian pathways. Chewing gum and cigarette butts were most prevalent with lower levels of fast-food wrappers and plastic bottles.

Clanbrassil Street: Grade C. This street is very well served by litter bins and has had a relatively recent lift in terms of presentation of the square and courthouse so it is a real shame to see it score so poorly – as well as being heavily littered the seating looked very worn and the paving was uneven and dangerous.

Oriel Park: Grade B. A more thorough approach to cleaning could make a big difference to this site – all litter appeared to be ‘new’ i.e. not a long-term build up – a variety of food related litter was present at the main entrance and environs.

Dundalk Train Station: Grade B. This site just missed getting the top litter grade – with a little extra care on behalf of the users of the station this could easily be achieved.

Link road between Dundalk and Drogheda – South Bound: Grade C. All of this route was within County Louth so the results are for the one county. Surveyor noted that there was persistent litter along the left hand side of the road in the ditches and grass. The result of recent grass cutting was ‘chopped up litter’. As well as the usual types of litter there was plenty of plastic.

Dundalk IT submit planning application to convert from JJB complex into sports education centre

What the new facility could look like

Dundalk IT have submitted a planning application to Louth County Council to convert the former JJB complex at Bothar na Feirme into a sports and education centre.

The college hope to change the existing retail area at the first floor level into an area equipped for sports educational and training purposes. They also hope to use it as an exam hall when they see fit.

Meanwhile, the existing playing pitch area and associated changing area at the ground floor level will also be used for sports education and training uses, as well as as an exam hall.

The proposed development will also consist of a new pedestrian access point of Bothar na Feirme, the removal of an existing vehicular access along the western boundary, the reduction of 79 car parking spaces and the reconfiguration of the existing car park layout. There would also be a repositioning of the existing bus lay-by to provide for a dedicated cycle parking area, as well as elevational changes to include the erection of four new fascia signs.

It is also hoped to construct a new boundary wall to the north and west, in addition to landscaping and all site development works.

A decision on the matter is due to be made by January 6^th.

eBay Inc. Launch their One Young World Scholarship in partnership with DkIT

PayPal and eBay have teamed up with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) to give one lucky young person the opportunity to attend the One Young World Summit being held in Dublin in October.

eBay Inc. is offering a place at the prestigious conference to a young person in Dundalk who demonstrates  leadership potential and socially innovative thinking. Interested parties are advised to visit the DkIT website for information on how to enter the competition.

The One Young World conference is aimed at inspiring and equipping people under the age of 30 to become future leaders. Previous events were addressed by former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, musician and activist, Bob Geldof, and former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. Some of the brightest young people from across the globe will descend on the Convention Centre Dublin in October to hear from a variety of pre-eminent speakers, including Ireland’s first female President and the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.

Speaking about the initiative, Louise Phelan, Vice President of Global Operations for Europe Middle East and Africa, PayPal said, “We’re delighted to partner with Dundalk IT on this and give a young person in the area the opportunity to attend this incredible event. The winner will join almost 2,000 current and future business leaders from 190 nations at the summit and will have the opportunity to discuss and debate international issues such as social innovation, human rights, gender equality and sustainable development. These are all issues very close to our heart at PayPal and eBay.”

Jean-Marc Codsi, Europe Middle East and Africa Vice President of Global Customer Experience for eBay Inc. said, “Enabling talented people to thrive is a core component of the eBay culture, and we are excited to support an initiative that will help to shape the leaders of tomorrow.  For the person who wins this scholarship, this is an incredible opportunity to hear from some inspirational leaders on how you can shape both your future and the future of the world.  I am proud that eBay Inc. is enabling one young person in the locality to participate in an event that may change his or her life”.

Denis Cummins, President of DkIT said, “Dundalk Institute of Technology is thrilled that PayPal and eBay are supporting a unique opportunity for young people in the area. As anthropologist, Margaret Mead, once said ‘Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For indeed, that’s all who ever have.’  DkIT students care and will make that difference and One Young World will inspire them.”

To enter the competition, young people have the opportunity to pick one of eBay Inc.’s social innovation themes – Creating Economic Opportunity, Enabling Greener Commerce and Powering Giving – and develop a submission on their chosen topic in powerpoint or by video. Applicants are also asked to provide 250 words on why they would make a great young leader.  Entries need to be in by September 30th.  Details are available from www.dkit.ie.

Dundalk IT open day dates are set

Dundalk Institute of Technology will hold its annual open day on Friday and Saturday October 17^th and 18^th.

Everyone is invited to visit the college over the course of the two days to see all that it has to offer. Department heads, lecturers and students will be on hand to give advice while documentation will be issued providing details on all courses.

The event is open to all but would be particularly useful for anyone considering attending Dundalk IT in September 2015.

Moran welcomes extra places on Springboard courses

Senator Mary Moran

Local Senator Mary Moran has welcomed the announcement today by Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn that an extra 6,000 places will be on offer in institutes of technology, universities and private higher education colleges across the country under the Springboard programme.

“For anyone who is unemployed, actively seeking work and keen to upskill and improve their employability, this is a great opportunity,” said the Labour Party representative.

“Courses are available at certificate, degree and postgraduate level and are all free and part-time. The eligibility criteria have been expanded to include people who were previously self-employed and anyone who is in receipt of a social welfare payment such as Disability Allowance or Carers Allowance can now avail of these courses.

“I am delighted that Dundalk Institute of Technology will be offering several new courses including level 8 Certificates in Digital Animation Production and Games, a level 8 Diploma in Food and Agri-Business Excellence and a level 7 Certificate in Business in Digital Marketing and Digital Media Management. The target enrolment for these courses is 75 places and the courses will be offered as a mix of online/distance and on-campus delivery.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone who is keen to improve their chances of finding employment. The feedback from the first round of Springboard Courses begun in 2011 has been very positive, with more than 3,500 people due to graduate this month.”

More information and guidance on the courses can be accessed on 1800 303 523 or on www.springboardcourses.ie