Automatic feeders for livestock, a clam grading system and a racing car were amongst the projects which the students designed and built in teams for their end of year project.
Mechanical engineers can work in a range of roles including research, design, project management, technical sales, computer-aided engineering, process control, manufacturing engineering, aeronautics, materials engineering and product development.

Head of School of Engineering, Shane Fanning, said that a mechanical engineering degree is a very broad qualification that allows graduates to diversify as their interests and the economy change; “Mechanical engineering is one of the largest and oldest of the engineering disciplines, he said. “Mechanical engineers design the tools and processes that make every tangible product, including everything from a can opener to a car or an aeroplane. Our degree in Mechanical Engineering provides great flexibility and scope for students and is accredited with Associate Membership of Engineers in Ireland; possible career paths are varied and will largely be determined by the interests of the students themselves.”

For instance, he said, Mechanical Engineers are working at the centre of the energy industry. “There are opportunities for engineers in the growing green energy industry, whether that’s in the development of products that will allow us to access energy from renewable sources or in the creation of new, more durable materials,” he said.

In a survey conducted by Engineers Ireland recently of their members, almost 80 per cent of respondents said that they are satisfied with engineering as their choice of careers. Director General of Engineers Ireland, John Power, said that this indicates the durability and flexibility offered by an engineering qualification.  “These are patently tough economic times for everyone but a career in engineering provides both diversity and opportunity,” he said.
Students can study Mechanical Engineering at IT Sligo through a range of flexible learning methods. To find out more see www.itsligo.ie.

STUDENT PROFILES

Karen Barrett, Belmullet, Co Mayo

As energy prices soar and more and more people consider renewable energy options, Mayo woman Karen Barrett from Belmullet, Co Mayo a third year Mechanical Engineering student at IT Sligo, chose a timely theme when picking her end of year project.
Karen (29) and three fellow students built a wind generator which will now be used as a research and teaching aid at the Institute. Karen, who worked as an office administrator before deciding to follow her heart and enrol on IT Sligo’s Mechanical Engineering programme as a mature student, has had no regrets.
“I am interested in design and this project was a real challenge,” said Karen, who used copper coils and rare earth magnets to build the generator.
Karen’s project was on display at the Institute at the annual end of year Graduate Exhibition recently. She’s hoping that the practical experience the course has provided will be useful in the workplace “All the other members of my family have had to emigrate to Canada and Australia, so I’d like to stay in Ireland and there is work out there”.
Having given up a regular wage packet to become a student she is torn about whether to pursue her studies and get an honours degree or start applying for jobs immediately she has third year and an ordinary degree under her belt. “Of course I also have the option of doing level 8 (honours degree) at IT Sligo as an online student and I could work at the same time,” she said.

Sligo students design innovative ‘Clam Grader’

Sligo student Jonathan Kelly came up with a winner when he and three fellow IT Sligo students recently designed a grading machine which will reduce labour and increase productivity for local shell fish farmers.
As part of their end of year project,  Mechanical Engineering student Jonathan from Ballintrillick Co Sligo and his teammates, Gavin Kee and Malcolm Kee from Grange, Co Sligo, took on the challenge of helping clam fish farmers who have to manually separate  shellfish,  according to the their size. “If you don’t separate them the large ones take all the food and the small ones die,” explained Jonathan.
The students developed a grading machine made out of stainless steel, which is highly corrosion- resistant. As well as sorting the shellfish their creation also washes them. “We designed the product for Coney Island Shellfish who are based in Strandhill,” explained Jonathan (20). “They have already been onto us asking when it will be available so we are delighted that it will be of practical benefit”.

As someone who is interested in getting into the design area, the blend of practical work and theory on his course has given the third year student confidence about future job prospects. “I did the Leaving Certificate just when the construction industry was fading so that branch of engineering wasn’t an option for me,” he explained. “But there are job opportunities in mechanical engineering, thanks mainly to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries”.

A family affair – Mayo brothers develop Rim Lift Wheel Changer

Brothers Shane and Calum Murray from Balla, Castlebar, knew what they were doing when they designed a device that can remove and refit a 500 kilo tyre, thus eliminating a lot of manual labour and potential back problems for those using heavy agricultural machinery.
Both third year Mechanical Engineering students at the IT Sligo, they knew that their Rim Lift Wheel Changer would be very beneficial when working with their father, Fintan Murray, an agricultural contractor.
“We wanted something which would improve Health & Safety by eliminating the danger of heavy wheels falling, which apart from the damage to whatever is around could also do a lot of harm to lads’ backs,” explained Shane.
For their end of year project Shane (25) and Calum (21) and two classmates, came up with a system which can lift rims and tyres on heavy plant such as tractors, trucks and slurry tankers by grabbing the rim and then transferring it to a trailer. “This means that if you have a puncture you don’t need two fellows to get the wheel off,” said Shane. The rim lift can remove the tyre to a trailer for transportation to a garage. “That saves money   because if someone had to come and pick it up it could cost €100,” explained the student.

There is currently no machine on the market which manipulates wheels by catching the inner rim.
The students have adapted the wheel changer so that it is a multi-purpose machine which can also be used as a crane for taking engines out of machines.  It can lift heavy objects such as half ton bags of manure.

“Our father has seen it work and is impressed,” said Shane, who pointed out that two Mayo companies now want to talk to them about using the device.

Shane who is keen to work in the areas of design, manufacturing and sales says this project was typical of the kind of hands – on experience he has got at IT Sligo. “When I go back to the family business I see how relevant everything we have learned is,” he explained. “I would really like to continue with the programme and get an honours degree as I know it will enhance my chances of getting the kind of work I would enjoy”.

Image Captions in order:

• Top Right:  Karen Barrett with IT Sligo President, Professor Terri Scott.
• Middle Right:  Jonathan Kelly, Gavin Kee and Malcolm Kee designed a ‘Clam Grading System’.
• Below Right:  Mayo brothers Shane and Calum Murray with their team mates Terry Munday and Derek O’Reilly. Also pictured are lecturers Robert Craig and Michael Moffatt.

AgriPunch: The Agri-Punch is designed to be used in an agricultural environment, for the construction of sheds and other general engineering fabrication work. Mounted on a tractor, it uses a unique toggle clamp mechanism to generate an impressive 68 tonnes of force. This machine is rated to punch a 25 mm diameter hole in a 12 mm thick plate and can be adapted to shear bars, bend pipes and undertake other pressing operations.	(AutoFeed): Automatic Creep Feeder: This automated animal feeding system uses sensors to detect the type and size of livestock as it enters the feeding area and then dispenses the correct amount and type of feed, depending on the animal. While controlling animal feeding, this product will also benefit farmers by eliminating the need to feed animals manually every day as the hopper will only need to be filled weekly.
Modesty Block Assembly Machine: This project is an automated assembly device used to assemble the three component parts of a furniture fixture, called a “Modesty Block”. Automated assembly machines, such as these are found in high volume, modern manufacturing companies where this type of robotic assembly is common place. This project incorporates a high level of precision engineering along with pneumatics, electropneumatics and programmable logic control technology. (Roscommon) Conor Keane from Athleague, Co Roscommon with his Ladder Support. _	Wood Processor: The objective of the Wood Processor is to enable logs and firewood to be cut and split much faster than normal, while also significantly reducing the amount of manual labour. Mounted to the 3-point linkage of a tractor it uses the tractor’s hydraulic power supply to operate a conveyor and a log splitter, which is incorporated into the machine. _
Track Car: Four of the students, all serious car enthusiasts, have designed and built a custom Track Car. They intend to use this for track days, hill climbs and clubman style racing. This project involved building the car chassis, suspension, exhaust and most of the body panels. The engine and drive came from a Ford Sierra 1800cc CVH which they stripped and utilised. _

The show is open to the public and will be held in IT Sligo’s K Building, which is located off Clarion Road.

Students participating in the show have completed a three year Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Art which includes Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Print Making, History and Theory, Sculpture and Digital and Lens based Media.

The show takes a collaborative approach with carefully considered selections of art works produced by each student over the course of the academic year showcasing a broad spectrum of mediums, interests and engagements.

The exhibition is an important opportunity for the students to experience, organize and present work in the public domain.

The launch takes place at 8pm on May 23^rd and is open to members of the public to attend. Light refreshments will be available and there will be live music.  The exhibition will also be open for viewing from 9am until 4pm on Thursday 24 May.

For further enquiries please contact caffrey.elizabeth@itsligo.ie or 0719155472.

 A piece of work by student Matthew Tucker who is one of the students displaying at the Fine Art Degree Show (Level 7)

IT Sligo based company signs significant contract with Irish Institute of Sport

A company based in IT Sligo’s Innovation Centre  which provides an applied bio marker (Blood and Saliva) testing service for elite athletes around the world, has signed a contract with the Irish Institute of Sport. As a result ORRECO will work with the cream of Ireland’s high performance athletes, including many who are bound for London 2012.
Founded by sports scientist Dr Brian Moore, and consultant physician, Dr Andrew Hodgson just over a year ago, ORRECO is already working with several multiple Olympic and World Champions.  The company’s advanced blood and saliva testing helps athletes reach peak performance, protects sports men and women from overtraining syndrome and helps reduce the number of training days lost to illness and infection.

Members of the ORRECO team have worked with high calibre sports stars including golfer Padraig Harrington, renowned athletes Paula Radcliffe, Mo Farah, and Fionnuala Britton, the Nike Oregon Track Club and the British Olympic Sailing Squad. The contract with the Irish Institute of Sport means the company will be working with the performance team supporting 80 Irish international athletes, including many who have qualified for the London Olympics

The ORRECO integrated team of world class practitioners includes medical doctors, physiologists, biomedical scientists, biostatisticians, and clinical and performance nutritionists.
Among them are Dr Carlos Gonzalez, former first team physiologist for Real Madrid, as well as the former speed and power consultant to the New Zealand, All Blacks Dr Christian Cook, and the performance nutritionist for Great Britain’s Olympic teams, Nathan Lewis.

A key part of the ORRECO service is an early warning signal for athletes who may be in danger of over-training. “Elite athletes obviously have to train hard to improve, but there is a risk that in search of improvement that they may over-train. By cross referencing biomarker results with performance tests we can help identify signs that they are over-reaching before becoming excessively fatigued, Ill or injured,” explained Dr Moore.

While based at IT Sligo’s Innovation Centre, the company has partner analysis sites around the world, and their international team of physiologists, physicians, performance and clinical nutritionists support athletes training in bases around the world including Cape Town, Johannesburg, London, Sydney, Brisbane, Oregon and Florida.

“This is a very exciting time to be working alongside the Irish Institute of Sport,” stressed Dr Moore. “Everything is geared towards the Olympics at the moment. We are very much looking forward to working with the national squads across a range of sports”.

Based at the Innovation Centre in IT Sligo for over a year, he said the support he has received there has been superb. “We are very proud to be associated with IT Sligo and with the other cutting edge companies based at the Innovation Centre and we look to further extending our global reach from our base in Ireland”.

ORRECO came through Enterprise Ireland’s Propel Programme with the support of the Innovation Centre at IT Sligo.

The ORRECO service has been endorsed by many sports stars, who are household names.

• Fionnuala Britton, Olympian and 2011 European Cross country champion said: “Regular blood tests enable me to target any issues I have. It plays an essential role in reducing my chances of illness, increasing recovery and optimising performance. Recovery is one of the most important priorities, and through the monitoring of my blood work this has helped aid the application of recovery strategies.
• Padraig Harrington said: “One of the most difficult elements of competing at a world class level in professional golf is the balance between training hard to improve  fitness levels whilst ensuring adequate recovery. “ORRECO have developed novel applications to find objective markers to determine that balance, and protect their athletes from overtraining and burnout.  With their assistance I have been able to obtain objective information about my readiness to train and in my opinion their support is a must for athletes competing at the highest level of their respective sports.”
• Olympic Silver Medallist Sonia O’Sullivan, Chef de Mission (Team Ireland) for London 2012 and mentor to international athletes said:  “I am aware of the new ideas that ORRECO are applying with the current generation of world class performers. I think these concepts and new assays are really interesting and I am convinced they will be of benefit to athletes and coaches competing at the very highest level”.
• Mark Rowland Head Coach Nike, Oregon Track Club Elite and Olympic bronze medallist said that as coach to world class athletes he knows that training alone is not sufficient to gain a competitive edge in the modern world. “That’s why we at Oregon Track Club Elite have enlisted the ORRECO team, due to their increasing reputations as high performance sports scientists, physiologists and sports haematologist providers. Their service enables us to limit the number of days lost to over training, illness and infection”.
• Marcus O’Sullivan, head coach, Villanova Track and Field (USA) and three times World Indoor Champion 1500m: “High performance athletics is all about pushing the limits without reaching breaking point. Constant feedback from the athlete as well as proven scientific data is critical. Blood work and haematological feed-back is essential for monitoring progress and performance and   is a must in today’s athletics arena. It takes you backstage behind the human body to explain the reasons for success and provide solutions to problems.”

To find out more about ORRECO see http://orreco.com/
To watch a video about their technique see https://vimeo.com/41485500

Image Captions:

• Top Right:  Pictured at the international-standard running track at IT Sligo are, from left to right, Dr Carlos Gonzalez, former first team physiologist for Real Madrid and Head Physiologist with ORRECO; Clodagh Watters, ORRECO; and Dr Brian Moore, Founder and MD of ORRECO.
• Middle Right:  Pictured at IT Sligo’s Innovation Centre are: Dr. Andrew Hodgson, Clinical Director ORRECO; Dr Brian Moore, Founder of ORRECO; Dr. Rod McLaughlin Director of Performance Medicine Irish Institute of Sport; Caroline McManus Head of Performance Science Irish Institute of Sport; Phil Moore, Director of Performance Services Irish Institute of Sport; Sharon Madigan Nutritionist Irish Institute of Sport, and Niall McEvoy, Head of Innovation at IT Sligo.
• Below Right:  Pictured at IT Sligo’s Innovation Centre are: Nathan Lewis Lead Nutritionist, ORRECO; Dr Carlos Gonzalez, former first team physiologist for Real Madrid and now Lead Physiologist with ORRECO; Dr. Andrew Hodgson, Clinical Director ORRECO; Dr Brian Moore, Founder of ORRECO; Dr. Rod McLaughlin Director of Performance Medicine Irish Institute of Sport; Caroline McManus Head of Performance Science Irish Institute of Sport; Phil Moore, Director of Performance Services Irish Institute of Sport; Clodagh Watters, ORRECO; Sharon Madigan Nutritionist Irish Institute of Sport, and Niall McEvoy, Head of Innovation at IT Sligo.
  

The Intel Best Project Award winners were Blacklion students Linda and Clare Dolan from St Clare Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, for their project entitled “To Investigate the energy value of briquettes from cow manure”.
SciFest co-ordinator and IT Sligo lecturer, Dr Bill Crowe, said; SciFest@IT Sligo encourages students of varying abilities to develop an interest in science through the investigation of interests and activities from their everyday lives. “SciFest is a great opportunity for students to develop their research and problem solving skills on subject matters that interest them. We value the opportunity to welcome so many secondary school students on to our campus for the event every year; it is our hope that participating in this event will give them an early interest in science and technology.

Commenting on recent figures from the CAO, Dr Crowe said that secondary students are choosing courses are opting for STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics) related subjects more and more. “Job prospects for graduates of science and technology are very good and that is reflected in CAO figures nationally, with almost a 20 per cent increase in these areas noted already in the last year,” he said.

“Our science courses have seen an increase in popularity this year also; the BSc in Pharmaceutical Science was up 30 per cent on last year alone. Abbott Ireland’s announcement in February that they are investing €85 million in their Sligo operation is a huge vote of confidence in the sector and in our graduates,” he said.

Students attending SciFest@ IT Sligo were also given a tour of the campus at IT Sligo that included demonstrations in science and robotics laboratories and a unique insight into games technology. IT Sligo has the second largest school of science in the Institute of Technology sector in Ireland, with a wide range of courses for students to choose from from Higher Certificate right up to Masters and PhD level.

Sheila Porter, SciFest Project Manager, said, “SciFest is a fun and exciting way to encourage an interest in science at school level. I would like to thank all of our partners including Intel, Discover Science and Engineering, BT, Abbott Ireland, PharmaChemical Ireland, SEAI and all the Institutes of Technology. Without their support, none of this would be possible

Image Caption Top Right:  Senior Physical Science First Place Winners and Global Citizneship and Sustainability Award qualifier from IT Sligo Scifest 2012 are Stephen Hallinan, Jason Guinness and Ronan Caheny from Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo with their project entitled “An Investigation into the possibilities of a parabolic Mirror.

Winners at SciFest2012at IT Sligo

Intel Best Project Award winners are Linda and Clare Dolan from St Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim for their project entitled “To Investigate the energy value of briquettes from cow manure”.	Abbott Runner Up Best Project Award winners are Aileen O Kenney, Aisling O Malley and Grace Blaine from St Catherine Vocational School, Killybegs, Co. Donegal for their project entitled “Helmecator”.
Discover Space Award (ESERO Ireland) winners are James Johnston, Robbie Cunningham, and Declan Byrne from St Clare Comprehensive School, Manorhamiliton, Co. Leitrim for their project entitled “Investigating the coronal heating problem of the sun”	Discover Sensors Award prize winners are Alex Wynne, Cein Baker and Louis O Reilly from Sancta Maria College, Louisburg, Co. Mayo for their project entitled “To investigate the effect of acidification of seawater on mussels.
The NCE-MSTL Maths in Science Award winner was Mariyah Zia Janjua from St Joseph Secondary School, Castlebar, Co. Mayo for her project entitled “Mobile network optimisation in Co. Mayo based on a mathematical model.	The PharmaChemical Ireland Chemistry Award winners are Roise McGagh and Catherine Cleary from Magh Ene College, Bundoran, Co. Donegal with their project entitled “Cloud Chambers and how they work”.
The BT Best Communicator Award winner was Saoirse O Dowd from Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo for her project entitled “A Qualitative analysis of plankton changes in Killala Bay.	The Runner Up in BT Best communicator Award is Michael Conlon from St Claire Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim and Michael’s project was entitled “The Quit Smoking App”. Pictured along with Dr Padraic O Murachu Intel Ireland.
Some of the staff and students from the School of Science at IT Sligo who organised SciFest2012 at the Institute.	The Bank of Ireland Business Innovation Award was won by Brandon McGinley, Ciaran Ellison and Mathew Dupuy from St Catherine Vocational School, Killybegs, Co. Donegal with their project entitled “Car Emergency Dial”.

The fitness levels of parents and other participants were put to the test during the 12-week programme, which includes coaching in walking habits and techniques.

The award ceremony included a lap of the 400 metre track followed by the presentation of certificates by lecturer, Kerry Larkin. While studying the Bachelor of Business (Recreation and Leisure) students can attain a range of valuable national and international coaching qualifications.

To find out more click here

Image Captions:

Above Right:

• First year students of the Bachelor of Business (Recreation and Leisure) and their trainees as they mark the competition of a 12-week Walking Exercise Programme.

Table Below (in order l-r):

• Aileen Coyle with her mother Ann Coyle (Co Meath) do a lap of the international-standard running track at IT Sligo.
• Student Sean Watters and his mother Sue (Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim) pictured receiving their certificate from lecturer, Kerry Larkin.
• Nicholas Flaherty and his mother Teresa with lecturer Kerry Larkin.
• Cathal Lane and his mother Ann (Co Galway) pictured receiving their certificate from lecturer Kerry Larkin.
• Andrew Mulligan and his mother, Patricia (Co Sligo)
• Christy Hyland with his mother Margaret (Co Longford) on the running track at IT Sligo.

IT Sligo is collaborating with companies from around the country who are availing of    expert research and consultancy services provided by the Institute, to exploit new business opportunities.

Trevor McSharry, Head of the Civil Engineering and Construction Department at IT Sligo, has successfully completed a number of such projects for local companies who received “Innovation Vouchers” from Enterprise Ireland. Projects ranged from analysis of prototype solar panel systems to design process optimisation and product design. The vouchers funded the Institute’s role in enhancing their business.

Mr McSharry believes many companies are unaware of the existence of this useful scheme. “It allows third level institutes to collaborate with companies who may not have the know-how or the time to solve a very specific problem or to exploit a new opportunity,” he explained.

One of the companies he recently collaborated with – Lifestyle Impex from Mullingar Co Westmeath – had a practical problem relating to the design of soft closing hinges for their high end kitchen and office components. Lifestyle Impex, being small and relatively new company, which has specialised in furniture components, wanted to increase the credibility of their product through the work at IT Sligo.

“We spent 70 hours working on this project, helping to refine the product,” explained Mr McSharry. “In this case the company had an engineering problem but thanks to the Innovation Voucher they could avail of the expertise in IT Sligo to solve it –and at no cost to the company”.

He also assisted Sligo-based company, SF Engineering, at its stainless steel fabrication plant in Grange.  SF specialise in high-quality systems and solutions for the food processing industry. A steady growth of 25% year on year has enabled the company to expand into new markets with the current customer base extending from the UK to Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Chilli, Poland, Japan and Australia. 

“SF Engineering requested us to review and optimise their design process and we came up with a set of recommendations which has added value to their process,” explained Mr McSharry. IT Sligo has since been granted a follow on voucher for the implementation of this work.

“It’s a win, win situation,” stressed Mr McSharry. “Third level institutes thrive on involvement with industry and these projects often lead to opportunities for our students who have ended up doing dissertations on companies we first encountered when they availed of innovation vouchers.”

The companies benefit from having access to research and other skills which they might not otherwise be able to fund and which can lead to improved product quality , reduction in company costs and an insight into innovative new ways of doing business, he added.

If your company is interested in utilising the knowledge from staff at IT Sligo through the Innovation Voucher Scheme, please contact the Head of Innovation at IT Sligo, Niall McEvoy at 07191 55385 or email mcevoy.niall@itsligo.ie. Further information about the scheme can be found at www.innovationvouchers.ie .

Caption for above photo: Trevor McSharry pictured with Seamus Farrell (MD) and Ciaran Iassac (Project Engineer), of SF Engineering.

Hiking and Orienteering are two of the outdoor activities studied by first year students of IT Sligo’s Bachelor of Business (Recreation and Leisure), and one eager student plans to put what he has learned to practice straight away with an ambitious two-day hike across the Sligo Way on June 30 and July 1 in aid of a Moldavian Orphanage.

Sean Watters, from Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, is organising the challenge in aid of Outreach Moldova along with a friend from Dromahair, Co Leitrim – Brian McMorrow. Sean’s classmate, Sligo GAA Captain Ross Donovan has also signed up to take part.

The walk will start at Larrigan near Lough Talt in the Ox Mountains near the Mayo border and continue to Dromahair in County Leitrim, taking in views of Ben Bulben, Slieve League, the Isle of Inishfree and Lough Gill and reaching almost 900 metres at points.

The benefiting Charity, ‘Outreach Moldova’, was founded by an Irish woman Dr Suzanne O’Connell, and provides medical care and social inclusion for children that have been abandoned or orphaned and children with special needs and children with terminal illnesses.

Sean is encouraging people to get involved in the challenge. Having travelled to the orphanage last summer, he’s keen to raise as much money as possible for it again this year; “The children at the orphanage rely on volunteers that travel out there every summer,” he said. “The money raised by volunteers goes towards the running of the facility and during the two weeks we spend there, we help to keep the children active and engaged.”

He says he’ll be using a lot of the skills he has learned in his course at IT Sligo with the children at the orphanage when he returns there this August; “This year, we had a number of sessions with Shane Hayes from the Sligo Sports Partnership, who coached us in skill development, from the most basic level. Getting the children active helps them, mentally and physically.”

Participants in the challenge will camp overnight at a selected route along the way.  Anyone who is interested in getting involved in The Sligo Way Challenge – or who would like to join the group for even part of the hike – can contact Sean at (087) 7550285 or by emailing tigersean007@hotmail.com

 At the following links are  the route of the challenge.  

Sligo Way – Overview Map
SW – Map 1 Lough Talt to Easky Lough
SW – Map 2 Easky Lough to Dunowla
SW – Map 3 Dunowla to Ladies Brae
SW – Map 4 Ladies Brae to Coolaney
SW – Map 5 Coolaney to Colloney
SW – Map 6 Colloney to Slish Woods
SW – Map 7 Slish Woods to Dromahair                 

Caption: Pictured at the launch of the Sligo Way Challenge are lecturers on the Bachelor of Business (Recreation and Leisure) course Kerry Larkin and Roddy Gaynor, with students Sean Watters and Ross Donovan. From left to right: Kerry Larkin, Sean Watters, Ross Donovan and Roddy Gaynor.

The Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s national theatre and the Institute of Technology, Sligo today (Thursday 3 May 2012) mark the launch of an exciting partnership to nurture the talent of young Theatre Design students in the Institute’s Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Performing Arts.

As part of the historic initiative, an IT Sligo graduate will this summer take up the first, annual six-month Yeats Design Residency, during which they will work with world-class directors, designers and production staff on a range of productions in the Abbey and Peacock Theatre.  A series of work placement opportunities and collaboration on student projects have also been agreed.

The Yeats Design Residency bursary will be awarded to one student at the end of May. As part of their course, students were given the task of designing a set for A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the Abbey stage by Abbey Theatre Technical Director, Gavin Harding. Students were provided with a design brief, a budget and a timeline, in the same way professional designers are. At a reception today at the Abbey Theatre, students will display and present their set designs.

Fiach MacConghail, Director of the Abbey Theatre said; ‘The Abbey Theatre’s founders were committed to the importance of design in the national theatre. We are committed to ensuring the healthy future of that tradition by nurturing young theatre makers. This partnership gives young set designers an insight into the professional business of theatre. Many set designers go abroad to hone their craft. We must keep young theatre makers in Ireland by offering them support and opportunities. When I visited IT Sligo, I was struck by the sheer talent on display and the quality of the teaching which is world-class. I’m delighted to announce this partnership today’.

President of IT Sligo, Professor Terri Scott, said; ‘We are delighted to be formalising our association with the Abbey Theatre in this new venture. It’s fitting that two of WB Yeats’s greatest passions – the Abbey Theatre and Sligo – should come together in a partnership that fosters creativity. Providing career opportunities for our students is a priority for us and this partnership with our national theatre will give our undergraduates invaluable experience at the highest level’.

Frank Conway, who is a lecturer on the IT Sligo Performing Arts programme, is a former Head of Design at the Abbey Theatre and was instrumental in the development of the partnership. Speaking at the launch, he said; ‘Training in theatre design is the basis for a wide range of career opportunities in theatre and costume design, film and television production design, commercials, music videos, dance and opera. Many of these skills are currently brought in from abroad. I had to travel abroad many years ago for my own training. It’s a gift to have this course in Sligo, and now to have it so firmly associated with the Abbey Theatre.’

This partnership gives IT Sligo students the chance to gain work experience at the Abbey Theatre during their four year course. This will allow them gain insight into a working theatre, all aspects of theatre production, stage management and lighting and sound. Students will have the opportunity to attend technical and dress rehearsals, costume fittings, production meetings and attend meetings and talks with creative practitioners, directors, writers and designers. Members of the Abbey Theatre Production Department will participate in student assessments and the final year presentation process.

Speaking from London, OBE Award Winning Designer and Director of the internationally acclaimed Motley Theatre Design Course, Alison Chitty, said; ‘I am aware of the IT Sligo course in theatre design and its core philosophy of design as a way to release the play. I personally know some of the highly experienced tutors and the quality and high standards they invest in the course. I am delighted to see its development and totally endorse it, and the development of this historic relationship with Ireland’s national theatre.’

The BA (Hons) in Performing Arts at IT Sligo is the only full-time, degree programme which specialises in theatre design in Ireland. It has been running since 2006. The 2012 Graduate Exhibition of the programme will be launched in The Model in Sligo by the Abbey Theatre’s Technical Director, Gavin Harding, next Tuesday, 8th of May at 6pm.

The Abbey Theatre acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council.

Listen to an interview on RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland Programme about the initiative here

IT Sligo students are providing  football and hurling coaching  to school  children throughout counties Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo  – and to underage players in New York.

As the unique IT Sligo/Cumann na mBunscol partnership celebrates its 10th anniversary, the coaching programme has   been extended this year to include schools in Mayo, as well as Sligo and Leitrim.

Under the scheme, which is a highlight of the school calendar for school children in the region, 21 students from the Bachelor of Business (Recreation and Leisure) degree programme are spending 13 weeks coaching over 5,000 young players. The programme, which is currently underway, continues weekly until May 25th.

“As usual every single primary school in Sligo is benefiting. Last year Leitrim got involved and this year we have expanded the scheme to some schools in Mayo,” explained Roddy Gaynor, programme coordinator and lecturer on the three year degree course.

He revealed that another of this year’s batch of students is currently doing a work placement with the New York Celtic GAA club, coaching under age players there.

While the Cumann na mBunscol programme, the only one of its kind in the country, gives  students invaluable experience in the workplace, it is also warmly welcomed by teachers and pupils in the participating schools.

Thomas Keenan, the GAA’s games promotion officer in Leitrim said 12 schools in north Leitrim were participating and all were full of praise for the “IT coaches”. “I have been out and about visiting the schools and the teachers were delighted with how it was going,” said Mr Keenan. “The scheme can only be as good as the coaches and all the teachers were delighted with them”.

His Sligo counterpart Liam Og Gormley pointed out that it isn’t just the teachers who are thrilled with the coaching. “The kids absolutely love it,” he said. “Parents tell me that even if they are genuinely sick, it is the one day of the week when they want to go in”.

Mr Gormley said that the IT students were highly trained before they go out to the primary schools and were providing coaching which was tailored to the different age groups.

Mr Gaynor explained that the students are multi-skilled and during the business degree course, attain 10 national and international qualifications including European gym instruction, personal training qualifications, national swim instruction and lifeguarding awards as well as GAA and soccer coaching.

Cumann na mBunscol have for a decade been enthusiastic participants in the work placement scheme which enriches the experience of primary school students in counties with a strong GAA tradition, while encouraging a new generation of potential county players.

To learn more about the Bachelor of Business (Recreation and Leisure) degree at IT Sligo, click here.

Image Captions:

Top Right: Students from the Bachelor Business (Recreation & Leisure) programme with children from Geevagh national school at the launch of the Cumman na mBunscol primary schools GAA coaching programme. Also included is IT Sligo President, Professor Terri Scott, Nicky Bruges of JAKO (Sponsor), representative from County Sligo and County Leitrim GAA, Connacht Coaching Director John Tobin and Cumman na mBunscol Chairman, John Hughes.

Middle Right: Students from the Bachelor Business (Recreation & Leisure) programme who are participating on the Cumman na mBunscol primary schools coaching programme are pictured with IT Sligo President, Professor Terri Scott, County Sligo GAA chairman Cyril Feehily and Nicky Bruges of JAKO (Sponsor) and Roddy Gaynor, Lecturer, IT Sligo.

Below Left: IT Sligo President, Professor Terri Scott with Students from the Bachelor Business (Recreation & Leisure) programme Brian and Alex Mc Farlene. Also included is Thomas Keenan GPA Officer County Leitrim and Roddy Gaynor, Lecturer IT Sligo.

Below Right: IT Sligo President, Professor Terri Scott greets County Sligo GAA chairman Cyril Feehily along with Connacht Coaching Director John Tobin. They are pictured with the Students from the Bachelor Business (Recreation & Leisure) programme and children form Geevagh N S.

The founder of an initiative which rewards the creation of jobs in Ireland will give an information seminar at IT Sligo on Thursday, May 17th.

Terry Clune, founder of ConnectIreland, will explain the potential benefits to individuals who connect with organisations to set up in Ireland.

Appointed by the Irish Government and IDA Ireland to assist in the Government’s 2012 Action Plan for Jobs, Connect Ireland’s mission is to attract companies that are expanding internationally so they locate in Ireland and create new jobs in the Irish economy.

Through the ConnectIreland programme, a ‘Connector’ will receive a minimum reward of €1,500 for each job created through their introduction. The reward is payable in two stages: 50% (€750) is paid one year after the job is created and the remaining 50% (€750) is paid two years after the job is created.

The seminar will be hosted by IT Sligo’s Innovation Centre near the Institute’s Main Reception (A0006) from 4.00pm to 5.15pm on Thursday 17th of May.

To reserve a place please click the following link: connectireland.eventbrite.com