The Winds of Change Blowing at Dkit– Election Count

DkITimes

The DkIT Institute Newsletter VolVol 55 IssueIssue 2020

The Winds of Change blowing at DkIT– Election Count

Last Saturday DkIT’s campus was a hive of activity as election candidates, political party members journalists and members of the public gathered to watch the Election 2011 count.

Pictured here left is Mairead Ahern, County Registrar having just announced the results of the first count which saw Gerry Adams, Leader of Sinn Fein top the poll. The count was adjourned on Sat- urday and reconvened on Sunday where the close of business saw five candidates returned.

Seamus Kirk, Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil was automatically returned , along with sitting T.D, Fergus O Dowd (FG), new TDs elect Ged Nash (Labour), Peter Fitzpatrick (FG) and Gerry Adams (SF).

Pictured left; Ballot papers being checked during the count.

More photos from the Count Centre at DkIT on page 2 The Count Centre at DkIT — Election 2011 Agricultural Science Student and Election Agent Andrew Agnew (right) TheThe I.T.I.T. FactorFactor

On the 23rd Feb the local competitions took place to select two songs to go forward and represent DkIT in the National Final of the IT Factor Song Competition to be held in Lim- erick on the 10th March. The competition was first initiated by the chaplains of the colleges seven years ago, and is co- ordinated by them each year. This is the first time for DkIT participating.

The competition consists of two sections, one: an Original Song, and two: a Cover Song.

The winners, who both received a prize of value 250 euro were: For an Origional Song: Katie Anne Bolger, Navan, with “My heart”; Katie is in Yr 1 Applied Music.

For the Cover Song: Nicholas Murray, Navan, who sang "All These Things That I've Done", a student inYr 1 Games Development, and who has a BA in Applied Music.

The compositions and artists have set a very high standard of expectation, and gave a great hour of entertainment.

The winners in the National Final in Limerick will receive the prize of Two Days usage of a Professional Recording Studio, valued at several thousand euro.

We wish all success to our participants Katie and Nicholas who will represent DkIT in the National Final in Limerick March 10th.

The photograph: Linda Murphy, Academic Administration and Student Affairs Manager DkIT, with Nicho- las Murray, winner of the Cover Song section, and Katie Anne Bolger winner of the Origi- nal Song section, and Clement Mac Mánuis DkIT chaplain. Launch of the National Academy’s Annual Awards for Excellence in Teaching 2011

The National Academy for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL) has recently launched its 2011 National Awards for Excellence in Teaching Programme. This is the fourth year of the initiative, which was launched in 2008.

Photo: Image of Hon. Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness with Award Winner for 2010, Dr Ann O’Shea, NUI, Maynooth

This initiative recognises those who combine outstanding teaching with innovative research to enhance student learning and cognizant of national recommendations that “the recognition of excellence in teaching should underpin strategy for the ongoing development of Higher Educa- tion” (National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, pg 59 ),

Previous recipients of the National Award for Excellence in Teaching include senior and junior staff members from eleven different Higher Education Institutions, and across multiple disciplines including Economics, Education, Engineering, English, Law (Human Rights), Management & Marketing, Mathematics, Medicine, Nursing and the Sciences.

The Awards Ceremony will take place in Dublin Castle in December 2011 where five awards of €5,000 will be made. Previous Awards presenters have included President of Ireland, Mary McAleese and Hon. Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness. Senior managers of the thirty eight HEIs linked with the National Academy are invited to submit up to three nominations in relation to individuals or groups of staff members, and all levels and category of staff (Professor, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, Assistant Lecturer, full-time, part-time etc) are eligible for nomination.

Full details, a flyer and the nomination form are available on the National Academy website www.nairtl.ie/Awards . The closing date for receipt of nominations is 20 th May 2011. DkIT Fit 4 life would like to thank all who participated in last weeks Alcohol week events. We would also like to thank Dundalk Garda station for their contribution to the events this week. Have a safe and enjoyable RAG week! Next week s theme is Health Awareness and we have many events planned around this theme;

Health screenings, .

Gym promotion

H.S.E info packs

We would also like to thank Dundalk Garda station for their contribution to the events this week.

We look forward to seeing all of you at the events this week! Expert Bobby McCormack to Travel to Finland for Development Summer School

Director of Development Perspectives (DP) and local man, Bobby McCormack has been selected to fulfill the role of Expert at a forthcoming European Development Education Summer School, which is due to take place in Finland in June.

The Summer School will cater for 80 people from across the world who are tackling Development challenges such as poverty, inequality, conflict, Natural resource depletion, food security and renewable energy. Bobby faced stiff competition from across Europe to lead this conference and his selection is seen as positive validation of the work in which DP is involved in.

Drogheda based NGO; DP is building a strong national and international reputation as a result of their work in dealing with the serious challenges facing our communities. They work at home and abroad to bring about a more just, equal and sustainable world through education and action. Bobby is the co founder and current Director of DP as well as working as a Development Studies Lecturer in Dundalk Institute of Technology.

On hearing about his selection to lead the conference, Bobby commented on the need for problem solvers in our communities more than ever before and made the point that problem solving is the focus of DP`s work. “All of us involved in DP work hard to make a positive contribution to our communities and I see this opportunity as one more way of encouraging people to understand how the world around us works and how we as people can be powerful agents of change in our own right”.

Bobby urged people to support the work of Development Perspectives by signing up for their forthcoming event – “Tour D Boyne, Land of Legends Challenge”, which is being held in Townley Hall on the 20th of March. It’s a 10 Km run or 45 Km cycle and all proceeds go to the work of Development Perspectives. To sign up go to www.tourdboyne.ie or for further information about their work please go to www.developmentperspectives.ie. DkIT’sDkIT’s FirstFirst AnnualAnnual EnterpriseEnterprise Week!!Week!!

Student Enterprise at DkIT ran there first annual Enterprise week this week. Student Enterprise Interns Emma Brabazon and Catherine Murray organised and ran the week at a great success. Student Enterprise at DkIT is dedicated to promoting, developing and sustaining enterprise among students in DKIT. The aim of Student Enter- prises first annual Enterprise week was to help students find out more about enterprise and to encourage participation.

Student Enterprise welcomes Sean Gallagher on campus!

Starting off the week with a bang was Sean Gallagher one of Irelands leading entrepreneurs and a dragon of the Dragons Den. Student Enterprise @ DkIT held it’s most successful event to date this week as Sean Gallagher inspired, motivated and enter- tained over 260 students in the Whitaker Theatre. Sean inspired students assuring them that entrepreneurs are our societies heroes and it is those with the drive and motivation to move forward who will help our country emerge from its current state of negativity. Our resident Dragon encouraged students not to underestimate the power of focus and determination and also more importantly that of positivity and the ability to look beyond and move past our nations current negative state of play. Sean discussed a solution to our national crisis as simply three C's including confidence, clarity and credit. Sean also went on to confirm the message so often conveyed by Student Enterprise @ DkIT in that the future of our nation is in our own hands, never accept a lack of op- tions, but instead strive forward and create your own career alternatives. Student Enterprise @ DkIT would like to convey a sincere thank you to Sean Galla- gher for kindly donating his time and also to all lecturing staff and students involved in the event in particular to Mario Mac Blain, Colman Ledwith, John Sisk, Paula Reilly and Colin Cooney for their continued support.

Student Mobile Shop in action! On Tuesday you were sure to have seen Molly Malone the Student Mobile Shop in action around the college. Student Enterprises latest development is the Molly Malone Student Mobile Shop that gives students the opportunity to sell their products or services around the college on a rental bases. As part of a project, final year Marketing students promoted Molly on Tuesday generating some excellent awareness. A special thanks here to Ami Carbini, Shannon Sweeney and Mary Mc Donald.

Staff Conference “The Role of Enterprise in DkIT” Student Enterprise @ DkIT invited all staff of DkIT to a short seminar which covered the role of enterprise in DkIT, as well as the role of DkIT in developing an enterprise culture, across the Institute of Technology sector countrywide. The aim of the event was to establish further links with existing enterprise champions and to increase the level of awareness of Student Enterprise @ DkIT among the staff body. The event was primarily aimed at members of academic staff from all departments but was of great interest to a lot of students also. A special thank you here to Dr. Cecilia Hegarty of the ACE project, Sean Mac Entee Innovation Centre Manager, Matthias Von Bar- gen. The Rookie Challenge Competition

Last but not least the Rookie Challenge Competition was held in conjunction to Enter- prise Week. On Monday Student Enterprise signed up a huge amount of teams to the first round of the Rookie Challenge Competition. The teams were given the task to come up with an advertising campaign for their ideal RAG week. On Tuesday afternoon all teams were to submit their entry and Student Enterprise sifted through all applications in order to pick the top seven teams to go through to the second round of the competition. On Wednesday morning at 9am the top seven teams picked up there next task and they had until 4pm that day to complete the task. The teams were given a bag of items from low to high values and they had to sell all items in the bag in the most creative way as possible and to also make a profit. At 4pm on Wednesday all teams presented their day’s actions in front of a panel of three judges and the top four teams were picked to follow through to the final stage.

The final four teams were as follows: David Connolly, Shane Carolan, Bryan O’Rourke. Business Studies Year 2 John Corr, Michael Noone, Antony Gibbins. Agricultural Science Year 3 Andrea Coffey, Ami Carbini, Mary Mc Donald. Marketing Year 4 Desmond Eiffe, Timmy Flemming, Niall McCabe. Marketing Year 4

The final four teams fought it out with the task of creating a business idea for a new product or service which will attract both foreign and domestic tourists to the small vil- lage of Carlingford, Co Louth. The teams had less than 24hours until they presented to Student Enterprises very own panel of Dundalk Dragons: Mario Mac Blain Lecturer in the School of Business Studies, Maurice Murphy Lecturer in the School of Business Studies, Ciaran O’Connor Sales and Marketing Manager of Felda Health, Fitness and Spa and Seamus Byrne Managing Director of Dromad Hire and Fitness For Hire. After a very tense final the runner ups were team one: David Connolly, Shane Caro- lan, Bryan O’Rourke, a very hard working team from the School of Business Studies in year two. The eventually winners were team two: John Corr, Michael Noone, An- tony Gibbins, a very strong team from Agricultural Science Year three. Student Enter- prise at DkIT is delighted to announce that this is their first team from the School of Science who have won a Student Enterprise Competition.

Student Enterprise at DkIT would like to send out a sincere thank you to all teams who took part in The Rookie Challenge 2011, you have taken the first step to becom- ing entrepreneurial and you should be very proud of yourselves.

Although a huge congratulations is in order to John Corr Michael Noone and Antony Gibbins for their hard work and achievement in winning the Rookie Challenge 2001!! So Enterprise week is over until next year and what a success it has been. Student Enterprise would like to send out one final note of thank you to all lecturing staff and students who made this week happen in particular to Sean Mac Entee, Garrett Duffy, Mario Mac Blain, Colman Ledwith, John Sisk, Paula Reilly, Colin Cooney, Maurice Murphy, John Mc Donald and Eamon Mullen for their continued support. Cuireadh

Invitation

Beidh Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Dhún Dealgan ag seoladh céad Scéim Teanga na hInstitiúide (faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oigifiúla 2003) ar an Déardaoin 10ú Márta i bhFoirgneamh Carroll.

Beidh Dearbhla Lennon, RTE agus TG4 (Afternoon Show, Celebrity Jigs 'n' Reels, An Jig Gig) mar aoichainteoir speisialta don ócáid. Is cuí sin ar mhórán bealaigh, go speisialta gurb as Dún Dealgan di agus anshuim aici sa Ghaeilge.

Beidh ceol á sheinm don ócáid ag micléinn ó Roinn an Cheoil and na Meán Cruthaitheach agus beidh bia agus deoch éadrom ar fáil.

Cuirfear tús le imeachtaí ag 7 i.n. agus beidh fáilte roimh cách.

Dundalk Institute of Technology will launch its first Irish Language Scheme (under the 2003 Official Languages Act) on Thursday 10th March in the Carroll Building.

Dearbhla Lennon, RTE and TG4 (Afternoon Show, Celebrity Jigs 'n' Reels, An Jig Gig) will be the special guest speaker for the occasion. This is appropriate in many ways, especially as she from Dundalk and with a keen interest in the Irish language.

Music for the occasion will be played by students from the Department of Music and Creative Media and light refreshments will be provided.

The event will begin at 7pm and all are welcome. Research Orientated Training Initiatives Research Proposal Writing for the European Union Framework 7 Programme

One of the main objectives of the Institute’s Research Office is to develop a research orientated training programme for the Insti- tute’s staff and it’s cohort of postgraduate research students. Over the past several years the Research Office has run several workshops to support the research activities of both staff and students alike. These have included workshops on Research Ethics, Under- taking your PhD, Supervising postgraduate research just to name a few. In addition, the Research Office offers formal induction workshops for all postgraduate research students and staff on a bi- annual basis.

One of the recent workshops entitled “How to Write a Competitive Proposal for Framework 7” was delivered by Sean McCarthy from Hyperion Ltd on the 16 th February. The aim of the course was to guide attendees through the EU Framework 7 research progamme and to offer advice on how to write research proposals which would be competitive in nature. The Seventh Framework Pro- gramme (FP7) bundles all research-related EU initiatives together under a common roof playing a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitiveness and employment; which is of special im- portance in the current economic climate. The workshop facilitator Sean McCarthy from Hyperion Ltd specialises in the development of training courses for research managers. Since 1997 Hyperion has presented training courses to over 32,000 research managers in over 2,700 research centres in 28 countries. The courses are based on over 27 years of proposal writing, project management and project administration of EU R&D projects.

Research participants, from left: Raymond Byrne, Niamh Dreeling, Aidan Brown, Dr Paul Brennan, Sean McCarthy, Dr Cecilia Hegarty.

What participants said about the workshop:

"I had been to Sean's talk years ago for an earlier Framework Programme, and it had been useful to me in applying for many other avenues of funding. Today's talk on the Framework Programme 7 gave us a good insight into how we would write competitive research proposals that would actually have the potential to get funding - there is a lot more in FP7 than simply writing a good proposal. It is a lot to do with finding the right people to partner with, understanding who the people are in the system of proposal evaluation, and the research in question having a real impact at EU level."

Dr Cecilia Hegarty Research and Programme Manager, Regional Development Centre.

"I found this FP7 workshop extremely valuable in outlining the key ground work that needs to be done before making an application, the methodologies of how to find the correct project partners and how to write an application tailored to what the FP7 evaluators specifically look for. I would highly recommend anybody intending to apply for FP7 funding to attend such an expert workshop, at the outset, in order to maximise the probability of their application being successful."

Raymond Byrne, Centre for Renewable Energy.

Research and Graduate Studies Office Located in PJ Carroll’s Building (Rooms P2008, P2009, P2010) W: www.dkit.ie/research E: [email protected] T: 0429370459 PHD S TUDENTSHIP FOR R ESEARCH ON P SYCHOSOCIAL A SPECTS OF ICT AND A GEING

Dundalk Institute of Technology is a dynamic, world class Institute that has developed an international research reputation through its Research Centres.

The Netwell and CASALA research centre’s are seeking a highly motivated individual to join its research team as a PhD student investigating the psychosocial aspects of ICT and Ageing. The Netwell Centre focuses on transforming communities, environments and technologies for ageing-in-place and CASALA is the technology research and development, industry linkage and commercialisation arm of the Netwell Centre. Researchers are developing new ideas that enhance the quality of life and well-being of older people and those who care for them, through more integrated community-oriented services, more sustainable home and neighbourhood design, and more age- friendly technologies.

Studentship Description: A three-year part-funded PhD position in Psychology, to research mid-life and older adults’ attitudes and experi- ences with ICT. The research position is part of the VALUE-AGEING Program (www.valueageing.eu), a multi- disciplinary pan-European Marie Curie project (Grant number 251686) aimed at understanding how ICT can impact people's lives as we age. The funding for this studentship will cover postgraduate fees, training, a small stipend, at- tendance at several EU meetings and two secondments to Rome, Italy (six months each) for data collection and study with international project partners. The Applicant: Will review literature and policy documents

Engage in data collection and analyses using surveys, interviews, focus groups and case studies

Liaise with a range of stakeholders including older people and project partners,

Participate in local and international project meetings

Essential:

Valid passport to enable travel throughout the EU.

Your profile: An honours Bachelors degree in psychology or other appropriate social sciences although preference will be given to those holding Masters degrees

Good English skills (both oral and written); second language desirable (Italian)

Experience in the use of surveys and statistical evaluation and / or interviews

Good people skills to work with a range of stake holders

Good time-management and planning skills

Have experience and an interest in travel

Term: Three-year project. Further information on an informal basis can be obtained from www.netwellcentre.org , www.casala.ie or Dr Ann O’Hanlon – T: +353 (0)42 9370497 E: [email protected]

To apply: Candidates should send their full curriculum vitae along with a covering letter to the Institutes Research Office by hard copy, at the address below, and electronically ( [email protected] ) by 5pm March 25 th 2011.

Research Office PJ Carrolls Building Dundalk Institute of Technology Dublin Road Dundalk County Louth Ireland Samuel Beckett’s Shorts at Dundalk Institute of Technology

After their tremendous success with ‘Ubu Roi’ by Alfred Jarry last November, Second Year students of the BA Applied Cultural Studies programme at Dundalk Institute of Technology take on their greatest challenge yet, performing a series of short plays by Samuel Beckett in the New Theatre, DKIT, from the 1st to 3rd of March at 7.30pm. This will be the last ever production from a Cultural Studies class after 14 years, as from next year productions will be provided by the BA Performing Arts students.

Samuel Beckett’s Shorts, including Footfalls and Rockaby, is a combination of thought- provoking sketches devised by the world renowned playwright; these pieces represent Beckett’s work in all its glory.

This is the conclusion of two years practical work by Applied Cultural Studies students in different aspects of practical theatre. The aim of their module this semester is to experience producing a play under professional conditions. Students will be involved not only in acting, but in set and costume design, stage management, lighting, sound, PR and administration.

One of Cultural Studies most technically challenging productions to date, we can look forward to a stunning production from this accomplished and successful group of students. Come along and see Beckett’s extraordinary work for yourself.

Tickets are priced at €6 and student concession is €4. For groups of ten or more we can offer a special rate of €3 per student.

For tickets, please contact Fiona Fearon, lecturer in Theatre Studies, at Humanities, Office, telephone; 0429370496. DkIT degree students showcase theatrical greatest hits

The Department of Humanities at Dundalk Institute of Technology is set to celebrate and showcase the theatrical work of BA in Applied Cultural Studies classes over the last 14 years. ‘Cultural Studies – The Greatest Hits’ will display posters, programmes, photos, props and memories from plays past and present. The theatre module of the BA in Applied Cultural Studies is particularly ‘hands on’, equipping graduates not only with a knowledge of the history and development of theatre but also allowing them experience producing a play under professional conditions. Over the years, a total of 38 plays have been produced and performed publicly, including classics such as Dancing at Lughnasa, Antigone, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The exhibition will include props from past sets, prompt books, photographs of the action on stage and various other pieces of memorabilia. The organisers hope to inspire those looking towards working in theatre as well as bringing back memories for those involved. The exhibition will open on Friday, March 4 in the New Theatre at DkIT to coincide with the production of Beckett Shorts which runs in the theatre from March 1 to 3. Dr Fiona Fearon, lecturer in theatre studies in the Department of Humanities at DkIT said: “We are inviting back all the graduates and staff that have supported us over the years to help celebrate what has been achieved across almost 40 stage productions. More generally, we’d also love to welcome along those interested in theatre and the arts. As well as having enormous fun, the students who present these productions learn a great deal about the challenges of professional theatre and it’s good to have this opportunity to look back. “We are also still reaching out to graduates from the programme who have stories and memories to share. They can reconnect through Facebook where our page is ‘Cultural Studies Plays – Past and Present’.” ‘Cultural Studies – The Greatest Hits’ will be on display near the main reception area at DkIT from March 7-15. • Further information is available from Dr Fiona Fearon on 042-9370257 or [email protected] FROM THE IRISH TIMES: Dundalk relights fire in former factory FRANK McDONALD

(Pictured 4th year student Dean Maher)

The PJ Carroll factory in Dundalk wasn’t just an architectural icon – it was also the best place in town to work. Now Dundalk Institute of Technology is giving the landmark a new lease of life

LONG BEFORE the M1 motorway was even a gleam in an engineer’s eye, Dundalk got something that was way ahead of anything else in Ireland at the time – an ultra-modern cigarette factory with a cool glazed front and an eye-catching sculpture of stainless steel “sails” in a reflecting rectangular pool in the foreground.

The PJ Carroll factory became an icon (to use that much-abused term) of modern Ireland. Completed in 1970, it employed 1,750 people at the peak of production, making Carroll’s No 1, Major and Sweet Afton. All the employees got free health care – and free cigarettes.

“It was the best place in town to work,” says Michael O’Neill, building officer of Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT), who remembers when the factory was built. Some of the work involved collecting tobacco dust, which was then sent back to Customs and Excise to get valuable refunds on the hefty duty Carroll’s paid on imported leaf.

Now the former tobacco factory, designed more than four decades ago by Ronnie Tallon, has been given a new lease of life as a 21st century education hub – DKIT’s School of Informatics and Creative Arts, an odd marriage of mathematics, music, film production, games and software development, catering for up to 1,000 undergraduates.

It was inevitable that the task of converting the factory to its new use would be entrusted to Scott Tallon Walker. Not only had the firm (then Michael Scott and Partners) done the original building, but it was also responsible for four new buildings on the DKIT campus that cover up the stock remnants of its regional technical college days.

The fact that DKIT adjoined the 45-acre Carroll’s site, separated only by a stream, made it an ideal “fit”. Under a deal involving Bennett Construction, the factory and its extensive grounds were acquired in 2002 for more than €18 million – with part of the land ceded to Bennett’s, which developed the Crowne Plaza Hotel there.

This 13-storey tower unfortunately detracts from DKIT’s own landmark, a 60-metre-high wind turbine with 25-metre blades – the first in the world to be installed on a college campus, in 2005. It generates 1.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year and “charges” the banks of ice that help to air-condition the new building. Ronnie Tallon is on record as saying that the Carroll’s factory “may be the best building I have made”, which is why it featured on the cover of Scott Tallon Walker’s lavish book featuring 100 buildings and projects from 1960 to 2005. That image of it at dawn, captured by architectural photographer John Donat, is a classic.

“The one lesson you learn, really, over the years is that buildings do change. I think the day is gone where you make a building and it’s a complete entity, never to be touched again,” Tallon said. “Good buildings can accept change. If you have a simple structure, I believe it can take change without too much damage.”

The PJ Carroll factory was based on the repetition of a structural steel module, with a vast span of more than 20 metres, that was expanded three times over the years “and no one can tell where,” as he proudly told Shane O’Toole. But the latest work didn’t involve any expansion; instead, the building was to be carved up. Open-plan spaces had to be subdivided to accommodate tiered lecture theatres, sound recording studios and film editing suites, as well as offices, recreation areas and computer labs. It also meant relocating the main entrance from the front to the side, to make it easier for students and staff to gain access to the main DKIT campus.

One is immediately struck by the extraordinary height and width of the corridors, but also by the relative absence of daylight. Fintan Valelly, lecturer in traditional music, complains that “in winter, you go in early in the morning when it’s still dark and emerge in the evening in darkness and you’ve had practically no natural light during the day”.

Staff offices are arranged in clusters around internal courts top-lit by rooflights. But since all of these offices have opaque glass for privacy, staff only get the benefit of “borrowed” daylight. Valelly believes that some of the external brick walls should have been replaced by windows, even though the building is a protected structure.

He also complains that consultations about the design were confined to commenting on plans after they had been drawn up. “I remember one meeting with the architects when we were shown the plans. I suggested that they should consider having some circular spaces, but Ronnie Tallon exploded.” There had to be respect for the grid.

Students are more enthusiastic. Martin Óg McAllister, a fourth-year music student, says it “has all the facilities we need, apart from instrument storage,” while Dean Maher, also in fourth year, recalls that with the previous premises in the centre of Dundalk, “I didn’t feel like I was in college, so it’s great to be part of the community”.

The central gathering space, under an expansive rooflight, has become known as “Jurassic Park” or “The Forest” because of its large, primeval-looking ferns; it was also supposed to have bamboo, but the plants didn’t survive. Both here and in the cafe (Starbucks, inevitably), the structural form of the Carroll’s factory is clearly visible.

So, too, is what survives of the company’s art collection, which Ronnie Tallon played a large part in assembling. Apart from Gerda Frömel’s exterior stainless steel mobile, it includes a Táin tapestry by Louis le Brocquy, woven in Aubusson, and a new geometrical piece by Tallon himself, appropriately painted in tobacco-like brown.

With the official opening last Friday, one might have expected everything to be in working order. But the long rectangular pool in which Frömel’s sculpture sits was drained of water, depriving it of its most essential feature. Maintenance of ornamental pools is always a problem, but a DkIT spokesman said there’s a plan to restore it.

Extraordinarily, the original PJ Carroll offices remain largely untouched. They include a mezzanine floor with solid, timber-shuttered concrete balconies very similar to the RTÉ television studios in Donnybrook (an earlier building by Ronnie Tallon). A large section of the factory also remains to be renovated for future use by DKIT.

“I hope they fund the rest of it soon,” Tallon says. “It’s a shame to see so much done, if its not going to be finished.” Having spent over €38 million on the project so far (including site acquisition), money is a problem now – whatever about Brian Cowen hailing it as a symbol of “Ireland’s tranformation to a knowledge-based economy.” It’sIt’s CaptionCaption CompetitionCompetition TimeTime

I know these, these are Ronaldo’s brothers!!!!

Well done Turlach Cotter

And next weeks….

Send your suggestions to [email protected] and we’ll publish the best ones in our next edition.