Archive for the charity category
Christmas Parties season
by Izabela Zelazna on December 8th, 2009
Christmas Tree on O'Connel street, Dublin
It seems like the Christmas Party season has fully started. This week brings two major events that are a must-be for young professionals looking for networking opportunities and fun.
Firstly, on Monday 7th December, The Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) hosted the IIEA Young Professionals’ Network Christmas Event. IIEA is renowned for being Ireland’s leading European and international affairs policy analysis think tank and is an independent, not-for-profit organisation. The IIEA events were the platform and forum for many prestigious guest speakers, to name Gordon Brown, Gunther Verheugen or Mikhail Gorbachev. This year’s Christmas event was the occasion to focus on the review of the political, economic and social highlights of 2009, nicely wrapped up and commented by three wise men of Irish journalism: Marc Coleman from Newstalk 106-108, Matt Cooper from Today FM and Sunday Business Post’s own Pat Leahy.
The highlight of the week, however, should be the  Connector Christmas Party on 10th December, in Lillie’s Bordello. We are already counting down to the night full of fun and excitement with awards for ‘Tribe of the Year’ & “Person of the Yearâ€. We will also ask people of good heart to support out cause and donate money to Temple Street Children’s University Hospital. Drinks and food at the night will be sponsored by Peroni beer and Realex Payments. Don’t forget to take your business cards and leave your contact details to the girls standing in the Connector corner (with our new pull up stand by Applied Signs& Dispay!)
So put your party hat on & see you on Thursday.
The event starts at 7pm in Lillie’s Bordello at Adam Court, Grafton Street, Dublin 2.
RSVP – Register for this event on Facebook Events (or if you don’t have a Facebook account, Register Here >>)
Your Christmas Connector Party Invitation
by Conor on December 1st, 2009
Dartmouth Square – Connector 'Tribe of the Year 2009' (Shortlisted)
by Conor on November 30th, 2009
As part of Tribes Week, we are featuring all of our shortlisted Tribes on the Connector Blog today. Each of these Tribes have been shortlisted for the Connector Tribe of the Year award. The winner will be announced at Christmas Connector.
Darthmouth Square has been a huge success in 2009. From a standing start, this tribe has grown to almost 1,000 members of Ranelagh locals & fans who have reclaimed this green area and put it back to great use for the community. Darthmouth are using this public space for local events. Low impact, fun, educational, green, cutting edge, theatrical, non commercial, charitable, if you have any ideas, they want them! Donations at events pay for the parks enhancement and future events.
Dartmouth Square from late April to August 26 2009 from Peter O’Brien on Vimeo.
Support Mo'nnector & the Irish Cancer Society
by Conor on November 7th, 2009
Last weekend I saw the Movember campaign and thought, I should do that this year – it is a fantastic idea and a great cause and to top it off, they even do events ! I am not a fan of facial hair … well on MY face anyway and I have never had a beard or moustache so this is weird for me … below is Day 7 …
So I am the only bloke on my team as I fancied creating my own Mo’nnector team – I now have some Mo Sistas and appreciate any help in supporting my page and maybe even donating a few quid. If you are not into donating money online don’t worry, we will accept donations at the November Connector event. all proceeds will go to the Irish Cancer Society for Prostrate Cancer.
George Hook connects with Age Action
by Conor on September 30th, 2009
George Hook will be on Camden Street tomorrorw at the Age Action shop sipping tea to help celebrate October 1st UN International Day of Older Persons. I hope to pop down and share a cuppa with George and anyone who pops in. Age Action is calling on the nation to stop what they are doing at 11am on the 1st October and share a golden moment with an older person over a cup of tea.  Not that I am saying George is old or anything like that … but it is great to support our older and wiser family, friends & neighbours !
Writer Maeve Binchy launched the campaign with a hot cuppa and spoke of positive ageing: “”I support the Share a Golden Moment like I support everything positive! We are getting older so why not try to enjoy it and help others to do so?”
“This campaign is special. It is calling on the nation on a specific day at a specific hour, to connect with an older person to let them know that you care,†Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and Communications Eamon Timmins said.
“October 1st falls during Positive Ageing Week and so we are calling on businesses to help promote the spirit of the day by purchasing boxes of tea bags from Age Action and distribute them amongst their customers and staff during Positive Ageing Week. Age Action is also encouraging communities to have their own tea party at 11am on October 1st to mark the day,†Eamon Timmins said.
Please go to www.ageaction.ie or contact Dee Clare at (01) 475 6989 if you want to help out tomorrow or at any stage.
Connector Lunches
by Conor on September 21st, 2009
Connector is setting up a mini Connector Meetup over lunch this Wednesday / Thursday TBC in Dublin. There is an open invite and your hosts will be myself (Conor Lynch) & Claire Boyles & Rob Cumiskey.
We’re looking for a nice Dublin city centre restaurant who wants to welcome us for lunch this week with some generous discounts or freebies in return for some coverage on Twitter & blogs ! So far we have over 4,000 Twitter followers among the 3 of us who we will tell our friends about how your restaurant rated.
http://twitter.com/connector_ie
http://twitter.com/claireboyles
http://twitter.com/venntertainment
Maybe a €5 lunch for anyone else who joins us 3 ? Any social media savy restaurateurs out there ?!
Here’s one we made earlier @Saba.
Twestival & connector on RTE News
by Conor on September 15th, 2009
I was at the Dublin Twestival on Thursday night in Krystle Nightclub which was a fundraiser for Barnados. As you may know I use Twitter under the profile connector_ie & it was good to meet some old friends and make some new ones.
I did not stay too late but seemed much quieter than the last event – the highlight was a performance by Karl Spain.
I was interviewed by RTE news while there and some of my comments are included in the video below – thanks to Gene Murphy for proposing me for interview on RTE Network 2 News @ 11pm. Apologies for the poor quality of the video and the original is here on RTE.ie
Connecting with Paddy MaGuinness
by Jamie Richardson on August 13th, 2009
Today the Connector Interns had the pleasure of meeting with Paddy MaGuinness. Paddy, recommended to us by Don Mullan, our last interview, to meet up with. The web of connections has just begun, and Connector is keen on having many more!
Despite the fact that the chat was a little under an hour, we were able to discover a wide range organizations and projects Paddy has been involved with over the last year. A clear leader in international development, Paddy has worked with Niall Mellon Township Initiative Concern Worldwide, Traidelinks, and the Global Housing Foundation to name a few!
But most remarkably so, was Paddy’s Lifetime Humanitarian Medal presented to him by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. For more on this go check it out >here>>
We  enjoyed meeting Paddy, and hope to see where his passions take him next! The Connector Team is also looking forward for many more connections to come!
Connecting with U2 in Croke Park
by Andrew Sigle on July 28th, 2009
Last night I was privileged enough to join Conor for the U2 concert located at Croke Park. It was a great evening filled with many connections. The whole atmosphere of the concert really made for an excellent night. Of course we started out at Quinns for a pint before the show. Quinns was crowded with people waiting for the concert, so we chose to make our way towards Croke Park along with the rest of the restless mob.
Our tickets were scanned and we were in the concert!!! One last trip to the beer garden to get in the mood for the concert, and we were ready to enter the stadium. When I first saw the stage my mouth dropped and I could not believe my eyes. In front of me stood the largest stage that I have ever seen. It is hard to even describe the shape of it, so you will just have to look at pictures to determine for yourself.
A mobile movie from Conor before the gig got HOT …
Here are some pictures of the night …
Finally it was time for U2 to enter the stage. It was amazing the energy that went through that stadium when they entered onto the stage and began playing for the crowd. It is safe to say that we connected with all of Dublin in just one moment at the concert. Like I said the energy that passed through the stadium was a connection in itself, we were all united as one during that concert. I personally was a huge fan of the wave that took place before the concert even started. It continued for about 7 passes around the stadium, which was amazing.
U2 really rocked the stage and took the night away. The best part of the concert was the gigantic screen that they used. It eventually unfolded like an accordion for one of their songs. It was something that I will always remember, and that words can’t even describe. I am happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at U2 and will remember that show for a lifetime.
Check out the mobile phonelight milkyway !
Connect with Guinness 250 @ Arthur's Day
by Jamie Richardson on July 16th, 2009
Today Guinness announced the line-up of artists that will be part of Arthur’s Day 250th anniversary celebrations. But until the actual anniversary festivities on 24th September 2009, Guinness launched a preview right here in Dublin at Oliver St. John Gogarty’s Pub.
With live acts from both The Chapters and Noah and the Whale, the afternoon swelled with excitement for the approaching celebration of Arthur’s Day. In September over 60 artists will be performing throughout Dublin and around the world as well. Today’s event provided a taste of what these gatherings will be like on that day.
Both The Chapters and Noah and the Whale added to the feel of an intimate pub setting that the Arthur’s Day celebration hopes to achieve. Oliver St. John Gogarty’s upstairs venue enhanced the experience of grabbing a pint of Guinness and listening to a band or artist. Not many people get to enjoy such a treat, but come September people all over Dublin, the country, and the world, will have an opportunity to do so.
The bands were great! Check out their performances:
The Chapters:
Noah and the Whale:
In addition to the Arthur’s Day celebrations was the focus of the Arthur Guinness Fund. So sign the Guinness posters in a local pub and Guinness will donate €2.50 for every signature. Easy enough, right?
For more information on the Guinness 250 Celebrations and how to get tickets, visit www.guinness.com & notable thanks go out to the people at Guinness and WHPR for the wonderful food, music, and drinks at this event! Great work!
