Displaying items by tag: Michael Walsh

2nd December 2021

Port of Cork Welcomes New Chairperson Following Announcement by Transport Minister

The Port of Cork Company has welcomed the appointment of Michael Walsh as the port's new chairperson

A new Chairperson of the Port of Cork Company (POCC) has been announced by the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D.

Michael Walsh, whom the Minister described as having a ‘wealth of management and board experience’ takes the role Chairperson of Port of Cork Company (POCC) during what is one of the most pivotal periods of investment and growth for the company.

Speaking on the appointment, Minister Ryan stated: “I am pleased to appoint Mr Walsh as the new Chairperson of the Port of Cork Company. Mr Walsh brings a wealth of executive management experience governing major infrastructure projects, as well as extensive board experience, and I am confident that he will be a good fit in this role with the Port of Cork Company. I wish him every success as he takes on the challenge of leading the company at an exciting time as they move to their new container handling terminal at Ringaskiddy.”

Mr Walsh is currently responsible for global commercial operations for the US energy technology company Smart Wires and before this held senior leadership positions in EirGrid, ESB, IWEA as well as a lecturer in UCD. He also currently chairs the Research Advisory Committee for the Global Power System Transformation Consortium. He has a phD in Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration.

The appointment of Port of Cork Company’s Chairperson follows a recent appointment of highly regarded HR specialist Joan McGrath as a Director to the board. Ms McGrath brings her HR expertise and her experience as a current board member also of the Irish Aviation Authority to the POCC.

The Board appointments come at a pivotal time for the Port of Cork Company, which is responsible for the broad range of commercial running of Cork harbour as well as the navigation and berthage in the port.

On his five year term as Chairperson, Mr Walsh reflected on the key opportunities for POCC: “It’s a great honour to be nominated as Chairperson of Port of Cork Company as we strengthen our position as a key European and Irish Tier 1 Port.”

“It’s an exciting era for the region and for the Port and we are mindful of creating a sustainable future for all communities who live on and are reliant on the harbour and the port’s operations. The €100 million investment in Phase 2 of the Ringaskiddy terminal will allow us to move the remainder of our container business from the city to the lower harbour. It will also increase our port capacity, bringing more business and jobs to the region. However the completion of the M28 road will be vital for this increased capacity. Another significant plan is to develop bulk trade at Marino Point and to utilise its rail link where feasible, thus reducing the carbon impact of this trade by moving freight from road to rail, allowing bulk trade to leave Cork city quay and free up the Docklands for commercial and community development.”

Port of Cork CEO Eoin McGettigan congratulated Michael Walsh on his appointment as Chairperson: “I wish our new Chairperson every success in his new role as he joins us at a critical time for our Port. I welcome Joan McGrath also as an outstanding professional who I have no doubt will bring her specific expertise to the role.”

Joan McGrath stated: “I look forward to supporting and contributing my experience to the Port of Cork on the delivery of its exciting strategy for growth and investment over the coming years.”

These appointments follow the appointment of Gillian Keating, former President of Cork Chamber and Corporate Partner with legal firm Ronan Daly Jermyn to the Board of POCC in 2020.

Published in Port of Cork

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Dubarry Profits On the Rise

Shoe manufacturer Dubarry saw a 44 per cent increase in overseas sales last year, The Irish Times reports.

http://afloat.ie/sail/

Though shoe sales are on the decline in Ireland, growth in export markets - and the success of Dubarry's new clothing range – has more than offset any domestic losses, said marketing director Michael Walsh.

Dubarry was recently title sponsor of the Fireball World Championships at Sligo Yacht Club last month.

http://www.afloat.ie/sail/sailing-classes/fireball/item/15560-fireballs-announce-dubarry-as-title-sponsor-for-sligo-world-championships/

http://afloat.ie/sail/sailing-classes/fireball/

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0701/1224299846446.html

Shoe manufacturer Dubarry saw a 44 per cent increase in overseas sales last year, The Irish Times reports.

The firm, which is a long-time supporter of sailing in Ireland, reported pretax profits of €1.95 million on revenue that topped the €20 million mark, an increase of more than €4 million on the previous year.

Though shoe sales are on the decline in Ireland, growth in export markets - and the success of Dubarry's new clothing range – has more than offset any domestic losses, said marketing director Michael Walsh.

Dubarry was recently title sponsor of the Fireball World Championships at Sligo Yacht Club last month.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in News Update

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Ireland & La Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, was originally called the course de l’Aurore until 1980, was created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault.

Half a decade later, the race has created some of France's top offshore sailors, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new boat equipped with foils and almost 50 skippers Including novices, aficionados and six former winners.

The solo multi-stage offshore sailing race is one of the most cherished races in French sailing and one that has had Irish interest stretching back over 20 years due to the number of Irish stopovers, usually the only foreign leg of the French race.

What Irish ports have hosted The Solitaire du Figaro?

The race has previously called to Ireland to the following ports; Dingle, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

What Irish sailors have raced The Solitaire du Figaro?

So far there have been seven Irish skippers to participate in La Solitaire du Figaro.

In 1997, County Kerry's Damian Foxall first tackled the Figaro from Ireland. His win in the Rookie division in DHL gave him the budget to compete again the following year with Barlo Plastics where he won the final leg of the race from Gijon to Concarneau. That same year a second Irish sailor Marcus Hutchinson sailing Bergamotte completed the course in 26th place and third Rookie.

In 2000, Hutchinson of Howth Yacht Club completed the course again with IMPACT, again finishing in the twenties.

In 2006, Paul O’Riain became the third Irish skipper to complete the course.

In 2013, Royal Cork's David Kenefick raised the bar by becoming a top rookie sailor in the race.

In 2018, for the first time, Ireland had two Irish boats in the offshore race thanks to Tom Dolan and Joan Mulloy who joined the rookie ranks and kept the Irish tricolour flying high in France. Mulloy became the first Irish female to take on the race.

Tom Dolan in Smurfit Kappa competed for his third year in 2020 after a 25th place finish in 2019. Dolan sailed a remarkably consistent series in 2020 and took fifth overall, the best finish by a non-French skipper since 1997 when Switzerland’s Dominique Wavre finished runner up. Dolan wins the VIVI Trophy.

Dolan finished 10th on the first stage, 11th on the second and seventh into Saint Nazaire at the end of the third stage. Stage four was abandoned due to lack of wind.

Also in 2020, Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball became the eleventh Irish sailor to sail the Figaro.

At A Glance – Figaro Race

It starts in June or July from a French port.
The race is split into four stages varying from year to year, from the length of the French coast and making up a total of around 1,500 to 2,000 nautical miles (1,700 to 2,300 mi; 2,800 to 3,700 km) on average.
Over the years the race has lasted between 10 and 13 days at sea.
The competitor is alone in the boat, participation is mixed.
Since 1990, all boats are of one design.