SHOPPING IN CARNDONAGH - EDITORIAL

CARNDONAGH – THE PLACE TO BE FOR SHOPPING

Take a look at the map of Inishowen and you will see that at its centre is the town of Carndonagh. Carn Domhnaigh or ‘Cairn of Donagh’ is a thriving market town - and has been for centuries. It is the place that farmers and traders have always come to serve the wider community from Ballyliffin to Culdaff, Gleneely and Moville. The thriving Inishowen Co-op and cattle market still serve the farming community but in today’s economic climate a town needs to serve all the consumer interests of an even larger catchments area. Carndonagh does this.

Driving in on any road, the prosperity of the town is apparent. Carefully planned new developments are still being built even though there is a down turn in the economy. New retail outlets will soon be in place to add the already comprehensive choice of shops. Carndonagh boasts one of the largest community schools in Ireland, which shows just what a large population the town and catchment area has, the last census showed over 2000 people living in the townland alone.

CATERING FOR THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPER
If you are asking yourself how Carndonagh can cater for the Christmas shopper then let us take a trip around town, starting in the Diamond, the fresh looking central point of the town.

The Heel Bar
Situated conveniently next to the Diamond, the Heel Bar knows all too well what men want for Christmas….High visibility jackets, trousers and safety boots. Men like a bargain and when they find out that the whole set costs a credit crunching €44.50, they will insist that they get a set for their birthday too. The bargains don’t stop there either. The shop stocks top of the range brand names such as Gore-Tex and Snickers work wear which will also make the ideal gift. Make sure that Santa doesn’t get left out in the cold either by getting him a key cut at the Heel Bars key cutting counter. Better still get a couple of sets for yourself and the family that will be popping around. No-one likes to be left in the cold. The Heel Bar also stock Alike locks, which allows on key to fit all of the doors of the house. They do free estimates and free fitting as well.


Shoe & Sport Store.
The Shoe and Sport store in the town have plenty of Christmas gifts for every-one. There’s €5 off a wide range of their boots and they have the latest stock just in of team calendars and teddies. These products are highly sought after so don’t leave the shopping until the last minute as stocks are limited. Check out the other bargains in store as they have €10 off a range of their sports shirts of all the top teams like Liverpool and Chelsea.


Hirrells of Carndonagh
Next we come to Hirrells, a shop that is bursting with a huge selection of vital Christmas goodies. As soon as you walk into the shop you are aware of the huge selection of lights and decorations for both indoors and outdoors. Christmas would be a dull place without the shimmering glows on the trees and houses. Talking of trees, Hirrells are selling fabulous fibre optic ones for only €49.00, and because you can use them every year they make fantastic financial sense. If you are decorating the doors, walls and tabletops then Hirrells have a great range of cribs, candles, wreaths and garlands too. Let’s not forget what Hirrells are well known for, they also have a fabulous range of toys for all ages. If you are looking for board games, crafts or techno games for the PSP, Nintendo DS and X Box the Toyland section of the shop is now open.


THERE’S MORE THAN SHOPPING IN CARNDONAGH

Branching out a few steps from the Diamond we get to more shops, not all of them are selling products, some are giving us that much needed services that boost to our self confidence and well being.


The Natural Touch Beauty Salon
The Natural Touch Beauty salon on Chapel Street has fantastic offers available from now until Christmas. Fancy a facial or an Indian head massage? Maybe you would enjoy a full body wrap and body massage to get you in the mood for going out to the staff party. Whilst you are enjoying the pampering; why not get a gift voucher from them for a loved one too.

The Loft
Just off of the main road we find a brand new row of shops. The Loft on the New Road in this complex has full beauty and tanning treatment facility for the serious beauty seeker. They offer exclusive Glamma Puss products. There are injectable treatments for wrinkles and a wide range of other services from lip enhancement, mesotherapy, restylane/perlane fillers, facial line smoothing sclerothereapy and cosmetic enhancements. Their next clinic is on the 2nd December, and booking is essential.

Serenity Hair Design by Collette
Don’t forget your hair, the winter weather can be hard on your head insulation. Serenity hair designs in the town are stocking a full range of organic hair colours and mineral products. These are generally more expensive products in the salons but at Serenity they are used at no extra cost to you. There might be time to get a couple of styles in before Christmas and if the man in your life wants a trim them at Colette’s then there are reduced rates (they have less hair after all) On Tuesdays there are special rates for senior citizens too so all of the family can go along


ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET

Ryan Carpets
Heading down the Malin road out of the town you will see Ryan Carpets. There’s no better time to roll out the red carpet for your guests over Christmas and the New Year. Ryan carpets also stock a wide range of vinyl and wood flooring for those of us who need a low maintenance, practical surface to mop up the spilt wine and trodden in mince pies that were dropped over the festivities. If you are having friends and family staying over the holidays and would like their stay to be comfortable and luxurious, then a new bed and bedroom furniture might be on the cards. Just make sure they are not too comfortable, you don’t want them staying too long after the New Year…

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - 34

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

(By Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).


I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more ‘I love you’s’ More ‘I’m sorry’s.’But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it, live it and never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!



Don’t worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

SHOPPING LOCALLY - EDITORIAL

Investing for the future: A marketplace of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

Your community is unique, and local traders understand this.

“I go to many different shops around Buncrana for my shopping, that means I get the best prices around and it also has a great social aspect too as I see a lot of people I know.” IG Buncrana

A wide variety of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices




SHOP LOCALLY - MAKING YOUR COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLE

No one can tell you where to shop. You will use your head when it comes to getting the best value and best products for your family. Sometimes though the answers go a little deeper that saving 10 cent on the price of a tin of beans or getting an item for the house from miles away because they appear to have a better sale price. Often by the time transportation costs, customer support and time are taken into account we can find ourselves out of pocket.

Face value prices are just the tip of the consumer iceberg. Delve deeper and you see that shopping locally and supporting your local suppliers helps the local economy to grow. It’s not just the retail shoppers at the end of the supply chain that benefits; it is the whole community.

Significantly more money re-circulates in an area like Inishowen when purchases are made locally which helps the sustainability of the community. Money keeps flowing through the community especially if these businesses buy from other local businesses and service providers; such as accountants, solicitors, printers, insurance agents and fuel companies. This has great benefits for the local economy, which is needed in these difficult financial times.


REASONS TO SHOP LOCALLY

Environmental Sustainability

Local shops help to sustain vibrant, compact town centres, which in turn are essential to reducing urban sprawl, car use, and air and water pollution.

Small businesses provide jobs for local people, who then do not have to drive so far to get to work.

Going a shorter distance to get what you need saves your precious free time.

Small businesses generally have a much smaller environmental footprint than big shops.

Shopping locally saves precious fuel.

The quality of items sold locally tends to be better, since the shop owners realise you might be back to complain! That means less cheap junk ends up in a landfill or incinerator.

Local business may stock locally made or grown items, like honey or vegetables.


MAKING YOUR COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLE

For every euro spent at a locally owned business, 48 cent stays in the local economy. This makes a huge difference to the wealth of an area like Inishowen. A market place of small businesses like the ones found around the peninsula is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices. This will help make the area economically healthy for a long time into the future.

Product Diversity
A town full of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices. This competition and diversity leads to more choices for the customer. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of Inishowens distinct character: This unique character is what brings people here and can keep us here. A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.


Jobs
Locally owned businesses means more jobs in the area which is good for the community. Customers can get more friendly service whith staff that understand their needs.

Community Well-Being
Locally owned businesses build strong ties by sustaining communities, linking neighbours, and by contributing more to local causes. Our euro spent in locally-owned businesses have three times the impact for the community, then a euro spent else where. When shopping locally, you simultaneously create jobs, fund more local services through sales tax, invest in local improvement schemes and promote community development. You help to keep the euro in the local economy



Local Decision Making
Local ownership means that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions. Local traders care about your community. They will donate to your school sports team and work with activists on community improvement campaigns. Not because they want to make themselves look good, but because the owners of these shops live and work next to you. Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services. Local businesses pay council taxes, funding town services.


Local interest
Local businesses care about the community. They are closely connected to it, and thus consider their impact on it. They are more willing to invest in its future. Many owners generously donate time, money and products to efforts that benefit their neighbours. Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners. Local businesses are owned by people who live in the community, and are less likely to leave and are more invested in the community’s future.


Element of surprise
The element of surprise and discovery in a small local shop whose inventory is carefully chosen by the owner means you can find all sorts of unexpected treasures. And with food shops, you may find a wider assortment of fresher, locally originating, and organic products. In a local shop, you can build a relationship with the staff, the owners and employees get to know you as people, and the smart ones know how to make you feel special. To be greeted by name and be told that something has just come in that your spouse will just love means a lot.

BUNCRANA SHOPPERS COMMENTS

“To support local businesses, I'll sometimes pay a little more than I would in a large store in the city. But once everything is taken into consideration, travel, time, environmental impact and customer support, I think I would be better off staying within a couple of miles of my house.” – MD Buncrana

“I go to many different shops around Buncrana for my shopping, that means I get the best prices around and it also has a great social aspect too as I see a lot of people I know.” IG Buncrana


HOW LOCAL SHOPS DO THEIR BIT

Mac’s Bookstore
Eunan McLaughlin from Mac’s bookshop stocks as much as he can from local suppliers. A majority of the cards and calendars in the shop are from Irish companies “ We stock O’Brien cards that are made in Ireland, they are top quality. Our books come from Irish suppliers and closer to home we have hand crafted cards from a company in Malin Head.” Eunan sources other products locally too. “We deal with a local cash and carry supplier in Gleneely for our minerals and confectionary and deal directly with companies such as Kerry Springs, the drinks manufacturer,” he explains.

Kavanagh Supervalu
Kieran Doherty is manager of the Supervalu store in Buncrana. The company employs 85 staff locally and their motto “Local food for local people” is part of their major branding and marketing strategy. “We stock as many local products as possible,” says Kieran. “In the cooler department we have local companies such as Country Kitchens from Malin, who supply soups and salads, Crana Foods make coleslaws and fresh vegetable mixes for our customers and our eggs come from Inishowen Eggs. We source fresh seasonal vegetables from small suppliers locally as well as larger set ups like Doherty’s potatoes from Bridgend. Our distribution network is also based locally to save unnecessary transportation.”

Elaine’s Hairdressers
It’s not only food suppliers that source their products locally. There are some surprises like Elaine’s Hairdressers in Buncrana. Elaine’s hairpieces come from a local supplier. “We also have a supplier in Burt who manufactures an organic moisturiser and cosmetic range”. Elaine works in a fast moving industry and new product ranges are released almost daily. It’s very popular for customers to choose organic product and ones that are gentle to the hair. We get organic hair colourant from Letterkenny and are in the process of having and organic range made even more locally.” she tells us. “The staff are also constantly upgrading their skill with courses and I try to get these courses brought to Inishowen instead of us having to travel away.” The salon is a good example on how a business such as this has a knock on effect on the local economy as the sales of magazines and coffee increases with every customer…….

LOCAL MUM WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Mother of three, Sarah Quigley-Burns is in complete shock after being presented with the National Student of the Year Award from Portobello School in Dublin. Sarah graduated last June from the regional course in Letterkenny, with a first class distinction in her Diploma in Montessori Teaching. It was a tough year for Sarah, juggling the responsibilities of parenting alongside her studies, all while she was pregnant with her third child, Saorla, (now aged four months). In fact, she gave birth to her baby daughter just ten days after sitting her final exam. “It was a bit close alright.” Sarah remembers, “I was worried that I was going to have her before the exam.”

“This award isn’t just for me,” explains a delighted Sarah, “It was a total family effort. My mother would look after Cillian (3) and Líoda (2) and my husband Steven would have to organise to work at home some days to be with the children so I could go to my placement and to the course.”

Wednesdays were the most challenging days for Sarah as she juggled work placements, evening classes and obstetric appointments, often running from one to the other.

So what motivated Sarah to take on this challenge at this stage of her life? “I really wanted to get out and work, but really I was a full-time mum and I was breastfeeding too, so it was hard to find something that would fit. Also, if I were working part-time I wouldn’t be taking home much after paying for childcare. Working as a Montessori teacher seemed to fit in with my life style.”

Last September, Sarah and her partner Jennifer Grant, set up the Little Acorns Montessori Playschool in Carndonagh. They work it as a co-operative where each takes it turn about, working one week in the playschool and the other week looking after the under 3’s as Jennifer has a baby too. It is an arrangement that suits Sarah well as she finds that working part-time gives her more energy to be with her children and she is totally happy with her childcare arrangements.

Sarah really enjoyed the course and found that as well as the benefit of having a qualification to teach children aged 3-6, it helped her in her approach as a parent. The Montessori philosophy says that children are happiest when they are busy working and that if a child is able to choose its own work freely then they learn faster and more happily. Children don’t struggle to keep up with others as they work at their own pace. Sarah’s role is to direct and show the children how to use the materials. There is also a strong emphasis on connecting the children to nature and teaching them how to take care of the environment. Sarah and Jennifer’s Little Acorns Montessori Playschool is open on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Sarah can be contacted on 0749374096.

5 MINUTES WITH - PADRAIG DOHERTY

Pàdraig is in his transition year at the Carndonagh Community School. He was recently voted onto the Donegal Youth Council to represent young people in the Inishowen electoral area and throughout Donegal. He is one of 36 teenagers who will be lobbying for more facilities for young people around the county and will be working closely with local councillors to implement initiatives.

Pàdraig is a keen sports person and last week was part of the winning Carndonagh team in the under 16B’s hurling county final championships….beating Buncrana 3-1 to 1-2…..


What music do you like?
Rock. Pop. Anything and everything. I tend to listen to chart music mostly.

What would you never throw away?
Hurley sticks. I would only get rid of one if it was really badly broken.

What book are you reading?
The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It’s a post-apocalyptic tale of a man and his son trying to survive by any means possible

What was your favourite childhood game?
When I was younger I used to play tag. I enjoyed allof the running around. When I got to about four years old I found Gaelic and Hurling. It’s the same sort of running around but it’s more structured and competitive.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I went to see The National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage, who is a treasure hunter in hot pursuit of a mythical treasure. It was very enjoyable.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I will have a look to see if there are any good headlines and read those. Generally though it would be the sports pages to read up on hurley, gaelic, soccer and rugby. If I knew that friends were going to be in the paper, I would look them up first.

Have you done anything really daft recently?
Last week I was making a snack of beans on toast. I opened the can of beans then went to lift a heavy pan off the cooker. I was still holding the lid of the can in my hand when I squeezed hold of the pan handle. I needed three stitches. Luckily NowDoc were in Carndonagh or I would have had to travel into Derry or Letterkenny to be treated.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I tend to watch factual programmes when I have the time. There are a couple of good talk shows on that I would watch. The Panel and the Blame Game are both entertaining.

How do you relax?
I play the computer. I spent a lot of time on the Football Manager game. I managed to get my team to the top of the division.

What job do you fancy doing when you leave the education system?
Keeping in the education system……I fancy being a primary school teacher.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
Australia has always appealed to me. The laid back lifestyle is similar to ours and you get the benefit of the good weather

Your idea of heaven?
If Donegal won the All Ireland final.

Your idea of hell?
Recently that would have been last week when Carndonagh lost the Junior Ulster quarterfinal. Malin stayed up.

What would you spend a lottery win on?
I would buy an English football team. The team I bought would depend on the amount of money I won. It would make more sense to buy a club that is low down in the divisions and build it up to be a super team.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Roy Keane the ex Man. United player and now Sunderland manager, Sean Cavanagh, the Tyrone footballer, Hector Ó hEochagáin from Hanging with Hector and the comedian Des Bishop for a bit of craic.

Favourite animal?
Dogs. We had a lassie type dog for years and now we have Darky, the scruffy 11-year-old collie.

What couldn’t you live without?
Sport. I have training most nights of the week.

Have you been anywhere interesting recently?
The family and I went to Bodega near San Francisco in the United States recently. It was for a family wedding. The scenery was a bit like Malin Head. We all took over a holiday village very close to the telephone box where Alfred Hitchcock filmed a woman getting attacked in a scene in the film The Birds.

Biggest fear?
Looking up at heights. I can climb up anything without any fear and look down but there’s just something very strange about looking up at tall buildings.

Biggest thrill?
I can only think of rollercoasters

The world’s most irritating invention?
It’s not a can opener although it comes close. It would have to be ticking clocks.

What is your idea of a good night in?
Enjoying something interesting on the telly. When people recommend a film to me I will always give it ten minutes to see if it’s any good.

Do you have a hobby?
Sport, sport and sport.

Biggest disappointment?
Two years ago I was in the Division 2 under 14’s Inishowen Gaelic team and we were in 5 finals. We won four – The championship and county championships, but were beaten by Moville on the last one, depriving us of a grand slam.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
From the year 0 (2008 years ago) to see what really happened.

World’s most useful invention?
The Internet with broadband. I use it a lot for school projects and surfing.

What do you have for breakfast?
Plain porridge.

What are the best pieces of advice you have been given?
There are a few that family members have told me. Don’t look at the negatives. You can do as many courses and exams as you like, but knowledge will only get you so far, you have to be willing to take a few risks. The school journal quoted a good one last year “The biggest risk in life is not to take a risk at all.”

Personal philosophy?
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 33

PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE.

We ask that the time of world peace is now.

May each person surrender to their higher selves and gain a new inner peace and serenity.

May we leave behind the residual conditioning and emotions of the past. And cultivate a new level of understanding, forgiveness and compassion.

Enabling the world’s population to live together in acceptance of each person’s individuality, diversity and beliefs.

Embracing a new level of stability, security, world peace, plenty for everyone, harmony and unity.

As each person moves forward on this level of unconditional love, may they shine and become empowered as they recognise their individual strengths, gifts and talents, and accelerate their own learning, experience, knowledge and wisdom.

Let us understand how all of this can effect a new foundation and benefit the highest good of mankind and humanity.

May each person make a difference in our World and from this life experience move forward with understanding and enlightenment.

As this prayer is said with the highest levels of love, sincerity and integrity.

In Love, and Light and Healing

So be it, and so it is

Vanessa Edwards

5 MINUTES WITH – KASIA WOJTACH

Kasia, her husband Robert and her three children settled in Buncrana from Poland just over four years ago. Her work at the Inishowen Development Partnership office as the Immigrant Integration Development Officer, she finds both varied and interesting. Kasia works with people from Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania and Poland organising trainings, courses, integration projects and information meetings. One of her latest integration project with the VEC is a story project for parents . The course teaches parents how to read and tell stories to their children in English. All nationalities attend, which strengthens both the integration of parents and nationalities. On the 11th of November (today), Buncrana library on St Mary’s Road are having their official opening of the Polish Library section within the library. Nearly 1000 books were collected by Kasia and her friends in Poland and brought over to Inishowen. These books will be available to borrow throughout Donegal and will be hugely beneficial to Polish children, adults or anyone who wishes to learn a new language.


What music do you like?
I enjoy listening to Sting, ever since he started with the Police. I also enjoy Jazz, especially soft jazz from Louis Armstrong and more recently Chris Botti. He is an Italian trumpet player, and I was introduced to his music at a wedding in Poland. Irish musicians from the Different Drums project are great too

What would you never throw away?
Books. Any books, I have lots of books at home and there will be even more in the library after today.

What book are you reading?
I read a lot of fiction books but at the moment I am reading a biography about Marina Vlady, the wife of an alcoholic Russian singer. It’s a very enjoyable book.

What was your favourite childhood game?
When I was really young I played with dolls and dolls houses. When we were a bit older we played a game called podchody. Translated this means to go over or to come up. We would divide ourselves up into two groups; one group would set off and hide. It could be anywhere in town. They would leave clues for us to follow and we tried to track them down. This could take all day sometimes. It was great fun

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I went to see High School Musical 3 with the children and before that I went to see Sex in the City with my friends; they are from Dungloe so we meet up half way in Letterkneny.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I start from the back, avoiding the sport, as I am not too familiar with it.

What is your idea of a good night out?
A party with friends or a trip into town.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Robert and I met in a dormitory that had both university students and technical school teens in it (Robert was in the tech). The pupils called it Alkatraz, as there were so many rules. I was with the girls on the fourth floor and Robert was in the boys wing downstairs. We had just started seeing one another and I decided to treat him to a candlelit dinner. There was just one shared kitchen, but I managed to cook some spaghetti bolognaise. I really, and I mean really overcooked the pasta until it was a soggy mess. Robert ate it and was so polite, he didn’t even comment although I could see a look of disappointment on his face.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I occasionally watch Desperate Housewives when I remember it’s on.

How do you relax?
A good book and a glass of wine.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be a vet or observing and filming animals for nature programs.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
Just somewhere sunny

Your idea of heaven and hell?
Watch the film - What Dreams May Come with Robin Williams…..

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
My father, he passed away three years ago and I still miss him. I would also invite Pop John Paul II. As a teenager I was involved in Catholic groups through the church and I thought his ideas about the whole of life were inspirational.

Favourite animal?
The lioness, she is strong and takes care of her cubs.

What couldn’t you live without?
Family and friends.

Biggest fear?
Darkness, especially driving over the hills from Carndonagh at night.

Biggest thrill?
A hug from my children and when they say “ I love you” I like to see people getting on together.

The world’s most irritating invention?
The answering machine. I don’t want to talk into a machine….

Do you have a hobby?
Books and psychology, I have always been interested in Freud

World’s most useful invention?
That would be the telephone, to be able to talk to anyone at anytime around the world.

What do you have for breakfast?
Sometimes porridge and sometimes a slice of toast and jam.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
It’s a bit of good advice from my granny. She said to spend 15 minutes of good quality time with your children every day.

Personal philosophy?
“It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked”. That’s a quote from an Arabic poet called Khalil Gibran.

CABLE AND ACCESSORIES - EDITORIAL

Stephen McKeever demonstrates the smooth action of a Click switch.

Damian and Stephen are able to find stock easily in the well-designed warehouse.

Stephen cutting a piece of armoured cable to length for a customer.

Cable and Accessories offer a professional and friendly service to both complete novices and main contractors in the electrical industry.

Why are Cable and Accessories so successful?…… They listen to their customers.

Cable and Accessories are a trusted name in the electrical supply industry and hold major contracts with the ESB and Regional Health Boards.

The reduction of waste is a key factor in the company…. you can walk in and buy single items…… Sometimes you just need one 13 amp fuse, one light switch or a bulb.


CABLE AND ACCESSORIES ELECTRICAL WHOLESALERS

Cable and Accessories, the electrical wholesaler is proud to have a newly opened branch here in the peninsula. Centrally located on the Milltown Business Park in Buncrana, Cable and Accessories caters for both the retail and wholesale electrical market.

Established 25 years ago in Derry, they have now grown to be the largest independent electrical wholesaler in the North of Ireland, with well-established premises in Derry, Letterkenny, Omagh and Limavady. At present they employ 42 people around the country. Expansion plans won’t stop there either as they are planning to open more outlets around the country over the coming months.

Partnerships
Cable and Accessories value their capacity to build up and establish a working relationship and partnership with their trade customers. One of their selling points is that they will provide quotes for tendering purposes. This supports their customers to accurately price small and large contracts which can be an advantage in a successful tender.

Open to both the trade and public.
Making both retail and wholesale customers feel at ease is important to the success of the company. There’s no such thing as a silly question and if you have any product queries, Damian and Stephen are there to help. Damian has 26 years experience in the electrical industry and although Stephen has a long way to catch up in years, he makes up for it in enthusiasm. Between them they make a friendly and dynamic team.


Armoured cables
If you are considering underground cables for outdoor lighting and water pumps, Cable and Accessories are the only stockists in Inishowen that stock armoured cables. These cables are vital to ensure that the protective covering isn’t damaged by stones when buried. Stephen and Damian will cut the heavy-duty cable to any length saving you money and sparing any waste.

Reducing waste
The reduction of waste is a key factor in the company, with this in mind you can walk in and buy single items instead of multi packs. Sometimes you just need one 13 amp fuse, one light switch or bulb.

Get an account
Getting a customer account at Cable and Accessories enables the buyer to go into any of the outlets around the country to buy what they need, which frees the contractor to be mobile in any part of the country.

Nationwide back up of products
If for any reason the item you are looking for is not in stock in the Buncrana unit they have a fully stocked 20,000 square foot warehouse in Derry and an express delivery service. The item you require can be sourced and delivered to you in a matter of hours. The Buncrana branch has access to the companies HGV lorries and vans which; operate around the country, ensuring you get the products you need when you need them.

Stockists of household names
Cable and Accessories have sourced top quality brand named products that reflect their reputation for supplying the industry with the best.

Click wall accessories
Click are a world leader in products such as junction boxes, flush mounted switch and socket boxes, cable clips and connector strips. All Click products are manufactured to the highest quality levels and comply with all relevant British and European standards. Guarantees of up to 20 years against materials or manufacturing faults show how confident they are with product quality.


Hager
Hager is part of a dynamic, global company and is a world-class manufacturer of voltage distribution and electrical equipment. Their products cover all residential and commercial electrical installations, and ensure quality and flexibility to the installer and end user. They also offer a unique service of design solutions to meet customer needs, in the areas of energy distribution, building control, connection systems and cable routing. They are the main suppliers of MCB’s (Miniature Circuit Breakers) for the main fuse box in the house.

Robus
Robus is one of the leading brands of LED fixtures and includes LED products for both exterior and interior use. The new range of durable and corrosion resistant outdoor lighting products available from Robus includes bollards, bulkheads and wall lights. They also supply efficient, over-door convectors.

Dimplex
Dimplex heating systems cater for the domestic and commercial market. They produce high-energy efficient products such as heat pumps, electric under-floor heating and condensing gas boilers. Dimplex is an established world leader, with hundreds of products dedicated to energy efficient usage and comfortable lifestyles.
Their line-up covers heat pumps and solar water heating; commercial heating and air curtains; water heating; award winning electric fires and suites; portable heaters and domestic heating solutions for all around the home.

Ansell
Ansell Lighting design and manufacture lighting products that fall into six distinct groups. These are display, amenity, floodlighting, industrial, commercial and emergency lighting. Their design expertise provides multiple solutions for almost every interior and exterior application that includes a commitment to fulfilling the increasing requirement for products that are energy efficient.

Pyrolix and Response Burglar Alarms
With a home security system, your home is two to three times less likely to be broken into than a home without one. Cable and Accessories stock two class-leading companies Pyrolix and the wire free Response system. Call into the store and see what system suits your property.


Opening times
The unit is Open from 8 am to 5pm Monday to Friday….. They don’t close for lunch.

LEE TEDSTONE - EDITORIAL

Buncrana businessman, Lee Tedstone of Nvolve Ltd is ‘over the moon’ after scooping three business awards in the Shell Livewire All Ireland Finals last Thursday. The three categories are for the Best Use of Innovation, the Entrepreneurial Spirit award and the Export Potential award. “I am absolutely delighted,” says Lee “They are the best categories too as they reflect a good product, a good business and a good market reach.” It is a testament to the work and effort Lee has put into his business, that in two years he has created, from his Letterkenny base, a successful global company with clients across all industry sectors.

Clear vision
Lee was brought up in Buncrana on the Railway Road and always had a clear vision that he was going to work for himself. As a child he would go to work with his dad and watch his father and his business partner, Bertie Cartmill run their amusement business. “These two men had a big impression on me” Lee recalls. “I was fascinated by their lifestyle and how they interacted with their customers and their suppliers. I am sure it had an influence on me. I have fond memories of Buncrana in my childhood, being around the amusement arcades, going down to the shore front to go on the bumpers, the bingo at the weekend. There was a real buzz about the place.”

Lee went to St Columba’s boy school (now Scoil Iosagain) and Scoil Mhuire. He didn’t do particularly well at school as he always felt he needed to do things his own way and could do things better himself. Lee explains, “I liked to break the mould, if I was messing around and the teacher would tell me I was going to fail, I felt determined I would prove them wrong. I would challenge myself to go and do what I needed to.”

Lee did well enough to go to the University of Ulster to do his degree in electronics/software design and then went on to Queens to do his Masters in Semi-conductor Design. From there he went to Edinburgh where he worked for a company designing microchips, before moving to London to work in recruitment, project management and business development for a variety of employers, all within the electronics field. Through his work, Lee identified a gap in the market, where he felt he could make a contribution and as he wanted to come home, he moved back in 2006 to set up Nvolve Ltd.

Learning Solutions
The gap Lee had identified was a need for organisations to co-ordinate recruitment, training and performance management. Nvolve’s learning solutions division has developed software that trains staff faster, better and more cost-effectively than ever before, enabling organisations to manage and deliver their training at a fraction of the time and cost of more traditional methods. The business owners / managing directors can set objectives, which are filtered through the business hierarchy in the form of individual objectives for each worker that are measured against a timescale. Each employee can work on their own objectives and feed back what resources or training they need. This allows businesses to streamline and the success of the product is measured by the amount of money saved for the organisation. “The learning management side fits perfectly with organisations that have legislative requirements but it is effective for any business that wants to align their training activities to performance objectives,” Lee clarifies.

Software Solutions
The other division of Nvolve Ltd develops bespoke software to match the needs of their clients. Their customers include start-up businesses as well as large enterprises; any-one who needs a professional software solution in place quickly and efficiently. One recent example was a package for a community forum of golfers so they could keep in touch and chat on-line. Lee outsources his software development to a company in India, a partnership that has worked so well that Nvolve recently bought a majority share in the company. This means very competitive rates for his clients.

Lee is keen to point out that although their customers include large corporations and companies, more and more small local businesses are getting in touch with him. He explains, “Over the last few months about forty small businesses, local people from the Northwest have contacted me with an idea for a software package. There are some really good business ideas out there; I have found the entrepreneurial spirit has really gone through the roof. Some of these young businesses however, don’t have many resources or can’t afford to get a software package developed. I would encourage any-one in this situation to contact us for advice on how they could get their software developed.”

Sharing business skills
Lee is open to sharing his business skills. He recently gave a talk to 600 young people at Mount Errigal Hotel, which was organised by the Donegal County Enterprise Board. So what advice has he got for young entrepreneurs? “I would encourage people to engage with organisations such as the Inishowen Partnership, the Donegal County Enterprise Board and Enterprise Ireland,” he says. “I would also suggest that before they invest serious time and money on a service or product, they should try and get a commitment from some-one to buy it. You need qualities such as perseverance in business, drive and ambition as well as being able to keep your feet on the ground. If you have business acumen and skills, that is great, but you need perseverance to get through the hard times. However when you see the fruits of your hard work, there is no better feeling.”

Lee employs six people locally in Ireland and has sixty employees in the Indian software engineering company. He believes in meritocracy in the business culture and believes that employees in Nvolve get out what they put in. Two recent graduate employees have worked so well that they will soon be heading a new software division.

The future
So what about the future for Nvolve? Well, there are two new software products in the pipeline that are being developed and with the large amount of exports to the United States, Lee is looking at opening a sales office in the U.S. possibly in California. He is also going on a fact-finding mission to Dubai and has already secured business over there.

If you would like to contact Lee his e-mail is leetedstone@nvolve.net and his phone number is 0749116000.