Latest news with #Edel
The Journal
5 hours ago
- General
- The Journal
Co Cork community come together to rebuild family home severely damaged by blaze
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago A FIRE THAT devastated a family home in Co Cork ultimately brought a community together in an 'unreal' show of support, a local woman said. Speaking on Cork's 96FM Opinion Line with PJ Coogan, Edel O'Regan shared how earlier this month, she was sitting down with her family at their home in Dunderrow near Kinsale when her son entered the house's garage. 'He had a carbon monoxide alarm on his belt and he went into the garage and he just heard a beep,' she told presenter Paul Byrne. He then discovered that there was black smoke coming from the corner of the garage and ran and alerted the family. The house and garage went up in flames. The fire worked its way down from the top of the house, leaving the foundation and kitchen in place. The family lost cars, a bedroom, tools, TVs and beds in the blaze. Edel O'Regan Edel O'Regan The fire brigade came to the scene and managed to put out the fire before it could do any further damage throughout the house. The family are yet to discover the cause of the fire. Advertisement 'We were devastated. Absolutely devastated,' Edel said. 'But to be honest, within 24 hours our spirits were lifted.' By 7am the following morning, there were ten men on the site with machinery and equipment, and by 10am, there were 60 people there. 'They had the whole place gutted out by 4pm and they were working on the scaffolding. Unreal.' Edel O'Regan Edel O'Regan Edel said that whole experience was 'overwhelming' and 'emotional'. The crew worked through the weekend, with 36 men working to have the O'Regans house roofed and slated by Sunday evening. Others contributed by providing the workers with breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the repair while local farmers brought water tanks. Edel told the radio programme that the saga left the family 'totally overwhelmed by the community we have', and that they are incredibly proud to be part of the Dunderrow community. 'We thought we'd be looking at ruins for a year. Now we're painting walls two weeks later.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
The Kerry woman who created a fairy legacy has decided to hang up her wings
Through her vision in creating Kilflynn Enchanted Fairy Festival in 2014, Edel and Queen Pearl created two alternate worlds in the popular north Kerry village – one real, and one sprinkled with enchantment and imagination inhabited by the fairies. Sadly, due to increasing work commitments, the Tralee woman is departing the festival this year as she is finding it difficult to juggle work and festival commitments. But worry not as the festival continues as usual on June 29 in Kilflynn. Legend has it in the fairy world that queens only do a 12 year term. Queen Pearl now plans to bury her crown in a nearby fairy fort in the hope a new queen will find it in the future. 'I'm leaving feeling very positive and with great pride at having been involved with such a wonderful community. The role of Queen Pearl is something that will always stay in my heart,' said Edel. When she opened her centre in Kilflynn in 2010, striking a balance between work and interactivity was a priority. Because listening to adults talk about mental health isn't easily absorbed by children, Edel developed an idea of fairies serving as the guardians of childhood happiness. This started with a tiny fairy trail down by the river where children played and interacted in an imaginary world. Noticing its positive impact, soon after a committee was formed and the Kilflynn Enchanted Fairy Festival was born. 'Though my work, I started to see a decline in children's play and imagination. That's really where the idea came from. My whole idea is to get children outside and playing by getting their imaginations involved. It's a great way of doing my work by being a different character. I love the character of Queen Pearl,' she said. 'The first fairy trail went on for a couple of years in a small way before I spoke with John Byrne and Carmel Walsh about setting up a fairy festival. There was great craic in what was, and still is, a fantastic idea. Former Minister Frances Fitzgerald was one of our first visitors to the centre and fairy trail in 2012. She thought it was a brilliant idea and we even sprinkled her good shows with some fairy dust!' Edel recalls. Kilflynn Fairy Festival has a year round presence through visits to local schools and connecting with organisations chosen as the recipients of proceeds raised. Even visitors from America, Germany, France and the UK have taken away precious memories from Kilflynn, thanks to the festival. 'We have people that come from all over Ireland and who would book their holidays around the festival. There is a lot goes on outside of the main event,' Edel explained. ADVERTISEMENT 'You can see it on the day of the festival when children see the fairies what it means. I'm so well known as Queen Pearl by boys and girls that it's a magical feeling. Even seeing parents looking on with joy as their children play in the fields with the fairies, there is something very special in that.' Edel knows such an idea could never take off without the willingness of community. Locals welcoming people to Kilflynn for a fairy festival is something that would have seemed unimaginable just 20 years ago. Now, it's part of village life. Edel paid special mention to Teresa Power who recently passed away. Teresa was an important link in the fairy chain as she loved seeing children in her land on festival days. It's a festival the Power family are immensely proud of. 'Something that a lot of people comment on is the sense of community in Kilflynn. The sense of creativity and friendship is unique. People in Kilflynn come out and support the festival because they are very proud of it. This comes from landowners right down to people helping on the day,' she said. 'I've made great friends in Kilflynn and there is a huge amount of creativity and work involved in the festival for a small committee and community. None of it would be possible without their drive and passion. They need to be very proud of that,' she said. Edel's memories are second to none and she talks of often finishing a festival day with 20 children's teeth in her possession. Once the children locate Queen Pearl, they insist on handing over their baby teeth and their secret wishes. 'I have a jar of teeth that will be kept very, very safe by Queen Pearl. It's gas because during the year I'll often get post with just 'Queen of the Fairies, Kilflynn Village' written on the envelope. It could be a letter from a child saying, 'I love you, Queen Pearl. Can't wait to see you at the festival'. Funny how the post man always seems to know where to deliver it!' Lastly, Edel said the festival has been an important part of her family. Her children and grandchildren have been immersed in the festival since its inception 11 years ago, while also helping out Queen Pearl are six fairies who have greeted hundreds of children as part of their special day. 'A funny thing is that some of the kids I work with wouldn't even recognise me on the day. They just see Queen Pearl, not Edel. Or the older ones might give me a little wink as if to say, 'I know'. That's very special and I'll always be available to the committee if they want advice. I'm already looking forward to attending as a visitor. And just to say, Queen Pearl will always be around. She's just taking a break,' she said. Kilflynn Enchanted Fairy Festival takes place on June 29. Check out its Facebook page for update.
Irish Independent
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Louth poet Edel Molloy takes a top prize at Listowel Writers' Week 2025
The Argus Today at 04:00 Edel Molloy, a Tyrone native now living in Blackrock, Co Louth, has won the single poem award at the Listowel Writers' Week, Ireland's oldest literary and arts festival, recently with her poem I'd prefer to talk about rats. Edel, who loved to Blackrock twelve years ago, has always loved writing but between working and raising a family, found it hard to find the time to develop a routine that would allow her follow this passion.
Belfast Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
NIE Networks: putting customers at the centre of transformation journey
Having been head of communications and stakeholder engagement for five years prior, she has a firm grasp of what stakeholders are looking for from the company. These engagement principles remain unchanged in her new post – customer-led, representative, open, responsive and accessible. At NIE Networks, the customer is at the heart of the ongoing transformation journey. The company is committed to developing stronger customer relationships, simplifying connections, embracing technology, and maintaining face-to-face interactions with stakeholders. To deliver on its objectives during the current price control period, which runs until 2031, NIE Networks has developed a new business strategy featuring three strategic programmes. The first of these 'A New Connections Model' aims to streamline the connection process. 'The New Connections Model focuses on enabling quicker and more transparent connections to the grid,' Edel says. 'This will benefit businesses of all sizes, whether they are local shops looking to expand, major factories, or renewable energy customers. We plan to enhance our customer engagement through initiatives such as webinars, connection clinics, and stakeholder events over the coming year. 'We have always talked and listened to people and businesses across Northern Ireland to understand their views. Listening was essential to understand expectations and address the challenges of a rapidly changing energy landscape. It has also helped us better understand attitudes, current experiences and relative priorities and then – most importantly – apply what we learned to our business plans. 'Our goal is to deliver an exceptional customer experience for whatever service we are delivering. We want to drive a customer centric ethos and excellence in the delivery of our service to customers. We are on a journey and realise there is so much more we can do; we will need to continually listen to our customers and respond accordingly.' 'The key for us is making sure we are ahead of our customer requirements. It's about being on the ground and taking a grassroots approach to how we're impacting customers. So, whether you're a big wind farm developer who wants to connect into the grid, a high street retailer hoping to expand operations or you're a domestic customer building your dream home – that's something that my team and I are responsible for. We need to ensure every customer's specific needs are understood and catered for. 'We're very conscious that there are 929,000 homes, farms and businesses who rely on us for a safe, secure and reliable supply so it's important that they are at the forefront of our ongoing transformation journey.' The transformation refers to their current price control period and will see a record £2.23bn investment in the electricity network that will support Northern Ireland's journey to net zero. Preparation for that investment includes structuring the NIE Networks business so that they can deliver in the most efficient way possible while meeting the changing needs of both their business and domestic customers. 'To deliver that investment effectively, we must make business decisions to improve our customer experience and increase customer satisfaction levels,' Edel says. 'Ultimately we need to also transform our relationship with our customers so that we approach our decisions not just from an engineering perspective but from a customer perspective. 'This customer engagement will be key as we start our Rebuilding the Network programme. This is the largest piece of work since rural electrification in the 1950s and could potentially be disruptive to homes and businesses. 'However this gives NIE Networks the opportunity to use innovating engineering solutions with the customer in mind. We can try new approaches, new technologies and engage with industry leaders to apply new engineering solutions that will minimise disruption for our customers, it's an exciting time.' Enabling businesses towards clean energy Over recent years energy has become much more of a boardroom priority and businesses seek to decarbonise their operations to meet sustainability targets and remain competitive. 'We are an enabler towards clean energy growth and, as such, we want to improve the process to connect to the electricity network for both domestic and business customers,' Edel says. 'Making it easier and more transparent is a strategic focus for NIE Networks so that businesses know upfront what opportunities are available, how they can make an application and can trust that the connection process will be smooth and swift. 'It's a very challenging landscape for businesses currently with volatile trade markets, increasing wage costs and a requirement by society and investors to decarbonise their operations. There are opportunities for businesses within the network currently and it requires us to work much closer with business to listen to their specific needs, make those opportunities clear and to explore creative solutions. The key is collaboration with customers and making more information available to businesses so they can make more informed choices.' A Department for Economy consultation on a new socialised connection model closed in April. NIE Networks welcomes this model and has fed into the consultation process as 'when implemented,' Edel says. 'It will create greater access to the electricity network and make it easier to decarbonise through electrification. 'With the right information and insight we can make the electrification process simpler and much more efficient for businesses but the challenge for us is how we provide expert insight and advice to all businesses on a case by case basis. Our strategic focus in this area will also involve scoping the main challenges businesses are having and providing as much information as possible in a way that works for businesses.' Digitalisation Part of the solution lies in digitalisation and new technologies. Edel says: 'Our aim is to drive a customer centric ethos where the customer journey is as simple as possible. Digital is a key enabler to this change, helping to streamline the customer journey, make interactions with us simple and straightforward and make it easy and convenient to do business with us. 'For example, we are implementing an omnichannel approach to customer service, to provide a consistent and personalised experience across all touchpoints. This includes managing the contact centre, social media, and a dedicated team for vulnerable customers, ensuring customers can communicate with us in their preferred way. But this is just the start. We are also empowering our teams to think outside the box and take charge of improving NIE Networks through harnessing the advantages of digital tools. It's creating an exciting culture change – driving a shift from 'doing digital' to 'being digital'. 'We are transforming the business. A key part of that is exploiting technology – rather than increasing the size of our teams, or doing things as we have always done, it's about taking a new and innovative approach to our business. We want to be able to seamlessly connect de-centralised renewable generations like solar and wind to the network alongside traditional power generations, leveraging the latest tech and artificial intelligence (AI) to harness vast amounts of data, and create a modern, digital-driven energy system that puts customers at the forefront.' However, Edel is quick to identify that technology will not be the solution in all areas. 'From the customer perspective, it's about balancing those who want a warm voice, or a knock on the door, right through to something more digitally-focused,' Edel says. 'Having positive interactions with our customers is critical. We also want to make sure we're hearing from our customers – whether that is a small retailer, a domestic customer, or a major business. That feedback is really important so that we can continually improve our business and we need to make sure we're accessible and providing those opportunities.' As well as providing more and more solutions for customers with communication challenges, Edel says they're also keen to explore new channels to make sure they are communicating according to their customer needs. 'Our door is always open,' she says. 'We want to hear from you, continue on this journey and keep listening.'
Extra.ie
07-05-2025
- Health
- Extra.ie
Wexford couple's trip to Miami Grand Prix takes dramatic turn as baby arrives 13 weeks early
A Wexford couple are seeking help from the public after their son was born 13 weeks premature while away on holiday Edel and Thomas Dunphy flew out to Miami for the F1 Grand Prix last Friday and were due to return to Ireland on Tuesday. However, their plans were derailed after their baby boy Oscar arrived three months premature. A Wexford couple are seeking help from the public after their son was born 13 weeks premature while away on holiday Pic: GoFundMe The couple were on their final trip before becoming parents, as Edel was reassured it was safe to fly. Just hours after landing stateside, she was rushed to hospital after experiencing sudden complications. Now taking to GoFundMe following the ordeal, the couple are eager to get their family home. Edel and Thomas Dunphy flew out to Miami for the F1 Grand Prix last Friday and were due to return to Ireland on Tuesday. Pic: Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images 'The incredible medical team here quickly discovered further, silent issues—ones that could have gone undetected had we not acted fast,' the new parents shared. 'Within hours, we were faced with an unimaginable decision: wait until morning to allow time for steroid treatment, or deliver our baby via emergency C-section immediately.' Baby Oscar is now in the care of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where he is expected to remain for 10 to 12 weeks. However, their plans were derailed after their baby boy Oscar arrived three months premature. Pic: GoFundMe 'The first few days are critical as he undergoes constant monitoring and care,' the couple explained, looking to raise money for their extended stay stateside. The couple are also facing mounting hospital bills, and will need to safely return home, which is also adding to the expense. They also revealed that their son was named Oscar as a tribute to Oscar Piastri's F1 Grand Prix win. 'He is our little champion,' they explained. 'We are reaching out with humble hearts to ask for your support during this challenging time.' 'Any contribution, no matter the size, will help us cover the overwhelming costs ahead: accommodation, transport, baby care essentials, and the complex process of repatriation.' In almost 48 hours the couple have raised nearly €20,000, with many touched by their story.
