Tag: #limerick

Collaboration between academia and industry could give Irish sprinters an edge at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

Elite Irish sprinters participating in a study at Lero, one of the world’s leading software research centres at the University of Limerick, to determine the effectiveness of super spike sprint shoes, could boost their chances of success at the 2028 Olympics.

Lero researchers at the University of Limerick’s Sport and Human Performance Research Centre (SHPRC) have embarked on the research in collaboration with innovative Irish sports analytics company DANU are still recruiting elite Irish athletes to use DANU’s groundbreaking wearable smart socks technology to capture and analyse athlete-specific data, focusing on the biomechanical assessment of super spike shoes.

Professor Ian Kenny questioned whether athletes at the 2024 Olympics choose super spikes due to sponsorship deals or for their technological benefits and injury prevention.

“Using real-world metrics on the track and not the lab, we will gain key insights into the benefits of DANU’s technology, super spikes, and their impact on our elite sprinters – gaining a fraction of a second could give an Irish athlete a podium finish and a medal,” he added.

Lero researcher Shane Hassett said the research will quantify performance outcomes such as speed, ground contact time, flight time, muscle activation, and ankle kinematics to distinguish super spike shoes from other running spikes.

“We will investigate if the DANU sports system can be used to monitor biomechanical changes in gait when wearing the super spike shoes, focusing on how specific components biomechanically change an athlete’s sprint profile,” he added.

DANU founder and CEO Oisín Lennon said they are delighted to continue their collaboration with the University of Limerick and LERO, who he described as leaders in software and research innovation.

“UL supported us in our early development, playing a vital role in validating our technology and shaping the direction of our platform. That early partnership was instrumental in helping us move from concept to a scientifically grounded product.

“Now, it’s incredibly rewarding to see LERO and UL using our technology to drive groundbreaking research in elite sprinting – pushing the limits of what’s possible in biomechanics and performance science.

“Collaborating with researchers of this calibre not only validates our approach but also ensures we stay at the forefront of innovation. We’re excited to contribute to work that has the potential to impact sport at the highest level.”

HMV opens second store in Ireland in Limerick

hmv is returning to Limerick next week with a new store in the Crescent Shopping Centre, open from 9.30am on Friday 16 May. This will be their second store now in Ireland after Henry St opened in Mid 2023

With over 18,000 different products on offer, the 5,478 sq. ft store is the perfect destination for fans of music and pop culture to discover new items.

Record enthusiasts and collectors will be able to browse 5,000 different vinyl albums, while the store will also stock 5,500 different CDs and a wide range of music technology. For fans of pop culture and entertainment, there will be 3,000 products across franchises such as Stranger Things, Pokémon, Star Wars, Marvel and DC, as well as 300 different T-shirt designs.

On opening day, the first 50 customers to make a purchase will receive a free pop culture swag bag full of quirky Kenji or Funko products. Customers can also take advantage of amazing in-store offers, including the 2 for €50 vinyl offer.

With a performance space in-store, the hmv shop in Limerick is expected to draw signings and performances from both established international artists and grassroots local bands. Local musicians and bands who want to get a gig experience can contact staff in-store for details on how to perform through hmv’s Live&Local programme. So far, the programme has seen over 1,600 gigs performed this year in stores across the UK and Ireland.

Phil Halliday, hmv Managing Director, UK and Ireland said: “hmv has a rich history in Ireland and we’re delighted to announce we’ll be returning to Limerick with a new store inside the Crescent Shopping Centre. There’ll be deals on music, TV, and film, as well as a new dedicated performance space for both established artists and local bands, with the aim of turning the store into the best music destination in town.”

Bronwen Dawson, Store Manager, said: “Nothing beats discovering new music and pop culture products in a store filled with expert, knowledgeable staff. We’re beyond excited to be back in Limerick and we can’t wait to fling open the doors and show customers round on opening day.”

The store’s address is Unit 1, Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick, V94 4X28, and its opening hours are:

  • Monday to Wednesday – 9.30am to 6pm
  • Thursday to Friday – 9.30am to 9pm
  • Saturday – 9.30am – 6pm
  • Sunday – 12pm – 6pm

World’s first silicon chip design breakthrough in Limerick

The world’s first fabrication and design of a silicon chip without direct human input has been completed by researchers at Lero, the University of Limerick-based Research Centre for Software, heralding the possibility of creating a new high-tech export-based industry in Ireland.

Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Limerick Conor Ryan led the research team which has just filed a patent for the totally Irish-designed process that came from a project entitled “Automatic Design of Digital Circuits’ (ADDC) funded by Research Ireland.

“This is the first time ever anywhere in the world that machine learning has been used to design and fabricate a silicon chip entirely from scratch. This could pave the way for a new era of automated digital circuit design with Ireland at its centre, creating a new export industry with many well-paying jobs.

“The patent secures the proprietary methods and novel approach to automating silicon chip design’s traditionally manual, complex, and error-prone process. The techniques created by Lero replace traditional methods with an entirely automated flow, reducing the need for human intervention and minimising the risks of design errors,” said Prof Ryan, a lead researcher at Lero.

The Limerick-based team plans to work with selected global chip design and fabrication companies following the successful manufacture of a Lero-designed chip by world-leading chip foundry TSMC, paving the way for a new era of automated digital circuit design.

Prof Ryan said their patent covers the use of a grammar-based optimisation engine that ensures all generated designs are manufacturable and ready for production and opens the door to smarter, faster, and more sustainable hardware design, with potential applications in consumer electronics, healthcare, automotive, and more.

“The system combines cutting-edge machine learning with industry-standard tools and workflows, ensuring the results are compatible with modern manufacturing processes.

“It radically reduces the time and financial resources required to produce integrated circuits, democratising access to advanced hardware innovation. Our process also eliminates an entire step in the traditional verification process,” he added.

Prof. Ryan acknowledged that the project was made possible through partnerships with leading experts and organisations, utilising TSMC’s world-class fabrication facilities.

The process is protected under European Patent Application No. 24213734.7 held by the University of Limerick and the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, and covers Digital Circuit Creation Tool and Method.

Lero technological research could enable older people to live independently reducing the stress for them and those who support their self-reliance

Improving technology-enabled home care for older people to help Ireland reduce the annual €500 million impact on the economy from people falling – especially those over 65 – is one of the goals of a new interdisciplinary research programme at Lero, the University of Limerick-based Research Centre for Software.

A two-year €140,000 research programme focussing on technology-enabled care (TEC) in home environments is being part-funded by Shannon-headquartered Ei Electronics, one of Ireland’s leading indigenous electronics manufacturing and exporting companies, employing 1,250 worldwide.

Lero researcher Associate Professor Katie Crowley said that while technology-enabled care (TEC) in home environments currently has support items such as motion sensors and panic buttons, the innovative development and use of technology can help people function safely and remain at home longer.

Dr Crowley, who is also attached to The Ageing Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Limerick (UL), added: “One example of this is in relation to falls. The National Health Service in the UK report that approximately 1 in 3 adults over 65 years and half of people over 80 will have at least one fall a year.  “In Ireland, the economic impact of falls is €500 million annually, according to data from the Health Service Executive. For the elderly, having a fear of falling significantly increases the chance of having a fall, and emerging evidence suggests that having monitoring technology reduces this fear, leading to improved mobility for the older person,” added Dr Crowley, who lectures in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems at UL.

Lero lead researcher Prof. Ita Richardson believes a growing need exists to modify and integrate occupational home practice with innovative technology and software, changing homecare significantly for older people who often have cognitive, physical, caregiving and healthcare needs. “Initially, we need to understand how older people’s lives and the lives of their formal and informal carers could change through TEC,” said Prof. Richardson, who also shares her expertise with ARC.

The Lero team also includes Dr Ann-Marie Morrissey, who brings occupational therapy expertise to the project.

Ei Electronics head of research and development Mike Keegan said they are delighted to work with Lero, whose work in connected health, driverless vehicles, smart communities, and other areas is world-leading.

“At Ei Electronics, we are all about deploying dependable technologies to improve people’s living environment today and into the future. Where lives are at risk, especially among older adults living independently, nothing can be left to chance, and we hope this programme can make life less stressful for those living by themselves and those supporting that independence,” he added.

Lero researchers explore research opportunities with Qualcomm to develop AI technologies for enhanced efficiency

Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, today announced a research initiative with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. This initiative aims to explore ideas relative to both the University of Limerick and Qualcomm Technologies, focusing on enhancing performance by using highly advanced technology for artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative, led by Lero researcher Professor Patrick Denny of the University of Limerick (UL), leverages technology from Qualcomm Technologies with the aim of improving the decision-making capabilities of AI in various applications.

Professor Denny, who holds 151 patents, said, “Through this work with Qualcomm Technologies, we aim to explore (or study) the ability of AI to interpret complex data more effectively, to improve operations across multiple environments and potentially increase efficiency. “We want to better understand how vision systems can be combined with AI, particularly in challenging visual conditions.”

“The results of this research can support the development of more reliable vision systems for a range of applications, such as potential automotive, drone, and robotic technologies,” said Prof. Denny, who lectures in the Dept. of Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) at UL.

Paul Kelleher, VP of Engineering, QT Technologies Ireland Limited, added, “Lero’s excellent international research reputation and Qualcomm Technologies’ commitment to research and development of next-generation technologies will drive and support cutting-edge research. Through enhanced AI capabilities, we are aiming to significantly improve how systems perceive and react to their environment.”

International Rugby Experience to be Gifted to People of Limerick

One of Ireland’s leading visitor attractions, the state-of-the-art International Rugby Experience (IRE) on O’Connell Street, Limerick, will be donated by JP McManus and his family to the people of Limerick.
The IRE, initially funded through a €30 million investment by the JP McManus Charitable Foundation, is a fully immersive, hands on, multi-sensory experience designed to engage and inspire families and individuals alike. Inspired by World Rugby’s values of Passion, Discipline, Integrity, Solidarity and Respect, visitors hear the stories, feel the passion and test their own skills as they move through six, awe-inspiring stages inside the ‘Home of Legends’.
Following a process of due diligence, the 30,000 square foot centre will be owned and operated by Limerick City & County Council. It is envisaged that Discover Limerick DAC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Limerick City and County Council, will oversee the day-to-day operations, while the IRE will continue to be managed by the existing team appointed on opening last year.
Heads of Terms have been signed by both parties and the transition process will commence once due diligence is completed. This transaction will enhance the current offering of Discover Limerick DAC particularly for visitors also travelling to their other attractions, such as King John’s Castle, Lough Gur Visitor Centre and Adare Heritage Centre.
Designed by renowned architect, Níall McLaughlin, the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) announced the IRE as the winner of the Public Choice category at the Irish Architecture Awards 2023 and the building has since been recognised internationally for its world class design and structure. The ground floor retail space, first floor café and event spaces will also come under the remit of the local authority.
It has been an eventful first year in operation for the IRE, with a star-studded launch last May featuring legends of the game such as Jonathan Sexton, Martin Johnson, Sean Fitzpatrick, Bryan Habana, Joy Neville, Matt Dawson, Danielle Waterman and Francois Pienaar.
International Rugby Experience CEO, Barry Hannon said: “Over the course of the first year in operation, we have seen our corner of O’Connell Street revitalised by the International Rugby Experience with visitors to the building from far and wide to partake in the AV experience, for our local food offering or to support one of the many local artists who are displaying in our gift shop. We would like to recognise Paul O’Connell and Keith Wood for their incredible insight and expertise to ensure the successful outcome of the project. The IRE has truly become the public and civic building we sought to create and this next stage of the journey in public ownership will protect the buildings legacy, outlasting us all for generations.”
Deputy Chief Executive of Limerick City & County Council, Gordon Daly added: “This is an exciting opportunity for the Council to add International Rugby Experience to our existing successful tourist attractions; King Johns Castle, Lough Gur, Limerick Greenway and Adare Heritage Centre and build stronger synergies to drive tourism development and promotion in Limerick. We are working closely with IRE to advance the due diligence process and commence the transition.”
For more information, or to book tickets, visit: www.internationalrugbyexperience.com

Leaving Certificate students say Computer Science is for all

Debunking misconceptions that Computer Science at Leaving Cert is only for “brainy” students and “nerds” is vital to attracting more pupils to the subject, a study by Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, and University of Limerick (UL) has found.

Lero and UL researchers, who conducted a four-phase in-depth qualitative study interviewing fifth and sixth-year students from four schools, said students told them Computer Science is suitable for all students and not just those perceived as “brainy” students.

One of the study’s authors, Lero’s Prof. Chris Exton, a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at UL, said debunking these beliefs is essential to encourage more students to engage with and promote a more realistic view of Computer Science as a school subject and a career.

“The commonly held belief that Computer Science was a subject for ‘nerds’ was challenged by students, with the majority of students claiming the subject is for everyone, regardless of gender, previous experience or abilities. These findings contradict the popular conception that Leaving Cert Computer Science is suitable for a specific group of people with specific interests,” he added.

Lero Education and Public Engagement Program Manager Dr Clare McInerney said that in a technology-rich society, an understanding of software, coding and the wider aspects of Computer Science is no longer a specialist body of knowledge required by key professionals.

“Software permeates every aspect of our lives from the games on our phones to the healthcare we receive. So, computer science really is an essential part of what it means to be digitally competent in the 21st century and, therefore, has relevance for all future careers and citizens and recognising that computer science is a huge part of the world we live in is an important step for us all,” she said.

“As our study has found, it is a subject that promotes creativity, enables student collaboration, and achieves many of the essential learning outcomes required in the 21st century. Therefore, it is a unique vehicle to achieve many of these educational goals regardless of whether a student decides to pursue a career in this area. For that reason, framing it as an essential skill for all, rather than being part of the STEM portfolio of subjects may prove more advantageous in the long run,” she continued.

Prof. Oliver McGarr from the School of Education at UL said their study concludes that the introduction of the subject in 2018 has been successful, with a growing number of schools taking on the subject – 145 secondary schools, 20% nationally, now offer Computer Science.

“Students’ experiences of the subject are very positive in relation to the way it is taught and the opportunity for creative and collaborative work. However, negative and inaccurate stereotypes are still present, as well as a wider lack of understanding of what Computer Science entails and a lack of appreciation of its wide application in all aspects of society,” he added.

Lero’s Joyce Borges remarked that “this work is particularly important because, while there have been several studies that have explored the roll out of Leaving Cert Computer Science, this is the first which focussed on students and their experiences of the subject in an in-depth manner.”

Read CS Impact: Exploring Students’ Experiences of Leaving Certificate Computer Science in full.

Verizon to expand into the Mid-West with a Global Centre Excellence in Limerick City

Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon), one of the world’s leading providers of enterprise and consumer communications and technology services has announced the establishment of a Global Centre of Excellence in Limerick, Ireland.

This initiative will create hundreds of jobs over the next two years with and has full support of the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Active in Ireland since 2006, Verizon currently employs 1,000 highly skilled professionals in Dublin.

Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Simon Coveney said: “We should never take for granted an announcement like this one. One of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services has chosen Limerick for their new Global Centre of Excellence. More than 400 jobs will be generated from this announcement. This is a significant commitment and endorsement of Ireland, and in particular, the skilled workforce in Limerick. I want to thank Verizon for their continued investment in Ireland.”

Verizon has retained 10,000m2   of the new 1BQ riverside development, which is designed to achieve LEED GOLD standard, and a Wiredscore Platinum certification.  Developers Kirkland Investments anticipate 1BQ will be ready to welcome Verizon in Q1 next year.

“This Centre of Excellence will bring together key functions in a creative, collaborative environment that leverages global talent and maximizes our shared services model to best deliver for our businesses globally,” said Craig Silliman, President, Verizon Global Services. “As we continue to leverage our global footprint to best serve our customers, grouping these functions in a world-class centre will improve effectiveness and efficiency to deliver best-in-class results for our customers, employees, and partners.”

As part of this centre’s creation, Verizon has launched a dedicated staffing program to recruit and retain top talent in the industry. Potential employment opportunities at Verizon can be found at: Find a Job | Verizon Careers

CEO of IDA Ireland Michael Lohan said: “Verizon’s decision to expand its presence here demonstrates its confidence in Ireland.  The selection of Limerick City for this Centre of Excellence and the creation of roles across multiple strategic global functions, including, Strategy & Transformation, Finops and Network Engineering & Cyber will position the Mid West and Ireland well for future investment in the sector. I’d like to wish Verizon every success with this expansion and assure the leadership team of IDA Ireland’s continued support.”

For more information, please visit Official Verizon Corporate Web site About Verizon

Dell Technologies and University of Limerick join forces using AI to advance predictive and diagnostic cancer research

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) has joined forces with the University of Limerick’s Digital Cancer Research Centre to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) platform and digital twin technology to power predictive and diagnostic research in oncology.

The technology can help clinicians provide more effective cancer care for those with B-cell lymphoma from speeding diagnosis to providing enhanced treatment and improving long-term outcomes for patients in Ireland and worldwide.

Dell created an AI platform for the University that delivers high performance computing power to accelerate oncology and precision medicine research. The platform sits within the Digital Cancer Centre’s multicloud ecosystem. It is powered by Dell’s latest storage arrays and Dell PowerEdge servers optimised for AI to produce cancer patient digital twins for better diagnostics.

With the new AI platform, researchers can:

  • Rapidly accelerate biomarker testing for cancer,
  • Gain a better understanding of how to treat patients with B-cell lymphoma, and
  • Develop personalised therapies based on a person’s tumour characteristics.

By using emerging technologies, researchers at the Digital Pathology Unit at the University of Limerick’s Digital Cancer Research Centre can also better understand the pathogenesis of these malignancies and develop novel therapeutic approaches.

The researchers are particularly interested in the possibility that collagen within the tumour ‘microenvironment’ can cause the cancerous cells to spread around the body and to the central nervous system. Having already identified novel ways to block collagen, the research could lead to new treatments to cure patients before the tumour spreads.

Professor of Molecular Pathology at University of Limerick and Director of the Digital Pathology Unit at the Digital Cancer Research Centre Paul Murray said: “Through our partnership with the Dell Technologies team, we will be able to advance our knowledge of how cells go wrong during cancer development and find new ways to diagnose and treat cancer patients. This is the beginning of a very exciting research project for the team here at the University of Limerick’s Digital Cancer Research Centre, and we’re looking forward to accelerating this project with the digital support and insights from the team at Dell Technologies.”

Catherine Doyle, Managing Director of Dell Technologies, Ireland, said: “The new AI-driven platform developed by Dell Technologies will ultimately help researchers and healthcare professionals deliver precision treatments for patients with B-cell lymphoma by understanding how it develops. Through the creation of these digital twins, the University of Limerick and Dell are taking clinical research to a new level. Together, we are harnessing the power of data through new technologies to benefit patients and healthcare professionals globally.”

Details on the University of Limerick’s Digital Cancer Research Centre can be found at https://www.ul.ie/limerick-dcrc.