Tag: wexford

Taylor Swift fans ‘shaking it off’ could be felt as far as Wexford

Researchers at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) have found that Taylor Swift triggered seismic activity during the three nights of her Eras Tour at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium recently, with activity being identified more than 100km away during fan favourite ‘Shake It Off’.

The 50,000-strong Friday night crowd danced, cheered and stomped the loudest of the three gigs with particular impact coming as fans danced to ‘Love Story’. Eleanor Dunn, PhD candidate at DIAS, is lead researcher on the Swift Quake programme which has deployed the highest number of seismometers (21) for a purpose-made Eras Tour seismic study.

Seismographic data summary

  • Long-Distance Detection: The concert was well detected by a seismometer at an Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) station approximately 14km away from the Aviva Stadium in the Dublin mountains. Additionally, the song ‘Shake It Off’ was identifiable on another INSN seismometer more than 100 km away in Wexford, with the observed frequency (2.66Hz) matching with the song’s beats per minute (BPM) of 160.
  • Energy Output: Analysis from instruments at DIAS on Burlington Road indicated that the first night of the concert series produced the highest energy output at 5600 joules. Nights two and three also exhibited high energy levels, measuring 5500 joules and 5250 joules, respectively.
  • Seismic Amplitude: The song ‘Love Story’ generated the highest seismic waves each night, indicating the largest seismic waves of the event.
  • The seismic activity from the concert was detected by 21 seismometers placed in the vicinity the Aviva Stadium.

Seismic activity is a vibration generated by an earthquake, explosion, or similar energetic source that travels within the Earth or along its surface. Seismometers were placed outside the Aviva Stadium to measure seismic activity generated during the concerts.

A seismometer is a very sensitive instrument which measures ground vibrations and can be used to detect earthquakes. When a seismometer detects seismic activity, it records this information digitally so that it can be analysed later.

Commenting on the research findings, Eleanor Dunn, lead researcher said “My goal for this research is to create a greater understanding of seismic activity. The engagement with fans has been great so far with lots of people sharing their concert videos with us. The videos help us to enhance our understanding of the seismic impact of each concert and the research data has revealed some fascinating insights into the energy generated by Swifties. It’s important to note the movement generated by the concert was unlikely to have been felt by anyone other than those in the immediate vicinity.

“Fans took Swift’s encouragement to ‘Shake It Off’ to a new level with it being detectable over 100km away in Wexford! It’s amazing that we’ve been able to measure the reaction of thousands of Swifties through our data. The opportunity to explore a seismic activity created by a different kind of phenomenon has been really interesting and shows how seismicity happens every day without us knowing. We’re still working on analysing data from the concert and we’d love if fans could continue to send us their videos from each night of the concert via our social media channels and website.”

Further information about Swift Quake is available on social media at:

Innovative delivery management platform Scurri launches new European headquarters in Wexford

Next generation delivery management software company Scurri, has today, officially launched its new state of the art European headquarters. The Wexford born multi-million euro platform has opened a brand new operational base for over 100 workers with plans to recruit for 40 new roles across Sales, Marketing, Support and Engineering over the next 24 months. Based in the heart of Wexford Town (on Selskar Street), Scurri is an innovative delivery management platform that connects and optimises the entire online ordering, shipping and delivery process for retailers.

Following the company’s launch in 2010, hugely successful enterprise Scurri has grown its global footprint, processing over €10.5 billion worth of shipments worldwide in 2023 alone. To date, it has raised €15.3 million in investment through Gresham House, ACT & Episode, Enterprise Ireland and private angel investors.

Scurri’s new headquarters will support both the planned expansion and staff across the UK and Europe. The company has become a leading player in the delivery management software space across Ireland, the UK and now Europe, supporting notable European eCommerce retailers.

The new state of the art headquarters designed by Wexford architect Dermot Troy, is based around enhancing team collaboration. Its unique design features a modern central spine and a cutting edge glass interface which aims to encourage employees to build meaningful connections, while maintaining openness with the wider Wexford community. Other key features include an on-site gym, canteen, rooftop terrace and ‘chill and connect’ rooms for staff. Surri’s central location also ensures employees can walk everywhere as part of the company’s wider mission to scale sustainably whilst enabling workers to perform at their best and helping to build those all important social connections.

Another highlight of the new headquarters is its ‘Art in the Lobby’ initiative, which invites local artists to showcase their creations each month. Scurri is also an avid supporter of the South East tech community, recently sponsoring and hosting the re-launch of the Wexford Tech Meetup.

With a continued focus on innovation, research and development, Scurri also recently launched ‘Scurri Track Plus’ to cater for an increase in demand for post purchase experience software. This, along with Scurri Connect for delivery management, gives retailers control over their end-to-end customer delivery experience.

Speaking about the launch of its new headquarters which will act as its global base, Rory O’Connor, CEO and founder of Scurri said: “The opening of the office is another milestone in Scurri’s journey, which gets more and more exciting every day – particularly as Scurri has just completed a very successful 2024 trading period with over 100 million deliveries powered by Scurri technology. As we remain firmly focused on expansion and growth in 2024, it’s very important to create a business base that gives our team the best quality of life possible, and Wexford provides the ideal location to make that work-life balance easier to achieve. We’re very proud to have opened our new HQ in our hometown of Wexford”

Speaking at the launch AnnaMarie Turley, Manager, Entrepreneurship and High Potential Start-Ups with Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland is proud to have a long, fruitful relationship with the team at Scurri and we are delighted to see these remarkable headquarters officially opened today.  We look forward to working with Scurri on its ambitious expansion plans into the future as it builds a truly global brand from the heart of Wexford Town.”

Bolt launches shared electric bike service in Wexford during #BikeWeek

The mobility platform Bolt, in partnership with Wexford County Council, has launched its shared electric bike service in Wexford today. The launch is especially timely since Bike Week is taking place across the country May 13th-21st. Bike Week is a celebration and promotion of the benefits of cycling from the National Transport Authority.

As part of the launch and Bike Week, Bolt is offering each customer a free ride of up to 30 minutes*. The offer can be redeemed by inputting ‘BIKEWEEK’ into the ‘Promotions’ tab of the Bolt app from midnight 13th May – 23:59 21st May 2023. This gesture is intended not only to allow Wexford residents to become familiar with the service but also to encourage them to consider whether they could swap their private car for a combination of shared and public transport. This supports Bolt’s mission of helping to make cities for people, not cars.

Bolt has no unlock fee, and customers pay only for the minutes they’ve used, at €0.18 per minute.

Parking will be controlled via geofencing and will be located at 40+ clearly marked, convenient locations across town, including ALDI stores, Wexford General Hospital and Wexford Park GAA Stadium. Additional locations can be introduced, subject to popularity, feedback from the council and local users, or nominations from local businesses. Operations will be overseen by a local bike shop which ensures local knowledge and expertise.

The inclusion of the pick-up and drop-off locations within the app will ensure users can see where bikes are located and where they can safely and responsibly finish their journey. Other local community groups and businesses such as WWETB, YouthTrain and Waters Technologies Ireland Ltd., have supported the roll out of this scheme and provided space to ensure their users and visitors can choose this sustainable option.

Service features

The firm is taking several steps to ensure riders and pedestrians stay safe. For those not yet familiar with bicycles with pedal assisted motors, there is ‘Beginner Mode’. This limits the top speed of the bicycle to 15 km/h. Once ‘Beginner Mode’ is turned off, the bicycles have a maximum speed of 25 km/h.

Another way in which Bolt is allowing citizens time to get acquainted with the new service is the gradual roll-out of the bikes. 50 will be initially deployed. The size of the fleet will fluctuate depending on demand to ensure that the roll-out happens in a gradual and sustainable way across Wexford.

Bolt already operates a successful shared bike service in Sligo and Kilkenny. Since launching in the summer of 2022, over 170,000 km have been travelled on Bolt’s electric bikes. A survey amongst users revealed this means the service has saved 24,000 km of car trips in Ireland to date, equating to approximately 2,500 kg of CO2.

Bolt Operations Manager for Rentals in Ireland, John Buckley, said: “I’m excited to launch our electric bike rental in Wexford, and what great timing in the midst of Bike Week. 

“Recent research carried out by Bolt revealed that only one-quarter of Irish drivers are likely to give up their car in the next five years*. We’re confident that providing shared transport solutions will help to convince more people to ditch the car and choose a more enjoyable and sustainable way to travel.”

Wexford County Council Cycling & Walking Officer Claire Goodwin  said, “Wexford County Council is delighted to offer local residents and visitors a sustainable transport option in the town. We see a real enthusiasm for making the change away from private car use if there is a convenient alternative. With the introduction of Bolt’s eBikes on a pilot basis into our town, we hope many people will change how they travel where possible.”

Bolt’s eBikes hit the East Coast with Wexford & Bray launches

Bolt, the European mobility champion, will launch two new shared electric bike schemes in Wexford Town and Bray in Spring 2023. These schemes add to Bolt’s successful existing operations in Sligo and Kilkenny, bringing its total Irish fleet to 400 electric bikes across 4 regional towns.

There are 200 electric bikes earmarked for the year-long pilots with up to 100 in each town. Bray will form the first Irish location where the Bolt app provides both taxis and eBikes, a multimodal offering that has proved highly valuable across European cities.

Since launching shared mobility schemes in the summer of 2022 in Sligo and Kilkenny, over 105,000 km have been travelled on Bolt’s eBikes. With surveyed users opting for this sustainable mode of transport over cars, Bolt schemes have saved 14,800 km of car trips in Ireland to date, approximately 1,545 kg of CO2*.

Bolt has previously earmarked up to €5m in its bid to roll out electric bike operations across Irish cities and towns with up to 2000 bikes available to deploy immediately as required.

The Government recently committed to promoting e-mobility solutions in cities and towns and will be relying on such schemes to provide essential alternatives for commuters as Demand Management solutions are considered in the coming year.

Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Erika Doyle, said,  ‘With a number of cycle schemes planned for the area, such as linking the stunning seafront and harbour area with neighbouring Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and a cycle link planned with Greystones, Bray is the perfect location for a shared electric bike scheme. Aside from being a sustainable alternative to car trips, electric bikes can offer a more accessible option for many. They can also assist when tackling some of Bray’s hilly stretches. The simpler and more convenient we can make accessing electric bikes, the more likely people are to use them. I’m delighted that both local residents and visitors to the town will soon have the option to avail of Bolt’s eBikes.”

Claire Goodwin, Cycling & Walking Officer from Wexford County Council said, “Wexford County Council is delighted to provide local residents and visitors with a sustainable mode of transport. We are seeing a real enthusiasm for making the change from private car use if there is a convenient and affordable alternative. With the introduction of Bolt’s Bikes on a trial basis for Wexford town, we hope people will try them out and perhaps change how they travel, where possible”

Bolt Operations Manager for Rentals in Ireland, John Buckley, said, “We’re very excited to take Bolt to the East Coast, and we’re working closely with Wicklow and Wexford County Councils to roll out the service as soon as possible. Bolt’s shared electric bike offerings in both Sligo and Kilkenny are proving extremely popular and our user surveys show our eBikes are reducing the reliance on private cars and supporting the National Climate Action Plan. One user has clocked up over 400 rides alone and we expect to see similar levels of  utilisation on the East Coast!”

Bolt is in talks with several other councils keen to accelerate their active travel services in line with the National Development Plan and the Climate Action Plan. Bolt is keen to add electric scooters to its operations when legislation is in place later in 2023. Electric bikes and electric scooters cover a fuller range of travel options across most European cities and could help significantly move Irish transport users away from private car use.

Bolt is a leading European mobility champion operating a range of services including electric bikes, electric scooters, ride-hailing and car clubs for over 100 million people across 500 cities in 50 countries in Europe and Africa. The company currently operates ride-hailing taxi services in Dublin and Cork and is seeking to bring electric bikes, and in time, electric scooters to cities and towns across Ireland.

How to rent a Bolt electric bike

Users need the Bolt app, available on app stores, and a payment card tied to an account.

Follow these steps to start riding a Bolt electric bike:

 

  • Open the app and tap on the electric bike icon to locate your closest bike;

  • Scan the QR code on the bike to unlock it;

  • Carefully read through the safety tips;

  • When you’re ready to roll, push off and go!

Continuing Bolt’s reputation of offering affordable micromobility service across continents, Bolt is the most affordable provider of shared electric bikes in Ireland, thanks to having low rates and no unlock fee. The per-minute rental price is the lowest on the market at just 0.15 EUR/minute during the launch campaign.