Technology - Thurles Information

Planning Refused For Thurles 21 Metre High Telecommunications Monopole.

A planning application, sought in the name of APW UK WIP Limited t/a icon Tower, to erect a 21 metre high telecommunication monopole (See image hereunder) with antennas, dishes and associated equipment, including an equipment cabinet at ground level, all enclosed by security fencing, within the centre of Thurles town has been refused by Tipperary County Council.

This planning refusal by Tipperary County Council has been much lauded by local residents, same living within the environs of this proposed telecommunication monopole site.
This planning had been sought for the site known as the Munster Hotel, Cathedral Street car park, situated at No 2 Kickham Street in Thurles, Co. Tipperary; latter close to the now derelict and unsightly eyesore, latter understood to be owned by Mr Martin Healy.

This is the same car parking area which remains in contention as to its future availability to provide public parking, from the end of September 2024 next. See HERE.

Amazon Prime Day 2024 Starts Midnight Tuesday July 16th.

1) What is Prime Day?
Prime Day is Amazon’s deal event exclusively to Prime members, featuring personalized deals and top brands. The event came to life first for customers on July 15, 2015, as a way to celebrate Prime members on Amazon’s 20th birthday.

2) How can I prepare to find deals on Prime Day?
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3) What is included with Amazon Prime?
Membership allows you to access all the Prime Day deals for members, as well as exclusive benefits such as Exclusive Member Deals, Prime Video, Amazon Music, and more………

To View Amazon Prime – Popular movies and TV shows, link HERE.
To View Audible Audiobooks, link HERE.
To View Kindle Unlimited, link HERE.
To View Amazon Wedding List, link HERE.

Note: The site offers a 30-day return window on most purchases made during Prime Day.

MTU Launch Cybersecurity Scholarship Programme.

Munster Technological University (MTU) latter, the merger between two institutes of technology, (Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology, Tralee since January 2021), has launched a cybersecurity scholarship programme, with applications now open to students.

All successful applicants are being invited to join a 10-month programme where they will receive a tax-free scholarship of €38,000.

While participants do not need to have a cybersecurity or IT background to apply, the programme will be provided with the necessary skills to evaluate, select and validate ideas for new cybersecurity products and services, which will contribute to the creation of new start-ups and innovations.

Students from IT, humanities and business are welcome to apply with the purpose of this programme to form teams with the combined abilities to produce the best cybersecurity innovations/startups.

The Chair of cybersecurity at MTU, Dr Donna O’Shea has stated: “To our potential participants: This is not just another training or startup programme, it’s a journey towards becoming pioneers in cybersecurity innovation and for you to make your mark on the world. We have the people, the mentors and some of the most advanced cyber security research infrastructure in Ireland for you to realise your success. Our graduates will be catalysts, educators, and leaders—architecting innovative cyber security solutions that bolster our national security and propel Ireland to the forefront of global cyber entrepreneurship.”

National Robocode Champions 2024

A team of students from the University of Limerick have emerged victorious at this year’s National Robocode Competition which was held as part of the 2024 Games Fleadh at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), in Thurles County Tipperary.

**ICT Learning Centre Director Mr Clem O’Donnell with National Robocode champions Mr Lewis Ubebe, Mr Maksims Gerkis and Mr Nathan Ndlovu**.

The triumphant ‘UL_SeeSaw’ team, comprised of three Computer Science students from the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS), namely Mr Nathan Ndlovu, Mr Lewis Ubebe and Mr Maksims Gerkis.

The team faced tough competition from other rival teams representing three higher education institutions in the region, TUS Thurles (Tipperary), TUS Moylish (Limerick) and the South East Technological University (SETU), (Carlow).

Robocode is an annual programming contest open to first year full-time undergraduate students. It provides a platform for participants to showcase their programming prowess and enhance their skills in graphical user interface (GUI) programming, application programming interface (API) usage, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Using Java programming language, each team develops strategies for their tanks, which must autonomously navigate the battlefield, dodging enemy fire while seeking out and eliminating opponents without manual intervention.

Mr Clem O’Donnell, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Learning Centre Director at UL, reflected on the victory, which he said highlights the University’s commitment to fostering students’ ICT skills and promoting active learning. He stated, “Since 2010, UL ICT students’ participation in this competition and other similar annual competitions has been organised and managed by the ICT Learning Centre as part of our aim to enhance and broaden the students’ ICT skill-sets, promote active and student-centred learning, and to promote ICT as a career path. We are very proud of our students’ achievement, given that UL’s last victory in this competition dates back to 2016.”

Speaking on behalf of the winning team Mr Nathan Ndlovu said: “I think Robocode is an amazing competition as it allows you to demonstrate your skills using API, and also gives you experience of using Java for other purposes – we are delighted with the win!”

This year’s competition featured one team from each of the four represented institutions, engaging in intense battles throughout the morning. UL_SeeSaw’s robotic tank navigated through individual skirmishes to reach the semi-finals, where they faced off against TUS (Moylish), prevailing in a nail-biting match with a score of 7-5. This victory propelled them into the final showdown against TUS (Thurles), where UL emerged victorious with a final score of 9-6.

Video Game Developers To Showcase Skills On TUS Thurles Campus.

Video game developers to showcase skills at 21st All Ireland Games Fleadh on the TUS Thurles Campus during 2024 Games Fleadh.
Games Fleadh 2024 open to the public for free. Online registration is available at www.gamesfleadh.ie.
Unique insights being offered into this €165-billion euro industry; to all/any visiting second and third-level students.
Games Fleadh 2024 is sponsored by TUS, EA and FiServ.

Students with ambitions in the gaming industry will get a unique insight into the €165 billion industry and access to some of the world’s most successful gaming companies and representative bodies at this year’s All Ireland Games Fleadh in the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Thurles Campus on Wednesday March 6, 2024.

**Games Fleadh Mascots pictured with Dr Liam Noonan, TUS and James Fogarty, TUS**.
*Pic: Alan Place*

In its 21st year, Games Fleadh continues to lead the way in recognising the brightest and best among the country’s university student game developers, while also bringing together the collective knowledge of some of the leading names in the gaming industry.

Up to 1,400 students have competed in the competition since its inception, according to the event organiser Dr Liam Noonan (TUS Software Development and Games Programming Lecturer).

“As well as being a hotly contested competition, Games Fleadh is a unique opportunity for third level students to demonstrate their games to industry veterans and gain valuable feedback on their creations,” said Dr Noonan, explaining that some of the country’s leading software developers and international gaming companies will be in attendance once again.
Games Fleadh 2024 features competitions such as a Game Studio ‘Start with Nothing’ themed competition and Robocode. Competitors will be in with a chance to win one of the many EA title prizes available.

Every year this free event, which is open to the public, also attracts second level students from all over Ireland with an interest in studying Computer Science or a future career in this competitive industry.

“The video games market is larger than the music and movie business combined, with revenues recently surpassing 180 billion dollars (approximately €165 billion) as reported by UK-based market intelligence firm Pelham Smithers. Games Fleadh continues to be a fantastic networking opportunity for the Irish game development sector. We believe that it also offers a fantastic networking opportunity for teachers to engage with third level institutions and explore best practice in teaching coding concepts,” added Dr Noonan.

Dr. Janice O’Connell (Head of Department of Information Technology at TUS) said, “The Games Fleadh is a fantastic event which integrates multiple different aspects of IT, innovation and creativity. Through the originality and imagination of Games, this unique event brings together industry, academia, current students, and future students. Special thanks to all our industry partners for their continued support, to the participants, and the staff in Thurles for making this event possible. Sincere thanks to Dr. Liam Noonan, who champions Games Fleadh every year.”

NOTE: The TUS Thurles Co. Tipperary Campus caters for students studying for qualifications in Applied Sports Science, Agricultural Science and Environmental Science, Business, Social Care Work, and Games Design.