Latest news with #Harkin
The Courier
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Back Doune The Rabbit Hole to return in 2026 as bosses say Fratellis pulling out was 'completely out of their control'
Back Doune the Rabbit Hole will return in 2026. Organisers of the Stirlingshire music festival are banking on this year's revival to be a success, despite Saturday headliners The Fratellis suddenly pulling out. They cancelled their set, due to take place at the Cardross Estate event over the weekend of August 1-3, after third-party promoter Wannasee failed to pay them their deposit. Wannasee is currently entering liquidation, with several music festivals across England called off as a result. The Fratellis' replacement has yet to be announced, but Back Doune the Rabbit Hole bosses are keen to distance themselves from the debacle given the festival's history. Doune the Rabbit Hole ran for a decade before it was cancelled in 2023, owing £800,000 to performers and workers. Brian Harkin is behind the festival's 2025 return, along with Colin Black and Paul Aspey of Rock Artist Management. Brian told The Courier the news that The Fratellis had not been paid their deposit was a 'shock' and 'unexpected'. He confirmed the rest of the event is being run in-house, with a replacement headliner to be decided this week. Mr Harkin explained: 'We had been paying them [Wannasee] the deposits for the performers they had booked. 'Then we found out last week that it had not been done when the company went into administration.' Mr Harkin said: 'Obviously, the reason this has come as such a major blow is because of what has happened previously with the event. 'It was the last thing we needed. 'Everything had been going absolutely great. 'Everyone is really excited for the event to go ahead again. 'We have at all stages tried to reassure everyone that we are an experienced team in this business. 'What happens with external suppliers is completely out of our control to a degree. 'We didn't see this coming at all – nobody in the industry did.' The organisers have pledged their dedication to Back Doune the Rabbit Hole being a 'long-term event' and hope to give back to the local community. Brian added: 'This year was about getting the festival back on the map and being budget conscious in terms of what we were putting on, so we went for the four stages. 'Next year we'll have an introducing stage for up-and-coming Scottish bands.' A spokesperson for Wannasee said: 'To clarify, Wannasee Ltd has never held a shareholding or directorship in Back Doune the Rabbit Hole, nor has it ever had any ownership of the event. 'Wannasee Ltd is now in the process of entering liquidation following wider industry challenges affecting its own portfolio of events. 'We wish the team at Back Doune Ltd every success in delivering what we're sure will be a fantastic festival this summer.'
Sky News AU
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
UN youth branch slams QLD government for impact of ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time' on youth
Institute of Public Affairs Colleen Harkin discusses the United Nations' youth branch saying young Queenslanders cannot have a night out as they are terrified by the 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' youth crime crackdown. 'People have a right to feel safe when they go out,' Ms Harkin told Sky News host Rita Panahi. 'I don't know what these youth people think that they do that they can't just go out and have a good time unless they break the law. 'It's an absurd proposition to say that they're being targeted.'
Sky News AU
10-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Lopsided perspective of news': The Project leaves Melbourne among 130,000 other businesses
Institute of Public Affairs' Colleen Harkin discusses Channel 10's decision to axe The Project after being on air for 16 years. 'It's a lopsided, not balanced perspective of the day's news,' Ms Harkin told Sky News host Rita Panahi. 'The IPA research will tell you that there's 130,000 businesses have left Victoria in the last year. 'There's an undercurrent of businesses leaving Melbourne regardless of The Project.'
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Harkin praise for MSLETB during visit to her home town
Her visit is part of a series of visits to all 16 Education and Training Boards across the country. Her visit also included an afternoon at the Northside Community Centre. Minister Harkin commended Tom Grady and the team at MSLETB for the breadth of educational and training opportunities they are offering over a huge geographical area, 'With a catchment area that stretches from Inishturk and Belmullet in West Mayo to Mohill and Rossinver in Leitrim it overs the largest geographical area of all ETBs and services a population of 240,000 people,' Minister Harkin said. 'Despite the numbers and the huge area, MSLETB provides a responsive, comprehensive education and development service to about 15,000 learners on 27 different sites in 40 different buildings and has a budget of almost €57m. 'They play a pivotal role in the social and economic development of the region and I was glad to be here to listen to the success stories and hear about the challenges.' As part of the visit Minister Harkin called to the Northside Community Centre, which she described as a hive of activity and learning that plays a key role in empowering individuals, supporting families and communities. 'Here today I saw first-hand some of the work that is being done and met people of all ages whose lives are being transformed by the opportunity to learn and explore everything from cookery to film-making.' Founded in 1996, the centre is managed by Sligo Northside Community Partnership a voluntary board of directors from the local community. It offers a range of services, including room rental, educational and learning activities, pre-school and after-school services, drug and alcohol addiction support services, and counselling support services. In the 2024/25 period, approximately 200 learners enrolled in MSLETB-funded courses at the centre. MSLETB has provided €28,000 in funding to support these initiatives. Everything from film-making to cookery and art is offered at the centre to a wide range of participants. Minister Harkin concluded, 'The Sligo Northside Community Centre exemplifies the spirit of community-led development, and the thngs that can happen when statutory bodies like the MSLETB and the community come together. 'I am committed to supporting such initiatives that foster inclusion, education, and empowerment across our region.'
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Almost half of businesses in the North West require upskilling of their workforce
A recent research report from Skillnet Ireland entitled Ireland's Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report, authored by Ipsos B&A, shows a strong demand for upskilling among businesses in Ireland's North West, with a particular focus on digitalisation and the green economy. Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, attended a Skillnet Ireland regional roadshow event at the AIM Centre in Sligo. Speaking at the event, Minister Harkin said: 'This important research from Skillnet Ireland offers crucial insights into the changing needs of the North West's business landscape. 'It is evident that digital and sustainability skills will be key drivers of future growth. Addressing these challenges requires a strong, collaborative approach. 'By working in partnership with industry, we can support businesses across the region to have access to the talent, skills, and innovation they need to succeed.' The findings in the report will inform Skillnet Ireland's strategic commitment to the regional development of businesses facing an increasingly digital future, and a low-carbon and sustainable economy, as well as aiming to bolster foreign direct investment through a focus on talent development. Annually, over 1,100 businesses located in the North West participate in upskilling programmes with over 50 Skillnet Business Networks nationwide, some of which are located in the in the region, including Retail Ireland Skillnet, Rural Enterprise Skillnet Sligo Chamber Skillnet and Tech NorthWest Skillnet. Mark Jordan, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, said: 'Our findings for the North West are reflective of national trends. Irish businesses are ambitious and resilient but staying competitive in a rapidly evolving economy requires continuous investment in talent. At Skillnet Ireland, we recognise that upskilling and training are strategic drivers of innovation and growth. 'We are committed to partnering with industry to support companies to focus on talent development that is future-focused and closely aligned with business needs.' The research, part of the national talent development agency's Ireland's Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report, highlights the upskilling demands of companies in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal to remain competitive in Ireland's rapidly evolving digital and green economy. 91% of businesses surveyed in the North West regard their business as strong or very strong, while 59% expect a change in their core skills in the next two to three years. A quarter (26%) of businesses in the North West said they will need sustainability upskilling for their workforce in the coming years. Energy efficiency (79%), innovation and creativity (71%), and sustainable supply chain management (64%) top the list of climate action skills needed by local enterprises, while digital skills such as Microsoft Office proficiency (80%), cloud computing (63%), and Internet of Things (63%) are in particularly high demand. Despite the appetite for upskilling, the research also notes that time constraints are a significant barrier for businesses in the region, with over half (53%) of businesses citing time commitments as a major obstacle to employee development. The Skillnet Ireland Ireland's Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report, authored by Ipsos B&A, has built on the inaugural Ireland's Talent Landscape study of last year. The Ireland's Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business report is available to view at
