Michael Flatley and Cork Airport urge the public to tap into their connections and earn up to €1,500 per job rewards

Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley and Cork Airport are today toasting more new jobs for the city, bringing to 164 the number of new positions created in Cork through the ConnectIreland initiative, which is on target for 1,000 jobs in communities across Ireland.

Mr Flatley says hundreds more jobs will come to Cork and the wider Munster region over the next three years with the help of Cork Airport and the people of Cork who have already gotten behind this initiative.  He thanked the people of Cork for their contribution and for "keeping their eyes and ears open for Ireland".

The world-renowned Irish American officially launched Cork Airport’s ConnectIreland marketing and information initiative today, which is already helping bring even more jobs to the region.

Through the ConnectIreland initiative, any person who learns of a company expanding abroad; lets ConnectIreland know and the jobs are secured for Ireland, is paid a reward of up to €1500 per job.  As a result of Michael Flatley’s ambassadorship of ConnectIreland and the tireless efforts of its global network of ‘connectors’, 164 families in Cork now have a brighter future.

The latest ConnectIreland jobs announcement sees Skellig Automation set up in Cork providing eight new posts in the city. Skellig, a control systems engineering services company, requires experienced and graduate engineers for its new operation.  The Magni Group is also currently recruiting for 50 new positions in Mallow.

ConnectIreland continues to go from strength to strength and is fast approaching its 1,000 new jobs for Ireland milestone with the help of the people of Ireland both at home and abroad and with their partners in the IDA.

Michael Flatley features prominently in branding and video messages at the busy airport. He paid tribute to the many successful ‘connectors’, to all involved in the campaign in Cork Airport, at the other airports and on a global basis over the past two years.

“The ConnectIreland initiative is for everyone, not just CEO’s or CFO’s.  We all know someone living and working abroad.  They could be working in an expanding company.  Get on the phone; get on the net and ask your contacts, Do you know an expanding company?

“Ireland has such a global appeal. We really are the midway house between Europe and America. We are perfectly positioned to attract these expanding companies to Ireland. Just let ConnectIreland know and they will do the rest.”

Confirming the new jobs for Cork and ConnectIreland’s success in the region to date, Cork-based Agriculture, Marine and Food Minister Simon Coveney said the ConnectIreland campaign at the airport is already working. Hundreds of new ‘connectors’ are signing up weekly and are on the look-out for jobs projects for Ireland.

“Cork Airport is the main artery in and out of the wider Munster region and the major campaign launched here just weeks ago is already reaping rewards. ConnectIreland is already working hand in hand with the IDA, under the ‘Succeed in Ireland’ initiative, to follow up on dozens of leads already generated through their work in Cork Airport. I look forward to seeing these projects result in jobs for Cork and for Munster over the coming months,” the Minister added.