Turas Nua Team Day: Celebrating Our 2023 Progress and Community Impact

January 29, 2024

Turas Nua Team Day: Celebrating Our 2023 Progress and Community Impact

Shazamme System User • January 29, 2024

Our recent team day at the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick marked another successful year for Turas Nua. Colin Donnery, Group CEO of the FRS Network, opened with a speech highlighting the integral role Turas Nua has played within the wider FRS Network, setting the tone for a day of reflection and forward-thinking.

Morning Insights: Panels and Perspectives


JulieAnn McCann, General Manager of Turas Nua, set the scene with compelling statistics from 2023, showcasing our incredible achievements. The morning also featured two insightful panel discussions. The first panel, led by Turas Nua Board Member Colin Scott, focused on the work being carried out by Catherine Grennan (Local Area Employment Services Manager) Aisling Guider (CRM and Process Trainer), Sue Leonard (Client Training Specialist), and our esteemed guest, Codie O'Donnell (Recruitment Specialist with Infosys BPM). The panel delved into our LAES contract and the impact of learning and development. Codie O'Donnell emphasised the vital role of Turas Nua in forging employment opportunities, particularly highlighting the synergy between Infosys and Turas Nua.


The second panel, led by Turas Nua Chairman Brendan Butler, focused on our influence on rural communities and integration efforts. Ovi Matiut (Slainte Care Health Communities Programme) shared his experiences as a migrant and the challenges, and opportunities, faced in Ireland. Susan Healy (Client Training Specialist) and Mark O'Callaghan (Caseworker) provided insight into their work with vulnerable groups, underlining the importance of integration and transparency in achieving practical objectives.



Afternoon Activities: Team Building


Post-lunch, the team engaged in high-intensity activities at UL campus, facilitated by Dynamic Events. The competitive spirit was high as staff participated in various challenges, embracing the essence of teamwork and coordination.


Evening Celebrations and Personal Achievement Awards


The evening commenced with a drinks reception, leading into our inaugural Personal Achievement Awards ceremony, presented by Turas Nua Operations Manager, Jeffrey McInerney. These awards, nominated by peers, recognised individuals exemplifying our four company principles: Progress is our purpose; People, not politics; Individuals, not numbers; and Help people help themselves. Nine winners were celebrated across the categories, reflecting our collective dedication to these values.

Looking Forward



As the event continued into the early hours, the enthusiasm for the upcoming year was palpable. Our team day not only reflects on our past achievements but also ignites excitement for what 2024 holds. Turas Nua's journey of growth, community impact, and personal development continues to inspire and propel us forward.


By Andrew Farrow August 25, 2025
Discover how Turas Nua’s Skill2Serve programme in Waterford helps young people gain hospitality training, confidence, and real job opportunities.
By Shazamme System User August 12, 2025
Discover how a Social Recruitment and Training Partner can help your business hire inclusively, train effectively, and create real social impact.
By Shazamme System User July 29, 2025
Training is one of the best investments you can make in your workforce – but only if it delivers long-term results. At Turas Nua, we combine people and technology to design training that builds skills, confidence, and opportunity.  Whether you’re hiring through social recruitment or developing your existing team, these 5 tips will help you get the most from your training programmes.
By Shazamme System User July 23, 2025
Inclusive hiring is is much more than just a box-ticking exercise. it’s a business opportunity. At Turas Nua, we help employers unlock potential through People and Technology, supporting inclusive practices that open doors and drive long-term success. Whether you’re hiring new staff or reviewing your HR strategy, inclusive hiring is a practical way to create impact through Social Recruitment, offering opportunities to those often excluded from the workforce while meeting your talent needs.  Here are five actionable inclusive hiring tips to help you build a more diverse, resilient, and socially responsible team.
By Shazamme System User July 17, 2025
Turas Nua recently marked its 10-year anniversary – a decade of transforming lives through meaningful employment support, social recruitment, training services, and community-focused partnerships. To celebrate, we brought together staff from across Ireland for a powerful and inspiring Team Day event at The Heritage, Killenard. This milestone gathering reflected our journey as Ireland’s leading social recruitment and training partner and showcased how we are addressing complex social problems through people and technology solutions.
By Shazamme System User April 22, 2025
Strategy launched on Earth Day 2025. National social enterprise has helped 62k+ unemployed people secure jobs, delivered 244 days of volunteering support and reduced paper usage by 37k sheets per annum. Other impacts include eliminating 1,302 plastic water containers, cutting 26 tonnes of carbon and conducting over 80k soil samples for farms around country.
By Shazamme System User March 20, 2025
At Turas Nua, we believe in the power of employment to transform lives. Through our Employability service, we support individuals with disabilities and health conditions in securing meaningful employment while helping businesses tap into a talented and dedicated workforce. In this article, we explore the benefits for both employers and employees.
By Shazamme System User March 7, 2025
At Turas Nua, we recognise and deeply value the remarkable contributions of the women who form the backbone of our organisation. Their dedication and expertise drive our mission forward, ensuring that individuals from all walks of life have equal opportunities to grow and thrive.
By Shazamme System User January 13, 2025
Are you ready to start 2025 on a high note? January is the perfect time to refresh your career goals and explore new opportunities. With a focus on effective networking, upskilling, and positioning yourself as the ideal candidate, here’s how to make the most of January’s unique advantages. Why January is Perfect for Job Searching in Ireland  January offers fresh opportunities for job seekers in Ireland, thanks to: New Budgets, New Roles Companies launch into the year with fresh budgets, often unlocking new positions. Optimistic Hiring Managers After Christmas, recruiters are motivated to start filling roles quickly. Less Competition Beat the February rush by starting your job search early and standing out in a smaller talent pool.
By Shazamme System User December 6, 2024
We are proud to announce the successful completion of the Living and Working in Ireland project, which ran from September 19, 2024, to December 4, 2024. This initiative was a resounding success, and heartfelt thanks go to everyone who contributed to its achievements. A Collaborative Effort Our Cork team, including Caseworker, Niall Horgan , Head of Partnership Development, Samantha Richards , and Delivery Manager, Mark O'Donovan , worked to create tailored opportunities for a selected cohort of Turas Nua clients. This programme was designed to support participants by: Learning English through tailored sessions. Gaining key insights from external public speakers. Preparing for employment and integration into Irish society.  The project was about building confidence, providing resources, and fostering a sense of belonging.