Shane Byrne, Jim Glennon and a host of other familiar faces in Irish rugby past and present will congregate for the 2012 The Rugby Business Network event taking place in The Zurich Room, Lansdowne Rugby Club on September 11th.

Birmingham’s business and tourism received a welcome boost on Monday as Aer Lingus Regional’s first flight from Birmingham to Ireland West Airport Knock took to the skies. Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann now flies once daily from Birmingham to Ireland West Airport Knock offering both business and leisure travellers direct, convenient and cost effective connectivity between Great Britain’s second largest city and the west of Ireland.

Invest Northern Ireland Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton has announced that Mid-Ulster-based Aero-Heli is being assisted to expand business in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. Speaking during a visit to the company, Hamilton said: “Our support is geared to the promotion of this entrepreneurial company in its two target markets by means of activities that will increase brand awareness.This will enable the company to attract attention particularly among potential clients requiring helicopters for a range of operations including monitoring and maintaining pipelines and electricity grids and also for emergency response services.This is an export-led company with a strong commitment to measures that will produce faster growth. The company recognises that the growth it is seeking can only be achieved by means of a concerted and professional drive that enhances its position in markets abroad.The company’s business plan fits perfectly our strategic focus on assisting smaller businesses which are entrepreneurial, innovative and determined to grow sales outside Northern Ireland.”

Twitter is to follow in the footsteps of Facebook and Google by setting up international headquarters in Dublin, Ireland which is rapidly becoming one of the foremost centres for social media and online capital of Europe.

Irish Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton announced that Harmac Medical Products, Inc., a manufacturer of medical devices, and market leader in its business, is to expand its operation in Castlerea, County Roscommon, with the support of government through IDA Ireland.

The Accenture Analytics Innovation Centre (AAIC) officially opened its doors for business today, following last year’s announcement that it would create 100 new highly-skilled positions in Ireland. Located at Grand Canal Plaza, Dublin 2, the Centre is backed by IDA Ireland and will form part of a wider Accenture global network of nine innovation centres dedicated to the demonstration, research & development and delivery of predictive analytics.