© Sergio GraziaThe detail of the furniture was realised at the scales 1/10th and 1/5th allowing for a greater precision of execution and intelligent ergonomics the principles of the construction combine the solidity of the concrete the impermeability of the vegetalized roofs and the transparency of the facade in clear glass This provides the project with an optimal summer comfort while still favouring natural light You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Castignac, the French logistics platform owned by leading global alternative asset manager, Brookfield today announces the acquisition of three prime location assets in France 1,154,500 sqft off-market portfolio comprises a 588,258 sqft site in Riom a 406,941 sqft site in Vert-Saint-Denis and a 159,350 sqft site in Grenay The Riom site is leased while the other two sites are available to let These acquisitions take the Castignac portfolio to 30 assets and projects worth over €1 billion under management They follow the addition of warehouses in Paris Lyon and Orleans to the portfolio last year Castignac’s continued focus is on investment in strategically located supply chain facilities to meet tenant demand for Grade A assets with tactical transport links to major hubs in France and elsewhere in Europe The deal was brokered by Cushman & Wakefield with DLA Piper acting as lawyer and Etude NOTER as notary while ICPE and environmental due diligences were undertaken by Andine GROUP Julien Claude Bouilly, Managing Director, Head of Investments and Asset Management, Castignac, said: “This off-market portfolio acquisition concludes an exceptional investment year in 2024 for Castignac. This strengthens our strategic presence in Paris and Lyon, which are key logistics hubs in France We are pleased to expand our presence in these critical areas enabling us to better assist both existing and new tenants in strengthening their supply chains so they remain agile as markets continue to evolve.” French Robots-in-Ports Plan Receives Funding Boost Logistics Business © 2025 All Rights Reserved. | Privacy | Terms | Site Map Subscribe to our quarterly magazine and weekly newsletter to stay updated with the logistics industry By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Logistics Business for processing in accordance with our Privacy Policy The state-funded annual arts project, which sees him lead small groups of young people to depict various themes on murals at different locations, has meant that for the past five summers the Donaghmore man has spent six weeks in a community where he “feels very at home”. But this year, as with everything else, the project brought very different challenges. “I nearly didn’t go,” says Jim. “But I felt it important to show solidarity to people who have been very good to me, and also to try and maintain some sort of normality.” Before he won international acclaim as an artist, Cookstown-born Jim was an all-Ireland champion boxer, winning at 67kg welterweight in 1987 and again two years later at 81kg. After an initial career as a carpenter, he began painting professionally in 2003 after Irish jazz singer Mary Coughlan bought his first painting when she met him coming out of a framer's in Co Galway, where he was living at the time. He was then approached to do a show which sold out and so his new career began, with collectors of his work now including President Michael D Higgins and former Irish rugby coach Eddie O'Sullivan. Also an accomplished singer-songwriter, it was through his music that Jim first travelled to the annual folk festival in Grenay, in north-east France's Pas-De-Calais region, as a performer. He then became known to them as an artist and as well as exhibiting in Grenay and nearby Lens, has been involved in the mural project for the past five years. “It was a very eerie feeling going through an empty Dublin airport at night back in June as it was landing in a deserted Charles de Gaulle in Paris with only police and soldiers there," he says. "And the usual six weeks of the project were extended – firstly to eight weeks to allow me to quarantine on arrival, and then to 10 weeks to extend the project so that smaller groups could take part and allow for social distancing.” Jim admits quarantining abroad was “a lonely experience” and he missed his partner, novelist Emma Hetherington and their five children. A heatwave and Covid-19 restrictions also made the residence more difficult. “On the job itself we have to wear masks which make the language barrier worse, not to mention working through an intense heatwave which saw us having to down tools when it got too much and temperatures reached 42C,” Jim says. Grenay has a long mining history and is also steeped in the First World War – it's 20km from the town of Arras, which has lent its name to two of conflict's major battles – a past which is reflected in Jim’s designs. Other murals feature themes of culture, diversity, sport, education and symbols of friendship and hope for the future. In total, his artwork is now featured on an impressive 30 murals which extend across the town, from the cemetery walls, to indoor areas in schools, the local theatre and on outside gables of other public buildings. “I find the people of Grenay very modest and humbling," Jim says, adding: "I did manage to squeeze in a couple of outdoor concerts, which was a strange experience because when I looked down everyone was wearing masks and it was hard to know if they were enjoying it or not." Mayor Champire believes Jim’s "joie de vivre" is part of the reason the citizens of Grenay they keep inviting him back to their town. “Jim brings his culture, his sensibility, his human and artistic qualities and his ability to bring together stories and places and to express human feelings with simplicity and strength. He knows how to train the young people of the city to surpass themselves.” Mr Champire also recognises the benefits of the project overall to his town, which is twinned with the Donegal town of Ballyshannon. “It shows that young people have great commitment skills and that they are ready to achieve great things if they are trusted and given the means and time. It also makes it possible to express the political commitments of our town. “We are neither Derry nor Belfast but we believe in humanism, the teachings of history, political struggles, the horror of wars, respect for the weakest and most fragile and the joy of sharing. “Through Jim’s guidance this project proves that art is a stronger gateway than the language barrier and that it’s a necessity in our lives daily. “Finally this project shows the value of collective work. In these times of individualism it is a beautiful lesson.” With just one week to go, there are a few home comforts Jim is looking forward to after over two months on the job in such unique circumstances. “All in all this year has been a great challenge,” he concludes. “I have enjoyed it and feel immense pride and a sense of satisfaction as I do every year when the project ends, but maybe a bit more this year. I know one thing for sure – I will enjoy a good hug when I get home not to mention a long bath, a cup of tea, some HP sauce on my food and a good pint of Guinness.” Facebook pageTwitter feedRSS feed@2025 The Irish News Ltd https://www.donegallive.ie/section/1196/advertise-with-us All the latest breaking local news from Donegal Keep up to date with the latest sports news Read the latest crime and court news from Donegal County Donegal - Donegal Live Donegal Now Donegal Democrat Donegal Post Donegal Peoples Press Finn Valley Inishowen Read all the latest Irish news and updates from around Ireland Find whats happening in and around Donegal Enjoy our award winning photos and picture galleries taken in Donegal Gaeilge Irish Language Erse Gaelic Donegal Live Donegal Now Donegal Democrat Donegal Post Donegal Peoples Press Finn Valley Read about the latest properties available in Donegal Recent death notices and obituaries from Donegal Latest environmental and climate change news in County Donegal Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism The locals and the visitors celebrate their common bond Members of Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival and Ballyshannon Town Twinning groups were delighted to welcome 29 visitors from the surrounding areas near Grenay in France this week Grenay is located north of the country in the department of Pas-de-Calais of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region It is located in the township of Liévin-Nord part of the district of Lens The visitors enjoyed a lovely few days in The Breezy Centre and got to experience Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way from surfing in Rossnowlagh with Fin McCool Surf School and Shop to watching the master at work Barry Britton Art in Local Hands to enjoying a whistle-stop tour of the surrounding countryside before hearing some great traditional music in Whoriskey's Cashelard " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Nikita Burns was before Ballyshannon District Court A day in the life of a children’s residential care worker at Ashdale Care Minster Alan Dillon at the opening of the new offices The opticians are delighted to welcome onboard their new Practice Manager Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.