O’Connell Street’s new resident- eBody moves into Clerys’ window using only technology to live

Press Release: Sunday 25 April 2004 eBody aka Padraidh Hearns moved into Clerys window on O’Connell Street beginning his week-long technology adventure. From today until Friday 30 April  Padraidh will live in isolation from the world with his only connection being a broadband connection and a mobile phone.

Padraidh will be ‘clicking to survive’ as he orders all his food online, surfs the net and communicates with the general public through the Internet.

The technology and software which Padraidh will use as his only window to the outside world have been provided by eircom and O2 with all the comforts of home provided by Clerys Department Store. Padraidh Hearns, former Mr. Ireland originally from Hollywood, Co. Wicklow, was very excited by the challenge as he entered the window ‘I’m just like anyone else I can send an email and have surfed the net but I’m by no means the whiz-kid but I plan to be by the end of the week!

To coincide with this unique occasion 2FM will be broadcasting live from the window next to Padraidh in Clerys during the week

The project is part of eWeek, a Dublin Chamber initiative, which will see 10,000 people from all walks of life attending more than 50 scheduled events, which will take place in the Dublin’s Digital Hub, Civic Offices, Mansion House, and a range of other regional locations. The project is supported by the Government, eircom, Esat BT, O2, and Oracle.

Highlights of the week will include a series of launches from Government agencies and the corporate sector along with conferences, exhibitions, digital and future workshops, schools visits, and round table forums. Full details of the events are available at www.eweekireland.ie.

Gina Quin, spokesperson for the eWeek, speaking in Clerys today said, “ We are all looking forward to see how Padraidh is going to get on here in Clerys window. eWeek is showcasing technology across Ireland and Padraidh will see how much is actually achievable online from ordering his food to paying his car tax.

“ I encourage everybody to come down and see eBody in Clerys’ window and also to visit the free exhibitions that are located in the Civic Offices, Digital Depot and Mansion House along with centers nationwide,” she concluded.