On Thursday 5th December Gorey town was awarded The Bank of Ireland National Enterprise Award “Regional Category Winner” 2019 in a gala dinner in Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny.
Bank of Ireland’s National Enterprise Town Awards aim to recognise the spirit of enterprise in local areas across Ireland, bringing business and community groups together to showcase their efforts to build an economically sustainable community. The judging process started in Dublin on the 22nd of August and continued nationwide until mid-October.
In September Gorey town welcomed their three nominated judges to the town to showcase all that the town has to offer, & how our town has grown from a market town into a vibrant, multi-cultural community with a dynamic business sector that is enhanced by a nationwide retail reputation and tourism offering making Gorey truly a destination town like no other!
The visit from the judges was coordinated by a committee formed to ensure Gorey showcased every aspect of it’s strong enterprise ethos with members of Gorey KIlmuckridge Municipal District, The Hatch Lab, Love Gorey, Bank of Ireland and Gorey Chamber of Commerce all working together to compile the best representation of the town. The aim for the judging day was to demonstrate the vast range of enterprise that exists in our town, & also the ever-increasing range of accomplishments & accolades awarded to the many sectors that operate in our town including business, tourism, food producers, lifestyle, social integration and community.
The judging day began with a presentation in The Hatch Lab presented by Michael Drea, Wexford Co Co, Norma Quinsey of Love Gorey, Deirdre O’Flynn of The Women’s Smart Network, Paddy Redmond of The Ashdown Park and Amber Springs Hotel with video presentations prepared by Flash Studio Gorey. Also in attendance was Jim Hughes, the president of the Gorey Chamber of Commerce who partook in a Q & A session. MC for the day was then Cllr Malcolm Byrne. The judging panel then were given a guided tour of the town showcasing the range of business in Gorey Business Park and the environs of the town to then start a walking tour of the town. The walking tour gave an insight not only into the community aspect to the town but also to the vibrant and bustling town that is Gorey. Several businesses & shops were visited on the tour including Peg Gibbons Florist, The Wine Buff, Gorey Visitor Centre, Fifth Avenue, Ruby Rouge, Eoin O’Connor Gallery & La Crème Boutique.
An Expo was the final part of the presentation to the panel which was held in Gorey Library where several of the key business from our area will display the wide range of industry & community groups such as Tweed in the Valley, Green’s Berry Farm, Springmount Garden Centre, Wild About, Blaithin Ennis, Robert O’Connor, Isle of Crackers, WWETB, Grainne Kenny, Sound Out Rhythm, Wells House and Gardens along with Brennan’s Brewery, Seal Rescue Ireland, Whizzy Internet, members of Gorey’s American Football team & also members of the Gorey Tidy Towns. The judges and members of the Gorey committee formed for the event then enjoyed lunch in Hungry Bear.
It was evident on the night the high standard of entries to each of the categories but the hard work and commitment to the entry & judging day saw Gorey receive the top prize in the “Regional Category” for 2019.
On behalf of the team we would like to extend a sincere word of thanks to each and every business and community member who assisted us in the presentation of our town and help us with this tremendous achievement! We would also like to thank Paula and the team from Bank Of Ireland Gorey for their support on this project!
