Slane is Ireland’s No.1
RETAIL Excellence, the largest Retail representative body in Ireland, hosted their annual awards held in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney last night Saturday and it was a night of celebration for Slane.
The Awards, which are backed by AIB Merchant Services, were presented by energetic TV personality Hector Ó hEochagáin and attended by more than 500 Irish retail industry executives.
Slane was adjudged ‘ The Friendliest Place to Shop in Ireland’ - much to the delight of the large Co Meath attendance.
Cllr Paddy Meade, who nominated Slane when he was chairman of the Laytown/Bettystown area, attended the event and was delighted with their success. ‘ This started about nine months ago and the community of Slane really bought into it. The co-operation from everyone was incredible,’ he stated.
Indeed, five of the shops were selected in the top 5 shops countrywide, the Craft Collective, Mutton Head, George’s patisserie, Inside Out and Slane Distillery.
‘Going down to Killarney, I felt Slane had a great chance, even though they were up against cities and places like Waterford and Carrick on Shannon.’
Secret shoppers visited the shops in Slane as part of the judging process.
Members of Meath CC also attended the event, including Cathaoirleach Tom Kelly and Cllr Wayne Harding.