Bank of Ireland gearing up for the National Enterprise title

BANK of Ireland’s National Enterprise Town Awards 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.

This year there is a total prize fund of €193,000 with the overall winning town or urban village/area awarded €33,000 and the title of Ireland’s Most Enterprising Town, which in 2018 was won by Letterkenny.

There is also the “Rising Star” category for towns which have overcome major challenges. In 2018 “The Kells Old Print Works” took home the trophy and €20,000.

The 2019 awards are part of Bank of Ireland’s €1.2 million investment in enterprise development within communities across Ireland.

This year there are over 70 towns and urban villages from almost every county nationwide represented in the competition. Each entry will be judged on 8 criteria including – inclusion and diversity, enabling financial wellbeing for business and community, partnerships and community support.

A panel of judges is visiting all the nominated towns from mid-August until early October, providing an opportunity for them to see first-hand the collaboration and enterprise that exists in each community. The winners are revealed at a gala awards ceremony in December.

Enabling communities and business to thrive is at the heart of what we do at Bank of Ireland and the National Enterprise Town Awards are a chance for us to recognise and reward the spirit of enterprise across the country. We value the support of the county councils and the Local Enterprise Offices and we wish all the nominated towns the best of luck for the awards ceremony later in the year.