Enterprise joy for Gorey town
Gorey saw off stiff competition from larger towns to be crowned the Leinster regional winner at this year’s National Enterprise Town Awards.
The ecstatic team were presented with €3,000 along and a crystal trophy at the Bank of Ireland awards in Kilkenny at the weekend.
The judging panel observed that Gorey has an active business community with a culture of co-operation and collaboration and a very vibrant main street.
Judges were shown around the local area in September and saw that the town has grown from a market town into a vibrant, multi-cultural community with a dynamic business and technology sector, only enhanced by a nationwide retail reputation as well as tourism.
‘It is a proud moment for the town and I would like to thank all those who contributed to such a wonderful achievement,’ said Manager of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, Michael Drea.
AFTER months of waiting in hope, the celebrations have been non stop since Gorey was named a Leinster regional winner in its category at this year’s National Enterprise Town Awards and the team were lucky enough to bring home €3,000 along with a crystal trophy which was presented to them at the Bank of Ireland awards in Kilkenny.
‘This is a huge achievement for a town that is still only the third largest in our own county. Gorey put in a very comprehensive entry and competed closely with many county towns for the top award,’ said Gorey District Chamber President Jim Hughes.
‘Thanks must go to John O’Connor from the Local Enterprise Office, Peter Cooney from Bank of Ireland, the entire committee from Love Gorey and Nevan Riley from Southeast Digital who wrote the initial application. The effort put in by district manager Michael Drea was a significant factor’.
The National Enterprise Town Awards aim to recognise and reward towns that can show how businesses and communities have come together in the spirit of enterprise in their local area, and judges were invited to come down for a showcase of efforts made to build an economically sustainable community.
The judging panel observed that Gorey has an active business community with a singular culture of co-operation and collaboration.
‘It has a very vibrant main street and it was also selected as Ireland’s first ever digital town for its achievements in cultivating a truly digital environment and for its ongoing successes in fully embracing digital for its residents and for local business,’ they said.
In September, three judges were shown around the local area to see how the town has grown from a market town into a vibrant, multi-cultural community with a dynamic business and technology sector, only enhanced by a nationwide retail reputation as well as tourism.
The walking tour gave an insight into the community aspect as well as the business of the town, with several shops visited along the way such as Peg Gibbons Florist, The Wine Buff, Gorey Visitor Centre, Fifth Avenue, Ruby Rouge, Eoin O’Connor Gallery, La Crème Boutique as well as Gorey Business
Park.
The visit from the judges was coordinated by a committee formed to ensure Gorey was showcased in every way, 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 final part of the presentation to the panel was held in Gorey Library, when judges met with industry and 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, Seal Rescue Ireland, Whizzy Internet, Gorey’s American Football team members, Gorey Tidy Towns, Grainne Kenny, Sound Out Rhythm, Wells House and Gardens along with Brennan’s Brewery.
Lunch was enjoyed in the Hungry Bear after this.
Thanking everyone for their participation, Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Manager Michael Drea said that this award is due recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit which underpins the local business community.
‘It is a proud moment for the town and I would like to thank all those who contributed to such a wonderful achievement, especially Gorey Chamber of Commerce, Paula Carroll of Bank of Ireland, John O’Connor, Liz Stanley, and Norma Quinsey, who did such a great job organising the business expo which was highly commended by the judging panel.
‘It would be remiss of me not to thank the businesses which attended the expo in Septemebr, all of whom were there to showcase Gorey in the best possible light,’ he said.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Norma Quinsey of Love Gorey described the achievement of tremendous.
‘My sincere thanks to each and every business and community member who assisted us in the presentation of our town and helped us with this tremendous achievement’.
Almost 70 towns and urban villages from nearly every county nationwide were nominated for this year’s awards.
A spokesperson for Bank of Ireland said that: ‘We value the support of Wexford County Council and its Local Enterprise Office and congratulate Gorey on its success at this year’s awards’.