The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
ENTERPRISING TRALEE’S JOY
CELEBRATION ONGOING AFTER TRALEE’S AWARD SUCCESS WITH B.O.I
A WEEK on and Tralee is still celebrating the town’s hat trick at the Bank of Ireland National Enterprising Town Awards.
Tralee beat off competition from 38 towns to be named as the overall winner of the contest last week. Tralee also took the titles of ‘Most Enterprising Large Town in Ireland’ and the ‘Most Enterprising Large Town Award for Munster’.
Listowel was runner-up in the Munster Enterprising Small Town category.
The county capital was chosen due to what the award judges described as “the immense collaboration they experienced while visiting the town from local business groups and the wider community”.
In addition, the judges cited the overwhelming sense of purpose and pride from those living, working and doing business in Tralee as factors behind the town being awarded the top spot.
As part of the award the town will receive a €23,000 prize fund to invest in the further development of enterprise in the town.
Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kerry County Council, NEWKD, IT Tralee, HQ Tralee and Bank of Ireland Tralee worked together to convince the judges that Tralee should be seriously considered for the title.
The Mayor Tralee of Tralee, Cllr Norma Foley, President of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Aidan Kelly and the Manager of Bank of Ireland Tralee, Gerry Enright, accepted the awards on behalf of the town at a ceremony in Tullamore.
Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley said the award was testament to Tralee’s hard working spirit.
‘This is tremendous news for Tralee and is testament to the enormous hard work of local groups and volunteers who wowed the judges during their visit to Tralee last month,” said Mayor Foley.
“The award recognises the wonderful enterprising spirit which exists in Tralee and proves that is a great place in which to work and live,” she said.
“I want to pay tribute to the staff of the Tralee Municipal District and local organisations and businesses for their input and enthusiasm. I would also like to thank our Chief Executive, Moira Murrell for nominating Tralee for the award and pay tribute to the leadership of Kerry County Council in achieving this honour,”said Norma Foley.
“Coming as it does just weeks after Tralee retained its Gold Medal in the national Tidy Towns awards and following the awarding of the Purple Flag for the town, this is another well-deserved honour for our wonderful town,” the mayor added.
David Tighe, head of open enterprise and innovation at Bank of Ireland congratulated Tralee on its success.
“The support of city and county councils all over Ireland contributed to the success of the awards and Bank of Ireland is extremely grateful for their support,” he said.
“I would like to congratulate Tralee on taking the top prize and to commend all of our winners,” said Mr Tighe.