Drogheda is a very enterprising place
ADJUDICATORS from the Bank of Ireland Enterprising Towns Awards were in town last Friday to assess Drogheda for this competition. And boy were they impressed!
The adjudication team were made up of Eileen Collery (Bank of Ireland), John Fitzgerald (former Dublin City Manager) and Tom Hayes (former Director of Enterprise Ireland) and the visit was hosted by Mayor of Drogheda Cllr. Pio Smith, Local Enterprise Office and Louth County Council.
During their visit to The Mill Enterprise Hub, they met with local, student and social entrepreneurs. They also heard from Tourism and Food officers for the Boyne Valley. On a walking tour of the town they met from local retailers and food producers and visited the Tholsel and Laurence’s Gate and heard about successful local community campaigns inc. Close the Gate and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
They were bowled over by the strength and co-operation of the local community and couldn’t believe that Ireland’s largest town had such a close community.
Speaking during the visit, adjudicator Eileen Collery explained “Drogheda is a wonderful example of an enterprising town. The co-operation between all sectors of the community has embedded enterprising thinking in everything that you do and we can see it in your successes.”
The announcement of winners is expected in November. The winning town will secure a fund of €23,000 to invest in a local enterprise initiative and scoop the Enterprising Town 2017 title. Last years winner was Boyle, Co. Roscommon.