Dunleer declared Best Enterprise Town in Ireland

DUNLEER has been declared the national winner of Best Enterprise Town in Ireland in the small population category. It also won the overall award for the Leinster region.

“We are absolutely delighted,” said Eugene Conlon of the Dunleer Community Development Group. The winners were announced in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny.

In August the judging panel was taken on a tour of the village and saw what the community and business have achieved through working together.

He said the philosophy throughout Dunleer has been to get up and make things happen.

“In a radius of 1 km of Dunleer there are close to 700 people employed in many different types of businesses,” he said. “I think that mixture of business, community and people coming together with a real belief that you can’t just wait for things to happen - you actually have to make things happen - has been the philosophy and it is great to get recognition at the awards.’

The three judges toured well known businesses such as Lannleire Honey, Mcor Technologies, Suretank and Glen Dimplex and also visited community projects like the Men’s Shed and experienced the contribution made to health and sport by the GAA and Team Carrie.

Thomas McEvoy Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Louth congratulated Dunleer and said “I’m thrilled for Dunleer. Winning this prestigious national award against stiff competition is recognition of the community’s dedication to building a strong enterprise spirit locally. It was a real pleasure for the Local Enterprise Office of Louth County Council to work with the team in Dunleer to prepare for the judging event.

‘Everyone got behind the competition and a genuine community spirit, from business and voluntary interests, of making things happen, was evident to the judges. We also had two other very strong applications in the competition, from Blackrock and Dundalk, which is a great reflection of the vibrant enterprise scene in Co Louth at the moment.”

Speaking at the awards Paula Harmon, Head of Co. Louth at Bank of Ireland said: “Every year we are so impressed by the enterprising spirit and achievements of towns and villages nationwide, as people work together, to drive growth locally and build thriving communities.

‘ The support of City and County Councils across the country is a significant factor in the success of the awards and one which Bank of Ireland is extremely grateful for.’