‘We’re all pulling in the same direction, and that sense of coordination is strong...’

THE new Chairperson of Listowel Traders’ Association, Damien O’Mahony, said that while Christmas is traditionally a time when people are encouraged to shop locally, supporting Listowel throughout the entire year is also a priority.

By shopping and supporting locally owned businesses, you are creating and maintaining jobs; the kind that every town relies on. This produces a wider ‘feel good’ factor with many knock-on benefits for a cross-section of other community led initiatives.

The traders of Listowel are extremely grateful to the customers who support them throughout the year and Christmas is an ideal time to take stock of the people and places that matter. Damen described 2018 as ‘a good year overall’ with the added bonus of being crowned Ireland’s Tidiest Town.

“The fine weather was certainly welcome as it meant more people were out and about in the town. Obviously the Tidy Town win gave us a great boost. Usually after the races are over business can dip a bit in the town, but that win gave us a huge lift. It raised the profile of the town. Listowel also enjoyed two new events this year: Listowel Visual Arts Week, and Féile an tSolais. Both events brought people to Listowel from places like Killarney and Dingle, which traditionally wouldn’t have been the case.”

Damien said over the past few years the Listowel Traders’ Association have really pulled together for the greater good of the town. This was achieved through a combination of business, social and recreational events. In short, it’s the effort of the people directly involved that make it happen. Damien added: “We’re all pulling in the same direction and that sense of coordination is strong in Listowel today. That’s what is needed in any town to make it viable - both economically and socially. Lastly, on behalf of Listowel Traders’ Association, I want to wish everyone a happy Christmas and prosperous 2019.”