Novel new Castlebar business creates personalised books for children

Mon, Dec 08, 2014

Local designer Eoin Heverin has launched a novel new business, creating beautifully printed, written, and designed children’s books that are sure to encourage more young readers to pick up a book.

Internet entrepreneur urges shoppers to buy local online

Mon, Dec 08, 2014

The Castlebar founder of an online retail website has called on Mayo people to try to support Irish businesses and jobs this Christmas when they shop on the internet.

Daybreak Ballina named Forecourt Store of the Year

Fri, Dec 05, 2014

Daybreak Ballina has been named Daybreak Forecourt Store of the Year. The store, which is owned and managed by Eamonn and Rowena Judge, scooped the accolade at Daybreak’s annual Store of the Year awards at Killashee House Hotel held at the end of November. The awards recognise retail excellence across Daybreak outlets nationwide. Located on the Sligo Road, Daybreak Ballina employs 12 people and was one of 15 retailers shortlisted at this year’s awards, beating off stiff competition from stores around Ireland to win the accolade.

Daybreak is Ireland’s fastest growing convenience group with 220 stores nationwide, 20 of which opened in 2014. All stores are independently owned by local retailers ensuring that each outlet can respond to the everyday needs of its local community.

Local business takes part in BOI’s Enterprise Week

Fri, Dec 05, 2014

Alan Heaney, owner and founder of Farmofy, was one of the participants at Bank of Ireland’s 11th National Enterprise Week run from Friday November 14 to Friday November 21. The theme of the week was “Let’s Connect”, with the bank focusing on supporting Ireland’s SMEs, start-ups, and the agri sector to help foster business growth and development in the Irish economy. Heaney is from Killasser in Mayo and has designed Cow Call, a unique mobile technology that alerts farmers when a cow is about to give birth. The device alerts farmers as soon as a cow goes into labour and can be synchronised with up to five phones.

Taoiseach opens Lafferty Group's new Westport Headquarters

Fri, Dec 05, 2014

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny opened the Lafferty Group's new offices in Westport where 19 people are currently employed earlier this week.

St Colman’s BNI celebrate gold pin member

Fri, Dec 05, 2014

St Colman’s BNI Chapter recently celebrated the success of one of its members, Emily Fleming of KF Accountants, who was awarded a gold BNI pin celebrating her five years of BNI membership, and the enormous contribution to the success of local businesses from Sandra Hart, executive director of BNI Ireland South and West.

Mayo people in Dublin meet up to lunch

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

Muintir Mhaigh Eo Atha Cliath hosted its annual business lunch in the Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, last Friday afternoon, November 14. A key highlight in the social calendar of the association, the lunch brought together Mayo business people from a diverse range of industries including construction, technology, small businesses, hospitality, legal, financial, as well as public sector bodies. The lunch afforded all those gathered an opportunity to mingle, network, and influence in a relaxed setting. A capacity crowd of 460 guests marked the highest attendance for the association’s business lunch and seats were fully sold out two weeks in advance of the event. Dignitaries present on the day include TDs Lucinda Creighton, Dara Calleary, Pat Rabbitte, and Fergus O’Dowd. The current Mayo Person of the Year John Walkin and his wife Colette were also present.

Mayo Food producers are heading east

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

The National Crafts and Design Fair is taking place in the RDS Dublin from Wednesday, December 3 to Sunday, December 7. This annual event, running for many years, hosts visitor numbers of up to 30,000 over the five days. Through the co-ordination and support of The Enterprise and Investment Unit and Mayo Local Enterprise Office at Mayo County Council, a number of Mayo food producers are coming together to showcase and sell their products at The Mayo Quarter at The Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium which forms part of the fair.

Influential UK tour operators pay a visit to Mayo

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

Twenty-two leading UK inbound tour operators visited Mayo and the west of Ireland last week, as guests of Tourism Ireland. These tour operators are all based in Britain and are responsible for putting in place arrangements for visitors from long-haul markets. The aim of their five-day visit to Ireland last week was to help grow Mayo’s share of the huge, worldwide, tourism market – with a particular focus on increasing business from new and emerging markets, like India, China, and Russia.

Minister Ring urges Mayo businesses to get involved

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, this week urged Mayo tourism businesses to get involved as he officially launched the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2015, the first national scheme to identify and celebrate those leading lights making a difference in the tourism industry and actively contributing to recent growth in the sector. Rewarding innovation in tourism, significant initiatives at home and overseas and the best examples of improvement to the tourism experience, the Irish Tourism Industry Awards – already dubbed the ‘ITAs’ – seek to identify those players in the tourism sector who have made a difference and are setting an example for the rest of the industry.

Minister Ring said: “This Government recognises tourism as a key sector, driving initiatives that enhance our tourism performance and create further employment. For its part, the industry continues to strive for excellence and value for money in its tourism offering. Our combined efforts are paying off, as evidenced by recent strong performances, but we cannot become complacent.

Greater participation sought in innovation awards in the BMW region

Fri, Nov 21, 2014

The Irish Times and InterTradeIreland are calling on firms in counties from the Border, Midland, and Western Region to enter the island’s most prestigious awards for innovation. To-date the BMW Region is the least represented area across all categories. Companies across the Border, Midland and Western Region are missing out on raising their profile by failing to nominate themselves for The Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards. The BMW Regional Assembly is supporting this call for the region’s most innovative companies to gain national recognition. Applications are invited from all industries - agri-food, bio-science, energy and the environment, creative industries, manufacturing and IT and telecoms – all that is needed is a good idea.

These awards are in their sixth year now and provide an excellent opportunity to showcase and promote innovations. Former shortlisted companies and winners have acknowledged the awards as a great PR tool and one that has been a huge factor in opening up new business opportunities. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday, December 1. The competition is now open for entries at www.irishtimes.com/innovationawards.

Westport’s Mary honoured for 20 years service

Fri, Nov 14, 2014

Mary Golden from Carrowholly, Westport, recently enjoyed a VIP trip to London in recognition of her 20 years’ service with Sodexo Ireland, one of the country’s biggest food and facilities management providers. Mary is one of the Sodexo staff based at Allergan in Westport and she joined over 120 colleagues from across Ireland and the UK for lunch on-board the Bateaux London Symphony, the city’s largest restaurant cruise vessel, taking in the famous sights of London along the River Thames. Following the cruise, Mary and the other recipients enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Madame Tussauds and a presentation of their chosen gift in recognition of their many years of service by Debbie White, chief executive of Sodexo UK and Ireland.

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