THE local trade and industry community gathered en masse last Friday night for this year’s Letterkenny Business Awards.
Celebrating the locality’s abundance of business talent and its entrepreneurial spirit, the gala event was the culmination of three month’s worth of nominations, short-listings and voting.
At last, the winners of the eight prestigious categories were announced with Brian Gallagher of the Station House Hotel scooping the coveted Business Person of the Year award. (See box for full details of winners).
Organised by the Donegal News in partnership with Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, the glamorous event was compered by local man Keith Fletcher with guest speakers, Councillor Dessie Larkin, mayor of Letterkenny. Columba Gill, editor of the Donegal News and John Watson, president of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce.
Councillor Dessie Larkin, chair of Letterkenny Town Council commented “The new awards format is fantastic as it recognises the wide range of businesses that contribute daily to the local economy, especially at a time when everyone’s feeling vulnerable.
These awards are without a doubt the highlight of the business year and congratulations to all of the nominees, recipients, the Chamber and the Donegal News, on a wonderful event.”
Columba Gill, editor of the Donegal News added, “The gala night last Friday was a huge success for everyone concerned with the local business community being acknowledged for its dedication and entrepreneurialism.
“The Donegal News plays a pivotal role in the local community and backing initiatives such as the awards is crucial and we look forward to the event growing in strength over the coming years.”
John Watson, President Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, hailed the evening as ‘an outstanding success,’ highlighting the business strength, creativity and success that exists throughout the local area.
Mr Watson said, “The Letterkenny Business Awards celebrate the wealth and diversity of the business talent and the entrepreneurial spirit that exists in Letterkenny.
In our first year we have been overwhelmed by the wealth of talent among the business people of this town.
The Business Awards are also a badge of the confidence and pride that we have in Letterkenny.
They send a clear message to the wider community that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and the Letterkenny is an exciting place to do business.”
A special supplement with 16 pages of Business Awards photos and winners’ profiles from the big night will be published in Friday’s Donegal News.
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