2023 in review - Looking back on October in Louth

October 3rd 2023
An initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion around school gates across Louth, and creating a safer and healthier environment, began this week in Dundalk.

Louth County Council has joined forces with Dundalk Chamber of Commerce and An Garda Síochána to ask parents and students to rethink their daily commute by taking part in the ‘Park ‘n’ Stride’ campaign.

The initiative allows pupils travelling in cars to be dropped close to the school to complete the remainder of the journey on foot.

*****
One of Ireland’s oldest seafood businesses, Morgan’s Fine Fish, was awarded the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Seafood Innovation Award for 2023.

BIM CEO, Caroline Bocquel, announced the winner of the prestigious award at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards in Dingle, Co. Kerry.

*****
Following over 18 months of planning and renovations, ZOMA, the multi-award winning creative design and branding agency unveiled its new studio office space in Dundalk town centre, with the announcement of the creation of 10 new positions at the firm over the coming 12 months.

October 10 2023

Blackrock Tidy Towns was announced the winner of the SuperValu TidyTowns County Award for Louth. Blackrock also retained its gold medal.

The County Second went to Tallanstown, which also picked up a bronze medal.

County Third and a silver medal went to Dromiskin, while an Endeavour Award was received by Dunleer for the biggest improvement in Louth from last year.

Dundalk and Drogheda retained their gold medals, while a silver medal was also retained by Ardee this year, and a bronze medal went to Carlingford.

*****
The Louth International Film Festival in association with Dundalk Institute of Technology celebrated the conclusion of its 4th edition with resounding success, continuing its commitment to hospitality, education and nurturing emergent talent.

October 17th 2023

Two new pedestrian crossings at McEntee Avenue and the closing off of a section of Pearse Park to traffic to ease congestion, along with a new footpath through the grounds of St Louis Secondary School, are among measures that may be undertaken in Dundalk, as part of the Active Travel - Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme, councillors were told at the Dundalk Municipal District October meeting.

*****

Sinéad Crowther, Founder and CEO of Soothing Solutions, was named the Enterprise Ireland High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of the Year for 2023 at the Enterprise Ireland Founder of the Year Awards.

October 24th 2023

Louth County Council last Thursday officially launched the Brigid1500: ‘Louth Birthplace of Brigid’, a programme of events and initiatives to honour the life and legacy of Brigid.

The enduring story of Ireland’s iconic matron saint was celebrated at the launch in County Hall, Dundalk where the programme of events to mark Brigid1500 commemorations in Louth was unveiled.

*****

The launch of Creative Spark's exhibition in the Basement Gallery in An Táin Arts Centre was a great success. ‘IMBAS’ , the exhibition by Creative Spark brought together new works completed during the Residency Programme 2022-2023 in the media of printmaking, sign writing, photography, and various other traditional methods.

October 31st 2023
Louth County Council hosted the second ‘in-person’ Louth in Bloom awards ceremony at Bellingham Castle

*****
The issue of funding for the redevelopment of Oriel Park was raised in the Oireachtas recently by three local representatives as speculation around potential investors in the club mounted.

*****
A record crowd attended the Louth Business Awards organised by Dundalk Chamber of Commerce in the Carrickdale Hotel on Saturday the 21st of October.

The annual event is now a highlight in the social calendar in Dundalk with over six hundred guests in attendance.