Blackrock looks its best for National Enterprise Town Awards judges

Blackrock displayed the best it has to offer from the heart of its community and business during the three hour visit from the judges in the Bank of Ireland National Enterprise Town Awards 2018.

The three judges were taken on a packed tour of some of the initiatives that led to Blackrock being shortlisted for an award alongside Dundalk and Dunleer.

Blackrock, is in the medium size town category, and Larry Magnier of Blackrock Tidy Towns said:

“We arranged for a whole range of community and voluntary groups who work in the village to be on hand to brief the judges on the huge variety of initiatives undertaken here.”

“It would be impossible to have covered them all in detail in the time available, so we concentrated on a number of key ones with an opportunity for the judges to get more information on others if they require it.”

Among the locations they visited were the promenade where they saw various Tidy Towns initiatives, met new businesses who explained why their enterprise was supported in Blackrock, they saw the Fisherman’s House where it is hoped to develop a Maritime Museum and they met some of the people, young and old, who enjoy the community centre and park.

They even got the chance to sip locally brewed coffee.

Larry said, “The community spirit in Blackrock is second to none, and all sectors - voluntary, sporting and business - have always worked together for the benefit of the village as a whole.”

“We genuinely feel that Blackrock has so much to offer due to its vibrancy, its physical location by the sea and proximity to Dundalk, and its range and variety of shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes”

“Winning an Enterprise Town Award would be a huge boost to all sectors here, and would vindicate the approach they have been taking to make Blackrock a top location to live in, to do business in, and to visit,” he added.

Paula Harmon, Bank of Ireland Head of County Louth said, “The judges were extremely impressed by what they experienced in each of the towns. It was very evident that an enormous level of work went into each of the visits and all of those involved across Dundalk, Dunleer and Blackrock should feel very proud indeed.”

“With judging taking place across the country it is fantastic to see such a high calibre from across Louth and I know everyone is really looking forward to seeing the outcome at the Awards night in November.”

Thomas McEvoy, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Louth said:

"The vibrant enterprise and community spirit in each of the towns was clearly evident to the judges, who were very impressed with the business and community leaders they met on their visit to Louth.

"Louth County Council through its Local Enterprise Office is delighted to have worked with the teams in Dundalk, Blackrock and Dunleer who made a magnificent effort presenting the very best of their locality and the rich entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in the county."