The newly branded Ballybofey and Stranorlar Business Chamber held its first ever awards at a glitzy ceremony in Jacksons Hotel on Saturday night.
With almost 400 in attendance, the event was a resounding success. There were 1,559 different businesses, businesspeople, clubs and community groups nominated with three finalists in each category. The event was kindly supported by PTSB, Donegal County Council, Gala Group, Harkins Gala, John Mc Bride Cranford, B&S Credit Union and Vista Foods.
Two of Donegal’s best known businessmen, John McElhinney and Tommy Gallen, picked up the Lifetime Achievement and Businessperson of the Year awards respectively.
“The Chamber is extremely grateful for all the sponsors, supporters and for everyone who took part in their first awards ceremony which brought the entire community together for the first time since COVID,” a spokesperson for the organisers said.
“Whether you were a winner on the night, a finalist or a nominee, the Chamber is so proud to have so many great reasons to celebrate working and living in our Twin Towns.”
The Award Categories, Sponsors, winners (in bold) and finalists were:
Outstanding Customer Service: Eclipse Cinemas Lifford/Strabane – Shane Duffy Tyres, Caroline Kelly, Mastershoe, Sinead Gallen, Igloo.
Outstanding Small Business, Gallen Group – Hatter Tearoom, Mastershoe, Shane Duffy Tyres.
Outstanding Large Business, Patton Frozen Foods – SuperValu, McElhinneys, Foy & Co.
B&S Retailer of the Year, Right Financial – McElhinneys, Mastershoe, JMP Furniture.
Excellence in Hospitality, AIB – Conkers, Benny & Co, Curry Cottage.
Excellence in Health/Beauty & Wellbeing, Foy & Co – Beauty Secrets, Chapter One, Grainne Duffy Holistic.
Outstanding Sports Club/Facility, Ballybofey Auto Factors – Finn Valley AC, Pro Fitness, Katriona McNamee School of Dance.
Community Superstar, McElhinneys – Ballybofey & Stranorlar Tidy Towns, Caroline Bell, Aiden Thompson.
Green Business, Cllr Martin Harley – B&S Credit Union, Patton Frozen Foods, McElhinneys.
B&S Businessperson of the Year, Local Enterprise Office – Tommy Gallen, Darran Dunnion, John McElhinney.
Lifetime Achievement, BASICC/The BASE – John Mc Elhinney, John Patton, Peter Dunnion.
Community Recognition Award, B&S Business Chamber – Dean Gillespie.
Madeline Doherty and Philis Reynolds who received a special presentation of flowers from Dean Gillespie and Paul Doherty for their work in the Tidy Towns over the years at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Business Chamber Awards.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Shane Duffy, of Shane Duffy Tyres, accepting his award from Louise Grieve-Doherty of Eclipse Cinemas Lifford/Strabane.
Dean Gillespie accepting the Community Recognition Award from Paul Harkin, Chairman of Ballybofey and Stranorlar Business Chamber.
Shelly McMenamin receives the Outstanding Small Business Award for the Hatter Tearoom from Sponsor Tommy Gallen.Included in the photo are Paddy McMenamin and some of the Hatter Staff. Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
SuperValu Ballybofey pictured receiving the Outstanding Large Business Award from Stephen Patton of Patton Frozen Foods and the Igloo who were the sponsors. Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Anne Marie McGeehan prop. of Rite Financial Solutions Ballybofey sponsor of the B&S Retailer of the Year which was won by McElhinneys.Photo by Gerard McHugh.
Conkers Ballybofey pictured receiving the AIB sponsored Excellence in Hospitality Award at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Business Chamber Awards.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Kathleen McGinty and her staff of Beauty Secrets pictured receiving the Excellence in Health/Beauty & Wellbeing from David Foy of Foys Ballybofey who sponsored the award at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Business Chamber Awards.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography.
Damien McElhinney of Ballybofey Auto Factors presents the Finn Valley AC with the Outstanding Sports Club/Facility Award .Pictured receiving the award are Rosaleen McGonagle, Neil Martin, Patsy McGonagle and Anne Slevin. Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Sandra Devenney GM McElhinneys Stores presents the Community Superstar Award to Ballybofey & Stranorlar Tidy Towns group. Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Amy Galvin alias Tracey Turnball presents the Green Business Award on behalf of sponsor Martin Harley to Marita Bonner and Paddy McMenamin of the B&S Credit Union at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Business Chamber Awards.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, and John Mc Laughlin, CEO of Donegal County Council, present Tommy Gallen with Ballybofey & Stranorlar Businessperson of the Year award at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Business Chamber Awards. Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography.
Sandra Devenney General Manager and Staff from McElhinneys who accepted the lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of John McElhinney from Dean Gillespie at the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Business Chamber Awards.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography