Mayo optician Áine Higgins has fought off stiff competition from all over the UK and Ireland to be named ‘Optician of the Year 2010’.
In what is a first for Mayo and, indeed, Ireland, Ms Higgins, who practices in Castlebar and Ballinrobe, took the top honours in the awards which celebrate excellence in practice and recognise opticians who provide a holistic approach to clinical excellence, quality patient care as well as business innovation.
Áine, who owns and runs Mongey Opticians alongside her partner Damien Brehony, was thrilled with the accolade.
“I’m really delighted for the entire team as without their support and hard work it would not have been possible to enter the competition. This emphasises that service and quality do matter as well as being focussed on delivering value for money.
“Our focus has always been about service, knowing our patients and helping them to choose the lenses and frames that best suit them. I know that our patients appreciate this level of service. We also know that we can improve because the standards are being raised all the time” added Aine.
Mongey Opticians was also shortlisted in three categories including - Independent Practice of the Year (Castlebar); Family Optician of the Year (Ballinrobe) and Environmental Practice of the Year.
Mongey Opticians is the only Irish practice to be shortlisted in both 2009 and 2010.
Mongey Opticians was established more than 80 years ago by Dr Iarla Mongey. In 2005, the practice was acquired by Áine Higgins and Damien Brehony.
Áine Higgins is an occasional contributor with The Mayo News where she writes an expert eye care column in our Living section.
