Mayo ‘Support Your Local’ campaign launched in Westport

Mayo ‘Support Your Local’ campaign launched in Westport


APPROXIMATELY 3,718 jobs are associated with the drinks industry (2,547 directly employed) in the 431 pubs and hotels in Mayo, while over €1.8 million worth of local agricultural goods are purchased by those in the sector it was revealed last week, at the launch in Westport of the ‘Support your Local’ campaign, which took place in John J O’Grady’s on the Mall.
The campaign is designed to highlight the significant financial and social contribution made by the Irish drinks industry all around the country. In Mayo alone there is an an alcohol- related wage bill of €84 million.
The event was part of a series of rolling regional media events around the country, following a national launch on Monday, April 28, where a new wide-ranging report by Tony Foley from the DCU Business School: ‘Drinks Related Employment in Dáil Constituencies’ was released.
Speaking about the report, its author said that the national economic impact of the drinks industry is substantial.
“In Ireland there are 8,298 public houses and other bars and almost 1,700 full off-licences. In addition to the large brewers and distillers there are 25 craft or micro-breweries and 15 new distilleries being developed. Nationally, the drinks industry directly provides 63,000 full or part-time jobs with a wages bill of €885million and purchases over €1 billion of Irish produced agricultural goods, other materials and services inputs.”
Speaking at the launch of ‘Support Your Local’, Bart Storan, Campaign Manager, said the campaign is about supporting your local farmer; supporting your local distillery; supporting your local pub, restaurant, hotel or independent off-licence; and supporting your local community.
Anthony Finnegan, proprietor of McGing’s, High Street, Westport, added his belief that the Irish pub offers a unique hospitality experience that is renowned the world over.
“When tourists come to Ireland they want to go to an Irish pub, they want to enjoy a pint in the welcome surrounds of locals. The pub is the hub of the local town, it is the heart of the local community. If we are going to preserve that, we need to support our locals, which is why I am delighted to lend my support to this campaign to call on people to ‘Support Your Local’.”
An industry-wide pledge clarifying the members’ position on the necessary steps that must be taken in order to address alcohol misuse was issued at the national launch of the campaign in Dublin.

National Vintners Conference
Up to 400 delegates are expected in Westport this week to attend the National Vintners Conference in The Castlecourt and Plaza Hotels. Minister Michael Ring, Deputy Dara Calleary and numerous other guests will speak at the event, while there will be a new President - Noreen O’Sullivan - inaugurated and other key motions are on the agenda for discussion.