Enterprising idea for Ballinrobe town

Pictured at Bank of Ireland’s launch of Enterprise Town in Ballinrobe recently, from left: Fiona Egan-Hession, Peter Heaps, Ann McGing and Tony Walkin. Pic: Padraig Ó hÉanachain

Ciara Galvin

BUSINESSES in Ballinrobe and the surrounding area are being urged to sign up to Bank of Ireland’s ‘Enterprise Town’ scheme which takes place next month.
A large crowd attended the launch in the bank recently, where branch manager Annette Canty explained the business initiative.
From baker to boutique owner and everything in between, the business and community expo will take place at Ballinrobe Racecourse on June 10, giving every business owner, community and sport organisation the chance to show their wares and services to the public.
The initiative, which saw 50 towns last year take part, will offer people a chance to find out what is on offer in their locality and give businesses the opportunity to network with others.
The event will run from 4pm to 8pm on Friday, June 10 and guest speaker on the evening will be Tyrone Senior Football manager Mickey Harte. Along with businesses showcasing, community organisations and sports clubs from the area will showcase their achievements and there will be sports games and activities for children on the evening.
Described as an ‘A to Z of everything in the town’, Damien Gardiner of Gort Bank of Ireland said there is something at the event for young and old. Mr Gardiner told those in attendance that 1,700 people attended the recent Enterprise Town event in Gort and wished the Ballinrobe event every success.
Bank of Ireland area manager and Mayo man PJ Kavanagh said the event was about showcasing what is on offer in a town and getting people to ‘shop local’.
“The location is definitely the best I’ve seen yet,” said Mr Kavanagh.
Dragon’s Den
Students from St Joseph’s NS also made a presentation which was designed for the bank’s ‘Junior Dragon’s Den’ competition.
The junior entrepreneurs developed an app called ‘Ballinrobe The App’ which gives children the chance to make friends, see local events in Ballinrobe, play games and learn about the history of the town.
The app allows children to design clothes in a virtual Deirdre Biggins’ clothes shop, Vaughan’s Shoes and learn about the history of Ballinrobe courthouse. The app is priced at 99 cent and the group are determined to sell 300 of the apps. Such was the interest in the app that the junior dragons received a sizeable investment in their venture from a local business person after the presentation.
The junior business people got to meet Clare Colohan of The Galway Food Company who appeared on the real Dragon’s Den.
Application forms to register for the June event are available from the Ballinrobe branch and  local businesses and the event is free to attend.