Loughglynn man Brendan Gordon scooped the top award at last Friday night’s County Enterprise Awards. The Loughglynn-based business was set up by Brendan in 2005. It produces large volume, environmentally friendly sewage treatment system based on anaerobic digestion. The systems, which can be used as stand-alone units for single house dwellings or as upgrades to existing septic tanks, deal with excessive waste and eliminate pollution from percolation areas. The units are Irish Agrément approved, which ensure that they comply with building regulations. Bio-Friendly is also investigating the possibility of developing related products. The company is based in Ballyglass East, Loughglynn, and currently employs eight full-time staff. The prize for the Best Newcomer went to The Hooker Brewery, which was established by Aidan Murphy and Ronan Brennan in 2006 at a custom-built micro brewery in Roscommon Town. The brewery produces a unique craft ale which trades under the name the ‘Galway Hooker’. The beer is sold in over twenty pubs throughout the country and plans are advanced to export the product to the UK. Second prize went to Anchor Lifting Services from Roscommon town. The business was set up in 2001 by Mike Cookland and Tom Cummins. It supplies, repairs and tests lifting equipment. It also provides an inspection/certification service and training on lifting equipment to premises all over Ireland. The business, which is based at Racecourse Road in Roscommon, employs five full-time and one part time person. Third prize went to Glassguard Ltd., Elphin. The business was set up by Martin Higgins and William Taylor in 1998. It began life as a contract cleaning business and the duo then developed a protective film for glass and set up Glassguard in 2001. In addition to themselves they now employ one full time person. Michael Gannon & Sons, Carrick-on-Shannon, which trades as Michael Gannon & Sons is an egg and poultry producer and wholesaler. It took fourth prize at last Friday night’s awards. Gannons was started by the great-grandfather of current Managing Director Ray Gannon in 1879. The main lines are commercial eggs sold under the ‘Carrick Crackler’ brand and ‘Carrick-on-Shannon Free Range’ brand. They also sell fresh chickens, ducks, turkeys, fresh and frozen chips and a large range of fresh and frozen food. The company employs five full-time and four part-time people. Guests were welcomed to the event by Tony Dawson, Chairman of Roscommon County Enterprise Board. He praised all the businesses involved and in particular praised the people who work as mentors to the entrepreneurs. He also told guests that at the end of 2006, businesses supported by the County Enterprise Board employ 924 full-time and 259 part time people. He also praised the work of the evaluation committee who give of their time in a voluntary capacity and had words of praise for the County Enterprise Board staff of Ann Flynn, Anne Browne, Peter Wrafter, Louise Ward and Liz Morris. Master of Ceremonies for the occasion was Eugene Murphy and he introduced the thirteen award winners. Apart from the winners of overall prizes, others to receive awards included Boyle Glass, Captured in Time, Kearns Organic Growers, Trojan Hardware Ltd., Renew iT, Roscommon People, RosBowl and P&G Cards. Mr. Murphy, before announcing the overall award winners, pointed out that between them they are responsible for 102 full-time and 127 part-time jobs in the county and said that sometimes the work of Roscommon County Enterprise Board is not fully appreciated. At the end of the awards ceremony, CEO Ann Flynn spoke, at what was her last official function as CEO. She thanked her colleagues for their assistance over the years and also thanked board members for their help. At the end of the event, a presentation was made by Anya Grealy on behalf of the Board to Ms. Flynn to thank her for her work with the Enterprise Board.
This Week’s Digital Edition
