Gort initiative celebrates business, agriculture, sports and community activities

Gort will form the focal point for a celebration of community achievements in South Galway at a two-day Enterprise Town expo later this month.

The commercial, social, agriculture and sports groups which form the fabric of this vibrant community will be showcased in a business expo on Friday week, May 15, followed by a sports and community expo the following day.

Celebrity guests over the two days will include Kilkenny hurling legend Tommy Walsh, Galway All-Ireland camogie hero Therese Maher, MEP Mairead McGuinness, singer Seán Keane and Connacht rugby player Jason Harris-Wright

The event is being organised as part of Bank of Ireland’s ‘Enterprise Town initiative which aims to promote business momentum for SMEs and the agriculture sector as well as the wider sports and social community in towns throughout Ireland.

The Business and Community Expo, which commences at 4pm on Friday week, will provide an opportunity for everyone in the community and outside to see the wide range of businesses operating around Gort, Ardrahan, Kinvara and surrounding areas.

Over 80 enterprises from tourism to agriculture and retail to communications have taken stands and many will be providing samples and special offers to all who attend.

The guest speaker at the business expo will be Mairead McGuinness MEP who will officially launch a new tourism and community website www.burrenlowlands.ie which is aimed at increasing the number of visitors to the area.

The expo will also include panel discussions on the topics of tourism and agriculture with guests such as John Ruddle, Chief Executive of Shannon Heritage, Suzanne Trehy from Fáilte Ireland, Tom Turley Regional Chairman of the IFA and Eimear O’Donnell of Bord Bia.

Saturday morning sees the opening of the Sports and Community Expo which will include over 40 exhibitors including local schools, charities, sports clubs and community groups from across the area.

This event will run from 11am to 2pm and will include special guests Tommy Walsh; Therese Maher and All Ireland winner; Jason Harris-Wright and Sean Keane.

Entertainment will be provided by, amongst others, the Tommy Baker Puppet Show, Coole Music and the Marie Gavin Irish Dancing School.

Local clubs will play an Under 8’s hurling and camogie games on the Astroturf pitch with medal presentation by Tommy Walsh and Therese Maher.

There will be lots of fun for all the family including face painting and free Linalla ice cream.

The Connacht Tribune will be there on both days with some memories of the past and capturing occasion for the following weeks’ papers.

Damien Gardiner, Branch Manager at Bank of Ireland Gort said “I encourage everyone to get involved in our Enterprise Town initiative.

“Since we launched the initiative the response from the whole community has been fantastic and I am looking forward to the two events for what will be a great weekend to showcase the very best that Gort and the area has to offer”.

Admission is free for everyone and all events will take place in Gort Community Centre.