Slane named as Ireland's friendliest place!
Slane was named Ireland’s Friendliest Place 2019 at the National Retail Excellence Ireland Awards, on Saturday night in the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney. This accolade is credited to the wonderful Slane retailers, the strong community spirit and proud residents within the village.
Five retailers in particular who have been flying the flag for Slane throughout this initiative, commencing in June 2018, are to be commended for their hard work, and commitment to the initiative and their never ending spirit to fly the flag high for Slane. Inside Out, The Muttonhead Butchery, Slane Craft Collective, Georges Patisserie and Slane Distillery were quietly working in the background promoting Slane and ensuring the customer experience for all was exemplar. The adjudication process involved a mystery shopper audit, and individual store assessments, including training, presentations and submissions to the REI judges.
The dedication of those involved has made it possible for Slane to fly the flag as Ireland’s Friendliest Place 2019. Jackie Maguire, chief executive, Meath County Council said: "We are extremely proud of Slane and all our retailers. It is a testament to the welcoming, wonderful, hard working ethos and spirit of the retailers, community and residents of Slane to win such a wonderful accolade as REI Ireland’s Friendliest Place Award 2019." Meath County Council and LEO Meath have been delighted to work with and support Slane retailers over recent months on this initiative.
Slane was in very strong competition, with Ennis, Carrick-on-Shannon, Limerick and Waterford all receiving Top 5 Finalist accreditation. REI noted the quality of entries received this year was extremely high and the five towns selected are standard bearers in driving customer excellence, hospitality and pride in their town.
This is a great achievement for all Slane retailers involved and a credit to the communities in the area! Navan had previously won the Friendliest Place Award in 2016, with Trim short listed in the Top 5 finalists in 2017. The county is connected, working strongly together to promote Meath as a wonderful place to live, work, visit, stay and most importantly shop in! #MakeitMeath #Slane #ThisisRetail #MeathCoCo #MeathLEO #REI #IrelandsFriendliestPlace