Does Mayo have Ireland's most enterprising town?

BANK of Ireland's national competition to find the country's most enterprising town is set to reach its climax, with three Mayo towns in the running.

Some 78 entries from 31 local/city authority areas are vying to be crowned Bank of Ireland's National Enterprising Town Winner 2017. 

The bank acknowledges the huge level of support from local authorities all over Ireland for this very important competition. By entering, each town/city village/urban area has an opportunity to focus on the strengths of their town and to present their town in the best possible light with a common voice. 

In Mayo, Castlebar, Ballina and Claremorris are competing in various categories which will include regional runner-up, regional winner, city award, merit awards, national category winners and the overall national winner. With a total prize fund of €110,000, over 30 cash prizes will be awarded to various winners. The overall winning town, city village or urban area will be awarded total prize money of €23,000.

The judging panel will visit each of the local organising committees from late August through to mid-October, with the winners announced at an awards ceremony in November. The judges will consider a range of factors which demonstrate enterprising spirit and success including: The Enterprising Town – local enterprise initiatives, business groups, innovations in the community and social enterprises, attractiveness of the town, partnerships and reaching out, town leadership and vision, community support, and awards or recognitions that the town or city village/area has achieved.

Alan Durcan, Bank of Ireland, Head of County Mayo, said: “As Ireland's enterprise bank, we recognise that SMEs, start-ups and community organisations are a significant driver of the overall prosperity of the city or county. Local business owners and community groups want to see their town doing well, and there is nothing like a bit of healthy competition to motivate people to put their best foot forward. 

“We want to recognise and reward those places where small businesses and community groups are working together with their local council and state agencies to promote enterprise in their area.â€