Achill Christmas gift card to support local businesses

ACHILL Tourism has launched the Achill Gift Card just in time for Christmas to help support local businesses and encourage people to ‘give the gift of Achill’.

The Achill Gift Card comes in values of €25 and €50 and can be purchased online at AchillTourism.com, in the Achill Tourism office or the Achill Post Office in Achill Sound.

Speaking about the gift card, Chris McCarthy, manager at Achill Tourism, said: “This year has been a particularly difficult time for local businesses all around Ireland. We have been looking at ways to help support our local community in the run up to Christmas.

“We thought, what better way to encourage sales than to offer those looking for something special this Christmas the opportunity to ‘give the gift of Achill’.”

The gift card was made possible with the generosity of others, including Donal Johnston, managing director of Instrotec, who donated to the cost of producing the cards. Also, Sean Calvey and Jayke Morris (@TeamPointBrake) who provided imagery for the cards, Louise McGinty from Impack Design, who designed the cards, and Kathleen Patten in Achill Post Office who will have the cards available for sale.

Local businesswoman Karan McNamara said: “Overall, it really has been a tough year for small local businesses. During the summer we were lucky enough to enjoy a few extremely busy weeks, which did help, but other establishments such as wet pubs didn’t get that opportunity.

“The run up to Christmas this year is very different and having been closed throughout November has had a huge impact. The Achill Gift Card will hopefully encourage people to spend in Achill whether it’s gifting people who live here already or those planning on returning when restrictions are eased. Every little really does help.”

The Achill Gift Card is accepted across a diverse range of local businesses and will be a permanent offering from Achill Tourism. If you are a business in Achill and would like to take part in the initiative, contact Achill Tourism on (098) 20400 or email info@achilltourism.com for further information.

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