Dundalk BIDS in need of a new manager

Edel O’Mahony has left her role as Dundalk BIDS manager in recent weeks

The Dundalk Business Investment District Scheme (BIDS) are on the look out for a new manager following the departure of Edel O’Mahony from the role after just six months.

Edel, who had previously worked on the Louth Economic Forum, was only appointed Dundalk BIDS manager last June.

At the time she set a challenge to “build successful relationships and work together effectively for the good of the town” but despite the efforts of her and her team the scheme hasn’t been met with the approval of all retailers.

Many feel they are not getting enough out of the BIDS programme and that not enough is being done to attract both businesses and customers back to the town centre.

It is not yet known if the vacant position will be advertised or not, with some retailers expressing frustration at the lack of answers and updates on the future of BIDS heading into 2015.

Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture 2014 now only days away

Excitement is building as the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture 2014 is now only days away.

The Festival, heralding the official start of Dundalk’s Christmas celebrations takes place this Friday and Saturday, November 28th & 29th kicking off on the Friday evening with Dundalk FC manager Stephen Kenny, and Louth County Council Cathaoirleach, Oliver Tully officially switching on the town centre’s Christmas illuminations as well as performing the official opening of Dundalk on Ice.

Titan the Robot, is set to make a triumphant return to Dundalk this year and will be making appearances with his ultimate family entertainment comedy show over both days of the Festival, at the Market Square, and also at The Marshes Shopping Centre.

Also taking place over the two days will be the Animal Farm on the Demesne. Sponsored by PetSafe, visitors to the farm will see many different animals including chickens, giant rabbits, pygmy goats, pet sheep, llama, alpaca, as well as a small falabella pony and cart.

On Saturday afternoon, festival goers can also take their own pets along for a special animal blessing ceremony. This free Animal Farm has the full support of the Louth Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and donations to this very worthwhile local cause would be very much appreciated.

Mums and Dads don’t forget that this year there is also a special Letter to Santa Postbox this year.

Young letter writers should, if possible, attach a contact e-mail as Santa has agreed to take some time out to reply to the letters via e-mail.

The popular Christmas Markets continue at this year’s festival. A craft market featuring the best of local crafts is to be housed in the Clanbrassil Centre while around the Market Square, the aroma of seasonal spices and flavours of the food market will fill the air.

A Festival stage will be located over on the Courthouse side of the Market Square, where there will be live entertainment over the two days of the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture.

The ever popular Blue Moose will headline the live music on Friday, while special guest on the night will be Voice of Ireland winner Brendan McCahey.

Free entertainment for all ages will be held throughout the town including fire eaters, unicyclists and other street performers along with carousels and a disco dome for the children.

A new feature this year which will help people travel easily around the town centre festival attractions is the Festival Train – a unique way to travel along the festival’s key route and take in all that the festival has to offer.

The Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture continues through to Saturday evening and will conclude with the now traditional fireworks display at the Marshes Shopping Centre lighting up the town skyline and also including the arrival of Santa via a huge Kenworth truck, the biggest truck Dundalk has ever seen.

The Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture Committee is working away in the background as the final countdown to this year’s Festival continues.

Committee member Harry Traynor of the Marshes Shopping Centre said: “There’s been a number of months hard work put in to making sure we can offer the best Festival experience over the two days.

“We’ve catered for all tastes and I am sure that there is something to suit everyone in this year’s programme.

“All I can say at this point is that I hope as many people as possible turn out, enjoy the weekend and support the Festival and Dundalk Town Centre.”

Committee member, Edel O’Mahony, Dundalk BIDS Manager said she is looking forward to a fantastic weekend to start Dundalk’s Christmas season.

“The retail community in Dundalk has made the Festival of Light & Culture possible and I would remind people that supporting local business boosts the local economy further and gives increased stability to our local workforce

“I hope everyone enjoys the festival experience, whilst also reminding people that we can all benefit in one way or another from supporting local Christmas business community initiatives.”

Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture is funded and supported by the following without whose generosity holding this community event would not be possible: Louth County Council, Marshes Shopping Centre, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk BIDS, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk Tidy Towns, PetSafe, Haribo.

The Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture programme is now available in various retail outlets throughout Dundalk including The Marshes Shopping Centre and Dundalk BIDS Office/Dundalk Tourist Office.

Dundalk On Ice to return to the Market Square next month

Dundalk On Ice is set to return to the Market Square this Christmas season, bigger and better than ever, complete with rela ice and housed in an indoor facility.

Dundalk BIDS Manager Edel O’Mahony confirmed the news earlier today that Planet Ice have agreed to operate the enclosed ice rink over the Christmas period, opening on Friday November 21^st and running right through until Sunday January 4th.

Dundalk On Ice is set to play a pivotal role in the town’s seasonal attractions, with an expected attendance of over 35,000 set to enjoy the ‘real’ ice skating experience. The indoor facility also covers and protects skaters from the elements, giving Dundalk shoppers and visitors the opportunity to see the fun going on inside and draw even more people in to the attraction.

In announcing the Dundalk BIDS coup for the town’s Christmas calendar of events, Ms O’Mahony said: “Since taking up the position of Dundalk BIDS Manager in July of this year I have been working on bringing Dundalk On Ice back to the town centre with a main priority to make it bigger and better. This year will be a showcase of what has been evolving on the Market Square in the previous two years.

‘We have great confidence that Planet Ice will deliver a superior skating experience for Dundalk On Ice 2014,” she said.

Ms O’Mahony also confirmed that seasonal employment as far as possible will be created plus an additional boost to local businesses via ice rink staffing and the provision of ancillary services.

 “It was also my intention to feature a local workforce and encourage the use of local services in the operation of Dundalk On Ice 2014. Dundalk BIDS was adamant that this be a feature of any agreement and Planet Ice readily agreed to this.”

Commenting on their participation in Dundalk On Ice 2014 MacDara Hosty for Planet Ice said: “We are really looking forward to working with Edel and her team at Dundalk BIDS and to be playing our part in making this year’s Dundalk Christmas Festival a fantastic event. The plans that the Dundalk BIDS team have in place are pretty amazing and will really bring the town centre to life in a very special way this Christmas”.

Dundalk On Ice 2014 runs for 44 days onlym commencing on Friday November 21^st until Sunday January 4^th. The Dundalk On Ice box office opens on Friday, October 31^st in the Marshes Shopping Centre with some very special pre-opening offers for patrons wishing to purchase their tickets in advance.

Edel appointed new Dundalk BIDS manager

New Dundalk BIDS manager Edel O’Mahony. Picture: Arthur Kinahan

Edel O’Mahony is Dundalk’s new Business Investment District Scheme (BIDS) Manager.

With a wealth of business knowledge from a career in both the private and public sector, Edel will lead the Dundalk BIDS team of Fiona Cunningham and Sinead Roche from the BIDS office at the Market Square.

Edel will be known to many in the business sector for her roles with both the Dundalk Economic Development Group, and more recently, the Louth Economic Forum.

While working with the Dundalk Economic Development Group, Edel had a part in developing plans for the Regeneration of the Dundalk Town Centre, the results of which can be seen with the refurbished Market Square. Her work in this area took her to numerous town centres throughout Ireland, and in doing so gave her great insight into tried and tested town centre initiatives. During this time she was also developing marketing and promotional projects for Dundalk.

Her role on the Louth Economic Forum saw her gain considerable experience in a variety of sectors including Indigenous Industry; Tourism & Heritage; Foreign Direct Investment; Agriculture, food and fisheries; Broadband and Sustainable Energy.

Edel is keen to use her ready-made list of contacts for the betterment of the town. She has forged excellent relationships with organisations including Enterprise Ireland, DkIT, Louth County Council, Local Enterprise Office, IDA and Fáilte Ireland.

In addition, Edel has a proven track record in accessing various funding from local, regional, national, EU and international sources.

Speaking on her new position as Dundalk BIDS Manager, Edel described her enthusiasm for the challenging role.

“I’m really looking forward to hitting the ground running. Obviously we are in challenging times but it only makes me more positive that BIDS and the ratepaying community can build successful relationships and work together effectively for the good of the town.

“The ratepayers have voted their support for the independent initiative that is Dundalk BIDS, and so it is vital that I listen to them and take their feedback on board.”

She added that her experience to date is very beneficial to her new post.

“I feel my work in both the private and public sector will be very beneficial to Dundalk BIDS. I’ve already gained a great deal of experience in liaising with various agencies such as all of which is a powerful advantage to my work with Dundalk BIDS.

“I’m a Louth woman and I am no stranger to Dundalk. I went to school here, I’ve worked here, and I live here. I already have an idea of the issues facing the town as well as the many positives that Dundalk has in its favour.”

BIDS Chairperson, Brian O’Neill said of Edel’s appointment: “The BIDS Committee realises Edel’s experience and knowledge on the ongoing development of the town centre can only have an extremely positive effect on Dundalk. We look forward to seeing Dundalk BIDS go from strength to strength, under her management.”