Tirlán CountryLife makes final cut in Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2024

Two Tirlán CountryLife stores have made the final cut in the prestigious AIB Merchant Services Retail Excellence Ireland Awards for 2024.

Tommie Campbell, branch manager for Tirlán CountryLife in Fethard,  Co Tipperary, has made it to the last 5 in the nation-wide competition which celebrates and rewards the nation’s Retail Manager of the Year.

Excitement is also building in Tirlán CountryLife in Athboy, Co. Meath. The recently-refurbished and extended Athboy branch is among the Top 30 finalists in the National Retailer of the Year category in the competition. The overall winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in Galway on November 2.

The Manager of the Year award recognises managers that are passionate about a career in retail. Each finalist has already been interviewed by the judging panel. Tirlán CountryLife Athboy will be bidding to follow in the footsteps of Guinness Storehouse, Brown Thomas and  Arboretum, former National Retailer of the Year award winners.

Speaking ahead of the awards night, Tommie Campbell said word is spreading in the close-knit Fethard community about the shortlisting and the excitement is building as loyal suppliers and customers pop in to wish him well.

“We’re delighted. I’ve been in management roles all of my life but only started here in CountryLife in Fethard in February of last year. There’s a great buzz about the place. It’s great to be recognised for the hard work that Tirlán is doing in the community and it’s fantastic for the team here that Tirlán is celebrating us being shortlisted. This is very much a team effort.

Pictured at the Fethard CountryLife store are from left Sarah O’Mahoney, Tommie Campbell and Gemma Gahan.

“We had our grand reopening here last April and is has brought new life into the branch and the community.  Local people have really rowed in with support and it’s a great place to come to work every day. We’re a close-knit team and we love what we do.”

Athboy manager, Darren Kelly, was shortlisted for the Manager of the Year award last year and says the fact the Athboy branch has made the final cut this year has heightened excitement even more. “The team here is honoured to have made it to the top 100 and now to make the cut to the top 30.

“This newly-extended branch has only officially been opened one year and it has really become a focal point in Athboy. Everyone loves it. I came to Tirlán straight from college and was Manager in Kilberry for over three and a half years before coming here five years ago.

“We’ve an incredible team here and our horticulturist, Alma Hayden, is central to absolutely everything here. She drives it all, from the quality of the products and produce to customer service. The investment in the Athboy branch has been nothing short of transformational for everyone and we’re looking forward to a great night at the awards.”

The annual awards celebrate the very best of Irish retail and having two stores in the running for top prizes is a huge honour and testament to the work that Tirlán CountryLife management and employees do every day, Dr. Ailish Byrne, Chief Agri Officer at Tirlán said.

“Our Tirlán CountryLife branches each have their own in-store horticulturist to offer free information, advice and support to our growing customer base. It’s particularly rewarding to see teams from two of our recently refurbished and extended branches in the running for awards.

“It all means that as well as being bigger and stocking an even wider range of farming, household and garden products, animal feed and pet food, the branches and their teams also offer a superior retail and customer experience. We thank both teams for their work and wish both branches the best for the Awards night.”

First Published 16 October 2024