Display of pride, passion and faith in the town
Businessman Feargal Quinn was taking a close interest in proceedings.
DESPITE THE problems facing Drogheda, each and every person sitting at the meeting in the Barbican last Wednesday were there because they have a pride, passion and faith in the town, and want to see it reach its full potential. The mood was uplifting and positive, but after the team of mentors listening quietly to almost two hours of comments from many of the 350 people who attended, it was time to hear some hometruths about the town.
Senator Feargal Quinn -a seasoned impresario who seems to have taken our town under his wing - was first to rise to his feet, but just to introduce the first mentor, entrepreneur Gerry Kenneally.
' There are some success stories, but overall there seems to be a lack of entrepreneurial culture in Drogheda, and I hope to work with some people to change that,' he told the audience.
' This is your problem and you need to fix it. I have experience of building businesses in Kerry, and I want to do the same in Drogheda, and you have a bigger population and an international airport'.
The biggest slice of humble pie was served by brand expert Noel Toolin, who has turned countries like South Africa into desirable tourist destinations.
'I feel out of anyone, I have got the long straw, as you have it all here in Drogheda - the heritage, the culture, the river - but you should all be ashamed of yourselves that it has not been better promoted,' he said.
Marketing expert Gary Joyce will also work with a business to guide them to success, and asked the vital question; what would Drogheda be like at its best?
' I'm looking forward to addressing some of the issues I have heard here tonight, and help businesses understand what customers want,' she said.
Business mentor Pat Savage has a vested interest in Drogheda, as his two daughters are living here with their families.
'I might be a Meath man but a lot of my heart is in Drogheda, and I want to emphasise the importance of SMEs to the economy here, and will work with four SMEs to improve their output,' he added.
Robert McGiolla Phadraig from Sigmar Recruitment says the real crisis with what has happened in Drogheda is in the human impact.
'Drogheda's motto is 'God our strength, merchandise our glory', which I think is very appropriate, and we should keep it in our minds as we continue with this campaign,' he told the assembled crowd.
There may have been no clear plan as yet to what happens next, apart from another ideas seminar in the Boyne Valley Hotel this evening ( Tuesday), where it's hoped even more of the enthusiasm shown last Wednesday will have multiplied and spread across the town.
