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18 Oct 2025
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18 Oct 2025
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John and Francis McGuire picking up the award for Community Initiative of the Year. Pictured with Audrey Kelly, Gala Retail and David Melinn from category sponsor, BAT
Four County Leitrim Gala stores have been recognised among the best in Ireland at the 2025 Gala Retail Delivering the Difference annual conference, held at the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney.
McGuire's Gala in Rooskey, Scollan’s Gala in Drumshanbo, Gala Mohill and Kieran's Gala in Carrick-on-Shannon all received Gala Retail Excellence Awards, celebrating their outstanding service, quality, and contribution to their local communities.
It was a particularly successful night for McGuire's Gala, which took home one of the evening’s top honours — Community Initiative of the Year — while Scollan's Gala was named runner-up in the Chilled Retailer category.
The Gala Excellence Awards are presented following a comprehensive and independent assessment process, with more retailers than ever achieving the standard this year — reflecting the group’s focus on innovation, quality, and community-centred retailing.
Gurpreet and Shashi Singh from Gala Mohill pictured with David Mayne, Gala Retail
“Gala Retail stores in County Leitrim consistently feature as some of the best performing stores across the group,” said Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail. “I’m delighted to see our Leitrim retailers getting the recognition they deserve and would like to thank each of the Gala store owners and their teams for their loyalty, hard work and dedication to quality convenience retailing.
“Our theme this year was Delivering the Difference, and these stores truly make a difference to their shoppers and communities every day.”
The conference, hosted by broadcaster Jacqui Hurley, also featured guest speakers Bernard Jackman and Geoff Ramm, and saw the announcement of €100,000 in Gala Greener Grants awarded to retailers. The grants are part of a €500,000 fund designed to help stores transition to more energy-efficient and sustainable operations.
John and Francis McGuire from McGuire's Gala, Rooskey pictured with David Mayne, Gala Retail (centre)
As one of Ireland’s most progressive convenience groups, Gala combines national expertise with local wholesaler support, ensuring each store is tailored to meet the needs of its community.
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