Midland Language Centre win top prize at County Longford Enterprise Awards

Midland Language Centre win top prize at County Longford Enterprise Awards
LEO Longford client business will represent Longford at National Enterprise Awards

Press Release
13 March 2023

Midland Language Centre take top prize at the County Longford Enterprise Awards, which took place on Friday, 10 March. The company will go onto represent Longford at the 23rd National Enterprise Awards which take place in Mansion House in Dublin on 1 June.

Winners Midland Language Centre provide homestay programmes for international students coming to Ireland to learn English. Set up by Clodagh Brady in 1976, the Centre has been managed by Angela Brady since 2004. It has grown significantly, with over 2,000 international students a year matched with host families and placed onto language programmes in over 120 schools across Ireland. Programmes vary in length from one year to shorter courses, including two to four week summer programmes with many activities and camps offered.

Other winners include:

  • Pallet Solutions Ltd, owned and managed by Enda McKeon, the business employs 16 people in the refurbishment and delivery of pallets to client companies throughout the midlands. The company has built a strong business serving a national market and providing valuable employment opportunities in the region.
  • Mark Cadam Ltd, a family-run business with over 40 years’ experience in haulage, quarry, plant hire and civil works. The company also operates a very successful animal bedding business which provides high-quality wood shavings bedding to the equine industry.
  • Áine’s Boutique in the centre of Longford town has been serving the greater Midlands for over 25 years. Owned and run by Aine Farrell, the business employs 11 people, with the boutique selling premium designer labels to compete with any city high-street boutique.
  • Spirit Clothing operates from their new, impressive premises at Main Street, Longford. Owned and run by Peter Dolan and Joe Flynn, the business employs 18 people. Stocking popular brands to suit every pocket, the business also has a major presence in the wedding suit hire and purchase market.
  • Skelly’s Bar, Restaurant and Guesthouse is situated on Main Street, Ballymahon. Operated by Pat and Patrice Byrne, the venue has an excellent reputation for its old-world charm and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant opens everyday and offers an extensive menu, with an emphasis on seasonal, locally produced food.
  • Louis Herterich, winner of the first ‘Spirit of Longford’ award. The Herterich family have had their business on Ballymahon Street since 1956. Alongside running this award-winning business, Louis Herterich has shown great vision for the town in turning a derelict site into a multi-use outdoor space known as Pig Market Lane. Since opening in Summer 2022, Pig Market Lane has become a hub for community events, and enhanced the streetscape of the town, complementing the newly-developed Market Square across the road.

Overall county winners, Midland Language Centre will now be competing against 30 other finalists from every local authority for a share of the €35,000 winner’s prize fund as national judging gets underway in May. In addition to eight regional awards, categories include ‘Best Export Business,’ ‘Best Start-Up’, ‘Innovation’, ‘One to Watch’ and the ‘Sustainability’ award.

This year’s awards follows on from previous successes. This includes last year’s Sustainability award to manufacturing company Cirtex Ltd from Shroid, County Longford

Among the special guests at the County Longford Enterprise Awards were Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Turlough Mc Govern, Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon, Director of Services Barbara Heslin, Longford Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry Hagan and Ballymahon Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Ross, Deputy Joe Flaherty TD and Senator Micheál Carrigy.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Turlough McGovern said, “These County Longford Enterprise Awards are all about celebrating the great businesses we have all around our county. I congratulate all the winners, particularly Midland Language Centre, a great local business with an impressive national and international reach. I wish them every success when they represent County Longford at the national finals in Dublin In June.”

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, “The Council, through the Local Enterprise Office, Longford, proudly supports and celebrates local business. County Longford is home to many well-known names and growing businesses, and Longford County Council and our Enterprise Office is always working to make County Longford a better place to do business in.”

Speaking at the event, Longford County Council Head of Enterprise Michael Nevin said, “The Annual Awards is an important event in the annual calendar, recognising the achievements of really progressive and forward thinking entrepreneurs. These business people create jobs, help communities retain its young people and bring wealth into the local economy and they deserve to be applauded for their efforts.”

The County Longford Enterprise Awards took place as part of Local Enterprise Week. For this week, over 300 events took place across the country, including business training to help entrepreneurs, start-ups and expanding business. It was organised by Local Enterprise Offices, and supported by Enterprise Ireland, local authorities, including Longford County Council, and the Government of Ireland.

For further information, check out LocalEnterprise.ie/Longford or follow Local Enterprise Office, Longford on social media.

ENDS

All media queries should be directed to the Longford County Council Communications Officer via mediaenquiries@longfordcoco.ie or by calling 043 334 4217.