On-trade

Publican wins RSA Leading Lights Business of the Year Award

Alan Gielty of Gielty’s Clew Bay pub, Achill, Co Mayo, has won the Road Safety Authority Leading Lights Business of the Year Award. He accepted the award from RSA Chairman Gay Byrne at a presentation at Farmleigh House recently.

Alan was honoured in the business category for his commitment to road safety, encouraging safe driving practices of his staff and patrons.
 
This initiative began in March 2011. While understanding the importance of road safety Alan also wanted to keep the traditional Irish meeting place alive, so to ensure that the locals could continue to enjoy their social lives or have a glass of wine with dinner, he bought a mini-bus and branded it with the quotes ‘You Drink, We Drive’ and ‘Ring me to bring ye to Gielty’s’ to get people to his pub but at the same time keep roads safe.
 
This service allows people anywhere on the island to call Alan at any time to bring them to the pub and also drop them home afterwards. It allows people to get to the pub for a drink, comfortable in the knowledge they have a safe way home at the end of the night.
 
VFI President Gerry Mellett commended Alan on his work in the community and the example he has shown to his peers.
 
“It is initiatives such as these that will drive recovery in the pub sector,” said Gerry Mellett, “Pubs are the hearts of communities throughout Ireland and Alan epitomises the important work that can be done to ensure that the Irish pub is kept relevant and accessible.
 
“The RSA is to be commended for acknowledging the efforts of people across the country promoting road safety in their communities,” he concluded.
 
 
Alan commented, “The initiative was born out of a need to encourage business, but as it developed we realised that we were providing a vital service for people in the area by maintaining an important social outlet and also helping to reduce accidents and fatalities on our roads”.


Sign Up for Drinks Industry Ireland

Get a free weekly update on Drinks Industry trade news, direct to your inbox. Sign up now, it's free