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West Cavan leisure company Out-Doors & Dirty is celebrating this week at being Highly Commended in the 2009 JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business which took place at the Mullingar Park Hotel on 10th March.
Now in its third year, the awards are organised by Teagasc and the Dept of Agriculture Northern Ireland, and sponsored by JFC and the Farmers Journal. There are three categories, namely; Energy/Manufacturing, Value Added/Speciality Food, and Services/ Rural Tourism. More than half the 90 entrants this year were in the Services/Rural Tourism category.
At the launch of this year’s competition Mr. Brendan Smith TD. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food spoke of the need for more rural innovative business and sustainable job creation and said that “achieving in the JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business has given confidence, national recognition and practical support to many new rural businesses, which are an inspiration for the future.”
ODD’s Directors John and Janet Bennett said they were delighted that their Ballyconnell-based extreme experience company had made such a good impression on the three judges. “Starting a rural business is challenging at any time, so being acknowledged by a national business award in this way is real validation that your business is on track. It becomes all the more valuable when that award is focussed on recognising innovation.”
Of the 90 entrants ODD was the only tourism entry in the entire five-county North West Tourism Region and the only Cavan entry in any category, which is disappointing when compared to 30 entries from Kerry alone!
The Bennetts were fortunate to have had great support and LEADER funding at start up from Cavan Monaghan Rural Development. It was CMRD’s tourism officer John Toland who encouraged them to enter the competition.
Not yet two years old, ODD has quickly established its outdoor adventure park at Brackley Lake near Bawnboy as one of the most popular activity and team building venues in Ireland, offering numerous unique experiences including solo hovercrafting, mud buggy racing and woodland laser combat games. This success they say is due mostly to customer recommendation.
Although tourism and leisure has been reported as being affected by the economic downturn, the team at ODD say their phone is as busy as ever. “We have created some new, competitively priced multi activity packages for 2009, which are selling well. Everyone needs a little bit of fun now and again, and our experiences are perfect for letting off steam, or for special occasions such as stag weekends or milestone birthday gifts.”
For more information contact ODD on 049 9523 877 or log on to www.odd.ie
To make a comment or view what others say log onto
Talktourism website
Now in its third year, the awards are organised by Teagasc and the Dept of Agriculture Northern Ireland, and sponsored by JFC and the Farmers Journal. There are three categories, namely; Energy/Manufacturing, Value Added/Speciality Food, and Services/ Rural Tourism. More than half the 90 entrants this year were in the Services/Rural Tourism category.
At the launch of this year’s competition Mr. Brendan Smith TD. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food spoke of the need for more rural innovative business and sustainable job creation and said that “achieving in the JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business has given confidence, national recognition and practical support to many new rural businesses, which are an inspiration for the future.”
ODD’s Directors John and Janet Bennett said they were delighted that their Ballyconnell-based extreme experience company had made such a good impression on the three judges. “Starting a rural business is challenging at any time, so being acknowledged by a national business award in this way is real validation that your business is on track. It becomes all the more valuable when that award is focussed on recognising innovation.”
Of the 90 entrants ODD was the only tourism entry in the entire five-county North West Tourism Region and the only Cavan entry in any category, which is disappointing when compared to 30 entries from Kerry alone!
The Bennetts were fortunate to have had great support and LEADER funding at start up from Cavan Monaghan Rural Development. It was CMRD’s tourism officer John Toland who encouraged them to enter the competition.
Not yet two years old, ODD has quickly established its outdoor adventure park at Brackley Lake near Bawnboy as one of the most popular activity and team building venues in Ireland, offering numerous unique experiences including solo hovercrafting, mud buggy racing and woodland laser combat games. This success they say is due mostly to customer recommendation.
Although tourism and leisure has been reported as being affected by the economic downturn, the team at ODD say their phone is as busy as ever. “We have created some new, competitively priced multi activity packages for 2009, which are selling well. Everyone needs a little bit of fun now and again, and our experiences are perfect for letting off steam, or for special occasions such as stag weekends or milestone birthday gifts.”
For more information contact ODD on 049 9523 877 or log on to www.odd.ie
To make a comment or view what others say log onto
Talktourism website
