Inishowen Co-Op wins national award for commitment to community support 

Inishowen Co-Op has been awarded the Excellence in Community Outreach accolade at the 2024 Octabuild Awards, held at the Mansion House in Dublin. 

This prestigious national recognition highlights the Co-Op’s outstanding commitment to community support and development across the Inishowen region.

The Octabuild Awards have been celebrating excellence in the builders' merchant trade for over 35 years, with eight leading manufacturers – Dulux, Etex Ireland, Glennon Brothers, Grant Engineering, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Kingspan Insulation, and Wavin Ireland – as founding members. The awards seek to acknowledge builders' merchants that go above and beyond in areas such as community engagement, innovation, and customer service.

Chairman of Inishowen Co-Op John Ruddy, expressed his delight in receiving the award, commending the board and the entire team for their dedication to upholding the cooperative ethos. "Building on community partnerships is at the forefront of what we do. This award reflects our commitment to supporting the tight-knit community of Inishowen, providing employment, economic growth, and opportunities while always prioritising profit with a purpose, which is the essence of cooperative movements worldwide," he stated.

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Inishowen Co-Op’s community support spans numerous impactful projects and initiatives, including the sponsorship of Spraoi Agus Sport, provision of life-saving defibrillators, support for defective blocks community and support of mental health and wellbeing programmes.

Inishowen Co-Op also regularly collaborates with local non-profit organisations and voluntary groups, providing them a platform to raise funds and share their message, thus ensuring widespread community impact.

Marketing manager Lizzie Kelly shared her joy about the award, saying, "This recognition is a testament to  all the team in Inishowen Co-Op and the value we place on building partnerships. Supporting the community is vital to our day to day communication and marketing plans."

The 2024 Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards gala, hosted by Lucy Kennedy, took place in the iconic Round Room at the Mansion House, with entertainment provided by award-winning comedian Neil Delamere. The event brought together industry leaders to celebrate the achievements of outstanding builders' merchants across Ireland.

Inishowen Co-Op wishes to thank everyone for their support in helping them achieve this national award and bring it home to Donegal.