Dermot Rainey, a leading estate agent and former Chamber President received the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Letterkenny’s business community over five decades.
Dermot, the Managing Director of Sherry FitzGerald Rainey recieved Letterkenny Chamber’s Hall of Fame award at a ceremony in the Mount Errigal Hotel last night.
Dermot has been involved in the family estate agency since 1974, said he felt “greatly honoured and humbled” following the recognition by his business peers in Donegal on Friday night.
He said: “It’s a huge honour to be recognised by Letterkenny Chamber members for my contribution to business in the town through the years. As many will know, I have struggled with health issues in recent times but I’m now looking towards a bright future for the family business at Sherry FitzGerald Rainey Estate Agents.”
Dermot’s Hall of Fame recognition follows Sherry FitzGerald Rainey’s recent return to its original premises at 45 Port Road, Letterkenny after the business relocated to Market Square in 1990 and later to Canal House in 1999.
“The Rainey family business has been thriving in Letterkenny since 1949 and – although there have been many ups, downs and moves along the way – we have always enjoyed serving the local community to the highest standard. We’ve now come full circle, having returned to our original home at 45 Port Road – so in that respect this truly touching recognition is very timely.”
Dermot added: “I feel greatly honoured and humbled to receive this ‘Hall of Fame’ accolade in the presence of my family, friends and business colleagues. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported our family business throughout the years. In particular, I will be eternally thankful to those who assisted in helping me get back on my feet following my recent poor health – not least my wife Mary and our children.”
Letterkenny Chamber CEO, Toni Forrester, said: “We are delighted to recognise the sterling contribution that Dermot Rainey has made to the business and social fabric of Letterkenny. The Rainey family is very long-standing in Letterkenny business circles and has weathered
many storms to come back on top thanks to Dermot’s astute leadership. He is a man of whom Letterkenny is very proud and the Chamber is honoured to welcome him into the Hall of Fame.”
Letterkenny Business Awards 2016 was hosted by Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, in association with the Donegal News, in the Mount Errigal Hotel. The ‘Hall of Fame’ award was sponsored by City of Derry Airport.
Overall award winners:
Business Person of the Year – Eddie Tobin.
Hall of Fame – Dermot Rainey, Sherry Fitzgerald Rainey.
Retailer of the Year – R McCullagh Jewellers
Best Use of Social Media – Rushe Fitness
Business Excellence – Donegal Oil Company
Best Start Up – Peadar Jim’s Property Maintenance
Growth through Export – Nomadic Dairy
Best Innovation – SITA
Excellence in Marketing – Lottie Dolls (Arklu)
Excellence in Customer Service – Joe’s Butchers
Excellence in E-Commerce – Petworld.ie
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