Gildernew congratulates Glen Tender Ltd on winning all Ireland innovation award

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA travelled to Mullingar, County West Meath, to congratulate the winners in the JFC Innovation Awards and to co-host the presentation dinner.

Speaking during the Awards ceremony the Minister said: “This competition is all about encouraging and providing tangible support for innovation in the countryside. There is no doubt about the need for rural dwellers to continue, as they have in the past, to investigate different ways of using their resources. Whether it is their land, buildings, expertise or farm produce – they continue to work towards securing a sustainable future for their families and the wider rural community.

“Growing Opportunities Together is the theme of the North’s Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 and that is exactly what I intend the RDP to achieve. With a budget of £543 million the RDP represents one of the largest ever investments in rural communities in the North. In the current economic climate the potential offered by this level of investment is tremendous.”

The Minister congratulated the overall winners: Ivan McMullan, Andy Bryan and Harry McGaffin of Glen Tender Ltd from Co Antrim; the three category winners Nicholas Dunne, Co Wexford; Michael McMahon, Co Limerick and the Edwards Family, Co Donegal and all 12 finalists. The finalists included three other entries from the North – Patrick and Claire Hughes, Glenvale Waste Ltd, Co Armagh; Andrew Baxter, Sperrin Fabrications, Co Tyrone and Jane Harnett, the Traditional Hemp Company, Co Down.  She also congratulated Maurice and Judith Patton, Grave Concern, Co Down; Arlene Robertson & Richard Dougan, Lurgaboy Adventure Centre, Co Armagh and Adrian Morrow, Antrim Estate Co Ltd whose entries were highly commended by the judges.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Minister jointly launched the JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business along with Minister Brendan Smith TD and Minister Eamon O’Cuiv TD in Cavan last September.
2. The competition is jointly sponsored by DARD and Teagasc, in association with JFC Manufacturing and the Irish Farmers Journal.
3. The overall prize fund for the competition is €40,000. This includes cash prizes of €12,000 provided by JFC Manufacturing, advertising in the Irish Farmers Journal valued at €14,000 and mentoring and business support provided by DARD and Teagasc valued at €14,000.
4. The competition attracted 89 entries – 17 from Northern Ireland and 72 from the Republic of Ireland.
5. The overall winner, Glen Tender Ltd, was established in 2007 by 3 local farmers. They set about creating a leading brand of specialist Northern Ireland bred Aberdeen Angus beef under the Glen Tender brand. The beef is matured for 21 days and is recognised for its taste and tenderness. They have already received two gold stars for their beef at the Great Taste Awards. They sell their beef direct to consumers through their farm shop, box schemes, online and through restaurants.
6. Further information about the finalists is available on: www.dardni.gov.uk/jfc_innovation_awards_for_rural_business
7. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, telephone 028 9052 4619. Out of hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440, and your call will be returned.