Dundalk Chamber of Commerce has hailed the success of its festive North Pole Safari Trail, which saw 254 people take part and helped mark the 10-year anniversary of Dundalk Shop Local vouchers.

The Christmas trail encouraged families and visitors to explore Dundalk town centre by visiting ten participating local businesses, scanning QR codes displayed in shop windows and completing two themed routes, the Workshop Route and the Winterwood Route.

As part of the initiative, participants were entered into a draw to win €1,000 in Dundalk Shop Local vouchers, with Gillian Webb announced as the overall winner.

The ten businesses who took part in the trail were:

  • Rocksalt – Earl Street
  • McGuinness Pharmacy – Park Street
  • Ruby Nu – Park Street
  • Goldstar Jewellers – Demesne
  • Dundalk Tourist Office – Market Square
  • Mankind – Clanbrassil Street
  • Roe River Books – Clanbrassil Street
  • Eddie Maguire’s – Church Street
  • Conlon’s Food Hall – Church Street
  • McEvoy’s – Clanbrassil Street

Speaking following the conclusion of the trail, John McGahon, CEO of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, said:

“We wanted to acknowledge and celebrate ten years of Dundalk Shop Local vouchers while also bringing footfall and into the town and shops and we felt that a North Pole Safari would be good way of getting people on the streets of Dundalk.  We were delighted with the level of participation and I want to sincerely thank the ten local businesses who came on board and helped make this initiative such a success.”

Hanna McDonnell, President of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, also welcomed the success of the initiative, saying:

“Dundalk Shop Local continues to be one of the most effective ways of keeping money circulating within our local economy. This year alone, €2.5 million in Shop Local vouchers were sold, which is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to strength of the vouchers and how they are viewed by local businesses and shoppers alike. The participating businesses played a vital role, and initiatives like this show how working together can create positive experiences for shoppers while supporting local business