Drogheda businesses are being encouraged to enter the spotlight as part of a national search for Ireland’s Favourite Local Business 2026.
Residents can nominate a local shop, restaurant, salon, hotel, attraction or service they believe deserves recognition, with €2,000 in Town & City Gift Cards up for grabs.
The business named Ireland’s Favourite Local Business will receive a €1,000 Town & City Gift Card, while one person who nominated the winning business will also receive a €1,000 gift card.
For Drogheda entrants, that prize could be issued as a Love Drogheda Gift Card.
Supporting local businesses
The competition is being backed locally by Love Drogheda BID, which launched the Love Drogheda Gift Card in 2020.
The card can currently be used across more than 240 participating businesses in Drogheda and the surrounding area, covering retail, hospitality, leisure and services.
Among the participating businesses are large retailers and independent local businesses, giving recipients a wide choice of places to spend locally.
Love Drogheda says the gift card programme is designed to keep more spending within the local economy and support businesses across the town.
Trevor Connolly, CEO of Love Drogheda BID, said:
“Six years on from launch and the Love Drogheda Gift Card is going from strength to strength which is down to the support of local people, and the wealth of choice on offer through the card. It’s the ultimate ‘shop local’ Gift Card; there is something for everyone. We’re backing Ireland’s Favourite Local Business 2026 to put Drogheda’s local businesses in the spotlight for this national competition. If there’s a Drogheda business you think deserves to be recognised, take a moment to nominate them.”
How to nominate
Nominations are free and people are asked to submit the name of the local business they believe should win, along with a reason for their choice.
The competition is part of the wider Town & City Gift Cards initiative operated by Miconex.
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said:
“Our 2026 research in Ireland has shown that support for local is extremely high, with 99% of people keen to support local businesses, and 73% saying it has become more important. Buying the Love Drogheda Gift Card or nominating in Ireland’s Favourite Local Business is an easy way to show your support for local businesses. Being nominated in the competition, and potentially winning Ireland’s Favourite Local Business would be a huge boost for any business.”
The competition closes on 30th November 2026.
Nominations can be made free through the official Ireland’s Favourite Local Business competition website.
