The Sligo Business Network held a reception to celebrate Yeats Day at the Irish Embassy in London on Tuesday 13th June.
The following is from SBN Chair Andy Rogers…
Sligo in London celebrates Yeats Day
A full house of guests who travelled over from Sligo joined up with the diaspora of The Sligo Business Network at the Embassy of Ireland to celebrate Yeats Day (13th June).
Ambassador Martin Fraser welcomed all and commended the Sligo Business Network (SBN) for continuing to promote business and social links between the diaspora and the institutions back home in Sligo.
Andy Rogers, chair of SBN introduced the theme of ‘Connections’ and encouraged all members to connect/network with one another and to keep up to date with the many good developments going on back home. He thanked the senior group who travelled over representing the County Council; The Sligo Chamber of Commerce, the ATU Sligo (Atlantic Technological University) together with the Cathaoirleach Michael Clarke and Frank Feighan, TD. He thanked The White Hag Brewery, Good4U snacks and the Business Post for helping to fill the goody bags.
Tara Rodgers on behalf of the Chamber, launched a new video directly aimed at encouraging diaspora to move back and avail of both excellent work opportunities and outstanding lifestyles.
Martin Lydon, CEO of Sligo Co. Co. took the audience through many of the new significant developments, just completed and in the planning across the whole county of Sligo. No stone is being left unturned to improve the infrastructure to benefit the local community and visitors.
Tommie Gorman, former RTE correspondent and author of recent best-seller ‘Never Better’, delivered a wonderful keynote address, looking at how Sligo had evolved during his lifetime and how optimistic he was for ongoing growth of Sligo, business, social and political. He also acknowledged the 103rd birthday this week of one of SBN’s longest serving members Sir Patrick Duffy KSG, who will shortly launch his second memoir.
Andy Rogers read the poem ‘The Stolen Child’ by WB Yeats in honour of Yeats Day. The evening concluded with a foot-tapping set on the button accordion from SBN member Paddy Gavin, an all-Ireland winner. A special evening at the Embassy.
Photo Credit – Malcolm McNally Photography
