Winners of NOffLA Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2022 Announced

• Galvins Carry Out, Carrigaline awarded National Off-Licence of the Year at 26th industry Awards
• NOffLA calls for excise reduction to now be ‘seriously considered’ in light of Minimum Unit Pricing

The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has announced the winners of its annual Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2022 which is now in its twenty-sixth year. The Awards, which are usually held at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, were hosted online again this year, with plans to return to the in-person ceremony for next year’s event.

NOffLA, which was established in 1991, represents independent specialist off-licences across Ireland, with the sector representing 5,900 jobs in 26 counties. The Awards recognise and showcase the excellence of independent off-licences and highlight those retailers that offer exceptional service to customers and demonstrate excellence in retail standards.

Speaking about the Awards and the standard of entries this year, NOffLA Chairman, Gary O’Donovan said, “Tonight is a celebration of all that is great about the independent off-licence sector and community retailing. We are delighted to showcase the high level of expertise and innovation demonstrated by our members and the exceptional standard of service offered to their customers throughout the year. While we are all looking forward to a brighter year ahead, we hope the ethos of ‘shopping local’ and ‘supporting community businesses’ remains.

Mr O’Donovan continued, “The impact of the pandemic and closure of the hospitality sector for the best part of two years has had a devastating impact on the wider drinks sector. Their lack of trade has also had significant knock-on implications for our suppliers, as the overall industry has declined significantly.

“In this context, Government must now seriously consider policy measures to assist the sector to get back on its feet and this must start with Irish excise rates – which remain the highest in Europe. We now have Minimum Unit Pricing in place, a targeted alcohol pricing policy that prevents alcohol being retailed at dangerously low prices and so Ireland’s punitively high excise regime can no longer be justified in the name of public health. It is so important that Government grants an excise reduction to help support these struggling businesses as they try to re-establish themselves.”

The Awards, which included 36 finalists, saw Galvins Carry Out, Carrigaline awarded ‘National Off-Licence of the Year 2022’, O’Donovans Off-Licence Group awarded ‘Responsible Retailer of the Year 2022’ and 64 Wine Glasthule awarded ‘Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2022’.

All 36 finalists were awarded certificates of ‘Excellence’ and a Customer Service Award based on their performance. Other awards on the night included:

The Champagne Ayala Best First Time Entrant 2022 – Carry Out Ballinasloe
The Peroni Nastro Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2022 – 64 Wine Glasthule
The El Coto Customer Service Award of the Year 2022 – Molloys Clondalkin
The Redbreast Spirit Specialist of the Year 2022 – Higgins Off-Licence Clonskeagh
The Guinness Beer Specialist of the Year 2022 – James Redmond & Sons Ranelagh
The Dona Paula Wine Specialist of the Year 2022 – Jus De Vine Portmarnock
The Hennessy Munster Off-Licence of the Year 2022 – Carry Out The Reeks Killarney
The Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Connacht/Ulster Off-Licence of the Year 2022 – Dicey’s Off-Licence Ballyshannon
The Alpha Zeta Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2022 – The Wine Centre Kilkenny
The Bombay Sapphire Dublin Off-Licence of the Year 2022 – McHugh’s Off-Licence Malahide Road
The NOffLA RTC Online Trainee of the Year 2022 – Robert O’Brien, McHugh’s Off-Licence Malahide Road
The NOffLA Responsible Retailer of the Year 2022 – O’Donovans Off-Licence Group
The NOffLA National Off-Licence of the Year 2022 – Galvins Carry Out Carrigaline

Judging for the Awards involves an examination of over 100 aspects of each entrant’s business and the process was altered this year to align with Government Covid-19 guidelines. Final awards were allocated following this process.

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