Popular Bray man, Rob Moran, who has worked tirelessly for local charities, has been named Bray Person of the Year at the 2019 Bray Endeavour Awards, presented by Bray & District Chamber and sponsored by Commscope. The Awards, which included a range of presentations to Bray’s civic, community and commercial heroes, were made at a gala awards ceremony attended by 300 guests held in the Royal Hotel tonight (Friday 18th Oct 2019).  

First presented in 1981, the annual Bray & District Chamber Endeavour Awards are designed to promote a strong sense of identity within the community of Bray and foster civic spirit within the area. The Endeavour Awards recognise and reward outstanding contributions to the local economy, as well as Bray & District’s cultural and civic development, whether by individuals, businesses or local organisations. 

Sponsored by Event sponsors Commscope, reception sponsors The Royal Hotel and award sponsors AIB, Bank of Ireland, Bray Tourism, Wicklow County Council, Sea Life, Shoreline and Platinum Financial Planning, thousands of votes were recorded for this year’s Endeavour Awards from across the community where members of the public voted for their Businesses of the year and their employee of the year. There was an emotional standing ovation when Rob Moran was named person of the year as the final award was presented. 

The 2019 Bray & District Chamber of Commerce Endeavour Award winners are: 

Person of the Year: Rob Moran for his charity work for local groups like Martin Codyre and The Gavin Glynn Foundation and his sporting success that includes three Iron man competitions this year. 

Lifetime Achievement: Zan O’Loughlin for her work with the Arts and music in Bray over several decades and her fundraising for local groups. 

Civic: Adam Burke for his community work with Ballywaltrim Community playground, with Youth Clubs in Bray, his work with The Comedy Festival and his work with Youth pod. 

Community: Open Door provides facilities and activities for adults with varying disabilities, celebrating 35 years of caring in the community 

Sports Achievement The U16s Ladies Bray Rowing Club For their successful season winning Gold medals in the U 16s Patrick’s Regatta, the Greystones Regatta, the Wicklow Regatta, the Bray Regatta. East Coast Regatta Gold winners and 2nd in the all Ireland Rowing Championships. 

Young Achievers Arts Eimear Carvill (Loreto) 

Sports Thea Fogarty (Loreto), 

Academics Rory Mulcahy and Killian Bourke (Pres Bray) 

Sports Team U14 girls Bray Emmets 

In addition, Bray & District Chamber presented awards to local businesses 

Retailer of the year: Fleurtique 

Online Retailer of the year: Arcade jewelllers 

Emerging Business of the year Catalyst 

Small Business Bray Homecare 

Large Business Oriflame 

Manufacturing Business Key Plastics 

Hospitality Venue Maison Moli 

Employee of the year Natalie Moloney Tesco 

Speaking at the Awards, Chamber President Ruth Donnelly paid tribute to all those who had been honoured in this year’s awards. “At Bray Chamber, we see these awards as our opportunity, and the opportunity of the community, to say thank you for the tireless efforts that have made to better the business and community life of our town in our community. These Awards are unique in that all recipients are nominated by the people of Bray, making the annual Endeavour Awards the premier public accolade that our community can bestow”