Inver celebrates its outstanding forecourt network
Inver Energy, a trusted supplier of quality fuels in Ireland for over 40 years, hosted its Retail Conference and Awards 2024 at the Europe Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry, on October 3rd. The event brought together Inver forecourt operators, suppliers and team members from across the country to discuss the future trajectory of retail fuels, celebrate exceptional achievements, and strengthen the bonds within the Inver network.
Inver Retail Conference 2024
During the conference, speakers shared their insights on the current fuel industry and explored the factors influencing Ireland’s future market. Inver’s retail team spoke about the future of retail forecourt operations and how Inver can support its independent dealers as they navigate the energy transition. A presentation on Inver’s Leading Lights initiative concluded the conference, highlighting the importance of continuously supporting the communities they serve.
“The Inver Retail Conference is an opportunity for us to come together and address the future of the industry. As we debate changes in the sector, it is important to maintain in-person relationships with our forecourt operators and partners,” said John O’Leary, Inver’s Managing Director. “Inver’s success is based on the hard work of forecourt operators and their staff, and with the Inver Retail Awards, we recognise their accomplishments and encourage their growth as they adjust to meet the changing needs of Irish consumers.”
Inver Retail Awards 2024
The evening was dedicated to celebrating the Inver forecourt network’s achievements and awarding 12 worthy recipients. The winners were carefully chosen from over 118 Inver service stations across Ireland, of which 37 were nominated as finalists. The selection process was incredibly challenging, as all Inver forecourts operate by exceptional standards. Billy Massey, Inver’s Head of Retail Fuels, hosted the award ceremony where John O’Leary and Adam Traeger, CEO of Greenergy, presented the winners with their awards.
Kicking off the night, O’Flaherty’s Inver Dingle took home the Excellence in Customer Service award, which acknowledges retailers that consistently exceed expectations to provide a positive experience to every customer.
In the category of Excellence in Sustainability, Foley’s Inver Tralee was celebrated for its sustainability practices and efforts to reduce carbon emissions in their store and forecourt.
With exceptional performance in maintaining high Health and Safety standards for both clients and employees, Inver Fermoy was awarded the Excellence in Safety award.
The Heart of the Community category recognises businesses that have made a positive impact in their community. This year’s winner, Ely’s Inver Urlingford, was acknowledged for being a true Inver Leading Lights champion, utilising all available funds to support local charities, organisations and groups that are improving their communities. Ely’s are also well known for their dedication to sponsoring a number of local initiatives and fundraisers.
With a strong and devoted team that consistently delivers a high-quality customer experience, Inver Castlecomer Road claimed the Store of the Year award among Inver’s company-owned and operated stores.
The Forecourts of the Year
This year’s Forecourt of the Year awards honoured the best businesses within the Inver network. The awards were divided into three categories based on size, with winners selected for their commitment to quality that exceeds expectations and well-maintained facilities.
The recipients were:
- Small Forecourt of the Year: Moynihan’s Inver Adare
- Medium Forecourt of the Year: Ryan’s Inver Newport
- Large Forecourt of the Year: O’Brien’s Inver Bishopstown
The three winners were in the running for the biggest recognition of the night, with O’Brien’s Inver Bishopstown taking home the prestigious Overall Forecourt of the Year award. This service station was rewarded for its modern facilities, attractive offering, and ability to adapt to evolving market demands.
“Winning not only Forecourt of the Year in the category Large but also the Overall Forecourt of the Year Award is an incredible achievement, especially as we mark the 10th anniversary of our station. These awards recognise our team’s hard work and commitment over the past decade,” said Anthony O’Brien, owner of Inver Bishopstown, expressing his excitement about receiving the award.
People Awards
The Inver Retail Awards 2024 also acknowledged the contributions of employees and managers across the network. The Staff Member of the Year award was given to Aadhil Mohammed Raffi from Gleeson’s Inver Hurlers Cross due to his positive attitude and dedication to customer service, which have made him a beloved figure among customers and colleagues.
Siobhan Willis from Behan’s Inver Castledermot was awarded Manager of the Year. The award celebrates Siobhan’s 18-year journey with the business and is well-deserved honour given her exceptional leadership, deep commitment to customer care and ability to foster a positive working environment.
Lastly, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sean Mulrooney, a seasoned professional in the industry. Since purchasing his first service station in 1994, Sean has expanded his operations while maintaining a strong family-run operation with four Inver sites under their name. Well-known and highly respected within the trade, Sean received a standing ovation from fellow dealers.
| INVER RETAIL AWARDS 2024 WINNERS AND FINALISTS | ||
| EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE | WINNER | O’Flaherty’s Inver Dingle, Co. Kerry |
| FINALISTS | Down’s Inver Crossbarry, Co. Cork | |
| Ely’s Inver Thurles, Co. Tipperary | ||
| Inver Fermoy, Co. Cork | ||
| EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY | WINNER | Foley’s Inver Tralee, Co. Kerry |
| FINALISTS | Ryan’s Inver Ballyroan, Co. Laois | |
| Inver Adams of Glin, Co. Limerick | ||
| Sharkey’s Inver Tuam, Co. Galway | ||
| Lynch’s Inver Freshford, Co. Kilkenny | ||
| EXCELLENCE IN SAFETY | WINNER | Inver Fermoy, Co. Cork |
| FINALISTS | O’Hare’s Inver Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny | |
| O’Donoghue’s Inver Barraduff, Co. Kerry | ||
| Mulrooney’s Inver Roscrea, Co. Tipperary | ||
| Inver Ennis Road, Co. Limerick | ||
| HEART OF THE COMMUNITY | WINNER | Ely’s Inver Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny |
| FINALISTS | Sharkey’s Inver Tuam, Co. Galway | |
| Dempsey’s Inver Portarlington, Co. Laois | ||
| Cooney’s Inver Coachford, Co. Cork | ||
| STORE OF THE YEAR | WINNER | Inver Castlecomer Road, Co. Kilkenny |
| FINALISTS | Inver Old Cork Road, Co. Limerick | |
| Inver Bansha Road, Co. Tipperary | ||
| BEST FORECOURT SMALL | WINNER | Moynihan’s Inver Adare, Co. Limerick |
| FINALISTS | Inver Adams of Glin, Co. Limerick | |
| Ely’s Inver Thurles, Co. Tipperary | ||
| Cooney’s Inver Coachford, Co. Cork | ||
| Ryan’s Inver Askeaton, Co. Limerick | ||
| BEST FORECOURT
MEDIUM |
WINNER | Ryan’s Inver Newport, Co. Tipperary |
| FINALISTS | Gleeson’s Inver Hurlers Cross, Co. Limerick | |
| Foley’s Inver Tralee, Co. Kerry | ||
| O’Flaherty’s Inver Dingle, Co. Kerry | ||
| Dempsey’s Inver Portarlington, Co. Laois | ||
| BEST FORECOURT LARGE | WINNER | O’Brien’s Inver Bishopstown, Co. Cork |
| FINALISTS | Gleeson’s Inver Punches Cross, Co. Limerick | |
| Inver Fermoy, Co. Cork | ||
| Kelliher’s Inver Tralee, Co. Kerry | ||
| Inver Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan | ||
| OVERALL FORECOURT OF THE YEAR | WINNER | O’Brien’s Inver Bishopstown, Co. Cork |
| MANAGER OF THE YEAR | WINNER | Siobhan Willis, Behan’s Inver Castledermot, Co. Kildare |
| FINALISTS | Agnieszka Maslanka, Inver Clane, Co. Kildare | |
| Colin Manning, O’Brien’s Inver Bishopstown, Co. Cork | ||
| Nicola Daly, Broderick’s Inver Shanagarry, Co, Cork | ||
| John Hourigan, Gleeson’s Inver Hurlers Cross, Co. Limerick | ||
| Dagmar Kolesarova, Kelliher’s Inver Tralee, Co. Kerry | ||
| Gaven O’Connor, Inver Adams of Glin, Co. Limerick | ||
| STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR | WINNER | Aadhil Mohammed Raffi, Gleeson’s Inver Hurlers Cross, Co. Limerick |
| FINALISTS | Tanya Punnakal, Inver Clane, Co Kildare | |
| Shinead Murphy, O’Brien’s Inver Bishopstown, Co. Cork | ||
| Natalia Zaniewska, Behan’s Inver Castledermot, Co. Kildare | ||
| LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT | WINNER | Sean Mulrooney, Mulrooney’s Birr, Co. Offaly and Mulrooney’s Portumna, Nenagh & Roscrea, Co. Tipperary |
Excellence Awards
O’Flaherty’s Inver Dingle won the Excellence in Customer Service award.
John O’Leary, Inver Managing Director; Barry Coll, Inver Area Sales Manager; Adam Traeger, CEO of Greenergy.
| Foley’s Inver Tralee won the Excellence in Sustainability award.
Ben Lenihan, Inver Retail Director and Norman Foley, Foley’s Group. |
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| Inver Fermoy won Excellence in Safety award.
John O’Leary, Inver Managing Director; David O’Brien, Inver Area Manager; Adam Traeger, CEO of Greenergy. |
| Ely’s Inver Urlingford won the Heart of the Community award. The Ely’s Group were also finalists for Best Customer Service and Forecourt of the Year Large, with Inver Thurles.
Anna Hickey, Inver Marketing Manager; Eileen Ely and Regina Ely, Ely’s Group; Ben Lenihan, Inver Retail Director. |
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| Inver Castlecomer Road won the Store of the Year award.
John O’Leary, Inver Managing Director; Graham Kelly, Inver Castlecomer Road Forecourt Manager; Adam Traeger, CEO of Greenergy. |
Forecourts of the Year
| Moynihan’s Inver Adare won Forecourt of the Year – Small category.
Barry Coll, Inver Area Sales Manager; Ben Lenihan, Inver Retail Director; Daniel Moynihan, Inver Adare. |
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| Ryan’s Inver Newport won the Forecourt of the Year – Medium category.
Ben Lenihan, Inver Retail Director; Tom Ryan and Daniel Hogan, Inver Newport; Barry Coll, Inver Area Sales Manager. |
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| O’Brien’s Inver Bishopstown won Forecourt of the Year – Large category.
Keith McGouran, Inver Area Sales Manager; Michelle O’Brien and Anthony O’Brien, Inver O’Brien’s Bishopstown; Ben Lenihan, Inver Retail Director. |
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| O’Brien’s Inver Bishopstown won Overall Forecourt of the Year.
John O’Leary, Inver Managing Director; Michelle O’Brien and Anthony O’Brien, Inver O’Brien’s Bishopstown; Adam Traeger, CEO of Greenergy. |
People Awards
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| Aadhil Mohammed Raffi from Gleeson’s Inver Hurlers Cross won the Staff Member of the Year award. The Gleeson’s Group were also finalists for Forecourt of the Year Medium (Inver Hurlers Cross), Forecourt of the Year Large (Inver Punches Cross) and Manager of the Year award (John Hourigan).
Michael Gleeson, Orla Gleeson, Catriona Clancy, Andzelika Kwiatkowska, Aadhil Mohammed Raffi and Shane Gleeson, Gleeson’s Group; Ben Lenihan, Inver Retail Director. |
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| Siobhan Willis of Behan’s Inver Castledermot won the Manager of the Year award. The forecourt was also nominated for Staff Member of the Year (Natalia Zaniewska). Siobhan Willis, Inver Castledermot; Ben Lenihan, Inver Retail Director; Peter Behan, Inver Castledermot. |
| Sean Mulrooney was presented with the Lifetime Achievement award.
Ben Lenihan, Inver Retail Director; Shane Mulrooney, Sean Mulrooney, Rita Mulrooney, Paula Murray and Eoin Mulrooney, Mulrooney’s Group. |
