2018 has been an incredible year for us here in McElhinneys. There were so many great moments throughout the year it was almost impossible to compile a list of just 10!!
Sharing Beauty Expertise with our Makeup Masterclasses
We have had an amazing year of Beauty with renowned artists and beauty experts travelling from all over the globe to showcase their talent in our Beauty Hall. Our Masterclasses are always full without fail, with ladies of Donegal and beyond wanting to learn from the best and extend their beauty and skincare knowledge. Some of our favorites from 2018 include Danielle Mahon for Shiseido, Alan Pan for Estée Lauder and Fortunato Benavoli for Lancome.
A Year of Fabulous Fashion
2018 has been an amazing year for our Ladies Fashion, with events and appearances throughout the country. We showcased our amazing styling on Irish television throughout the year on RTÉ Today with Maura & Daithi and Ireland AM.
We were honoured to be asked to participate in the Fashion Show curated by fashion legend Gok Wan for his Fashion & Beauty Collective in Sligo on the 24th of June. During May, we were honoured to take part in Lisa’s Lust List Live, with blogger Lisa McGowan as part of her Fashion Show in Portlaoise. Finally, in the month of October we were delighted to host stylist Cathy O’Connor in our Women's Department giving one-on-one styling appointments and a workshop for our amazing customers.
Award Wins & Nominations across the Store
This year our Women's Department was crowned the winners of the prestigious ‘Mother of the Bride Retailer of the Year’ awarded by Ireland’s Wedding Journal. We were delighted to be recognized with this prestigious award once again having previously won this award in 2017, 2016 & 2015.
We were also nominated for ‘Bridal Retailer’ and ‘Groomsman Supplier of the Year’ for the same award ceremony which was a huge honor for our Men’s & Bridal Departments. Our stunning Bridal Rooms were also nominated as the ‘Best Bridal Boutique’ in Ireland by the Image Boutique Awards 2018. Finally, we were delighted that our Lingerie Department was been shortlisted in the Stars Underlines Best Shop Awards.
We didn’t win on the night, but we were featured in the Stars 10 years of Excellence list.
Celebrating Shop Local in Ballybofey & Stranorlar
During March of 2018, we celebrated ‘Shop Local’ Week along with the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Chamber of Commerce. The week was celebrated by the local businesses here in the Twin Towns.
All week we showcased our Irish-design products here in store and gave a behind the scenes look at the local suppliers we use here in store. This year we were also delighted to partner with the Hatter Coffee Company to bring the best coffee to our Old Finn Cafe.
We also celebrated Shop Local Week by taking a staff photo during March, which shows just how many people work here in McElhinneys!
Beauty Hall Launch with Suzanne Jackson & our New Beauty Lounge
We kicked of the Fashion Season of 2018 with our Spring/Summer Trend weekend.
A full itinerary of 3-packed days… there really was something for everyone. Highlights of the weekend included a fashion show, wardrobe workshops, trend talks, great discounts, giveaways and more.
The excitement of the weekend peaked when we officially opened our new Beauty Hall. The ribbon was cut by special guest, Irish Blogger, Suzanne Jackson aka SoSueMe.
Since the renovation of the Beauty Hall we were also delighted to launch our Beauty Lounge. This luxurious and calming space was carefully created to cater to any beauty and skincare needs.
Our stunning Beauty Lounge has an amazing menu of treatments that you can choose from, and the price of your treatment is fully redeemable in our Beauty Hall, so you can take some luxury home with you!
A McElhinneys First, our Kids Quiet Night
During the month of August, the staff in our Kids Department decided to run the first ever McElhinneys Quiet Night. The idea behind the Kids Quiet Night is that children with learning difficulties or disabilities could shop in quieter and more sensory friendly environment. The first, and subsequent monthly Quiet Nights’ take place after the store closes. Running after closing time ensures the store is less busy and also there is parking close to the store. On the night there is no music, announcements, televisions, dimmed lighting and there is one-on-one assistance. The Quiet Nights’ will continue in 2019 taking place from 6:30-8pm on the first Wednesday of every month.
History Retold during National Heritage Week
We were delighted to celebrate National Heritage Week in store this year from the 23rd-25th August. We partnered with the Ballybofey, Stranorlar & District Historical Group to create a photographic exhibition display in our foyer. The display showcased old pictures from Ballybofey, Stranorlar and surrounding areas, and we could see the changes that have shaped our towns and villages. The display was of huge interest, with people coming from all over to reminisce over the display and share their own stories.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month with our Ambassador, My Right Tata
Year-on-Year we spend the month of October highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and 2018 was no exception. This year we were delighted to partner with Orla Maguire, an inspirational young breast cancer survivor for a month of information sharing and awareness.
Orla, who runs the popular Facebook page, My Right Tata, recorded an inspiring video sharing her story. We also highlighted our own Lingerie Services here in store, with our trained prosthesis and mastectomy experts here in store who are always on hand to help.
The month concluded with an Afternoon Tea in aid of Cancer Care West. Guest speakers, Orla Maguire & our own Jackie McGavigan, shared their experiences and stories. Although October is well over, we would like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to perform regular self-checks throughout the year.
McElhinneys Staff Sleepout for the Simon Community
On a cold night in November (10th), a group of staff and management in McElhinneys gave up home comforts for 1 night in solidarity with the homeless people of Ireland and slept outside the front of the store.
The Staff Sleepout was organised in aid of the North West Simon Community, and our aim was to raise much needed funds and awareness of the plight of homelessness in Ireland today.
We were delighted to raise a grand total of €9,038 in aid of the North West Simon Community.
Once again, we would like to thank everyone who donated so generously in aid of this amazing cause, including the local businesses who supported us on the night.
Christmas at McElhinneys... Bigger and Better than Ever
Christmas is always our favourite time of year, with an amazing buzz and atmosphere around the store and the town. Our Christmas Season really kicks off, as always, with the unveiling of our iconic Christmas Windows– and 2018 was no exception.
Thousands of people gathered on Main Street Ballybofey on Sunday the 18th November for the Window Unveiling, designed and made by the creative team here in McElhinneys, and by all accounts it is our best window yet!
The Windows this year are titled ‘A Journey Through Christmas, Where Time Comes to Life’ and follows two children as they board a magical train and journey through a Winter Wonderland to the North Pole. Another highlight of our year is our Annual Big Shopping Day, which took place this year on Tuesday, 4th December. The store was bustling with eager shoppers during our 12-hour day, open as always from 10am-10pm for one day only.
2018 also marks the first ever Christmas Advert released by McElhinneys. The Campaign focuses on giving your most precious gift this Christmas, which is Time.
The theme of giving Time can be seen in the Advert, in the Windows, and in the decision taken by John McElhinney to close the store on New Years’ Day. Closing on New Years’ Day will allow the staff and their families to spend those extra special hours together ringing in 2019.
So, you can see we've had an amazing 2018, and we are really looking forward to another amazing year in 2019.
Thanks again to everyone who continues to support us both in store and online.
- Niamh x
