A WEST coast businesswoman has joined the State’s first president, Douglas Hyde, and Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on the scroll of free people of Galway city.
Mary Bennett, chairwoman of Galway City and County Enterprise Board and a founder of the local chamber of commerce, became the 27th freeman at a ceremony in the city last night.
Her “boundless energy and indefatigable spirit” in promoting the city as a “world-class tourism destination” were highlighted in a tribute by mayor of Galway Cllr Michael Crowe (FF).
Ms Bennett is only the fourth woman to hold the city key. The 26th freeman was Let’s Do It Galway president John Killeen, who was honoured last year for his role in bringing the first Volvo Ocean race Irish stopover to Galway in 2009.
Last night’s event was held in the Hotel Meyrick in Eyre Square, formerly the Great Southern, where Ms Bennett began her career in tourism more than 50 years ago. She served two terms as chairwoman of Ireland-West Tourism and was director of Galway Corrib Airport. Her own business, the Treasure Chest in Galway’s Eglinton Street, was established in 1966.
