The new County Monaghan Gift Card replaces the paper gift vouchers operated by Monaghan Town and can also be spent with participating businesses countywide.
Both physical and digital versions of the County Monaghan Gift Card are available to buy online or in person from Flemings SuperValu, Monaghan Town, Keegan’s Nearby, Carrickmacross with further outlets to be confirmed in Clones and Castleblayney. People can also visit the Monaghan County Council website to access the link to purchase the Gift Card.
Recipients can check the balance of the physical County Monaghan Gift Card using the QR code on the back of the card or using the Love Local app for the digital card. Organisations can avail of a new corporate ordering site, with secure delivery of physical cards and digital e-cards sent on a date/time of the organisation’s choosing.
Businesses in County Monaghan are welcoming the arrival of the new card.
Marie Neilly from Fleming’s Department Store said: “We have always sold and redeemed ‘paper’ Monaghan Town vouchers but we are really excited to sell and redeem the new County Monaghan Gift Card. We believe it will be so much easier for everyone, from customers to shop owners. The new card can be spent as and when the customer desires and the balance will automatically update, with the added ability to easily check the balance. The customer will now have a card that fits easily into their wallet, rather than a stack of paper vouchers. The new County Monaghan Gift Card is definitely a positive move for County Monaghan.”
Matilda’s Artisan Bakery is one of the participating Carrickmacross businesses. Stephen Ward said: “My grandfather started the business as a butcher in 1925, taken over by my father. After my sister trained as a baker, we gradually evolved the business into a bakery and have been fortunate to extend and expand the business each year. I think the new County Monaghan Gift Card is a brilliant initiative to keep money local. It’s a card that people can use countywide that incentivises local people to stay local rather than going to Dublin.
“The gifting aspect is a great thing and the knowledge that the card has to be spent locally. Coming up to Christmas, people appreciate experiences and the card can be used on a lunch for two, or a coffee each day for a week. It will be ideal for teacher gifts, people who live abroad buying for those living in County Monaghan, employers to gift to their staff and more.”
The Creighton Hotel is one of the Clones businesses accepting the new card. Mary Quigley, manager of the hotel commented: “The Creighton Hotel is a family run hotel employing about 30 people. The paper Monaghan Town vouchers were great, and it’s brilliant that we can now bring the benefits of the initiative to Clones through the County Monaghan Gift Card. The card will encourage people to visit Clones, and if locals receive the card, they can spend it locally without having to travel.
“I think all local businesses should buy the cards for Christmas for their staff using the small benefit exemption that allows up to €1500 to be given tax free, per employee, each year. That’s a big amount to receive, and the County Monaghan Gift Card gives the employee lots of choice in how they spend, both on practical items like fuel, and treats like a meal or a night away. Not only will the card keep spend locked into County Monaghan, I hope it will also encourage even more tourism to the area, giving people the chance to discover local shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions.”
One of the Castleblayney businesses which accepts the County Monaghan Gift Card is Dan Hughes Toys. Olive Donnelly said: “Dan Hughes Toys is a family run business. What’s great about the County Monaghan Gift Card is that it’s one Gift Card for the whole county that people can use to experience a vast array of businesses. It makes a massive difference when people support local. It really does mean the world. With Christmas on its way, the County Monaghan Gift Card is a nice present and you can feel good knowing you’re supporting the small independent businesses.”
Retail sports business McDermott’s Sports Centre in Monaghan town is another business which accepts the card. Dermot McDermott said: “We accepted the paper vouchers from the word go and they have been a fundamental revenue driver. The new high tech County Monaghan Gift Card is a positive move for Monaghan because we’re in the digital age. It will be more efficient for the retailer to accept the new card and consumers will likely spend their cards quicker. I hope to see every retailer in County Monaghan accepting the card. A rising tide lifts all boats, and whether the new County Monaghan Gift Card is spent at my business or another business, it benefits us all and powers the Monaghan economy.”
McNally’s Service Station on Cootehill Road also accepts the new card. Pearse McNally, owner of McNally’s said: “The business is a service station with groceries, convenience store, off licence and deli. I think the new County Monaghan Gift Card will be brilliant because the paper vouchers involved a lot of administration and were easily lost. The high-tech card is easy for businesses and easy for customers to use, which will hopefully increase the volume of people and organisations using them. Supporting local makes a huge difference, enabling local businesses to employ local people and to offer their support to local community groups. Buying the card powers the circular economy, especially as we head into the festive season.”
The original paper Monaghan Town voucher was started by the Monaghan Town Team. Eileen Collery, Monaghan Town Team’s newly elected Chairperson said:
“Speaking on behalf of the Monaghan Town Team, past and present, we are delighted to see the launch of the new County Monaghan Gift Card, marking an important step forward in supporting our local businesses and modernising how we shop local. This new system makes it easier than ever for people to spend in County Monaghan as a whole while continuing to keep money in our town. I want to sincerely thank all members of the Town Team who gave their time, ideas, and energy to make this transition from the Monaghan Town paper voucher to the new County Monaghan Gift Card which is available as a physical card or a digital card that can be added to a digital wallet. We extend our sincere thanks to Monaghan County Council. Their collaboration, support and commitment to Monaghan’s future are what makes progress like this achievable.”
The County Monaghan Gift Card is part of the award winning Town & City Gift Card initiative from Miconex, active across Ireland.
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: “The new County Monaghan Gift Card will enable shop local in the county to attain its next phase of growth by making it easier for people and organisations alike to choose local.”
Although the existing paper Monaghan Town Vouchers remain valid, recipients are kindly asked to use these at their earliest convenience.