Gala Retail brought retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and partners from across Ireland together at the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney for its 2026 annual conference, celebrating another successful year for the Group and setting out its plans for continued growth in 2027.

The morning session, hosted by Alan Shortt, featured business speakers Paul McNeive and Ken Hughes, who shared insights into business, consumer behaviour and the evolving retail landscape. This was followed by Gala’s supplier trade show, bringing retailers and suppliers together to explore new products, opportunities and ideas for the year ahead.

Celebrating retail excellence was a key part of the conference, with over 80 Gala Excellence Awards presented to stores deemed ‘outstanding’ following a comprehensive and independent assessment process. The celebrations then moved to the evening awards event, hosted by sports broadcaster Jacqui Hurley and featuring sporting stars Anthony Daly and Niall Quinn, with entertainment by Risteárd Cooper and the band WOW, where Gala’s 2026 category winners were announced.

Gala Category Award winners: 

Gala Baker’s Corner of the Year, sponsored by O’Brien Ingredients:

Daly’s Gala, Lifford, Co. Donegal

Gala Chilled Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Aryzta Food Solutions:

Daniel’s Gala, Derrinturn, Co. Kildare

Gala Store Manager of the Year, sponsored by K&K Produce: 

Jennifer O’Sullivan, O’Shea’s Gala, Blennerville, Co. Kerry

Gala Community Initiative Award, sponsored by BAT Ireland:

McDonagh’s Gala Cill Chiarán, Connemara, Co. Galway

Gala Fresh Food Award, sponsored by Tirlán:

Manor Forecourts Gala, Clonroche, Co. Wexford

Gala Off-Licence of the Year, sponsored by Comans Beverages:

Hanlon’s Gala, Longford

Gala Marketing Initiative of the Year, sponsored by JTI:

McKenna’s Gala, Milford, Co. Donegal

Gala Customer Service of the Year, sponsored by Britvic:

M&P O’Sullivan’s Gala, Leemount Cross, Co. Cork

Gala Social Media Champion, sponsored by Tayto Snacks:

Clifford’s Gala, Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Gala Coffee Junction of the Year, sponsored by Matthew Algie:

Hanlon’s Gala, Longford

Gala Supplier of the Year: Mondelez

Gala Special Merit Award:

Sean Mulrooney, Mulrooney Group, Co. Tipperary

Gala Brand Champion 2026, sponsored by Mondelez:

McDermott’s Gala, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick

Gala Excellence Award winners: 

Hegarty’s Gala, Carlow – Co. Carlow
Munnelly’s Gala, Carlow – Co. Carlow
Smith’s Gala, Ballyconnell – Co. Cavan
McKenna’s Gala, Killydoon – Co. Cavan
Lee’s Gala, Ballyhaise – Co. Cavan
M & P O’Sullivan’s Gala, Ballinahassig – Co. Cork
M & P O’Sullivan’s Gala, Leemount Cross – Co. Cork
Camier’s Gala, Baltimore – Co. Cork
Camier’s Gala, Ballydehob – Co. Cork
Murphy’s Gala, Kanturk – Co. Cork
Burke’s Gala, Kealkill – Co. Cork
Cooney’s Gala, Coachford – Co. Cork
Browne’s Gala, Manorcunningham – Co. Donegal
Gala Glenties – Co. Donegal
McKenna’s Gala, Oldtown – Co. Donegal
McKenna’s Gala, Milford – Co. Donegal
Daly’s Gala, Lifford – Co. Donegal
Harkin’s Gala, Ballybofey – Co. Donegal
Harkin’s Gala, St. Johnston – Co. Donegal
Gala Castleforbes – Co. Dublin
Duffy’s Gala, Terenure – Co. Dublin
McDonagh’s Gala, Cill Chiaráin – Co. Galway
Browne’s Gala, Ballinskelligs – Co. Kerry
Dunne’s Gala, Moyvane – Co. Kerry
Clifford’s Gala, Killarney – Co. Kerry
Clifford’s Gala, Mounthawk – Co. Kerry
Clifford’s Gala, Oak Park – Co. Kerry
Daly’s Gala, Waterville – Co. Kerry
O’Shea’s Gala, Blennerville – Co. Kerry
Daniel’s Gala, Derrinturn – Co. Kildare
Noonan’s Gala, Athy – Co. Kildare
Worrells’ Gala, Kildangan – Co. Kildare
Farrell’s Gala, Castlecomer – Co. Kilkenny
Nolan’s Gala, Ardnore – Co. Kilkenny
Bracken’s Gala, Portlaoise – Co. Laois
Lawlor’s Gala, Durrow – Co. Laois
M & P O’Sullivan’s Gala, Portlaoise – Co. Laois
Dempsey’s Gala, Portarlington – Co. Laois
Kieran’s Gala, Carrick on Shannon – Co. Leitrim
McGuire’s Gala, Rooskey – Co. Leitrim
Gala Mohill – Co. Leitrim
Scollan’s Gala, Drumshanbo – Co. Leitrim
McDermott’s Gala, Patrickswell – Co. Limerick
Gala Parnell Street – Co. Limerick
Moynihan’s Gala, Adare – Co. Limerick
NHG Group’s Gala, Abbeyfeale – Co. Limerick
Lynch’s Gala, Croom – Co. Limerick
Corrigan’s Gala, Moyne – Co. Longford
Fox’s Gala, Ballinalee – Co. Longford
Hanlon’s Gala, Longford – Co. Longford
Murphy’s Gala, Ballyhaunis – Co. Mayo
Mulhern’s Gala, Crossmolina – Co. Mayo
Tuffy’s Gala, Ballina – Co. Mayo
Tuffy’s Gala, Louisburgh – Co. Mayo
McGloin’s Gala, Foxford – Co. Mayo
Nicholson’s Gala, Keel – Co. Mayo
Gala Kells – Co. Meath
Gala The Brink – Co. Meath
Gala Slane – Co. Meath
Stewart’s Gala, Geashill – Co. Offaly
Mulrooney’s Gala, Birr – Co. Offaly
Dolan’s Gala, Tullamore – Co. Offaly
Darcy’s Gala, Mountlucas – Co. Offaly
Gala Boyle – Co. Roscommon
Henry’s Gala, Ballymoate – Co. Sligo
Hurley’s Gala, Borrisoleigh – Co. Tipperary
Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea – Co. Tipperary
Mulrooney’s Gala, Templemore – Co. Tipperary
Mulrooney’s Gala, Brooklands – Co. Tipperary
Mulrooney’s Gala, Lorrha – Co. Tipperary
Larkin’s Gala, Ballina – Co. Tipperary
Hennessy’s Gala, Kilmeaden – Co. Waterford
Healy’s Gala, Dungarvan – Co. Waterford
Manor Forecourts Gala, Adamstown – Co. Wexford
Manor Forecourts Gala, The Duffry – Co. Wexford
Manor Forecourts Gala, Bosheen – Co. Wexford
Manor Forecourts Gala, Bunclody – Co. Wexford
Manor Forecourts Gala, Clonroche – Co. Wexford
Manor Forecourts Gala, Courtown – Co. Wexford
Manor Forecourts Gala, Raheen – Co. Wexford
Murphy’s Gala, Kilanerin – Co. Wexford
Gala Bray – Co. Wicklow