The Pat Curran Award for Excellence in Customer Service
Many Rude Health readers recently took the opportunity to recommend their Favourite Health Store Staff Member for the Pat Curran Award for Excellence in Customer Service for 2023. The member of staff who is the overall winner will receive a €500 cash prize and their store will also receive €500, which they can give to a charity of their choice. The winner this year was Helen Mannion who works at Evergreen health store in Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road, Galway.
Rude Health magazine readers who voted were entered into a draw to win a hotel break and Eskimo-3 hampers. Anne O’Brien from Co Galway is the overall winner and she receives a €300 hotel break gift card from irelandhotels.com along with a big hamper of Eskimo-3 goodies. Anne said about Helen Mannion who works at Evergreen on Headford Road, Galway: “She always gives you her time and has a genuine interest in helping whatever your needs, if she doesn’t know something she always says ‘leave it with me’ and you’re guaranteed she will be true to her word. She is also a mighty mine of information regarding vitamins etc.”
The three runners who all win a hamper of Eskimo-3 products are Adrienne Lynch, Carmel Brady and William Lynch.
Adrienne Lynch from Co Wexford wins an Eskimo-3 Hamper. Adrienne said about Matt and Nuala Ronan’s store Evolv in Enniscorthy, Co Wicklow: “A well laid out store with lovely products available. Staff are always friendly and happy to give advice and are very knowledgeable about products.”
Carmel Brady from Co Cavan wins an Eskimo-3 Hamper. Carmel said about Christine McGuinness in Back to Nature in Cavan: “There’s a lovely ambience in this store. The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. Christine has great product knowledge and really points you in the right direction when you don’t really know yourself what you are looking for. No pressure to buy, just honesty and integrity.”
William Lynch from Co Kerry wins an Eskimo-3 Hamper. William said about Kay Hurley Horans, in Rock Street, Tralee: “The customer service Kay offers is second to none. She always has time to explain things and a smile for everyone.”
About the Pat Curran Award for Excellence in Customer Service
PPC Galway Ltd has been supplying Eskimo-3 to Irish households for over 25 years. An Irish family-owned business, its founders Pat and Phil Curran started the company from humble beginnings in their semi-detached house on the outskirts of Galway in 1992. Originally established as a company supplying herbal, homeopathic and nutritional products to practitioners all over the country, Pat and Phil placed a huge emphasis on quality products, integrity in business and first-class customer service.
As the business began to grow, PPC expanded into the retail sector with the renowned omega-3 product Eskimo-3. This is when Pat really came into his own, as his easy manner, brilliant communication skills and genuine interest in people proved invaluable in building the brand and developing strong relationships with stockists and consumers alike which have endured to this day.
Unfortunately, Pat passed away in 2014 following a short illness and his legacy is remembered each year with the annual Pat Curran Award which recognises excellence in customer service. Today the great work started by Pat and Phil is carried on by their daughter Olive and her husband Michael Donnellan.