The winners of the MEAS 2004 Designated Driver Trade Competition were announced on 02 December 2004. The competition is organised by MEAS for publicans who come up with the most imaginative and attractive programme to support designated drivers. The winners of the 2004 competition received free soft drinks from the Beverage Council of Ireland and free Becks Non Alcoholic beer from Interbrew Ireland for passing on to designated drivers during the Christmas period.

This year’s winners include the Arc Bar and associated premises in Dublin; the Harvester Bar in Kilkenny; the Kilbracken Arms in Leitrim; Toss Kavanagh’s in Enniscorthy and the Spanish Arch in Galway.

A summary of the initiatives to be undertaken by the winners are outlined below. In addition, click on ‘Photo’ to view presentation of the MEAS 2004 Designated Driver Trade Competition winner’s plaque to the respective publicans.

The Spanish Arch, Galway.

The Spanish Arch Bar in Galway will offer free non alcoholic beverages to designated drivers every night until 1 January 2005 and they will also be entered in a draw for a €500 petrol voucher.

In addition, a private coach hire company has been contracted to bus patrons home free of charge over the festive season. (Photo)

The Arc Bar, The Foxhunter, The Silver Granite, The Leixlip House Hotel, and The Liffey Valley Hotel, Dublin.

The Arc Bar (and associated premises) is a winner for the second year in MEAS’s competition. In the lead up to the festive season, company directors will launch and support the initiative at a general staff meeting and it will also be promoted on staff notice boards, in employee pay envelopes and in the company’s employee newsletter.

The initiative will also be promoted to customers via a professionally produced and edited DVD which will be played at intervals on plasma screens in the various premises. (Photo)

The Harvester Bar, Co. Kilkenny.

Free soft drinks, mineral water or tea/coffee will be offered to all designated drivers who make themselves known to staff on arrival; a free lift home service will also operate, and at the end of the campaign all designated drivers will be entered into a free draw for dinner for two. (Photo)

The Kilbracken Arms, Co Leitrim.

Designated drivers will be provided with free non alcoholic beverages, and will get free admission to Christmas parties, discos and dances during December. It will also promote the campaign in-house, in the locality and at all publican meetings. (Photo)