O'Hanrahan Travel, Monaghan

Managing director Mark Clifford has been at the helm since 1993, and for the last five years the agency has been located in a former bank, in a prominent position in the town, and with a smart front window with digital screens.

Located by the border with Northern Ireland, the agency has customers on both sides of the border, and is able to compare prices in euros and sterling to get the best rate for the customer.

O’Hanrahan’s has developed an unusual specialism in agricultural tours, and now takes several hundred farmers away to tractor shows and agricultural fairs in the UK and Europe each year, under sister-brand DM Tours.

The 10-strong team of consultants keep up to date on the latest products and offers with a regular weekly training session, and the team take advantage of the opportunity to join educational trips as much as possible. Most staff have been with the business for at least six years, and some as long as 17 years, representing an incredible amount of experience.

Introducing a low-deposit scheme last year has helped the agency attract extra business, and it also offers customers an ‘Easycard’ facility whereby they can come in and make regular payments to save gradually for their holiday.

O’Hanrahans organises its own cruise shows, and takes part in local wedding shows, and is also successfully using Facebook to communicate with clients, amassing more than 5,000 Likes.

The agency has also devised a new bookable website, Click4holidays.ie, which enables customers to book their own, flexible duration trips.

The team will personally call customers who’ve come back after big trips, and regularly receive notes of thanks from their clients – mirrored by impressive feedback from clients on Facebook.

• ohtravel.ie