21st November 2023
Over 450 business leaders from across Kildare attended the Kildare Business Awards, powered by Eirgrid, last Friday night (17th November) in The Killashee Hotel.
Allan Shine, CEO of the Chamber in his opening address paid tribute to all the finalists and noted that this year the Chamber received a record number of applications for the 15 category awards on offer.
He said, “It is an honour for me to lead a Chamber that is without doubt one of the most formidable, progressive and dynamic business organisations in the country and that is down to our members. Our membership engages and trusts the Chamber team and that enables us to be the voice for business in the region”.
Mr Shine continued, “The certainty that Kildare can offer as a vibrant progressive county ensures that we are and remain the location of choice, for both existing and potential business enterprise. This county is awash with young vibrant High Potential Start Up’s that are benefiting from the supports from LEO Kildare, Enterprise Ireland, Maynooth University and the Chamber. The opportunities for young companies here is unrivalled.
However, we cannot be complacent, there is still much to do. There is a constant and consistent message from you, our members, in our quarterly business sentiment reports which show that Kildare faces challenges around infrastructure, housing, healthcare, early learning and childcare.
We require significant improvements in these areas. With Local, European and National elections taking place within the next 12 – 18 months, these are the area’s that our Chamber will focus on when lobbying our elected representatives”.
Business of the Year for 2023 was won by Irish Dog Foods. Sean Mulryan of Ballymore Group was this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Business Award.
Winners this year were;
Special Contribution Award- The Community of Solas Bhride
Employee of the Year- Sinéad Lawlor (Killashee Hotel)
Excellence in Communication- SWAG.EU
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion- Palmerstown House & Estate.
Best Emerging Business- EVHACS
International Trade- Irish Dog Foods
Small-Medium Business of the Year- Walls to Workstations
Large Business of the Year- O’Brien Fine Foods
Innovation in Business- Mongey Communications
Excellence in the Community- The Curragh Racecourse
Excellence in Customer Service- Punchestown Racecourse
Sustainable Development- Intel Ireland
Net Zero Achievement- Maynooth University
Health and Wellbeing- General Paints Group
Overall Business of the Year- Irish Dog Foods
Outstanding Contribution to Business- Sean Mulryan