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2025 Duhallow Business Awards: NOMINATE A DESERVING BUSINESS
IRD Duhallow Chairperson Michael Twohig has officially announced the opening of the 2025 Business Awards nominations in the James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket. The aim of the IRD Duhallow Business Awards is to celebrate the achievements of businesses in the Duhallow area and to recognise their vital contribution to local industry.
Running for their eleventh year, the awards give businesses the opportunity to receive recognition for their continuous service, dedication and commitment.
IRD Duhallow CEO, Maura Walsh explained that there is great enthusiasm for the awards as it is the biggest event of the year for the Duhallow business community. The awards are designed to celebrate all types and sizes of business. Last year’s Business Awards event was a huge success with 200 nominations received for deserving Duhallow Businesses. There was so much energy and excitement around the awards and the gala event.
The award categories are as follows:
• Best Start Up Business
• Best Established Business -under 50 employees
• Best Established Business -with 51-250 employees
• Best Food Business
• Best Women Led Business
• Best in the Creative Industry
Anybody can nominate a business, or businesses are welcome to put themselves forward for a category nomination.
The winners will be announced at a Gala Banquet taking place on Thursday the 30th of October 2025 in the James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket, kicking off at 7.00pm with a drink’s reception, followed by a gala dinner and awards ceremony.
The master of ceremonies for this occasion will be Alan Shortt. With over 30 years of experience spanning broadcasting, performance, and executive coaching, Alan Shortt brings energy, elegance, and expertise to every stage he commands. Alan’s unique background as a broadcaster, actor, comedian, and scriptwriter—with credits including RTÉ, BBC Radio Ulster and Channel 4 infuses his hosting with humour, heart, and razor-sharp timing.
Nominations submission
Nominations are now open and can be made on the IRD Duhallow website at www.irdduhallow.com/ enterprise-development/awards/. Or contact IRD Duhallow on 029 60633.
Once nominations close businesses will be contacted to move forward to the next step in the awards process.
Gala tickets
Tickets are priced at €60pp or €360 per table of six people, including a drinks reception, gala dinner, and awards ceremony. Tickets can be purchased through the IRD Duhallow website, contacting the IRD Duhallow office on 029-60633 or e-mailing duhallowskillnet@irdduhallow.com.
Further media information
IRD Duhallow
T: 029-60633
E: duhallow@irdduhallow.com
About IRD Duhallow
IRD Duhallow is a communitybased integrated rural development company that was established in 1989. The company combines the efforts and resources of the State Bodies, Local Authorities, Local Communities and individual entrepreneurs for the benefit of the local areas. The main objective of
IRD Duhallow is to establish and to support initiatives directed towards the generation of enterprise for the benefit and welfare of communities in Duhallow who may be deprived due to rural population, immigration, lack of training, economic deprivation or poor infrastructure. For more information, visit www.irdduhallow. com.
