A Time To Remember Our Dead

The IRD Duhallow Business Awards took place on Friday 1st November at the James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket, Co. Cork. There were seven category winners and one overall winner, with Newmarket based Ath Trasna Medical Centre being awarded Best Overall Business.

The annual affair which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year has become an unmissable staple in Duhallow, attracting a crowd of more than two hundred on the night. The attendees, a mix of esteemed business figures and community representatives made it clear that this was the event to be seen at. Comedian and social media sensation Reggie from Blackrock Road hosted the awards, ensuring that the night proceeded with good humour and comedy throughout

Best Overall Business - Ath Trasna Medical

BACK: IRD Duhallow Vice Chairperson and Chairperson Anne Maria Bourke and Michael Twohig, MC for the night Reggie Blackrock, IRD Duhallow CEO Maura Walsh, Chairperson of Enterprise Working Group Padraic O’Connell, and IRD Duhallow board member Cllr Fionnán Fitzgerald. FRONT: IRD Duhallow Team Leader Helen O’Sullivan and Development Officer Monica Gilmore, Dr. Bertie Daly and Zelie Gaffney of Ath Trasna Medical, IRD Duhallow Team Leader Triona Murphy, and IRD Duhallow Assistant CEO Eileen Linehan.

A group of independent judges were assigned the challenging task of choosing the finalists and winners. The panel noted the exceptional quality of this year’s submissions. Some decisions were tough and resulted in close scores and joint winners in the bestestablished business category.

IRD Duhallow Chair Michael Twohig said “The IRD Duhallow business awards are important as they recognise that enterprise comes in many forms in a rural area like Duhallow. From those in the very early stages of starting up; to those who address the needs of the community; the strength and resilience of a family led business; to the important role we must play in supporting female entrepreneurs; not forgetting our artists and those in creative and food sectors as well as the long-established businesses that have stood the test of time and weathered the storms. We celebrate them all”

Padraic O’Connell, Chair of the Enterprise Working Group in his speech commented on the high calibre of the finalists and winners and the impact that the awards have on the region “This year we had a huge response to the business awards, with over 200 nominations from a variety of amazing businesses. Without the sort of businesses represented here tonight we in IRD Duhallow would not be able to achieve our goals of developing the Duhallow Region. Congratulations to each and every nominee, finalist and winner tonight”.