Chamber highlights business talent
THE Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce awards are on this Saturday night.
The chamber has already announced that former Fine Gael TD Kieran Crotty will receive the lifetime achievement award but we still don't know what local companies will pick up the other awards. Here is a quick preview of the contestants for this year's awards ceremony.
Best Small Business - Sponsored by Kilkenny Chamber
Surfbox Ormonde Technologies Ltd was established in July 2004 by Thomas Marry and Declan Lennon. They are the largest independent operator of Coin and Credit Card operated Internet terminals in Ireland.
Smart Placements was established in October 2002 by Sarah Bowe and Helen Fogarty, this company specialises in the recruitment of staff to the manufacturing, service, processing and financial services industries.
Hullaballoons & Kompass Records - Prior to setting up this limited company Paul & Phil Whitnell of Hullaballoons had many years of experience in the entertainment business and association with production of TV programmes.
Rothe House Trust Ltd - Rothe House, a unique piece of history in the heart of Kilkenny City, built by a wealthy merchant, John Rothe Fitzpiers in 1594, the House has been restored by a local voluntary body, the Kilkenny Archaeological Society now run by Rothe House Trust as a museum.
Blueberry Larder - Will and Kerry Fitzgerald are a husband-and-wife team who opened this delicatessen business in Kilkenny in February 2005. They pride themselves on producing home cooked food, breads and treats and using local produce whenever possible.
Kilkenny Print and Graphics - Kilkenny Print and Graphics are a printing company providing printing services to both general and trade customers. The company is trading since 1991 and is a member of NIA.
Vendemia Organic Wines - Vendemia Wines specialises in importing organic wines which are personally selected directly from the producers. Proprietors Helen and Urs Tobler began trading in 2002 selling to both wholesale, retail and the catering trade including the Dublin Food Co Op.
Reptile Village - The Reptile Village is an indoor reptile zoo which is government licensed and curator James Hennessy has 20 years' experience in the field of herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians) while manager Daniel Coady has two years experience in herpetology.
Retailer of the Year - Sponsored by FBD Insurance
Pat Mc Donald Paint Sales - This is a limited company which was established in Kilkenny since 2000. Cormac Keating, who has been the manager for the past eight years, has 20 years' experience in paint sales and takes great pride in the fact that the company offers unrivalled choice of paints with individual service.
Kilkenny Book Centre - The Kilkenny Book Centre has been in business since 1977 selling books, magazines, cards and gifts. It is a bookseller with a commitment to top quality service. Customers have access to expert knowledge and a top class ordering facility.
Superior Tiles Ltd - Established in 2005, Superior Tiles is under the management of John and Teresa Stringer. It is a company committed to providing a large range of top quality tiles to the domestic, commercial and contract market
Fields Jewellers - Fields Jewellers established in 1980 began trading in Kilkenny recently. It is a member of Retail Excellence Ireland and National Association of Goldsmiths.
Flowers By Lucy - Flowers By Lucy is a business wholly owned and run by a Kilkenny family who are fully committed both to the city and to the local community. They are both a national and international leader in their field.
Lamber De Bie - Lamber De Bie and Pat Fennessy are the names at the helm of the Lamber De Bie Florist Shop in Ormonde Street Kilkenny. Lamber was born in Holland and studied there for nine years to achieve the title Dutch Master Florist.
Training and Development Award - sponsored by FAS
Busy Bees Crche and Montessori - Established in 1998, Busy Bees are early learning centres owned and managed by ine Russell. Catering for babies, wobblers, toddlers, pre-Montessori, Montessori, and afterschool care.
Sharon Kelly Ronayne - Sharon Kelly Ronayne believes that developing human resources in the workplace has many benefits for both employer and employee. The company has built itself upon the need to have on hand advice and training to help develop resources specifically suited to individual business and those who are employed in it.
Kumon Kilkenny - Kumon Kilkenny is a franchise business owned by Sue Townsin and established in Kilkenny in 2005. Kumon provides supplementary individualised education programmes in maths and English, designed to help children of all ages and abilities to fulfil their potential.
Empower Training - Empower Training is a personal and professional development training company. The company delivers innovative training solutions and unique learning programmes that help people and organisations get results.
Kilkenny Service Provider of the Year Award sponsored by Electro City
James Phelan Demonstration Farm - James runs a demonstration farm for agricultural REPS. He commenced trading in 1994. This is a family-run business which received the Kilkenny County Council Environment Award. His main customer base is groups of visiting farmers to which he showcases his highly successful and environmentally aware farm in order to help them achieve the same results on their own farms.
Premier Group - Premier Group is a professional recruitment company which has been trading since 1998, they are members of the NRF and have been one of the Top 50 companies in Ireland for the past three years. They are helping local businesses to attract high calibre skills in order to allow their businesses to grow and expand.
Creative Catering - Creative Catering Ltd is Kilkenny's and the South East's longest established outdoor caterer, wedding caterer and event catering company. Creative Catering was founded in 1990 by Eamon Blake and Trish Finegan.
Tax Back Group - This company commenced trading in 1996, they specialise in Tax Refund Services to people who work abroad and companies who do business overseas. They pride themselves in having excellent customer service and speedy execution.
Gibbons Removal and Storage - Trading since 1992 this company offers household, office, and antique removal and storage. They are a professional storage company with 12 years' experience in the business. Offering state-of-the-art storage units which are dry, secure and easily accessible.
C & C Security - C & C Security was established in 1993. It is a member of NUSI, ISA, and ISME. Priding themselves on a high level of customer care, staff work closely with all of their customers and clients to ensure that their needs are met with the highest standards.
Blue Wall Technologies - This company started by Derek Tebay and Roger McClure began operating in 2002 with an initial employment of seven and has grown to 24 employees today. They are a specialised provider of integrated parking, access control and CCTV Systems.
Springhill Court Leisure Club - The Springhill Court Leisure Club is a private leisure club which began trading five years ago; they are affiliated with ILam Ireland and have won the White Flag Award 2003 – 2008. David Tiernan is the leisure club manager and holds an Hons BA Degree in Leisure Management.
Kilkenny Borough Council Parks (Gardening Crew) - This nominee is part of a local authority; they are a provider of essential services established in 1878. Their goals and objectives are to enhance the local environment and to make Kilkenny an attractive location in which to live do business and to visit.
Kilkenny Tourism Provider of the Year sponsored by Kilkenny Local Authorities
Springhill Court Hotel - The hotel is part of the Brennan Hotel Group. The 3* Springhill Court Conference, Leisure and Spa Hotel is located on the Waterford Road just on the edge of town. Facilities include 85 spacious ensuite bedrooms, full leisure club with 19 metre deck level swimming pool, spa and hair salon.
Kilkenny River Court Hotel - As a leading four star hotel in Kilkenny, the hotel believes that it has set a bench mark for both standards and customer care for tourism providers in Kilkenny. They have identified that diversifying the product maintains their position in the market and that investment in their tourism product is key.
Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum - Woodstock Gardens opened formally to the public in 1999 under the remit of Kilkenny County Council. The gardens and arboretum are located in the picturesque village of Inistioge on the banks of the River Nore
Tullahought Community Group - Established in 1992 as a Tidy Towns Group aiming to help preserve pride in their local area with community involvement. Community development Group was formed in 2000 which gave them a more professional look and also helped to safeguard the group from an insurance prospective.
A Rural Experience - Experience all that rural Kilkenny and its neighbouring counties have to offer in a relaxed and informal manner. A Rural Experience offers you the opportunity to visit Historical and Cultural sites, including monasteries and high crosses and some spectacular scenery.
Team Dynamics - Team Dynamics Kilkenny offers Indoor and outdoor team building games and activities specifically tailored to your corporate team building requirements. Set in the midst of a 200 acre riverside estate and within minutes of Kilkenny city, Team Dynamics Kilkenny is the ideal location for your corporate team building day out.
Manufacturing/Product of the Year Award sponsored by South East Business Innovation Centre
QEF Ltd - QEF specialises in architectural products such as louvres, Brise Soleil, Glazing and aluminum fabrications. QEF offers the complete package from technical advisory and design support to installation. In the twenty years of trading, the company prides itself on its commitment to customers and its reliability to offer good service, good quality work and going that extra mile that many of their competitors don't.
Fineline Furniture - Fineline Furniture is a family run business located at Wallslough Village, set up by Thomas and Mary Hughes in 1992 and because of individual attention to detail given to each piece of furniture and their special customer care the business has gone from strength to strength.
Kelsey Manufacturing - Kelsey Manufacturing build horse transporters to cater for all aspects of the equestrian world, from large transporters exclusively for horses, to various sizes incorporating luxury living accommodation with separate toilet and shower facilities. Kelsey is an ambitious company who believe in translating a traditional and passionate approach into build quality and design.
Chesneau Leather - Chesneau Leather was established 25 years ago by French-born designer Edmond Chesneau and is Ireland's leading luxury leather goods house. Originally inspired by a passion for horses, Edmond used his early training with a Hermes craftsman and years of working as a designer to develop what has now become an instantly recognizable signature style.
Enviroclad Systems Ltd - Originally set up in 1993, Enviroclad Systems Limited is a Kilkenny-based company which caters for the growing need for hygienic surfaces for the food industry. The company provides customers with bespoke cladding solutions in many areas such as the food, Pharmaceutical, Leisure, Retail and Manufacturing industries.
Moth to a Flame - If you are looking for unique handmade Irish candles go to Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, where Moth to a Flame have been manufacturing craft Irish candles since 1999. Larry Kinsella, the Moth to a Flame candle maker, has earned a reputation for distinctive and stylish handmade Irish candles and his ranges called "Silkmoth", "Gloworm" and "Rock".
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Weather for Kilkenny
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
