Delight as overall winners revealed at Kilkenny Business Awards 2025

Solar Precision wins coveted Business of the Year at the 25th anniversary Kilkenny Business Awards

Solar Precision was named the 25th Kilkenny Business of the Year at the prestigious Kilkenny Business Awards held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel.

Once again hosted by popular broadcaster Marty Whelan, the event brought together almost 600 representatives of local enterprise, to celebrate 25 years of success, innovation, and excellence across the county.

The overall Business of the Year was presented to Solar Precision by President Anne Barber and Therese Bourke from main sponsor Vhi. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS

Solar Precision Ltd delivers high-quality solar PV solutions to residential, commercial, and public sector clients. Committed to innovation, customer service, and sustainability, the company specialises in precision-engineered solar pv systems, smart monitoring, and long-term support, helping clients reduce energy costs.

Kilkenny Business Awards were presented to 24 outstanding local businesses during the gala event, including the President’s Award which went to John Purcell in recognition of his outstanding work in and support of local broadcasting and the Lifetime Achievement Award which went to Mike Kelly, the founder of Young Irish Film Makers who has inspired so many young people to create and to develop in the arts in Ireland and internationally.

This year, a Special Recognition Award was presented to Michael Rossiter, who announced his retirement from his shoe repair business after 40 years serving Kilkenny city and county.

President of the Chamber, Anne Barber, said “Being able to honour people who have contributed so much to life in Kilkenny, whether in business or in the arts, is very rewarding for the Directors of Kilkenny Chamber.

It is a special privilege to be recognising the best of Kilkenny businesses, on this our 25th anniversary. All the shortlisted businesses should be proud of their tremendous achievements in getting through the rigorous judging process”.

Therese Bourke, Head of Customer Service at Vhi (main sponsor), commented ‘Vhi is proud to be the title sponsor of the Kilkenny Business Awards, celebrating 25 years of excellence and innovation in our local business community. This year Vhi also marks 25 years of Vhi’s presence in Kilkenny, and we’re delighted to celebrate this shared milestone with the Chamber and local businesses.

These awards showcase the vital role businesses play in strengthening Kilkenny’s economy, and we commend the Kilkenny Chamber’s leadership. Congratulations to all finalists on their achievements and wish all continued success.”

Kilkenny Chamber’s chosen charity for 2025 is the St Vincent de Paul Society. CEO John Hurley paid tribute to the sponsors, who make the Awards possible, and thanked John Masterson, Fastlane Audio Visual, Mycrofilms, K Hope Creative, and the Lyrath Estate Hotel, the Chamber’s partners in the presentation of the night.

Category

Winners 2025

Age Friendly Business

UPMC Aut Even Physiotherapy Department

Café, Bar or Restaurant of the Year

Wild Tails Café 

Culture Heritage & Tourism

Ceoltoiri at St Canice’s Cathedral

Customer Service

Rapid Fire & Safety

Design & Craft

Kilgallen & Partners

eCommerce & Digital Business

Olive for Education

Employee of the Year

Rustiq Salon (Jane Fitzgerald)

Employer of the Year

St Canice’s Credit Union

ESG Excellence

Goatsbridge Trout

Family Business of the year Award

Solar Precision Ltd.

Hotel & Accommodation Provider of the year

Killure Cottages

Innovation in Business

Fairstone Kilkenny

International Trade Award

ISE Forest & Garden

Investment in Skills, Training & Development of Staff

Mint Medispa

Night Time Experience Award

Six After 6

Retailer of the Year

Valley of Roses

Salon of the year Award

Luke Parsons Hair Salon

Small Business Award

Yellow Deer Designs

Taste of Kilkenny Award

Kilkenny Pembroke Hotel

Volunteer Engagement Award

Linguan Valley Tourism Board

President’s Award

John Purcell

Lifetime Achievement Award

Mike Kelly

Special Recognition Award 

Michael Rossiter

Overall Business of the Year Award

Solar Precision Ltd