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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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President of Kilkenny chamber Deirdre Shine, host Mary Kennedy and CEO of Chamber Kilkenny, John Hurley.
Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, in association with the title sponsor Glanbia, has announced the finalists for the 2016 Kilkenny Business Awards.
Having received over 250 nominations across the 20 award categories, Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce received a positive response from local businesses with over 40 per cent of candidates being nominated in the ‘Best Small Business’ category and an unprecedented number of companies entering the ‘Emerging New Business’ category for businesses trading for up to three years, indicating positive growth within the local economy.
Some 46 local enterprises have now been shortlisted to go forward for the panel interview round on Thursday, October 27th, hosted by the Pembroke Kilkenny and Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.
During the interview round, finalists will make a brief presentation before a panel of three Kilkenny business peers. Following this, the overall winners will be determined in each category and announced at the Kilkenny Chamber’s Black-tie gala, The Kilkenny Business Awards ceremony on November 19th in Lyrath Estate Hotel.
Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce CEO John Hurley explains, “We are delighted with the positive response to the Kilkenny Business Awards this year, as businesses in Kilkenny continue to strengthen and the local economy continues to grow. We were very impressed with the level of entries and the variety of innovative companies trading in the county. It was a difficult decision making process but the judging panel have now shortlisted an outstanding selection of local businesses to go forward for interviews and we wish them continued success in the awards.”
Along with the overall 20 category winners, the prestigious ‘Business of the Year’, ‘Lifetime Achievement’ & ‘President’ Awards will also be announced at the awards’ ceremony.
Hosted by RTÉ broadcaster, Mary Kennedy the gala banquet and awards ceremony will see leading Kilkenny business people gather for the black-tie event at Lyrath Estate Hotel to celebrate excellence in enterprise across the county. Guests can look forward to a Champagne reception and a sumptuous dinner followed by dancing at Lyrath’s five-star venue. Tickets for this year’s black-tie Kilkenny Business Award ceremony are now available from €75 online at www.kilkennychamber.ie or by calling 056 7752767.
Category Finalists
AGRI BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Iverk Show Ltd.
John Brennan Machinery Supplies
Hermitage Genetics
BEST VENUE AWARD
Lyrath Estate Hotel & Kilkenny Convention Centre
Left Bank
The Hub
CRAFT PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Clay Creations
Rudolf Heltzel Ltd.
CULTURE/HERITAGE TOURISM AWARD
Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny
Kilkenny Ghost Tours
Kyteler’s Inn
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Ristorante Rinuccini
The Newpark Hotel
Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel
EMERGING NEW BUSINESS
Cleere Life & Pensions
Kilkenny Cookery School
Core Claims Services
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Margaret Clancy - TransferMate
Jonny Dowling - Intosport
Sarah Millea - Pembroke Hotel
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Rustiq Salon
Kieran O'Gorman Hair & Day Spa
Colour World Print Ltd.
ENVIRNOMENTAL AWARD
Modus Energy
O'Shea Farms
Eco Life Energy
EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATIONS
McSweeney Media
Bizlocator
The Clubman
EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY
The Newpark Hotel
Left Bank
Springhill Court Hotel
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR
Hermitage Genetics
Callan Bacon Co. Ltd
CiphersTechs EU Ltd
TrademarkNow
FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
M. Mullins Family Butcher
DNG Ella Dunphy
James Travers Garage
FOOD & DRINK PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Sullivan’s Brewing Company
A Slice of Heaven
O'Shea Farms
INNOVATION IN BUSINESS
MindaClient
Bizlocator
Colour World Print Ltd.
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
TrademarkNow
MindaClient
CipherTechs EU Ltd.
INVESTMENT IN SKILLS, TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT OF STAFF
Rustiq Salon
Pembroke Hotel
CipherTechs EU Ltd.
RETAILER OF THE YEAR
G.L. Ryan Jewellers
Grogan & Brown Artisan Butchers
Rudolf Heltzel
SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Fennelly Fitness
Kieran O'Gorman Hair & Day Spa
St. Canice's Kilkenny Credit Union Ltd.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Callanan Couriers
Apple Tree Farm Montessori
RD Plumbing & Heating
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