BEST OF 2023: Style and glamour at Chamber Awards in Kilkenny

The who’s who of Kilkenny business turned out in all their finery for the annual Chamber Business Awards in November.

Almost 500 representatives of business in Kilkenny gathered for a glittering evening, celebrating success.

Twenty-three awards were presented during the evening, including the President’s Award which went to Joe and Bill Connolly of Connollys’ Redmills and the Lifetime Achievement Award which went to Jim Brennan, Club House Hotel. the black tie event saw Merlyn Showers crowned Overall Business of the Year. 

 

Mark Geraghty, Anne Barber, Ani Mollereau and Gary

A Special Recognition Award was presented for the first time this year, and it went to Siobhán Talbot, CEO of Glanbia who is retiring after 10 years at the helm. 

The Chamber’s chosen charity for 2023 was the The Samaritans Carlow/ Kilkenny, and a donation of €6,000 was collected on Saturday night. 
Cathal Smyth, Managing Director of State Street Kilkenny (main sponsor), said State Street was delighted to be the title sponsor of the awards.

“State Street is proud to be the largest financial services employer in Kilkenny and have recently moved into our new office the IDA Business and Technology Park in October – designed with both environment and employee wellbeing at its core,” he said.

“We commend the Kilkenny Chamber for its continued leadership with Kilkenny businesses and congratulate all of the finalists on their significant achievements and wish all continued success.”
President of the Chamber, Brian Keyes, said was a privilege to be recognising the best of Kilkenny businesses.

“Winning aside, all shortlisted businesses should be proud of their tremendous achievements in getting through the rigorous judging process,” he said.

CEO John Hurley paid tribute to the sponsors and thanked Purcell Masterson, Fastlane Audio Visual, Mycrofilms, A Digital Medial Hub and Lyrath Estate Hotel. The full listing of award winners can be found at kilkennychamber.ie. 

Chamber President Brian Keyes congratulated the 20 category winners. The awards programme has celebrated the breadth of commerce throughout Kilkenny for more than two decades, providing an opportunity to platform business successes. These include areas such as sustainability and volunteer engagement.

Kilkenny Arts Festival was this year’s winner of the Culture, Heritage and Tourism award at Kilkenny Business Awards. Sponsored by the Kilkenny People, editor Sam Matthews was delighted to present the award to the Arts Festival Director Olga Barry.  Currently in its 50th year, Kilkenny Arts Festival has gathered many of the world's finest musicians, performers, writers and artisits in the medieval city. 

The recipient of the debut Special Recognition award was Siobhan Talbot: “It’s a big honour,” Ms Talbot said.

“It’s really nice to be locally reconised — this is for the Glanbia team now, not Siobhan Talbot.”
Ms Talbot said the creation of Tirlan and Glanbia — as two really strong organisations headquartered in Kilkenny with global ambitions — was probably what she was most proud of.

“We just have a team of people who are so ambitious, from those local roots, loving the culture we have here in Kilkenny,” she said.

“People love to join the organisation. Whether it’s Asia, South America, America, Europe — they like Glanbia, to join it.”
Chamber president Brian Keyes said what Ms Talbot had done, as CEO of two global brands headquarted in Kilkenny was a huge achievement. He reflected on the past two years, including the post-pandemic business world in what is his final year as president.

“This year was a special year I think because so many new entries, new businesses when you look at it as well. It’s been a great year,” he said.