Ireland’s top local enterprises line up for the National Enterprise Awards Final
Minister Mitchell O’ Connor announces the 32 National Enterprise Award finalists ahead of Awards night on May 25th
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’ Connor T.D., has announced the finalists for this year’s National Enterprise Awards, to be hosted by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) later this month.
The National Enterprise Awards will celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s top small businesses and micro-enterprises from all parts of Ireland in a showcase of enterprise, innovation and ambition at Dublin’s Mansion House on May 25th.
Announcing the finalists, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “Last week, we saw that Ireland’s unemployment rate has dropped to a new low of 6.2%. This is hugely encouraging, and it is due to the hard work and dedication of enterprise heroes such as these local businesses who are quite rightly taking their place in the spotlight at the National Enterprise Awards on May 25th.”
The Minister added: “These innovative businesses are led by people who are serious about their ambition, who are taking real risks and making real sacrifices to achieve success, and they are making a huge contribution to their local communities and to the economy at large. It is very important that we mark their achievements. I wish all of the finalists the very best of luck in the Final on the 25th May.”
The 32 finalists are drawn from diverse business sectors, such as skin-care, ice-cream making, language courses and mobile game development. The announcement of finalists was made at the Mansion House by Minister Mitchell O’ Connor, accompanied by Sheelagh Daly and Oisín Geoghegan representing the Local Enterprise Offices, Brendan Flood of Enterprise Ireland and last year’s Overall Winner, Mark Clendennen of Applied Concepts in Offaly.
Sheelagh Daly, Chair of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities said: “Small business and micro-enterprises are making an outstanding contribution to our local and national economy. Last year almost 3,700 new jobs were created by over 6,800 micro-enterprises supported by the LEOs. These entrepreneurs are continuously looking to grow by developing new products and services and investing in export markets. The National Enterprise Awards help to recognise the contribution that small businesses and micro-enterprises make to our communities every day.”
Last year’s winner, Applied Concepts in Birr, manufacture and export blast machines used in construction and renovation projects in countries such as Spain, Denmark and Chile. Previous winners have included Irish Yoghurts, Innovate, Grouse Recording Studios, Simtech Aviation, MyBio and Design Pro.
The winners of this year’s National Enterprise Awards will be announced at the Mansion House in Dublin on Thursday, May 25th. Twelve awards will be presented including eight regional awards. The overall winner will receive €10,000 to invest in their business.
Competition updates and results will be available through www.localenterprise.ie and by following #NEAwards on social media.
The Local Enterprise Offices are co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020.
NATIONAL FINALISTS IN 2017 (supported by their Local Enterprise Office)
LEO Area & Company Website
Carlow McNally Denture Clinic www.mcnallydentureclinic.ie
Cavan Moran’s Megajam Ltd www.moranshomestore.com
Clare Core Optimisation Ltd www.coreoptimisation.com
Cork (City) Rebel Chilli www.rebelchilli.com
Cork (North & West) Enibas Jewellery www.enibas.com
Cork (South) Polar IceTech www.polaricetech.ie
Donegal Sharon McDaid – Silver Birch Gallery & Studio www.sharonmcdaid.com
Dublin (City) Pink Kong Studios www.pinkkongstudios.ie
Dublin (DLR) Moontour www.moontour.ie
Dublin (Fingal) Hope Beer www.hopebeer.ie
Dublin (South) Acutrace www.acutrace.com
Galway (City) 9th Impact www.9thimpact.com
Galway (County) IMS Marketing www.imsmarketing.ie
Kerry Irish Host Family Ltd www.irishhostfamily.ie
Kildare Broghies Ireland www.broghiesireland.com
Kilkenny Greensbridge Engineering Ltd www.greensbridge.ie
Laois Infrastruct AMS Limited www.infrastruct.ie
Leitrim Jinny’s Bakery www.jinnysbakery.com
Limerick Student Programmes Ireland Ltd www.spil.ie
Longford Purpledecks Ltd. www.purpledecks.com
Louth Aphix Software Ltd www.aphixsoftware.com
Mayo Monaghan Bros Bar Furniture Manufacturers Ltd www.barfurniture.net
Meath Hexafly www.hexafly.co
Monaghan RAMfit Ltd www.ramfit.com
Offaly Dezynamite www.dezynamite.com
Roscommon PJ Fallon & Son www.pjfallon.ie
Sligo Studyclix www.studyclix.ie
Tipperary MediSkin www.mediskin.ie
Waterford Pip and Pear Chilled Baby Food www.pipandpear.ie
Westmeath Lift Hire Ireland www.lifthireireland.com
Wexford Scup Gelato www.scupgelato.com
Wicklow Goldfish.ie www.goldfish.ie
