REVEALED: Nominees for 2026 Tipperary business awards unveiled

County Tipperary Chamber has announced the finalists for the 2026 County Tipperary Chamber Business Awards, following an exceptionally strong response from businesses and organisations across the county.

The Awards celebrate the businesses, employers and people making a significant contribution to the economic and community life of County Tipperary, recognising achievement, innovation, growth and excellence across a wide range of sectors.

The winners will be announced at the County Tipperary Chamber Business Awards Gala on Friday, September 25 at Hotel Minella, Clonmel.

County Tipperary Chamber is also delighted to confirm that Minister Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, will be a special guest on the evening.

This year's Awards are proudly supported by H&MV Engineering as Main Sponsor, alongside the Chamber's category sponsors and media partners.

Speaking following the announcement, Michelle Aylward, CEO of County Tipperary Chamber, said: "The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high and really reflects the strength and ambition of the business community across County Tipperary. We saw businesses creating employment, investing in their people, innovating, growing and making a real contribution to their local communities. I want to congratulate all of our finalists and sincerely thank every business and organisation that entered. The judging panel had an extremely difficult task this year. We are also delighted to welcome Minister Jack Chambers to the Gala. It will be a great opportunity to showcase the success and ambition of Tipperary businesses and the important contribution they make to our economy."

In the Family Business of the Year category, Stakelums Home & Hardware, AV Star Systems Ltd, Ryans Cleaning, SYS Financial, EMF Controls, Barlo Motor Group, and Cantwell Electrical Engineering Ltd have been nominated.

In the Best SME category, The Smart Group, Unitec IT Solutions, Designedly, Chartered Capital Financial Planning Ltd, EMF Controls, Borrisoleigh Bottling Ltd, SYS Financial, Ryans Cleaning, Electrical Generators & Pumps Services Limited, and Foxylocks Clonmel all received nominations.

The Smart Group, SYS Financial, Premier Utilities, Chartered Capital Financial Planning Ltd, Eolas Money, On Your Toes Academy, The Junction Gastrobar & Guesthouse, AV Star Systems Ltd, Michael Power Accountants, and Foxylocks Clonmel all received nominations in the Best Small Employer category.

In the Creative Business Award category, Grow Sport, I Left You A Note, AV Star Systems Ltd, Designedly, and The Smart Group have all been nominated.

Sixty One Squared Coffee, The Junction Gastrobar & Guesthouse, Bodega Cafe, Three Bridges Drive-Thru & Cafe, Relish Fine Foods, and Sadlers Restaurant all received nominations in the Best Café/Restaurant Award category.

In the Best Large Employer Award category, Waystone, The Talbot Hotel, MSD Ballydine, Home & Agri Energy, and Boston Scientific were all nominated.

Tudor Artisan Hub, Tap-Pay, Foxylocks Clonmel, Stakelums Home & Hardware and Skin Formulas have all been nominated for the Retailer of the Year award.

Lastly, in the Sustainable Initiatives Award category, JMJ EcoHire, The Talbot Hotel, Great National Ballykisteen Golf Hotel, The Whitewater Group, Glenpatrick Spring, and Chou’s Cottage have all been nominated.

County Tipperary Chamber has also thanked its judges and sponsors for their continued support, including main sponsor H&MV Engineering and media partners Tipp FM, The Nationalist and The Nenagh Guardian.

The Gala will take place on Friday, 25 September 2026 at Hotel Minella, Clonmel, with a Prosecco reception from 6pm followed by dinner and the Awards ceremony.

Tickets are now on sale, and businesses from across County Tipperary are invited to join the Chamber for a celebration of business, enterprise and achievement across the county.