STORM TRACKER: Follow 'Storm Amy' as it bears down on Ireland amid brutal forecast
Search
06 Sept 2025
Search
06 Sept 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
Sinéad Dooley, Head of Public Engagement at Eirgrid, with Allan Shine, CEO of the County Kildare Chamber. Pic supplied by Lorraine O'Sullivan.
The County Kildare Chamber (CKC) Business Awards, which are powered by EirGrid, was officially launched today (July 17, 2023).
The Business Awards celebrate the best in businesses in County Kildare and is open for start up business, emerging businesses, SME’s (Small and medium-sized enterprises) right up to large indigenous and multi nationals in the county.
Robust judging by six independent judges will lead to the finalists and the eventual winners being announced on the November 17 in The Killashee Hotel, where 500 key stakeholders and companies will celebrate the best in business in 2023.
Commenting on the announcement, Mairead Hennessey, President of CKC said: "We are proud to work again with EirGrid whose strong partnership and support has helped us grow these awards.
"Last year, we had a record-breaking number of entrants. These awards are wonderful opportunity for any business to present their story, their growth and their ambitions to our judging panel and we would encourage all businesses to be part of one of the most recognised, reputable business awards in the region."
Ms Hennessey added: "We look forward to recognising Kildare’s best and brightest in this year’s awards and can I wish the best of luck to all nominees."
Sinéad Dooley, head of public engagement, EirGrid, also said: "We are once again proud to support the County Kildare Chamber Business Awards, as primary sponsors for 2023.
"While working to progress the Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade, ensuring a sustainable and secure electricity future for the region, EirGrid has engaged closely with Kildare’s businesses, industries and communities at large.
Ms Dooley continued: "Through our ongoing association with the County Kildare Chamber, we have seen first-hand the pioneering ambition of local businesses, all of whom are themselves working towards a bright outlook for their local economy, their employees and their families.
"We are proud to support their endeavours, and hope that in strengthening the local electricity infrastructure with a new high-capacity underground cable, EirGrid can provide a platform for Kildare’s continued growth, ensuring businesses and industry have power when and where they need it."
Allan Shine, the CEO of CKC, also commented on the event, saying: "The awards are designed to celebrate all types and sizes of business. Last year, the awards event was the biggest ever, the competition was strong and there was so much energy and enthusiasm around the awards and the gala event.
"This year, we expect a record number of entries; coupled with the extensive profile that finalists receive across multiple print and digital platforms, our Business Awards also gives our members the opportunity to challenge themselves through the various categories on offer to nominate for.
"Keith Barry returns as MC, Pink Champagne will be on hand for the entertainment and already companies have booked in for what promises to be a great night as we celebrate the best of business in Kildare," Mr Shine added.
The categories are:
The CKC Business Award for Excellence in Communications, sponsored by Eirgrid
The CKC Business Award for Net Zero Achievement, sponsored by Kildare Innovation Campus
The CKC Business Award for International Trade, sponsored by Grant Thornton
The CKC Business Award for Excellence in the Community, sponsored by Colourtrend
The CKC Business Award for Sustainable Development, sponsored by AIB
The CKC Business Award for Health and Wellbeing (Sponsorship opportunity available)
The CKC Business Award for Innovation in Business, sponsored by Wall to Workstations
The CKC Business Award for Employee of the Year, sponsored by Ladytown Business Park
The CKC Business Award for Best Emerging Business Award, sponsored by LEO Kildare
The CKC Business Award for Best Performing Small Medium Business of the Year, sponsored by O’Kelly Sutton Chartered Accountants
The CKC Business Award for Best Performing Large Business, sponsored by Osbourne
The CKC Business Award for Excellence in Customer Service, sponsored by Endress & Hauser
The CKC Business award for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, sponsored by Kerry Group
The CKC Overall Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Permanent TSB
The CKC Outstanding Contribution to Business Award, sponsored by Clark
Nominations are now open online.
The closing date for all completed applications is Friday, September 15, 2023 at 5pm.
Winners in each category along with the Overall Business of the year and the recipient of the 'Outstanding Contribution to Business Award' will be announced on November 17.
Tickets are €150 plus VAT pp, or €1500 + VAT for a table of ten.
You can book your tickets by emailing jennifer@countykildarechamber.ie.
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
