Judgement Day now looms for this year’s awards nominees

JUDGEMENT Day is almost upon us for the third Duhallow Business Awards. From a standing start in 2013 an incredible momentum has built up around this awards scheme and an air of expectation now pervades the business community in Duhallow.

From dozens of nominations received by IRD Duhallow, sponsor of the awards in association with The Corkman, across the seven categories the judges whittled them down to just three in each. Just to remind you, the categories were: Best Startup, Best Established Business, Best Women-Led Business, Creative Industry Award, and Best Community Enterprise; and this year have been added awards for ‘Great Place To Work’ and ‘Young Entrepreneur’.

The nominees represent a good cross-section of enterprises in Duhallow and reflected the range of business activities in the region.

Over the past few weeks the judges have been visiting each of these businesses and weighing up their merits – indeed, an unenviable task.

The shortlisted nominees will vie for the overall award in each category at the Duhallow Business Awards presentation night to be held at the James O’Keeffe Institute in Newmarket on Thursday, November 24, from 7pm.

Also on the night, an overall winner will be selected by the judges – by now a coveted and much celebrated award.

The awards aims to acknowledge, reward and support enterprises in the region that stand out and show a lead to others.

As well as recognising the achievements of local businesses, the awards also provide an ideal marketing boost for those shortlisted, as well as a strong branding opportunity for the entire Duhallow region as a whole.

The shortlisted entries are profiled in this supplement, and each profile tells a story of hope, entrepreneurship, effort, innovation and success. Each, in its own way, is an inspirational tale – to be saluted and taken as a great example for others to follow.