‘If Duhallow is to to grow and prosper it needs local enterprising people that will start up and run successful businesses’

ANIGHT of celebration, accolades and networking, the IRD Business Awards presentations have grown to become a special night of the year, held each November within the campus of the historic and venerable James O’Keeffe Institute in Newmarket.

Indeed, IRD Duhallow CEO Maura Walsh has already how the awards have become an important part of the claendar of the business people of the area.

Last November, once again, there was a warm welcome from then chairperson of IRD Duhallow, Anna Maria Bourke for the 18 finalists at the fifth business awards event.

She noted how it was John Feerick, MD and his team at The Corkman who first proposed the enterprise awards for Duhallow.

“We were delighted with the idea. IRD Duhallow’s strategic plan at that time had set out ambitious goals because we recognised for many years that if Duhallow is to to grow and prosper it needs local enterprising people who will start up and run successful businesses. These entrepreneurs will provide local jobs and will weather the economic storms of peaks and troughs,” she said.

She said that while places like Duhallow will never be able to compete with the cities in attracting foreign direct investment, so we must nurture, support and grow our own enterprises. “Since the inaugural business awards we have honoured over 100 businesses and our partners in The Corkman have given them a profile in their excellent supplement,” said Anna Maria.

The categories of the awards chosen by their Entreprise Working Group led by Brian Kelly, and these reflected the entrepreneurial supirit and business acumen in the Duhallow region.

“These are reflective of the diverse sectors committed to keeping the extended Duhalow region attractive to young and old. The greatest priority in sustainability of the region is the provision of employment. It is so heartening each year to welcome those who have taken the risk of starting their own business,” she said.

“There have to be winners tonight and also an overall winner, however, if you are not one of those I hope you do enter again. Nothing succeeds like success.

“For those of you visiting Duhallow these are our All Stars our champions who are ordinary people who when supported and acknowledged can make a great difference in their communitites,” she said.

She paid a special tribute to Maura Walsh, CEO and her hard working team at IRD Duhallow.

“A lot of hidden work goes in to these awards to make it appear seamless,” she said.

She also thanked Orlaith Thompkins and her staff who prepared an excellent meal for all – and, indeed, many on the night attending the awards paid many a compliment to the staff and their excellent service.

It all points to another night to really look forward to for the 2018 awards on Thursday, November 22 – tickets now on sale.