‘ To win a local award among your peers is the highest achivement’

TO be in business for just over a year and clinch overall winner of the 2019 Kerryman Business Awards was something all involved at Corrib Oil never thought possible.

However, the huge success that the new Tralee business has achieved in the past 12 months simply could not be overlooked as Corrib Oil was deservedly selected winner of this year’s awards.

General Manger of The Kerryman newspaper, Siobhan Murphy, said that selecting an overall winner is always a difficult choice for the judging panel. However, Corrib Oil fitted the bill due to the rapid advancements the company has made since it opened its doors.

“Starting a business is about incremental success as it evolves from the idea stage to the practical everyday challenge and Corrib Oil has proven in just 12 months that they are innovative, customer orientated and supportive of the local community.”

The awards aim to recognise thriving local businesses and Corrib Oil certainly fits the bill in that regard.

Corrib Oil encompasses a food court, a convenience store and a service station and oil depot with a focus on offering a customer-first service. Since they opened their doors they have also been huge backers of the local community, supporting clubs and providing much needed extra parking during matches.

With more than 50 staff, Corrib Oil is not only a significant employer but also provides a huge offering to the town of Tralee – something that few towns across the country have.

“It is a big addition to the town of Tralee. To have a food court like this is usually something found in cities and motorways, not in towns. Tralee is one of the few towns to have this available and we are delighted to provide this to the local community,” explained manager Sean Hennessy.

Sean says the team’s belief in Corrib Oil has been rubber-stamped by The Kerryman’s prestigious accolade.

“There were such strong candidates in all categories that we never thought we were in with a chance of winning the overall award. Many of the finalists were established businesses across the county and richly deserved the award so we were shocked to win, but delighted,” added Sean. “We are still trying to figure out how we got selected but we are thrilled that The Kerryman selected us as the overall winner.”

He said that the awards cements the success of Corrib Oil in Tralee and means more to them than any other award as it is a local award for a local business.

“It is a fantastic achievement for all the team. It is a huge compliment to be recognised from our peers in Kerry. To be recognised amongst our own people and businesses is simply one of the highest achievements,” Sean added.

Aidan Sheehan and Sean Hennessy of Corrib Oil were the overall winners at the 2019 Kerryman Business Awards . Also pictured were Kevin Hughes, Editor The Kerryman , Mayor of Kerry Niall Kelliher , Siobhan Murphy, General Manager The Kerryman and Terry Prone, guest speaker.

Pictured at the The Kerryman Business Awards 2019 held in the Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee. Finalists of the Best Customer Experience Award, from left, David Leonard, Ugly Mug Ltd; Sean Healy, AIB Kerry; Aishling Foley, The Rose Hotel; Richard Cleary, Quality Framing Company and Geraldine Brosnan, The Kerryman.

Pictured at the The Kerryman Business Awards 2019 held in the Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee. Finalists of the Best Tourism Award, from left, Billy Mangan, The Corkman; Mayor of Kerry Clr Niall Kelliher; Lorraine Salmon, The Brehon; Pat Curtin, Kerry Aqua Terra Ltd and Moira Murrell, CE Kerry County Council.

Pictured at the The Kerryman Business Awards 2019 held in the Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee. Finalists of the Social Corporate Responsibility Award, from left, Teresa O’Shea, The Kerryman; Eoin McCarthy and Sr Terasita Hoare, Bon Secours Hospital Tralee; Ashley Fitzgerald, Listowel Credit Union; Susan Turan, The Aquarian Health Store and David Fortune, Me and the Moon.

Pictured at the The Kerryman Business Awards 2019 held in the Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee. Finalists of the Best Innovation in Business Award, from left, Gerry Lennon, Commercial Director INM; Aidan O’Carroll, Avalanche Designs; Garrett Dillon, Dillon’s Waste & Recycling; Philip Stallard, New Wave Adventure Therapy and Eoin Joy, Sports Recovery Suite.