Three winners at national awards

THERE were three Wicklow winners at the Network Ireland annual awards, which took place in the Druid’s Glen Hotel on Friday, October 6.

Audrey Dalton of Pawtrait Photography won the Blink Design Award in the Arts Section while the Outstanding Contribution Award went to Molly Comish of Dignity Packs Ireland. Molly Williams of Hidden Valley Holiday Park in Rathdrum won the highly commended award in the CPA Ireland Skillnet Established Small Business Category and Leigh Williams from Wicklow Brewery in Redcross was a runner-up.

A delighted Audrey Dalton said the win was a ‘great validation that you’re on the right path with your dream’ and said she had met the ‘most wonderful women’ through the network, who have provided her with great support. Molly Williams said she was ‘extremely proud and honoured’ to have won the highly commended award and said that, with Hidden Valley currently in expansion mode, the business will be

When it came to the Outstanding Contribution Award, Rebecca Harrison, Network Ireland President and MD of Fishers in Newtownmountkennedy, said it wasn’t difficult coming up with a worthy winner.

‘Molly, while still a schoolgirl, has achieved so much and helped so many with founding Dignity Packs Ireland. Her story of starting small with her tip money and how it’s hit a chord with so many people and now she has sponsorship and awards to beat the band’ said Ms Harrison.

Earlier in the day, top international speakers from the business world addressed Network Ireland’s annual conference, which was also held at Druid’s Glen.

There were over 250 delegates present and speakers at the conference included Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ireland, Her Excellency Hana Mottlova, and Wicklow business women Catherine Fulvio from Ballyknockan and Rachel Doyle from the Arboretum.

Cllr Gerry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District and Chair of Wicklow County Council’s Economic Development and Enterprise Support, Strategic Policy Committee, welcomed everyone to Wicklow and congratulated Network Ireland President Ms Harrison on bringing this national event to Wicklow. The Wicklow branch of Network Ireland will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 21, in Fishers from 7 p.m., where Elaine Madigan, creator elegant jewellery and traditional watches, will share her story.

Andrew Johnston, Yvonne Hyland and Lloyd Williams.

Melissa Connaughton, Dianna Sheridan and Anne Gregory.

Muuireann Fitzmaurice, Aisling Callaghan and Margaret Hoctor.

Rebecca Harrison with the winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award, Molly Commish of Dignity Packs Ireland.

Nicola Donegan and Eadaoin Curtin.

Aileen Delany and Roseann Heavey.

Molly Williams from Hidden Valley Holiday Park, who was highly commended in the CPA Ireland Skillnet Established Small Business Category, with Rebecca Harrison, President of Network Ireland.

Audrey Dalton of Pawtrait Photography, winner of the Blink Design Award in the arts section.