Duhallow biz Oscars are ‘safely landed’

Recognition on home turf a huge morale boost for Newmarket based Ayrton Group

THE Duhallow business Oscars were unveiled at a glittering ceremony in Newmarket last Thursday night. Up to 200 people gathered at the James O’Keeffe Institute, the HQ of IRD Duhallow, who hosted the awards.

The top award of the night was collected by the Ayrton Group, headed by Kieran and Helen Linehan of Newmarket. They picked up the Best Established Business award along with the overall award.

This week, Mr Linehan with a smile told The Corkman the feeling was akin to winning an All-Ireland. “It is truly fantastic to be recognised on your own home-ground. These awards have given us a huge boost,” he said.

Guest speakers on the night included, Clare native John Scanlan, Vice-President for Flex Operations in Europe, who enthralled the audience. Other speakers included Minister Michael Creed, and Group Editor of The Corkman/Kerryman, Kevin Hughes.

IT was a glorious double whammy for the Ayrton Group in Newmarket as they won the Overall Award and the Best Established Business accolade at the IRD Duhallow Business Awards held in conjunction with The Corkman.

Killavullen native, Kieran Linehan (MD) and his wife, Helen along with their 85 staff operate the highly successful business training and consultancy services in a state of the art building in Newmarket. Staff also work at a second training centre in Dublin which they opened in January.

Kieran Linehan told The Corkman that he was “still grinning” at the win and said to receive both awards was a “massive honour.” With a smile, he said it was just like winning an All Ireland final. “This is a great and huge morale boost for us and in particular for the staff, who always work so hard. Our staff are really terrific,” he said.

Mr Linehan said it was equally great to be recognised by the people in his own catchment region.

Even though their base is in Newmarket, they are very much a global enterprise as their work has taken them all over the world.

They have had, or currently have, activities in countries such as Kenya, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Philippines, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and throughout the UK.

Mr Linehan said that by 2021 they aim to have 200 staff on the books working not just in Ireland but across Europe.

Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald Building further on a hugely successful year, Kieran and Helen Linehan of the Ayrton Group in Newmarket (formerly Health & Safety Services), won the prestigious Duhallow Business of the Year Award.

Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald. John Scanlan, (Vice President Operations Flex) presenting the Duhallow Business of the Year Award to Kieran and Helen Linehan of the Ayrton Group in Newmarket (formerly Health & Safety Services), at the Duhallow Business Awards which were held at the...