Niamh Murphy, Dave O’Brien, Cliona Barnes and Margaret O Regan, all part of the Cork Business of the Year Awards event committee. Photo: Chani Anderson

Awards celebrate businesses success

Drum roll, please! The finalists of this year’s Cork Business of the Year Awards have been announced.

Recognising excellence, innovation and dedication across various sectors, these Cork Business Association (CBA) awards celebrate the businesses and individuals driving Cork’s economic and cultural success.

Those organising the awards said the quality of entrants was superb this year.

The CBA restructured their awards this year and the shortlist is now open to public vote, and the people of Cork are encouraged to vote for who they want to win at corkbusiness.ie/cba-awards.

The organisers said: “Last year 17,500 votes were received, so it’s important to have your say.”

The finalists are:

Best VFI Pub - Costigan's Pub, The Anglers and Franciscan Well Brewpub

Best Cork Hotel - Clayton Silversprings, Hayfield Manor and Vienna Woods

Best Professional Services - Healy Communications, KSN Horizon and Punch Consulting Engineers

Best Festival or Event - Cork on A Fork Festival, Alpine Skate Trail - Cool Running Events and Cork Craft & Design Fair

Best in Culture, Arts & Tourism - Cork Opera House, Ocean Escapes and Cork Harbour Cruises

Best in Retail - Kilkenny Design, K O'Connell Fishmongers and Herlihy's Centra

Best Café - Perch Coffee & Wine, Golden Bites and Ruairi's Kitchen

Best Restaurant - Moody Cafe Vin, Farmgate Café and Cornstore Cork

Best Family Business - Neville Jewellers, Dinos Family Chip Shops and The Flying Enterprise & The Courtyard on Sober Lane

Best New Business - EHS International, RHEA Funeral Care and Potteria

Sustainable Business Innovation - Old Oak, Orla McAndrew Food Ltd and Saoirse Ethnic Hands on Deck

The winners will be revealed at the CBA President’s Dinner at Vienna Woods Hotel on Saturday 29 March. This evening will feature a welcome address by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, a keynote speech by European Commissioner Michael McGrath, and will be hosted by radio presenter Matt Cooper. The event is in aid of Parentline, and Cork-born CEO Aileen Hickey will present on the evening.

The President’s Dinner is a highlight in Cork’s business calendar, offering an opportunity to celebrate and network with business leaders and innovators.