PHOTO GALLERY: Co Kildare Chamber Annual Business Awards in Killashee Hotel, Naas

Cllr Ivan Keatley, Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Fintan Brett, and Minister Martin Heydon 

ALL PHOTOS BY MARTIN CONNELLY 

Over 400 business leaders from across Kildare attended the Kildare Business Awards, powered by Eirgrid, last Thursday (24th November) in The Killashee Hotel.

Allan Shine, CEO of the Chamber in his opening address paid tribute to all the finalists and noted that this year the Chamber received a record number of 174 application for the 15 category awards on offer. 

He said, “The air of positivity can be felt in this room tonight. Business sentiment is challenging currently but here in Kildare we continue to survive and more importantly thrive.  We are without doubt the most business resilient county in Ireland. Kildare is the location of choice for both existing and for potential business enterprise. We will continue to build and capitalise on this momentum for Kildare”.

Mairéad Hennessy, speaking at her first engagement since becoming Chamber President last month said, “Despite all the challenges over the past couple of years, business in Kildare is thriving. As a result, our Chamber has beaten the odds and membership has increased over the past 3 years by an incredible 24%. No other Chamber in the country has achieved this. This growth is down to you, the members, and your belief that our Chamber can continue to represent the voice of business in Kildare”.

Business of the Year for 2022 was won by T&I Fitouts. Kevin O’Connor of Colourtrend was this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Business Award.

Winners this year were;

Employee of the Year- John Mitchell (Barretstown)

Excellence in Communication- Intel Ireland

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion- Dooley Cummins Architects & Engineers Ltd.

Best Emerging Business- RGN Electrical and Communications Ltd

International Trade- The K Club

Small-Medium Business of the Year- T&I Fitouts

Large Business of the Year- Crystal Air

Innovation in Business- Terra Nutritech

Excellence in the Community- Glenveagh Homes

Excellence in Customer Service- CarveOn

Sustainable Development- Barretstown

Net Zero Achievement- T&I Fitouts Ltd

Health and Wellbeing- Queally Group

Overall Business of the Year- T&I Fitouts

Outstanding Contribution to Business- Kevin O’Connor