Buzz ahead of Business Awards’ Pitch Night
Excitement is building ahead of this year’s Cavan Business & Tourism Awards, run by The Anglo-Celt in partnership with Cavan County Council.
Finalists across eight categories will pitch their businesses at a special Pitch Night event in AIB Cavan tomorrow evening (Wednesday).
Manager of the local AIB branch, Aisling Vaughan, is excited ahead of the evening.
“Businesses will get two minutes in which to pitch their business to the judges. There’s always a great buzz in the branch and it’s lovely to hear about the different types of enterprises in the county, how they got started and people’s back stories,” she said ahead of the event.
Ms Vaughan will also serve as MC at the event and will be joined by the Celt’s managing editor, Linda O’Reilly, in chairing proceedings.
“We had a record number of entries this year and the judging panel really have their work cut out for them in terms of choosing category winners and an overall winner for this year’s awards,” Ms O’Reilly said.
“Cavan truly is an entrepreneurial county and that shines through every year in these awards,” she added, thanking all of the event’s sponsors.
Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise at the Cavan Local Enterprise Office (LEO) will also briefly address the attendees about the various supports available to them through their local LEO.
Along with Cavan County Council, Cavan LEO and Cavan AIB, other sponsors include Cavan Tourism, GMK Partners, the Slieve Russell Hotel, Sheridan Insurances and Finnegan Funeral Directors.
The overall winners will be announced at a gala ceremony and dinner in the Slieve Russell Hotel on Friday, October 10th, 2025, when the overall Cavan Business of the Year will be named.
Terry Hyland, CEO of Cavan County Local Development (Breffni Integrated) will also be conferred with a Special Achievement Award on the evening for his work and that of CCLD in terms of promoting community projects and emerging entrepreneurs.
Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Celt offices.
MEET THE 2025 FINALISTs
Emerging New Business
Café Nua, Cavan Town
Luso’s, Cavan Town
Mark Lawlor Auctioneers, Cootehill
Mary Ellen Meadows, Tierworker
Best Family Business
Bradys of Arva
Donegan’s Garden & Leisure, Bailieborough
E&M Stores, Cootehill
TM’s Vintage Bar, Kilnaleck
Excellence in
Customer Service
C-True Opticians, Virginia
Cian’s Tech World, Cavan
Riverside Spa, Stradone
Value Centre Cash & Carry, Cavan
Green Business of the Year
Duffy’s Gala, Shercock
Harvest Moon Print & Design Ltd
Herd Butchery
Wilton Waste
Best in Tourism
Cavan Travel
Irish Pike Fishing Guides (Ronan Murray)
Killeshandra Camino
The Nook Sauna, Tullyvin
Best in Fashion & Lifestyle
Always Aesthetics – Dr Aoife Raja, Cavan
Dominic Donegan – what’s your excuse?
Margaret Coyne Couture, Dowra
Simply Style by Fi (Fiona Ryan), Virginia
Most Innovative Business
Apridata, Cavan
Cald Engineering, Crosserlough
Clubspot, Cavan
Not for Profit Organisation
Be Buddies not Bullies
Cavan Autism Parents Support Group (CAPS)
Cavan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA)
Suil Eile Café, Kilnaleck