Life's a pitch: Business & Tourism Awards gather pace

It was a night to remember - filled with pride and promise - at the AIB branch in Cavan Town last Wednesday, September 24, where local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community champions gathered for the much-anticipated Pitch Night, ahead of the upcoming 2025 Cavan Business & Tourism Awards.

Now marking its 10th year, the awards - organised by The Anglo-Celt in partnership with Cavan County Council - have grown to become one of the most significant annual events on the local business calendar, serving not only as a celebration of commercial achievement but also the vital role local enterprise plays in the social and economic fabric of the county.

The pitch night has firmly established itself as a key milestone on the road to the glamorous gala awards ceremony, to be held at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, on Friday, October 10, and each speaker underscored the diversity and vitality of business activity taking place across the county.

Entreprenurial spirit

Finalists across eight diverse award categories were invited to present their individual business journeys in front of a panel of mystery judges. Each presenter had just a tight two-minute window to outline their respective story, highlight their achievements, and demonstrate the tangible impact they’ve made in their own communities.

Aisling Vaughan, Branch Manager at AIB Cavan, set the tone for the evening with a warm and enthusiastic welcome. She spoke passionately about the “immense pride” the event fosters - not only among the participating businesses but also in the wider community that supports them.

“This evening is all about celebrating the very best that Cavan has to offer,” Ms Vaughan enthused, while thanking The Anglo-Celt for organising the awards and acknowledging the hard work of her own “fabulous staff” for making the evening possible.

Ms Vaughan also recognised the difficulty the judges now face in selecting category winners and, ultimately, the overall Cavan Business of the Year 2025. Their task has become more challenging each year, with a record number of submissions received in 2025 - clear testament to the booming entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that thrives in Cavan.

Finalists

Once again the most exciting aspects of the evening was hearing from the finalists themselves. In the ‘Emerging New Business’ category, youthful energy and fresh ideas were in no short supply, with Café Nua and Luso’s of Cavan Town, Mark Lawlor Auctioneers in Cootehill, and Mary Ellen Meadows in Tierworker demonstrating remarkable innovation and ambition.

The ‘Best Family Business’ category shone a light on generational legacy and dedication to community, with Bradys of Arva, Donegan’s Garden & Leisure in Bailieborough, E&M Stores in Cootehill, and TM’s Vintage Bar in Kilnaleck sharing stories of resilience and long-standing service.

In ‘Excellence in Customer Service’, businesses such as C-True Opticians (Virginia), Cian’s Tech World (Cavan), Riverside Spa (Stradone), and Value Centre Cash & Carry (Cavan) exemplified what it means to go above and beyond for their customers.

Environmental responsibility took centre stage in the ‘Green Business of the Year’ category, with Duffy’s Costcutter (Shercock), Harvest Moon Print & Design Ltd, Herd Butchery, and Wilton Waste all demostrating their green credentials and forward-thinking approaches to sustainability in their sectors.

Tourism, one of Cavan’s key economic drivers, was celebrated in the ‘Best in Tourism’ category. Finalists Cavan Travel, Irish Pike Fishing Guides (Ronan Murray), the Killeshandra Camino and The Nook Sauna in Tullyvin showcased how the county continues to draw visitors through unique and immersive experiences.

The ‘Best in Fashion & Lifestyle’ category brought glamour and creativity to the fore, with finalists including Always Aesthetics (Dr Aoife Raja), Dominic Donegan – What’s Your Excuse?, Margaret Coyne Couture (Dowra), and Simply Style by Fi (Virginia).

Trailblazing companies such as Apridata, Cald Engineering (Crosserlough), and Clubspot (Stradone) meanwhile competed in the ‘Most Innovative Business’ category, highlighting cutting-edge solutions and technological advancements being developed right here in Cavan.

Lastly, a spotlight was shone on the invaluable community-focused effort of those involved in the ‘Not-for-Profit’ category. This year finalists include then ‘Be Buddies not Bullies’ campaign, Cavan Autism Parents Support Group (CAPS), CSPCA, and Suil Eile Café (Kilnaleck).

Supporting the Backbone

The event also featured a keynote from Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise at the Cavan Local Enterprise Office. He commended the local business community for its strength and perseverance down through the years.

“Our role is to promote the county,” Mr Craven said, before praising the diversity and quality of businesses represented on the night. “One of the great things about this evening is hearing the inspiring stories from businesses across all categories. You’re all winners in our eyes.”

While Cavan has a strong base of foreign direct investment (FDI), Mr Craven emphasised that local, homegrown businesses are the “lifeblood of employment” in the county.

“You’re the people who keep this county moving forward. You’re the reason the population has grown from 64,000 to over 81,700. You’re creating jobs, you’re paying rates, and you deserve to be acknowledged.”

He encouraged entrepreneurs to engage with the LEO’s support offerings - from feasibility grants and expansion funding to Trading Online Vouchers - urging them to think ahead: “What are your plans for 2026? Do you need advice? Mentorship? Come and talk to us. We’re here for you.”

Mr Craven also addressed the growing relevance of Artificial Intelligence, assuring business owners that AI, like the internet before it, is simply another tool to be harnessed. “AI is not the end of jobs. It’s an opportunity for greater efficiency. Just like the internet was in the ‘90s.”

Gala Ceremony

All eyes now turn to the Gala Awards Dinner at the Slieve Russell Hotel on October 10, where the winners in each category will be officially announced, culminating in the prestigious Cavan Business of the Year 2025 award.

A special highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Special Achievement Award to Terry Hyland, CEO of Cavan County Local Development (Breffni Integrated), in recognition of his long-standing contribution to local enterprise and community development.

Innovation

The Anglo-Celt’s Editor, Linda O’Reilly, expressed her pride in the awards and her gratitude also to the wider business community.

“The imagination, bravery, and innovation that we see from businesses in Cavan is nothing short of inspiring. You are all truly wonderful.

“We were blown away by the record number of entries. It’s a joy and a privilege to help showcase everything that’s great about doing business in this county.”

In addition to partners Cavan County Council, Ms O’Reilly also thanked sponsors - Cavan LEO, Cavan Tourism, AIB Cavan, the Slieve Russell Hotel, GMK Partners, Sheridan Insurances and Finnegan Funeral Homes - for their support of the awards.