Business Award finalists revealed!

The countdown is on for this year’s Cavan Business and Tourism Awards, which are run by The Anglo-Celt in partnership with Cavan County Council.

The 13th annual awards were launched in August by Cathaoirleach Cllr Carmel Brady.

Finalists across nine categories have been revealed ahead of a special pitch night taking place tonight (Wednesday), September 30, in AIB Cavan, where they will each have two minutes to pitch their businesses to the judges in advance of the awards ceremony next month.

“It’s always a great evening,” said the Celt’s Managing Editor, Linda O’Reilly. “It serves as an ice-breaker for the gala dinner and the judges never fail to be impressed by the diversity of businesses in County Cavan and the amazing and passionate people who drive them and make up the economic backbone of our county.”

Three new categories have been introduced this year - Best in Retail, Best in Hospitality and Best Agri/Food Business. The other categories include Emerging New Business, Best Family Business, Most Sustainable/Green Business, Excellence in Customer Service, Tourism Business of the Year, and Not for Profit/Social Enterprise.

Along with The Anglo-Celt and Cavan County Council, this year’s awards are sponsored by the Slieve Russell Hotel, AIB Cavan, Cavan Local Enterprise Office, Cavan Tourism, GMK Partners, Sheridan Insurances and Callaghan Electrical.

The ceremony will be held on Friday, October 23 in the Slieve Russell Hotel, when the winners of each category will be announced, and the overall Cavan Business of the Year will be revealed from the category winners. On the night, Barry Smith (above), founder and managing director of Abcon Ireland, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and deliver a keynote speech.

Barry founded the leading manufacturing company in Belturbet in 2005 with Paul Gilsenan and Sean Daly before moving to Cootehill to facilitate the growing business, which started with a staff of eight and has grown to employ more than 150 people.