Businesses across county in running for Best in Cork Awards

A NUMBER of businesses across a variety of sectors are in the running to be named Cork’s Best Overall Business of the Year.

The category winners in the inaugural Mayor of County Cork’s Best in Cork Awards will be revealed at a gala ceremony at Cork County Hall on Tuesday, February 13.

Bespoke trophies are being crafted by Cork woodturner Abe Cashman for the winners, with each piece created using reclaimed and salvaged wood such as old floorboards, ceiling joists or off cuts from furniture making.

The awards are being judged by an independent panel of judges, including entrepreneurs DC Cahalane and Ingrid Seim, Cork County Council’s Nicola Radley, Trigon Hotels’ Aaron Mansworth and former CEO of Red FM Diarmuid O’Leary.

The ceremony, at Vertigo, Cork County Hall, will be presided over by Virgin Media presenter Elaine Crowley, who will announce the winners of each category before the Mayor of the County of Cork’s Best Overall Business of the Year is revealed.

A total of 44 businesses have been shortlisted across eight categories, after divisional finals were held during November and December for Best Small Business, Best Medium Business and Best Start-up.

Finalists

The finalists of the remaining five categories have now been revealed.

The shortlist for Best Large Business is made up of: Hanley Calibration, PV Generation Ltd, Fota Island Resort, Merck, Celtic Ross Hotel and Eli Lilly Cork.

The finalists in Best Green Innovation are: Climeaction, Atlantic Flight Training Academy, Tower Garden, Ballymaloe House Hotel, Hanna’s Bees and Polar IceTech.

The Connection to the Community category is made up of: The Ludgate Hub, Celtic Ross Hotel, Sli Eile Support Services, Synergy Credit Union, West Cork Connects and The Culinary Celt.

There are two tourism categories, Best Tourist Attraction (paid) is made up of: Clonakilty Black Pudding Visitor Centre, Allihies Copper Mine Museum, Ó Tuama Tours, Atlantic Sea Kayaking, Ballyhass Adventure Group and Kinsale Food Tours. The shortlist for attractions that don’t have an admission charge is: The Donkey Sanctuary, Sirius Arts Centre, Wanderly, Tiny Feet Fairy Garden and Doneraile Art Fest.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said: “It is these enterprises of all shapes and sizes, from sole traders to multi-nationals employing thousands of people, that ensures the county of Cork continues to grow and thrive. These businesses play a significant role in the economic success of our county but they play a more important role in the communities in which they are based, providing jobs, services and adding to the vibrancy of our towns.”