'Our winners should be so proud': Outstanding women recognised at Network Cork awards 

At the beginning of her term as Network Ireland Cork President, Diane Higgins selected ‘Better Together’ as her theme for the year, and nowhere was this more apparent than at the Network Cork Businesswoman of the Year Awards at the weekend.

The event brought women from across Cork’s business community together to celebrate one another and recognise the innovation, leadership and entrepreneurial success among women across the region.

The evening, held at the Kingsley Hotel, kicked off with a drinks reception where pupils from St Columba’s Girls National School & Facility for Deaf Children wowed attendees with a special performance which combined powerful vocals, Irish Sign Language (ISL) and dance.

Esther McCarthy from the Irish Examiner expertly MC’d the awards ceremony, where women were recognised across eight categories: Networker of the Year, Emerging Businesswoman, Solo Businesswoman, Established Businesswoman, Early Career Employee, Advanced Career Employee, Creative Professional, and STEM Professional.

In all, 55 finalists were named across these categories, with the winners in each category determined by the judging panel made up of a panel of business experts - Helen Murphy (Export Business Advisor at LEO Cork City), Marguerite O’Donovan (Branch Manager at AIB, Blackpool) and Caroline O’Driscoll (Partner, Tax & Legal at Deloitte).

Nationally, Network Ireland will run 17 local branch finals in all, including this event.

The winners of these will go forward to represent their branch at a national level later this year.

Diane Higgins said that the awards are about more than professional success in women.

“They are about bravery. Every finalist and winner has had the courage to put themselves forward, to share their journey and ask to be counted. That takes confidence and vulnerability - and that deserves to be celebrated. Our winners should be so proud of what they have achieved.

“I am delighted to accompany them to the national stage later this year.”

The winners of the 2026 Businesswoman of the Year Awards are:

Emerging New Businesswoman - sponsored by Wedding Dates

Dawn Holton, Holton Homes and Properties

Established Businesswoman - sponsored by Cameron Café

Wendy O’ Driscoll, Mitchelsfort Contracting

STEM Professional - sponsored by Viska Systems

Najla Ahmadyar, Zartis

Creative Professional - sponsored by ASA Brands

Nadine Hughes Campbell, Noah’s Adventures

Solo Businesswoman - sponsored by Naturally Balanced

Louise Kane Buckley, Loula Natural

Early Career Employee - sponsored by Cork Education and Training Board (ETB)

Ciara O’Connell, SolarHill Energy

Advanced Career Employee - sponsored by Partnership International

Laura Howard, Trinny London

Networker of the Year sponsored by Kneat Solutions

Ciara Crossan, Wedding Dates

The following finalists received the “Highly Commended” accolade in the following categories:

Solo Businesswoman: Gillian McGrath, Change, Grow, Succeed

Advanced Career Employee: Stephanie O’Flanagan, DePuy Synthes (J&J MedTech)

STEM Professional: Megan Geaney, DePuy Synthes (J&J MedTech)

Network Ireland Cork Vice President and Awards Coordinator, Dr Siobhán Lucey said: “I am thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of this year’s winners. Being recipients of these awards reflects their innovation, leadership and resilience; it also represents a celebration of their business journey through what at times can be challenging and complex environments.

“Heartfelt congratulations to all the winners on this well-earned recognition”.

Network Cork President Diane Higgins presented the President’s Award to campaigner and founding member of Cork’s Sexual Violence Centre, Mary Crilly, in recognition of the contribution she has made to the lives of women in Cork, and indeed nationally, in her lifetime.

This special award acknowledges the work of one exceptional individual outside of Network Cork who embodies the spirit of the Network and who has inspired other members.

“The President’s Award each year is given to someone outside of the organisation who embodies the values of Network Ireland- leading, supporting and collaborating.

“I chose Mary Crilly on the year of her retirement this August to acknowledge the work she has done for women within our community for the last 43 years.

“Mary is a leading light who has paved the way for change in the lives of thousands of women in Cork and across the country through the centre, as well as her awareness campaigns and her lobbying work on legislative reform,” said Diane.

The Network Ireland West Cork awards will take place this Thursday at Dunmore House Hotel.