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Margaret O’Briain, Caroline Simpson, Mary Tute, and Claire Harty at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
WOMEN in business in Kerry were celebrated with a Black Tie gala ceremony on Friday in Ballyroe Heights Hotel.
Organised by Margaret Kissane of Connect Magazine, the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards celebrated and recognized the enormous entrepreneurial talent and success of women who both own and manage businesses in Kerry.
There were 15 overall award categories, with a number of special awards given for achievers in the room.
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Over 300 guests descended on the hotel to celebrate the work women in business do around the county. Some of the highlights of the night were the Community Champion award, created this year to recognize those volunteers in the county that make a difference every day.
It had seven finalists in Mary Dolan, Gillian Wharton Slattery, Ann Leahy O’Shea, Fidelma O’Leary, Eilish Stack, Ciss O’Connor and Mairead Fernane.
The overall category winner was Mairead Fernane, but all other six were honoured with an appreciation award from Connect for their service to their community.
Most inspirational Business Woman Award went to Caroline McEnery of the HR Suite while the main award of the night the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Anne Foley of Nicks Restaurant Kilorglin.
The full list of award winners were;
• Business Woman in Health and Wellness in Association with Horans Health Stores — Jessica Lewis, Audiology medical services
• Business Woman in the Business of Tourism in Association with Spin South West — Sandra Leahy Kerry County Museum
• Business Woman in Business Services – in Association with Irish Drain Services — Miriam McGillycuddy Solicitor
• Business Woman in Education and Childcare- in association with Butler Education Centre Listowel — Ashleigh Galvin Puffins Childcare Caherciveen
• Business Woman in Fashion Retail- in Association with Hannons Fashions — Denise Bourke Divas and Dudes Castleisland and Adare
• Business Woman in Marketing and Events in Association with Orla Diffily PR and Events— Elma Shine Caherciveen
• Business woman in Technology in Association with Kingdom Printers — Aisling Carmody Creative Practice Tralee
• Business Woman in Retail or Consumer Business in Association with Kelliher Toyota Claire Harty CH Chemists
• Business Woman in Fashion Design — Hazel Comyn, Caherciveen
• Business Woman in Millinery in association with HQ Tralee — Aoife Hannon, Millinery Listowel
• Business Woman in Food Production in Association with O Sullivan’s Bakery — Maria Brosnan Bake it Easy. Knocknagoshel
• Hospitality Award in association with Ballyroe Heights Hotel — Sharon Fitzgerald Sea Lodge Waterville
• New Business Award in Association with John Canty Accountants — Claire Kelly and Jo Arbon the busy botanist Killorglin
• Outstanding Manager Award in association with Ballyseedy Home and Garden — Berni Maher Bartlett, Halfords Tralee
• Community Champion Award in Association with Radio Kerry — Mairead Fernane
SPECIAL AWARDS
• The Connect Kerry International Business Woman of the year in Association with Ballyroe Heights — Anne Falvey GB GLOBAL HQ Tralee
• The Connect Kerry Customer Service Award in association with Radio Kerry — Niamh Lynch Suits Select
• The Connect Kerry Young Entrepreneur award in association with Spin Southwest — Carly Donovan Bluebird Care Kerry /west cork
• The Connect Kerry Business Development award. In association with HQ Tralee — Elaine Stack the Lingerie Room Listowel
• The Connect Kerry Best Small Business- in association with Kingdom Printers — Tracy O’Neill Fitzpatrick’s Market house caherciveen
• The Connect Kerry One to Watch — Nuala Keane Blossom Boutique Listowel
• The Connect Kerry One to Watch in Professional Services — Deirdre Flynn Solicitor Ardfert
• The Connect Kerry Specialist In her business Award — Edel Lawlor Expressive Play Kilflynn
• The Connect Kerry Family Business of the year award — Heather O’Sullivan John Ross Jewellers
• The Connect Kerry Editor’s Choice Award — Jane Sharp fitness
• The Connect Kerry Reader’s Choice Award in association with That’s Perfect Tralee — Suzanne Raggett designer flowers
• The Connect Kerry Social Media Award — Jacqui Hurley /Mary Moloney Mary Jays Boutique
• The Connect Kerry Service to her chosen Industry Award — Dr Bridget O’Brien.
• The Connect Kerry Innovation award — Helen Sheehan Killarney Grand Hotel
• The Connect Kerry Focus on Nutrition and wellbeing — Kate Leen Krave lunch
• The Connect Kerry Rising Star Award — Leonie Flaherty Ashe Hotel Tralee
• The Connect Kerry Most inspirational business woman — Caroline McEnery
• The Connect Kerry Lifetime Achievement Award in Association with ABC CLEANING — Anne Foley Nicks restaurant Killorglin
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS…
Marian Sullivan, Breda Bryne, Joan Holland, Ivanka Bozovayska and Joan Broderick at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
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Tracy and Jack Fitzpatrick at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
Majella Milward and Leonie Flaherty at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
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Miriam Owens, Kathleen Finnegan and James Finnegan at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
Marisa Reidy and Laura Reidy at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
Ann Kahraman, Olivia Wall and Catriona Kennedy at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
Jessica Lewis, Kay Lewis, Charles Lewis, Megan Lewis, and Katie Lewis at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
Niamh Lynch, David Lynch and Laura McGaley at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
Sandra Leahy and Jane Murphy at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
Jo Arbon, Claire Kelly and Deirdre Hayes McCann at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
Niamh Barry and Peter Stanton at the Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Lisa O’Mahony.
