OH what a night!

The Inaugural Connect Kerry Men of Kerry Awards was hosted on Friday night at Ballyroe Heights Hotel, with over 300 attending a gala ceremony which saw many men of Kerry being recognised for their achievements.

The night began with a special presentation and tribute to the late Padraig Harnett who was part of the finalists line up, but sadly passed away recently.

A lovely video tribute was put together by co-host John Drummey, with representatives from the world of sport extolling Padraig’s selfless and amazing contribution to Kerry sport over the years. He is sadly missed.

Continued below…

Padraig was inducted into the Hall of Fame which was launched at the event and is the first ever recipient. Many more awards were given for different areas of life (see full list below) with the judges Tralee Chamber President Nathan McDonnell, Orla Diffily of Upfront PR, Helen Brick from Kerry College, Brian Looney of AIB and Mark Hussey of Cara Credit Union having a tough task.

Speaking at the event, organiser Margaret Kissane of Connect Publications said, “it’s wonderful to see such a selection of talented men being recognised for what they do daily. Following the success of our Women in Business and other awards this awards night was created to recognise and honour men, it’s a first for Kerry and indeed for Ireland as a dedicated Men’s awards hasn’t every happened and we wanted to change that here in Connect.”

“I am thrilled with the way it was received and it will become an annual event, it will be hosted at this time of the year as it will coincide with International Men’s Day,” she added.

Many men from local businesses were recognised and there were some in the national spotlight too.

The lifetime achievement award went to Brian De Staic jeweller for his amazing work over the past 40 years and there was a special recognition for the community champion category which saw men from the county recognised for the voluntary role they play in the community. The overall winner of this was Junior Locke for his role with St Vincent De Paul.

Another very popular winner was Dara Ó Cinnéide of Virgin Media who won the Connect Kerry Man in Media Marketing and Events in association with Tralee Today.ie, with his guide dog Hansen stealing the limelight!

A great night was had, and Margaret thanked all the sponsors and her team for making the night happen. Scroll down for photos and the full list of winners…

• Connect Kerry Man  in Health and Wellness in Association with Scotia Clinic Tralee — Cliff Fee, Mobility Genie and Centre for Smart Aging.

• The Connect Kerry Customer Service Award —  Pat Harmon, All Care Pharmacy Mounthawk

• Connect Kerry Man in Business Services in association with IPS Kerry. —  Dan O’Donoghue Asetniv Services

• The Connect Kerry Business Entrepeneur  — Alan O’Sullivan, Bathrooms 4U

• Connect Kerry Man in Law, Finance, Insurance and HR- in association with UP Front Model Management, PR and Events  — John Canty Accountants

• The Connect Business Development Award —  Fearghal Grimes, University Hospital Kerry. 

• Connect Kerry Man in Training and Education in association with Connect Training and events  — Robert Flaherty, CBS The Green Tralee

• The Connect Kerry Family Business of the Year — Tim Kelliher, Kellihers Toyota Kerry.

• Connect Kerry Man in Entertainment in association with Portmagee Whiskey  — Eoghan Fitzgerald Spin South West

• The Connect Kerry one to watch —  Sean O’Connor, Beachfit Games

• Connect Kerry Man in Fashion and Design- in Association with Hannons Fashion and Lifestyle Store  — Danny Leane, Annburys Fashions 

• The Connect Kerry Team Leader —  Stephen O’Brien, Techneek Tralee

• Connect Kerry Man in Technology in association with K+A Cleaning and Maintenance Services.  — Domnick Walsh Photography

• The Connect Kerry Specialist in his field award  — Mark Murphy, Little Cheese Shop and Dingle Cookery School.

• Connect Kerry Man in Retail or Consumer Services in Association with AIB BANK  — Kieran Corcoran Corcorans Furniture Stores.

• The Connect Kerry Readers Choice Award; —  Derry Fleming, Cara Credit Union.

• Connect Kerry Man in Medical Profession in association with Kerry Mental Health —  Dr Kevin Ryle, Ashe Street Tralee

• The Connect Kerry Best Use of Social Media —  Jamie Flannery, Dingle

• Connect Kerry Man in Auctioneering,  Estate Agents and property management in association with John Walsh Photograph. —  Gary O’Driscoll Property Management 

• The Connect Kerry Years of Service to his industry —  Ger O’Connor AIB Castleisland

• Connect Kerry Man in Food and Drink services  in Association in association with Sean Kissane Meats — John James and Stuart McNamara, Portmagee Whiskey

• The Connect Kerry National Business Man of the year  — John Tuite, TLI Ireland 

• Connect Kerry New Business Award in Association with Smaash Burger Ardfert —  John Crowley, The Guitar Grove.

• The Connect Kerry Support to Business —  Aidan O’Carroll, Avalanche  

• Connect Kerry Man in Media Marketing and Events in association with Tralee Today.ie.  — Dara Ó Cinneide, Virgin Media.

• The Connect Kerry International Man of Year Award —  Jerry Kennelly, Tweak.com

• Connect Kerry Outstanding Manager Award in association with Tralee Chamber Alliance —  Nick Roberts, Listowel Garden Centre 

• The Connect Kerry Innovation Award —  Fintan O’Connell, Bioheat Ireland

• Connect Kerry Man in  Farming Gardening and Horticulture inassociation with Cara Credit Union — Padraig Sugrue, Belfield Christmas Trees 

• The Connect Rising Star Award —  Daniel Breen, Inception Fitness.

• Connect Kerry Man  in Archectiture Construction and design in association with Expose Design —  Seamus Scanlon, Bathrooms 4u

• The Connect Kerry Mission Possible Award  — Jermiah Griffin, Killarney, 

• Connect Kerry Man in Sport in association with Ballyroe Heights Hotel —  Jordan Lee

• The Connect Kerry Team of the Year;  — Celsius Menswear

• Connect Kerry Man in Motoring in association with IDrive Motoring  — Niall Murphy, Castleisland Tyre Centre 

• The Connect Kerry Overall Best Business  — Bathrooms 4u

• Connect Kerry Community Champion award in association with Ballyseedy Garden Centre  — Junior Locke, St Vincent De Paul

• The Connect Kerry Most Inspirational Business Man —  Edmund Scanlon, Kerry Group PLC

• The Connect Kerry Local Hero Award — Dermot Crowley, Recovery Haven

• The Connect Kerry Editors Choice  — Con Dennehy

• The Connect Kerry Lifetime Achievement Award — Brian De Staic Jeweller Dingle.

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