Yasmina Renaudin (RedaCare), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), was Highly Commended in the Emerging New Businesswoman of the Year category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean PhotographyNETWORK Ireland Kerry hosted the 2026 Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night at The Rose Hotel, Tralee, where a packed house gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in business across the county.
The awards ceremony, hosted by Brian Hurley, honoured excellence across a wide range of categories, showcasing the depth of talent, innovation, and leadership within the Network Ireland Kerry community.
Delivering a powerful keynote address on the night was Maria Walsh, MEP, who spoke passionately about authentic leadership, resilience, inclusion, and the importance of community in both business and public life
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President of Network Ireland Kerry, Aisling Foley, reflected on the success of the event, stating: “The energy in the room at The Rose Hotel on Friday night was absolutely electric as we celebrated the outstanding achievements of women in business from across Kerry.
Tara Pigott (Astellas), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), was recognised as a Branch Finalist in the Early Career Employee category, highlighting her strong potential and impact within her field, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography“The calibre of this year’s finalists was truly exceptional, and the sense of support, encouragement, and community throughout the evening was incredibly special. We are immensely proud of our seven branch winners and look forward to supporting them as they go on to represent Network Ireland Kerry at the Network Ireland National Awards this September in Galway.”
The 2026 category winners are:
• Established Businesswoman: Noreen Mangan, What Women Want
• Advanced Career Employee: Cora Creed, Universal Music Group
• Emerging New Businesswoman: Josie Harty, Celtic Coastal Creations
• Solo Businesswoman: Christina Foley, Inish Living
• Creative Professional: Christine O’Donoghue de Vries, House of Kerry
• STEM Professional: Dr Sarah Morrissey Tucker, MTU
• Networker of the Year: Susan Quirke Crowley, Mounthawk Montessori School Ltd
In addition, Tara Pigott of Astellas was recognised as a Branch Finalist in the Employee Rising Star Category, highlighting her strong potential and impact within her field.
A Special Recognition Award was presented to Brid McElligott of Brid McElligott Consulting Ltd in acknowledgement of her outstanding contribution to business, community, and professional life across Kerry.
All category winners will now go forward to represent Network Ireland Kerry at the National Businesswoman of the Year Awards, taking place in Galway this September. Scroll down for photos…
Tara Elzingre (Tara Elzingre Consultancy), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), received the One to Watch in the Solo Businesswoman of the Year category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Susan Quirke Crowley (Mounthawk Montessori School Group), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry) and Catriona Nolan (Astellas), received the Networker of the Year award, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Sudha Alagappan (Neural BI), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), was Highly Commended in the STEM Professional of the Year category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Dr Sara Morrissey Tucker (MTU), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry) and judge and sponsor, Fionnbar McLoughlin (FEXCO), received the STEM Professional award, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Noreen Mangan (What Women Want), pictured with Susan Quirke Crowley (Mounthawk Montessori School Group) and Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), received the Established Businesswoman award, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Michelle Walsh (New Body and Soul), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), was Highly Commended in the Networker of the Year category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Lena Freitag (Freitag Weddings), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), was Highly Commended in the Creative Professional category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Karen Buckley (Loughdale Cottage), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), received the One to Watch in the Emerging New Businesswoman category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Josie Harty (Celtic Coastal creations), pictured with David Moran (CSG) and Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), received the Emerging New Businesswoman award, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Jackie Gavaghan (MTU), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), received Highly Commended in the Advanced Career Employee category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Cora Creed (Universal Music Group), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry) and Colleen Shannon (AIB), was named the branch winner in the Advanced Career Employee category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Clarissa Michaux (The Academy of Dance), pictured with Susan Quirke Crowley (Mounthawk Montessori School Group) and Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), received the One to Watch in the Established Businesswoman category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Claire Kingston (Limitless Life Coaching with Claire), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), received the One to Watch in the Emerging New Business category, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
House of Kerry business owner, Christine O’Donoghue de Vries (centre), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry) and Bríd McElligott, received the Creative Professional award, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Inish Living’s Christina Foley (centre), pictured with Linda O’Mahony Logan (Leadership360) and Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), received the Solo Businesswoman award, at the 2026 Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
Brid McElligott (right) (Brid McElligott Consulting Ltd), pictured with Aisling Foley (President of Network Ireland Kerry), received a Special Recognition Award in acknowledgement of her outstanding contribution to business, community, and professional life across Kerry, at the Network Ireland Kerry Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026 on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography
