Womens' business group reveals its annual award winners
SEVEN businesswomen from across Limerick have been honoured at a special event in the city centre's Clayton Hotel.
Members of Network Ireland Limerick, a group designed to support women in business and the arts, held their annual awards ceremony this week.
And from 31 finalists came seven overall winners.
The emerging businesswoman of the year was fashion designer Sinead O'Brien, from Vacious, based in Annacotty.
The title for the established businesswoman of the year went to Denise Brazil, who runs The Bedford Townhouse hotel in Bedford Row in the city centre.
While communications guru Edwina Gore, of Gore Communications, based at Ennis Road, became the solo businesswoman of the year.
Flowers by Nell founder Nell Stritch, whose premises is in Roches Street was named creative professional of the year.
While Danielle Markham of the Dublin-based chartered accountancy firm Eisner Amper Ireland was named the top rising star in the employee category.
Susan Wash, of another financial firm, Metis Ireland, which is based at O'Connell Street in Limerick, was given an award for being a 'shining star' employee.
Last but not least, the networker of the year prize went to Valerie Murphy, who runs Valerie's Breast Care near Askeaton.
The winners of each award category will now go on to compete at the Network Ireland National Businesswoman of the Year Awards which will be announced at a black tie gala ceremony on September 29 in Lawlors Hotel in Naas, Co Kildare.
Karen Ronan, the president of Network Ireland Limerick said: "Our awards are a way to highlight everyone’s potential and provide a great opportunity to recognise our member’s achievements, ambition and professionalism. We had 31 inspiring finalists this year which is fantastic. I would like to congratulate them all and wish our seven regional award winners the very best of luck at the nationals."
She paid tribute to the sponsors of the awards: Limerick Local Enterprise Office, AIB, and the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau.
The competition judges were Karl Daly, Moore Financial, Ciara Farrell of the Local Enterprise Office and Dympna O'Brien, AIB.