Awards Winners Announced Later This Week

Awards Winners Announced Later This Week

Finalists & Local Business Community Come Together to Celebrate the Carlow Business Awards

Excitement is mounting in advance of the finals of the Carlow Business Awards, which take place in VISUAL Carlow this Thursday (the 24^th of September) – when the winners of all 26 categories will be announced.

The awards are organised by County Carlow Chamber of Commerce and are sponsored by Carlow County Council.  They recognise and reward businesses that are excelling in their field, creating jobs, growing the local economy and putting Carlow on the map.

The competition statistics reflect a dynamic and energised local business eco-system:

• 820 nominations – the highest level to date
• Over 350 applications from shortlisted businesses
• 77 presentations to judges to 17 judges
• 102 visits/ assessments by 10 mystery shoppers
• 122 finalists from 110 different business of all sizes and type throughout the county
• By the 24^th of September there will be 26 winners announced

‘The sense of excitement is building as we near the awards night in VISUAL Carlow.’ Says Norah Ryan, President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce.  ‘This is the culmination of a lot of work on the part of the team and board of the Chamber, the judges and more importantly the businesses who participated in the competition.  We have been blown away by the quality and calibre of companies applying – it bodes well for the future of Carlow.  We wish the finalists the very best of luck on the night.’

Each year, through the awards, the Chamber comes across new businesses, or indeed businesses they had not been aware of previously.  They hear incredible stories of how these companies are developing, innovating, growing and excelling.  Despite our size, Carlow as a county is boxing well above its weight in so many sectors and industries – and the awards offer an opportunity for the wider community to hear some of these success stories.

Pictured at the judging day for the Carlow Business Awards are from left to right Statia Butler, Michael Quinn, Gabrielle Carroll, Norah Ryan, Nicola Doran, David Clerkin and Conal O’Boyle

‘ Carlow County Council are proud to sponsor the Carlow Business Awards 2026.  These awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the ambition, innovation and resilience that continue to drive business success across County Carlow. They recognise the outstanding achievements of enterprises of all sizes while showcasing the vital contribution that our business community makes to employment, investment and the overall economic wellbeing of the county.’ Explains Cathaoirleach Tommy Kinsella.

The winners of all 26 categories will be announced at the Awards ceremony in VISUAL Carlow on the 24^th of September.

Tickets went on pre-sale for finalists initially – and went on general sale this week, but numbers are limited.  For more information on the awards, or to see if there are any remaining tickets, check out the Events page of the Chamber website

Full List of Finalists: