And the Carlow Business of the Year is….Burnside Eurocyl Ltd
County Carlow Chamber of Commerce announces winners of this year’s Carlow Business Awards, sponsored by Carlow Credit Union
Thursday the 18th of September 2025 saw the announcement of all 26 winners of the Carlow Business Awards at a gala event in VISUAL, Carlow. For the first time, 22 Highly Commended Finalists were also announced.
‘We were blown away by not only the volume of entries this year – but by the sheer quality. We had over 500 nominations which through a process of applications, presentations and mystery shopper audits was wheedled down to 128 finalists from 94 businesses – and eventually to 26 winners, and 22 Highly Commended Finalists. ‘ Said Nicola Doran, CEO of County Carlow Chamber. ‘I didn’t envy the tasks of the judges and the auditors – the competition was stiff, and in some categories the margins were incredibly tight. The future is certainly bright for Carlow with so much talent in our business community.’
This thorough and exacting judging process would not be possible without a strong pool of impartial experts who give their time and expertise to assess and select the finalists and winners. In total there were 7 panels of judges for the presentations, and 76 mystery shopping audits were completed. Well done to all who applied, made the finals and won.
The overall Carlow Business of the Year for 2025 is Burnside Eurocyl Ltd. Their trophy was presented to Pat & Tom Byrne and the team at Burnsdide Eurocyl, by Ultan Ryan of Carlow Credit Union. This, like many of the categories, was very competitive – a testament to the dynamic and thriving Carlow business eco-system.
The judges were deeply impressed by Burnside Eurocyl’s remarkable growth and resilience since the company’s restructuring in 1998, which has led to the employment of 170 highly skilled staff in Carlow town. Over the years, the company has successfully navigated significant challenges, including Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, while ensuring they remain relevant and competitive in their sector.
With exports reaching markets across the globe, their continued expansion and ambition to strengthen its presence in the U.S. is truly admirable. Despite the obstacles posed by tariffs, their confidence in delivering a more competitively priced product demonstrates both determination and innovation. Their journey reflects a strong commitment to growth, resilience, adaptability, and excellence.
The Highly Commended finalist is MSD Carlow who are not only a key player in the pharmaceutical industry but also a committed partner to the local community. A leading supplier of medications and vaccines worldwide, MSD Carlow have grown year on year since opening in Carlow in 2012 – investing in the local economy, supporting the local community and collaborating with other key bodies such as SETU. By fostering a culture of collaboration and support, the company has strengthened community ties, enhanced educational opportunities, and contributed to the overall well-being of Carlow.
The President’s Award, which is selected by President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce Norah Ryan, was Tully’s Travel Ltd.
‘ Tully’s Travel has been at the heart of the Carlow business community since it was established in 1948. It grew from initially selling ferry tickets to being one of the first travel agencies in Ireland to begin selling international flight tickets. Three generations later and the business is still evolving and innovating – adapting to the ever-changing needs of its corporate, group and retail customers, who are at the heart of all that Tully’s Travel do.’ Says Norah Ryan, President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce. ‘Tully’s Travel impressed the judges on so many levels – I was delighted to select them for this award. They are worthy recipients.’
Below is a list of all winners and highly commended finalists – well done to each and every one of them.
For further information on all winners see the County Carlow Chamber of Commerce social media platforms.
