The Carlow Business Awards 2025 are a fantastic way to raise the profile and awareness of a business – they recognise and reward excellence across a variety of areas.
See below a breakdown of the awards categories and a summary of the criteria that they will be assessed by – to assist you in selecting the most relevant categories.
| Award | What type of businesses could win? |
|---|---|
| Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award | Businesses that have excelled at putting systems and structures in place to support and promote the health and wellbeing of their employees.
For example – this could include (but is not limited to) |
| Business Supporting Community Award | Businesses that take a proactive approach to supporting, promoting or working collaboratively with their local community.
For example – this could include (but is not limited to)
businesses that sponsor, support or engage with local community groups, teams or charities etc. |
| Food and Beverage Producers Award | Businesses that stand out for producing superior quality or innovative food or drinks products
For example – this could include (but is not limited to)
caterers or food specialists that provide food to order to other businesses, or indeed to the public (but that do not have a restaurant / c |
| Professional Services Award | Businesses in the professional services sector that exceed client or customer expectations
For example – this could include (but is not limited to)
marketing, advertising and sales services etc. |
| Research Innovation and Technology Award | Proactive and dynamic businesses that have identified and applied innovative ways to improve their products or services.
For example – this could include (but is not limited to)
businesses that have harnessed technology to develop and grow etc |
| Sustainable Initiatives Award | Businesses that take a responsible approach – minimising their impact on the planet, while maximising their positive impacts on people, place and environment.
For example – this could include (but is not limited to)
businesses that have programmes to encourage employees to take a more sustainable approach etc |
| Best Online Presence Award | Businesses that have a strong, engaging and consistent presence on-line (on their website and social platforms) – ensuring customers have a great user experience.
For example – this could include (but is not limited to)
businesses who use their on-line voice in a unique way to build a following that strengthens their business etc. |
| Emerging Business Award | Progressive businesses that are excelling or exceeding customers’ expectations – and are less than 3 years in business.
This category is ideal for early stage businesses (1-3 years in business) that show strong market and customer understanding, and that are making progress in growing their brand and their sales. |
| International Business Award | Businesses successfully operating internationally, exporting goods or services, opening new markets and building relationships abroad. |
| Culture Heritage & Tourism Award | Businesses, festivals, events or destinations that add to the local economy and that positively promote county Carlow
For example – this could include (but is not limited to)
heritage organisations / events etc. |
| Daytime Dining Award | Businesses that stand out for providing quality, diversity or innovation in their daytime food and beverage offerings, with excellent customer service. |
| Night-time Dining Award | Businesses (licensed or unlicensed) that offer an excellent evening dining experience. Restaurants that stand out for the quality and variety of their food offering, their memorable ambience and the quality of their customer service. |
| Personal Service Providers Award | Personal Services that stand out for their excellence, innovation, business acumen or customer service.
This category is ideal businesses that provide services to individuals (as opposed to businesses), who have cut out a niche for themselves within their own industry, and are excelling from a business / customer service perspective. For example – this could include (but is not limited to)
home maintenance providers – window cleaners, garden services etc |
| Best Presented Premises/Shop Front Award – Carlow Town | Businesses that stand out in their locality for their attractive, memorable and appealing premises.
This recognises businesses that stand out for:
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| Best Presented Premises/Shop Front Award – Tullow & Carlow North | Businesses that stand out in their locality for their attractive, memorable and appealing premises.
This recognises businesses that stand out for:
|
| Best Presented Premises/Shop Front Award – Muine Bheag & Carlow South | Businesses that stand out in their locality for their attractive, memorable and appealing premises.
This recognises businesses that stand out for:
|
| Customer Service Award | Businesses that excel in meeting the needs of their customers – and that are open, inclusive and customer-focused across the business. |
| Retailer of the Year Award | Strong, dynamic, innovative retailers that provide a positive shopping experience to all their customers. |
| Family Business of the Year | Family owned and run businesses that excel in their field, have grown and evolved and that have made a positive impact.
These are businesses that either have passed down through generations, or who currently have 2 or more generations working within the business. |
| Outstanding Small Business of the Year Award | Business with fewer than 10 employees that have excelled in their field and that show future potential. |
| Outstanding Medium Business of the Year | Businesses with fewer than 50 employees that have excelled in their field and that show future potential. |
| Carlow Business of the Year Award | Businesses with fewer than 50 employees that have shown exceptional resilience and growth – exceeding expectations and making a positive impact. |
