First batch of 2023 Athlone Business Awards finalists

The shortlist for this year's Athlone Business Awards has been announced. This year’s gala dinner will be held on the November 4 in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel. The awards will celebrate the successes of Athlone’s business community in 15 categories.

The ceremony will give entrants the opportunity to display how they have adapted, innovated and prospered in recent years. Athlone Chamber of Commerce President Alan Shaw said: "The awards are a wonderful opportunity for businesses to take stock and celebrate their achievements. It’s great to see the diverse range of businesses operating here in Athlone and how they have all excelled in their particular sectors.”

Chamber CEO Tommy Hogan said: “I want to acknowledge and congratulate all of the entrants in this year's awards. The standard of entries was very high and the adjudication process will be very difficult. I wish the entrants every success.”

Tickets are on sale for €100 each and can be purchased online at athlonebusinessawards.ie. The MC for this years gala will be Eamon Horan of RTE Sport. Minister Peter Burke will also be a guest of honour.

The finalists and sponsors in the first eight categories are listed below.

COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union

Athlone Community Radio

Athlone Community Radio was formed in 2006 as a steering group of individuals and people from the community organisations who saw that a community radio – not-for-profit station would serve the interests of their clients and the general public of Athlone. It works with community groups and organisations in the area giving them airtime to talk about their work. It also works with schools and various training units in the area by providing programming and work experience to their students. While It is a not for profit, it has to meet the usual overheads associated with any radio station such as licensing, insurance, audits, equipment costs, rents and the day-to-day expenses relating to any business/community organisation.

Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park

Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park is a unique and inclusive visitor attraction, offering a range of activities in tourism, culture, heritage, and leisure for people of all ages and interests. Dún na Sí translates from Irish as “the fort of the fairies”. It is named after the local folklore that some lone hawthorn bushes (often known as fairy bushes) once marked the presence of a ‘fairy fort’ which previously existed in the park. The Heritage Park commemorates the traditions and activities of rural Ireland throughout time, and the Amenity Park provides a beautiful space which celebrates biodiversity and provides a special environment for activity and appreciation of nature.

Infinity Friends Athlone

Infinity Friends is a social club for autistic children and youth in Athlone and surrounding areas. Infinity Friends' mission is to provide a safe, inclusive environment where children can be supported and be themselves in the groups. It aims to foster growth and confidence in the children’s abilities and skills through community-based activities, leisure activities, self-care activities and much more. The groups are child led with a choice of activities facilitated by the children themselves along with parents and volunteers. Infinity Friends, in supporting the children, also supports their families and carers through peer support, a parents' Facebook page and some much-needed social activities of their own!

BEST ONLINE PRESENCE & SOCIAL MEDIA

Sponsored by Westmeath Independent

Kilbeggan Races

The Kilbeggan Race Committee Clg. is a non-for-profit voluntary community organisation. The voluntary members’ mission is to develop Kilbeggan Races and to provide race goers with a truly enjoyable, magical and memorable experience over its ten summer race meetings.

deDANÚ Wellness

Founded amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, when wellness became a global focal point, deDANÚ emerged as a beacon of innovation and purity in the self-care and home wellness industry in Ireland. deDANU'S philosophy is rooted in authenticity and simplicity. At deDANÚ, they pride themselves on manufacturing wholesome and luxurious products that work with pure, locally cultivated botanical ingredients.

BMF Chimney Sweep & Oil Boiler Services

BMF Chimney Sweep & Oil Boiler Services is a small family run business that has been steadily growing year after year. It specialises in Oil Boiler Services, Breakdowns and Repairs, Chimney Sweep & Camera Inspections, and in recent years specialises in wood-pellet servicing, breakdowns & installations. Billy is a fully qualified heating technician with years of experience under his belt. His dedication ensures that your home is always comfortable, and your heating systems are at their best. Based in Athlone they are proud to serve the local community and beyond, whether you're looking to maintain your current heating system, install a wood pellet stove, or need a chimney inspection. They are not just about heating; they are about family and community. They value honesty, reliability, and top-notch service.

FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Oliver Carty & Family

Dooley’s Flowers

Dooley's Flowers, a family-run business that has been a staple in the Irish community since 1978. As one of the largest flower shops in Ireland, they pride themselves on their extensive range of stock and their reputation that stretches far and wide. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything they do. They value each and every one of their customers and strive to provide them with exceptional service.

HB Safety Services

HB Safety Services provides award-winning health and safety training and consultancy to a wide and varied range of businesses across the entire industrial, retail and leisure sector, operating from the RTITB Accredited Training Centre at Ballykeeran, Athlone. They provide risk assessment, safety statements and consultancy services across the industrial spectrum in the Midlands and beyond and have developed a network of experts and tutors throughout the country over the past 20 years.

Shamrock Lodge Hotel

Shamrock Lodge Hotel is a distinguished hotel steeped in history, located in the Left Bank area of Athlone Town. With a commitment to exceptional guest experiences, unparalleled hospitality, and creating lasting memories, the hotel offers a comfortable and tranquil retreat for its patrons. Boasting high standard rooms, deluxe and superior accommodations, and outstanding facilities, Shamrock Lodge Hotel is renowned for its warm and inviting atmosphere.

PROFESSIONAL/SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by AIB

International College for Personal and Professional Development (ICPPD)

The International College for Personal and Professional Development, ICPPD (www.icppd.com) was set up in 2009 by Christine and Tom Moran to promote lifelong adult learning and to train and educate counsellors and psychotherapists to make a difference in their families, community and nationwide. Currently ICPPD has almost 300 adult learners, including learners from other cultures who are enriching the learning spaces and making a difference in their communities. The dream, vision, commitment, determination, and passion continue today at ICPPD through a vibrant team of management, admin and tutor staff.

Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group

Collins McNicholas is a multi-award-winning recruitment organisation that provides innovative talent solutions to organisations in Ireland and across Europe. Founded in 1990, Collins McNicholas has a nationwide presence and offers a full spectrum of solutions to meet employers’ and candidates’ needs. Collins McNicholas has been recognised as a Deloitte Best Managed Company since 2014 and was also awarded the Great Place to Work Award for five years from 2015-2019. Collins McNicholas is firmly committed to social responsibility and is proud to partner with the Irish Cancer Society.

Byrne Carolan Cunningham LLP Solicitors

Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors, established in 1992 and with offices in Athlone, Moate, Lanesborough and Galway specialises in all areas of law relating to personal injury, medical negligence, property matters and wills and inheritance.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Colm Quinn Athlone

Carty Meats

Oliver Carty is a family business and one of Ireland’s largest pork and bacon suppliers. Across the business its focus centres on producing quality, best tasting, and innovative products. It has been strategic partners to MRPI for the category over the past two decades, supplying all own label for SuperValu and Centra across budget and the premium Signature Taste range. It is a proud Gold Member of the Origin Green programme, not just meeting, but exceeding sustainability targets. Its commitment has excelled across raw material sourcing, manufacturing processes and social sustainability.

A1 Cleaning Services

A1 Cleaning Maintenance and Cleaning Services LTD was established in March 2007 by Tanya Cannon. It carries out work for all types of industries and businesses, providing a first-class cleaning service to retail premises, offices, schools, medical centres, pubs, restaurants, sports and leisure centres throughout Athlone and the Midlands.

Spectrum Signs

Established in 1998, Spectrum Signs celebrates 25 years in business this year.

It a family-run multi-award-winning company founded and directed by local couple, Paul King and Rosie Greene. They specialise in every type of signage including shopfront solutions, illuminated signage, vehicle graphics and full-colour wraps, banners, wide format printing, and a hugely diverse range of display and exhibition products. Everything designed at Spectrum Signs goes on to be manufactured in their own facility, with their installation crews installing nationwide. They take immense pride in producing a huge selection of exciting products to ensure customers have the answer to promoting and presenting their businesses to its maximum potential.

START-UP/EMERGING NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Bank of Ireland

TAPiTAG

TAPiTAG produce award-winning sustainable digital business cards and proximity marketing tags. Their NFC/QR cards and tags are used globally by leading corporate companies including AIB, Allianz, Deloitte and UEFA. TAPiTAG is helping companies of all sizes move to a paperless and sustainable way of connecting and networking with clients through our cloud-based platform. It has over 30k users on its network and ships to over 70 countries around the world. Its products are proudly made in and shipped from Athlone.

KO Financial

KO Financial is an Athlone-based financial services consultancy that was formed a year ago by two local financial services experts, David Keenan and David O'Shaughnessy. The Two Davids (as they are known by clients) have over 25 years experience working in the financial services industry and have combined their wealth of knowledge, insights, and deep-rooted connections to provide impartial, trusted advice to clients in Athlone and its surrounding region - sound advice that helps them to plan for their futures and meet their financial aspirations with confidence.

Wines Direct

Wines Direct is an Irish family owned and operated wine importer. The wines they offer represent a 33-year labour of love. They are uncompromising in their mission to source independently made wines directly from growers around the world and apply strict selection criteria to each and every wine on their list, from the everyday to the extraordinary.

EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE ACTION

Sponsored by Athlone Springs Hotel & Leisure Club

Bus Éireann

Bus Éireann is Ireland’s national bus company, operating more than 230 routes across Public Service Obligation (PSO) and Expressway services, as well as 8,940 dedicated school transport routes. Combined, Bus Éireann facilitated 89.5m passenger journeys across 225 million kilometres in 2022, thanks to more than 2,800 employees and a fleet of 1,150 vehicles.

TUS – Faculty of Business and Hospitality Studies

With over 15,000 students on six campuses in Ireland’s Midwest and Midlands, TUS is one of Ireland’s newest and most unique Technological Universities. Through applied learning and fresh thinking, its focus is on meeting the evolving needs of society and industry, within the region and beyond. At TUS, it has a clear focus on meeting the evolving needs of society and industry through applied learning and innovative thinking. By putting the individual needs of students front-and-centre, it prioritises accessibility and opportunity for all.

DPD Ireland

DPD provides customers with one united delivery partner throughout Europe and beyond. In late 2016, DPD expanded further, doubling its hub size and trebling the sortation capacity from 7,000 parcels per hour, to 21,000 parcels per hour. The new Beumer cross belt sorter combined with the existing Van der Lande shoe sorter means that DPD has the most technologically advanced and efficient sortation system in Ireland.

SME OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by DPD Ireland

Midlands Counselling Clinic

Brian Walsh MIACP is the founder and manager of the Midlands Counselling Clinic. He identified an opportunity to develop a dedicated professional counselling and psychotherapy clinic in Athlone. In 2018, Brian signed a five-year lease on 2 Ankers Bower, Athlone, and proceeded to build on his vision to provide professional counselling and psychotherapy services in a safe setting. Today, the clinic has 12 psychotherapists providing specialist mental health support services to children, adolescents and adults.

MMA Architects

MMA Architects is a design-focused practice offering a personal client friendly service. Its policy is to promote innovative and energy efficient architectural design solutions. Its’ client focused approach and attention to detail, has seen it complete numerous projects across Ireland and in the UK. Clients include Analog Devises, the Courts Service, the Nolaclan Group, Institute of Eye Surgery amongst many more. MMA was recently award winners at the ICE Awards and their design for the Irish Life Sciences Global HQ has been shortlisted for the CIAT Award for Technical Excellence, MMA’s first international design award nomination.

The Marketing Department

Established in 2006 The Marketing Department is an award-winning, internationally recognised strategic marketing agency, that specialises in marketing consultancy, strategy, campaign production and implementation. Its diverse client base includes many well-known national and international businesses and brands in hospitality, fashion and lifestyle retail, consumer services and financial services. As experts in digital and social media marketing, the company is a Google, Meta and Klaviyo partner and a member of Digital Business Ireland.