Athlone Business Awards shortlist announced

Published: Fri 31 Oct 2025, 3:31 PM

The shortlist for this year’s Athlone Business Awards has been announced.

This year’s gala event will be held on Saturday, November 8, at Hodson Bay Hotel.

The awards recognise outstanding achievements across a wide range of sectors, from small family-run enterprises to large-scale organisations driving growth and creating employment in the region.

Here we profile the finalists in the first five categories. There are 21 categories in total.

Community Group Of The Year

Sponsor: Bank of Ireland

MIDLAND WARRIORS RFC

Midland Warriors RFC is more than a rugby club — it is a vibrant community hub built on inclusion, opportunity, and fun for all. Founded in 2005, it promotes rugby for men, women, and children across Moate and nearby areas, offering a safe, welcoming space for over 430 members.

It takes pride in treating every player and team equally, with 124 female members, thriving youth sections, and a women’s team who won the Leinster League in their debut season. As it grows, new grounds and facilities will support its vision of inclusive, community-focused rugby rooted in respect and teamwork.

TUBBERCLAIR GAA CLUB

Founded in 1941, Tubberclair GAA is more than a club — it is the heart of parish life in Tubberclair and Glasson, where sport, culture, education, and community unite. Its mission is to develop newly purchased land into a safe, inclusive, and vibrant space for players, families, and the wider community.

This vision includes pitches, a clubhouse, gym, community centre, playground, and walking tracks — all rooted in inclusivity, collaboration, heritage, and sustainability. The incredible success of a recent fundraising campaign, which raised €200,000 in just four weeks, reflects the community’s unwavering support and shared ambition.

ATHLONE LITTLE THEATRE

Founded in 1936, Athlone Little Theatre has been a cornerstone of the town’s cultural life, nurturing a vibrant and inclusive creative community. Over the past nine decades, it has staged nearly 300 plays by local, national and international writers, earning widespread acclaim.

Sixty years ago, the group moved into its own 100-seat theatre, a converted school and hall on St Mary’s Place. Today, Athlone Little Theatre continues to delight audiences with around four productions each year, offering a rich variety of performances that celebrate local talent and bring diverse stories to life.

Community Programme Of The Year

Sponsor: KO Financial

JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients and their families through innovative, life-changing medicines for serious diseases. Guided by core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Passion, Innovation and Pursuit of Excellence, Jazz strives to serve patients, foster a great workplace and support the communities it operates in.

The company encourages employees to give back through its global volunteer day policy, offering paid time off to support non-profit organisations or company initiatives, reflecting Jazz’s deep commitment to caring for patients, people and communities worldwide.

ERICSSON

Ericsson has been a leader in global telecommunications for over 50 years, with its R&D centre in Athlone showcasing exceptional technical innovation since 1974. The company has invested more than €3 billion in the facility and runs the award-winning INFUSE programme, inspiring over 6,000 students annually, particularly young women, to pursue STEM careers.

Ericsson’s strong focus on Learning and Development supports continuous growth, while over 15 patents are granted each year. Recognised by the Sunday Independent in 2024 as Ireland’s second-best tech employer and seventh overall, Ericsson Athlone continues to drive innovation, community impact and regional growth.

TUBBERCLAIR GAA CLUB

Best Hair & Beauty

Sponsor: AIB

FACE. BROW BAR

Founded six years ago, FACE. Brow Bar began as a small passion project and has grown into a thriving salon in Monksland, Athlone. Specialising exclusively in brows, the salon offers shaping, tints, HD and Hybrid Brows, Lamination, regrowth programmes, and semi-permanent brows, along with makeup, lash tinting, lifts and full facial threading.

Renowned for professionalism, inclusivity and lasting client relationships, FACE. Brow Bar expanded in 2024 to meet growing demand. With over a decade of experience, the team also delivers a renowned Brow Master Course, empowering students with confidence and skill. FACE. Brow Bar is more than a salon—it’s a community.

RADIANT BY HANNAH KELLY

Founded in June 2021, Radiant by Hannah Kelly has grown from a one-woman dream into one of the Midlands’ leading beauty and wellness clinics. In under five years, it has expanded to two thriving locations with a team of 11 and over 5,500 loyal clients.

Now, Hannah is launching a two-storey flagship salon in Blyry, Athlone—the largest in the Midlands—and the Midlands Academy of Beauty to train future professionals. With multiple awards to date, Radiant remains true to its values, offering a positive, welcoming space for clients and staff alike—a true community built on passion and purpose.

CUSTOM CUTS

Established in 1995 by Padraig Claffey, Custom Cuts is one of Ireland’s most reputable hair salons, deeply rooted in excellence, creativity and ongoing education. Located in the heart of Athlone, the salon operates with a skilled, internationally accredited team including four cutting masters and five colour masters.

Custom Cuts is renowned for its superior cutting, colouring and styling services, with clients travelling from across the country to experience their commitment to delivering personalised, luxurious transformations. The salon has been awarded the highest five-star rating from the Good Salon Guide.

Best Health & Fitness

Sponsor: Oliver Carty & Family

PILATES BOUTIQUE

Founded in September 2019 by Nichola Ryan, Pilates Boutique has become a thriving studio and community hub in Athlone. Offering Reformer Pilates classes seven days a week, the studio strengthens the body, improves flexibility, posture and stability, and supports mental wellbeing.

With consistently full classes and waitlists, the business has grown to a six-figure turnover. A team of six expert instructors fosters a welcoming, safe and motivating environment, prioritising how clients feel—confident, energised and supported. Nichola, a STOTT Pilates Trainer with over 15 years’ experience, also runs the Teacher Training Academy, mentoring the next generation of instructors and studio owners.

THE DANCING SOUL LTD

The Dancing Soul Athlone Therapy Centre is a holistic wellness and psychotherapy hub in the heart of Athlone, founded to provide a safe, inclusive space for healing and personal growth.

Welcoming children, adolescents and adults from all backgrounds, the centre offers a non-judgemental, supportive environment. Its integrative approach combines multiple modalities to nurture mind, body and spirit, guided by a team of skilled and compassionate practitioners.

More than a therapy centre, The Dancing Soul is a sanctuary of care, creativity and community, helping individuals build balance, strength and hope in their lives.

SAUNUA

SauNua is your escape into tranquillity with a lakeview sauna, hot tubs & cold plunge experience. Nestled by the serene waters of Lough Ree, this one-hour session is designed to invigorate your senses and rejuvenate your body. Private and Open Sauna & Hot Tub Sessions available.

Best Online Presence & Social Media

Sponsor: PTSB

DESTINATION ATHLONE

Athlone.ie is the leading digital platform showcasing Athlone and its surrounding region as a premier destination for tourism, culture, and local experiences. Its mission is to connect visitors with the best of Athlone—from historic attractions and scenic waterways to vibrant hospitality and hidden local gems—while supporting the growth of local businesses.

Over the past three years, Athlone.ie has seen remarkable growth, with website traffic surpassing 18,000 monthly users in 2025 and social media followers rising over 60% year-on-year across Instagram and TikTok.

Committed to innovation, collaboration, and community, Athlone.ie continues to set the benchmark for destination marketing in Ireland—making Athlone a vibrant, must-visit hub for visitors from home and abroad.

ATHLONE MUSICAL SOCIETY

Athlone Musical Society is Ireland’s oldest musical society, proudly established in 1902. Entirely community-led and volunteer-run, the society stages an annual large-scale musical production at the Dean Crowe Theatre, showcasing outstanding local talent while drawing audiences from Athlone and beyond.

Its mission is to foster a welcoming and supportive environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together through a shared love of musical theatre. Values of inclusivity, self-expression, opportunity, and community underpin everything it does.

BIDDY O'DOWD'S

Biddy O’Dowd’s is a traditional Irish pub located on Mardyke Street in the heart of Athlone. Known for its cosy charm, friendly staff, and lively atmosphere, it has become a favourite spot for both locals and visitors.

From the ever-popular Monday pub quiz to live music every Friday and Saturday night, Biddy O’Dowd’s is a hub of community, entertainment, and authentic Irish culture. Behind the bar, familiar faces are known for their warmth and great service, making every guest feel at home.

Biddy O’Dowd’s has also built a strong digital presence, recently recognised with the Digital Innovator Award for the North East Region at the Irish Pub Awards.