Athlone firm wins at Irish Start-Up Awards

Monksland-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Dunbar Pharma has been named Manufacturing Company of the Year at this year’s Irish Start-Up Awards, in a major national accolade for the Athlone business community.

The National Start-Up Awards, Ireland’s premier start-up awards – are backed by Enterprise Ireland and supported by a range of partners including Microsoft, Microfinance Ireland, McCann FitzGerald, Dublin City Council and Cronin & Co. Together, they shine a light on early-stage Irish companies with strong innovation, export potential and the capacity to scale.

Dunbar Pharma, headquartered in Monksland, develops and manufactures plant-derived Cannabinoid Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for use in medicines. Founded just a few years ago, the company has quickly grown into a high-tech employer in the Midlands, with a GMP[1]certified manufacturing facility and a growing export footprint.

Chief executive and co-founder Leah Fletcher, an Athlone native, said the award was a proud moment for the entire team and for Athlone itself.

“This recognition really belongs to our amazing team in Monksland,” she said. “Manufacturing at this level is hard, detailed work – it’s early mornings, late nights, and an obsession with detail and quality. To see that effort recognised on a national stage is incredibly special for all of us.”

The Irish Start-Up Awards celebrate young Irish companies that are innovating, creating jobs and building export-led businesses.

The Manufacturing Company of the Year category recognises start-ups that have demonstrated excellence in production, quality systems and the ability to scale advanced manufacturing.