Second batch of Athlone Business Award finalists revealed
Here we profile the finalists in the final nine categories of the Athlone Business Awards, hosted by Athlone Chamber.
In last week's print edition, we listed the finalists in the first ten categories. All 19 category finalists are also published on our website, www.westmeathindependent.ie
The Athlone Business Awards take place in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, on Saturday, November 7.
Start-up/Emerging New Business
Sponsor: Bank of Ireland
*Luainara Ltd
Luainara Ltd is an Athlone-based talent management agency supporting Irish creators and performers across beauty, comedy, lifestyle and entertainment. Founded by Nathan Green, the business helps talent develop their careers through brand partnerships, bookings and media opportunities. Established in 2026, Luainara aims to connect emerging talent with opportunities while supporting the growth of Ireland’s creative community.
*Dome Experiences
Dome Experiences offers group experiences on a working farm in Glasson, just outside Athlone. Inspired by the world’s longevity regions, its experiences encourage guests to reconnect, explore, taste, rest and recharge. The business caters for corporate groups, leadership and strategy sessions, women’s circles and private celebrations, with experiences incorporating its geodesic dome and outdoor wellbeing activities.
*Simons Street Kitchen
Simons Street Kitchen is a food truck serving restaurant-quality street food at markets, festivals and events. Launched in 2025, the business combines creative menus with locally sourced ingredients and regular specials. Having catered at events including Electric Picnic, Simons Street Kitchen continues to bring its food offering to customers throughout the region and beyond.
*Michelle Doyle – Private Hospitality Service
Michelle Doyle provides a private hospitality service for home gatherings, celebrations, corporate occasions, weddings and private events. Based in Athlone, the service allows hosts to enjoy time with their guests while Michelle takes care of the hospitality. Guided by the promise, “You mix with your guests, I’ll handle the rest,” the business offers a personal approach to event service.
Excellence in Hospitality
Sponsor: TUS
*Shamrock Lodge Hotel
Shamrock Lodge Hotel is a family-owned hotel in Athlone with a long history of welcoming guests to the town. Under the McCaul family’s ownership for more than three decades, the hotel has become a familiar venue for weddings, celebrations and stays. Its gardens, event facilities and personal approach to hospitality reflect its close ties to the local community.
*Kin Khao Thai Restaurant
Kin Khao Thai Restaurant is a family-run restaurant established in 2003 by Janya and Adam Lyons. Bringing Thai cuisine and hospitality to Athlone, the restaurant has earned recognition in the Michelin Guide and was named Best Thai Restaurant in Leinster at the 2025 Asian Restaurant Awards. The business also supports local events, charitable initiatives and cultural activities.
*Hodson Bay Group
Hodson Bay Group is an Irish family-owned hospitality group operating Hodson Bay Hotel, Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Galway Bay Hotel and Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin. The group brings together a portfolio of hotels serving leisure, corporate and event guests. With a strong regional presence, it contributes to employment, tourism and the wider hospitality sector
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion
Sponsor: Wineport Lodge
*Esker House
Esker House has been supporting people affected by domestic abuse in Athlone and the Midlands since 1982. Alongside refuge and support services, the organisation works to raise awareness and promote prevention through education and community engagement. Its Purple Hand Programme has trained more than 650 champions across 70 organisations, helping build awareness and encourage safer communities.
*Lotus Care Ltd
Lotus Care provides residential care for children, young people and adults with additional needs. Established in 2022 and headquartered in Birr, the organisation operates more than 13 homes focused on individual choice, independence, relationships and enhanced quality of life. Its approach places people at the centre of care, supporting them to live fulfilling lives within their communities.
*Zinkworks
Zinkworks is a technology company whose global team brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds and disciplines. The company promotes inclusion through mentorship, internships, flexible working and professional development. Its approach aims to create an environment where employees can contribute their perspectives and develop innovative solutions for clients in telecommunications and financial services
SME of the Year
Sponsor: West Midlands Credit Union
*Fernhill Garden Centre
Established in 1978, Fernhill Garden Centre has grown into a family-run retail and leisure destination. Its nine-acre site includes a garden centre, retail offering and restaurant, with a strong focus on Irish suppliers and local products. The business continues to invest in customer experience, sustainability and digital services while remaining connected to its community roots.
*Quinn Transport
Quinn Transport is a family-owned logistics company with more than five decades of experience. It provides distribution, haulage, refrigerated transport and warehousing services, supported by a fleet of more than 30 vehicles. Its continued development reflects a commitment to dependable service and long-term customer relationships.
*Ossark Limited
Ossark is an Irish architecture, visualisation and digital design studio founded in 2023. Its services include architectural CGI, verified views, websites, photography, video, BIM and digital marketing. The business has also developed Lumely, an AI-powered architectural visualisation tool. With a focus on repeat business and referrals, Ossark combines creative expertise with emerging technology.
*Baysports
Baysports is an inflatable waterpark and visitor attraction on the River Shannon in Athlone. Welcoming visitors from across Ireland, it offers family activities and outdoor adventure experiences. The business supports local employment, student placements and regional suppliers, contributing to tourism and the wider local economy
Best Large Business
Sponsor: Snap
*DPD Ireland
DPD Ireland is one of the country’s leading parcel delivery companies, handling approximately 50 million parcels annually.
With 38 depots and a central hub in Athlone, the company plays an important role in the national delivery network. Its focus on operational performance and innovation includes significant investment in its Dublin hub, where autonomous robots will help process up to 12,000 parcels per hour.
*Hodson Bay Group
Hodson Bay Group is an Irish family-owned hospitality company operating hotels in Athlone, Galway and Dublin. Its portfolio includes Hodson Bay Hotel, Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Galway Bay Hotel and Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin. Through its hotels, the group supports tourism, employment and hospitality services across multiple regions.
*Ericsson
Founded in Sweden in 1876, Ericsson is a global communications technology company operating in more than 180 countries. Its Athlone research and development centre contributes to network management, automation, artificial intelligence and telecommunications solutions. With a long-standing presence in the region, Ericsson plays an important role in technology innovation and skilled employment.
Employer of the Year
Sponsor: Westmeath County Council
*Lotus Care Ltd
Lotus Care provides residential care services for children, young people and adults with additional needs. Its teams focus on supporting individual choice, independence, relationships and quality of life. With a growing network of homes, the organisation places emphasis on creating supportive environments for the people in its care and the professionals who work with them.
*Ericsson
Ericsson is a global communications technology company with a long-established research and development presence in Athlone. The company supports a culture of technical innovation, learning and collaboration, with opportunities for employees to develop their skills and careers. Its work across network technologies, automation and AI contributes to the wider telecommunications sector.
*RBK Chartered Accountants
RBK is an Irish professional services firm headquartered in Athlone, employing more than 270 professionals across several offices. The firm provides audit, tax and advisory services and supports businesses throughout Ireland. Its focus on collaboration, professional development and client service helps create opportunities for employees while contributing to the regional business community.
Volunteer of the Year
Sponsor: DPD
*Joe O’Meara
Joe O’Meara serves as treasurer of Connaught Street & Environs Community Group and plays an active role in its community initiatives. His contribution includes organising clean-ups, preparing event materials, supporting markets and family days, and helping deliver local heritage activities. He also assists with community sporting events, including five-a-side football, while helping ensure the group’s finances are managed responsibly.
*John Henson
John Henson is actively involved in community life in Athlone, serving as Chairman of the Festival and Events Committee and contributing to numerous local initiatives.
His work includes supporting festivals, sporting events and community celebrations, with a particular focus on event safety and organisation. He has held leadership roles with Garrycastle GAA Club and is the Chairman of the Croí na hÉireann Festival. John also contributes to Destination Athlone and the Athlone/Providence Twinning Committee.
*Christine O’Mahony
Christine O’Mahony is a founding member and chair of Heartlands Pride Athlone, helping lead the group since 2023. She has supported the development of its Winter Pride celebration and the historic Pride Parade held in June 2026. Her wider voluntary work includes supporting refugee integration, disability participation and community inclusion through several regional organisations. Her contribution has been recognised through LGBTQ+ and volunteer award nominations and honours.
Best Health, Beauty & Lifestyle
Sponsor: Luain Clothing
*Hairloom Athlone
Hairloom Athlone is a hair salon built around strong relationships between its team and clients. Its approach centres on creating a welcoming experience, delivering professional hair services and building lasting connections with the people it serves.
*Salon320
Salon320 is a boutique salon in Athlone, opened in 2022 by proprietor Roseann Gilligan, who has more than 15 years of experience in the hair industry. The salon focuses on personalised service and a client-first approach. Its work has received industry recognition, including two nominations for Salon of the Year.
*SkinShop
SkinShop is an independent Irish skincare retailer founded in the Midlands in 2017 by sisters Emma and Anna Gunning. Based in Athlone, the business offers a range of advanced, clinical and Korean skincare products, supported by specialist knowledge and customer guidance. Its focus is on helping customers find products suited to their individual needs.
Business Person of the Year
Sponsor: RBK
*Des Travers – DPD
Des Travers joined DPD Ireland in 1994 and became CEO in 2017. During his leadership, the company’s revenue grew from approximately €78 million in 2017 to around €241 million in the most recent reported year. His leadership places emphasis on people, operational performance and continued investment in DPD’s Athlone headquarters and hub. He also supports community initiatives and local sport, including Athlone Town Women’s Team and Legend on the Bench.
*Paddy McCaul – Shamrock Lodge Hotel
Paddy McCaul is the proprietor of Shamrock Lodge Hotel and has spent more than 30 years developing the family business. An Athlone native, he previously ran The Palace while raising his four children. His work has supported local employment and generations of weddings, celebrations and hotel guests. He continues to promote a family-led approach to hospitality, working alongside his son Alan and maintaining strong connections with local businesses.
*Eoin & Austin Reid – Fernhill Garden Centre
Eoin and Austin Reid have helped grow Fernhill Garden Centre from their parents’ original business, established in 1978, into a garden and retail destination serving the wider Midlands. The business has developed from a market stall in St Mary’s Square into a nine-acre site incorporating retail, gardening and hospitality. The family supports local and Irish suppliers, employs a substantial local team and remains involved in the community, including through their connections with Buccaneers RFC.