Back in 2006 I shared a table with some of the McDonalds, Pack Publishing and Kilkenny Active gang, myself and John (Aidan was away on holiday) tucking into a sizeable steak as we’d been nominated for and were attending the Kilkenny Business Awards (nominated in the best service provider category). Nominees had a 20 euro (I think) discount on ticket prices, bringing the cost to 100 a head for the night).
The awards were held in Kilkenny on Saturday night in the Lyrath Estate Hotel and Keith has the lowdown on the results. You’ll be able to catch Keith in conversation with some of the winners on The Bottom Line, KCLR96FM’s business show which airs later tonight.
Overall, there were six categories with 39 finalists, I’ve highlighted the winners below in bold.
Kilkenny Retailer of the Year Award (Sponsored by FBD Insurance)
- Lamber de Bie Flowers*
- Pat McDonnell Paint Sales
- Flowers by Lucy
- Superior Tiles
- Kilkenny Book Centre
- Field’s Jewellers
Kilkenny Service Provider of the Year Award (Sponsored by Electro City)
- Kilkenny Borough Council Garden Crew
- Premier Recruitment Group,
- Blue Wall Technologies
- Springhill Court Hotel Leisure Club
- C&C Security
- Creative Catering
- Taxback.com*
- Gibbins Removals & Storage
- James Phelan Demonstration Farm
Best Small Business Award 2008 (Sponsored by Kilkenny Chamber)
- Vendemia Organic Wines
- Surf Box/Ormonde Technologies*
- Smart Placements
- Rothe House Trust Ltd
- Blueberry Larder
- Kilkenny Print & Graphic
- Hullaballoons
- Kompass Records
- The Reptile Village
Kilkenny Tourism Provider of the Year Award (Sponsored by Kilkenny Local Authority)
- Team Dynamics
- Tullahought Community Group
- A Rural Experience
- Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum
- Springhill Court Hotel
- Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel*
Education & Training Provider of the Year Award (Sponsored by FÃS)
- Empower Training
- Sharon Roynane Kelly
- Kumon Kilkenny
- Busy Bees Early Learning Centres*
Manufacturing/Product of the Year (Sponsored by SEBIC)
- QEF Ltd
- Kelsey Horseboxes*
- Chesneau Leather
- Fineline Furniture
- Enviroclad Systems
- Moth to a Flame Ltd.
Taxback.com were also presented with the “overall winner” award on the night while Kilkenny’s Kieran Crotty was given a lifetime achievement award. For more background on the awards themselves, check out this article in the current edition (dated April 10th) of the Kilkenny Advertiser.