Over 130 female entrepreneurs and their supporters gathered in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel for the inaugural Powerhouse – Female Enterprise Awards recently hosted by Carlow County Council's – Local Enterprise Office with MC Sile Seoige at the helm. The Powerhouse Women in Business Awards acknowledges and celebrates women's professional achievements and entries were open to women in business with businesses of less than 10 staff located in County Carlow.
Opening the awards, Cllr. Brian O’Donoghue, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said “Promoting Enterprise and Economic Development is very important to us in Carlow County Council. Our focus on promoting Female entrepreneurship is increasingly viewed as a key source of job creation and innovation and a necessary step for addressing income inequality and social exclusion”. Concluding Brian said “In our view key to growing the number of women entrepreneurs in the world is to make them known and share their success stories with others. Many younger girls find themselves unable to name even one female entrepreneur and this needs to change. Role models are vital within the entrepreneurial world—they serve as powerful reminders of what has already been accomplished and what has yet to be done. These awards will help identify local heroes for the next generation”.
The awards were attended by Cllr. Brian O’Donoghue, Cathaoirleach , Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Mayor of Carlow Municipal District, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD and councillors Andrea Dalton, Fergal Browne and John Pender.
24 Finalists were shortlisted for the awards with the 9 awards being presented to:
Powerhouse - Best Newcomer/Start-up of the Year
Lucy Gernon Powerhouse Revolution Coaching
Powerhouse - Creativity Award
Rachel Doyle Rara Photography
Powerhouse - Digital Marketing Award
Caitriona Cullen Cullen Nurseries
Excellence in Personal Services - Retail
Aisling lacey DAME & PERDY & POLLY
Powerhouse - Excellence in Personal Services
Caroline Davis Caroline Breast Care
Powerhouse - Excellence in Personal Services for Business
Norah Ryan Barrow Consultancy and Training
Powerhouse - People’s Choice Award
Obsession Bridal Wear
Powerhouse – Employee of the Year
Jodie Nolan – Obsession Bridal Wear
Powerhouse - Female Entrepreneur of the Year
Norah Ryan Barrow Consultancy and Training
Each of the 24 finalists will be invited to a Female Enterprise away day with Sonya Lennon with the 9 category winners sharing €5,000 worth of investment in their business development.
Norah Ryan was crowned Female Entrepreneur of the Year and acknowledged her amazing team in accepting the award. Norah is Managing Director of Barrow Consultancy and Training.
The awards were judged by Marcella Rudden, Head of Enterprise in Cavan Local Enterprise Office, Christine Charlton, Head of Enterprise in Westmeath Local Enterprise Office and Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise.
Speaking about the awards, Kieran said “on behalf of Carlow County Council I congratulate each and every finalist and award entrant for putting themselves forward for these awards which celebrates the achievements of County Carlow female led SME’s”. Kieran concluded by saying “During December Powerhouse Lunch Event we will announce our 2023 programme which will see Carlow LEO hosting the 2nd Powerhouse Picnic, Powerhouse Awards and 4 networking events”. If you’re a female entrepreneur / owner manager and want to find out more about the WIB activities log onto www.localenterprise.ie/carlow or contact Melissa Doyle on enterprise@carlowcoco.ie / 059-9129783
