The National Enterprise Awards, organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards and celebrating the outstanding achievements of micro-enterprises, took place yesterday evening in Dublin Castle. This year there were eight finalists nominated for the awards including Fingal-based company, Celtic Rider.
This was the 3rd consecutive year that a Fingal-based company has been nominated as a finalist for the National Awards. This remarkable and unprecedented achievement follows on from many successful years at national level for Fingal-based finalists. Fingal has been represented at the national awards by six finalists (including 2 overall winners) in the last 8 years.
Celtic Rider was established in 2007 and currently employs 5 staff. They specialise in BMW and Harley Davidson motorcycle rental for tourists, with the King of Jordan and rockstar ‘Pink’ on their impressive client list. Celtic Rider were nominated for the awards following their win at the Fingal Enterprise Awards in October.
At the National Awards last night, DesignPro Ltd. from Co. Limerick were crowned ‘Overall Winner’, with Aaron Value Adding Services Ltd. From Co. Clare taking the ‘Innovation in Product Development’ award. It was also a good year for Ireland’s food and drink businesses, with Chia Bia from Tramore in Co. Waterford winning the ‘Best Export Business’ award and Solaris Botanicals Ltd. from Galway City getting the ‘Best Start Up Business’ prize.
Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of the Fingal County Enterprise Board congratulated Celtic Rider on getting to the final stages of the National Awards by saying “We are delighted that once again a Fingal company has made it to the final stages of the National Awards. It is indicative of the entrepreneurial talent in this region. Celtic Rider is a local success story, attracting hundreds of foreign tourists to this country each year which in turn contributes significantly to much needed job creation and the tourism sector.”
Last year at the National Awards, Keoghs Crisps Ltd. from Fingal secured the 'Best Start-Up Award' and the previous year this award was also won by a Fingal company, Fleet Connect.