Local company on “countdown” to National Enterprise Awards Final

NEA 2017 Promotional Logo

Greensbridge Engineering from Mullinavat in County Kilkenny, has been officially announced by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’ Connor T.D. as a finalist in this year’s National Enterprise Awards.

Organised by the Local Enterprise Offices, the 2017 National Enterprise Awards celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s top small businesses and micro-enterprises from all parts of Ireland in a showcase of enterprise, innovation and ambition at Dublin’s Mansion House on May 25th.

Announcing the finalists, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “Last week, we saw that Ireland’s NEA 2017 & Minister Mitchell - O'Connorunemployment rate has dropped to a new low of 6.2%. This is hugely encouraging, and it is due to the hard work and dedication of enterprise heroes such as these local businesses who are quite rightly taking their place in the spotlight at the National Enterprise Awards on May 25th.” 

The Minister added: “These innovative businesses are led by people who are serious about their ambition, who are taking real risks and making real sacrifices to achieve success, and they are making a huge contribution to their local communities and to the economy at large. It is very important that we mark their achievements. I wish all of the finalists the very best of luck in the Final on the 25th May.”

The Kilkenny finalist, Greensbridge Engineering, was set up in 2011 and manufactures high quality precision engineering components. The company will be represented at the National Enterprise Awards on May 25th by founding partners and owners Mark Boyne and Richie Kenneally (pictured below). 

Mark Boyne & Richie KenneallyThe other finalists this year are drawn from diverse business sectors, such as skin-care, ice-cream making, language courses and mobile game development. The announcement of finalists was made at the Mansion House by Minister Mitchell O’ Connor, accompanied by Sheelagh Daly and Oisín Geoghegan representing the Local Enterprise Offices, Brendan Flood of Enterprise Ireland and last year’s Overall Winner, Mark Clendennen of Applied Concepts in Offaly.

Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny will be represented in the Mansion House by Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny. She said: “Small business and micro-enterprises, including Greensbridge Engineering, are making an outstanding contribution to our local economy. Last year, nearly 3,700 new jobs were created by over 6,800 micro-enterprises supported by LEOs all over the country. These entrepreneurs are continuously looking to grow by developing new products and services and investing in export markets. The National Enterprise Awards help to recognise the contribution that small businesses and micro-enterprises make to our communities every day.”

Last year’s winner, Applied Concepts in Birr, manufacture and export blast machines used in construction and renovation projects in countries such as Spain, Denmark and Chile.

In 2015 a Kilkenny company, MyBio, owned and managed by Linda Nolan won the overall National Enterprise Award.

Other previous winners nationally have also included Irish Yoghurts, Innovate, Grouse Recording Studios, Simtech Aviation, and Design Pro.

The winners of this year’s National Enterprise Awards will be announced at the Mansion House in Dublin on Thursday, May 25th. Twelve awards will be presented including eight regional awards.  The overall winner will receive €10,000 to invest in their business.

Competition updates and results will be available through www.localenterprise.ie and by following #NEAwards on social media.

The Local Enterprise Offices are co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020.