Waterford Business Awards: Dave Barry Plastics romp home with night's top accolades
Mayor of Waterford Cllr Seamus Ryan presents Dave Barry, Dean Donnelly, Ian Fahey and Isaac Barry of Dave Barry Plastics, with the Overall Waterford Business of the Year Award. Also included are Minister John Cummins, Mary O’Neill and Sean Drohan, WLR, Éadaoin Carrick, Waterford Chamber President and Oren Byrne, Dungarvan & West Chamber President. Photo: Patrick Browne
The very best of Waterford’s business community was celebrated at the Waterford Business Awards, which took place on Friday night, November 14, at the Tower Hotel, before an audience that included Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, Mayor of Waterford City & County Cllr Séamus Ryan, and close to 400 business leaders from across the city and county.
The gala evening, hosted by WLR FM’s Mary O’Neill and organised by Waterford Chamber, with the support of Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber, Waterford City & County Council and WLR, recognised excellence and innovation across a range of sectors, from start-ups and SMEs to global enterprises.
Mayor Ryan took to the stage at the end of the evening to announce the Overall Waterford Business of the Year for 2025, which was won by Dave Barry Plastics. Based in Dungarvan, the company is a trusted leader in the design and manufacturing of high-quality plastic solutions for the pharmaceutical, biopharma, and technological industries.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Ryan congratulated all the finalists and paid tribute to the energy and ambition of Waterford’s business community.
“Tonight, we come together to celebrate the very best of enterprise, innovation, and community spirit, the qualities that define Waterford and the South East as a place to do business, to invest, and to live.
“These awards are not just about recognising success stories, but about honouring the people behind them, the entrepreneurs, employers, and teams who continue to drive growth, create opportunity, and strengthen our local economy.
"Your determination, creativity, and resilience are what make Waterford thrive.”
Minister Burke also paid tribute to Waterford’s hard-working and dynamic business community.
“Waterford’s business community represent yet another fantastic example of the vibrant enterprise communities that exist right across all regions of our country and which form the backbone of our economy and communities.
"Events such as this showcase what can be achieved through meaningful interaction between our Chambers of Commerce, Local Government, Enterprise support offices and agencies, and my Department’s Regional Enterprise Plans – ensuring that our economy remains resilient and Ireland remains a leading location to work, live and do business in.”
Minister Burke described Waterford as being "the anchor for a very strong south east", citing huge opportunities for growth in offshore energy and tourism.
Among key focus points for government are research and development, according to the Minister, who cited the work done by South East Technological University (SETU).
"We need to secure the jobs of the future," he said, adding that ensuring people can get access to their first home was crucial.
"R and D really protects the new jobs, the new product line, the new IP that can build into our economy, new patents, and when you look as I was with Minister Cummins at Bausch + Lomb, the huge R and D that they have done, or look at IBM and RedHat, those type of partnerships, and critically when they are linked into SETU here in the locality, that really allows the commercialisation of research and really embeds those new, high value jobs into our economy and that's what we really need to do," the Minister said.
This year’s category winners reflected the strength, creativity, and diversity of enterprise across Waterford:
- New Business of the Year: Euryka AI
- Business of the Year (up to 20 employees): Liberty Blue Estate Agents
- Business of the Year (up to 100 employees): Dave Barry Plastics
- Business of the Year (100+ employees): Eirgen Pharma
- Environmental & Sustainability Award: Granville Hotel
- Excellence in Innovation: Ashleigh Farms
- Retailer of the Year: Fitzgeralds Menswear
- Marketing Excellence: The TEFL Institute of Ireland
- Visit Waterford Award: Dunmore Adventure Centre
- Workplace Excellence: Fitzwilton Hotel
- Customer Service Excellence: Klearcom
- Food, Beverage & Hospitality: The Railway Cottage
Seamus Kilgannon was recognised for his exceptional leadership, innovation, and sustained investment in Waterford, as he received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, while the Judges’ Special Recognition Award went to TV Honan, founder of Spraoi, for his lifelong contribution to the arts, culture, and tourism in Waterford. Mr Honan was visibly moved as he received a standing ovation upon taking the podium to receive his award.
"So many people in this room were brought to a Spraoi parade by their parents... Spraoi belongs to all of us," he said.
When Mary O'Neill put it to him that he had put Waterford on a global stage, he responded, "People use the language about joining the dots, about joined up thinking, but they don't do anything about it." Spraoi was an example of joined up thinking being put into action.
The new Think Waterford First Award went to Paul Dower of Waterford In Your Pocket. Paul was honoured for his tireless efforts in promoting Waterford to a global audience and supporting local business and community ventures.
" I was always sick and tired of people saying nothing ever happens in Waterford," he said. "We like to show it from a locals' point of view... We don't do bad news or politics. We are about having fun, we are about showing what we have, what we can do."
A bit of fun was had when Paul turned the phrase, "Waterford is where we work, live and do business", into "Waterford is where we work, live and play."
Speaking later on, Eadaoin Carrick, President of Waterford Chamber, said, "The vibes in Waterford at the moment are so positive."
She cited the spectacle of the new river crossing being installed as an example, and taking Paul's lead, said: "We want to make Waterford a great place to live, work, do business and play!"
Meanwhile, the WLR Radio Campaign of the Year Award went to Faithlegg for their creative multi-media campaign, praised for its compelling storytelling that captured the essence of the Faithlegg experience.
The night’s top honour, the Overall Winner Award, went to Dave Barry Plastics, recognised for its innovation, strong growth, and contribution to local employment.
An evidently overwhelmed Dave Barry responded, "We really weren't expecting this. Thanks to everyone who voted for us, it's absolutely amazing."
The Waterford Business Awards shine a spotlight on the companies and individuals who are shaping Waterford’s economic future. Businesses were nominated by the public and through self-entry, with an independent judging panel chaired by Martin Freyne, alongside a team of respected local business leaders.
Eadaoin Carrick congratulated all finalists and winners, saying: “The Waterford Business Awards are a true celebration of resilience and excellence. Every finalist here tonight plays a vital role in the strength of our local economy and the continued success of Waterford as a thriving regional capital.”
Oren Byrne, President of Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber, added: “These awards highlight the innovation, collaboration, and community spirit that define Waterford business. It’s an honour to celebrate such remarkable achievements.”
Michael Byrne, CEO of WLR, commended the winners and thanked the partners and sponsors who made the evening possible: “The Waterford Business Awards are a reflection of what makes this city and county so special, world-class businesses, creative people, and a strong sense of community.”
