Editorial: A night to celebrate our tremendous Déise business success stories
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 Éadaoin Carrick, Waterford Chamber President and Oren Byrne, Dungarvan & West Chamber President. Photo: Patrick Browne
While the highlights two concerning business stories this week - the withdrawal of Déise Diagnostics planning application for a proposed €33 million development for the IDA industrial estate in the city and Mount Congreve's ongoing financial challenges, relying heavily on the support of Waterford City and County Council - countless more incredibly inspiring stories were also told this week, via the platform of the Waterford Business Awards.
The annual event at the Tower Hotel always buzzes with anticipation as those gathered, comprised of nominees in the various categories, vie for the prestigious accolades.
The business stories on the night encompass the vision of individuals and groups of people, collaboration and the spark of brilliance, talent and determination. Whether large businesses employing more than 100 people, or much smaller SME operations, the one constant across the Tower's beautifully decked out gala ballroom was passion.
Whether that is the passion of the team behind the Railway Cottage, which has been making a mark on the hospitality scene on Waterford's Greenway, or the foresight of Euryka, making waves in the relatively new world of AI. These businesses took the top awards in Food, Beverage and Hospitality, and New Business of the Year.
The breadth of Waterford business was reflected in these and all the other winners. From the coast to the mountains, east to west, so much is happening in enterprise in Waterford. The Fitzwilton Hotel took home the Workplace Excellence accolade, Dunmore Adventure, and their water-based phenomenon, was awarded the Visit Waterford Award. In the city, a retailer that has led over decades now, Fitzgerald's Menswear, was awarded Retailer of the Year.
Competition was high in the Marketing Excellence category, which was scooped by the TEFL Institute of Ireland, while Excellence in Innovation was on show at an incredible level - with top honours going to Ashleigh Farms.
Leading the way in Environmental and Sustainability is the winning Granville Hotel - showing that a traditional-style business can be a front-runner in this category.
Customer Service Excellence might have been won by the larger Klearcom, but hot on their heels were two small and medium businesses, both also exemplary in the category - Irina Duane Photography and Parker Law Solicitors, showing that these awards are not merely about scale, but about recognising excellence at all sizes of business.
The top businesses of the year awards went to Liberty Blue Estate Agents (up to 20 employees); Dave Barry Plastics (up to 100 employees); and Eirgen Pharma (100 plus employees), with Dave Barry notably moved when his company was chosen as the Overall Waterford Business of the Year Award recipient.
Behind these winners and more, which we detail in this week's edition of , are stories of immense determination. The ripple effect for Waterford is beyond measure. It is the story of jobs, of homes, of families, of education for future generations, and of inspiration.
While the winner's stories were those told on Friday night, also in embryonic form will have been the Déise business success stories of tomorrow.
