Second batch of 2023 Athlone Business Awards finalists
Below we publish the shortlist for the final seven categories of the 2023 Athlone Business Awards. This year’s gala dinner will be held on November 4 in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel.
The awards, organised by Athlone Chamber of Commerce, will celebrate the successes of Athlone’s business community in 15 categories. In last week's print edition, we published the shortlist for the first eight categories. It is also available on www.westmeathindependent.ie
Tickets are on sale for €100 each and can be purchased online at athlonebusinessawards.ie.
The MC for this year's gala night will be Eamon Horan of RTE Sport. Minister Peter Burke will also be a guest of honour.
RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Permanent TSB
Dooley’s Flowers
Dooley's Flowers are a family-run business that have been a staple in the Irish community since 1978. As one of the largest flower shops in Ireland, they pride themselves on their extensive range of stock and a reputation that stretches far and wide. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything they do. Dooley's Flowers value each and every one of their customers and strive to provide them with exceptional service.
Wines Direct
Wines Direct are Irish family-owned and operated wine importers. The wines they offer represent a 33-year labour of love. They are uncompromising in their mission to source independently-made wines directly from growers around the world and apply strict selection criteria to each and every wine on their list, from the everyday to the extraordinary.
Burgess Department Store
Burgess Department Store, Ireland's longest-established department store, first opened its doors in 1839 in Athlone and from that day to this, the service and range found in every department has made the store a magnet for shoppers throughout the Midlands. Burgess celebrates the tradition of a true department store with passionate specialists who have a hungry eye for what's new and now. From ladies and men's fashion to footwear and from children and lingerie to home, at Burgess you'll find the finest brands in all departments.
BEST TOURISM EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Viking Tours Ireland
Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park
Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park is a unique and inclusive visitor attraction, offering a range of activities in tourism, culture, heritage, and leisure for people of all ages and interests. Dún na Sí translates from Irish as “the fort of the fairies”. It is named after the local folklore that some lone hawthorn bushes once marked the presence of a ‘fairy fort’ which previously existed in the park.
The Heritage Park commemorates the traditions and activities of rural Ireland throughout time, and the Amenity Park provides a beautiful space which celebrates biodiversity and provides a special environment for activity and appreciation of nature.
Athlone Guided Tours
Athlone Guided Tours is an enjoyable walking tour suitable for visitors and locals alike. The tour encompasses oral history, folklore, memories, famous residents, landmarks, and place names throughout the history of Athlone. Athlone Guided Tours specialises in public tours, private group tours, corporate events and guided walks for educational facilities from across the region. It is led by an enthusiastic local guide and is guaranteed to be the right mix of educational, fun, and memorable! Visit athloneguidedtours.ie for more information.
Baysports Athlone
Baysports Athlone is Ireland’s most unique destination and family fun day out in the heart of Ireland, located just outside Athlone and central to everywhere in Ireland. It is made ade up of the biggest collection of original, one-off, award-winning floating slides, rockers and challenges, entertaining and delighting people of all ages and abilities. No matter what the weather you will have fun here, either on the water or just relaxing in the colourful BayCafé.
BEST IN HOSPITALITY
Sponsored by Bus Éireann
Glasson Lakehouse
The destination hotel & golf resort is an imaginative retreat perfectly located for you to explore the best of Ireland’s hidden heartlands during your stay as it is just moments from the quaint village of Glasson and nestled on the tranquil shores of the Lough Ree. This hidden oasis offers a stunning landscape, spacious rooms including dog friendly hotel rooms, delicious food, the luxurious Brooks & Co. Spa, as well as an award-winning golf course.
Athlone Springs Hotel & Leisure Club
Part of the Só Hotel group, owned by Galway business man Pat McDonagh, the Athlone Springs Hotel & Leisure Club is dedicated to ensuring the warmest of welcomes, exceptional customer service and quality food prepared with local produce. The hotel comprises 68 luxurious bedrooms, a fully equipped leisure centre, a number of multi-purpose built conferencing suites, a banqueting ballroom with capacity for up to 320 delegates and ample free car parking on site. Their multi-award winning Head Chef and his team are renowned for curating exciting and extensive menus attracting both leisure and local guests. Their ideal location combined with their experienced team make their facilities the perfect choice for your next family gathering, conference or event.
Hodson Bay Group
Established by the O’Sullivan Family in 1992, Hodson Bay Group is an Irish family-owned business comprising of four luxury hotels. Hodson Bay Hotel on the shores of Lough Ree, Sheraton Athlone Hotel in the heart of Athlone, Galway Bay Hotel on the Wild Atlantic Way and the Hyatt Centric in The Liberties, Dublin.
CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Grovelands Childcare
Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union
Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union is a trusted financial service provider at the heart of the community, dedicated to providing members with financial solutions tailored to their needs. Its mission is to empower its members, promote financial well-being, and foster a sense of community. It understands that every member's financial journey is unique, and it is here to help them achieve their goals, whether it's saving for a home, funding education, or planning for retirement.
Midland Print
Midland Print • Signs is a full-service graphic design, commercial printing and signage company based on Pearse Street Athlone since 2004. They work with businesses of all sizes, meeting their varied marketing, sales and communication needs. Uniquely, Midland Print • Signs can design and produce a set of business cards, print corporate brochures and fabricate a full shopfront signage project all under one roof. Their team of graphic designers, printing and signage experts and marketing focused personnel, are uniquely positioned to help clients promote their business professionally and effectively. In the 20th year of business, Midland Print • Signs are at the cutting edge of digital printing and fabrication technology, with the very latest equipment and processes in place to meet the marketing needs of every business.
BMF Chimney Sweep & Oil Boiler Services
BMF Chimney Sweep & Oil Boiler Services is a small family run business that has been steadily growing year after year. They specialise in Oil Boiler Services, Breakdowns and Repairs, Chimney Sweep & Camera Inspections, and in recent years specialise in wood-pellet servicing, breakdowns and installations. Billy is a fully qualified heating technician with years of experience under his belt. His dedication ensures that your home is always comfortable, and your heating systems are at their best. Based in Athlone they are proud to serve the local community and beyond, whether you're looking to maintain your current heating system, install a wood pellet stove, or need a chimney inspection. They are not just about heating; they are about family and community. They value honesty, reliability, and top-notch service.
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by RBK
Michael Waldron – Waldron Meats
There are many businesses which claim to be family run and carry the tradition from generation to generation. At Waldron Family Meats, they live up to their name. They were originally established by Michael Waldon in 1989. He, his wife Yvonne and their son Darragh have grown the business ever since, developing it into the award-winning company it is today ensuring the tradition lives on and the legacy is passed from one generation to the next.
Carmel Owens – Sidero
Sidero, led by CEO Carmel Owens, is home to one of Ireland’s most accredited and experienced teams of software engineers and cloud experts. Founded in Athlone in 2012, and celebrating 10 years in business this year, they build mission-critical software for some of the most successful Irish and global companies.
Earlier this year, Sidero announced that it had been acquired by global digital engineer leader, GlobalLogic, a Hitachi Group Company. With their combined strengths, they will bring increased value and enhanced services to their respective customer bases.
BEST LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by TUS
Colm Quinn Group
Colm Quinn Group was founded by Colm Quinn in 2008. The group consists of Colm Quinn BMW & MINI, Athlone which opened in 2008, Colm Quinn BMW, Galway opened in 2014, Colm Quinn Motorstore, Athlone opened in 2016 and Colm Quinn BMW Drogheda opened in 2022.
Medtronic Athlone
Medtronic is the global healthcare technology leader, with more than 95,000 employees across 150 countries. They innovate solutions that treat more than 70 health conditions, from Parkinson’s to diabetes. Their healthcare technologies transform the lives of two people every second and many of those technologies are manufactured and developed in Ireland.
Athlone Extrusions/3A Composites
3A Composites Transport & Industry Europe is an international division of the 3A Composites Group and part of Schweiter Technologies AG. It is the leading manufacturer, along with Athlone Extrusions Ltd., the Polycasa Group and Perspex International Ltd., for extruded plastic sheets, aluminium composite materials and lightweight foamboards for the fields of agricultural and commercial vehicles, caravans, sanitaryware, furniture construction, shipbuilding, and the rail vehicle construction industry.
DIVERSITY, EQUALITY AND INCLUSION
Sponsored by Athlone Extrusions/3A Composites
TUS – Faculty of Continuing, Professional, Online and Distance Learning
Delivering over 50 academic programmes 100% online, the Faculty of Continuing, Professional, Online and Distance Learning at the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone campus, is a leader in the delivery of part-time flexible online programmes nationally, with students from 32 counties establishing TUS and Athlone a destination for online learning nationally.
Sidero
Sidero, led by CEO Carmel Owens, is home to one of Ireland’s most accredited and experienced teams of software engineers and cloud experts. Founded in Athlone in 2012, and celebrating 10 years in business this year, they build mission-critical software for some of the most successful Irish and global companies. Earlier this year, Sidero announced that it had been acquired by global digital engineer leader, GlobalLogic, a Hitachi Group Company. With their combined strengths, they will bring increased value and enhanced services to their respective customer bases.