The resilience of the business community in the Greater Newry Area has been celebrated at a glittering awards ceremony. The biennial event took place at the Canal Court Hotel & Spa on Thursday 7 th October and honoured the achievements of 27 individuals and organisations.
The awards were organised by the Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade and sponsored by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Shelbourne Motors.
Chamber President, Emma Mullen-Marmion commented: “There is no question the last 18 months have been amongst the toughest times faced by businesses and society in general.
“However, from the over 200 award applications received by the Chamber, we can clearly see that the local economy is being driven by many successful, ambitious and talented enterprises. The strength of this year’s awards clearly illustrates a confident, determined business community, focused on creating jobs and generating wealth and prosperity for our region.
“We were delighted to present a Special Recognition Award to the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to honour their commitment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Newry Chamber wanted to thank all Health Care staff for the vital role they played in helping to care for our citizens and keeping us all safe.”
The Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Newry Area went to Ciaran Rafferty. The highly respected Solicitor has for over four decades been involved with charity and community sector organisations. Most notably Newry Credit Union, Clanrye Group and St Vincent de Paul Society.
Best Businessman was awarded to Connaire McGreevy of CTS – Connect Transform Sustain, with the Best Businesswoman award going to Gemma Murphy from Jack Murphy Jewellers.
Congratulating all the winners, Emma Mullen-Marmion said: “The Greater Newry Area is recognised as a place synonymous with entrepreneurship, innovation, excellent service, product quality and customer care.
“This year’s awards have recognised the very best that this region’s business community has to offer. Well done to all companies that entered and congratulations to the winners.”
Special Recognition Award presented by President Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade, Emma Mullen-Marmion to Southern Health & Social Care Trust represented by Dr. Seamus Murphy and Yvonne Murphy.
Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Newry Area Award Winner was Ciaran Rafferty who accepted his Award from Sponsor Peter Murray, Centre Manager at Buttercrane Shopping Centre.
Best Businessman Award Winner was Connaire McGreevy, CTS who received his Award from Sponsor Rachel McCaughey, Salon Manager from Younique Salon.
Best Businesswoman Award Winner was Gemma Murphy, Jack Murphy Jewellers who received her Award from Sponsor Clare Harvey, Clinic Manager from Sponsory Younique Aesthetics Clinic.
Best Business In The Community Award Winner Clanrye Group represented by Judith Poucher accepts their Award from Sponsor Cathy Hughes Chairperson Newry Credit Union.
Best Family Business Award Crilco – Crilly’s Sweets accepted by Ciaran and David Crilly from Sponsor Nuala Martin, South Down Business Centre Lead at AIB.
Best Apprenticeship Employer Award Winner McGuinness Plumbing and Thomas McGuinness accepted the Award from Sponsor Brian Doran, CEO Southern Regional College.
Best Small Business Award Winner RNN Communications represented by Jolene Kelly and Jill McLernon who received their Award from Sponsor Ronan O’Doherty, Head of Group Finance at Translink.
Best Professional Services Business Award Winner PKF-FPM Accountants represented by Sarah Jane Garvey who received their Award from Sponsor Diane McCall, Senior Business Manager Bank of Ireland UK.
Best Place to Work Award Winner Clanrye Group represented by Liam Devine Manager who received their Award from Sponsor Annette Small, Group Marketing & Communications Manager at the Irish News.
Best Beauty, Health & Well-Being Business Award Winner Natasha Daryaie, The Gym Guru (TGG Fitness Ltd) receives her Award from Sponsor Tara O’Hanlon, Marketing Graduate at Jack Murphy Jewellers.
Best Kept Business Award Winner Granite Exchange represented by Colleen O’Hare accepts the Award from Sponsor Eamonn Connolly, Managing Director at Newry BID.
Best Place to Eat in category Best Restaurant & Bistro Winner Killeavy Castle Estate represented by Jason Foody General Manager accepts the Award from Sponsor Denise Curtis, Associate Director Personal Lines at Abbey Autoline.
Best Place to Eat in category Best Café & Takeaway Camocha Café Bistro represented by brothers Ciaran and Micheál Hughes accept their Award from Sponsor Denise Curtis, Associate Director Personal Lines at Abbey Autoline.
Best Customer Service Award Winner ‘Jack Murphy Jewellers’ represented by Gemma Murphy, Sinead Sands and Tara O’Hanlon accept their Award from Sponsor Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID Manager.
Best New Business Award Winner ‘Raw Fusion’ represented by Amanda and Rowan Kearns accept their Award from Sponsor Anthony Boden and Sean Grant Digney Grant.
Best Young Entrepreneur Award Winner Patrick Mackin, Macklin’s Accident Repair Centre receives his Award from Sponsor Cathal O’Hare Director O’Hare & McGovern.
Best Manufacturing & Engineering Business Award Winner ASEE Ltd represented by Heather McCracken and Sarah Kavanagh accept their Award from Sponsor Stuart McKee, Managing Director Collins Aerospace
Best Manufacturing & Engineering Business Award Winner ASEE Ltd represented by Heather McCracken and Sarah Kavanagh accept their Award from Sponsor Stuart McKee, Managing Director Collins Aerospace
Best Export Business Award Winner S & W Wholesale represented by Julie Burden and Daniel Comiskey accept their Award from Sponsor Martin Murdock, Company Secretary & Director of Legal Affairs Norbrook Laboratories.
Best Innovative Business Award Winner HBE represented by Clive Clarke M.D and David Sharkey Head of Innovations accept their Award from Sponsor Mark McGivern, Senior Vice President of FD Technologies.
Best Marketing Initiative Award Winner S & W Wholesale represented by Daniel Comiskey and Julie Burden accept their Award from Sponsor Peter Bayne Editor Newry Democrat and Robbie Abraham Regional Advertising Manager.
Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Newry Area Award Winner was Ciaran Rafferty who accepted his Award from Sponsor Peter Murray, Centre Manager at Buttercrane Shopping Centre.
Best Use of Social Media Award Winner Lily Bain Bathrooms & Tiles represented by l-r Ryan Bagnall Sales, Linsey Powell Social Media and Frank Powell Director who accepted their award from Sponsor Chris McConville Director of Brilliant Red Digital.
Best Tourism & Hospitality Business Award was presented to Winner Killeavy Castle Estate represented by Jason Foody General Manager who accepted the Award from Sponsor Chairperson Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Cathy Mason.
Best Green Business Award was presented by sponsor Gemma Adams Deputy General Manager Canal Court Hotel & Spa to Winner Around Noon represented by Philip Morgan and Liliana Zenova.
Best Bar Award Winner was presented by Sponsor Sinead Cavanagh, Group Sales Operation Manager at Q Radio to the Winner ‘The Bridge Bar’ represented by Shane Baker.
Best Social Enterprise Award Winner Columba O’Hare Newry.ie CIC receives his award from Sponsor Dr. Conor Patterson, Chief Executive of Newry and Mourne Cooperative & Enterprise Agency.
