With judging complete for this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards, today (October 19, 2023) we announce our finalists.
This year’s finalists hail from every corner of our enterprising county and represent a broad range of sectors.
Ennis Chamber launched ‘Clare Business Excellence Awards 2023’ at the end of June, with Clare County Council as main sponsor and supporter.
Independent adjudicators, Spotcheck NI, were recruited to complete mystery visits and reviews for categories involving retail, hospitality, tourism, bistro, restaurant and customer service. This adjudication took place over September and early October. For categories where judging was based on written submissions an independent expert panel was established to adjudicate.
Commenting on the quality of entries for this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards, President of Ennis Chamber Sheila Lynch, said, “We were blown away to receive so many entries this year, especially against a tough trading background a lot of businesses. It’s great to see businesses continue to place high value on this benchmarking exercise. Our independent judges tell us that standards were high overall, with some categories proving particularly competitive with wafer thin margins separating top applicants”.
Gala Awards Night
There will be great excitement at the Gala Awards dinner, to be held at The Inn at Dromoland on November 16, when category winners are revealed as well as the identity of Clare Business of The Year, sponsored by Clare County Council.
The Awards Gala is a happy occasion for finalists, their staff and family, but it also provides a great occasion to network with businesses from across the county in a relaxed, fun environment.
Together with the announcement of individual category winners on the night of the awards, will also present the overall ‘Clare Business of the Year 2023’ Award, chosen from amongst our category winners.
Tickets for this year’s Awards Gala can be reserved by emailing awards@ennischamber.ie or phone: 065 6842988.
As is tradition one outright winner has been announced this week (October 19) for Best Voluntary/Community Group in Clare, which has been won by Ennis Book Club Festival.
BEST VOLUNTARY/COMMUNITY GROUP IN CLARE
Sponsored by Vitalograph
Winner 2023: Ennis Book Club Festival
*EBCF to receive a cash prize of €500 plus trophy at the Gala Awards Dinner on November 16
Clare Business Excellence Awards Finalists 2023 are:
BEST MICRO BUSINESS (employing 10 people or less)
Sponsored by Local Enterprise Office, Clare
- Clare Language Centre
- Madrassori
- Sauna Suaimhneas
- Wix n Wax
BEST SME (From 10 to 250 employees)
Sponsored by Cup Print
- Doolin Ferries
- Ecolect
- MHP Sellors
- Tierney’s Office Automation
BEST USE OF DIGITAL MARKETING/SOCIAL MEDIA
Sponsored by the Clare Echo
- Hotel Woodstock
- Moher Cottage
- Ollie’s Tours
- Wix and Wax
BEST GREEN & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Sponsored by Rengen Power
- Bridget Haren Hair & Beauty
- Dromoland Castle
- Falls Hotel
- Shannon Estuary Way Retreat
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE
Sponsored by Essilor
- Beckman Coulter
- Dromoland Castle
- Ei Electronics
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EXCELLENCE AWARD
Sponsored by Ennis Chamber
- Beckman Coulter
- Bridget Haren Hair & Beauty
- St Francis Credit Union
- MHP Sellors
BEST PLACE TO EAT (Bistro or Café)
Sponsored by AIB
- Eva’s Café (Ennis)
- Mondo
- Sweet n Green
- La Cheile
BEST PLACE TO EAT (Restaurant)
Sponsored by AIB
- The Lahinch Coast
- The Monk’s Society
- The Town Hall (Old Ground)
- Tubridy’s (Doonbeg)
BEST TOURISM EXPERIENCE IN CLARE
Sponsored by TUS
- Burren Smokehouse
- Doolin Ferries
- Burren Farm Experience
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Sponsored by McKeogh Gallagher Ryan Accountants
- Blackbird
- Bridget Haren, Hair & Beauty
- Shannon Springs
- Frank Frawley Butchers
- O’Connor’s (Parnell Street)
BEST HOSPITALITY
Sponsored by Shannon Airport Group
- Old Ground Hotel
- Shannon Springs Hotel
- The Lahinch Coast Hotel
- The Inn at Dromoland
CLARE RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Clean Ireland Recycling
- Blackbird
- County Boutique
- La Jolie Femme
- O’Connor’s Bakery (O’Connell Street, Ennis)
‘CLARE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2023’ (Overall Winner)
Sponsored by lead sponsor – Clare County Council
To be announced at the Awards Gala on November 16, chosen from amongst category winners announced on the night.
