Tipperary woman wins 'Employee Rising Star' award at event in Kilkenny

One of Ireland’s most trusted suppliers of animal tags was among the innovators and entrepreneurs honoured at Network Ireland’s annual Businesswoman of the Year Awards for 2024.

The awards ceremony, which took place at Lyrath Estate, Co. Kilkenny on Friday night last, celebrates the success of women in business across eight categories. Among those also acknowledged this year were a luxury knitwear designer, a pioneer in sustainable construction methods and an artist trying to change the world one reusable coffee cup at a time.

The national business networking group received an unprecedented 460 applications for this year’s awards from their members in local branches across 17 counties.

The eight category award winners are:

Emerging Businesswoman: Kerry Brady McCarthy, Hercules Building Systems, Kerry

Solo Businesswoman: Melissa Hayward, Hair Extension Training Ireland, Kildare

Established Businesswoman: Ursula Kelly, Cormac Tagging, Galway

Creative Professional: Christine Murphy, Urban Aran, Waterford

STEM Professional: Dr Fiona Doyle, Munster Technical University, Kerry

Employee Rising Star: Emma Hogan Eyre, SkinFormulas, Tipperary

Employee Shining Star: Julie Nicholson, Bidvest Noonan, Kildare

Networker of the Year: Mailo Power, Monkey Reusable Products Ltd, Waterford

The Trisha Murphy Memorial Award, which recognises an outstanding contribution to Network Ireland or to society at large, was presented to Senator Frances Black for her tireless pursuit of social justice, and for her work with The RISE Foundation - the charity she established in 2009 to support and advocate for families affected by the addiction of a loved one.

Proceeds from a raffle held at the ceremony will be donated to RISE, which was Network Ireland’s charity partner this year.

The awards ceremony followed the organisation’s annual conference, the programme for which was delivered almost exclusively by Network Ireland members and included keynote sessions in leadership and communication.

National President of Network Ireland Linda Codoul said: “It is a real thrill to celebrate the success of so many talented business women through these awards. We had an overwhelming response to this year’s callout for entries and I’d like to thank all our members who took the time to apply. The theme of my presidency has been ‘a step ahead’ and all 90 finalists across the categories are just that. I’d like to congratulate them and our eight winners who have really excelled in their fields - they are worthy role models for business women throughout Ireland. I’d also like to extend my sincere gratitude to all our sponsors who helped make the 2024 conference and awards ceremony so memorable.”

AIB is the official partner of Network Ireland. Ciara Ryan, Head of Wealth and General Insurance AIB, said: “AIB’s partnership with Network Ireland is now in its second decade and it is a privilege for us to be involved with an organisation that has offered such incredible support to so many women throughout the country - from those who are starting out in business to the well established to leaders in their field. It has been an honour to meet all of the finalists and to hear their remarkable stories of success. I would like to congratulate the winners and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.”