MSD is top business and fashion designer Louise Kennedy also honoured at Tipperary Business Awards

Ballydine plant MSD was honoured as the Best Business of the Year at a glittering ceremony in Clonmel on Friday night.

The pharmaceutical giant took the top accolade at the second County Tipperary Business Awards in the Clonmel Park Hotel.

It had earlier taken the top prize in the Best CSR or Contribution to the Community category.

Fashion designer Louise Kennedy accepts her award.

It was a special night too for Tipperary fashion designer Louise Kennedy who won the prestigious President's Award.

Described by chamber president TJ Kinsella as the 'queen of Irish fashion', the Thurles native has been at the top of the Irish and international fashion trade for thirty five years.

She has designed for presidents and royalty, designed the Aer Lingus uniforms and has been recognised with a special stamp by An Post.

She said she was absolutely thrilled to win the award and to be honoured by the Tipperary business community.

“Wherever I go in the world, I am always Tipperary first”, she told the audience of over 250 at the gathering.

Mr Kinsella had said that the ceremony was a celebration of all that's great and good about Tipperary – a great place to live and a great place to do business.

He congratulated all the winners and nominees and remarked that between them all gathered in the room that evening, they employed over five thousand people.

The winners were -

Best Business of the Year – MSD Ballydine

Best Small or Medium Enterprise – Ryans Cleaning

Sports Art and Culture– Setanta College

Best CSR or Contribution to the Community – MSD

Best Employer (Talent Development, Training and Wellness) – Metis Ireland

Best Start up or Emerging New Business – Horan Automation and Consulting

Best Use of Social Media – Acorn Regulatory

Best Large Business – Boston Scientific

Best Family Business – Cantwell Electrical Engineering

Tourism and Hospitality – The Cottage Loughmore

Food and Agriculture – Blanco Nino

Best Services Provider – Eishtec

Best in Retail – Shanahans Centre, Borrisoleigh

Best Social Enterprise – Knockanrawley Resource Centre, Tipperary town