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More than 450 guests attended the 11th Greater Newry Business Awards at the Canal Court Hotel & Spa in Newry last Thursday 24 September, where 24 individuals and organisations were recognised for their achievements. Peter Murray former Manager of the Buttercrane Shopping Centre received the Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Newry Area award, while Kate O'Connor, European & Commonwealth Heptathlon Champion, was presented with the Greater Newry Area Diaspora Award.
Greater Newry Business Awards. Conor Patterson, Newry and Mourne Co-operative
and Enterprise Agency is pictured with the winners. Photograph: Colum Lynch
Photography
Derek O'Reilly of O'Reillys Wholesale was named Best Businessman, and Orlaith Talty of The Powerhouse won Best Businesswoman. Rachel Mearns of Concept Occupational Health took the Best Young Businesswoman award, while Patrick Mackin of Mackins Accident Repair Centre was named Best Young Businessman.
A charity raffle held on the night raised more than £4,500, which will be split between Cuan Mhuire and Newry & District Gateway Club, two local charities that provide much needed support services within the community.
Michael Savage, Chief Executive of Newry Chamber, and Eamonn Connolly, Manager of Newry BID confirmed on the evening to that the Newry Business Charity Christmas Dinner will continue, after its future had been in doubt earlier in the week. The announcement was welcomed by the packed room of guests, with the fundraising event set to return to the Canal Court Hotel on Wednesday 2 December.
Business Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Newry Area from a
representative of The Exact Group. Photograph: Colum Lynch Photography.
Murray was recognised for his contribution to the Greater Newry area, having also served as President of Newry Chamber and Chair of Newry BID.
The awards organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce have been held since 2004 and are considered the premier celebration of business excellence in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. This year's ceremony was supported by Principal Sponsors Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and NIE Networks, along with 23 category sponsors.
Conor Patterson, President of Newry Chamber, said the past 12 months had been "an incredibly testing period for our local business community." However, he said, the high calibre of entries received showed that "the local economy is being driven by many successful, ambitious and talented businesses who are proud to call our region home."
Newry Diaspora Award.
He said: "The strength of this year's awards illustrates a determined, resilient and confident local business community, focused on creating jobs and generating wealth and prosperity for our region." He thanked all the winners, highly commended entrants and finalists, along with everyone who took part.
He added that the Greater Newry area was recognised as a place synonymous with entrepreneurship, innovation, "excellent service, product quality and customer care," and said the Chamber was pleased to organise the awards and "showcase Greater Newry's Greatest."
WINNERS
- Greater Newry Area Diaspora Award
Sponsored by MJM Marine
WINNER - Kate O’Connor, European & Commonwealth Heptathlon Champion
- Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Newry Area
Sponsored by The Exact Group
WINNER - Peter Murray, Former Centre Manager of Buttercrane,
President of Newry Chamber & Chair of Newry BID
- Best Healthcare & Wellbeing Business
Sponsored by O’Reillys Wholesale
WINNER - The Powerhouse Newry
- Best Charity
Sponsored by Newry & Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency
WINNER - Women's Aid Armagh Down
- Best Green Business
Sponsored by Canal Court Hotel & Spa
WINNER - Cole Groundwork Contracts
- Best Tourism Business
Sponsored by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
WINNER - Killeavy Castle Estate
- Best Use of Digital Marketing
Sponsored by Brilliant Red Digital
WINNER - Jack Murphy Jewellers
- Best Construction Sector Business
Sponsored by NIE Networks
WINNER - Cunningham
- Best Innovative Business
Sponsored by Norbrook Laboratories
WINNER - Duality Healthcare
- Best Export Business
Sponsored by InterTradeIreland
WINNER - Two Stacks Irish Whiskey
- Best Young Businesswoman
Sponsored by O'Hare & McGovern
WINNER - Rachel Mearns, Concept Occupational Health
- Best Young Businessman
Sponsored by O'Hare & McGovern
WINNER - Patrick Mackin, Mackins Accident Repair Centre Ltd
- Best Manufacturing & Engineering Business
Sponsored by Collins Aerospace
WINNER - FME
- Best Small Business
Sponsored by Newry Reporter
WINNER - Clever Clogs Academy
- Best Professional Services Business
Sponsored by Newry BID
WINNER - Home Instead
- Best Customer Service (Independent Retailer)
Sponsored by S&W Wholesale
WINNER - Shelbourne Motors
- Best Place to Eat (Licensed)
Sponsored by AbbeyAutoline
WINNER - The Oliver
- Best Place to Eat (Unlicensed)
Sponsored by Newry.ie
WINNER - Sugar House
- Best Place to Work
Sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK
WINNER - MyLife Bathrooms
- Best Apprenticeship Employer
Sponsored by Southern Regional College
WINNER - Water Solutions Ireland
- Best Family Business
Sponsored by Buttercrane
WINNER - O’Reillys Wholesale
- Best Business in the Community
Sponsored by Newry Credit Union
WINNER - S&W Wholesale
- Best Businesswoman
Sponsored by Jack Murphy Jewellers
WINNER - Orlaith Talty, The Powerhouse Newry
- Best Businessman
Sponsored by Newry Democrat
WINNER - Derek O’Reilly, O’Reillys Wholesale
