The importance of small, family-run firms to Clare’s economy has been highlighted at the Ennis Chamber Clare Business Excellence Awards.
Businesses in every corner of the county were honoured in last night’s ceremony, across 13 categories, with Trump Doonbeg the big winner on the night.
For the ninth year in a row, business owners and their staff across the Banner County have been honoured in the Ennis Chamber Clare Business Excellence Awards.
This year, there were 13 categories taking in everything from retail to services, hospitality to voluntary work.
The big winner on the night was the five-star Ocean View restaurant at Trump Doonbeg, which took the overall award as well as the best place to eat.
General Manager of the luxury resort Joe Russell says it’s a big effort to bring home these accolades.
Family business was another big winner at last night’s ceremony.
Many of the nominees and winners on the night began as small family-run firms and have been passed through the generations.
One of those was Maddens Furniture in Ennis, which won the Customer Service Excellence Award.
Aoife Madden’s parents set up the business and they hope to pass it on to the next generation too – and she says much of their success is down to their mother.
And it wasn’t just business that won out at the awards.
The voluntary community group behind the 12 O’Clock Hills Project in Kilkishen was also given a special commendation.
A lot of work has gone into getting it to where it is and volunteer John Lenihan says it’s an honour to be rewarded for it.
