Network Cork - Women in Business Awards 2012

21 May 2012

The winners of the 2012 Network Cork - Women in Business Awards were revealed at a Business Luncheon in Jacobs on the Mall, Cork City last Friday.  The event is one of the highlights of the year for Network Cork, part of a national organisation for women in business, profession and the arts.  Guest speaker at the event was well known Broadcaster and TV Presenter, Miriam O'Callaghan, and over 100 business women attended, celebrating the wealth of talent, diversity and tenacity of women in business in Cork.

Event organiser, Mary Power, of Westboro Partners and Network Cork stated "We were so thrilled with the number of entries we received this year. The standard was very high and is testimony of how Cork has become a hub for women in business - and today is a great way to celebrate this."

Guests were treated to a Processo reception sponsored by the Erne Drinks Company and the Dublin Wine Rooms, who also provided fine wines to accompany the sumptuous three course luncheon, which preceded the Awards Ceremony.  Present also at today's luncheon were the three Judges who had the difficult job of deciding just who would win the coveted Awards - Edel Clancy, Director of Communications, Musgrave Group; Colette Twomey Managing Director, Clonakilty Black Pudding; and Conor Keane, Business Editor, Irish Examiner.

Challenged to find just three winners from all the entries, judge, Edel Clancy stated "It is so inspiring to see such a wide variety of business women in Cork, and going through all the submissions was a very challenging project.  After much deliberation, we are delighted with our three chosen winners, and believe that they reflect the wide diversity and the enormous talent that exists in Cork among business women."

The winners in the three categories were:-

• Businesswoman of the Year - New Business: Irene Twohig, The Cheswick Clinic
• Businesswoman of the Year - Employee: Deirdre O'Shaughnessy, The Cork Independent
• Businesswoman of the Year - Self Employed: Natasha Lynch, Essential French

 

Each winner received the following prizes:-

• One to One PR Consultation compliments of Fuzion
• Engraved Business Card Holder compliments of CACM Accountants
• Spa Treatments compliments of the Carlton Hotel
• Strategic business and tax planning consultation compliments of CACM Accountants
• Afternoon Tea for 2 at the Montenotte Hotel compliments of Westboro Partners
• Voucher for Red Balloon Ballincollig compliments of Red Balloon

• Midweek break for 2 at McWilliam Park Hotel Mayo compliments of the McWilliam Park

 

Deirdre also won one night B&B for two and dinner compliments of the Cork International Airport Hotel; while Irene walked away with dinner for two at The Rising Tide compliments of Happy Tours, and Natasha won dinner for two at Hayfield Manor compliments of Partnership Europe.

Following the announcement of all three winners, Irene Twohig of The Cheswick Clinic was awarded the accolade of the Overall Winner of the Network Cork - Women in Business Awards and was presented with the Keane's Jewellers Perpetual Trophy.

It wasn't just the three winners celebrating, as the following were Highly Commended in each of their respective categories:

• New Business - Olive Walsh, The Home Barn
• Employee - Ciara Dorrington, Ikon Hair Design
• Self Employed - Noeleen Cronin, Home Instead Senior Care

 

Following the event, Network Cork President, Rebecca Birchall, Director, Fishers of Newtownmountkennedy said "Today has been a great day for women in business in Cork and it is great to see the Awards grow stronger and stronger every year.  I would like to thank all our sponsors who continue to support this great celebration of women in business and would especially like to thank Miriam O'Callaghan for coming down especially to participate in today's event."

The winners will now proceed to represent Cork at the national Network Ireland Awards, which will take place in Louth in September.  Last year, Valerie Finnegan Cahill of Ikon Hair Design went on to win the overall Network Ireland Women in Business Awards 2011. Commenting on her experience, Valerie said "Receiving this award has been invaluable to me and my business.  It's been a great platform to promote the business and gave me great confidence.  One of the best business decisions I have made was to join Network Cork.  We all work together and there is always a fantastic feeling from the girls; everyone really wants the best for everyone else. It's that coming together and realising your strengths that Network Cork is all about.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish this year's winners the very best of luck and hope we make it three in a row for Cork at the national competition later on this year."

For any business women interested in learning more about Network Cork please visit www.networkcork.com