Marian Kennedy, owner of Post-Partum Relief Healthcare and finalist in the STEM category

Network Ireland Tipperary branch hosts Women in Business awards

Network Ireland Tipperary Branch will host the Businesswomen of the Year Awards on Friday, the 24th of May to celebrate and highlight some of the county’s most innovative woman in business.

From hair stylists to free-range chicken farmers, the network exists and thrives on providing support, mentorship and essential exposure to woman in all streams of business, regardless of size or turnover and at any stage in the business’s life-cycle.


Taking place at The Anner Hotel, Thurles, at 7pm, the event will start with a prosecco reception before moving on to a three-course dinner, followed by the presentation of the awards.  


All are welcome and encouraged to attend this exciting event to support some extraordinary women. Sponsored by AIB, LEO Tipperary and Shannon Airport, the main awards given out on the evening will be: the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Category, Emerging New Business Category, and Small SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) Category.


“This is a chance for us to not only celebrate the amazing level of talent and innovation we have here in Tipperary, but to prepare for the Network Ireland national awards, which will take place in September,” Network Ireland Tipperary Branch President Brid Harrington says. “Our county winners will go on to compete for the national awards and we really believe any one of our finalists have a great chance at winning on a national level.”


For many, Network Ireland has been a safe space to work through the growing pains of starting and running a business; while others with more established businesses find the regular events and support makes a massive difference to their overall success.


Kylie Magner, owner of Magner’s Farm and a finalist in the New Emerging Business Category, believes her involvement with Network Ireland Tipperary has been rewarding on both a personal and professional level.


“I just feel so proud to have been listed as a finalist in our regional awards,” she says. “Although the awards are ‘icing on the cake’ – the real benefit of being involved in Network Ireland is the fantastic support and camaraderie with the other ladies.”


Fellow finalist in both the STEM and SME categories Patti O’Neill (O’Neill Architecture) agrees.


“I am grateful to be nominated for the business awards,” she says. “Network Ireland has helped me step up and stand out as a female architect, practising in rural Ireland, where other professional bodies have been slack.”


The Businesswoman of the Year Awards take place annually. All women in business – any type of business - are encouraged to join their local Network Ireland branch and get involved. Susan Ryan, finalist in the Emerging New Business Category, feels that her involvement with the Network made her feel less alone in her journey.


“As a first-time business owner and mother, it made such a difference having women in a similar position to turn to for advice and support,” she says. “Even though we all run different businesses; we all have the same struggles and it’s always great to get another person’s perspective on things.”


Marian Kennedy, owner of Post-Partum Relief Healthcare and finalist in the STEM Category has gone from strength to strength since joining and getting involved in the awards last year.


“I heard about the Network through Geraldine Jones (VP Network Ireland Tipperary, Mediskin) - she explained to me how it was a great portal for women in business. I joined last year, when it was still Network North Tipperary. There are so many more women joining from South Tipp now, which is great,” she says. “I got great publicity and support from the awards last year and I went on to the regional awards where I was a finalist in the Emerging Business category – it’s recognition that you’re doing something right and any publicity you get is so worthwhile.”


While three separate categories of awards will be given out on Friday (STEM, New Emerging Business, Small SME Business Owner), there will also be recognition given to the several member of Network Ireland Tipperary who were finalists in several other regional awards that were given out a few weeks prior to the gala.


Whether you’re a woman in business or you simply know and support some great women in business, all are encouraged to purchase their ticket for the gala via Eventbrite (you will find the link on the Network Ireland Tipperary Facebook page). The Network wishes all finalists the very best of luck and collectively commend each finalist on the amazing work they do each day.


Finalists in the STEM Category: Marian Kennedy, Post-Partum Relief Healthcare (Clonmel); Patti O’Neill, O’Neill Architecture (Nenagh); Orlaith Ryan, Shorla Pharma (Clonmel).


Finalists in New Emerging Business Category: Orlaith Ryan, Shorla Pharma (Clonmel); Kylie Magner, Magner’s Farm (Fethard); Laura Bourke, Aspire Recruitment Ltd. (); Susan Ryan, Susan Ryan Travel Counsellor (Nenagh).


Finalists in Small SME Business Owner Category: Carmel O’Dwyer, MBA Commerical Director BPS Crowthorne (Roscrea); Donna Cummins, Zipyard (Nenagh); Patti O’Neill, O’Neill Architecture (Nenagh); Mary Quinlan, Mary Quinlan Hair (Moyne).   


(Regional Finalist) Established Business Category: Margaret Valette O’Connor, Quigley’s Café/Bakery/Deli (Nenagh)


(Regional Finalist) Social Enterprise Category: Dr. Marie Oppeboen, CARMHA (Nenagh)


(Regional Finalist) Arts Category: Janine Kennedy, Siucra Shack (Thurles)