O’Callaghan Properties net firm award
The best small and medium enterprise (SME) award for companies with less than 50 employees was won by Irish Yogurts Ltd, based in Clonakilty, Co Cork.
The awards were presented last night at the Cork Chamber of Commerce annual dinner in Cork City Hall.
Chamber president Robin O’Sullivan said both companies have displayed tremendous fortitude in developing new projects and sourcing new business opportunities in competitive markets.
“O’Callaghan Properties is one of Ireland’s most successful property development concerns and Cork is proud to host the company’s headquarters. At present the company has e605 million of commercial, residential and retail work in progress in Cork, Dublin and London with in excess of e700m in planning or at an advanced stage of preparation. The Mahon Point project, which we are all familiar with, is the largest mixed use commercial development outside of Dublin,” he said.
Mr O’Sullivan said managing director Owen O’Callaghan and his team have been synonymous with the renewal and redevelopment of Cork and added that all of its Cork developments are in non-tax designated areas and occurred in the main in city centre locations which were derelict or semi-derelict.
Accepting the award, Mr O’Callaghan said it was encouraging that the Chamber of Commerce recognised developers “do enhance the towns, cities and communities they work in and add significantly to their economic wellbeing”.
Mr O’Sullivan said Irish Yogurts, founded by Diarmuid and Mary O’Sullivan in 1994, were to be congratulated on their excellent delivery service levels.
“Diarmuid and Mary are to be commended for building up a successful Irish company now employing 48 full-time staff contributing over e4m to the local economy.
“Their success derives from investment in product development and marketing of branded products, thereby successfully competing against multinational companies,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
