Finalists vie for Cork Business Association annual awards

Two Cork businesses will tonight be recognised as among the city’s finest at the Cork Business Association (CBA) annual awards ceremony.

Eight businesses in two separate categories are vying for the prestigious Cork Business of the Year award.

The small and medium business award will be contested by four of the city’s most established enterprises, boasting an incredible 557 years of experience between them.

Brennan’s Cookware & Cookery is joined in the category by their Oliver Plunkett Street neighbours Kenny’s Jewellers; J Barter Travel, which is celebrating 150 years in business; and one of Cork’s oldest businesses, T.W Murray & Co.

Adding to the impressive line-up at the Clarion Hotel will be those shortlisted for the large business award.

First-quarter winners Heineken, currently working alongside BAM Ireland to deliver the proposed new 6,000 seat events centre in the Brewery Quarter, is one of the four finalists fighting it out for the annual award.

The brewers face stiff competition from The River Lee Hotel; the Cork Convention Bureau and Bus Éireann.

The winners will be chosen at the CBA’s annual gala dinner by a panel of judges including Cork City Council chief executive, Ann Doherty; Cork Business Association chief, Lawrence Owens; Owen O’Callaghan, O’Callaghan Properties (main sponsor); Chief Supt Mick Finn; Caroline Counihan, manager of Brown Thomas; Irish Examiner (media sponsor) chief executive, Tom Murphy; and James O’Sullivan, chairman of the awards committee.