Heineken Ireland and J Barter Travel named Cork Businesses of the Year

Heineken Ireland and J Barter Travel held off competition from a strong field of finalists to land the prestigious Cork Business of the Year awards at the Cork Business Association’s annual gala dinner on Saturday.

Heineken scooped the large business category award at the ceremony in Cork’s Clarion Hotel attended by 250 or so of the city’s business leaders, while family business J Barter Travel picked up the medium category award.

Cork Business Association (CBA) awards committee chair James O’Sullivan commended the winners and the calibre of the finalists.

“There was a huge amount of competition this year and all the shortlisted companies should be extremely proud. J Barter Travel is celebrating an incredible 150 years in business.

Over four generations, the Barter family business has managed to continue to thrive and grow,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

“In 1983 Heineken International acquired all the assets of Murphys Brewery, resulting in a new lease of life for the brewery and protecting its valued traditions for the future.

“Heineken’s involvement and work within the Cork community to promote Cork Inc has been commendable.

They employ more than 200 people in the greater Cork area and provide 550 jobs nationwide, and are currently working with BAM to provide a new 6,000- seat events centre for the city,” he said.

The other shortlisted entries included Brennans Cookshop, Kenny’s Jewellers, and TW Murray & Co in the medium category.

Bus Éireann, The River Lee Hotel, and Cork Convention Bureau were the other finalists in the large category.

The awards dinner also marked CBA president Claire Nash’s final annual gala in the role.

The Cork Business of the Year Awards are sponsored by O’Callaghan Properties and the Irish Examiner.

Entries for the 2016 awards are now being accepted by CBA.