WaterWipes founder and owner of Boyne Valley Group named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Edward McCloskey wins overall award at gala at Powerscourt Hotel

Edward McCloskey, Founder of WaterWipes and owner of Boyne Valley Group, celebrates being named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Overall Winner. Picture: Naoise Culhane

The founder of WaterWipes and owner of Boyne Valley Group Edward McCloskey has been named the overall EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. 

Mr McCloskey received the award at the 28th annual gala held on Thursday night at Powerscourt Hotel, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. In addition to WaterWipes, he owns and leads Boyne Valley Group, a portfolio of well-known FMCG brands including household names such as Chivers, McDonnell’s, and Kinetica Sports Nutrition. His businesses employ more than 650 people and continue to expand internationally.

Mr McCloskey will go on to represent Ireland at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in Monaco in June 2026.

Áine Kennedy, founder of haircare brand The Smooth Company, was named winner of the Emerging category. Derek Foley Butler, CEO of GRID Finance, received the award for the Established category. 

The Sustainability award was presented to David Corcoran of environmental services and waste management Soltec Ireland Ltd.

The Special Recognition Award went to Denis O’Brien