Applications open for CBA Cork Business of the Year awards

Applying is free and open until February 20, with the winners to be announced at the gala CBA President’s Dinner on Saturday, March 28

The Kilkenny Design team, winners of Business of the Year at the CBA Cork Business of the Year Awards in 2025 Jane Wilmott, Michelle Creedon, Evelyn Moynihan, Sarah Mee, and Michelle O'Gorman, with Martin O'Brien of JCD, CBA president Dave O'Brien of Xeinadin, and Terence McSweeney of ELIS. Picture: Joleen Cronin

The stories of innovation, resilience, and success in Cork business will be celebrated at the 69th Cork Business Association Cork Business of the Year awards, with applications now open.

The awards are open to all Cork City businesses and are free to enter. Applications can be submitted until February 20. Winners will be announced at the gala Cork Business Association’s President’s Dinner on Saturday, March 28 at the Vienna Woods Hotel, where the overall Cork Business of the Year award will also be revealed.

Applications for the CBA awards can be submitted online at corkbusiness.ie until February 20.

The award categories are:

• Best Cork Restaurant 
• Best Cork Café 
• Best Cork Retail Business 
• Best Festival or Event 
• Best Cork Hotel 
• Best VFI Pub 
• Best in Culture, Arts, & Tourism 
• Best New Business 
• Best Cork Family Business 
• Best Service Business 
• Best Cork Content Creator 
• Sustainable Business Innovation.

The awards are independently judged by a panel of Cork City business and civic leaders, including the Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy, Fáilte Ireland's Deirdre Cole, Cork City Council Local Enterprise Office head of enterprise Niall O'Keeffe, Visit Cork's Evelyn O'Sullivan, CBA president Dave O'Brien, and Irish Examiner business editor Alan Healy.

The awards night is a true celebration of Cork with exceptional local food, complimentary beverages from local suppliers, networking opportunities, live entertainment, and dancing into the night. The awards night also serves the primary annual fundraiser for the CBA, a vital support to the ongoing work of the association. Tickets for the award night are in demand and are live at corkbusiness.ie/events.

The Cork Business Association (CBA) executive team at the CBA President’s Dinner and Cork Business of the Year Awards at Cork’s Vienna Woods in March 2025. This year's event takes place on Saturday, March 28. Picture: Joleen Cronin

“With a legacy spanning almost seven decades, the Cork Business of the Year Awards don’t just celebrate excellence - they sustain it. They recognise the businesses that make Cork City special, while ensuring the CBA can continue its vital work supporting and promoting our city year-round,” said Cork Business Association president Dave O'Brien.

In 2025, Kilkenny Group was named Overall Cork Business of the Year, a "hugely proud moment" for the business, said Kilkenny Group head of retail Michelle O'Gorman. "It recognised the dedication of our Cork team and our ongoing commitment to Irish design, craftsmanship, and retail excellence. We were honoured to receive such a prestigious accolade among so many outstanding Cork businesses.”

For more information, to enter the awards, or to book tickets to the president’s dinner, visit corkbusiness.ie.

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