Pitch perfect for finalists in 2024 Business Awards

The pitch night for the annual Anglo-Celt Business & Tourism Awards in partnership with Cavan County Council took place in the Cavan AIB branch last Wednesday evening (October 3).

The building was brimming with passion and creativity as the best of the best pitched across eight different categories of Family Business, Innovation, Customer Service, New Business, Fashion/ Lifestyle Business, Green Business, Not for Profit and Tourism. Four finalists were selected, each of whom spoke about their business for two minutes.

Branch manager of AIB Cavan, Aisling Vaughan, kicked off the night by informing those attending that the event was “all about celebrating local business and the very best that Cavan has to offer”.

With that, the business showcase kicked off.

Head of the Local Enterprise Office Conor Craven reminded people that the LEO is a “one stop shop” for local business providing free one-to-one business mentorship and advice, information and training for business owners and financial assistance for internationally trading service companies or manufacturing companies.

“Some of the companies you’ve heard of here this evening, they’re LEO clients and they’ve benefited from those supports,” he reminded.

Mr Craven also emphasised the importance of apprenticeships. “Our engineering companies are crying out for apprenticeships and I would just appeal to people in terms of parents, not everybody needs to go to college.

“You can do an apprenticeship, get a job, work in a business, become a business owner and create some of the success stories that you’re seeing and hearing about tonight.”

The room heard of one man shows looking to hire more hands or put new vans on the road and about business ideas from humble beginnings that have taken off in countries all over the world. The audience leaned forward to hear how these individuals found a gap in the market and put in the perfect mixture of planning, funding, marketing and dedication to make it thrive.

In the family business category, those who have pulled together to sustain a family legacy spoke of how they continue to employ and supply locally and further afield. Cootehill Precision Engineering, which began in a shed, expanded to the successful precision engineering business it is today. The Imperial Bar, meanwhile, continues to serve top quality food and beverages and entertainment on Cavan’s Main Street. Gala Killydoon holds community and family to the core, with all the McKenna family pitching in on the family shop; while McHugh Timber Products has overcome massive challenges to reach a huge milestone of forty years in business next year.

When it came to the most innovative business, those who brought solutions to the market came to the fore. Fire Doors Ltd continues to protect against smoke and flames in the event of a fire. The team at Nualach Automation are experts in automation. They help provide solutions for leaders in the pharmaceutical, medical device, life science, industrial, and automotive sectors. What started as McCabe Masonry Ltd in 2007 evolved to McCabe Group in 2022, a move which opened up further growth opportunities for the now multi-national construction company. Last but not least, Moran’s Mega Jam has over 400 local growers feeding into the company with loads of new products added to the range, which are sold in Aldi stores nationwide and all over the world.

The customer service category showcased those businesses who go the extra mile to satisfy and retain their customers. Businesses in this category included CICS Silo Clean Ltd, which proudly revealed it has never had a client fail an audit; Drumheel Painting and Cleaning which is thriving on word of mouth recommendations; The Lucky Horseshoe who provides quality coffee, chats and banter and knows what the customer wants before they say it and The Olde Post Inn, which is entering its 23rd year in business and believes that customers service is the cornerstone of a memorable dining experience.

In the Best New Business category, Laochra Academy recently started providing their childcare services with 350 children availing of the service over the past year. My Farewell Wishes strives to ensure that you know your loved one's wishes for their funeral arrangements when they pass away. Natal Fitness continues to have a positive impact on new mums in the community; while Sabina and David Brennan were also nominated in the category for their success in restoring three derelict 200-year-old animal sheds and converting them into holiday cottages on the historic grounds of Lough Sillan House.

The Best in Fashion and Lifestyle category brought Crafts of Ireland to the stage, an organisation that uses its own sheep wool to provide craft workshops and keep the Irish craft heritage alive. Elegant Gems encapsulates personal style in its jewellery and specially creates pieces to suit those wearing them. Elite Fitness provides an excellent gym service with health, nutrition and fitness advice; while Red Robin Boutique caters for all age groups, shapes and sizes with a large range of casual wear and formal wear.

In the Best Green Business section, Carraig Gardens was described as a paradise for visitors for tourists to be one with nature with homemade bakes and beverages. Éirevolt Energy is a solar PV business, which provides a solution to fossil fuels and gas to take businesses onto the electrical grid. IO Agri has a mission of decarbonising agriculture with a goal to reduce gasses coming from animal housing units. Joe Rowley Windows and Doors supplies and fits energy efficient windows and doors to reach one of their main company goals of ensuring a positive impact on the environment.

With each presentation, some had a sigh of relief when the two minute bell sounded; while others sweated to finish out their speech. The night continued with the best not for profit category. The room heard from those who give up their time for those in need or other necessary causes took to the stage. The Cavan Branch of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland aims for Cavan to become the first dementia inclusive county in Ireland. Cavan Tidy Towns Group strives to keep the county town attractive with hanging baskets, litter picking, signage and more initiatives, all with biodiversity in mind. Kingscourt Cancer Care provides vital services to those diagnosed with cancer, such as transportation to hospital appointments and other supports to patients and families.

Vincent’s Network constantly stocks their shops with pre-loved items for their loyal customers base, some of whom visit up on three times per day, all in aid of those less fortunate.

In Best Tourism - the Bailie Hotel continues to host guests in its newly renovated rooms with a quality restaurant service; the Jolly Paddlers brought their love of paddle boarding to Killeshandra and beyond getting people out on the beautiful waterways of the county. St Kilian's Heritage Centre in Mullagh have been trading for the past 29 years and welcomed the return of the relics of St Kilian last week. Trivia House welcomed tourists from all over the world to its affordable and quality guest bedrooms at the heart of tourist attractions in west Cavan and south Fermanagh.

During the night, a famous quote from Thomas A. Edison, who singly or jointly held a world record of 1093 patents was relayed.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

The business people in this room grabbed the opportunity to have their voice heard, to network with like-minded people in the county and to size up the competition for the awards ceremony.

The winners in each category and the overall Cavan Business of the Year for 2024 will be revealed at the gala awards ceremony in the Slieve Russel Hotel on October 18.

Special presentations will also be made to Noel Tierney, Multisound and Kieran Callaghan who will be the keynote speaker.

All finalists and sponsors will be profiled in next week's edition of the Celt.

And this year's finalists are:

Family Business

Cootehill Precise Engineering

Imperial Bar, Cavan

Gala Killydoon

McHugh Timber Products

Most Innovative Business

Fire Doors Ltd

Nualach Automation

McCabe Group

Moran's Mega Jam

Excellence in Customer Service

CICS Silo Clean Ltd

Drumheel Painting and Cleaning

The Lucky Horseshoe

The Olde Post Inn

Best New Business

Laochar Academy

My Farewell Wishes

Natal Fitness

Sabina & David Brennan - Sillan House

Best in Fashion & Lifestyle

Crafts of Ireland

Elegant Gems

Elite Fitness

Red Robin Boutique

Green Business of the Year

Carraig Gardens

Eirevold Energy

IO Agri

Joe Rowley Windows & Doors

Not for Profit

Alzheimer's Cavan

Cavan Tidy Towns Group

Kingscourt Cancer Care

Vincent's Network

Lifetime Achievement Award

Kieran Callaghan (Callaghan Electrical): Special Achievement Award

Outstanding Achievement Award

Noel Tierney, Multi Sound Cavan