Inspirational recipients of Business Awards

THE CARLOW Business Awards are synonymous with business excellence – but they also recognise and reward individuals that have excelled in their field or made a difference to Carlow life.

Three of these awards were voted on by the board of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce and one was selected by the President of the Chamber, Michael Quinn and presented at the recent awards events.

This year the recipients of the special awards were; Carlow Toolmaking Services who won the President’s Award, Aileen Broderick of St Lazarian’s School and the Delta Centre who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Eamonn Tracey, World Ploughing Champion who was selected as Carlow’s Ambassador of the Year.

Shane Fitzharris, of Infinium Spirits was announce before the awards as the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Business Award The President’s Award is sponsored by Tile N Style.

“Each year the President of the Chamber has the pleasure (and challenge) of selecting an award winner that stands out to them as exceptional. This is not an easy task – as so many strong and worthy businesses take part in the awards,” explained Michael Quinn, President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce.

“This year I selected Carlow Toolmaking Services run by Pat Amond and his team. Working in a niche market, they produce high-quality, innovative, precision components for the medical, pharmaceutical, oral healthcare, automotive and metrology industries. They continuously push the boundaries of what is possible in the toolmaking industry. By investing heavily in research and development, they have created bespoke solutions for several multinational clients from their base in Carlow.” The Lifetime Achievement Award is sponsored by Burnside Autocyl.

Recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Aileen Broderick, moved to Carlow with her family 40 years ago. Having spent much of her life travelling, she never expected to settle in Carlow. But she not only settled, but she has made a lasting impression on her adopted county.

She began by taking on a teaching role in St Lazarian’s School for Children with Special Needs. Through this she got insight to the challenges that faced not only the children she was teaching but also their families as they struggled to fundraise for the services and supports necessary for their loved ones.

Aileen has spent the last 40 years in this area – working, fundraising, supporting, collaborating, innovating and championing the cause of those with special needs. She has retired from the Delta Centre, where she left an indelible mark, but remains on as a trustee, and a passionate advocate.

The Carlow Ambassador of the Year is sponsored by Barrow Consultancy & Training.

Carlow Ambassador of the Year is Eamonn Tracey. Since competing in his first Ploughing World Championships in 1998, he has represented Ireland an impressive 17 times on the world stage.

A farmer and agricultural contractor from Knocklonogad in Co Carlow, Eamonn follows in the footsteps of his late father John Tracey who was himself an accomplished ploughman.

Eamonn has been ploughing since he was 16 and won his first national title in 1989 in Oak Park. Since then, he has won 21 national titles across a variety of categories, and an incredible 12 titles – six of them first place in the World Championships.

This feat has never been achieved before and Eamonn has put Ireland, and in particular Carlow on the map.

The Outstanding Contribution to Business Award is sponsored by The Nationalis Shane Fitzharris was announced as the worthy winner of this award the week before the awards ceremony. This award recognises the achievements of Carlovians who have left their home county and made an impact nationally or internationally in their chosen field.

Shane, now Senior Vice President of Commercial at Infinium Spirits, is based in San Diego so could not make it back for the awards ceremony. He sent a video message on the night, and his award was accepted on his behalf by his proud mum Joan Fitzharris, sister Sheena McCanny, aunt Eileen Dalton and cousin cllr Andrea Dalton.

“The Carlow Business Awards are broad reaching by their nature, but there is no doubt that networking and hearing the stories behind the award winners is what makes them truly special. The night is a celebration of these stories and the people behind the businesses,” said Nicola Doran CEO of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce. “This is particularly true of these special awards – and their speeches on the night gave us real insight into how deserving these recipients are”.