Local businesses vie for awards

CARLOW businesses McNally Denture Clinic, Murphy Engineering and Mobile Welding Services and Seed Golf will go head-to-head over the coming months for a spot at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards at Dublin’s Mansion House in June.

McNally Denture Clinic in Carlow town provides industry training solutions for denture design; Murphy Engineering & Mobile Welding Services in Nurney are innovative manufacturers of a range of engineering solutions for industry customers; and Seed Golf designs high performance tour grade golf balls from its headquarters in Carlow town.

The three local companies were put forward for the competition by Carlow Local Enterprise Office. They will now present their growth strategies and take part in a rigorous questions and answers session with an expert panel of successful entrepreneurs as part of the competition.

The county winner, Carlow’s Enterprise of the Year, will be announced at an awards ceremony this week, but that is not the only award that will be presented at the event.

Advanced Coatings Technology, McHugh Buckley Accountants and Sun Arc Solar Systems will compete for the Carlow Digital Business of the Year award. Equinox Education Services, Flying Tumbler Irish Whiskey and Rodent Shield Systems will compete in the Export Business of the Year category. In the Green Business of the Year category, Conway’s Bar and Restaurant, equipU and Mace Tullow will battle it out. Finally, the Lean Business of the Year category will be a competition between HPMP Fire, Murphy Engineering and Mobile Welding and Sun Arc Solar Systems.

“In each of the past two years, Carlow entrants have secured category wins in the national enterprise awards,” noted cllr Ken Murnane, cathaoirleach of Carlow Co Council. He believes these achievements are “a testament to the county’s vibrant and dynamic small business community”.

The National Enterprise Awards, now in their 24th year, are an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices to celebrate the best of Ireland’s small businesses. Finalists representing the 31 Local Enterprise Offices will be in attendance at the gala event competing for a share of the €50,000 fund. The event, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities will be attended by Minister Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment where he will announce the winners on the night. Photo Martina Regan.