Launch of Clare Business Excellence Awards 2026
Launch of Clare Business Excellence Awards 2026
Thursday, June 25: Today saw the launch of Clare Business Excellence Awards 2026 at a well-attended networking breakfast held at Hotel Woodstock, hosted by Ennis Chamber, in partnership with main sponsor, Clare County Council.
This year marks the 16th running of Clare Business Excellence Awards.
Mayor of Clare Cllr. Paul Murphy said, “At Clare County Council, we are proud to support these annual business awards, hosted by Ennis Chamber. These Awards provide Clare County Council with a further opportunity to support and showcase the hard-working business community across the county, and the inclusive range of award categories ensures that businesses of all sizes and from all sectors can be part of this important celebration.
Cllr. Murphy added, “Through our sponsorship of these awards, Clare County Council acknowledges and celebrates the significant contribution that locally based businesses make to Clare’s economy through employment, innovation and investment. We also recognise the important support that local businesses provide to communities throughout the county.
He concluded, “On behalf of Clare County Council, I wish all businesses entering this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards the very best of luck.”
Incoming President of Ennis Chamber, Frank Holly said, “When I looked at last year’s winners list, what struck me wasn’t any one business. It was the overall standard. As I went down through the list, I found myself feeling genuinely proud of the business community we have here in Clare.
These are businesses that all of us would be proud to be associated with. Businesses that set high standards, invest in their people, support their communities and continually look for ways to improve. I love the saying “a rising tide lifts all boats”. I think that’s especially true here in Clare. When businesses strive for excellence, everybody benefits — customers, employees, communities and the wider local economy. And that’s one of the reasons I believe so strongly in these awards.”
Frank recalled, “Last year, Holly’s Pharmacy entered the awards, and we were fortunate enough to win Clare Retailer of the Year. Of course, winning was a fantastic moment for our team. But while it may sound like a cliché, the biggest benefit wasn’t the trophy, it was the process.
It’s important to note that these awards are not a popularity contest. They are independently assessed and professionally adjudicated, with valuable feedback and benchmarking provided to entrants, including independent mystery shopping carried out by Spotcheck NI.
Knowing that your business will be independently assessed focuses the mind. It gets staff members engaged, and it encourages you to look at your business through your customers’ eyes. That was certainly my experience. The conversations started long before the awards night. Standards came into focus and staff bought into the journey. We all began asking how we could improve and where we could do better. For me, that’s the real value of these awards”.
He continued, “The awards ceremony itself is always a fantastic occasion and a wonderful celebration of business excellence, but the real impact comes from the months beforehand. It comes from businesses challenging themselves, engaging their teams and striving to be even better than they were before”.
Margaret O’Brien, CEO, Ennis Chamber, thanked Clare County Council for its continued support and commitment to these annual awards and thanked each category sponsor, without whom, these awards couldn’t take place. “We look forward to attracting excellent entries again this year from all corners of county Clare and we especially look forward to hosting a fun night out at the Awards Gala on Thursday, November 19th at the Rine Hotel.”
While the organisers appreciate that everyone is busy, and time is precious, they hope local businesses see the merit of making time to enter this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards. Submissions can be made online on Ennis Chamber homepage: www.ennischamber.ie The application forms are short, straightforward and accessible to all. And most important, entries are FREE.”
Ends.
Photo Caption (left to right); Frank Holly (incoming President Ennis Chamber), Paul Murphy, Cathaoirleach Clare County Council, Gordon Daly, Chief Executive Clare County Council , Bernadette Haugh, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Clare, Jason Murphy, Director of Services Planning, Economic, Rural & Community Services.
CLARE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2026
Introducing Categories & Sponsors
BUSINESS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD – Sponsored by Essilor Luxottica
BEST VOLUNTARY/COMMUNITY GROUP – Sponsored by Vitalograph
BEST MICRO BUSINESS (employing 10 people or less) – Sponsored by Clare Local Enterprise Office
BEST NEW BUSINESS (UP TO 5 YEARS OLD) – Sponsored by Tierney’s
BEST FAMILY BUSINESS – Sponsored by MHP Sellors
INNOVATION IN BUSINESS AWARD -Sponsored by PTSB
BEST USE OF DIGITAL MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA Sponsored by the Clare Echo
BEST SME IN CLARE (10 – 200 employees) – Sponsored by Cup Print
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EXCELLENCE AWARD – Sponsored by Bank of Ireland
BEST MANUFACTURER – sponsored by Ei
BEST GREEN & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES Sponsored by Rengen Power
BEST TOURISM EXPERIENCE – Sponsored by TUS
BEST HOSPITALITY IN CLARE – Sponsored by The Shannon Airport Group
BEST PLACE TO EAT (2 x sub-categories; Best Restaurant and Best Café) – Sponsored by AIB
CLARE RETAILER OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Clean Ireland Recycling
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE – Sponsored by Xeinadin
‘CLARE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2026’ (Overall Winner) – Sponsored by lead sponsor – Clare County Council
Judging and Closing Dates
Independent adjudicators, Spotcheck NI, will complete mystery visits and reviews for categories involving retail, hospitality, tourism and customer service. For categories depending on written submissions an independent expert panel has been established to adjudicate.
Closing date for ‘mystery shopper’ categories (Hospitality, Retail
Customer Service Excellence/Tourism/Best Place to Eat) August 04, 2026
Closing date for written submission categories: September 04, 2026
Finalists to be announced in early October.
This year’s Gala Awards ceremony will take place at The Rine Hotel on November 19, 2026. MC is comedian Colm O’Regan
*It is FREE to enter Clare Business Excellence Awards.
Ends.
For further information contact: awards@ennischamber.ie
