24 February 2025
By Valerie Ryan
valerie@TheCork.ie
Cork Business News
The Cork Business Association (CBA) has announced the finalists for its Cork Business of the Year Awards 2025. Recognising excellence, innovation, and dedication across various sectors, these awards celebrate the businesses and individuals driving Cork’s economic and cultural success. The CBA restructured their awards this year and said the quality of entrants was superb.
The shortlist is now open to public vote, and the people of Cork are encouraged to vote for who they want to win at https://corkbusiness.ie/
The finalists for this year’s awards are:
Best VFI Pub
- Costigan’s Pub
- The Anglers
- Franciscan Well Brewpub
Best Cork Hotel
- Clayton Silversprings
- Hayfield Manor
- Vienna Woods
Best Professional Services
- Healy Communications
- KSN Horizon
- Punch Consulting Engineers
Best Festival or Event
- Cork on A Fork Festival
- Alpine Skate Trail – Cool Running Events
- Cork Craft & Design Fair
Best in Culture, Arts & Tourism
- Cork Opera House
- Ocean Escapes
- Cork Harbour Cruises
Best in Retail
- Kilkenny Design
- K O’Connell Fishmongers
- Herlihy’s Centra
Best Cafe
- Perch Coffee & Wine
- Golden Bites
- Ruaris Kitchen
Best Restaurant
- Moody Cafe Vin
- Farmgate Cafe
- Cornstore Cork
Best Family Business
- Neville Jewellers
- Dinos Family Chip Shops
- The Flying Enterprise & The Courtyard on Sober Lane
Best New Business
- EHS International
- RHEA Funeral Care
- Potteria
Sustainable Business Innovation
- Old Oak
- Orla McAndrew Food Ltd
- Saoirse Ethnic Hands on Deck
These awards are judged by an esteemed independent panel of business leaders and industry experts – the Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle, Deirdre Cole, Fáilte Ireland, Dr Niall O’Keefe, Local Enterprise Office Cork City, Evelyn O’Sullivan, Visit Cork, Martin O Brien, JCD Group, Terence McSweeney, Elis, Alan Healy, the Irish Examiner, and Dave O Brien, Xeinedin. The public vote plays a big part in the decision.
The winners will be revealed at the highly anticipated CBA President’s Dinner at Vienna Woods Hotel on Saturday, 29th March. This prestigious evening will feature a welcome address by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, a keynote speech by European Commissioner Michael McGrath, and will be expertly hosted by renowned radio presenter Matt Cooper. The event is in aid of Parentline, and Cork-born CEO Aileen Hickey will present on the evening.
The President’s Dinner is one of the highlights in Cork’s business calendar (the other being the Chamber Dinner in February). The CBA dinner offers an opportunity to celebrate and network with business leaders and innovators. Attendees can look forward to an exceptional locally sourced menu, created by a unique culinary collaboration between leading Cork chefs including Pamela Kelly (Farmgate Restaurant, English Market), Nicola Alegre (Cask), Kate Lawlor (O’Connell’s Fishmonger), Claire Nash (previously of Nash 19 Restaurant), Hugh Bailey (Vienna Woods Hotel), Paul Ryan (Cork International Airport Hotel), and Alex Petit, (The Metropole Hotel), all showcasing the very best of local produce.
Voting is now open and tickets for the CBA President’s Dinner and Cork Business of the Year Awards 2025 are on sale and selling quickly, so don’t miss out. See corkbusiness.ie for more.