The Mayo Emerging Pitch Competition was won by Eoghan Gallagher, Thormack, Swinford, accepting the award from Joanne Grehan of Mayo County Council. PHOTOS: CONOR MCKEOWN

Major celebration of business life in Mayo at awards ceremony

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The winners in the Mayo Business Awards 2025 have been announced - including a single winner for the once-off Impact Pitch competition worth €30,000.

The Neill O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award 
was presented to Corrib Oil, Claremorris.

The awards were presented by Minister Alan Dillon at a gala lunch awards ceremony with over 200 attendees in McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris.

The seven nomimees for tjhe Mayo Emerging Pitch Competition. At back, from left, Mark Birrane, Wondr Jellies, Eoghan Gallagher Thormack, Brian Lavelle, Spin VR, Brian Durcan, Western Front Studios, Darren Forde Eco Powered Cabinets and Donal Byrne, Feidir Linn. At front are Maggie O’Carroll, Enterprise Evolution, Joanne Grehan, Mayo County Council, Emer Durcan, Western Front Studios, and John Magee Mayo Local Enterprise.

Winners were announced in no less than 11 categories as well as the Impact Pitch winner which is a special prize to celebrate the tenth year of the prestigious awards.

The Mayo Business Awards 2025 were hosted by Claremorris Chamber led by their president Andrea Kean. They are organised by LEO Mayo and the six Mayo Chambers.

Mayo Chamber Award (sponsored by ATU/iHubs)
was won by Claremorris Tidy Towns.

The Neill O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Orla O’Neill and Emma Joyce to Eugene Dalton of Corrib Oil.

Claremorris Tidy Towns were proud recipients of the Mayo Chambers Award.

lInnovation for Impact Award (sponsored by The Grace, Westport Estate)
was won by BRB Homes.

These two special awards are decided by the judging panels and do not require entry.

Best Start-Up (sponsored by PTSB)
won by WONDR Jellies.

The awards event culminated with a very special event celebrating ten years - the Mayo Emerging Business Pitch Competition which has an incredible prize fund of €30,000.

Mayo Tourism Award (sponsored by Fáilte Ireland)
was won by Ballintubber Abbey Trust DAC.

The winner was a visibly elated Eoghan Gallagher of Jet Jack.

Green Game-Changer Award (sponsored by AIB)
was won by Breaffy House Resort.

The fledgling Swinford business is an engineering company specialising in the design, development, manufacture and delivery of bespoke automated solutions, specifically tailored to the aviation, energy and recycling sectors.

lDigital Excellence + Experience Award (sponsored by .ie)
was won by Erris Coast Hotel.

The Mayo Emerging Business Pitch Competition was specifically designed to spotlight and support an innovative business that is tackling real-world challenges.

lnclusive Impact Award (sponsored by DeCare)
was won by Education DESTY.

It was open to all sectors and involved stringent judging including an in person pitch.

The seven finalists all took to the stage with John Magee, Head of Enterprise at LEO Mayo, explaining their businesses.

The announcement of the overall winner was made at the end.

Excellence in Customer Experience Award (Sponsored by Abbvie)
was won by Cold Call Refrigeration Ltd.

The other six finalists were: Mark Birrane, WONDR Jellies; Brian and Emer Durcan, Western Front Studios; Darren Forde, Eco Powered Cabinets; Maggie O'Carroll, Enterprise Evolution; Donal Byrne, Is Féidir Linn and Brian Lavelle, SPINI VR.

The Mayo Business Awards reach businesses in every corner of County Mayo and are a showcase for the very best in Mayo business and entrepreneurship.

Excellence in the Hospitality Sector (sponsored by Mellett)
was won by Dining Room Restaurant, Castlebar.

The event has become an important date in the Mayo business calendar. The organisers, Mayo LEO and Mayo Chambers, wish to thank the sponsors of the awards, and media partners (Midwest Radio, The Connaught Telegraph, The Mayo News and The Western People) whose support is essential for the awards to run successfully.

Best Small-Medium Business (sponsored by CBE)
was won by Hayes Mechanical and Engineering.

Winners: Mayo Business Awards 2025

Best Small-Medium Business (Sponsored by CBE) Hayes Mechanical and Engineering

Best Start-Up (Sponsored by PTSB) WONDR Jellies

Digital Excellence + Experience Award (Sponsored by .ie) Erris Coast Hotel

Excellence in Customer Experience Award (Sponsored by Abbvie) Cold Call Refrigeration Ltd

Excellence in the Hospitality Sector (Sponsored by Mellett) Dining Room

Green Game-Changer Award (Sponsored by AIB) Breaffy House Resort

Inclusive Impact Award (Sponsored by DeCare) Education DESTY

Innovation for Impact Award (Sponsored by The Grace, Westport Estate) BRB Homes

Mayo Tourism Award (Sponsored by Fáilte Ireland) Ballintubber Abbey Trust DAC

Mayo Chamber Award (sponsored by ATU/iHubs) Claremorris Tidy Towns

The Neill O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award Corrib Oil

The €30,000 Mayo Emerging Pitch Competition Eoghan Gallagher, Jet Jack

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