Third time can be a charm

The West Cork branch of Network Ireland is keeping its fingers crossed for three in-a-row at the upcoming national awards.

The West Cork branch, which was only formed two years ago, was the fastest-growing branch nationally in 2019 and has won two National Business Woman of the Year Awards since its formation.

Network Ireland West Cork President Caroline Murphy was the first West Cork member to win a national award in September 2018 in the Emerging New Business category for her company West Cork Eggs. Vice President Katherine O’ Sullivan, General Manager of O’Donnell Furniture then won the 2019 Employee Shining Star Award.

Judging for the awards takes place in the coming weeks and branch winners will be announced on 27 August at an awards ceremony which will be held at Dunmore House Hotel. They will be hosted by Margaret Nelson, CEO of FM104 and Q102. Proceeds from this event will go to Caroline’s chosen charity, which is Féileacáin, a not for profit organisation providing support to families affected by the death of a baby.

Each regional category winner will go forward for the national interviews held in September and will represent the West Cork branch at the national awards which will be held in October.

Caroline said: “The Business Women Awards are the highlight of the Network Ireland year. They celebrate the variety, quality and achievements of our members, and in 2020, we need the positivity and even though it has been and continues to be a tough time for many, there is so much to celebrate.

“As an organisation and membership we have pivoted, diversified, struggled, taken care of, home schooled, worked from home and achieved so many different things that now is the time to celebrate all that.

“Well done to everyone who entered and I certainly don’t envy the judges job and I am so looking forward to the awards event at the end of August,” she added.