Network Ireland Wicklow Honours Top Businesswomen

Over 12 awards were presented at the Network Ireland Wicklow Business woman of the Year Awards on Thursday at Tinakilly Coun­ty House Hotel with some 100 guests in attendance.

The Great Eastern Pavilion was opened with guests' recep­tion with the Prosecco and vibrant sounds of the elec­tric viol­in­ist Court­ney Cul­len, who set the tone for a mem­or­able even­ing.

Network Ireland Vice Pres­id­ent Sinead O’Neill was greeted with a warm wel­come by Network Ire­land Wick low Pres­id­ent Marie Louise Marshall when she opened the proceedings. She com­men­ded the final­ists for their achieve­ments and recognized the innovation, determ­in­a­tion and entrepreneurial excellence dis­played by all nom­in­ees.

Mary O’ Brien of Ark low Cancer Support shared the invaluable services and sup­ports they offer, sup­port­ing indi­vidu­als and fam­il­ies faced with can­cer.

The organization is dependent on dona­tions and fund raising. The awards were followed by a charity raffle, fea­turing a myriad of prizes, all of which benefitted Ark low Cancer Support. Network Ireland Wick low extends its heartfelt thanks to all who donated prizes and supported this good cause.

Wen Wan Wang-Whelan (founder of Way finding with Wen) won the emerging businesswoman award for Way finding with Wen, which is a pur­pose driven therapy prac­tice, sup­por­ting chil­dren and families with neur­oscience informed play ther­apy.

Key Highlights:

• Over 12 awards honored leading businesswomen at the Network Ireland Wicklow Awards
• Wen Wan Wang-Whelan, Kellie Fennell and Lydia Sasse were among the category winners
• The event also raised funds for Arklow Cancer Support through a charity raffle

There was a lot of competition in this category and Anke Roth, founder of Embrace your Jour­ney, received a highly com­men­ded cer­ti­fic­ate from the judges. Kellie Fennell of Kellie Fennel Fitness took the top spot in the estab­lished business woman award. Face Yoga by Lydia's own Lydia Sasse was the solo business woman to receive an award.

This year’s cre­at­ive professional award was given to Ann Marie Woods, the founder of House of HOFU, a Japan­ese name that means Abund­ance. Dynamic Marketing Lissa McPhillips was chosen as networker of the year.

Richmond Construction's Grace Sheehan and Liz Shee­han of An Óige Youth Hostel Association both shared a highly commended certificate for the early career employee cat­egory.

The rising star was to be awarded to Squeeky Clean Ltd's Toyah Mitchell in recognition of personal and professional development. Dr Rose­mary Daynes Kear­ney, of The Care Advoc­ate, was the awar­ded shin­ing star, while Farzna Maudar bac cus, of Farzna Con­sult­ing & Coach­ing, received the being seen star.

The evening's entertainment was rounded off by Sib­ling Har­mony, cel­eb­rated vocal­ist Rose Hud­son and pian­ist Freda Mooney whose out­stand­ing per­form­ances enchanted guests throughout the evening.

After the awards ceremony, organizers said they were impressed by the number of entries received this year, which they said came from a variety of sectors, such as health and wellness, marketing, coaching, construction, and hospitality and community services. The awards recognized the enormous role women are playing in the local economy through innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.