31 entrepreneurs representing 24 companies have made the shortlist as finalists in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland 2026 programme, including three companies based in Cork.
The overall finalists span a broad range of sectors, including consumer, technology, health and construction, as well as varied growth stages and entrepreneurial stories that reflect the continued strength and resilience of Ireland’s entrepreneurship landscape. Collectively they employ more than 3,000 people, generate revenues of close to €1 billion.
The three Cork finalists include ADHDNow, a health company providing ADHD assessments; EPH Controls, a long-established provider of heating control solutions; and Dexgreen, a manufacturing business delivering telecommunications infrastructure solutions including fibre, copper access and flood defence systems.
The finalists have been shortlisted across three categories – Emerging, Established and International – with each category featuring eight entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional vision, leadership and impact within their industries and communities. Over the coming months, the 24 finalists will participate in the CEO Retreat, which this year takes place in Canada, designed to support strategic thinking and shared learning opportunities. They will engage in executive education, mentoring and networking with the EOY alumni community.
FINALISTS
Along with Danny Buckley of ADHDNow, finalists in the Emerging caregory are Aoife Matthews, Jennifer O’Connell & Louise O’Riordan of SISTERLY; Bobby Healy of Manna Air Delivery; Brian Shields of Neurent Medical; Dr Harriet Tracey of Beyondbmi; Jennifer Rock of skingredients Ltd; Laura McCarthy of Drink Botanicals Ireland and Liam Kearney of The Revive Group.
Trevor Casey of EPH Controls will compete in the Established category with: Tommy Kearns of Xtremepush; John Corley of Spanish Point Technologies; John Lunn of Lunn’s; Karl Zimmerer of Glanua; Oltian Dervishi of Forte Pespa; Paul Vallely & Clare Walsh of Kukoon and Robin Jones of Golden Bake.
International category finalists, along with Chris Horgan of Dexgreen, are Brian Moloney of StormHarvester; David Brennan of Eastgate Engineering; Dermot O’Shea of Taoglas; Ian Morgan and Sanjay Abraham of XPress Healthcare Ltd; Maire Claire Reid of TST Group; Paul, Gary & Mike Martin of Martin Group and Ronan & Conor Burke of Inscribe.
This year’s finalists have been shortlisted by an independent judging panel of previous winners and an overall winner will be announced at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards in late November. The overall winner will represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards the following June 2027 in Monaco.
