Cork County Council’s inaugural Best in Cork Awards are a celebration of the vital contributions businesses and tourism providers make to Cork County. A total of 44 businesses were shortlisted across eight categories, with the winners announced on Tuesday.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn presented the overall business award to offshore survey company, Green Rebel. The Crosshaven firm, which employs 75 people, also took home the category award for Best Medium Business at a gala lunch in Cork County Hall. Providing a full range of survey and data services to the offshore renewable energy industry, the judges noted Green Rebel’s remarkable growth and its wide offering in a very specific industry.
“The Best in Cork awards are a celebration of excellence, innovation, and the spirit of community that defines our remarkable county,” Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said. “Our overall winner, Green Rebel epitomises these values and, through its focus on sustainability, education and its key resource, people, it is helping to craft a better future both locally and globally.”
CATEGORY AWARDS
The first category award of the afternoon went to outdoor activity provider Ballyhass Adventure Group, named Best Tourist Attraction. A second tourism category was for attractions that are free to enter and was won by The Donkey Sanctuary, the open farm in Liscarroll that’s home to 150 donkeys.
Ballymaloe House Hotel, the luxurious country house hotel in East Cork was recognised for Green Innovation, while Skibbereen social enterprise The Ludgate Hub, which offers a range of services to remote workers and local businesses, picked up the award for Best Connection to the Community.
Mallow-based company, BladeBridge, who repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades into greenway bridges and outdoor furniture, was named Best Start-up, while Hanna’s Bees scooped the award for Best Small Business. Best Large Business went to global healthcare leader Lilly, which employs more than 2,800 people in Kinsale and Little Island.
The awards ceremony, at Vertigo, Cork County Hall, was presided over by Cork native and Virgin Media presenter Elaine Crowley. Each sustainably produced trophy was crafted by County Cork woodturner Abe Cashman.
