2020 Network Limerick Businesswoman – Network Ireland Limerick Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2020 were held virtually this year, pictured at the Studio Dromkeen was Petrina Hayes, President, Network Ireland Limerick with Caragh O’Shea, Vice President, Network Ireland Limerick

Winners of the 2020 Network Limerick Businesswoman of the Year Awards announced 

It was lights, camera, and action as the winners of the Network Ireland Limerick Businesswoman of the Year Awards, sponsored by LEO Limerick and AIB, were announced during a very unique virtual awards ceremony (on Thursday 27 August).  Due to the latest Covid-19 restrictions, the Limerick branch of Network Ireland had to change plans for an event in the Savoy Hotel and move everything online. President of Network Limerick Ireland, Petrina Hayes and her VP Caragh O’Shea instead announced the winners from a glamorous professional studio set while committee members roamed across the city and county to present trophies to the winners at their homes.

Lynda Sheehan, Rockbarton Garden Centre won the Business Innovation Award. Moira Geary, The Recombobulator, won the Solo Businesswoman Award. The Transformative Employee Award went to Lyndsey Hall, Piquant Media and Denise Brazil, The Bedford Townhouse & Café, won two awards – Emerging New Business and the Power Within Champion award.

In all, 22 finalists were competing across the 5 categories. Most categories are new this year and were introduced to

recognise the unprecedented challenges presented by the pandemic; transforming how a business operates while caring for family and others, remote working, coping with a period of isolation or all of the above.

The winners of each award category will now go on to the national finals for Network Ireland which will be announced at a Gala Ceremony streamed live from the Powerscourt Hotel, Wicklow on 2 October.

Special guest speaker at the Limerick awards night was Dr Sinead Kane, an international Visually Impaired motivational speaker and ultramarathon runner. Joining via zoom from her home in Cork, Sinead shared her insights from personal experience on how to overcome adversity and build resilience thereby creating a mindset for success.  Her inspiring story hit the right note with attendees especially when she highlighted the importance and benefits of focusing on having the right attitude and mindset.

Speaking about the Awards, Petrina Hayes, President of Network Ireland Limerick said, “Our annual Businesswoman of the Year Awards were transformed this year in more ways than one to reflect the vastly altered working world in which we all find ourselves. Despite the changes and challenges, we were delighted to have the opportunity to acknowledge our members who have demonstrated how strong, capable, and courageous they are in a time of crisis.  We had 22 inspiring finalists this year which is incredible given what we’ve been through so far this year. I would like to congratulate them all and wish our well-deserved winners the very best of luck at the nationals.”

“As the awards had to be hosted virtually, we did everything in our power to make the ceremony a really special celebratory event and we are delighted with the response so far. Dr Sinead Kane, our wonderful guest speaker, provided much needed inspiration at this time. And our roving presenters brought so much joy and excitement to the winners by bringing the awards ceremony to their homes.”

“I would like to especially thank the support of our sponsors, LEO Limerick and AIB, and judges Mary Killeen, LEO Limerick, Shona Keane, AIB and Patrick O’Sullivan. And a massive thank you to Chris Walsh of Hippo Sound & Lighting who managed the staging and production and of course our amazing committee who constantly have my back and are a tremendous support,” she continued.

Despite not being able to attend in person, the finalists still got dressed up for the awards and were joined by their family and friends at home as they watched the ceremony via zoom.  Also in attendance were judges Mary Killeen, LEO Limerick, Shona Keane, AIB and Patrick O’Sullivan along with Louisa Meehan, National President of Network Ireland. 

Winners of 2020 Network Ireland Limerick Women in Business Awards:

Emerging New Business Award – Denise Brazil, The Bedford Townhouse & Café

Denise Brazil is the Co-Founder and Proprietor of The Bedford Townhouse & Café. An FCA with over 15 years’ commercial experience, Denise and her husband Peter joined forces in 2018 to start this new venture. Lovingly restored, with original architectural features and stylish modern touches, this heritage townhouse is just the place for an urban luxury escape.

Denise Brazil of the Bedford Townhouse and Cafe was celebrating on the double after winning the award of emerging new business and the power within champion prize Pic. Brian Arthur

Transformative Employee Award – Lyndsey Hall, Piquant Media

Lyndsey Hall is Social Media Manager and Campaign Coordinator at Piquant Media, a dynamic media agency based in Limerick City. An expert in social and digital media strategy, scheduling and placement, Lyndsey applies her knowledge of the digital sphere across design, campaign, video and production projects.

Network Ireland Limerick Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2020 was held virtually this year, Winner of the Transformative Employee Award was, Lyndsey Hall, Piquant Media

Business Innovation Award – Lynda Sheehan, Rockbarton Garden Centre

Rockbarton Garden Centre is owned and run by Lynda Sheehan, a Mom to 5 fabulous children! Lynda runs an Award-winning garden centre with fantastic quality plants, trees, shrubs offering plenty of advice and help to those on their gardening adventure to get the most from their outdoor space.

Network Ireland Limerick Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2020 were held virtually this year, Winner of the Business Innovation Award was Lynda Sheehan, Rockbarton Garden Centre

Solo Businesswoman Award – Moira Geary, The Recombobulator

Moira Geary Ltd (aka The Recombobulator) is a personal development and training company that provides support and Personal Development training to national and international audiences in person and online. Moira is a businesswoman, speaker and author of Wake Up and Change Your Life.

Life coach Moira Geary was named solo businesswoman of the year. Pic. Brian Arthur

Power Within Champion Award – Denise Brazil, The Bedford Townhouse & Café

Denise Brazil is the Co-Founder and Proprietor of The Bedford Townhouse & Café. An FCA with over 15 years’ commercial experience, Denise and her husband Peter joined forces in 2018 to start this new venture. Lovingly restored, with original architectural features and stylish modern touches, this heritage townhouse is just the place for an urban luxury escape.

About the Awards:

Network Ireland Business Women of the Year Awards celebrate the excellence, professionalism, vision and leadership of its members. Regional branch winners are put forward to compete at the Network Ireland National Business Awards.  The regional Network Ireland Branch Business Women of the Year Awards normally take place between May and early June at separate events throughout the country.  The Network Ireland National Business Women of the Year of the Year Awards will be streamed live on October 2^nd from The Powerscourt Hotel, Co Wicklow. 

About Network Ireland Limerick:

Network Ireland Limerick provides a forum where women in business, the professions and the Arts can exchange business ideas and increase their business contacts. It encourages women to achieve more satisfying careers and promotes women as worthy contributors to the Irish economy. Network Ireland Limerick is a branch of Network Ireland, a national organisation driving the personal and professional development of women with over 1,000 members, across 15 branches nationwide.

Network Ireland Limerick holds monthly networking meetings where a guest speaker is invited to educate, inform and entertain on topics of interest to women. Members can develop and pool their individual skills through interaction with other women in a supportive environment which offers training, mentoring and an opportunity for women who call on other members with specialist expertise for help. It also provides a forum for established women to develop professional and social contacts.

Network Ireland Limerick is sponsored by the Local Enterprise Offices in Limerick.  The Local Enterprise Office is the First Stop Shop for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. 

For more information on the Local Enterprise Office click HERE 

For more stories on Network Ireland Limerick click HERE