Limerick Finalists Announced for Female Founder Awards 2025

Female Founder Awards 2025 – Limerick’s Cathy O Byrne and Joanne Begley have been nominated for awards.

Two Limerick-based sisters named finalists in Female Founder Awards 2025

The Club Women’s Network has announced the finalists for the third annual Female Founder Awards, taking place on November 7th at the Maryborough Hotel, Cork.

The Female Founder Awards champion women from across Ireland who are building purpose-led businesses. This year, twenty-four women are nominated across five categories: Newcomer of the Year, Solopreneur of the Year, Business of the Year, Positive Impact Award, and Contribution to The Club.

Cathy O’Byrne, founder of The Swallow’s Trail, is nominated for the Positive Impact Award. Cathy created this bespoke, online support service for parents, providing guidance and reassurance for families navigating child development, mental health, and behavioural challenges. Her platform celebrates parents’ innate power and fosters confidence through practical, evidence-informed support.

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Joanne Begley, founder of For After I’ve Gone, is nominated for Solopreneur of the Year. She develops end-of-life legacy journals and “First Cards”, offering comfort and connection to families facing loss. Inspired by her own journey through illness and her professional background in social care, Joanne’s work encourages open conversations about grief and legacy.

The Female Founder Awards celebrate women across Ireland who are building purpose-led businesses and making a real impact in their communities. The ceremony will take place on November 7th at the Maryborough Hotel, Cork, bringing together 24 finalists from across the country for an evening of celebration, recognition, and connection.

Unlike traditional business awards, the Female Founder Awards look beyond numbers and spreadsheets – recognising the “why” behind each founder’s work, and the positive impact they create for themselves, their communities, their clients, and their industries.

“The Female Founder Awards are more than a ceremony – they are a celebration of Irish female entrepreneurship, community, and collaboration. We’re so proud to host it for the third time and celebrate these women and the businesses they’ve built. We received a record number of entries this year, and every finalist has a story of resilience, creativity, and contribution,” said Sian Horn, founder of The Club Women’s Network and host of The BeBelle Podcast.

“The female founder space in Ireland is really special, and these awards recognise the passion, innovation, and determination behind the businesses these women have created.”

The Club Women’s Network is a nationwide community of ambitious women professionals and entrepreneurs founded by Sian Horn. Built on a simple philosophy – collaboration over competition – it exists to help women grow their businesses and careers in a supportive, connected environment. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced business owner, The Club offers valuable resources, genuine connections, and practical opportunities to increase visibility and confidence. Members connect through monthly live online networking sessions, interactive workshops, and in-person regional meetups held across Ireland. Learn more at theclubwomensnetwork.com

Tickets to the awards are €150 and available at theclubwomensnetwork.com. Guests can expect an evening of entertainment, celebration, and connection with female founders from across Ireland, including a drinks reception, 3 course meal, keynote speaker, DJ and of course, the awards presentation.