Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Launch of the 2009 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards




We are delighted to announce that businesses are now invited to enter the 2009 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards. This is the 16th year of the awards, which were revamped and expanded to an all of Ireland awards programme last year. Over 400 businesses North and South entered the 2008 awards, a 400% increase on the previous year.

The awards celebrate business who are showing leadership, success and contribution to the economy in the face of many challenges and obstacles, regardless of the business offering, service or location. Run in association with the Irish Independent, Belfast Telegraph, Enterprise Ireland, Invest NI & Intertrade Ireland, the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards have been further expanded to include eight categories creating a total of 32 awards.

Businesses and entrepreneurs may enter themselves or be nominated by a third party in the following categories: 1. One to Watch Award 2. International Business Award 3. Social Entrepreneurship Award 4. Best Business Start Up Award 5. Family Run Business Award 6. Green Business Award 7. Agriculture, Food & Drink Award 8. Emerging Technology Award (up to a maximum of two categories per business).

Entries will close on 31st October 2009 and the 32 Provincial Award Winners will be announced in November 2009, with the overall 2009 Ulster Bank Business Achiever and eight Category winners announced in February 2010.
The overall winner will receive a comprehensive prize package including an Executive Education programme at Harvard University Business School, €50,000 worth of advertising space in the Irish Independent and two years membership of the Institute of Directors. Provincial and Category winners will receive a number of prizes including entry into the national awards, coverage in the Irish Independent and a dedicated profile page on the awards website.

Log onto file://www.businessachieversaward.com/ or phone Brian Shanley at Ulster bank limerick on 061 608104 for further information.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Limerick Show a great success despite the weather!

Around 10,000 people attended the Limerick Show yesterday despite the awful weather in the morning. Luckily it cleared up for the afternoons events and all who attended said that there was plenty to see.

Caroline Rigney from Curraghchase Meats and Rigneys B&B on Rigneys stand at the Limerick Show


Our friends from Ballyhoura were in attendance with their own section of local business to promote. Again it is heartening to see that the small business market in Ireland is still an expanding area despite the tough times many businesses find themselves in at the moment.

Ballyhoura Businesses at the Limerick Show 2009

Photographs are from Munster Images and the full gallery is available here -


http://picasaweb.google.com/Munster.Images/LimerickShow2009Photographs#

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Tullamore Show - Not washed out for a change!

The Tullamore show was a great success with massive crowds and the new venue promising not to fall foul of the weather even though it stayed dry this year ( mostly ). Very inspiring to see so many small business represented and there were several halls of stands offering everything from Toaster bags to peat bog facials!
The number and enthusiasm of the exhibitors is always a good indicator for the health of a nation and Ireland's entrepreneurs are alive and kicking!

More photos [here]

Friday, August 7, 2009

Ponaire takes Gold for Connoisseur Expresso.

One for the coffee lovers - congrats to Ponaire Coffee, based in Annacotty, Co.Limerick for winning GOLD in the Great Taste Awards for their Connoisseur Espresso Blend on 14th July in London.
The coffee was blind tasted along with numerous other coffees. They have a great roasting house and coffee shop in Annacotty http://www.ponaire.ie/ well done!!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Tullamore Show starts this weekend

The Tullamore Show opens its doors for us all this weekend - please stay away rain!. If your going keep an eye out for Limerick based business The Little Mile Company who have a stand showcasing their organic milk. A group of Limerick and Tipperary farmers have come together to join forces and bring their offering of local organic milk to the Irish Market. Go and have a taste - you'll like it!

Anyone else got any recommendation of stall's to look out for at upcoming shows

Tullamore, Limerick, Cappamore or elsewhere?

Monday, August 3, 2009

LCOEB now on Facebook

Just completed setting up our facebook page.
Just click on the facebook button on the side of our blog to visit.
Hope to be gatering lots of "Fans" this week!