On Friday, 7th of October, in the Salthill Hotel in Galway, hosted by former presenter Mary Kennedy, two members of Network Cork were awarded national titles and another two were highly commended.
Sandra Looney founder of 'To Have and To Hold' and 'To Have & To Hold Flowers' was announced Winner of the Established Business category and was presented with a Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year award. Speaking about her success at the national awards, Ms Looney said "This award means the world to me! It's terrific to get external recognition for the hard work, determination and
resilience that was required to start, develop & grow my business over the past nine years. I love what I do and I'm lucky to have a team of amazing women who support me every day and love this business as much as I do."
There was much excitement amongst Network Cork members in attendance at the event but the group was overjoyed to have another winner in the next category. Aoife Behan, Digital Marketing Manager at The Montenotte Hotel won the Network Ireland Rising Star Employee Businesswoman of the Year. Upon receipt of her award, Ms Behan said "A truly proud moment for me to win the Employee Rising Star Category at Network Ireland's Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2022. I feel a real positive sense of achievement and it has given me an increased level confidence and motivation to reach now for the stars with my personal goals. I would like to acknowledge the influence that the Montenotte team has had on this award, particularly to the incredible leaders that I aspire to become."
Overall, there are eight award categories with members from all Network Ireland branches around the country competing to win. Two further awards were presented on the night. Orla McAndrew, Orla McAndrew Food received a Highly Commended award in the Creative Businesswoman of the Year category and Diane Higgins from Diane Higgins Design received a Highly Commended award in the Power Within Businesswoman of the Year category.
Their success was celebrated at Network Cork's October event held on October 13th which was hosted in MTU by Maggie Cusack, President of MTU and Maria Desmond, President of Network Cork. Speakers on the night included Maggie Cusack, Julian Smith, Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland, Anna Horan, MTU, Ciara Wilson, Network Ireland and Joan Cashman, Colour and Image Academy. The event was organised with the help of Gerard O'Donovan, Head of Faculty of Business and Humanities, MTU. Speaking about the event, Maria Desmond, President of Network Cork said "I am extremely grateful for the support of Maggie Cusack and Gerard O'Donovan for this event. It was great to learn more about the university and its future plans. The branch was especially pleased tonight to be able to
gather our national winners together to congratulate them in person having been so successful at the national finals in Galway."
