GALLERY: Meath Business and Tourism Awards 2024
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Emerald Park - ‘Overall Excellence in Tourism’ award winners.Gavan Becton (Meath Chronicle Editor), Sophie Simpson, Paul Flynn, Cllr Aisling Dempsey and Michele Whelan, Boyne Valley Tourism. David MullenImage 2 of 3
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Recognised on the big stage... MTM Engineering, Winner of the ‘Overall Excellence in Business’ award. PHOTOS: DAVY MULLEN. David MullenSlane-based MTM Engineering have been crowned Overall Excellence in Business Award winners for 2024 at the Meath Business and Tourism Awards.
The glittering black-tie event was held in Knightsbrook Hotel last Friday and attended by over 280 guests representing 35 businesses and organisations.
Emerald Park received the coveted Overall Excellence in Tourism Award while there was also an Outstanding Achievement Award for JMB Sportsfield Services.
MTM Engineering was founded in 1997 by Martin and Patricia Mee as a Irish cable installation company. Over the past 27 years, the business has grown into a European leader in power and communication services. Now son Brendan Mee as CEO is continuing his parents’ legacy and now employs over 900 people across 10 countries, with plans to exceed 1,000 employees this year.
The recent headquarters expansion in Slane, reflects its commitment to both the local community and global growth.
“I wasn't expecting this,” were the stunned words of MTM Engineering boss, Brendan Mee after his firm landed the Overall Excellence in Business title on top of winning the Best Family Business award.
CATEGORY WINNERS GALLERY
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08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsKieran Kehoe (CEO Meath County Council) presents the Best Green Business Award to Bluestone Sales & DistributionL-R: David & Karen Bates, Vicki Fox, Kieran Kehoe, Olivia O`Rourke, Martina O`Sullivan, Ann Lynch, Gordon O`RourkePhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 2 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsEmerald Park representatives after they won the Best Tourism Experience or Event awardL-R, Cllr Aisling Dempsey, Sophie Simpson, Paul Flynn and Michelle WhelanPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 3 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsDara McGowan (Chairperson of the Judging Panel) presents the Outstanding Achievement Award to JMB Sports Field ServicesPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 4 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsAIB sponsor - Conor Corry (R) pictured with “Joe The Pro Golf Academy” representatives L-R: Brian Casey, Michelle & Joe Dillonand Ronan Cunning after they won the Best Emerging New Business AwardPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 5 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsGeraldine Oliver (Celtic Media Group) presents the award to Brendan Mee of MTM engineering after they won the Small Family Business AwardPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 6 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsAidan Heffernan - recipient of the Ourstanding Achievement Award pictured with his family at the Meath Business and Tourism AwardsPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 7 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsJohn Donohoe (News Editor Meath Chronicle) presents the Ourstanding Achievement Award to Aidan HeffernanPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 8 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsJoe English - (centre) from Local Enterprise presents the Local Enterprise award to Premier Energy Storage Limited`s Jonathon Heasley and Shane MonaghanPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 9 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsBenny & Miriam Sheridan (Sheridan Insurances) present the “Not for Profit Organisation of the year” award to Laura Murphy and Annette Cosgrave of Ratoath Community CentrePhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 10 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsRohan Engineering after they won the Best Training and Development in a Meath Company AwardL-R: Michael Keane, Aimee Smith, Ian Douglas, Tom Rowan, Denise Ashe, Roisin Allen and Denis LeonardPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 11 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsMark Hunter presents the Outstanding Small to Medium Business award to Andrea Farrelly from Skin & Bodyworks (Ratoath) - with her husband Edward ManleyPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 12 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsNoel & Valerie Moran (Bective Stud) present the Excellence in Customer Service award to Travel Counsellor Mandy WalshPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 13 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsMairead Lyons (Alltech) presents the Best Innovative Product or Service award to Adrienne Magner of ZarasylPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 14 of 14
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsCouncillor Aisling Dempsey presents the Best Small Tourism Business award to Feel Good Bicycles.L-R, Dominic Donohoe, George Allen and Kevin BoylePhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen“I suppose it is the recognition for what's been done in MTM across 10 countries now. We've a lot of dedicated people and also its recognition from our peers in the business community, we're absolutely delighted.”
Emerald Park, which landed the overall tourism title, has had the Irish nation screaming with excitement since Ray Coyle first opened the Kilbrew, Ashbourne theme park's doors in 2010.
Spread over 50 acres with 40 attractions and 250 animal species, each year Emerald Park hires on average 600 seasonal and 130 full time staff members. Emerald Park also won the Best Tourism Experience award.
The guest speaker for the evening, which was MC’d by Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, was EU Commissioner for European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets, Mairead McGuinness while there was a very special moment for much-loved Trim estate agent and undertaker, Aidan Heffernan who was flanked by his family as he collected a Life Achievement Award to a standing ovation.
The event hosted by Meath Chronicle alongside partners Meath Co Council and Boyne Valley Tourism as well awards sponsors: AIB, Meta, Dunboyne College of Further Education, Alltech, Bective Stud & Tea Room, Sheridan Insurance and Knightsbrook Hotel and Golf Resort.
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08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsGeneral view of the drinks reception before the Meath Business and Tourism AwardsPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 2 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsGeneral view of the drinks reception at Knightsbrook Hotel before the Meath Business and Tourism AwardsPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 3 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsA general view of the function room before the start of the Meath Business and Tourism AwardsPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 4 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsFrank Mulrennan (CEO - CMG) addresses the Meath Business and Tourism AwardsPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 5 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsFrank Mulrennan (CEO - CMG) addresses the Meath Business and Tourism AwardsPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 6 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsEuropean Commissionor Mairead McGuinness gives a keynote speech at the Meath Business and Tourism AwardsPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 7 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsCompere for the evening - Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh announces some of the finalists at the Meath Business and Tourism AwardsPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 8 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsAndrea Farrelly from Skin & Bodyworks (Ratoath) receives her “Outstanding Small to Medium Business award on-stagePhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 9 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsJohn Donohoe (News Editor Meath Chronicle) announces the Outstanding Achievement awardPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 10 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsGavan Becton (Editor - Meath Chronicle) opens the evening at the Meath Business and Tourism AwardsPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 11 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsCompere for the evening - Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh chats with Emerald Park representatives after they won the Best Tourism Experience or Event awardPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 12 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsCompare for the evening Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh chats with Travel Counsellor Mandy WalshPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 13 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsCompere for the evening - Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh chats with Brendan Mee from MTM Engineering after they won the best Family Business AwardPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 14 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsBláthnaid Ní Chofaigh chats with Laura Murphy of Ratoath Community Centre after winning the “Not for Profit Organisation of the year” awardPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenImage 15 of 15
08-11-24, at Knightsbrook Hotel, TrimMeath Business and Tourism Awards, MBT AwardsBláthnaid Ní Chofaigh chats with JMB Sports Field Services after they won the Outstanding Achievement AwardPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David MullenGavan Becton, Editor with Meath Chronicle said the shortlisted enterprises and organisations were among the most diverse, eclectic and unique ever to feature at the awards which have been running since 2007.
“The categories reflect the changing landscape and dynamics of business with focus on the green energy, training and development and innovation while also retaining the firm favourites of Best Family Business and Best Customer Service awards.
Selecting the winners from all these fiercely contested categories was no mean task but our judges got to see firsthand the passion, drive and determination that has made these businesses and organisations the outstanding success stories they are.”
“Congratulations to all our nominated businesses and winners and to all who made the 2024 Meath Business and Tourism awards a wonderful success.”