Search begins to find the Meath Business & Tourism Award winners for 2026

Winning the Overall Meath Business and Tourism Award for 2025 was “just a fantastic feeling”, according to Eimear Doughty of Doughtys’ Wilkinstown (Texaco Mace).

Eimear, speaking at the launch of this year's awards, was reflecting on her family’s store’s success at last November's gala celebration of local business and the boost it had given her and husband Brendan's team of over 80 employees. They also won the Excellence in Retail accolade.

Winning one of the top accolades at last year's Meath Business and Tourism Awards was a “hugely proud moment” for the team of staff at Doughty’s, she said. “To go on and win the Overall Award was beyond our wildest expectations.”

“It is a huge team effort and winning something like this really touches everyone and gives everyone a boost. It is a huge honour to win an accolade like this within your community and within the county,” she added.”

The 2026 Meath Business and Tourism Awards will be held in Trim Castle Hotel in a glittering event hosted by Meath Chronicle in partnership with Meath County Council and Boyne Valley Tourism on Friday November 20th.

The MBTAs are the highlight of the business social calendar with dozens of entrepreneurs, firms and organisations set to be in the running for awards.

The launch of the 17th Meath Business & Tourism Awards was hosted by Meath County Council in the Thrive Business & Enterprise Centre close to Buvinda House where, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sarah Reilly said:

“These awards provide a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the individuals, businesses and organisations that make such an outstanding contribution to life in County Meath.

“Our business and tourism sectors are filled with trailblazers who continually raise the bar, creating jobs, attracting investment, welcoming visitors and strengthening the communities in which they live and work. Their ambition, resilience and creativity play a vital role in driving economic development across Meath and ensuring that our county remains a fantastic place to live, work, visit and do business.”

Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe said: “As a county, Meath has an incredible story to tell. We are blessed with a unique combination of rich heritage, vibrant communities, world-class attractions and a dynamic business environment.

“Awards such as these play an important role in recognising excellence and celebrating success. They provide an opportunity to acknowledge the individuals, businesses and organisations whose hard work, creativity and commitment help make Meath such a vibrant and successful county.”

Editor of Meath Chronicle, Gavan Becton said that the awards continued to show the resilience, innovation and adaptability of the business community in Meath from bespoke family firms to companies employing hundreds of staff.

“We never fail but to be blown away by the standard of entries we get each year. And particularly enjoyable is when we get to meet our shortlisted companies each year at the Pitch Night, graciously hosted by Conor Corry and the team at AIB Navan.

“It's such a lovely occasion as all the finalists can come together to celebrate their nominations and also ‘pitch’ themselves to our panel of judges ahead of the awards night itself.

Mr Becton also thanked the awards’ partners and sponsors for their unwavering support.

“It speaks volumes that they return each year to support these awards and the businesses contesting them. It's business supporting business and it's wonderful to see and long may it continue.

The awards are partnered by Meath Co Council and Boyne Valley Tourism and sponsors include Alltech, Meta, Meath LEO, Dunboyne College of Further Education, AIB, Bective Stud & Tea Rooms, Sheridan Insurances and Trim Castle Hotel.

To enter or nominate a business, click here!