Shortlist announced for Carlow final of National Enterprise Awards 2026

A number of businesses in Carlow have been shortlisted by the Council's Local Enterprise Office (LEO) for a major honour. They are all now competing to represent the county at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards.

These awards are hosted annually by LEO and are a celebration of small business achievements in Ireland. Each county selects its standout small business to put forward for the national competition. 

Finalists then present their growth strategy and take part in a rigorous question‑and‑answer session with an expert panel of entrepreneurs. The competition concludes each June with a ceremony at Dublin’s Mansion House, where the title of Ireland’s Enterprise of the Year is awarded.

Carlow County Council’s LEO will host an awards ceremony during Local Enterprise Week in March. This is to recognise the vibrancy of businesses in the county and to announce which one will represent as ‘Carlow’s Enterprise of the Year’ at the National Enterprise Awards.

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Businesses will also compete for a number of other prestigious Carlow titles including ‘Lean Business of the Year,’ ‘Green Business of the Year,’ ‘Digital Business of the Year’ and ‘Exporting Business of the Year.’

The businesses who have been shortlisted and are in contention to represent Carlow at the National Enterprise Awards are:

• McNally Denture Clinic – Delivering world-class industry training solutions 
• Murphy Engineering & Mobile Welding Services – Innovative manufacturers of a range of engineering solutions for industry customers
• Seed Golf – Designers of high performance, tour grade golf balls from their headquarters in Carlow town

The Carlow businesses competing for the other category awards at the forthcoming event are: Digital Business of the Year – Advanced Coatings Technology, McHugh Buckley Accountants, Sun Arc Solar Systems; Export Business of the Year - Equinox Education Services, Flying Tumbler Irish Whiskey, Rodent Shield Systems; Green Business of the Year - Conway's Bar and Restaurant, equipU, Mace Tullow; Lean Business of the Year - HPMP Fire, Murphy Engineering and Mobile Welding, Sun Arc Solar Systems. 

Cllr Ken Murnane, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, said,“Carlow’s strong track record at the National Enterprise Awards is a testament to the county’s vibrant and dynamic small business community. In each of the past two years, Carlow entrants have secured category wins in the National Enterprise Awards, building on the previous success of David Walsh of Netwatch and Halocare who was the deserving recipient of the inaugural Outstanding Achievement Award. I’m excited to see who will be selected to represent Carlow this year and am confident they will once again be a formidable contender at the national finals.”

Séamus Doran, Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise added, “The National Enterprise Awards offer an exceptional platform for ambitious businesses to achieve national recognition. All of the shortlisted Carlow companies are dynamic and impressive, and whichever business is ultimately selected will be an outstanding representative of the county’s enterprise sector.”