Applications closed at the end of April for the annual Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards. The awards ceremony and presentations will take place at a black tie gala ceremony on Friday, June 10th in Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Tralee.
The event is organized by Margaret Kissane, publisher and editor of Kerry’s only monthly lifestyle glossy publication, Connect Magazine. The awards will celebrate and recognize the enormous entrepreneurial talent and success of women who own and manage businesses in Kerry. Since nominations closed we have learned that two women with links to Castleisland have been nominated.
Kate Shanahan, Artist.
Kate Shanahan was born and reared here and the blood of her forefathers ran freely on native soil during the War of Independence.
Kate is an artist of considerable talent and a pair of sculpted, marble bookends from her hands are now doing their duty at Áras an Uachtaráin having been presented to President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina by Kate in July 2013.
An artist by breeding, inclination and nature, Kate’s portraits on slate are painstakingly keen observations of her subjects and are growing in popularity as gifts and by word of mouth.
She has been nominated by her friend and neighbour, Jean Horgan.
Kate Shanahan’s work can be viewed with a click on her Facebook page the link here: https://www.facebook.com/ArtbyBru1
Sarah Blake, Entrepreneur.
I first met Sarah Blake when I was sent out to Ballybunion to cover a new idea on the scene there – a ‘pop-up shop’ in 2011.
She was there in a big, crowded room with a number of other traders from the locality.
After starting out as a strictly online business, her East 73rd opened a store in Ballybunion in April 2013. This was to be followed in December 2015 by the Castleisland store and an expansion of the business.
Sarah is no stranger to Castleisland as her grandfather Sean Kerins was originally from Cordal.
He left there in the 1950’s and began a new life in Huddersfield in the UK where he met his wife Sadie from Ballybunion.
And although they settled in Huddersfield, summer holidays were always spent visiting Ballybunion and Castleisland with two of their three children settling down in Ballybunion in the 1980’s. Sarah Blake’s site can be seen with a click on the link here: https://east73rd.ie/
Connect Kerry Women in Business Award Categories
There are 14 overall award categories as follows: 1. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in Fashion Retail Award; 2. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in the Business of Beauty Award; 3. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in the Business of Hair Award; 4.
The Connect Kerry Business Woman in Retail or Consumer Business Award; 5. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in Health and Wellness Award; 6. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in Education and Childcare Award; 7. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in Food Production Award; 8. The Connect Kerry Business Women in Technology Award; 9. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in Design Award; 10. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in Hospitality Award; 11. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in Business Services Award; 12. The Connect Kerry Business Woman in the Craft industry Award; 13. The Connect Kerry New Business Award; 14. The Connect Kerry Medical Profession Award.
There will be a maximum of 10 finalists in each category chosen by the panel of judges and the overall winner will be announced on the night. There are also a number of special non nomination awards which will also be announced on that night.
“The Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards will honour all ladies who have established a business, or who may be in a managerial role in a business in Kerry,” said Margaret Kissane, publishing editor of Connect Magazine.
“Each category will be supported by local businesses and we greatly appreciate the back-up from those who have agreed to support the awards to date. We look forward to welcoming the nominees and their family and friends to the awards night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel,” said Ms. Kissane.
