The creator of a weighted pillow designed to reduce people’s dependence on sleep medication, and the co-founder of a technology that automates video analytics for sports are among the winners of Network Ireland’s Businesswoman of the Year Awards,

The results were announced during the business organisation’s annual conference in Galway at the Salthill Hotel.

A 300-strong audience attended the gala event which was hosted by Mary Kennedy.

A total of 350 applicants put their names forward for this year’s awards through 14 regional branches of Network Ireland. The award winners were selected from 71 women on the awards shortlist.

The ‘Trisha Murphy Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution’ was conferred on Siobhan Carroll from ACT for Meningitis and Dr Suzanne McClean from Rosabel’s Rooms. The Galway women set up national charities following the unexpected loss of their daughters.

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Network Ireland president Noreen McKenzie commented: “It takes courage and belief to put yourself out there to be judged and it is not easy. I had the pleasure of meeting so many entrants at the local branch awards and at the national interviews.

“Their resilience, tenacity and passion is uplifting and I’m looking forward to seeing their plans for their future businesses and careers coming to fruition.”

Lorraine Greene, AIB’s Head of SME Market Engagement, and a was a judge in the Solo Businesswoman category, stated: “The calibre of entries was remarkable and the power of Network Ireland was evident throughout. Entrant after entrant described how the support of Network Ireland helped them to meet the challenges that they faced with creativity and resilience.”

Established in 1983, Network Ireland has c.1,200 members and organises up to 200 events for members.

CATEGORY WINNERS

Solo Businesswoman: Asumpta Gallagher, Best Practice, Galway
Emerging Businesswoman: Síne Dunne, Siest Sleep, Dublin
Established Businesswoman: Sandra Looney, To Have and To Hold, Cork
Employee Rising Star: Aoife Behan, The Montenotte Hotel, Cork
Employee Shining Star: Lorraine Burnell, Joseph Murphy Ballina Ltd, Mayo
Creative Professional: Tanya Ryan, Fiadh and Finn, Kildare
STEM: Yvonne Comer, RugbySmarts, Galway
Power Within Champion: Ellen Tuffy, Down Syndrome Limerick

Photo: Back row (l-r): Asumpta Gallagher, Sandra Looney, Noreen McKenzie, Síne Dunne and Tanya Ryan. Front row (l-r): Lorraine Burnell, Yvonne Comer, Aoife Behan and Ellen Tuffy. (Pic: Clare-Frances Photography)