The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Awards 2019 – Winners Announced!

Our winner in this category runs her own progressive accountancy firm, employs a team of dedicated professionals and provides her customers with an outstanding personal and professional service that really put her clients first. Her approach is positive and progressive in everything that she does in her business.  Ladies & Gentlemen, The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Accountant of 2019 is Angela O’ Leary – of AG Associates

This award is being made to a CEO of an organisation that makes a phenomenal difference to the lives of so many physically disabled children and adults and allows them to carry out a range of practical tasks and to provide stability when needed. Their new companion is trained to cater for the needs of their specific partner to enable them to live life with greater independence. Ladies & Gentlemen, The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring CEO of 2019 is Jennifer Dowler – of Dogs for the Disabled

According to the Judges, this category was one of the most difficult to pick a winner from as there were so many deserving nominees, the winner chosen is someone that has spent 14 years dedicated to the promotion  of healthy lifestyles for all of us and continues to promote the importance of looking after ourselves and our lives. Ladies & Gentlemen, The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Charity Ambassador of 2019 is Anne Riordan, Regional Manager of Irish Heart Foundation

20 years ago this year, our recipient tonight started an organisation that would change the lives of close to 3m people. After her time as a fundraiser with a global relief organisation, she knew that she time has come to establish a dedicated organisation to help the street children of 35 slum communities. Since then and from an initial budget of €25,000  to run the organisation to its €2m of fundraising income today, the organisation has  helped over 97,000 who have been treated in their Hospital. More than 55,000 children have received educational support through their crèches and programmes, more than 8,800 children have been protected from abuse and neglect and more than 7,200 young women and men have engaged in their training skills enhancement and income generation programmes to provide sustainable pathways out of poverty. A remarkable lady and someone that we the Judges are in awe of her ability to deliver and to change the lives of so many in Kolkata. Ladies & Gentlemen, The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Charity Leader of 2019  is Maureen Forrest of The Hope Foundation

Founded in 1914, this company is Ireland’s oldest packaging company and the preferred partner to thousands of clients in Ireland and the UK which includes blue chip retailers. A multi award winner this woman this woman has seen the business that her late husband used to run celebrate its 105 anniversary this year. As she continues to grow the business and be a mum to five kids, she is taking the business to even greater heights. Ladies & Gentlemen, The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Corporate Leader of 2019 is the Managing Director of Limerick based JJ O’ Toole, Vicki O’ Toole

From over 1,750 nominations for this category, the Judges had a very difficult task in selecting a winner. However, from the amazing story of 11 years ago when this mum discovered that her life changing pregnancy would result in the birth of conjoined twins who were not expected to live. Today, 10 years on after an amazing separation operation in Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital and hundreds of procedures, her Miracle boys will celebrate their 10th birthdays this December. Her dedication to her boys and her family and her resilience in never accepting anything other than the best for her boys is why, The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Mum of 2019 is Angie Benhaffaf

Our winner in this category is an Irish psychologist, mental health activist and an independent who has served as a Senator since May 2016, after being nominated by the then Taoiseach, Enda Kenny. She is the founder of Ireland’s leading national mental health services charity which has established centres across Ireland with almost 300 therapists and administration staff, providing free therapeutic services to over 50,000 people. In 2008, she founded the annual fund-raising event Darkness into Light in aid of the charity. What began with 400 participants had approximately 250,000 people participating this year and our Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was among the 15,000 people who undertook the walk in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Ladies & Gentlemen, The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 goes to the Founder of Pieta House and Darkness into Light Senator Joan Freeman

Style, glitz and glamour could describe the years that this lady has spend as the person that delivered a twelve year success story for Irish television and its fans. From fashion to people, from New Ross to New York, her team covered the red carpets of so many of the great events at home and abroad and gave so many people a platform to grow their brands and their careers. This week saw the very last episode of this great show ‘Xpose’ aired on Virgin Media One and the woman responsible for its incredible success is a Cork native whose role as Executive Producer of the show is a credit to her and the team that she worked with. Having moved on from the show earlier this year to her mew media business we have no doubt that more great things are to follow for this great and inspiring lady. Ladies & Gentlemen, The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Media All Star 2019 is Debbie O’ Donnell

This award goes to one of the most inspiring young women that we as judges are proud to know and she is someone that has inspired us and so many others in recent years. Never letting her sight deficiency affect her, for the past few years she has gone through so much pain and so many setbacks in her life. She is 27 years of age and just last week she had to travel to London to undergo a robot assisted full hysterectomy to treat suspected endometriosis and excruciating pelvic pain. It was the system at home here in Ireland that has let her down and that forced her to go to London for this surgery. Endometriosis isn’t treated with robot-assisted excision, even though the robot to carry it out is located in the CUMH. Specialised diagnostic scanning equipment isn’t available either, which is what led to her repeated misdiagnosis. She had to go to London to seek the treatment she needed, as do so many other Irish women, because the HSE will not provide what they need. That’s a shameful indictment on our government and our health service. Ireland is still quite happy to export women’s health as we had done so much in the past. You’ll never see a group of women protesting about this because most of them who actually care, are too sick to make their voices heard. Tonight our recipient is in the Princess Grace Hospital in London recovering very well from her surgery and hopes to be back home in Cork next week. She is one of the kindest and strongest willed young women Ireland has, she has never let her disability stop her from achieving her dreams and when she returns from London nothing will stop her from realizing her full potential as should be the case for her and every other woman of this country, so unfortunately she cant be here with us to accept the award in person but she is with us in spirit. Her good friend and Opinion Line host on Cork’s 96FM PJ Coogan is here to accept the award for our recipient Jess Ni Mhaolain

The arts sector is one that inspires us with it creativity and the people that inspire that creativity are the special ones. This evening our Judges have chosen a woman whose career in owning one of the foremost performing arts schools has given this country some of its greatest talent. For more than 25 years she has been producing and directing some of the leading pantos that this city has seen in the Everyman Theatre. Ladies & Gentlemen. The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Woman of the Arts 2019 is Catherine Mahon Buckley of CADA Performing Arts

Starting her business with a small credit union loan and a big dream at just 21 our next winner has built a booming business in Portumna where her businesses is every evolving to keep up standards and stay ahead of trends. Ladies and Gentlemen our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Connaught Businesswoman of 2019 is Melissa Hogan of Eternal Beauty Galway.

Excellence in Customer Service is never more important than on the biggest day of your life, and with a centre dedicated to just that, our next winner is responsible for attending to the finer details of your big day. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Customer Service woman of 2019 is Sandra Looney to Have and to Hold

In a director position in a female led industry creativity is key none more so in the competitive cosmetics industry. This fast-paced environment requires a demonstrated history of product development and brand creation as well as a flair for media and PR and our next winner has it in spades Ladies and Gentlemen our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Director of 2019 is Claudia GoCoul of Carter Beauty Cosmetics

Deciding to set up her own female led education business in 2009 was a big step for our next winner, in the middle of a recession and in an already competitive arena. However, her determination and ability has seen her build her business teaching in London, Dubai and of course the Rebel County. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Education Enlightener of 2019 is Debbie McQuillan Vanity X

Starting out with one bijox premises and two staff members was the beginning for this business two years ago. Now with three premises and twelve employees as well as her own branded products she truly epitomises entrepreneurial success. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Emerging Businesswoman of 2019 is Mel Maverley from The Brow Bar Boutique

Hospitality is a challenging environment and the team that holds a hotel together must be multi disciplined and dynamic. Our next winner has been with the property for many years and has progressed to her current role and is invaluable to the team. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Employee of 2019 is Ciara Mitchell from the Garryvoe Hotel.

A friendly face and a listening ear are every bit as important as the physical work at the gym. Maintaining a friendly, welcoming environment and referring to each client by name is imperative. Creating a timetable and schedule to appeal to everyone is no mean feat, as well as the ability to be gentle with nervous clients is all in a day’s work for our next winner. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Fitness innovator 2019 is Marie Cattigan, Studio Fitness.

The lady behind this business trained as an architect and switched to a life as raw vegan chef, training in LA before travelling around the world. Nothing quite says foodie like delicious vegan food and wine served in restaurant with raw appeal. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Foodie Trailblazer of 2019 is Beo Kitchen

The range was born out of a desire to develop a skincare brand that really worked and was kind to the environment too. nationwide. All the natural ingredients are grown without the use of GMOs, pesticides or synthetic fertilisers, are certified organic, and maintain their integrity by being produced in small batches in the brand’s state-of-the-art facility n Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Green Champion 2019 is Mary Mitchell of Green Angel.

Your hair is your crown you never take off and being an inspiring trendsetter in this competitive arena takes hard work, long hours and a lot of dedication. Developing her own brand and chain of salons has proven that this lady is truly a jewel in the crown of Irelands hair industry. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Hair Trendsetter 2019 is Onagh O Driscoll of Platinum Hair Extensions.

Developing a multi award winning skincare brand isn’t easy, but the next winner not only developed the brand but recently sold the brand to an international brand that shared her vision. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Beauty Trendsetter 2019 is Tracey Ryan of Codex Beauty.

Our next winner prides themselves on creating a warm, caring and comfortable environment which helps relieve the stress that can sometimes be associated with visiting the dentist. They have innovated their business by offering corporate packages and working with nursing homes with a Mobile Team that comes fully equipped and ready to provide dental and denture care to residents; Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Healthcare Pioneers 2019 is Dental Tech

Competitive and challenging are two words to describe the Hospitality industry in Ireland. Ensuring that the potential customers, corporate and family are catered for with in house offerings, as well as an ability to keep the online presence visible and relevant are our next winners’ strengths. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Hospitality Hero 2019 is Amy Horgan from the Talbot Collection.

Making her own decisions in her business, while treating her employees as family is what makes our next winner successful. Trained as an accountant and now the owner of one of Irelands leading Clinics and Skincare distributors, she keeps her finger on the pulse of trends and new treatments while remaining true to her love of organic. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Lenister Businesswoman of 2019 is Rasa Levinaite of the Wicklow Street Clinic and Eminence Organics

Starting a small business at the side entrance of her house was the first step our next winner took in developing her business. Now in a bigger premises in the heart of Tralee, with two buildings and an expanded offering she and her team have already won many awards for their work. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Munster Businesswoman 2019 is Maureen McCarthy from Blush and Brush.

Knowing your client and industry is paramount for anyone that wishes to retail, whether it is product or service. Taking it a step further our next winner developed her own range to ensure excellent quality for her clients. She is also incredible at choosing products to retail keeping on top of trends and treatments. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Retail Queen of 2019 is Amy Michelle Shanahan.

Based in one of Irelands busiest business districts our next winner regularly must ensure the highest standards as the group business development manager for one of Irelands leading hotel groups. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Service Excellence 2019 is Colette Walsh of iNua.

Next year our next winner will be celebrating her tenth year in business, having grown it from a home business to building a purpose-built facility and increasing her staff numbers. They have extensive policies and procedures in place to protect each child in their care. Professionalism, with a caring approach is what makes her business a winner. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Small Business Star 2019 is Eden Childcare.

Mental health services are at crisis point in this country now. Our next winner offers affordable counselling, support for family members and Suicide Prevention Training to communities’ groups, schools, workplaces and sports clubs. Giving back to the community is important to this charity. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Social Impact Award 2019 goes to Lisheen House Skibbereen.

Her proximity to the local hospital as well as her unique skill set means our next winner is invaluable in helping vulnerable people, especially women at their time in need. Wellness is all about feeling and looking as good as possible Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Wellness Trendsetter 2019 is Joyce O Carroll of Wigworld.

Tenacious and full of entrepreneurial spirit is what Mary-Jane sees in our next winner. Offering exceptional standards, as well as an Autism Friendly salon in a serene part of beautiful West Cork. Ladies and gentlemen the winner of our Graham Norton Gin Inspiring CEO’s Award 2019 is Hair By Aisling.

As Publisher of inspiriring.ie it is a great honour for me to see so many amazing women honoured and recognised here tonight. One of these most inspiring women is someone that I have enormous respect for, have followed her amazing journey and see the incredible benefit that she gives to our nation and so many families that benefit from what she and her husband have created. Their lives were turned upside down when their two beautiful children lost their fight with Batten disease. But this lady and her husband decided that the story of their children would not end with their deaths and they started a charity. The Saoirse foundation started as a charity to help parents looking for information and advice on the rare disease but became so much more when Bumbleance was founded. Right now, Bumbleance is working towards a fleet of 12 vehicles in order to service the whole of Ireland effectively. On top of that, The Saoirse Foundation has plans to build a respite and hospice facility for sick children in Co Kerry, called Liam’s Lodge, in honour of their second child Liam.  There are plans for 21 lodges on site so that families of sick children can experience a holiday together, with full medical facilities and trained staff on hand. Ladies & Gentlemen, The Publisher’s Inspiring Awards of 2019 goes to Mary Heffernan of Bumbleance

Starting her business after some personal tough times means this lady was determined to be a great employer, and that she is. Ladies and Gentlemen The Graham Norton Inspiring Employer 2019 is Emma Fraher from The Ivy Beauty and Wellness in Waterford.