KILDARE BUSINESS AWARDS DEADLINE

Tomorrow, Friday, 2 October, is the last day for applications to the Kildare Business Awards 2026, sponsored by Eirgrid. The awards, organised by County Kildare Chamber, celebrate businesses of all sizes in Kildare, from start-ups to large multinationals. 

Finalists and winners will be announced on 13 November at a gala event at The Killashee Hotel, Naas. 

Tickets for the event are available for purchase at this link. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

COUNTY KILDARE CEO FOR CHAMBER LUNCH EVENT

Sonya Kavanagh, CEO of Kildare County Council, will present Driving Kildare Forward at Lawlor’s of Naas on 10 September at 1pm. The event is hosted by County Kildare Chamber. 

With nearly 30 years of local government experience, she will discuss Kildare’s future, focusing on economic, community, and infrastructure development. The event offers business leaders insights into strategic priorities for sustainable growth. 

Participants can enjoy a light lunch and networking from 12pm. Tickets are €30 + VAT for Chamber members and €70 + VAT for non-members.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

County Kildare Chamber to host e-commerce marketing talk

County Kildare Chamber will host a special guest presentation on 17th June about converting online interest into actual customers, writes Brian Byrne. The talk will be given by Ruth Murphy, Director of Elevate Marketing.

Turning Clicks Into Customers: A Smarter Approach to Growth will offer practical insights for service-based and e-commerce businesses on improving conversions, building stronger marketing foundations, and growing sustainably.

The event will also provide opportunities for networking, tea and coffee, and expert business insight. Members and non-members are welcome.

For more information, contact michael@countykildarechamber.ie.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Busy summer for County Kildare Chamber

County Kildare Chamber is set for a busy summer period, with a packed programme of events for both members and non-members, aimed at supporting networking, learning, and business development.

The schedule includes the weekly Wednesday Morning Networking sessions at the Chamber office, featuring guest speakers on topics such as succession planning, innovation, and marketing. 

Among the headline events are a Lunch & Learn in Lawlor’s of Naas on 7 May with AI Ireland founder Mark Kelly, a member-only Business After Hours at Weston Airport on 21 May, the Annual Golf Classic at The K Club, and a further Business After Hours event at Kildare Business Innovation Campus on 9 September.

The events are designed to give businesses opportunities to connect, share insights, and explore new ideas over the coming months. For further information, please contact michael@countykildarechamber.ie or visit countykildarechamber.ie/.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Businesses asked to take economic outlook survey

Kildare businesses are being invited to participate in an online survey spanning four Greater Dublin local authority areas, writes Brian Byrne. The joint Business Environment & Economic Outlook Survey 2026 has been launched by Fingal Chamber, South Dublin Chamber, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber, and County Kildare Chamber.

The survey aims to gather insights on trading conditions, workforce issues, and investment confidence. The survey intends to support engagement with local authorities and policymakers ahead of Budget 2027, addressing concerns such as housing affordability, transport connectivity, and infrastructure capacity.

Open to businesses of all sizes, the survey takes approximately six minutes to complete and will inform joint advocacy and policy submissions. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Businesses' opportunity to learn about AI

Kildare businesses are being offered an opportunity to learn how artificial intelligence can drive growth and transformation at a special Lunch & Learn event in Naas hosted by County Kildare Chamber.  The session will take place on Thursday, 7 May 2026, from 12 noon to 3pm at Lawlor’s of Naas.

Attendees will enjoy a light lunch and networking, followed by a keynote presentation at 1pm titled “AI and the Future of Business: What Leaders Must Do Now”, led by Mark Kelly, Founder and President of AI Ireland.

Kelly works with organisations around the world to turn AI from hype into a practical business advantage, advising on how to deploy AI both responsibly and profitably. He has collaborated with companies including Microsoft, Amazon and Google.

The Lunch & Learn is open to both members and non-members of County Kildare Chamber. Tickets are €30 + VAT for members and €50 + VAT for non-members.

Spaces are limited. For further information or queries, contact michael@countykildarechamber.ie.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Kildare Chamber survey on AI use

The County Kildare Chamber is surveying local businesses about their current use of artificial intelligence, writes Brian Byrne. The online survey takes only three minutes to complete. 

The initiative aims to evaluate the current use, skills, and challenges related to AI for both members and non-members. The feedback will inform potential future training sessions and other events organised by the Chamber. 

The organisers want to hear from those just beginning to use AI as well as from those already integrating it into their business. 

The survey can be accessed here.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Ivan Yates to MC Business Expo

Broadcaster, businessman and former politician Ivan Yates is to be the MC for the County Kildare Business Expo being held on Tuesday next, 7 October, writes Brian Byrne. The event, organised by County Kildare Chamber, is at the Curragh Racecourse, beginning at 3pm.

Mr Yates will lead three panel discussions on the day. These will be about financial support for growth, navigating the current challenges for business, and how AI will shape the business landscape.

The Business Expo is free to attend and is an opportunity to meet local businesses exhibiting at the show. 

Kildare Business Awards 2025 categories

There are ten category awards up for grabs at the Kildare Business Awards 2025, which will be announced at an awards event in Killashee Hotel on 14 November, writes Brian Byrne. County Kildare Chamber organises the competition for member businesses.

Kerry Group sponsors the overall award, while the categories include Excellence in Communications (sponsored by Killashee Hotel), Excellence in the Community (Joe Mallon Motor group), Sustainable Development (AIB), Innovation in Business (Crowe Ireland), Employee of the Year (Execitive Solutions), Best Emerging Business (LEO Kildare), Best Performing Small Business of the Year (TSI Fitouts), Best Performing Medium Business of the Year (Xeinadin), Best Performing Large Business of the Year (O'Brien Fine Foods), and Excellence in Customer Service (County Kildare Chamber).

The board of County Kildare Chamber will nominate a lifetime achievement award, and the awards night is sponsored by Newbridge Silverware. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Kildare Business Expo open for registrations

The County Kildare Business Expo, scheduled for Tuesday, 7 October, is still open for registrations, writes Brian Byrne. The event is organised by the County Kildare Chamber.

It's an opportunity for all businesses in the county to grow their brand profile, launch a new product, or expand their network.

The event will run from 3pm to 7pm and include panel discussions with industry experts and speed networking with the broader chamber alliance. It is sponsored by Local Enterprise Office Kildare and Kildare County Council.

More details and registration here. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

County Kildare Business Expo

A reminder that expressions of interest are now being accepted from exhibitors for the County Kildare Business Expo, scheduled for 17 October at the Curragh Racecourse, writes Brian Byrne. The exhibition is organised by the County Kildare Chamber.

A limited number of exhibitor spaces are available for the event, which allows local businesses to showcase their products and services, build connections, and network with a wide range of companies across Kildare.

The day will feature panel discussions with industry experts and speed networking with other businesses.

Expressions of interest can be made at this link. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Kildare Chamber warns of fraudulent emails

The County Kildare Chamber business organisation has issued a warning about a scam relating to their database, writes Brian Byrne.

In a notice to members, the Chamber says they have been told that emails are circulating claiming to from the organisation and offering to sell their membership database.

"These emails are fraudulent," they say bluntly. "These people do not have our database, please do not open or engage with the senders."

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

County business awards open for nominations

Sinéad Ronan, CEO of County Kildare Chamber, and Sinéad Dooley, head of public engagement, EirGrid.

Applications are now open online for the County Kildare Chamber Business Awards 2024, writes Brian Byrne. There are 15 categories, and nominations close of Friday 27 September at 5pm.

Sinéad Ronan, CEO of County Kildare Chamber, says they are expecting an even bigger entry this year than last year's record-setting 450+ entrants, for what is the biggest event of the year for the county's business community.

The overall sponsor is EirGrid, and the full list of categories and sponsors are below. The winners will be selected in a robust process by six independent judges, with the results announced at a black tie gala event in Killashee Hotel on 15 November.

Categories: Excellence in Communications, sponsored by Eirgrid.

Net Zero Achievement, sponsorship opportunity available.

International Trade, sponsored by T&I Fitouts.

Excellence in the Community, sponsored by Colourtrend.

Sustainable Development, sponsored by AIB.

Health and Wellbeing, sponsored by Killashee Hotel.

Innovation in Business, sponsored by KPMG.

Employee of the Year, sponsored by MJOS Group.

Best Emerging Business Award, sponsored by LEO Kildare.

Best Performing Small Medium Business of the Year, sponsored by Murphy Ireland.

Best Performing Large Business, sponsored by Osbourne.

Excellence in Customer Service, sponsored by Endress & Hauser.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, sponsored by Kerry Group.

Overall Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Permanent TSB.

Outstanding Contribution to Business Award, sponsored by Crystal Air.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Cllrs give Kilcullen €18,500 boost at final MD meeting

Cllrs Power, McLoughlin Healy and Heavey, boost to Kilcullen.

Kilcullen GAA's Field of Dreams project got a €11,500 boost today from councillors at the final meeting of the current Kildare County Council Kildare-Newbridge MD, writes Brian Byrne.

Cllr Rob Power proposed granting the project €5,000 from his LPT allocation, a figure that was then matched by Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy, and then Cllr Noel Heavey provided €1,500 he still had left to allocate.

In addition, Rob Power allocated €5,000 to Kilcullen Community Centre, and €2,000 to Halverstown Cricket Club. "Two great projects lacking funding that were highlighted to me on recent canvasses in the town," he told the Diary.  

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Women in Business Brigid 1500 Luncheon

Kildare County Council's Local Enterprise Office Women in Business Network, in collaboration with County Kildare Chamber and Network Ireland Kildare, will be hosting the Brigid 1500 Luncheon, to celebrate and commemorate St Brigid, the woman, the life, and the legacy.

The event at Kilkea Castle, Castledermot, will feature inspirational speaker and best selling author of 'Poor', Dr Katriona O'Sullivan. Timing is 12 noon to 2.30pm.

Tickets are limited. Book now at https://loom.ly/tuFzlOA

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Open Morning Kildare Chamber network meeting

A County Kildare Chamber open network morning will be held on Wednesday 27 September, writes Brian Byrne, providing an opportunity for any business person interested in joining to see what it is all about.

The event will run from 8am-9.30am at the Chamber offices in Naas Town Centre, and is complimentary. Anybody interested in going should register their interest by emailing info@countykildarechamber.ie. Membership is open to all sizes of business.

The Chamber holds weekly Networking Morning events for members every Wednesday. It also organises talks from key national and international business figures, and leads an annual trade mission to the US.

The county-wide organisation was formed following a merger of the Newbridge Chamber and North Kildare Chamber, after discussions during 2013.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Kildare Chamber planting 1,000 trees

A tree-planting ceremony will be held at Barretstown on Thursday 26 January, to mark three 2022 sustainability campaigns by County Kildare Chamber, writes Brian Byrne.

Any businesses that took part in the Sustainable Kildare campaigns, which were sponsored by Intel, is invited to the event, which starts at 11am. Registration here. In coming months, more than 1,000 trees will be planted at the location.

The campaigns encouraged businesses and their employees to reduce their carbon emissions by making small changes to their daily activities, such as taking shorter showers, turning off unnecessary lights, and walking instead of driving.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy