Five leading Irish businesses spanning a range of sectors have been shortlisted for The Irish Times Local Business of the Year Award.
The five businesses shortlisted for The Irish Times Local Business of the Year Award include The Address Collective, Castle Group, Furey Smyth Group, Hanley Energy and Loughnane’s Family Butchers.
The Local Business Award forms part of The Irish Times Business Awards in association with Bank of Ireland.
“The Irish Times Business Awards will take place on 19 February in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin 2”
Shortlisted businesses were identified for the award by Bank of Ireland relationship managers and the winner will be chosen by an independent panel of judges chaired by Microsoft’s Anne Sheehan.
Last year’s winner of the prestigious award was the Armada Hotel in Co Clare’s picturesque Spanish Point. The business established itself as one of Ireland’s premier hospitality destinations over 55 years and under the leadership of CEO John Burke, the hotel has demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a strong commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences.
The Irish Times Business Awards will take place on 19 February in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin 2.
Here are profiles of the shortlisted businesses:
The Address Collective
The Address Collective is a family-owned Irish hotel brand redefining hospitality through design-led luxury and sustainability. Established during the pandemic in 2020 with a €16 million investment, the group transformed three existing hotels into a unified premium lifestyle concept.
Today, it operates five four-star properties in Dublin, Cork, Sligo, and Glasgow, with a €34 million flagship hotel under development on Capel Street, Dublin. The brand blends contemporary interiors with Irish craftsmanship and signature dining concepts, employing over 300 staff.
Despite launching during Covid-19, The Address Collective embraced challenges by expanding internationally, acquiring and redeveloping Glasgow’s Pocotel into a boutique hotel. It has invested in guest experience innovation, digital transformation, and wellness-focused offerings. Recognised for excellence, the group has earned multiple Irish Hotel Awards and sustainability accolades under the Green Hospitality Programme.
ESG principles are embedded across operations, supported by Environmental Management Systems and Green Tourism certification. The group actively engages with charities such as LauraLynn Foundation and Aware, and promotes local art and 50-mile dining to support regional producers. Its commitment to sustainability, community, and innovation positions The Address Collective as a leader in modern hospitality.
Castle Group
Founded in 1999 in Galway, Castle Group has grown into a leading construction company specialising in modular building, fit-outs, and facilities management.
Employing more than 350 staff, Castle serves sectors including life sciences, healthcare, hospitality, and education. Its modular division addresses Ireland’s housing crisis with rapid-build, A-rated homes, delivering over 200 units for Ukrainian refugees and supporting government initiatives like Housing for All.
Castle’s agility and innovation are evident in its pivot to volumetric modular construction, doubling production capacity at its Gort facility powered by 99% solar energy. The company leverages BIM technology for precision and sustainability, earning ISO certifications and industry awards such as the Irish Construction Excellence Awards and SISK Supply Chain Award for Health & Wellbeing.
CSR and ESG commitments include off-grid operations, waste recycling, and carbon tracking. Castle fosters community engagement through local employment, sports sponsorships, and educational partnerships. Its Castle Well programme promotes employee wellbeing across four pillars: Work Well, Be Well, Live Well, and Give Well. With €53 million in consolidated revenues and a reputation for sustainability and innovation, Castle Group is shaping the future of construction in Ireland and beyond.
Furey Smyth Group
Furey Smyth Group is a family-owned retail business operating eight EUROSPAR supermarkets across Ireland.
Established over 30 years ago, the group employs 350 staff and is recognised for operational excellence, sustainability leadership, and community engagement.
Under Chris Furey’s leadership, the group has invested €2 million in green energy initiatives, installing solar panels and upgrading refrigeration systems to achieve a 40% energy reduction and savings equivalent to 342,104 kg of CO₂.
The group has modernised stores with significant revamps, earning national recognition such as Retail Excellence Awards. Upcoming expansion includes acquiring EUROSPAR Kill, Co. Kildare, supported by Bank of Ireland funding. Furey Smyth’s financial strength is reflected in continued growth and infrastructure optimisation, including energy-efficient lighting and heating systems.
CSR and ESG efforts are central to its strategy. The group’s sustainability programme, launched in 2016, delivers measurable environmental and financial benefits, including 1.3 million kWh saved annually and €400,000 in energy cost reductions.
Beyond environmental impact, Furey Smyth supports local sports clubs, charities, and diversity initiatives. Its proactive safety culture programme enhances staff and customer wellbeing. Combining innovation, sustainability, and community values, Furey Smyth Group exemplifies responsible retailing.
Hanley Energy
Hanley Energy, founded in 2009, is a global leader in critical power and energy management solutions. Headquartered in Co. Meath, the company operates in 34 export regions and employs 850 staff worldwide.
Specialising in bespoke solutions for hyperscale data centres, Hanley Energy has developed advanced technologies such as Powerlink monitoring software and patented load-shedding systems. In 2025, it was acquired by Jabil in a landmark $725 million deal, underscoring its global leadership.
Hanley Energy’s growth reflects strategic foresight, expanding into the USA, Germany, Sweden, and Australia, and investing in Irish facilities in Monaghan and Dundalk to boost manufacturing capacity. Annual revenue now exceeds $250 million, supported by strong demand for energy resilience and sustainability solutions.
The company integrates ESG principles across operations, holding ISO certifications and committing to a 100% sustainable supply chain by 2025. Initiatives include planting 250,000 trees, eliminating plastic bottles, and enforcing zero waste to landfill.
Hanley Energy actively supports community projects, apprenticeships, and sports sponsorships, including Cricket Ireland. Its global impact includes removing ocean-bound plastics and supporting UN SDGs. Combining innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility, Hanley Energy is powering the future of critical infrastructure worldwide.
Loughnane’s of Galway
Founded in 1975 in Galway, Loughnane’s has grown from a local butcher shop into one of Ireland’s largest sausage and pudding producers, achieving €71 million turnover in 2024.
The company operates multiple sites and supplies premium meat and plant-based products to retail and foodservice sectors in Ireland and the UK. Strategic acquisitions of Rudd’s and Hodgins Sausages have strengthened its market presence and diversified its portfolio.
Loughnane’s embraces innovation through heavy investment in R\&D and plant-based offerings under the Sons of Butchers brand, targeting health-conscious consumers with products like Cheatballs and Trick’n Wings. A new facility in Birr, Co. Offaly, will consolidate production and support future growth. Export markets include the UK, Spain, and Portugal, with strong private-label partnerships.
As an Origin Green Gold Member, Loughnane’s prioritises sustainability, achieving a 12% energy reduction and sourcing 95% of suppliers with sustainability certification. CSR initiatives include supporting local farmers, sponsoring GAA clubs, and engaging in educational outreach.
Recognised with multiple Blas na hEireann and Great Taste Awards, Loughnane’s combines tradition, innovation, and ESG leadership to deliver quality products while positively impacting people and the planet.
Main image at top: At last year’s awards were Frank Minogue, general manager, Armada Hotel; Bernard Cahill, head of Impact and Brand at Armada Hotel; Bank of Ireland CEO of Corporate & Commercial Banking John Feeney; and Noralynne Murrihy, director of Rooms at the Armada Hotel
-
Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here
-
For support in challenging times, click here
-
Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. All episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:
-
Spotify
-
SoundCloud
-
Apple
