by Tipperary GBN

Green Enterprise Awards Winners 2015

Green Enterprise Highlighted at Enterprise Awards Night

Three Tipperary companies were show cased at the Tipperary Green Enterprise Awards which took place in Brú Boru, in Cashel on Wednesday 25th March as examples of how jobs can be created in the green economy.  The Green Enterprise Awards took place in conjunction with the Tipperary Enterprise Awards and are held in association with The Local Enterprise Office, Tipperary, who sponsor the prizes. The overall winner, was Paul O’Brien of Solaregy Ltd, a renewable energy company based in Templemore. Solaregy provide energy solutions to families and businesses across Ireland.

Solaregy photo
Joe McGrath, Tipperary County Manager, Alan Kelly, Minister for Environment, Community & Local Government and Paul O’ Brien, Solaregy

The best emerging Green Business was awarded to Tom and Heather Pollard of Caravantasia, an exciting new ‘glamping’ site opened in July 2014, in Crohane, Thurles. Short listed for the award was Revived and Retro, owned by David and Annette Corboy and based in Terryglass who offer a range of products and services for the home and business, using revived, restored and repurposed furniture and other material.  These companies are leading examples of how new enterprises can be developed and expand in this growing area.

Caravantasia 1
Heather & Tom Pollard of Caravantasia and Minister Alan Kelly, Minister for Enviornment, Community & Local Government

Mr. Ciaran Lynch, Tipperary Development Manager, LIT, who spoke on what is a Green Business, noted that green has now moved from being a niche area to being a core part of the economy.  It is estimated that the Green Economy, worldwide, is close to $6 trillion and is increasing yearly.  Within Ireland it is estimated that there are well over 18,000 people employed in Green Economy and that it continues to grow.  Like many other sectors, employers are characterised by a small number of large companies, but also a significant number of smaller, innovative companies. The Minister for the Environment, Mr. Alan Kelly, who presented the Awards, spoke of the importance of the green economy to job creation in Ireland and the potential for continued and sustainable growth in this sector.

 

awards
(L-R) James Coakley, Chimney Draft Stop Ltd., Ciaran Lynch,Tipperary Development Manager,LIT, Alan Kelly, Minister for Environment, Community & Local Government, Paul O’ Brien, Solaregy, Dave Corboy, Revived & Retro, Tom Pollard, Caravantasia, John Carroll Leas Cathaoirleach Tipperary County Council and Pat Fogarty, Chimney Draught Stop Ltd (Seated) Heather Loughlin, Caravantasia, Annette Corboy, Revived & Retro, Kate Walsh, Coordinator, TGBN

Congratulations to Solaregy & Caravantasia winners of Green Enterprise Awards and to Revived and Retro who were short listed. Congratulations also to winners of Tipperary Enterprise Awards, Echo IT overall winners and to Chimney Draft Stop Ltd., (also TGBN member) and The Scullery, who were runners up. Great achievements all round.

 

Tipperary GBN(https://www.tipperarygbn.org)
Tipperary Green Business Network is established in Co. Tipperary to take advantage of the emerging Green Economy, harness its job creation potential, with the longer term ambition of making Tipperary one of Ireland’s greenest counties. The Network receives financial assistance from Local Enterprise Office, Tipperary and is supported in other ways by North Tipperary LEADER Partnership, South Tipperary Development Company and Tipperary Energy Agency For more information about the Tipperary Green Business Network or if you would like to become a member please contact TIPPERARY GREEN BUSINESS NETWORK Coordinator on 067 56676/089 4171397 or by email at tipperarygbn@gmail.com