Health Update: Health Update: Clare health and wellness brand to represent county at National Enterprise Awards final – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
Óir Tonics, based in both Ennis and Ballyvaughan, was named overall county winner at the National Enterprise Awards County Final, held in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis on Thursday, March 12.
The brand’s founder, Edel Breslin, also received the Outstanding Female Entrepreneur Award.
The event, hosted by Local Enterprise Office Clare, recognised the county’s strongest micro‑enterprises across innovation, sustainability and export potential.
Óir Tonics will join businesses from Ireland’s 30 other local authority areas at the National Enterprise Awards Final in Dublin’s Mansion House on June 18, competing for a share of the €80,000 prize fund.
Past Clare representatives include Indigo (2025), Atlantic Clinical Packaging (2024) and Wild Irish Seaweeds (2023).
Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance, Investment and Enterprise, Cllr Pat Daly, Chairman Economic strategic Policy Committee SPC, Ellen Kelly of Oirr Tonics, and Bernadette Haugh, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Clare at the Old Ground Hotel Ennis. Image: Eamon Ward
“These awards show the drive and talent that exists in Clare’s business community,” Councillor Pat Daly, Chairman of Clare County Council’s Economic Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), said. “It is great to see local enterprises growing in confidence and making their mark.”
Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance, Investment and Enterprise at Clare County Council, added: “Clare has a vibrant enterprise sector, and it is important that we recognise and support the innovation and ambition of our local businesses.
“Through Local Enterprise Office Clare, many small companies are receiving the guidance they need to start, grow and compete in wider markets. The National Enterprise Awards are a valuable opportunity to showcase the strength of entrepreneurship across County Clare.”
Bernadette Haugh, Head of Enterprise at LEO Clare, said the awards highlighted the work of small firms across the county.
“These awards celebrate the achievements of our micro‑enterprise sector, which we work with every day,” she said. “They highlight the determination and creativity of small business owners across Clare who have benefited from our programme of financial and training supports.
“We are proud to recognise their success and to showcase the strength of local enterprise in every part of the county.”
Speaking about overall winner, Óir Tonics, Ms Haugh said the brand had grown from a simple idea by Edel into a distinctive Clare brand.
“Edel’s story is a great example of what can happen when local knowledge and enterprise support come together,” Ms Haugh said. “She started developing her first tonic during the pandemic and has built Óir Tonics into a business with real identity and potential.
“She has shown resilience and imagination, and it’s clear her products are resonating with customers. We are delighted to see her take the top award this year.”
Pictured at the National Enterprise Awards County Final in the Old Ground Hotel (l-r) Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance, Investment and Enterprise, Clare County Council; Councillor Pat Daly, Chairman of Clare County Council’s Economic SPC; Nikolaos Mylonas, AlphaSpec Ltd; Kel O’Loughlin, Riwaka Custom Interiors Ltd; Ellen Kelly, Óir Tonics; Sharon Barrington, IFF Plastics Ltd; and Bernadette Haugh and Theresa Mulvihill-Killeen of LEO Clare. Image: Eamon Ward
Other award winners at the National Enterprise Awards County Final included AlphaSpec Ltd in Shannon, owned by Nikolaos Mylonas, who won Best Innovation for its work in precision engineering and CNC manufacturing.
IFF Plastics Ltd in Cree, represented by General Manager Sharon Barrington, received the Green for Business Award for its closed‑loop recycling system that converts single‑use farm and ocean plastics into fully recyclable products.
Riwaka Custom Interiors Ltd in Ennis, founded by New Zealand native Kel O’Loughlin, won Best Export Potential. The company specialises in bespoke automotive interiors, handcrafted furniture and commercial aircraft interior work.
The county final carried a prize fund of €6,500, with awards of €1,000 presented for each category winner and an additional €2,500 being presented to the overall winner.