The finalists for the 2026 Louth Chamber Business Award have been revealed by Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, following an exceptionally strong response from businesses and organisations across the county.

The Awards celebrate the businesses, employers and people making a significant contribution to the economic and community life of Dundalk and the wider region, recognising achievement, innovation, growth and excellence across a wide range of sectors.

The winners will be announced at the Louth Chamber Business Awards Gala on Saturday, October 17 at the Fairways Hotel.

The main sponsor for the awards this year are Skillnet, alongside the Chamber’s category sponsors and media partners.

John McGahon CEO of Dundalk Chamber described standard of entries this year as “exceptionally high and really reflects the strength and ambition of the business community across Dundalk and County Louth.”

“We saw businesses creating employment, investing in their people, innovating, growing and making a real contribution to their local communities.

“I want to congratulate all of our finalists and sincerely thank every business and organisation that entered. The judging panel had an extremely difficult task this year.

Dundalk Chamber has also thanked its judges and sponsors for their continued support, including main sponsor Dundalk Chamber Skillnet.

The finalists are:

Retailler of the Year: Backhouse Pharmacy, KT Travel, McCarthy Kitchens and Petbliss.

Best Personal service: Breastcare by Alison, Cortex Hair Design, Hestia Design, Joanne Woods Laser & Skin Specialists.

Best Licenced Premises: Ballymascanlon Hotel & Golf Resort, Blue Anchor, McGeough’s Bar & Restaurant, The Gateway Hotel.

Best Dining Experience: Ballymsacanlon Hotel & Golf Resort, McGeoughs Bar & Restaurant, The Gateway Hotel and The Rum House.

Visit Louth Tourism Experience: OnYerBike Carlingford, Hot Box Sauna, Walking Holidays Ireland.

Training & Development: Ainedanbury Ltd, Alterative Heat Ltd, UHY Farrelly Dawe White Ltd.

Best Professional Service: Controlsoft Automation Systems Ltd, Dundalk Civil & Structural Engineering Ltd, Protection and Prosperity, UHY Farrelly Dawe White

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Andrew King (King Security Training) Bobbie Gamble (17 Events/Orbits) Conor MccFadden (First Class Facilities Ltd), Sarah Kerley (Hestia).

Green Champions: Oxigen Environmental, Seating & Acess Contracts Ltd, ZOMA.

Best Voluntary Group: Cooley Peninsula Community Alert, MacArdles Historical Society, Walk Peer Louth, Youth Work Ireland Louth.

Export & Global Impact: Carlingford Oyster Company, Horsepal Ltd, The Whiskey Hub, Walking Holidays Ireland.

Innovation: Alternative Heat Ltd, Irish Life Assurance plc, Xuxi Biologics Ireland.

Best Digital Presence; Kastro AI, Rocksalt Cafe, SafeShel, The Rum House.

New Business of the Year; Fierce Mild Brewing Ltd; First Class Facilities Ltd, Kastro AI, The Whiskey Hub,

Best Established Micro/Small Business: Horsepal Ltd, Irish Whiskey Auctions, Perrerard Limited, SafeShel,

Best Family Business; Carlingford Oyster Company, Fearnons Kitchens & DIY, Oxigen Environmental, Pet Bliss.

Outstanding Medium Business: Aideanbury Ltd, Jevens Design Ltd, KT Travel, Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd,

EDI & Workplace Excellence: Anord Mardix, Dundalk Civil & Structural Engineering Ltd, Irish Life Assurance plc, WuXi Biologics.

Large Business of the Year: Anord Mardix, Fairways Hotel Dundalk, McArdle Skeath, Rocksalt Group.

With 21 award categories, including Overall Business of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Louth, the awards recognise the achievements of businesses across all sectors; private, public and charitable.

Tickets are for the event are now on sale.