In pictures: A night of style and substance at Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards

The Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards 2025, hosted at The Mount Errigal Hotel, brought together a full house of businesses and community leaders from across Donegal in a dazzling celebration of enterprise, growth, and resilience. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

At the Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards in the Mount Errigal Hotel on Friday are JImmy Stafford, Cahmber President , Eunan and Rachel McIntyre, Mac’s Deli, Hall of Fame Award winners and Steve Frazer, City of Derry Airport. 

This year’s awards, held in partnership with EirGrid, honoured outstanding business achievements across 14 award categories, showcasing the vibrant diversity of businesses both large and small across the county and region.

Jimmy Stafford, addressing attendees, highlighted the spirit and dedication each finalist displayed: “Everyone shortlisted for the awards has shown their commitment to their business. This event celebrates the many achievements of our amazing business community in Letterkenny and the wider county and region. It is always fascinating to hear their stories and the passion that makes each business shine.”

Reflecting on EirGrid’s partnership with the awards EirGrid’s Head of Public Engagement, Sinead Dooley: “EirGrid is delighted to once again be supporting the Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards.

“Through our engagement with the Chamber, we have seen the dedication and innovation of businesses in Letterkenny and across Donegal. We have also seen how important and integral local businesses are to communities around the county.

“Eirgrid is working to improve the electricity grid with our ‘Powering Up the North West’ programme. A stronger grid will not just help meet the increasing demand for electricity in the area, but it will also support a stronger regional economy which in turn supports thriving local communities.

“As we progress with this work we are committed to continued engagement with the Chamber, local businesses and communities. EirGrid recognises the vital role that businesses will play in helping us to achieve a stronger and more sustainable electricity grid, and we look forward to continued engagement and conversations in the time ahead.

“Our congratulations to all the nominees and winners at this year’s awards.”

In addition to the 14 award categories, two special awards celebrated exceptional contributions within Donegal’s business community.

Business Person of the Year was awarded to Alcorn's Flower and Garden Centre. From humble beginnings in a family garden to becoming one of Donegal’s most loved destinations, Alcorns Flowers, Garden Centre and Tropical World has blossomed through vision, hard work, and innovation. Run by siblings John, Clive, and Caroline, the Alcorn family has turned their parents’ legacy into a thriving business that continues to grow and inspire. They have built not just a garden centre flower shop and zoo, but a place of learning, sustainability, and joy where nature and community come together.

Hall of Fame 2024 was awarded to Eunan and Rachel McIntyre, Mac’s Deli. This is one of those businesses that we’ve all used in some way and is synonymous with Letterkenny. From a small 600-square-foot shop on Letterkenny’s High Road to one of the town’s best-loved food businesses this is a story of vision, hard work, and community spirit. Eunan and Rachel McIntyre built Mac’s Deli from the ground up blending American-style deli innovation with Donegal warmth and hospitality. Over three decades, they’ve grown from home-made sandwiches to a bustling café, bakery, and catering business that employs 30 people and serves thousands every week. Through every change, one thing has stayed constant their commitment to quality, service, and people.

The Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards continues to highlight the innovation, determination, and passion of Donegal’s businesses, illustrating the region’s commitment to growth, quality, and community.

Award Winners & Highly Commended
Best Disability Inclusion Initiative sponsored by Optum;
Winner: Advocates for Personal Potential
Highly commended: Millennium Forum, Citadel Gymnastics

Excellence in Innovation sponsored by CoLab
Winner: PGIM Ireland
Highly commended: Zinkworks, Nvolve Group

ShopLK Business Award sponsored by Dillons Hotel
Winner: Restex Bedding and Furniture
Highly commended: Watson Hire, Headrush Hair & Beauty

Excellence in Marketing sponsored by PGIM
Winner: Callaghan’s Electrical.
Highly commended: Rushe Fitness, Foy & Company

Best New Business sponsored by Highland Radio
Winner: No.9 Market Square
Highly commended: Circular Dress Collaborative, Brosef

Business Excellence Award sponsored by Bank of Ireland
Winner: Boyle Construction
Highly commended: Nomadic Foods, Maple Group

Excellence in Customer Service Award sponsored by Fresh Today
Winner: Castle Grove Country House Hotel
Highly commended Andrea Devins Opticians, Cosgroves Centra

Gnó le Gaeilge /Business Through Irish sponsored by Lionra Leitir Ceannain
Winner: An Bomaite Ciúin / The Quiet Moment
Highly commended No.9 Market Square, Letterkenny Credit Union

Best Tourism Business sponsored by Donegal Airport
Winner: The Crolly Distillery Visitors’ Experience
Highly commended: Sliabh Liag Camping, Wild Atlantic Camp

Employee of the Year Sponsored by Donegal ETB
Winner: Declan Durning
Highly commended: Jacqui Halligan, KO Fitness; Niamh McDermott, The Postal Store; Rory McGrenra, Cosgrove’s Centra; Joe Gibbons, Fresh Today School Lunches

Sustainable Superstar sponsored by AIB
Winner: C-BIO
Highly commended: Circular Dress Collaborative
Maple Group

Workplace of the Year sponsored by Eirgrid
Winner: FinTrU
Highly commended Source Civil, Forward Emphasis

Outstanding Small Business sponsored by PTSB
Winner: The Postal Store
Highly commended: Bloem Coffee, Rushe Fitness

Young Business Person of the Year sponsored by TCS
Winner: Sarah Gallagher, Sarah Lorraine Ireland
Highly commended: Francie McGinley, Intensity Fitness; James Mollow, Brosef Coffee

Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Donegal County Council
The award went to Alcorn's Flower and Garden Centre

Hall of Fame Sponsored by City of Derry Airport
The 2025 Hall of Fame recipient was Eunan and Rachel McIntyre, Mac’s Deli