County Clare will be represented at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards this June by Ennis and Ballyvaughan-based enterprise Óir Tonics.
The health and wellness brand, founded by Edel Breslin in 2022, was named overall county winner at the National Enterprise Awards County Final, held in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis on Thursday 12 March. 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.
AlphaSpec Ltd in Shannon, owned by Nikolaos Mylonas, won Best Innovation for its work in precision engineering and CNC manufacturing. IFF Plastics Ltd in Cree, represented on the day 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. The company now recycles more than 1,000 tonnes each year.
Riwaka Custom Interiors Ltd in Ennis won Best Export Potential. Founded by New Zealand native Kel O’Loughlin, the company specialises in bespoke automotive interiors, handcrafted furniture and commercial aircraft interior work.
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 18 June, 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).
Councillor Pat Daly, Chairman of Clare County Council’s Economic Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), congratulated the participants, adding, “These awards show the drive and talent that exists in Clare’s business community. It is great to see local enterprises growing in confidence and making their mark.”
Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance, Investment & Enterprise, Clare County Council, said Clare had a strong and ambitious enterprise community.
“Clare has a vibrant enterprise sector, and it is important that we recognise and support the innovation and ambition of our local businesses,” she added. “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 explained. “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 the naming of Edel Breslin as overall winner, Ms. Haugh said Óir Tonics had grown from a simple idea into a distinctive Clare brand.
She continued, “Edel’s story is a great example of what can happen when local knowledge and enterprise support come together. 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.”
The adjudication panel for this year’s County Final included Michelle O’Grady (Enterprise Ireland), Gert O’Rourke (New Ventures Manager, University of Limerick) and Damien Barrow (Curtin O’Friel Accountants). 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.
Funding for the Local Enterprise Offices is provided by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland, and further details about the supports on offer to small businesses are available through www.localenterprise.ie/clare.