Westmeath Sweet Success Story Wins Big At National Enterprise Awards

Sugar Plum Sweetery is this year's National Enterprise Awards overall winner.

A Westmeath company that boosted its revenue by 815% in one year has been crowned this year's overall winner at the National Enterprise Awards.

Sugar Plum Sweetery in Mullingar picked up the title at the national final in the Mansion House in Dublin last night.

Established in 2022 by Denise Buckley and David Quirke, the shop increased its revenue from €480,000 in 2024 to €4.3m last year.

Their ability to spot trends including the Dubai Chocolate bar and children's Labubu toys, saw them create trendsetting sweet treats in a matter of weeks that similar companies were taking months to turn around.

Meanwhile Offaly's Photo Experience was named as the Digital Award winners

The company's founder, Dean Kelly, works with theme parks, zoos, museums and visitor attractions to captures guests experiences and deliver photos straight to their phones.

There were several other category winners announced on the night.

The Best Export Award

The winner of the Best Export Business was the The Smooth Company supported by Local Enterprise Office South Dublin.  The company, set up by EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year in 2025 Aine Kennedy, has taken the beauty world by storm with their range of hair products aimed at taking the stress out of hair care, including their record breaking launch product The Smooth Stick now exporting to over 90 countries.

Innovation Award

The winner of the Innovation Award was I/O Agri, supported by Local Enterprise Office Cavan.  As pressure increases on the agriculture industry to reduce emissions, I/O Agri founders Sandra Thompson and Shane O’Reilly  have created a system for trapping emissions for farmers and converting these emissions into by-products that can be used for renewable energy production, lowering emissions and creating a new income stream.

Best Start Up Award

The winner of the Best Start-Up Award was RYSE Chocolate supported by Local Enterprise Office Meath.  The company set up by brothers in-law Ian O’Rourke and David Stone put a new twist on the energy market creating Europe’s first caffeinated chocolate bar and will soon be launching into the UK and US.

Green Award

The winner of the Green Award was Accelerating Change Together (ACT) supported by Local Enterprise Office Mayo.  Founded by James McConville, ACT brings together architects, urban designers and policy specialists to help reimage how Ireland designs its towns, buildings and communities for a more sustainable future.

Female Entrepreneur Award

The winner of the Female Entrepreneur Award was Therese Murphy from Equi-Ed supported by Local Enterprise Office Kildare.  Based at the National Equine Innovation Centre at the National Stud, Equi-Ed provides professional equine therapy training, certifications and specialist courses for horse owners and equine professionals.