Dr Niamh Shaw from Dundalk honoured at Network Ireland’s annual awards

Dr Niamh Shaw, from Dundalk, a member of Network Ireland Louth, was among eight outstanding women from across Ireland to be named winners of the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026 at a gala ceremony in Galway on Friday 18 September.

Entrepreneurs, business leaders, employees and professionals from across the country were recognised at Network Ireland’s flagship annual awards at The Galmont Hotel, Galway, following the organisation’s National Conference earlier that day.

At the annual event, Niamh Shaw won the STEM Professional of the Year award. An Irish science communicator, explorer and founder of Town Scientist. An ESA Champion and Fellow of The Explorers Club, Niamh Shaw transforms how people see science - making it human, accessible and empowering.

Through media, expeditions and storytelling, she inspires audiences to break barriers, think bigger and connect with the world around them.

Network Ireland is a national organisation supporting women in business, entrepreneurship and their careers through its network of 17 branches across Ireland. Its programme includes professional development, networking and flagship national events including the annual National Conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards.

Karen Ronan, National President of Network Ireland, congratulated the winners and finalists, commenting: “Our finalists this year reflect the extraordinary breadth of female talent in Ireland today, and I want to congratulate each of our eight national winners on this very well-deserved recognition.

“The standard across all of the categories was exceptionally high and reaching the national final is a significant achievement in itself.

“It has been particularly special to bring almost 500 women from across Ireland together in Galway, a city with such a strong tradition of creativity, innovation and enterprise.

“Our theme this year, ‘Building Bridges’, has been reflected throughout the day, in the connections made between our members, the ideas shared on stage and the conversations around the opportunities and challenges facing businesses today. “

AIB, Network Ireland’s longstanding official partner, supported the national conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards. Geraldine Casey, Managing Director, Retail Banking at AIB said:“AIB is proud to continue its partnership with Network Ireland and to support the 2026 National Conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards.

“Both events will demonstrate the innovation, resilience and ambition of women in business across Ireland, and their contribution is felt within their companies, their communities and the wider economy.

“Bringing 500 businesswomen together in Galway creates an important opportunity to exchange knowledge, build relationships and celebrate achievement. We look forward to recognising this year’s outstanding finalists and celebrating with them in Galway.”