"The best of enterprise & innovation" - Businesses recognised at Louth Local Enterprise Awards

Caroline Duffy Designs has been announced as the Overall Winner of the 2026 Louth Local Enterprise Awards.

The event took place on Friday, 6th March in the Marcy Hotel, Drogheda. The awards mark the conclusion of Local Enterprise Week Louth and celebrate the ambition, innovation, and talent of Louth’s vibrant small business community.

After graduating from the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Caroline Duffy spent a decade creating surface and textile designs for leading textile houses in New York, Sydney, and London before establishing her own thriving design and art business, Caroline Duffy Designs, in County Louth.

As the overall winner, Caroline will go on to represent Louth at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards Final, taking place this June at the Mansion House, Dublin, where she will compete for a national prize fund of €80,000.

Following a highly competitive shortlisting process, twelve local businesses across six award categories advanced to the Louth Local Enterprise Awards finals. On the day, JMS Custom Designs Ltd was named Best Start-Up, while AWBH Engineering received the Innovation Award. Bright Beginnings and Dun Dealgan Childcare were recognised with the Sustainability Award, and The Code Lab took home the Digitalisation Award. ZENITH Manufacturing claimed the Established Business Award, while Caroline Duffy Designs was honoured with the Export Award.

Additionally, My Forever Tooth Fairy, founded by Emma Duffy, received a Special Recognition Award from the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council.

Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council commended the twelve finalists saying:

“Today’s finalists represent the very best of enterprise and innovation in County Louth. Each business showcased remarkable passion, resilience, and creativity, and they should be immensely proud of their achievements. I want to offer my congratulations to Caroline Duffy on winning this year’s overall award and to wish her every success as she goes forward to represent Louth at the National Enterprise Awards in June.

The Louth Enterprise Awards are a fitting finale to what has been an exceptional Local Enterprise Week. I commend the team at the Local Enterprise Office Louth for their dedication, not just this week, but every week in supporting our local business owners and budding entrepreneurs.”

David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, added:

“Entrepreneurship demands courage, imagination, and an unwavering belief in your idea. Our finalists embody these qualities, and their achievements today are a testament to the strength and ambition of the business community in County Louth. We also recognise that entrepreneurship requires support, and that is where Louth County Council and our Local Enterprise Office play a crucial role. We remain firmly committed to ensuring that local businesses have the resources, guidance, and encouragement they need to start, grow, and thrive. Congratulations to all of today’s finalists and winners.”

Nikki Campbell, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Louth said:

“This year’s Louth Enterprise Awards showcased twelve exceptional businesses whose innovation, creativity and determination embody the future of enterprise in our county. The response to this year’s competition was outstanding, and I want to sincerely thank every business that applied.

The calibre of entries was exceptionally high, making shortlisting both challenging and inspiring in equal measure. I want to extend my congratulations to Caroline Duffy on being named the overall winner, as well as to all the finalists recognised today.  The Local Enterprise Office will continue to stand beside them as they take their next steps, supporting local businesses as they grow, evolve and innovate.”

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Award Winners:

Best Start-Up

Winner - JMS Custom Designs Ltd

Runner Up - My Forever Tooth Fairy

Innovation Award

Winner – AWBH Engineering LTD

Runner Up - Limor

Sustainability Award

Winner – Ainedabury Ltd (T/A Bright Beginnings & Dun Dealgan Childcare

Runner Up - Vekamar Sustainable Fisheries Consulting

Digitalisation Award

Winner – The Code Lab

Runner Up - Pillaxia

Export Award

Winner – Caroline Duffy Designs

Runner Up - Patrick Muckian Limited

Established Business

Winner – ZENITH MANUFACTURING

Runner Up - Michael Lavelle Estate Agents

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.