By Michelle Crean

The former Managing Director of Liebherr was honoured at a gala dinner event last night (Thursday) which celebrated inspiring Kerry business owners.

AWARDS: Honours for Kerry leaders at a gala dinner held at the Rose Hotel Tralee. Pictured from l-r were Ned Harty founder of Dairymaster who received the Business Leader of the Year 2022. Ned is pictured with Maureen Harty and Lifetime Achievement Award winner 2022 Pat O’Leary former Managing Director of Liebherr Eileen O’Leary and Emerging Business Leader of the Year 2022 Ogie Sheehy and Kathleen Wall of ViClarity. Photo: Domnick Walsh

Pat O’Leary received the Lifetime Achievement Award 2022 at the Business Leaders’ Gala Dinner and Awards in the Rose Hotel in Tralee.

The event, which had taken a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, was a glitzy affair with the aim of honouring the entrepreneurial spirit and achievements of Kerry-based business leaders.

On the evening, over 180 of Kerry’s business, enterprise, and public representatives attended to award and honour three deserving business champions which also included Ned Harty, founder of Dairymaster who received the Business Leader of the Year 2022 and Ogie Sheehy and Kathleen Wall, founders of ViClarity, who accepted the Emerging Business Leader of the Year 2022 award.

Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny congratulated the winners as he delivered the after-dinner speech.

“Kerry Innovation Centre is a not-for-profit organisation with a remit to support and advance enterprise activities across Kerry," Brid McElligott, Chair of the Kerry Innovation Centre who acted as master of ceremonies, said.

"It is our privilege to be able to organise an event which honours the business community in Kerry. We are delighted to be able to recognise the achievements of our award recipients and thank them in person for their role in creating meaningful employment and opportunities for the people of the county. Each of these leaders has demonstrated incredible entrepreneurial drive, determination, and ability, as they spearheaded the growth of a global business from Kerry.”

Previous recipients of awards at this event include Donie Ring, Tomas Garvey, Brian McCarthy, and the Stack family (Tricel). This event is made possible through support and sponsorship from Kerry Innovation Centre, Kerry County Council and EY.