With 23 categories to enter, we know you will find one or more suitable to your business.
Entries are completely free, and the deadline to enter is August 21st 2026!
*Overall Family Business of the Year will be announced on the night.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us at 016401777 or events@ashville.com
Nominate a Business Today! Do you know a spectacular family business that stands out from the crowd? Tell us who they are and why they deserve to win.
Once you let us know, we will take it from there! Our team will contact them, share your nomination, and invite them to officially complete their entry
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Innovation in agriculture that demonstrates improved business performance
- Demonstrates good agricultural practice
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community
- Investment in staff development
- Demonstrates work safety practices of the highest standards
- Exhibits commitment to sustainable practices
- Demonstrates consistent delivery of products/services
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Demonstrates an ability to retain customers over long periods of time
- Offers value for money in the goods/services provided
- Provides goods/services known for exemplary quality
- Evidence of positive customer feedback/testimonials
- Displays ability to monitor and respond to all customer feedback
- Demonstrates innovation in how it provides and maintains high service standards to its customers
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
Sponsored By:
This award recognises a small business which has drawn on its family values to build a successful company, one which acts as a great ambassador for the sector and makes a significant contribution to society and the wider economy.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Demonstrates pride in family values and a passion for what they do
- Benefits generated by the business for the local community
- Demonstrates originality in the product/services it provides
- Results of collaborative work undertaken with other local businesses and organisations
- Invests in staff development
- Embodies all that is great about family business
- Can act as an ambassador operating in the Irish family business sector
This category is open to businesses with up to 50 staff or less. Entries to all categories will be considered for this award.
This award recognises an outstanding family business operating in the Irish construction, property, or trades sectors that demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship, project management, and a commitment to building a better built environment.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Evidence of high-quality craftsmanship, reliable project delivery, or exceptional property services
- Strict adherence to health, safety, and industry compliance standards
- Demonstration of innovation in construction methods, materials, or project design
- Commitment to sustainable building practices and environmental responsibility
- Investment in apprenticeships, staff development, and retaining industry skills
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
Eligible companies include:
- General Building Contractors & Developers: Family-run residential or commercial house builders and main contractors.
- Specialised Subcontractors & Trades: Electrical contractors, plumbing and heating engineers, roofing specialists, plastering companies, and scaffolding firms.
- Civil Engineering & Groundworks: Family firms specialising in roadworks, excavation, structural engineering, or landscaping.
- Property Services & Estate Agencies: Family-owned auctioneers, estate agents, property valuation firms, and property management companies.
- Home Improvement & Interior Fit-Outs: Window and door manufacturers, kitchen designers, painting and decorating firms, and flooring specialists.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Evidence of Social Initiatives run by the Family Business.
- Demonstrates a level of care and commitment to their surrounding community
- Results of collaborative work undertaken with other public services and community organisations.
- Evidence of investment in staff development through skills and learning
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
Sponsored By:
This award recognises a family business which has survived and thrived for more than three generations and dedicated itself to providing excellent products/services to its customers in that period.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Demonstrates an ability to change and adapt over time
- Has developed a reliable and trusted brand
- Demonstrates loyalty to its customers by adapting to their needs
- Demonstrates investment in staff development and business competency
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community
- Evidence of a robust quality system
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
This award recognises an outstanding Irish family enterprise that translates its core family values into an exceptional workplace culture, prioritising employee wellbeing, continuous professional development, progressive workplace practices, and strong, trust-driven relationships with its workforce.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Translation of core family values into an exceptional, inclusive workplace culture
- Outstanding initiatives in employee learning, development, and career progression
- Commitment to employee health, wellness, and progressive workplace practices
- Demonstration of strong, trust-driven workforce relationships and high staff retention rates
- Successful integration and empowerment of non-family executives within operations
- Evidence of operational resilience driven by a people-centric approach
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Demonstrates pride in family values and a passion for what it does
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community
- Demonstrates originality in the product/services it provides
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community
- Results of collaborative work undertaken with other businesses
- Investment in staff development
- Embodies all that is great about family business
- Can act as an ambassador for large companies operating in the Irish family business sector
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
Sponsored By:
Ireland is renowned for its high standard of food and drink products. This category is open to all family run Food and Drink Producers. This award will recognize consistency of quality of produce and the achievements of the businesses in this sector.
Criteria which the judging panel will consider will include the following:
- Produces food/drink known for exemplary taste and flavour
- Evidence of customers feedback/testimonials
- Innovation in products and systems that demonstrate improved business performance
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community
- Investment in staff development
- Evidence of a robust quality system, quality marks received to date
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
This premier award celebrates an outstanding family-owned business within Ireland’s healthcare, pharmacy, nursing, or community wellbeing sectors. It honours a business that masterfully pairs rigorous clinical excellence and regulatory compliance with a deeply compassionate, family-led approach to care—ultimately building lasting trust and making a profound impact on their local community.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Exemplary patient and client care reflecting a compassionate, family-led approach
- Strict compliance with safety standards and rigorous regulatory oversight
- Effective management of sector-specific clinical risks and recruitment challenges
- Robust investment in specialised staff development and continuous training
- Positive contribution to the local care ecosystem and integrated community health
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to family-owned and operated pharmacies, nursing homes, homecare agencies, dental practices, and clinical support services across Ireland. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
This award aims to highlight the important role played by emerging businesses who are defining the future of Family Business in Ireland. The award will celebrate the success of a Family Business who has overcome the challenges and continues to grow
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Demonstrates exceptional leadership skills within the family business sector
- Results of collaborative work undertaken with other businesses
- Demonstrates a clear plan for sustainable growth in the future
- Exhibits excellent opportunity to grow for future generations
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community
- Evidence of achievements: Organic Business Growth, Strategic Business Growth, Partnership/Merger/Acquisition, and/or Internal
- Business Growth
This category is open to business leaders related to any family business, big or small.
This award recognises a family business in the hospitality industry that can demonstrate a sustained commitment to providing excellence to its clients.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- A recognised family name in the hospitality sector
- Demonstrates a commitment to service excellence
- Demonstrates consistent delivery of service and monitoring of customer feedback
- Innovation in services provided that demonstrates improved business performance
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community
- Value for money in the service provided
- Provides hospitality services known for exemplary quality
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
- This award recognises a forward-thinking Irish family enterprise that has successfully embraced digital channels—ranging from social media and video content to user-friendly websites and engaging email newsletters—to elevate its brand, deepen customer relationships, and drive business growth while maintaining its authentic family voice.
- The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Successful implementation of a creative digital communication or marketing strategy
- Effective use of digital tools to bridge traditional family heritage with contemporary customer expectations
- Maintenance of the hallmark trust and personal touch of a family business online
- Innovation in digital channels (e.g., website user experience, video presence, or customer-focused email newsletters)
- Evidence of enhanced client engagement and tangible commercial success
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
This award celebrates innovation by a family business across all sectors which can be displayed through marketing the brand, development of new products and services, the enhancement of service delivery, production, manufacturing or work practices.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Demonstrates originality in the delivery of a product/service
- Evidence of a product/service that stands out from its competitors offering
- Evidence of new thinking, moving away from industry norms
- Demonstrates customer satisfaction through innovative offering
- Demonstrates improved business performance through innovation
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community through innovation
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
Sponsored by
This award recognises a family business which serves an international market.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Ability to build a recognised brand at home and abroad
- Represents Ireland in a positive light on an international stage within their sector
- Demonstrates an ability to adapt its company to overseas markets
- Innovation in products/services that demonstrate improved business performance
- Benefits generated by the business for the country
- Results of collaborative work undertaken with other businesses
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
This award recognises a family business in the Manufacturing & Engineering industry that can demonstrate a sustained commitment to Total Quality Management.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Demonstrates excellence in management systems, including business planning, risk management, cost control and financial performance
- Innovation in Manufacturing & Engineering that demonstrates improved business performance
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community
- Results of collaborative work undertaken with other businesses
- Evidence of a robust quality system
- Investment in staff development
- Evidence of achievements
- Evidence of quality marks received to date
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
Sponsored by:
Family Businesses in Ireland have always had a strong representation in the Professional & Businesses Services Sector. This award recognises the excellent service provided by Family Businesses in this industry.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Demonstrates an ability to earn their clients trust
- A recognised name in the industry
- Offers value for money in the services provided
- Provides a service known for exemplary quality
- Displays ability to monitor and adapt to all clients’ needs
- Demonstrates innovation in how its service is run
- Achievements to date
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Displays ability to compete with large multinationals and international online retailers
- Demonstrates high customer service standards
- Shows loyalty to its customer base
- Displays ability to monitor and respond to customer feedback
- Shows innovative marketing and sales activity both online and offline
- Evidence of the quality of the goods provided
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
This award recognises a family business in any sector which is forward-thinking in its environmental policies and has made a significant contribution to improving its sustainability
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Incorporates sustainable practices into the day-to-day running of the business
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider environment
- Demonstrates improved resource efficiency and reduced carbon footprint
- Identifies where savings measures have been implemented and have achieved optimum energy efficiency
- Monitors its ecological footprint and responds with necessary measures
- Embeds improved environmental management practices through dedicated training programmes
- Benefits generated by the business for the local community
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Demonstrates originality and innovation in the product/service offering
- Benefits generated by the product or service offering for their clients/customers
- Results of collaborative work undertaken with other businesses
- Evidence of investment in staff development through skills and learning
- Driving the next generation of technological growth
- Evidence of achievements
- Evidence of quality marks received to date
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- A recognised family name in the Transport & Logistics sector
- Demonstrates a commitment to service excellence
- Demonstrates consistent delivery of service and monitoring of standards
- Innovation in services provided that demonstrates improved business performance
- Benefits generated by the business for the wider community
- Value for money in the service provided
- Evidence of achievements
This category is open to micro, small, medium and large companies. Judging will be assessed in the context of the size and resources of the business.
Sponsored by:
This award recognizes a family-run business that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to future-proofing its enterprise through Further Education and Training (FET). It celebrates businesses that actively invest in upskilling, retraining, or implementing structured apprenticeship programs to tackle modern commercial challenges, drive productivity, and bridge generational skills gaps.
Criteria which the judging panel will consider will include the following:
- Commitment to FET & Continuous Learning: Evidence of a proactive approach to upskilling, including the use of local ETB programs, Skills to Advance initiatives, or formalized training pathways.
- Apprenticeship & Legacy Retention: Clear investment in trade, digital, or modern apprenticeships to pass down vital sector-specific skills while creating local employment opportunities.
- Strategic Business Impact: Demonstration of how upskilling has solved operational problems, increased regional competitiveness, or facilitated digital and green transitions.
- Inclusivity & Growth Opportunities: How training pathways are accessible to both family and non-family employees to foster workplace equity, career progression, and staff retention.
This category is open to business leaders related to any family business, big or small.
The Family Business Rising Star Award recognises the work and achievements of an individual that is taking their family business to new heights. The recipient of this award will act as a great ambassador for the next generation of family business leaders.
The criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Evidence of achievements and growth within the business
- Invests in staff development and progression
- Demonstrates originality in the products/services their business provides
- Evidence of plans for future generations.
