EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme passionately believes in promoting entrepreneurship across the island of Ireland and empowering entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in Ireland, Northern Ireland and around the world.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year at a glance
58
programs worldwide
79
countries and territories
30K
global alumni
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland 2024
![EOY 2024](https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_ie/topics/entrepreneurship/ey-eoy2024-the-trailblazers.jpg)
Representing the best of entrepreneurship
Starting at the regional and country level, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year honors leaders who demonstrate excellence in areas such as innovation, financial performance, social responsibility, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Each annual program concludes with a competition and announcement of category winners — such as industry and innovation winners — and an overall winner. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges who are successful, innovative entrepreneurs themselves.
Overall program winners go on to represent their country or territory in the ultimate global competition for entrepreneurs: EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland programme not only ensures national and international recognition for successful finalists and Alumni but also provides invaluable networking and business opportunities within a growing, 600+ strong EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland Alumni community.
Recognising the best and brightest
Now in its 27th year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year ™ Ireland programme operates across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland.
By participating in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme, entrepreneurs can connect with their peers, access relevant insights to help navigate their growth journey and raise the profile of their companies and teams. Each programme culminates in the announcement of an overall winner who the competes for the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award.
Winner testimonials
![Sam Moffett EOY awards](https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_ie/topics/entrepreneurship/ey-sam-moffett-with-award.jpg)
2023 Overall Winner, Sam Moffett, Moffett Automated Storage
"Being selected as a finalist was an honour and winning was a dream come true, but the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme is so much more than an awards ceremony. It connects an incredible group of entrepreneurs from so many different sectors. Everyone in the alumni group understands the highs and lows of running a business and we all support each other. Being part of this community is invaluable."
![Martin McKay](https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_ie/topics/entrepreneurship/ey-eoy-martin-mckay.jpg)
2022 Overall Winner - Martin McKay, Texthelp
“Entrepreneurship is a challenging and exciting thing to have in your life. It is not for everybody. The EOY program brings 24 like-minded people together for an incredible year of learning. I was hugely honoured to win in 2022, and have made friends for life with an outstanding group of people.”
![Brian O'Sullivan](https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_ie/topics/entrepreneurship/ey-eoy-brian-o-sullivan.jpg)
2021 Overall Winner – Brian O’Sullivan, Zeus Packaging
“Entrepreneurs tend to be obsessive and when we set our sights on a goal, we put all our energies into reaching it. Being named as EY Entrepreneur of the Year has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, validating years of hard work and ambition, and opening up a whole new business network for Zeus.”
![Aimee Connolly](https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_ie/topics/entrepreneurship/ey-eoy-aimee-connolly.jpg)
2021 Emerging Winner – Aimee Connolly, Sculpted By Aimee
“The EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme was such a scary thought to me at first but has turned out to be one of best things I have ever done. Not only do you meet brilliant people along the way, you push yourself from a business leader sense and most importantly there is a real sense of community that I think is very rare and special.”
![](https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_ie/topics/entrepreneurship/ey-eoy-nicola-mitchell.jpg)
2020 Overall Winner – Nicola Mitchell, Life Scientific
“Entrepreneurs are never satisfied, never feel good enough; so even though I’ve dreamed of winning all my life, it’s not about winning, it’s about the (at times difficult) journey (who likes being judged!) and all the courageous entrepreneurs I’ve met along the way – all of whom inspire me to do better, and especially those unable to do what they do and be who they are, because of COVID.”
![](https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_ie/topics/entrepreneurship/ey-eoy-richard-kennedy.jpg)
2019 Overall Winner – Richard Kennedy, Devenish
“EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ is the most valuable and enjoyable business network I have ever been part of. To anyone considering getting involved, I would say – go for it! The people you meet, friends you make and experiences you have are truly enriching - it is a unique opportunity to grow, both professionally and personally.”