A well-known design business is this year’s winner of the Galway County Enterprise Award for 2022.
Husband and wife team, John and Joan Nagle of Connemara Carpets, will now go on to represent Local Enterprise Office Galway at the 22nd National Enterprise Awards at the Mansion House in Dublin on June 2.
Connemara Carpets, founded in 1970, design, hand-make and manufacture bespoke rugs, carpets and wall-hangings for both the domestic and international markets. The business is steeped in heritage and pedigree, hand-making rugs and carpets using traditional hand-tufting skills for a client base that includes parliaments, palaces and presidential homes across the globe. Every single rug/carpet is a bespoke, one-off design piece.
In most recent years, Connemara Carpets has rejuvenated its engagement strategy by expanding its in-house design team and an expansion of their capability, augmented by a complete overhaul of their branding, in parallel to the opening of a showroom to cater for better visibility and client accessibility.
They have also expanded their offer of product and can now offer rugs made from wools, silks, linens and any mixture of these new materials.
The company has just secured a new showroom facility on Merrion Square in Dublin from which they expect to significantly expand their engagement with design professionals.
Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Galway, Breda Fox, said Connemara Carpets first came to them in May 2020.
“After receiving mentoring supports, they went on to secure financial grant aid through the LEO, as well as a Trading Online Voucher to help them develop their online presence. John and Joan’s story is the perfect example of how a local business can scale and grow with the right supports – and we are very proud to have them represent LEO Galway at this year’s National Enterprise Awards,” she said.
Connemara Carpets will compete against 30 other finalists from every local authority area for a share of the €35,000 winners’ prize fund as national judging gets underway in May.
Categories this year include ‘Best Export Business,’ ‘Best Start-Up’ and ‘Innovation,’ in addition to eight regional awards. There are also two new National Enterprise Awards this year with a “One to Watch” award and a “Sustainability / Green” award.
The Galway County Enterprise Awards took place as part of a very successful Local Enterprise Week programme of events. There were over 220 physical and virtual events taking place across the country, run by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices from March 7-11.
