Grá Chocolates, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office (LEO ) Galway, were winners at this year’s National Enterprise Awards, taking home the Best in the West Region Award.
Gráinne Mullins founded Grá Chocolates in her hometown of Kilchreest in 2020, and the business has gone from strength to strength. Her creations use ethically sourced Valrhona Chocolate, Casa Luker cocoa butter and Irish cream and butter – resulting in decadent, small batch treats. Gráinne overcame the challenges of starting a new business during a pandemic and has built a strong brand and a sustainable business.
Gráinne Mullins said; “I am so thrilled to have won the West of Ireland Award at the National Enterprise Awards. To be recognised beside all of these incredible businesses is truly an honour after just a few years in business. Massive thanks to Team Grá for their relentless hard work!”
Acting Head of Enterprise at LEO Galway, Caroline McDonagh, added; “We congratulate Gráinne Mullins, founder of Grá Chocolates, on her success at the National Enterprise Awards. The LEO team and I are delighted that she won this award which is a testament to her work and values. This will be listed among some of her other accolades which includes having been listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2023 for her innovation and leadership. We wish Gráinne the best of luck next week in Copenhagen where she will be representing Ireland in the Creative Business Cup.”
Announcing the award winners at the Mansion House and after earlier launching the new Local Enterprise Office Policy Statement, Minister Burke said; “The National Enterprise Awards are the highlight of the small business and enterprise calendar. Year on year the diversity of businesses and the standard of companies that are coming through the process is getting stronger. We should not be surprised given the innovation and endurance that businesses have shown in recent years. We have some outstanding winners but the finalists on the whole have been excellent, and this is very much the start of their journey.
