The Hair Beauty and Style Awards and the Customer Excellence Awards returned to Mount Wolseley Hotel in Carlow on Sunday evening the 2nd of March 2025. This National Award ceremony which takes place all over the country saw businesses in the Hair, Beauty and Style and a wide range of other sectors in the Carlow and Kilkenny region being honored and recognized.
Radio and television Broadcaster Brian Cunningham and Aidan Disney from Brighter Horizons Management were at the helm as MCs with judges for the event including national names Dr. Gerald Kean from Kean Solicitors, Fiona Gratzer from Unislim, Catherine Lonergan from Bord Gais, Darren Gavin from National Sales Apprenticeships and Louis Copeland from Louis Copeland and Sons.
Brighter Horizons Management, who hosts and own The Hospitality Awards, The Customer Excellence Awards and introduced the Hair, Beauty and Style Awards some years ago stated that the reaction from the industry has been fantastic. Speaking on the night Brian Cunningham CEO of Brighter Horizons Management paid tribute to all the businesses who work tirelessly in the industry making people look and feel good daily and paid tribute to all the owners from the various industries who have faced severe challenges over the last number of years with the increase in costs to owning a business. There was a lot of excitement as the awards began with fantastic entertainment by Louis Younge on Saxaphone with music provided by Jaker and Co after the awards.
Best Social Media and Online Content
K. Hair Salon
Personal Trainer of the Year
Gina Pronay-Zakar of MumTrainer
Pharmacy of the Year
Chemco Pharmacy Carlow
Best Colour Technician of the Year
Linda Morgan of Hair by Linda Morgan
GP of the Year
Dr. Niamh Gallagher, Gallagher Medical Practice
Best Hair Educator
Kerriann of Berlin Hair Lounge
Bakery of the Year
Sweet Baking Mama
Barber Of The Year
Daryl of The Lad Pad Barbershop
Butcher of the Year
John Murphy Family Butchers
Best Wedding Hair
Tanya of Hair by Tanya
Off Licence of the Year
The Wine Buff Kilkenny
Best Up-Styling
Andrea Flynn of Lavish Studio
Veterinary Clinic of the Year
Vetcare Carlow
Best Stylist
Amy Moore of The Beauty Boutique Rathwood
Takeaway of the Year
Kilkenny Kebabish
Best Editorial Hair and Most Creative
Meg Doran of MD Hair
Giftware Store of the Year
Souvenir & Gift Shop
Best Junior Stylist
Erin Maguire of The Beauty Boutique Rathwood
Tyre Supplier of the Year
Bridge Tyres and Car Repairs
Best Barber Shop
The Lad Pad Barbershop
Tile and Bathroom Store of the Year
Emerald Tiles & Bathrooms
Building and DIY Store of the Year
S. & E. Kennedy & Co. Ltd (Builders Providers)
Best Freelance Hairdresser
Elaine Holden of Elaine Holden Hair
Garden Centre of the Year
Rathwood Garden Centre
Kitchen Supplier of the Year
Cahills Kitchens Ltd
Best Hair Extension Specialist of the Year
Melissa Griffin of Darque Salon Carlow
Electrical Store of the Year
ElectroCity Kilkenny
Best Newcomer Hair Salon
Studio Cox
Hardware Store of the Year
Expert Hardware – Declan Byrne & Sons Ltd
Best Front of House
Denise Glover of Blake’s Hair Salon
Carpenter of the Year
Mark – Hollymount Outdoor Living Ltd
Masseuse of the Year
Tara Holden of Mint MediSpa
Fitness Instructor of the Year
Calvin Brophy of Ormonde Leisure Club
Best Wedding Make up
Melissa Clarke of Melissa Clarke Make Up
Alarm Security Company of the Year
C & C Security Ltd
Best Eyelash Artist
Ciara Doyle of Ciara’s Lashes
Jewellery Store of the Year
Douglas Jewellers Carlow
Best Makeup Artist
Roisin Hayden of MC Beauty
Florist of the Year
Darling Buds
Best Beauty Therapist
Hayley Costello of Xtreme Beauty
Health Store of the Year
Natural Health Store Kilkenny
Best Beauty Newcomer
Sinead Barcoe of Beauty By Sinead
Entertainment Activity of the Year
Dome Entertainment Centre Carlow
Best Freelance Makeup Artist
Karen Maher of Karen Maher Make Up
Dental Practice of the Year
Carlow Dental Centre
Semi-Permanent Makeup Specialist
Karolina Nowak of Glass Skin CN
Nursing Home of the Year
Borris Lodge Nursing Home
Best Nail Technician
Sara Barden of The Beauty Boutique Rathwood
Homecare Provider of the Year
Home Instead Kilkenny & Carlow
Best Nail Salon
Deep Fusion Beauty
Car Sales Executive of the Year
Richie Kent – O’Briens Kilkenny Renault
Best Male Grooming
R95 Male Grooming
Motor Dealership of the Year
Padraic Dunne Motors
Service Department of the Year
Callan Autos
Best Brow Artist
Niamh Costello of Xtreme Beauty
Mechanic of the Year
Padraic – Padraic Dunne Motors
Best Beauty Educator
Marie Cahill of Kilkenny College Of Beauty and Sports Therapy
Auctioneer Firm of the Year
RE/MAX Property Experts
Best Day Spa
Escape Health Spa
Architect of the Year
Brian Dunlop Architects
Best Aesthetic Clinic
Phoenix Biomedical
Legal Firm of the Year
Philip Vint & Co. Solicitors
Best Skin Clinic
New Skin Clinic
Photographer of the Year
Steven Kelly Photography Carlow
Best Tattoo Artist
Laura O’Brien of High Society Tattoo
Videographer of the Year
Sky Eye Wedding Films
Best Tattoo Studio
Pierce of Ink Carlow
Accountancy Firm of the Year
Munnelly & Co Accountants
Fitness Facility of the Year
TJ Reid Fitness
Best Value for Money
Annaleen’s Boutique
Oil Company of the Year
Klass Oil Carlow
Creche of the Year
Absolute Beginners Creche
Best Casual Boutique
Trendy Curves
Optician of the Year
Jennings Opticians Carlow
Best Social Media and Online Presence
Obsession Showroom
Grocery/Convenience Store of the Year
Get & Go Kilkenny
Best Style Influencer
Leanne Delaney of Obsession Showroom
Supermarket of the Year
McCarthy’s SuperValu
Best Formal Menswear
Top Hat Kilkenny
Bookstore of the Year
The Book & Coffee Shop
Best Menswear
Detail Menswear Kilkenny
Retail Manager of the Year
Louise Lawlor – Vero Moda
Best Shoe Selection
Grahams Kilkenny
CHIROPRACTOR OF THE YEAR
Fransens Byrne Chiropractic
Best Accessories Store of The Year
Rosie & Dott
FINANCIAL SERVICES OF THE YEAR
Lidierth Financial
Best Jewellery Selection
Oona’s
LETTING AGENT OF THE YEAR
Carlow Property Management
Best Formal Boutique
Just Say “I Do” Bridal
LOCKSMITH OF THE YEAR
Flight Hawk Security
Best Sports Store
Intersport Elverys Kilkenny
TRADEPERSON OF THE YEAR
Beckett Landscaping Ltd
Salon Team of the Year
Harmony Beauty Salon
Best Overall Boutique
Elanna’s Boutique
Best Overall Hair Salon
Berlin Hair Lounge
Special Awards
Judges Choice Award for Hair, Beauty and Style
Kon K of Hair by Kon K
Outstanding Contribution To Care Of The Elderly
Sonas Nursing Home
Rising Star 2025
Amy Fenlon of Amys Lashes
Judges Choice Award For Customer Excellence
Ciaran Smith Heating
Outstanding Contribution Award
Dawn of Glamour by Dawn
Author: Aidan
Operations & IT
