Finalists Announced for 69th Cork Business of the Year Awards as Public Voting Opens

The finalists for the 69th annual Cork Business Association (CBA) Cork Business of the Year Awards, sponsored by PTSB, have been revealed following what organisers say was a record-breaking year for entries, with public voting now open.

Judges described this year's deliberations as among the most competitive in the awards' nearly seven-decade history, pointing to both the volume and calibre of applications from across Cork City's business community. The exceptional standard led to four finalists being shortlisted in each category, while the Tourism, Culture & Arts category saw five finalists selected after judges were unable to narrow the field any further.

A new category, Best Cork Content Creator, has been introduced for 2026, recognising the growing digital sector and the creators who play an increasingly important role in promoting Cork locally, nationally and internationally.

Winners in each category will be determined by a 50/50 split between public vote and the independent judging panel, with the Overall Cork Business of the Year selected solely by the judges.

The winners will be announced at the CBA President's Dinner & Awards on Saturday, 28 March 2026, at Vienna Woods, Cork. The evening will be hosted by Marty Morrissey and KC of Red FM, with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin delivering the keynote address. Tickets are on sale now at corkbusiness.ie.

CBA President Dave O'Brien said:

"We had a record number of entries this year, as Cork businesses continue to excel across innovation, customer service, employee commitment, community engagement, sustainability and business growth.

It was a difficult judging session, which is a good complaint to have. The quality was exceptional across every category. We are also very grateful to PTSB for their continued support as Headline Sponsor, and to the Irish Examiner as Media Partner."

The 2026 finalists are:

• Best VFI Pub: The Welcome Inn, Dwyers of Cork, Franciscan Well Brewpub, Fitzgerald's Bar at The Imperial.
• Best Cork Hotel: Castlemartyr Resort, The Metropole Hotel, Vienna Woods Hotel, Hotel Isaacs Cork.
• Best Services Business: Yellow Harbour, Ability Wise, Career Training Internships, BASE Fitness & Health.
• Best Festival or Event: Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Marina Market Comic Con, Cork City Council Open Streets, Alliance Française de Cork (French Film Festival).
• Best in Tourism, Culture & Arts: Blarney Woollen Mills, MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, Nano Nagle Place, Hysterical Histories, The Everyman.
• Best Cork Retail Business: Here's Health, James Whelan Butchers (Patrick's Street), Cork Craft & Design, Pinocchio's.
• Best Café: Bakestone Café Pantry & Bakery (Perry Street), Lafayette Café at The Imperial, DUKES Coffee Company (Carey's Lane), Greenwich (Caroline Street).
• Best Restaurant: Don Gregorio, Moody Café Vin, Cornstore Cork, Ichigo Ichie Bistro.
• Best Family Business: St. Luke's Wine Tavern, CEC Cork English College, LEE Press Limited, Sheila's Hostel.
• Best New Business: BMG Audio Visual & Events, Paynt Payments, Halpin Wealth Management, Seventy Seven.
• Sustainable Business Innovation: Water Technology Limited, Orla McAndrew Food Ltd, Maryborough Hotel & Spa, FZin Compostable Coffee.
• Best Cork Content Creator: Bitsandbites (@bitsandbites.ie), Sunshine Primo (@sunshine_primo), Cork Volunteer Centre (@volunteercork), Marina Market (@marinamarketcork).

The public can cast their vote at corkbusiness.ie. Voting will remain open until days ahead of the awards ceremony on 28 March.