The finalists for the 69th annual Cork Business Association (CBA) Cork Business of the Year Awards, sponsored by PTSB, have been announced following a record-breaking year for entries.
Judges described deliberations as among the most competitive in the awards’ long history, citing both the volume and calibre of applications from across Cork City’s business community.
Due to the exceptional standard, four finalists have been shortlisted in each category. In the Tourism, Culture & Arts category, five finalists were selected after judges were unable to narrow the field further.
A new category, Best Cork Content Creator, has been introduced this year, recognising the fast-growing digital sector and the creators who play an increasingly important role in promoting Cork locally, nationally and internationally.
Public voting is now open, with winners in each category determined by a 50/50 split between public vote and the independent judging panel. The Overall Cork Business of the Year will be selected by the judges.
The Welcome Inn
Dwyers of Cork
Franciscan Well Brewpub
Fitzgerald’s Bar at The Imperial
Castlemartyr Resort
The Metropole Hotel
Vienna Woods Hotel
Hotel Isaacs
Yellow Harbour
Ability Wise
Career Training Internships
BASE Fitness & Health
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival Marina Market – Comic Con
Cork City Council – Open Streets
Alliance Française de Cork (French Film Festival)
Blarney Woollen Mills
MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory
Nano Nagle Place
Hysterical Histories
The Everyman
Here’s Health
James Whelan Butchers, Patrick’s Street
Cork Craft & Design
Pinocchio’s
Bakestone Café Pantry & Bakery, Perry Street
Lafayette Café at The Imperial
DUKES Coffee Company, Carey’s Lane
Greenwich, Caroline Street
Don Gregorio
Moody Café Vin
Cornstore Cork
Ichigo Ichie Bistro
St. Luke’s Wine Tavern CEC
Cork English College
LEE Press Limited
Sheila’s Hostel
BMG Audio Visual & Events
Paynt Payments
Halpin Wealth Management
Seventy Seven
Water Technology Limited
Orla McAndrew Food Ltd
Maryborough Hotel & Spa
FZin Compostable Coffee
Bitsandbites / @bitsandbites.ie
Sunshine Primo / @sunshine_primo
Cork Volunteer Centre / @volunteercork
Marina Market / @marinamarketcork
The public is invited to cast their vote at corkbusiness.ie or here.
Voting will remain open until days ahead of the awards ceremony.
The winners will be revealed at the CBA President’s Dinner & Awards on Saturday, 28 March 2026, at Vienna Woods, Cork, a highlight of the city’s business and social calendar.
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 the strength of entries reflects the ambition and resilience of Cork businesses. “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,” he said.“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.”
