Businesses in County Cork Honoured at Inaugural ‘Best in Cork’ Awards
Green Rebel crowned Mayor of the County of Cork’s Overall Business
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn presented the top prize at Cork County Council’s inaugural Best in Cork Awards to offshore survey company Green Rebel. The Crosshaven firm, which employs 75 people, also took home the category award for Best Medium Business at a gala lunch in Cork County Hall today.
Green Rebel provides a full range of survey and data services to the offshore renewable energy industry. Its fleet of vessels and aircraft map vast areas of the ocean to identify sites for offshore wind farms that offer optimum potential for energy generation with minimal impact on the environment.
Established in 2020 by Cork entrepreneur Pearse Flynn, Green Rebel has evolved rapidly and now competes with multinational players in its sector. Green Rebel has earned Great Place to Work status and was last year listed as one of Ireland’s Top 10 Emerging Companies by LinkedIn. It was also named ‘Emerging Cork Company of the Year’ at the Cork Chamber Awards in 2022.
The judges noted Green Rebel’s remarkable growth and its wide offering in a very specific industry. They said Green Rebel is leading the way in renewables creating a business that really represents shared value for business and society.
Cork County Council’s Best in Cork Awards are a celebration of the vital contributions businesses and tourism providers make to Cork County. A total of 44 businesses were shortlisted across eight categories.
The first category award of the afternoon went to outdoor activity provider Ballyhass Adventure Group. The family-owned business has been operating for 35 years and was named Best Tourist Attraction. A second tourism category was for attractions that are free to enter and was won by The Donkey Sanctuary, the open farm in Liscarroll that’s home to 150 donkeys.
Ballymaloe House Hotel, the luxurious country house hotel in East Cork founded by Myrtle Allen, was recognised for Green Innovation while Skibbereen social enterprise The Ludgate Hub picked up the award for Best Connection to the Community. It offers a range of services to remote workers and local businesses.
BladeBridge, a Mallow-based company that repurposes decommissioned wind turbine blades into greenway bridges and outdoor furniture was named Best Start-up while Hanna’s Bees scooped the award for Best Small Business, a Little Island based company which produces a unique range of eco-friendly and sustainable handmade products. Best Large Business went to global healthcare leader Lilly. It employs more than 2,800 people in Kinsale and Little Island.
Speaking at the awards, the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said,
Mayor
The Best in Cork awards are a celebration of excellence, innovation, and the spirit of community that defines our remarkable county. Our overall winner, Green Rebel epitomises these values and, through its focus on sustainability, education and its key resource, people, it is helping to craft a better future both locally and globally.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan added,
Valerie O'Sullivan
Chief Executive
The commitment to excellence shown by the entrants and the finalists for the Best in Cork awards sets a benchmark that raises the bar for all, fostering an environment of healthy competition that ultimately benefits our community as a whole. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to each and every participant for their outstanding contributions.
The awards ceremony, at Vertigo, Cork County Hall, was presided over by Cork native and Virgin Media Presenter Elaine Crowley. Each sustainably produced trophy was crafted by County Cork woodturner Abe Cashman.