The Club Women’s Network’s ‘Female Founder Awards’ finalists for 2025 have been announced, with the lineup including two women from Limerick.
The third annual ‘Female Founder Awards’ will be hosted by Cork’s Maryborough Hotel on Friday, November 7.
The Limerick Nominees
Proud Limerick women Cathy O’Byrne and Joanne Begley have both been nominated for awards in their own respective categories.
Cathy O’Byrne is the founder of successful online support service ‘The Swallow’s Trail’ which has also been nominated for the ‘Positive Impact Award.’ She created this to provide guidance and reassurance for families navigating child development, mental health, and behavioural challenges. Her platform celebrates parents’ innate power and fosters confidence through practical, and evidence-informed support.
Joanne Begley, who founded ‘For After I’ve Gone’, is nominated for ‘Solopreneur of the Year.’ She develops end-of-life legacy journals and ‘First Cards’, that offer comfort and connection to families who have gone through loss. This was inspired by her own journey with a terminal illness and her professional background in social care. Through her work she encourages open conversations about grief and legacy.
The Club Women’s Network
‘The Club Women’s Network’ is a nationwide community of ambitious women, professionals, and entrepreneurs. Founded by business consultant Sian Horn after the 2020 pandemic, this network now has over 200 members. It was built on prioritising collaboration over competition, and to empower women both in business and beyond.
The network’s purpose is to help women grow their businesses and careers in a supportive and connected environment.
It offers valuable resources, genuine connections, and practical opportunities to increase visibility and confidence. Their members connect through monthly live online networking sessions, interactive workshops, and in-person regional meetups held across Ireland.
The Female Founder Awards
The ‘Female Founder Awards’ champion the women from across Ireland who are building purpose-led businesses. This year, 24 women including the esteemed Limerick ladies are nominated across five distinct categories; Newcomer of the Year, Solopreneur of the Year, Business of the Year, Positive Impact Award, and Contribution to The Club.
These awards differ from traditional business awards, the ‘Female Founder Awards’ look beyond numbers and spreadsheets and focus on the reasoning behind each founder’s work. They highlight the positive impact they create for themselves, clients, communities, and their industries.
The founder of ‘The Club Women’s Network’, Sian Horn, describes the ‘Female Founder Awards’ as; “More than a ceremony, they are a celebration of Irish female entrepreneurship, community, and collaboration.
“We’re so proud to host it for the third time and celebrate these women and the businesses they’ve built. We received a record number of entries this year, and every finalist has a story of resilience, creativity, and contribution.
“The female founder space in Ireland is really special, and these awards recognise the passion, innovation, and determination behind the businesses these women have created.”
Tickets to the ceremony are €150 and are available to purchase here. Attendees will enjoy an evening of sophisticated entertainment, celebration, and connection with female founders from across Ireland. The night will consist of a drinks reception, a three-course meal, speeches from keynote speakers, music, and of course the actual awards presentation.
This event offers an amazing platform for these hard-working women as well as creating a space of recognition and support.
The Limerick Voice will have more to follow on this story soon.