Willie Monaghan and Sons Ltd takes top prize at County Longford Enterprise Awards 2025

Granard business will go on to represent Longford at the National Enterprise Awards in May 

Press Release: Monday, 10 March 2025 

The County Longford Enterprise Awards 2025 have taken place in PV's on Thursday, 6 March as part of Local Enterprise Week 2025. Commercial truck and van body building business, Willie Monaghan and Sons Ltd took home the top prize and will go onto represent Longford at the National Enterprise Awards in Dublin in May this year. 

Also at the event, PJ and Joan Donnellan were crowned this year's winners of the 'Spirit of Longford' award. The Donnellan family have operated their engineering business, Engine Spares Ltd, for over 50 years. The Donnellan family and their business have played a pivotal role in local economic development. Other winners at County Longford Enterprise Awards 2025 were: 

• Maguire Hair and Beauty Supplies Ltd took the 'Lean Champion' award. This professional salon supply company provides products and services to hair, beauty, nail and barber salons across Ireland. Established over 25 years ago by Vincent Maguire, the family-run business operates two retail stores in Longford and Cavan, as well as a thriving online shop. 
• Waterfront Dental were crowned 'Digital Champion'. The dental practice provides the most up-to-date and patient-centre dental care. Over three decades, the team have served the people of County Longford and the Midlands from their modern, purpose-built facility at Fee Court, Longford. 
• O'Rourke Windows and Glass Ltd received the 'Green Champion' award. This family-owned and run business has been operating in Longford Town since 1977. With over four decades of experience, the company is a leading manufacturer, seller and installer of uPVC windows and doors for the Midlands and the West of Ireland. 
• Threads by Katie took home the 'Best Young Start Up' award. Led by entrepreneur Katie McCabe, this young and vibrant business specialises in retro sportswear and reworked branded clothing and promotes sustainability and eco-friendly fashion. 

Overall winners, Willie Monaghan and Sons Ltd was founded in 1985 by Willie in the rural townland of Coolarty, Granard. Over the years, the business has grown considerably, yet remains family-run and is led by Willie, his wife Bernadette and son Damian. Incorporated in 2008, it specialises in commercial truck and van body building. The business serves major fleet operators across Ireland. It also provides steel fabrication services to the farming and construction sectors. With a dedicated team of six employers, the business has a reputation for quality, and continues to thrive through meeting the highest standards in their industry. 

In moving onto the National Enterprise Awards later this year, Willie Monaghan and Sons Ltd will compete against 30 other finalists from every other local authority for a share of the €35,000 winner's prize fund. National judging gets underway in April. There are nine regional awards and national categories including 'Best Export Business', 'Best Start-Up', 'Outstanding Achievement' and the 'Innovation', 'Green' and 'Digital' awards. 

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey said "On behalf of all the Council and the Elected Members, I congratulate all of our winners here at these awards. They are all passionate businesspeople who demonstrate the value of local business. Not least Willie and his excellent team who we wish the very best of luck to as they now go onto represent County Longford at the National Enterprise Awards - we know they will do Longford very proud."

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, "Through the Local Enterprise Office, the Council is proud to support and celebrate local business. Creating a County Longford where business thrives is key to all we do in Longford County Council. We can see great success stories at these awards, and we work to ensure more and more business success stories continue into the future."

Speaking at the event, Longford County Council Head of Enterprise Michael Nevin said, "These awards are an important part of every Local Enterprise Week as we get to celebrate local business and entrepreneurial spirits which add so much to our local economy and communities right across our county. It is great to see Willie and his family business take home the top prize, but the room is filled with excellent local businesses who all should be incredibly proud."

The County Longford Enterprise Awards took place as part of Local Enterprise Week which saw over 300 events taking place across the country. These included business training to help entrepreneurs, start-ups and expanding business among others. Local Enterprise Week is organised by Local Enterprise Offices, and supported by Enterprise Ireland, local authorities, including Longford County Council and the Government of Ireland. 

For further information, check out LocalEnterprise.ie/Longford or follow Local Enterprise Office, Longford on social media.