It was another successful year for Dundalk businesses at the second annual weddingsuppliers.ie award ceremony which took place last week in Killashee House Hotel in Co Kildare.
Several local wedding businesses entered the awards and the wee county was well-represented at the finals.
For the second year in a row Dundalk- based musicians D-Strings won a top award at the prestigious awards.
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Last year they were crowned entertainment act of the year at the same award ceremony, and have continued their success in 2024 by not only making it to the final shortlist of 20 companies, but going on to win their category outright.
“It is an amazing achievement for the team,” says musician and business owner Deidre O’Hare.
“There are so many string ensembles nationally, never mind other types of musicians, singers and entertainers, so we knew it would be a difficult category.”
“We are so lucky to have some of the best musicians in Ireland on our team, and it really is a credit to them the work they put into each and every event. Recognition such as award ceremonies like this or even being recognised by other business around the country as a top vendor in the industry is such an honour’
D-Strings are known nationally as one of the top string quartets for corporate events, wedding ceremonies and receptions, while their other ensembles such as the electric strings are often seen providing entertainment at receptions and luxury dinner events across the country.
Having been nominated last year, Dundalk-based videographer Liutauras Kepenis of Liutas Pictures was thrilled to win the Videographer of the Year category.
“Winning in such a strong field was a huge surprise, and I was thrilled to see local friends like Derbhaile, a wedding planner, and Deirdre from D-Strings, clinch victories in their respective categories,” he says. “Their success adds to the joy of being part of the vibrant wedding business community, where I’ve had the pleasure of meeting numerous talented vendors.
“Passion fuels my work, and I’m committed to continue capturing the magic of weddings for many more years. It’s a journey filled with love, celebrations, and the joy of creating timeless memories.”
Weddings By Dearbháile a local Wedding Planner also won on the night and came away with the Wedding Planner of the Year 2024 Highly Commended Award.
Dearbháile Sheils, who works from her home in Dundalk was thrilled with her win having come up with the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I set up in August 2021 and since then I’ve helped plan weddings for couples from all over Ireland and abroad.”
“For people living abroad and couples working full-time in busy jobs, what I do is extremely useful. Once I find out what they want, I do all the legwork and research and they get the fun pat of making the decisions!”
She also offers a consultation service for newly engaged couples who don’t want a wedding planner but want some helpful tips on how to start planning their wedding.
“I do one to one consultations and also Zoom consultations for people who aren’t living locally.”
She says the business is ideal for her as she can fit it around raising her family.
Another Louth winner was Claire Malone who lives in the beautiful Cooley peninsula.
Claire was nominated in three categories, best wedding singer, best wedding band and best hen and stag organiser.
She won the award for the latter, with her company Create Your Night, which she set up sixteen years ago.
“I organise everything for hen and stag parties and corporate groups, booking the accommodation, restaurant and entertainment,” she says. “I’ve brought a lot of business to different parts of the country, including Carlingford over the years.”
A native of Dublin, Claire has been singing from a young age and is in demand for weddings, funerals, ceremonies, private parties and corporate events, and also has her own band The Gossip Band.
She spent eight years tour with ‘The Stars from The Commitments’ performing with such legends as Ben E King, Arrested Development, ABC, Edwin Starr, Deacon Blue, The Rasmus, The Dubliners, Blue, Lou Reed and, in a career high, performed at a historic concert in Jerusalem alongside The Black Eyed Peas.
Local venues Darver Castle and Bellingham Castle were also among the winners, with Darver Castle winning the award for best civil ceremony venue and Bellingham Castle winning the award for best castle wedding venue.
Article taken from Argus