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PICS: Inside the Goss.ie Women of the Year Awards 2024

The third annual Goss.ie Women of the Year Awards took place on Saturday, October 5th, at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, and here’s a sneak peek inside our special day.

The awards, which aim to honour inspirational women, was hosted by broadcaster and aspiring politician Gráinne Seoige.

The event celebrates women across multiple genres – including business, the arts, social justice, journalism and sports.

Each year the room is filled with incredible women who have shown dedication, compassion, tenacity and love in their fields.

Two special categories called ‘Local Hero’ and ‘Local Businesswoman’ also honoured women put forward by Goss.ie readers who have made an impact in their local area.

The Goss.ie Women of the Year Awards 2024
Photo: Gerard Walsh
Kellie Harrington got emotional as she took home the award for Sportswoman of the Year | Photo: Gerard Walsh
Sarah McInerney winning The News Industry Award Photo: Gerard Walsh
Photo: Gerard Walsh
Our host Grainne Seoige with Goss Media Founder Alexandra Ryan and Goss.ie Editor Kendra Becker.

A host of well-known faces were there to celebrate the special event – including Kellie Harrington, Rhasidat Adeleke, Dr. Norah Patten, Ciara Doherty, Claire Brock, Sarah McInerney, Terrie McEvoy, Mandy Maher, Aoife Grace Moore, Miss Ireland Jasmine Gerhardt, Rosalind Lipsett, and Norah Casey, to name a few.

Businesswoman of the Year went to Charlene Flanagan and Niamh Ryan, who founded popular Irish beauty brand Ella and Jo Cosmetics in 2017. The pair wiped tears away as they thanked the judges for choosing them and discussed their passion for their beauty brand.

In sports, Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington was awarded Sportswoman of the Year, which was a fitting honour to celebrate the end of her incredible boxing career. Kellie thanked her wife Mandy in a moving tribute for all of her support to date.

Irish Women in Harmony, a collective of Irish female artists who have come together to support one another, were awarded Artist of the Year. Revealing on stage their passion, not just for music, but for helping others.

Photo: Gerard Walsh
Influencer Terrie McEvoy on the red carpet | Photo: Gerard Walsh
Ella & Jo founders Niamh Ryan and Charlene Flanagan won the Businesswoman award | Photo: Gerard Walsh

Sarah McInerney, one of Ireland’s leading broadcasters renowned for her sharp interviewing skills and in-depth political analysis, took home The News Industry Award after her long and stellar career to date.

The Writer of the Year award went to Cathy Kelly, who released her bestselling book Sisterhood earlier this year despite her battle with breast cancer. While she could not attend she shared a moving video sharing her joy at her win and the importance of women supporting women.

The winner of Rising Star went to the Irish Olympic Women’s 4×400 relay team, including Rhasidat Adeleke, Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, and Sharlene Mawdsley – who were undoubtedly the stars of the 2024 Paris Games. Rhasidat was in attendance and admitted the awards meant so much to her and the team, citing the long difficult hours they all spent making Ireland proud.

The Best Start-Up award went to Happy Days, a popular fashion rental business that was founded by Rachel Hennessy in 2021. The judges praised Rachel for her focus on protecting the environment while creating an attractive business model.

Photo: Gerard Walsh
Photo: Gerard Walsh
Photo: Gerard Walsh
Winner of our Trailblazer Award – Barbara Condon
Photo: Gerald Walsh
Women’s Aid Ireland CEO – Sarah Benson
Photo: Gerard Walsh

Barbara Condon, the CEO of Irish NGO Ruhama, which offers nationwide support to women impacted by prostitution, sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation, went home with the Trailblazer of the Year Award. She told the audience that this award was for all the vulnerable women out there as she outlined the fight so many women continue to endure in the world of prostitution and sexual exploitation.

The Local Businesswoman award, nominated by Goss.ie readers, was won by Alannah Pardy, the founder of RecaptureOne, a multimedia company specialising in the development of video-based bereavement memorials. While she could not be there her friend emotionally accepted the award, praising Alannah for her dedication to helping others in their darkest moments.

The Local Hero award went to Niamh McCann, the founder of CJ’s Rainbow, a charity she set up with her husband Joe in memory of their 21-month-old son, who died in October 2023 – less than a year after he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of brain cancer.

Through CJ’s Rainbow Charity, the couple have helped raise hundreds of thousands of euro for charities who helped them during their childhood cancer journey.

And finally attack survivor and inspirational campaigner Natasha O’Brien was also honoured with a special Woman of the Year award during the ceremony, an award of special recognition. The limerick native admitted she felt like a “vessel” for so many other women in this country who all want the same thing – safety and equality.

Natasha O’Brian won Woman of the Year | Photo: Gerard Walsh
Natasha O’Brian won Woman of the Year | Photo: Gerard Walsh
Kellie Harrington took home the award for Sportswoman of the Year | Photo: Brian McEvoy
Alexandra Ryan, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kendra Becker | Brian McEvoy

All the winners of each category at the awards were chosen by a highly esteemed panel of all-female judges.

This year the awards were in partnership with GoogleCatrice CosmeticsLocal Enterprise OfficeAspects Beauty, and FLYEFit.

Before the event kicked off, some of our VIP guests got glam with our makeup partner Catrice Cosmetics, and had their hair styled by Robert Chambers Hair Salon.

Guests were treated to a lavish three-course meal throughout the ceremony in the stunning surrounds of the Royal Marine Hotel, and were entertained by up-and-coming soprano Ciara Smith.

In between awards, attendees could have their makeup topped up by Catrice at their glam station, and each guest received a bottle of Versace perfume from Aspects Beauty – which they could have personally engraved during the ceremony.

Each guest received a personalised bottle of Versace perfume from Aspects Beauty | Photo: Gerard Walsh
Kellie Harrington and Alexandra Ryan | Photo: Gerard Walsh
Grainne Seoige at the Goss.ie Women of the Year Awards
Photo: Gerard Walsh

Guests also went home with a jam-packed goodie bag – including treats from Aspects Beauty, Catrice Cosmetics, Roberts Chambers Hair, FLYEfit, House Dublin, Uriage, Sesderma, Neostrata, Faro, Perkys, and Cleeves Irish Confectionary Chocolate Bars.

Women’s Aid was our official charity partner for 2024 once again and their CEO, Sarah Benson, delivered a keynote speech at the awards.

A raffle also took place on the day, which raised over €6,000 for the charity.

A host of amazing prizes were up for grabs – including a hotel stay package with dinner and a spa experience from The Heritage Hotel; 1 year roaming FLYEfit gym membership; Catrice Cosmetics makeup hamper; 2 x L’Occitane hampers worth €250 each from our charity partner, Women’s Aid; Overnight stay with breakfast for 2 at the Royal Marine Hotel; 50 minute treatment in sansanaSPA at The Royal Marine Hotel; Cut, colour, blowdry and goodie bag to the value of €500 from Robert Chambers Hair; Versace Dylan perfume collection from Aspects Beauty; €200 Penneys voucher; 2 Lyra Tickets from MCD; A pamper day from Dublin Beauty Lounge; Commins & Co diamond earrings worth €600; A Dimension Series hamper from Blank Canvas Cosmetics; and a €100 voucher from With Love and Dreams.

Women’s Aid CEO Sarah Benson with ambassadors for the charity | Photo: Gerard Walsh

Women’s Aid is a national frontline organisation working to stop domestic violence in Ireland since 1974.

Every day, they prevent and address the impact of domestic violence, including coercive control and all forms of abuse against women and children.

They do this by providing free and confidential support services including the 24hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900 and an Instant Message Support Service at
www.womensaid.ie, mornings and evenings, 7 days a week.

They also provide Face to-Face support, small grants and financial assistance for women and support during court proceedings.

They also operate a project for women in high-risk situations and a pioneering programme in maternity hospitals.

Women’s Aid works to building a society with a zero tolerance of domestic abuse and all forms of violence against women by support Women’s Aid to advocate, influence, train, and campaign to reduce the scale of domestic abuse and the damage it causes to women, children and society.

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