Mullingar manager wins Top Lidl Impact Award at National Achievement Awards

Lidl Ireland has announced the winners of its 2026 National Achievement Awards, which recognise and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of colleagues and shine a spotlight on exemplary team members from every corner of the business across the island of Ireland.

A total of 25 awards were presented to outstanding winners during the ceremony earlier this week.

Taking centre stage was Paudie Byrne, a Sales Operations manager for the Mullingar region, who emerged victorious from a workforce of over 6,000 colleagues to win one of the top six awards of the night, the prestigious Lidl Impact Award for Community Hero.

The Community Hero title is reserved for a colleague who truly leads by example in making a lasting difference for local communities. During the ceremony, Paudie received high praise for his incredible support of Lidl Ireland’s official charity partner, Family Carer’s Ireland.

Acting as the powerhouse behind last June’s massive charity spinathon, Paudie successfully managed complex logistics and rallied teams across the entire Mullingar region to raise a staggering €125,000.

His outstanding leadership and ability to bring colleagues together in camaraderie was instrumental in helping the retailer hit its ambitious €1 million fundraising goal during the first year of the charity partnership.

Reflecting on the win Paudie said, “Organising the spinathon was a massive challenge, but hitting our one million euro goal for Family Carers Ireland made every single second worth it.

“This award is a testament to the unbelievable team spirit and hard work of everyone who got out of their comfort zones to take part.”

Hosted at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road in Dublin 4, the annual National Achievement Awards provide an opportunity to reflect on the immense contributions of colleagues across the entire business.

The event, hosted by comedian Andrew Ryan, highlights phenomenal individuals who stand out through their daily actions, infectious passion, and dedication to company values.

Lidl currently employs a workforce of more than 6,000 people across the island of Ireland within its 235 stores, four regional distribution centres, and its Head Office in Tallaght.

The company was recently recognised as a ‘Top Employer’ by the Top Employers Institute for the sixth consecutive year, and also earned the title of Most Reputable Retailer in the 2025 RepTrak Ireland study.