Four out of the five enterprise finalists are from Mullingar area

Four out of the five finalists in the 2008 Westmeath County Enterprise Awards are from the Mullingararea, with one hailing from Athlone.The finalists are Ambushed Paintball Ltd., run by Padraig Daly at Gaybrook, Mullingar; ES Digital Media Ltd, run by Eddie Stack and Glenda Doyle at Cummerstown, Collinstown; Mullingar Crystal Ltd, run by Bernard Flynn, from Unit 8, Zone C, Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar; Uisneach Catering Ltd, run by Aine Gavigan, Togherstown, Loughnavalley, and Parliament House Ltd., run by Aengus O"Rourke, 5 Pearse Street, Athlone.The winners will be announced at an awards lunch taking place on September 12th at the Mullingar Park Hotel. The overall winner will advance to the regional final and 8 finalists will be chosen by an independent panel of adjudicators to go forward to the National Enterprise Awards Final, scheduled for November 11th 2008 in Dublin Castle.This competition is sponsored nationally by the County and City Enterprise Boards and is the only competition of its type specifically for the micro-enterprise sector. It is hosted on an annual basis to acknowledge the achievements of small enterprise and their valuable contribution to the local economy.The short-listed businesses will be adjudicated by an external terms of judges who will judge entries in accordance to marketing strengths, financial strength, innovation, use of technology, entrepreneurial skills and the business plan.The annual County Enterprise awards organised by Westmeath County Enterprise Board gives them an opportunity to congratulate and showcase the achievement of micro businesses in the County.The competition is open to all Westmeath Businesses that have received direct financial assistance from Westmeath County Enterprise Board since 1997.Ambushed Paintball Ltd.www.ambushedireland.comAmbushed Paintball is an adventure sports company supplying outdoor activities for adults and children.The promoter, Padraig Daly is a qualified award winning blocklayer who was inspired to set up the business upon returning from Australia in 2000 where he had experienced paintball. Padraig and wife Tanya established Ambushed Paintball in 2003.The judges commended Padraig highly as a hard worker, bringing a new outdoor pursuit to Ireland and overcoming the challenges faced by the business.ES Digital Media Ltd.www.esdigitalmedia.ieES Digital media, set up in 2005 by Eddie Stack and Glenda Doyle has three main strands: web development and page turning e-brochure development, domain registration and hosting and CD/DVD duplication, printing and packaging. The promoters see the company as a one stop shop for marketing as they can provide a company with domain registration and hosting, their website, content development and duplication for DVD marketing. The judges found the promoter to be enthusiastic and knowledgeable about his business and noted the steady growth of the business and expansion into new areas.Mullingar Crystal Ltd.www.mullingarcrystal.comEstablished in October 2006, Mullingar Crystal supplies personalised contemporary crystal awards, trophies and prizes in a cost effective manner directly to the corporate and sports club sector. The business employs three full time and one part time staff member. Bernard was commended by the judges for his entrepreneurial flair and spirit. The business has local and national customers and has invested in cutting edge technology which allows them personalise each award supplied.Uisneach Catering Ltd.www.uisneachcatering.Established by promoter Aine Gavigan in 2001, Uisneach Catering serves up a range of private and corporate catering solutions - catering for the food and drink requirements of every type of function from private house parties, corporate functions, school dinners and weddings. Aine, a qualified chef, was highly commended for her commitment to quality produce and delivering a high quality product. Her use of business networking was also noted by the judges.Snap Printingwww.snapprinting.ieEstablished in 2005, Snap Printing"s product and service offering is broad. They are a total solution provider in the marketing, design and print arena. Services include print consultancy services, full graphic design facility and marketing consultancy. Products produced include marketing print material, point of sale material, conference materials, back drop banners, posters, books and so on; every thing a business requires to communicate to its clients and potential clients. The promoter"s dedication and commitment to a strong workforce marked Aengus out as an astute business manager according to the judges.