"When women rise, they can elevate a whole community"

Wed, 28 May, 2025 - 07:10

Mary Corcoran

Cork charity stalwart, Caitríona Twomey, said that being recognised at the Network Ireland Cork Businesswoman of the Year awards has strengthened her resolve to be a more ionate advocate for wellbeing, equity, and those whose voices often go unheard.

The Cork Penny Dinners volunteer coordinator was bestowed with the President’s Award at the annual ceremony, which acknowledges the work of an exceptional individual outside of Network Cork who embodies the spirit of the organisation of leading, ing and collaborating.

Cathy Fitzgibbon, President of the Network Ireland Cork branch, said that it was an honour to present the President’s Award to Catriona.

“Her unwavering dedication, comion, and tireless work in our community embodies the very values we hold dear at Network Ireland Cork,” she added.

Caitríona is well known locally and nationally for her work at Cork Penny Dinners, one of Cork’s oldest charities.

She has been a steadfast advocate for the need to provide s to men, women and children facing inordinate challenges, and has campaigned relentlessly for more services to people experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, illness, and addiction.

Government figures show that during the last week of March, 2025, 641 adults in Cork accessed emergency accommodation.

There were 98 families including 162 adults and 204 children accessing emergency accommodation for the same period in the South West region which encomes Cork and Kerry.

“Things are very tough on the ground,” Caitríona said.

Cathy Fitzgibbon, President of Network Cork, with Caitríona Twomey. Picture: Darragh Kane

“The gaps in all services now are no longer gaps, They’re big, gaping holes. Your gap just runs like it’s a little thing you can fill in, but these are monstrous things, they’re monstrous holes, very difficult to fill in. It’s tough, and it shouldn’t be.”

Caitriona said there has been a notable rise in the numbers of women experiencing homelessness.

“We’re seeing lots and lots of women, and women of all ages, and we’re seeing a lot of young people as well. And that’s scary. That’s scary business when you see that.

“Years ago, it was predominantly men.... now you’ll see just as much women as men in the streets, young girls, women of old ages, even older women. And it’s very frightening. It’s frightening for us to look at. Can you imagine how traumatised they are?

“As a woman and a mother and a grandmother, I feel for all of them because, you know, I have a granddaughter 20 years of age and I’ve seen people younger than her on the streets.

“Again, it’s all about the services. Those that exist... absolutely outstanding. But we’re so short of more resources, more services. We need a lot, lot more... Everybody should have that chance in life. And that’s up to the government to make that chance available for everyone,” she said.

There’s no denying that things are difficult at the coal face.

Is it hard to keep going?

“Well, it’s not with the volunteers that I have. It’s not with them, because we’re all practical.”

Caitríona highlighted the that charities like Cork Penny Dinners receive.

“A lot of women in business, and a lot of men too, are very good to charities,” she said.

“When women rise together, they can elevate a whole community. I think women have a fierce determination and they have a fierce grá for doing things, getting things done,” Caitríona added.

The Cork woman said organisations like Network Cork are vital in ing women in business.

“Women in business, especially if they’re struggling, it’s great to have this network group, that can empower women, that can listen to women, that can help themselves stay afloat and give them the encouragement.

“That’s what we see here on the ground, like when people come to us for something, we have to we have to lift them up as well as fill them up,” Caitríona said.

Ms Twomey said receiving the President’s Award carries “tremendous meaning” for her.

President of Network Cork, Cathy Fitzgibbon, National President of Network Ireland, Amy O’Sullivan, and Vice President of Network Cork, Diane Higgins, with award-winners Enrika Moore, Therese Deane, Sophie Murphy, Gwen Perroud, Tracy McCarthy, Deidre O’Grady, Sue Nelson, Caitríona Twomey, Penny Dinners, and Marilyn Reidy at the annual Network Ireland Cork Businesswoman of the Year Awards.

“As a charity volunteer, I stand alongside people facing immense challenges every day, people who struggle with hunger, people who struggle with homelessness, mental health, addiction, loneliness, illness, et cetera. People whose resilience and courage are what humble me and motivate me.

“To receive the award is a powerful reminder that our collective efforts, whether in business, or in service, truly matter. And it has strengthened my resolve to be a more ionate advocate for wellbeing, equity, and those whose voices often go unheard.”

Caitríona thanked Cathy Fitzgibbon for bestowing her with the award.

“It means so much to me,” she said. “It’s a great reflection on all the volunteers that I’ve been with for years and years. They were the ones that kept me going, and without them, I would be nothing really.”

The Network Cork President’s Award was sponsored by the Radisson Hotel, Little Island.

Thirty women were named as finalists for the Network Ireland Cork Businesswoman of the Year Awards, which took place at the Radisson Hotel, Little Island, last week.

Diane Higgins, Network Ireland Cork Vice President 2025 and awards co-ordinator, said she was “blown away” by the volume and quality of entries for this year’s awards.

Eight businesswomen in Cork were recognised at the event.

Network Ireland Cork Businesswoman of the Year award recipients

Emerging Businesswoman - sponsored by Sian Horn

Deidre O’Grady, AbilityWise

Solo Businesswoman – sponsored by Orla McAndrew

Tracy McCarthy, Naturally Balanced Kinsale

Established Businesswoman - sponsored by NuaFund

Gwen Perroud, Cameron Bakery

Creative Professional Businesswoman - sponsored by Joan Cashman

Sue Nelson, Sue Nelson Designs

STEM Professional category - sponsored by Access Laboratories

Enrika Moore, Viska Systems