In order to illuminate the work that social entrepreneurs are doing in Ireland, we run an annual awards ceremony which brings our work and the work of our Awardees to a wider audience, increasing the awareness of and support for social entrepreneurship in business, government and non-profit sectors. 

Nearly 400 people were in attendance on Wednesday 19th October 2011 as we celebrated the achievements of our 2011 Awardees. The Exchange on Gardiner Street in Dublin was a fitting venue for the evening. The night opened with this great three minute video introduction to social entrepreneurship.

There were a total of eight social entrepreneurs awarded on the night. Our three 'Impact Leaders' for 2011 are Michael Kelly of GIY (Grow It Yourself) Ireland, Seán Love of Fighting Words and Michelle O'Donnell Keating and Niamh Gallagher of Women for Election. The five winners of the Elevator Programme were also announced - you can read all about them here.

We were delighted to be joined by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D. on the night. He provided great encouragement to all the social entrepreneurs and praised the work of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. 

Tom Suddes of For Impact | The Suddes Group was the keynote speaker, who entertained us with inspirational stories of the impact that social entrepreneurs are making around the world.