Dingle Sea Salt founders Tom and Moe.
Aileen and Bill of Tom Crean Brewery.
Two standout small businesses from Kerry are in the running for a prestigious award.
Tom Crean Brewery Kenmare and Dingle Sea Salt have both been named as finalists in the sustainability category of the Small Business Awards.
Tom Crean Brewery is known for its craft beers brewed in honour of founder Aileen’s famous grandfather. With a focus on energy efficiency and waste reduction, it has been steadily growing its sustainable practices while championing local tourism and community engagement.
Dingle Sea Salt, proudly hand-harvesting sea salt from pure Atlantic waters, has become a model for low-impact production and environmentally conscious food entrepreneurship on the western seaboard.
The Kerry companies are among the six businesses in the running for the sustainability category.
Nearly every other category of the Small Business Awards allows for companies with more than 50 employees and, in being selected as finalists, the two owner-run ‘micro-businesses’ have been recognised for their sustainable practices and the impact they have on their communities.
The founders of each company credit their county’s natural beauty as a source of inspiration.
“When you work every day with the Atlantic on your doorstep and the mountains at your back, you feel a responsibility to protect it,” said the founders of Tom Crean Brewery and Dingle Sea Salt in a joint statement.
“Our surroundings are not just a location; they are the heart of what we do. Being recognised for sustainability means a great deal because it reflects our commitment to preserving this place for generations to come.”
The winners of the Small Business Awards will be announced at a national ceremony in March 2026.