As most readers of this blog know, I was going to the Net Visionary Awards ceremony in Clontarf Castle the other evening.
The event “kicked off” shortly after 6pm with a reception in Clontarf Castle and was followed by the awards’ ceremony, dinner and general shindig.
The headline sponsors Cheetahmail had brought over a “cheetah”, which attracted a lot of attention.
The full list of winners is available on the Netvisionary site, but to save you clicking I am reproducing it below:
Social Contribution
John Breslin ~ Boards.ie . www.boards.ie
Technology Journalist
John Kennedy ~ siliconrepublic.com . www.siliconrepublic.com
Innovation
Eamonn & Brian Fallon ~ Daft.ie . www.daft.ie
eGovernment
Alan Kelly ~ FailteIreland – www.failteireland.ie
Internet Marketer
Conor Lynch ~ RaboDirect – www.rabodirect.ie
Web Designer
Lisa Westermann ~ Red Sky . www.redsky.ie
Web Developer
Kevin Gill ~ NewAddress.ie . www.newaddress.ie
Online Trader
Des O’Mahony ~ bookassist.com . www.bookassist.com
Educational Contribution
John Hurley and Michael Hallissy ~ Teach Net / Digital Hub . www.teachnet.ie
Internet Enterpreneur
Eamonn & Brian Fallon ~ Daft.ie . www.daft.ie
Mobile Internet Application
Barry O’Neill ~ Upstart Games . www.upstartgames.com
The Board of the IIA voted Brendan Rice of Aer Lingus as the Overall Net Visionary for 2005
One of the many things I enjoyed about the evening (and I must say I had a really great night!) was meeting up with people whom I’ve been dealing with in one capacity or another for the last couple of years. A glance at the category sponsors and nominees would give you an idea of who could have been there, but there were so many more people besides!
It was also interesting to meet up with Barry O’ Neill again after 20 years!
The awards ceremony was short and to the point – which is the way these things should be in my opinion.
IIA chairman, Colm Lyons, made a couple of short speeches which were, as usual, entertaining.
If you ever felt that the skill of public speaking is dying then you obviously have never seen Colm in action. The man’s oratory skills are second to none. He is in charge of a very successful company, but he never uses his position in the IIA to further his own company. He may not need to, but the fact that he doesn’t try to abuse his position is one of the many reasons why I hold the man in such high regard.
The new CEO of the IIA, Fergal O’Byrne, acted as MC for the evening.
We were sponsoring a category, so I was watching the first few awards waiting to be called up to the podium.
Once I’d presented the award I had to wait and see if I had won.
I didn’t win- *sniff*, but to be perfectly frank I am very happy that I was shortlisted.
Unlike other awards I feel that the Net Visionary awards are a real reflection of what your industry peers and the public think – the Oscars of the Irish internet.
Once the awards ceremony and dinner was over we adjourned to the bars and the festivities continued on until the early hours of Friday morning.
I’ve spoken to our guests – after allowing “recovery” time and they all agreed that it was a very enjoyable night out, so I’m glad. I had a wholly enjoyable night as well and am looking forward to next year already.
Hugh
I know quite a few people had cameras and camera phones, so I’ve asked for any photos that are available…
Yes Michele, a great night indeed – I may even go again next year for the craic!
It’d be nice to see some pictures – the odd ‘mover and shaker’ was shamefully worse for wear!
H
*kicks himself* Yeah I should have brought a camera come to think of it.
It was my first time there, but what a great night. Thought the comedian was amazing.
Really enjoyed meeting everyone and already looking forward to next year’s event.
It is always fun to catch up with so many members of the OPEN mailing list.
Ross – it was great seeing you again and it’s always fun to meet the OPEN crew in real life 🙂
Most of them are quite human
Ross – It’s all good!
Michele, yeah I was delighted to see that the place wasn’t full of the wrong kind of geeks – by and large lots of marketeers and crafty entrepreneurs who simply use the internet as their tool of choice when making crafty money.
Colm Lyon(S)’ speech was inded entertaining, especially the bit where he lashed out at other internet ‘awards’. He’s totally right.