Local business wins regional title at 2026 Octabuild Awards

Ganly’s Athlone has been named regional winner for Connacht, Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan at the 2026 Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards.

The Athlone business was recognised at the all-island awards, held in the Round Room at Dublin’s Mansion House on Thursday, October 1st, where more than 350 guests from across the builders merchant and construction sectors gathered to celebrate excellence across the industry.

Judges Phil Derby and Steve Collinge said Ganly’s Athlone impressed across nearly every area assessed, highlighting particularly strong performance in leadership, ongoing investment, customer service, product offering and availability, and community engagement. They also recognised the culture of staff retention and development running through the branch.

As regional winner of the Connacht/Donegal/Monaghan/Cavan Award, Ganly’s Athlone went forward for consideration for the overall Octabuild Award for Excellence 2026 alongside the other three regional winners — Chadwicks Sallynoggin, Cork Builders Providers, Togher and JP Corry Springfield Road, Belfast.

The overall Award was won by Cork Builders Providers.

Octabuild Chairperson Mike Glennon congratulated Ganly’s Athlone and all those recognised at this year’s awards.

“On behalf of Octabuild, I congratulate all of our 2026 winners and everyone recognised at this year’s Awards. I also want to acknowledge every merchant and individual who took part and the considerable effort they put into the awards.

"We expanded the awards this year to recognise excellence right across the sector — from how businesses are evolving to the contribution of the people behind them. This year attracted the highest number of entries in Octabuild Awards history, reflecting strong engagement from builders merchants across the island of Ireland.” 

The 2026 awards were judged by an independent panel comprising Phil Derby, Steve Collinge, Brian McIntyre and Lorraine Higgins. The expanded programme recognised excellence across the builders merchant sector, from customer experience and operational excellence to sustainability, digital innovation and the contribution of individuals.

Hosted by broadcaster and sports presenter Jacqui Hurley, the Awards brought together builders merchants from across the island with Octabuild’s eight member companies — Bostik, Etex Ireland, Glennon Brothers, Grant, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Keystone and Kingspan Insulation.