Antiques Ireland wins the 2025 Waterford Digital Awards
Waterford Local Enterprise Office, together with Waterford County Council are pleased to announce Antiques Ireland as their 2025 Waterford Digital Awards Overall Winner.
The ceremony, which took place at Dooley’s Hotel on Friday 6th June, aimed to recognise and reward SMEs based in County Waterford who have developed their ecommerce and digital platforms as part of their product offering. The Awards were open to all businesses with less than 50 full time employees based in County Waterford.
Presenting the awards, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Jason Murphy was impressed with the development of Waterford’s digital footprint, “Digital marketing has empowered local businesses here in Waterford. From artisan food producers reaching new markets via Instagram, to tourism campaigns using immersive video to draw global eyes to our beautiful coastlines and historic streets. Digital tools have allowed our community to connect with the world in a faster and smarter way, and more authentically than ever before.”
Antiques Ireland, the overall winner, was first established in Kilmacthomas, County Waterford in 1949 by the late Patrick Keighery as RJK Antiques. Rody Keighery, his son, took over the business in the 1980s and created this renowned antiques shop and auction room with his wife Anne. The business has built a solid reputation, both locally and nationally, based on expertise, experience and integrity.
In recent years Rody’s son, Thomas, has joined the business and added digital platforms to the promotion and execution of browsing and buying the Antiques Ireland collections. This digital marketing has helped bring the auction house to a worldwide audience. They hold auctions about ten times per year, sometimes themed and sometimes general antique. They use social media to bring these to life by educating the public on the beauty and uniqueness of antiques.
Rody was obviously delighted to win the award, “We’ve put so much time and effort into this area of the business over the past few years, it’s great to get it recognised tonight by the Local Enterprise Office, they who helped us so much along the way. We believe we are innovators in the world of antiques and auction houses. We really push the boundaries with our content where we make a mix of information, fun, creativity and occasional comedy to bring the place to life and build a brand around what we sell!
“Social media has changed our business dramatically, when we showcase new items they sometimes sell in minutes and hours and it has driven huge growth across our business. The content has really driven foot traffic to our auction viewing, where people have built a real rapport with us. Most people assume we are in Dublin but we’re proud to fly the flag here in Waterford.”
The winners of each award category were:
1. Best Digital Transformation – Inspiring Excellence
2. Best E-Commerce Business – Murphy Larkin Timber Products
3. Best Use of Social Media – Antiques Ireland
4. Best Digital Marketing Campaign – Liberty Blue
5. Best SEO Strategy – Neg8 Carbon
The winner of each category received €1,000 towards technical advice, photography, videography and marketing. The overall winner received €2,500 in cash.
Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Waterford was delighted with the quality and standard of entries, “Selecting the finalists has proven to be a really difficult task in circumstances where the quality and standard was so high. I want to thank everyone who engaged with the process and congratulate those businesses, innovators and talented professionals who have made it through to the final of the Digital Awards.
“For those who did not make it to the final this time, please know that your contributions are no less valued, and we encourage you to continue striving, growing and sharing your stories. We look forward to seeing your innovative efforts again in next year's awards.
“Digital for Business is an initiative from the Local Enterprise Office designed to give its clients a digital edge. The programme was launched last year and we’re seeing the benefits of it here tonight. Our expert digital consultants have assisted clients through analysis of gaps, exploration of opportunities and guidance in implementation of new digital solutions.”
For further information follow this link www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford, contact LEO Waterford at 051 849905 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie
