The Armada, a cherished landmark on the Wild Atlantic Way, has been awarded Local Business of the Year at the Irish Times Business Awards, held in association with Bank of Ireland. The award was presented at a prestigious ceremony in the Round Room of the Mansion House in Dublin.

The winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges chaired by Anne Sheehan, Executive at Microsoft.

Owner of the Armada John Burke, highlighted how meaningful this award is, not only for the Armada but for the entire hospitality industry. It demonstrates the resilience of hotels to overcome challenges and showcases the industry’s creativity and innovation in navigating adversity.

He said: “At the Armada, we take immense pride in what we achieve every day, but we also see endless potential to further develop and enhance our standards.  We are deeply rooted in a community we are proud to belong to, and we recognise that without the support of this community—especially in the early days—we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

He added: “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Armada team. We are fortunate to have a talented and diverse team of over 200 people, with 80% living locally and actively contributing to the social and economic vitality of the area.”

A Leader in Sustainability and Community Impact 

The Armada proudly stands as Ireland’s first B Corp certified hotel, showcasing its dedication to balancing profit with purpose. The B Corp certification, which emphasises environmental sustainability and social impact, has enabled the hotel to set new standards within the hospitality industry.

“We chose the B Corp framework because it challenges us to go beyond profitability and focus on creating a positive impact on our community and environment. We feel it holds us accountable while encouraging transparency about areas we are still working to improve,” Burke added.

A standout aspect of the hotel’s B Corp journey has been its contribution to Local Economic Development. With 80% of its team residing within 10km of the hotel and 76% of its 248 suppliers located within a 100km radius, the Armada’s impact on the local economy and community is profound.

The Armada also recently excelled at the Gold Medal Awards for the Irish hospitality industry, a distinguished event attended by 650 guests at a black-tie ceremony. The hotel secured first place across all categories of Irish hotels for sustainability,second place among Ireland’s four-star hotels, and third place for casual dining with its Ocean Bar.

Community at the Heart of Success  

Located in the scenic Spanish Point, the Armada’s connection to West Clare is a core part of its identity.

Burke said: “Our people and place are what make us unique. I believe our team’s warmth and their dedication to go above and beyond for customers are some of the reasons our guests return”

The Armada’s dedication to community was evident during Storm Éowyn, when it offered accommodation to vulnerable individuals, provided showers to over 500 people, and created a welcoming lounge and leisure space with refreshments for the local community.

It remains committed to constant progress. With its vision firmly rooted in sustainability, community integration, and business excellence, the future looks bright for this beloved Co Clare institution.