Ciara Crossan (WeddingDates Founder and CEO) has been named NETWORKER OF THE YEAR AT the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026.
WeddingDates and WedPro is proud to share that Founder and CEO, Ciara Crossan, has been recognised as a Networker of the Year at the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026. The prestigious awards ceremony took place on Saturday, 16th May 2026 at the beautiful Kingsley Hotel, Cork.
A highlight of the Cork business calendar, this prestigious event brings together members, finalists, and guests for an evening of recognition, inspiration, and meaningful connection within Cork’s vibrant business community.
Being named a top networker is a significant milestone for Ciara, whose leadership journey has been shaped by a strong belief in the power of relationships, collaboration, and community. As the founder of WeddingDates, and creator of WedPro The Wedding CRM she has built a business rooted in helping venues connect with couples, and she continues to champion connection as a key driver of long-term growth.
We were delighted to see Ciara recognised at the recent Cork business awards, where she was named Networker of the Year. As the judges noted on the night, she is “a very successful and professional business leader who uses networking as an integral element in her business and professional life,” while also actively mentoring other women and supporting charitable causes. The award reflects not only Ciara’s commitment to building meaningful connections across Cork’s vibrant business community, but also her dedication to helping others grow and succeed. It was a well-deserved recognition and a proud moment to celebrate alongside so many inspiring business leaders from across the region.
Inspired by this year’s theme, ‘Better Together,’ the evening celebrates the strength, support, and success that come from connection. It’s a tribute to the power of community, where women in business uplift one another, share their journeys, and achieve more side by side.
Ciara has long been an advocate for networking and mentorship, both online and in person. From attending events as a mentee early in her career to supporting and mentoring other women in business today, she understands how powerful the right community can be in shaping confidence, opening doors, and accelerating progress.
Networking is part of who I am. I just love meeting people, making new connections, the buzz of finding something in common with someone, the joy of a shared laugh. So I was genuinely thrilled to be recognised as Networker of the Year by Network Cork, an organisation that I am proud to be associated with.
WeddingDates was also proud to sponsor the Emerging New Businesswoman category at this year’s awards, celebrating the next generation of ambitious founders and leaders who are building exciting businesses across Cork and beyond. Supporting this category aligns closely with Ciara’s personal commitment to championing innovation, entrepreneurship, and women-led growth in Irish business. We want to give a huge congratulations to winner Dawn Holton from Holton Homes & Properties for scooping that award after 2 years in business.
As a company founded and led in Cork, WeddingDates is honoured to play a role in an event that shines a spotlight on the talent, resilience, and achievements of women across the region. It’s a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when the business community comes together to support and celebrate one another.
A familiar face across social media, Ciara continues to use platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to share insights, highlight industry achievements, and promote opportunities for women in business. Her network extends beyond Cork, connecting with business communities across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, and globally through her participation in the EY Winning Women programme.
For WeddingDates, this recognition reflects the company’s continued commitment to building meaningful partnerships across the wedding and hospitality industry and to supporting the people behind the businesses shaping the sector.
Ciara will now go on to represent the Cork branch in the Network Ireland national awards happening in September.
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