Recognising the extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication of its workforce, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland have officially revealed the 2026 recipients of their prestigious National Achievement Awards.
This annual celebration honours the remarkable colleagues who consistently go above and beyond across the retailer's entire island-wide network, spanning its 190 stores, Head Office in Tallaght and three distribution centres and regional offices.
The spectacular event was held at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road on April 21st, hosted by comedian Andrew Ryan. A total of 25 awards were presented to outstanding winners on the night, headlined by the prestigious Lidl Impact Awards and the top award of the night, the Lidl Legend.
The ultimate honour of the evening, the Lidl Legend award, was presented to Bridget Dunican from Ballinasloe by Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Ryan. With an impressive 23 years of service at the company, Bridget was selected from a workforce of over 6,000 employees for her exceptional commitment to Lidl’s mission.
This top-tier award honours her as a true champion of the company's core values, reflecting both her long-standing professional excellence and the profound impact she has made on her local community. After receiving the award Bridget added "I am absolutely blown away and incredibly honoured to receive this award. Having been part of the Lidl family for 23 years, I have so much pride in the work we do every day—especially at the Ballinasloe store, where my colleagues and our customers feel like a second family. This award is a testament to the unbelievable solidarity and hard work of everyone I’ve worked alongside over the years, and I’m just so proud to be part of this team."
The ceremony also celebrated the phenomenal success of the Lidl Impact Award winners:
Lidl Impact Customer First Champion Eleanor Nakonieczny, a Customer Assistant at the Mallow store, took home the Customer First Champion award. Eleanor was recognised for being the beating heart of her store for over 20 years, consistently going above and beyond to ensure every customer feels welcomed and valued. Upon winning, Eleanor said: "After 20 years in Mallow, our customers truly feel like family to me. I've always believed that a simple smile and a welcoming attitude can turn someone's day around, and I’m so incredibly proud to bring that energy to the tills every single day."
Mark McGuire, a Supply Chain Analyst based in Lidl’s Nutts Corner RDC, won the Inclusion & Belonging Champion award. Mark was commended for humanising the LGBTQ+ experience and reframing inclusion as "quiet, ordinary moments" through his deeply relatable "No Big Deal" article shared with colleagues. Mark shared on the night: "I wanted to show that true belonging isn't just about corporate initiatives; it’s about the quiet, ordinary moments we share every day. Sharing my story was a big step, but seeing how it helped others understand authentic allyship has been the greatest reward."
Lidl Ireland’s Ballymahon Store Manager Katalin Laszay took home the title of Most Inspirational Leader. Katalin was nominated for creating a deeply positive and inclusive work environment, where she leads by example and helps her team members grow to reach their full potential. Accepting her award, Katalin noted: "This award really belongs to the whole Ballymahon team. My goal has always been to create an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to contribute, and seeing my team succeed is what inspires me the most."
The Lidl Impact Work Safe Live Well Ambassador award was earned by Jude Healy, Deputy Logistics Manager at the Newbridge regional distribution centre. Jude was recognised for her outstanding impact in welcoming and onboarding new starters, providing a listening ear, and fostering a supportive culture. Jude commented: "Starting a new role can be daunting, so I’ve always made it my mission to ensure every new starter feels safe, supported, and welcomed from day one. A positive first impression sets the tone for our entire culture."
Paudie Byrne, Sales Operations Manager for the Mullingar region, has been honored with the Lidl Impact Community Hero award for his incredible support of Lidl’s official charity partner Family Carer’s Ireland. As the powerhouse behind last June’s massive charity spinathon, Paudie managed the complex logistics and rallied teams across the Mullingar region to raise a staggering €125,000. His leadership was instrumental in helping Lidl achieve its ambitious €1 million fundraising goal during the first year of the partnership. Paudie said: "Organising the spinathon was a massive challenge, but hitting our one-million-euro goal for Family Careers Ireland made every single second worth it. This award is a testament to the unbelievable team spirit and hard work of everyone who got out of their comfort zones to take part."
Lidl’s Annual Employee Achievement Awards provide an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the remarkable efforts of colleagues across all areas of the business.
Lidl currently employs a workforce of more than 6,000 people across the island of Ireland within its 235 stores, four regional distribution centres, and its Head Office in Tallaght. The company was recently recognised as a ‘Top Employer’ by the Top Employers Institute for the sixth consecutive year, and also earned the title of Most Reputable Retailer in the 2025 RepTrak Ireland study.
For more information, please visit www.lidl.ie.
