They might not always get the applause, but Ireland’s cleaning professionals deserve their moment in the spotlight.
And on Friday, October 16th, it was their turn to shine!
The ICCA Industry Awards 2026 brought together Ireland’s cleaning stars, companies and suppliers for a special celebration at the Round Room in Dublin’s Mansion House, recognising the hardworking people who keep Ireland sparkling.
Recognising excellence
Hosted by comedian Mario Rosenstock, the event celebrated Ireland’s cleaning stars.
Organised by the Irish Contract Cleaning Association (ICCA), the biennial awards recognise an industry employing over 30,000 people nationwide. This year, 32 awards were presented across 13 categories, including three overall honours.
Jillian Wilson of the ICCA said, “Cleaning is work that most people only notice when it isn’t done. The people honoured keep hospitals safe, campuses open and workplaces running, and many of them have built long careers doing it. These awards are our industry’s way of saying thank you, and of showing what a career in cleaning can look like.”
Independent judges Lynn Webster and Lorraine Larman had the tough job of picking the winners, reviewing entries and visiting sites to see the fantastic work firsthand.
A sparkling celebration
There was plenty of excitement as cleaning professionals from across the country received recognition for their hard work.
And there were some brilliant stories behind this year’s achievements.
Derrycourt’s Alin Gavriliu was named Rising Star, having progressed from cleaner to hospital site manager, leading over 150 operatives.
Meanwhile, Bidvest Noonan swept all three Retail Buildings awards at Kildare Village, including operative Agnieszka Sadlak, who has gone an incredible 18 years without a sick day!
There was also recognition for specialist cleaning teams working in some of the most challenging environments, showing just how varied and important the work of cleaning professionals can be.
Whether they’re just starting out or have spent decades in the industry, these hardworking individuals certainly deserve a round of applause.
More than just a clean sweep
The awards also celebrated the clever ideas, new technology and training helping to move Ireland’s cleaning industry forward.
From a digital platform bringing 21 separate systems into one to companies investing in staff development, there was plenty of innovation to celebrate.
Smaller cleaning businesses also got their moment in the spotlight, proving that you don’t have to be one of the industry’s biggest names to make a big impression.
This year’s categories and winners
Educational Buildings
● Winning Operative: Marcus Santos of Grosvenor Services for Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
● Winning Supervisor: Faye Diggins of ABC Cleaning Services & Supplies for Munster Technological University
● Winning Site: University College Dublin for Bidvest Noonan
Healthcare – Acute
● Winning Operative: Natalia Frunza of Derrycourt for CHI at Tallaght
● Winning Supervisor: Victoria Hemei of Derrycourt for CHI at Tallaght
● Winning Site: CHI at Tallaght for Derrycourt
Healthcare – Non-Acute
● Winning Operative: Maria Porca of Derrycourt for St Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park
● Winning Supervisor: Ivan Varga of Derrycourt for St Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park
● Winning Site: St Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park for Derrycourt
Manufacturing / Industrial
● Winning Operative: Mate Pusztai of ABC Cleaning Services & Supplies for Temmler Ireland pharmaceutical plant
● Winning Supervisor: Ann Marie O’Doherty of Bidvest Noonan for MSD Vaccines Facility
● Winning Site: Temmler Ireland pharmaceutical plant for ABC Cleaning Services & Supplies
Retail Buildings
● Winning Operative: Agnieszka Sadlak of Bidvest Noonan for Kildare Village
● Winning Supervisor: Daniel Juszkiewicz of Bidvest Noonan for Kildare Village
● Winning Site: Kildare Village for Bidvest Noonan
Offices Over 50,001 sq. ft.
● Winning Operative: Ana Lucaci Valerica of Samsic Facility for LinkedIn, 4 Wilton Park
● Winning Supervisor: Floare Pascu of Samsic Facility for LinkedIn, 4 Wilton Park
● Winning Site: Global technology client for Derrycourt
Offices Up to 50,000 sq. ft.
● Winning Operative: Olga Vavzinaka of Samsic Facility for Pinterest Dublin office
● Winning Supervisor: Eva Kekesne Gulyas of Samsic Facility for Pinterest Dublin office
● Winning Site: Pinterest Dublin office for Samsic Facility
Best Cleaned Premises by a Small Company
● Winning Operative: Gabriela Beatrice Cojocariu of Domestic and General Property Support Services for Lansdowne Place
● Winning Supervisor: Sabina Knap of SeaClean for Indeed at Capital Dock
● Winning Site: Indeed at Capital Dock for SeaClean
Special Awards
Training & People Development Award
Winner: Aramark
Technological Innovation / Digital Transformation Award
Winner: TASK Digital Operations Platform, Bidvest Noonan
Support Staff Award
Winner: Derrycourt WMT Team
Rising Star Award
Winner: Alin Gavriliu of Derrycourt
Cleaning Team of the Year Award
Winner: Derrycourt Crime Scene Cleaning Team
Overall Awards
● Overall Winning Site Cleaning Operative: Ana Lucaci Valerica of Samsic Facility for LinkedIn, 4 Wilton Park
● Overall Winning Site Supervisor: Eva Kekesne Gulyas of Samsic Facility for Pinterest Dublin office
● Overall Winning Site: University College Dublin for Bidvest Noonan
Supporting excellence across the industry
Of course, a celebration like the ICCA Industry Awards wouldn’t be possible without the support of industry sponsors, and leading the way was headline sponsor Bunzl Ireland.
Eoin O’Donnell of Bunzl Ireland said, “Sponsoring these awards aligns with our commitment to raising standards and celebrating the outstanding efforts of professionals who work tirelessly to maintain clean, safe, and healthy spaces for all.”
The event was also supported by gold sponsor MG Hygiene, silver sponsors Kärcher and Diversey, and bronze sponsors Bailey Hygiene, Contico, ICE, Kimberly-Clark Professional, Tork, and Wipeout.
The ICCA Industry Awards are a chance to celebrate the hardworking people who keep Ireland’s hospitals, schools, offices and public spaces clean, safe and welcoming every day.
The awards are a reminder of the talent, dedication and pride that go into keeping Ireland looking its best.
A huge congratulations to all the winners, finalists and everyone who works hard to keep Ireland sparkling!
If you would like to learn more about the ICCA and the work they do in supporting the Irish contract cleaning industry, or if you are interested in becoming a member or supplier to the Association, please contact info@irishcontractcleaningassociation.ie