Offaly woman is named Celebrity Mum of the Year

Published: Fri 23 Oct 2026, 2:42 PM

Lisa McGowan, the force behind Lisa’s Lust List and an Irish entrepreneurial success story, claimed the Woman’s Way and Beko Celebrity Mum of the Year award.

The Offaly woman has built an award-winning business empire and encouraged hundreds of thousands of women to embrace life, style and new opportunities, whatever their age. But behind the glamorous fashion shoots, extraordinary business success and loyal social media following is a woman who has always put family first, and particularly her beloved son, Daragh. The Tullamore native accepted her award at a special lunch at 25 Fitzwilliam Place celebrating Irish mothers and highlighting their contribution across all facets of society, in an afternoon filled with emotion, admiration, laughter and fun.

Lisa spent three decades working in the family insurance business before an unexpected triumph at the Galway Races in 2016, when she won the coveted Best Dressed Lady title, set her on an entirely new path. What began as a passion for fashion blossomed into an extraordinary entrepreneurial success story.

Back for an incredible 23rd year, the Beko Woman’s Way Mum of the Year Awards celebrate Ireland’s amazing mothers and shine a light on women who quietly and consistently make life better, for their families, society and everyone around them, with Beko proudly supporting the awards for more than a decade.

Event host and Chair of the Judging Panel Norah Casey commented: “It is a tremendous pleasure to celebrate Lisa McGowan as the Woman’s Way and Beko Celebrity Mum of the Year 2026. A devoted mum, an inspirational entrepreneur, a champion of women and a fabulous reminder that the best may still be ahead of us. Congratulations, Lisa! What a wonderful example of resilience, determination and ambition she has set for her son.”

Shane O’Connor, Beko Ireland Marketing Manager added: "Congratulations to Lisa on her deserving award. It’s an honour to be involved in the Woman’s Way & Beko Mum of the Year awards, which we are proud to be supporting for the 11th year. Today is a real celebration of Mothers everywhere and it’s a privilege to play a part in the inspirational day. The courage and strength of character from this year’s nominees was phenomenal and we are thrilled to be able to recognise them.”

Additional awards were handed out at the ceremony with Leanne Flynn was awarded the Woman’s Way & Beko Mum of the Year Special Recognition Award and Judie Lopes honoured with Woman’s Way & Beko Champion Award.