Agnes Sienkowska from the Kinnegad Plaza was one of the big winners at the National Grocery Management Awards 2026 when she was named ‘Large Forecourt Manager of the Year’.
It was a proud moment for Agnes who joined the Plaza Group eight years ago and has progressed to the role of forecourt retail manager in Kinnegad. The prestigious award recognises her leadership, ambition, dedication and commitment to excellence.
Attended by almost 320 guests at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire on Wednesday, May 13 last, the National Grocery Management Awards is Ireland’s premier scheme for recognising and honouring individual management excellence. To win one is a high point in the career of many of Ireland’s best performing managers from across a variety of categories and at various levels of career progression. The event is also the principal event for managers from across all wholesale brands to gather with colleagues, business partners, suppliers and friends.
“I’m absolutely delighted, but it wouldn’t have happened without the amazing people I work with. It’s a real team effort,” Agnes points out.
“I would like to dedicate this award to the entire team in Kinnegad and the leaders I’ve learned so much from. I manage the SPAR shop and forecourt, and get huge support from assistant store manager Niamh Mooney, site manager Sajid Bukhari as well as operations managers Gavin Moran and Paul Kennedy. Each department has its own manager who I enjoy an excellent working relationship with.
“Our goal is to give the best customer experience and you can only do that with a happy, hard-working team. We employ just under 100 people across the Plaza which increases to over 100 during peak season. We have given many students their first job and they always have a good word to say about their experience.
“We put a huge focus on our team and customers, and that culture comes from the McDonagh family, who own the Plaza Group, and senior management. Everyone that works here is so pleasant and willing to help each other. There is also a fantastic connection with customers. For example, bus operators can ring ahead and know that we’ll have their order ready for them when they arrive.
“It’s just a lovely place to work in. You’re always guaranteed a very warm welcome to Kinnegad.”
A one-stop shop for all your needs when making the journey along the M4, the Kinnegad Plaza was officially opened on May 31 2019 and features a food court consisting of a Supermac’s, Papa John’s Pizza, SuperSubs, Mac’s Place Deli, a Bewley’s Coffee counter as well as a large, spacious seating area over two floors. There is also a SPAR convenience shop and Texaco fuel pumps which are open 24 hours, and eight rapid EV charge points to cater for Ireland’s growing electric car fleet.
Dubbed the ‘best pitstop on the M4’, the Kinnegad Plaza is part of the ever-expanding Plaza Group which operates 13 other sites in Moneygall (Barack Obama Plaza), Tuam (N17 Plaza), Tipperary Town, Kiltullagh (Galway Plaza), Tuamgraney (Brian Boru Service Station), Portlaoise, Mallow, Ennis (Banner Plaza), Loughrea Service Station, Ballyhea Service Station, Charlestown Service Station, Westport Service Station and SPAR Mullingar.
The Plaza Group is one of Ireland’s leading independent motorway and primary route services groups. It was formed by the managing directors of Supermac’s, Pat and Una McDonagh, who have over 40 years’ experience in the sector, offering world-class food and retail services.
The variety of choice on the menu means there is something tasty and tempting at the Plazas for everybody. The Plazas serve fresh coffee from their barista, while their attention to quality and service means that the deli offering at Mac’s Place Deli is going from strength to strength. Key to the Group’s success is a strong relationship with customers. What the Plazas offer is driven by customer demand.
Agnes came to Ireland from Poland over 20 years ago and spent 12 years with Dunnes Stores in Galway before joining the Plaza Group in 2018. She initially worked in the Galway Plaza and then at the nearby Loughrea Service Station before taking up her current role in Kinnegad last year. Anges’ retail journey began back home in Poland where she cut her teeth with SPAR and IKEA.
“There were only four Plazas when I came on board, with the Barack Obama Plaza being the first to open 12 years ago. It’s growing all the time and getting better and better,” the award-winning forecourt retail manager says.
“Since arriving in Kinnegad, and with the full support and trust of Pat McDonagh, I’ve completely changed the layout of the SPAR store. It’s working well and there are more changes to come, including the installation of self-service kiosks in Supermac’s which will speed up things, especially when you have big crowds stopping off after matches and concerts.
“We also have plans to add extra EV charge points and to carry out further improvements to the forecourt. It’s an exciting time for everyone involved.”
As the Kinnegad Plaza continues to go from strength to strength, Agnes would like to take this opportunity to thank its customers, suppliers and staff for all their support.
Kinnegad Plaza
Kinnegad,
Co. Westmeath,
N91 N9YR.
Telephone: 044 937 9020
First published in Grocery & Retail Ireland magazine Vol 5 No 3, Autumn 2026
