Pictured from L to R: Sinead Clarke, Mary McIntyre and Lisa Molloy from Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Offaly, Anna May McHugh from the National Ploughing Association, Terry Prone from The Communications Clinic, Kelly Ging from Kelly Lou Cakes, Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise, LEO Offaly, Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School, and Edel Boyd from LEO Offaly.

Offaly represented at Women's Enterprise Day event in Castle Durrow

Adrian Cusack

Published: Tue 24 Oct 2023, 3:41 PM

Last updated: Tue 24 Oct 2023, 3:44 PM

Women involved in the enterprise sector in Offaly were among more than 200 people in attendance at a National Women’s Enterprise Day event held in Castle Durrow, Laois, on Thursday last.

National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) is an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices which aims to encourage female entrepreneurship and support women in business across the country.

Last week's regional event in Castle Durrow gave women from Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath a chance to network, learn, and be inspired by other women in business.

This is the 17th year of National Women's Enterprise Day, which was established to give women in business and budding female entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their network and find out what support is available to help start and grow their businesses.

The MC for Thursday's event was Ann Marie Kelly, broadcaster and Communications and Marketing Executive with Midlands Ireland.

Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise Offaly, said: "As women in business, we can always learn from each other. Education and support are essential for female entrepreneurs, especially in a competitive environment.

"The Local Enterprise Offices in the Midlands have been providing valuable resources and guidance for the women of the region for many years.

"National Women’s Enterprise Day is a wonderful opportunity for women to network, learn, and inspire each other in business.

"By supporting, uplifting, and empowering one another, we can achieve more than we could alone. It is really important to celebrate and share our experiences, tips, and tricks with other women who want us to succeed."

The keynote speaker for the event was Terry Prone, founder of The Communications Clinic. Also on the day, attendees were treated to a cookery demonstration by Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School which showcased food from the four Midlands counties.

Anna May McHugh, National Ploughing Association Managing Director, spoke about some of her experiences, while Kelly Ging, the founder of Kelly Lou Cakes in Laois, was the event ambassador and told of how the Local Enterprise Office had helped her business to grow.