CLARE BUSINESS MAKES HAY AT PLOUGHING 2023
Liscannor business, Moher Cottage got the chance to exhibit to over 200,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships last week as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
Moher Cottage who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare are located beside the Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way. It’s a destination gift store, manufacturing and selling their own fudge, prints and gifts under their ‘Moher Cottage’ brand. Founded by Caitriona and Kevin Considine, with decades of hospitality and business experience between them, spotted the need for a new visitor experience for those visiting and living in Co. Clare. Moher Cottage is also online on www.MoherCottage.com
The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) will saw over 30 small businesses from across the country take a stand in the Local Enterprise Village in the heart of the Ploughing Championships, opening their businesses up to over 200,000 prospective customers across the 3 days of the event.
And the Local Enterprise Village was very much the place to visit across the week as it welcomed well known faces from Nevin Maguire and Minister Simon Coveney to President Michael D Higgins and An Tanaiste, Micheal Martin.
Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise Clare said “The National Ploughing Championship is one of the biggest occasions on the Irish calendar and there are very few events that draw a crowd as large as this over 3 days. For Moher Cottage this was a huge opportunity to engage with thousands of prospective customers and this could have a significant impact on their business.”
Some of the clients involved this year covered areas such a kids clothing & games, agtech products, luxury bathing and skincare products, artisan food and drink producers, sustainable clothing and beauty products and range of innovative products from Ireland’s best small businesses. Year on year the Local Enterprise Village has proven to be one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Ploughing Championships.
The Local Enterprise Village is just one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 25,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie
