Over 300 inspiring female entrepreneurs gathered in Fingal yesterday for the annual National Women's Enterprise Day (NWED) event. Hosted by Local Enterprise Office Fingal on behalf of the four Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in Dublin, the regional event showcased the vibrant and growing community of women-led businesses in Ireland.
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Emer Higgins opened the event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown. In her keynote address, Minister Higgins highlighted the significant contributions of female entrepreneurs to the Irish economy and emphasised the government's commitment to supporting their growth and success.
Minister Higgins said this of the event - “National Women’s Enterprise Day is not just for those women who currently own or run a business, it’s for all women who have a business idea and need encouragement to take that first step. The net positive of National Women’s Enterprise Day has been the cultivation of an entire generation of Women entrepreneurs who are empowered with the skills, belief and supports to start and grow successful businesses.”
| The Dublin event featured inspiring keynotes from renowned female entrepreneurs Oonagh O'Hagan (Owner and MD of Meaghers Pharmacy Group) and Lorraine Heskin (Founder and CEO of Gourmet Food Parlour), covering the topics of Gut Health for Business Success and the Essential Ingredients for Sustainable Business Growth, respectively. Breda McCague (CEO of Aiming4Awesome) and Fiona Buckley (CEO of The She Speaks Agency) delivered a captivating joint session to empower attendees to unleash their inner networker. |  |
 |
A dynamic panel discussion featured four trailblazing entrepreneurs from across the region - Michelle O'Keefe (Platform 55), Alicia Garrigan (GirlGottaChange), Niamh Tallon (Hersport.ie), and Aisling Tuck (Naked Bakes), who shared their entrepreneurial journeys. Joined by Margaret Halligan, Dublin Regional Executive of Enterprise Ireland, they offered a frank and inspiring discussion on building successful businesses. |
The session delved into the challenges they faced - from overcoming initial hurdles to scaling and navigating international markets. Each entrepreneur shared their unique story, highlighting the invaluable support they received from Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).
Margaret Halligan, Dublin Regional Executive of Enterprise Ireland shed light on the extensive support available to female entrepreneurs. Her insights on funding programmes, mentorship, and other resources resonated with the audience, aligning perfectly with the event's theme of "Making It Happen.” |  |
 | The event also provided a wealth of knowledge through informational stands from several key organisations, including Local Enterprise Office, Enterprise Ireland, Microfinance Ireland, InterTrade Ireland, Empower, Revenue, Intreo, TrailblazHER, TU Dublin and AwakenHub.
The event was expertly hosted by the TV personality and broadcaster Mary Kennedy. Her wit, warmth, and humour created a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for all attendees. |
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh who welcomed everyone to the event, said that "National Women’s Enterprise Day is a testament to the incredible talent and determination of female entrepreneurs in our region. It’s an honour to celebrate their achievements and provide a platform for them to connect, inspire, and reach new heights in their businesses. Fingal County Council is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs and creating a dynamic environment where they can flourish."
Speaking at the event, AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, said, "We are delighted to host such a remarkable event in Fingal. Initiatives such as NWED are essential for fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Bringing together businesswomen from all walks of life creates a sense of community, inspires each other, and drives economic growth in our region. The fact that nationally 24,000 Females representing 65% of participants have participated in Local Enterprise Office programmes is a testament to the ambition of women to create successful, thriving businesses”.
 |  |
Oisín Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise in Fingal, explained, "NWED is a cornerstone of the Local Enterprise Office calendar. It allows us to highlight the success stories of women who continue to do amazing things in business across every sector. The day itself is a way for businesswomen to network, share tips, and encourage each other. Starting and growing a business can be daunting, so NWED gives those thinking of taking the step the chance to learn from female entrepreneurs who have been in that position and understand that the support is there if you ask for it. The hardest part is taking that first step, and when you speak to your Local Enterprise Office, you will quickly see the support is there to help you make your idea a reality.”
Local Enterprise Office Fingal:
Email: info@leo.fingal.ie
Phone: (01) 8900 800
Address: First Floor, County Hall, Main street, Swords, Co. Dublin K67 X8Y2
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 09:00 - 17:00
Closed: Lunch: 13:00 - 14:00 Weekends & Bank Holidays
Local Enterprise Office (LEO)
Local Enterprise Office Fingal (LEO Fingal) is part of a network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide, located within the Local Authority structure. The Fingal office is one of the largest and most active LEOs in the country. The role of the LEO is to support and aid existing and potential small business promotors located in Fingal, North County Dublin. In addition, LEO Fingal aims to foster the development of an enterprise culture. The LEOs operate under a Service Level Agreement with Enterprise Ireland and are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
