Kildare Marks National Women’s Enterprise Day with Female-Led Innovation

National Women’s Enterprise Day 2025 was celebrated in style in County Kildare with a fashion-themed event that brought together 140 women in business for an afternoon of innovation, networking, and empowerment on 16th October.

Hosted by Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and MC’ d by fashion entrepreneur Sonya Lennon, the event was part of a nationwide initiative to spotlight and support women entrepreneurs across Ireland.

This year’s theme, Styled for Success, highlighted the dynamic role women play in Kildare’s fashion industry — a sector where creativity meets enterprise.

The event featured a dynamic programme, including a curated Exhibitor Boutique showcasing Kildare-created brands, a runway show featuring looks from Kildare-based designers and Kildare’s Junk Kouture finalists.

Afternoon tea followed with leadership insights from Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s CEO Mary Blanchfield. Finally, looking to the future, a preview of the vision for the Fashion & Textiles Innovation Hub to open in Monasterevin in 2026 - a bold new initiative designed to support designers, makers, and entrepreneurs in building sustainable, globally competitive businesses in Kildare.

Senior Enterprise Development Officer Claire Dunleavy, spoke at the event to unveil the vision for the Fashion and Textiles Innovation Hub, a new addition to the county’s growing KHub Network: “Located in Monasterevin, the hub will support emerging designers, SMEs, and creative entrepreneurs across the Mideast region. The hub will offer access to digital design tools, tuition, R&D, and textile design. It will embed circular economy principles into fashion and retail, upskill our workforce with tools like CAD, Adobe Suites and AI, collaborate with universities like NCAD and IADT building a pipeline of digitally skilled talent, and most importantly, stimulate local demand and participation in the cultural and creative economy.”

The KHub strategy, outlined in the Local Economic & Community Plan 2024–2026, aims to create inclusive, multi-use spaces that bring enterprise, culture, and community together. The initiative has been shortlisted for an Excellence in Local Government Award, which will take place on November 27.

The event was attended by Senator Aubrey McCarthy, with representatives from Kildare Village, Enterprise Ireland, and in her address to the attendees Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Councillor Carmel Kelly said: “May you leave here inspired to take bold steps in your business journey, and confident in the knowledge that you are part of a powerful network of women who are truly styled for success.”

To access business support from the LEO, please call the LEO Team on 045 980 838.