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National Women’s Enterprise Day to Inspire Carlow and Kilkenny Entrepreneurs

National Women’s Enterprise Day to Inspire Carlow and Kilkenny Entrepreneurs

Female entrepreneurs across Carlow and Kilkenny are encouraged to register for National Women’s Enterprise Day on Thursday, 16th October. Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) will host events nationwide, celebrating women in business and offering expert insights on sustainability, innovation, marketing, and scaling.

This year’s theme, “She Means Business,” aims to inspire women to explore self-employment or grow their existing ventures. Events will feature successful female founders, business leaders, and thought-provoking speakers.

The Carlow-Kilkenny event takes place at The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, in collaboration with Network Ireland Kilkenny. It will be hosted by Eimear Ní Bhraonáin, with keynote speaker Laurie Winkless, a bestselling author, science journalist, and entrepreneur whose global communications work supports Nobel laureates, engineers, and astronauts.

The panel includes:

  • Margaret Valette O’Connor, award-winning business consultant and former MD of Quigley’s Bakery, who scaled the business to 18 locations and 195 staff.
  • Emma Butler, founder of White Meadow Interiors and event ambassador, who brings a unique blend of interior design and project management expertise.
  • Sarah Butler, SuperValu Brand Ambassador, bestselling cookbook author, home cook, and content creator, known for her engaging food and lifestyle content.

Local leaders are voicing strong support:

  1. , Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, said the event “celebrates the creativity and determination of women entrepreneurs” and encourages more women to take the leap into business.

Paula O’Brien, Director of Services, Carlow County Council, highlighted “the ambition and resilience of women-led businesses in the region”.

Aisling Carey, Business Advisor at LEO Kilkenny, encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to “believe in your idea, seek advice early, and connect with others.”

Cáit Mackey-Maher, President of Network Ireland Kilkenny, described the day as “a movement” that amplifies women’s voices and breaks down barriers.

LEOs continue to support entrepreneurship through initiatives like Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, and the Student Enterprise Programme. Since 2014, they’ve helped create over 75,000 jobs across Ireland.

For more information and to register, visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED

For further information:

For more information on National Women's Enterprise Day and to register for the event, please visit

https://www.localenterprise.ie/Kilkenny/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/National-Women-s-Enterprise-Day.html

For further inquiries, Aisling Carey, Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office aisling.carey@leo.kilkennycoco.ie

              National Women’s Enterprise Day to Inspire Carlow and Kilkenny Entrepreneurs

Photographs:

Top left from left. Paula O’Brien, Director of Services for Economic Development with Carlow County Council, Aisling Carey, Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny, Norah Ryan, President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Ardian Malaj, Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny.

Top Right from top left. Paula O’Brien, Statia O’Carroll, Anne Barbour, Ardian Malaj, Sandra Blanchfield, Luisa Golz, Aisling Carey, Cait Mackey Maher, Norah Ryan and Karina Cahill.

Bottom left from left. Statia O’Carroll, Luisa Golz, Paula O’Brien, Aisling Carey, Norah Ryan, Cait Mackey Maher, Karina Cahill, Ardian Malaj, Anne Barbour (Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce president) and Sandra Blanchfield.

Bottom Right: Anne Barbour and Aisling Carey.

 

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