On a glorious autumn day, over 100 female entrepreneurs came together for a networking event in Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown to celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day. Organised by the Local Enterprise Offices in Carlow and Kilkenny, it was one of sixteen events organised around the country with over 1,200 entrepreneurs participating.

“From local to global” was the theme for National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED), and this year’s female ambassador for the region Catherine Roycroft Chief Operations Officer with Cartoon Saloon outlined how this is achievable. She explained how the award winning animation company started from humble beginnings in 1999 to become an international acclaimed 3 times Oscar nominated studio. She stressed the importance of networking for success “Attend every networking event going. Pitch to everyone at every opportunity”.

Networking was the key element at this event as the attendees participated in break out activities that involved unlocking challenges and team participation. Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny said: “Studies show that networking provides positive support for female entrepreneurs. Events such as the National Women’s Enterprise Day offer female entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their successes and it provides an opportunity to share viewpoints and find out more about the supports of offer”.

Special guests include Dr. Sinead Kane, acclaimed double Guinness world record holder, visually impaired athlete, & qualified lawyer and also actress/comedian and TV presenter Deirdre O’Kane. Sinead had an inspirational story to tell and her focus on her abilities rather than disabilities has helped her to achieve much success. The MC for the afternoon session Eimear O’Bhraonain, KCLR96Fm hosted an interview with the talented actress/comedian Deirdre O’Kane who outlined a number of opportunities and challenges she faced along her career path to date. Other guest speakers included the Chief Executives of both Carlow County Council, Kathleen Holohan and Kilkenny County Council, Colette Byrne.

National Women’s Enterprise Day is an annual initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices for in its 12^th year and is supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities Network. Further information on the supports available to small businesses and start-ups is available through www.localenterprise.ie.

For all the photographs of the day go to our Flickr account  https://www.flickr.com/photos/149853231@N05/albums