Kildare County Council Marks 20 Years of Championing Women in Business

Female entrepreneurs from across County Kildare will come together on1 5 October at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge to celebrate 20 years of National Women’s Enterprise Day. This year’s event, Going Global – Her Way, focuses on the growing ambition of Irish women entrepreneurs to expand their businesses into international markets.

Hosted by Kildare County Council's Local Enterprise Office, the event will bring together female entrepreneurs at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from those exploring exporting opportunities to established businesswomen already trading internationally.

Over the past two decades, National Women’s Enterprise Day has become an important platform for recognising and supporting the contribution women make to Ireland’s enterprise landscape. This year’s event will explore the opportunities and challenges involved in growing a business beyond the Irish market with speakers sharing their experiences of taking risks, overcoming challenges, and navigating the pivotal moments that can change the trajectory of a business.

Sonya Lennon will serve as MC for the event, with a keynote discussion being delivered by Marissa Carter, founder of Cocoa Brown, bringing her experience of building an internationally recognised Irish beauty brand to an audience of aspiring and established entrepreneurs.

Therese Murphy of Equi-Ed, winner of the Female Entrepreneur Award at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards, will share her experience of building an export-focused business and the opportunities and challenges that come with bringing an Irish enterprise to international markets.

Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise, Economic Development and Tourism, Kildare County Council said; “National Women’s Enterprise Day is about recognising that every business journey is different. We want women to leave the day feeling inspired, but also equipped with the knowledge, connections and practical supports to take that next step.

This is also a celebration of what women are already achieving. The businesses and stories we will hear on the day demonstrate the incredible talent and ambition we have here in Kildare, and we want to inspire even more women to believe that their business can go further, including onto the global stage.”

Speaking at the launch of National Women’s Enterprise Day, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., said:“National Women’s Enterprise Day is a hugely important date in the enterprise calendar. It is an opportunity to recognise the real progress that has been made in supporting women in business across Ireland. It is also a celebration of the ambition, innovation and resilience of female entrepreneurs who are building successful businesses in sectors from agtech and manufacturing to fashion and food.

These are business leaders with the drive and confidence to grow beyond Ireland and compete on the global stage. As we look ahead, we must continue to ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to the supports, networks and opportunities they need to start, scale and succeed.”

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