What's On!

15th October 2026

12 noon to 2pm

The Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow

MC - Ruth Scott radio presenter with Classic Hits FM.

Speakers :

Lessons Learned (fireside chat with local entrepreneurs): Denise Walsh (Curly Co), Brigid Walsh (Solar Precision, Kilkenny LEO) and Laura Mullin (The Old Post Office)

The Power Panel (panel discussion with industry experts): Rosemary Ward (Propellor BIC, Sales & Marketing), Ruth Larkin (Lark Bridal, Marketing), Mary Hayden (Finance), Google (technology).

Supporting You (fireside chat with local support services for your business): Chambers of Commerce and Local Enterprise Offices from Carlow and Kilkenny.

Denise Walsh (Curly Co, Kilkenny LEO):
Denise Walsh is the founder of CurlyCo. With over 30 years behind her in the hair industry Denise was searching for a curly care range to meet every curly need. Her journey led her to create CurlyCo by Denise Walsh, a collection of defining & conditioning products to enhance all our curlys.
As a curly herself she is passionate about making products & creating a curl confident community to empower & support us embracing our natural curls.

Laura Mullin (The Old Post Office, Carlow LEO):
Laura is the co-owner of The Old Post Office, a standout café and community space in Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. Known for her commitment to local producers and high quality Irish ingredients, Laura has helped shape The Old Post Office into a vibrant gathering place celebrated for its warm atmosphere and all day brunch culture. A passionate advocate for community driven enterprise, Laura brings a grounded, people first approach to business.

Brigid Walsh (Solar Precision, Kilkenny LEO): Brigid is the Co Founder of Solar Precision, an award winning All-Star business that has contributed immensely to Ireland’s green energy industry. Through her transformative work at Solar Precision. Brigid has propelled the transition to clean energy solutions, advocating for a more sustainable future. Her passion for environmental conservation and renewable technology has inspired countless individuals and businesses to embrace solar power as a viable and impactful energy source. Brigid’s entrepreneurial vision and strategic insights have positioned Solar Precision as a trailblazer in the renewable energy industry, driving positive change and fostering environmental stewardship.

Carlow Booking link

Kilkenny Booking Link

16th October 2025

11:00 Am-16:00 pm

The Keadeen Hotel, Curragh Chase, Ballymany, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, W12 T925

Celebrating Women in Business: Stories of Growth, Resilience and Success!

Celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day with Local Enterprise Office Kildare 

This event will be hosted by renowned broadcaster, entrepreneur and author Sonya Lennon and will feature keynote speaker Marissa Carter, Founder and CEO of Coco Brown, one of Ireland's most successful beauty entrepreneurs.

Attendees will hear firsthand about Marissa's entrepreneurial journey, from building a local brand to achieving international success.

A fireside chat will explore themes including brand building, business growth, accessing finance, exporting, and resilience in business.

The programme will also include two expert panel discussions:

Building a Brand – exploring how to create, grow and differentiate a successful business brand.

Financing a Business – providing practical insights into funding options and strategies for growth.

The event will also feature an exhibitor showcase highlighting women-led businesses from across the region, offering valuable networking and collaboration opportunities

15th October 2025

Registration
10am

10.30am 

10.40 am

10.50am

11.30am



12.20pm





13.20pm

15.00pm

Dunraven Arms Hotel , Adare, Co. Limerick

NWED Mid-West Region

An inspiring day for women entrepreneurs to meet, network and learn from one another.

Ciana Campbell MC – Introduction

Opening  – Mike Cantwell -Head Of Enterprise


Keynote speaker : 

Izzy Wheels

Break/Networking/Coffee/Photographs

Panel Discussion with Q&A (1 Panelist from each LEO) Clare, Limerick and Tipperary

Lunch

MC Ciana Campbell - Finish

Fully Booked

15th October 2026

6.00pm – start – finish 9pm

Farnham Estate Golf and Spa Resort
Farnham Estate, Cavan, Ireland, Eircode H12 H6Y8

“Her Enterprise, Her Impact – Cavan 2026” Making it Happen!

Local Enterprise Office Cavan and Cavan Women in Business Network invite you to an inspiring celebration of National Women’s Enterprise Day 2026

MC: Margaret McKeon Boyle, Extensive PR

Fireside Chat with Stephanie Leonard, Chief Executive Officer, Kyte Powertech, One of Ireland's leading manufacturers of electrical distribution transformers and a major employer in County Cavan

Speaker: Regina Bushell, Founder & Managing Director, Grovelands Childcare

One of Ireland's leading early learning and childcare providers. Supporting more than 700 children and families and employing approximately 140 staff.

NWED LEO Client speaker (To be confirmed)

Book here

15th October 2026

10.30am - 1pm

Castle Leslie, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan

Beyond Boundaries: Women Leading, Building & Lasting the Course

Local Enterprise Office Monaghan is delighted to invite you to celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day 2026.  This event will celebrate the remarkable achievements of women who are breaking barriers, scaling businesses, preserving family business legacies, and building sustainable enterprises that stand the test of time. Through inspiring stories, practical insights, and honest conversations, attendees will gain the confidence, connections, and strategies needed to lead and grow their own businesses.

This event will celebrate the remarkable achievements of women who are breaking barriers, scaling businesses, preserving family business legacies, and building sustainable enterprises that stand the test of time. Through inspiring stories, practical insights, and honest conversations, attendees will gain the confidence, connections, and strategies needed to lead and grow their own businesses.

Keynote Speaker, MC & Interactive Workshop- Annette Kelly, Founder, Little Penny Thoughts

Topic: "The Confidence Currency: Building a Business and Life You Believe In"

Annette will open the event with an inspiring keynote exploring mindset, confidence, resilience and personal leadership. Through her signature storytelling and practical approach, she will empower attendees to overcome self-doubt, embrace opportunities and unlock their full potential. Her workshop session will provide actionable tools for building confidence, resilience and sustainable success.

This will be followed by a Fireside Chat with a number of Monaghan Women In Business including Liz Christy, Founder, Liz Christy Woven Designs and Sammy Leslie, Owner, Castle Leslie Estate.

Book here

Date & Time

Venue

Details

Register

15th October 2026

Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

MC: Mirenda Rosenberg

One to one interview:

Laura Short (Founder of Oatco Superfuel)

Panel Discussion

• Claire Irwin (Claire Irwin Consulting)
• Breda Cullen (HR Team)
• Karoline Sweeney (Castlegrove Country House and President of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce)
• Ciara McGlynn (Co-founder Niche Specialist Staffing Partners)

Workshop sessions

• Mary Bradley: Stress Management Consultant. Mary will provide a 15-minute workshop.
• Holly Marie Gallagher: Fashion Designer, will provide a 10-minute showcase of her collections.
• Ciara McVeigh: Fitness LK. Ciara will provide a Clubbercise Fitness session.

Ciara McGlynn, Niche Specialist Staffing Partners

Ciara is the Co-Founder of Niche SSP, a recruitment company based in Donegal, who are a 100% export company in the US construction market. She spent many years living in Australia and America working for large recruitment firms and oved back home to Donegal in 2016 to start a family and a business. They are an award-winning Recruitment firm and are 100% export-oriented recruitment agency specialising in providing construction estimators and preconstruction professionals to construction companies in the US. It is the No.1 supplier of estimating talent to the ENR Top 400 commercial construction companies across the US.

Niche SSP excel at partnering with companies to build elite estimating teams from the ground up. Value added services include the No.1 Preconstruction Podcast in the US - The Preconstruction Podcast.

Ciara and her husband have over 20 years recruitment experience, they both play a lot of sport competitively, they’ve both played for republic of Ireland football,  have 2 kids aged 9 and 7, girl called Shea, son called Charlie big part of our story and what drives us so had to include them.

Book  here

Date & Time

Venue

Details

Register

15th October 2026

Time: TBC

Home Grown

We are delighted to bring together a range of female speakers to celebrate National Women's Enterprise Day 2026

MC:

Dr Janine Van Someren,  - LEO Sligo’s Sligo Women in Business Network facilitator

Speakers: To be confirmed

We will have up to 4 speakers who are all locally based and previously LEO clients but whose businesses have grown to international significance. They come from sectors such as food/beverage, cosmetics and fashion/design. 

Book here

15th October 2026

8.30am – 1.30pm

Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, Co Dublin, A94 V6K5

LEO Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown are hosting National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) on behalf of the Dublin Region.  (LEOs DLR, South Dublin and Fingal) 

Join us for the Dublin Region’s National Women’s Enterprise Day 2026, hosted by Local Enterprise Office Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown on behalf of the four Dublin Local Enterprise Offices.

Under the theme “Making It Happen”, this inspiring event will bring together women entrepreneurs, business owners and aspiring founders for a morning of learning, connection and motivation.

Hosted by award-winning broadcaster Anna Daly, the event will feature a keynote address from Jennifer Rock, founder of The Skin Nerd, who will share her entrepreneurial journey and insights into building a successful business. Attendees will also participate in an engaging facilitated networking session led by Danica Murphy of Prism Leadership.

A special panel discussion will showcase the experiences of Local Enterprise Office clients from across the Dublin region, highlighting the challenges, opportunities and supports that have helped them grow and succeed.

Whether you are starting out, scaling up or looking to expand your network, NWED 2026 offers a valuable opportunity to gain fresh perspectives, make meaningful connections and be inspired by women who are turning ambition into action.

MC - Anna Daly 

Speakers

• Jennifer Rock from The Skin Nerd (Keynote Speaker)
• Danica Murphy from Prism Leadership (Speaker TBC)
• Dervla Arthurs of Snugabugz (LEO DLR Client)
• Sofie Rooney of Chimac (LEO South Dublin Client)
• Mags Morgan of Mizz Rio (LEO Fingal Client)
• Aine Devlin of Exam Revision (LEO Dublin City Client)

Book here

15th October 2026

Time:

9.15 am to 4.00pm

Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry

This South West Regional Event, hosted by Kerry LEO, Cork City LEO, Cork North & West LEO, and South Cork LEO, to celebrate National Women's Enterprise Day on Thursday 15th October from 9.15am to 4pm 

MC - Elaine Kinsella

 

Keynote Speaker

Oonagh O’Hagan, Owner & MD of Meaghers Pharmacy Group

Homegrown Hero Speaker – Louise Quill, Founder & Voluntary CEO Tir na Óg Childrens Foundation CLG

Kerry LEO Leading Light – Christina Foley, Inish Living

Cork City LEO Leading Light – Virginia O’Gara, MyGoodness

Cork North & West LEO – Shannen O’Reilly, Trustdish

South Cork LEO – Claire Morgan, McWilliam Bags

Kerry LEO - Christina Foley, Inish Living, founded by Chartered Physiotherapist Christina Foley, Inish Living is a B Corp Certified luxury lifestyle and wellbeing brand nurturing wellness through Movement, Rest and Play.

Based in the restorative haven of Kenmare, Inish Living collections offer functional, made-to-last design with a conscious consideration for the health of our people, our planet and the communities that connect us.

Ethical by nature, Inish Living operates across direct-to-consumer, bespoke wholesale and customised wellness products and solutions for the hospitality, corporate and wellness industries, thoughtfully designed to support health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Inishliving.com | @inishliving

Book here

15th October 2026

Time: 

10.00 a.m. – 1.30 p.m

The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon

Making it Happen “Her Business Journey”

Regional event with LEO Mayo, LEO Galway, led by LEO Roscommon

MC : Loretta Ní Ghabháin

Loretta is the founder and Director of the Multi award winning Digital marketing agency, Lorg Media.  Loretta is a Communications Consultant and was the first person to bring social media to the national broadcaster TG4, having already worked in numerous roles, both on and off camera, from film reviewer to producer on the ground for the Oprah Winfrey Show, along with being a broadcast news Director and Presenter with RTE and TG4.

Working as MC and Presenting are still in the mix and she has a keen interest in storytelling and promoting Irish language and culture internationally.

Half day event with networking opportunities and a diverse range of inspiring female speakers.

Keynote Speaker - Miriam Hussey – Integrative health expert, pharmacist, author and co-founder of Soul Space

Miriam Hussey is a qualified pharmacist who, after 10+ years in traditional pharmacy, transitioned into the world of integrative health, wellness coaching, yoga & meditation facilitation She is co-founder of the movement and platform Soul Space (alongside her husband Gerry Hussey) which brings together mind, body, soul approaches to health and performance.
Her approach emphasises that true wellness isn’t simply about treating symptoms, but about the integration of the physical, cognitive, emotional, nutritional and spiritual dimensions of health. In her debut book, Light Up - Energise Your Body, Awaken Your Mind, Supercharge Your Soul (published 2025), she shares her personal story of battling people-pleasing, disordered eating, stress and burnout - and how she found her own path back to vitality and authenticity.
Her mission is to empower women (and men) to reconnect with their inner pharmacy, understand the nervous system’s role in health, and prioritise boundaries, self-care and sustainable lifestyle change rather than quick fixes.

Guest Speakers:

Jane Brady – President of the Insurance Institute of Ireland

Jane Brady is an Irish insurance executive, business leader, and the Managing Director of Brady Insurance, one of Ireland's longest-established independent insurance brokerages. In 2026, she was appointed President of the Insurance Institute of Ireland, becoming only the fourth woman to hold the role and the first president from the west of Ireland.

Jane is widely recognised as an advocate for professionalism, education, and innovation within the insurance sector. She holds several professional qualifications, including the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP), Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA), and Certified Insurance Director (CID) designations. Throughout her career she has promoted mentoring, continuing professional development, and apprenticeship programmes to help attract and develop new talent in the industry.

As President of the Insurance Institute of Ireland, Jane has emphasised preparing the profession for rapid technological change, including artificial intelligence, while ensuring that consumer interests remain central to insurance services. She has also spoken about the importance of regional leadership and encouraging more women to pursue senior leadership roles within the profession.

In addition to her industry leadership, Jane has been recognised for her business achievements, including being named among Ireland's leading women in business by the All-Ireland Business Foundation and leading Brady Insurance to Business All-Star Accreditation and national brokerage awards.

Panel discussions will feature female LEO clients from Roscommon, Mayo and Galway.

Imelda Tierney – LEO Mayo

Imelda Tierney - CEO of The James Arthur Limited and its sister company in the US, The James Trading Group. They are based in Ballina Co Mayo and have offices and warehouse facilities in New York. They are licensed manufacturers of apparel and giftware items for Global Brands, such as Guinness Official merchandise and Bushmills Distillery. They manage the Official D2C website for Guinness in the US & Canadian Market. Since relocating back to Ireland in 2010, they have successfully grown the business and developed a strong, highly skilled team that has helped deliver this success.

Leah Fletcher – LEO Roscommon

Leah Fletcher – CEO & Co-Founder Dunbar Pharmaceuticals/Founder of deDANÚ, an award-winning Irish research company.

Tara Canning - LEO Galway

Tara Canning from Dr Clare Apothecary & Clinic

Tara Canning has worked in Dr Clare Apothecary & Clinic for over 20 years, starting as a part time retail assistant and Clinic Nutritionist. Now Tara is managing the company with a strong online presence, Dr Clare Apothecary products are stocked in over 150 stores across the island. A strong ethos of quality, sustainability and lean management have led Tara and the company to a strong position in the health and wellness sector with a view to entry into the EU markets over the coming years.

Refreshments on arrival and the event will conclude with lunch.

15th October 2026

Time: 12pm – 4pm

Clermont House, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow

'Feeling the Fear – Making it Happen'

Keynote guest speaker Claire Walsh, freediver, breath, author and podcast host will join LEO Wicklow and audience to celebrate NWED 2026.

Proud resident of Bray, Co. Wicklow, Claire was the first woman to represent Ireland at the Freediving World Championships in 2019. With a background in theatre and movement, she is also a bestselling author.

Her book ‘Under Water‘, which was shortlisted for the An Post Sport Book of the Year 2023 tells her story of reinvention, resilience and motivation. She hosts Scared Shitless – a podcast that explores how fear can hold us back, but also propel us forward. Regularly appearing on radio, TV and with a TEDx talk covering powerful topics, her talk at NWED Wicklow promises to be a fascinating, inspiring and very different afternoon.

Claire will be joined by a number of female LEO Wicklow clients to discuss the supports that they have received and to inspire the audience further.

Book here

15th October 2026

Time: 9.30am – 2.30 pm

Dunboyne Castle Hotel

MC: Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh

Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh is one of Ireland’s most respected broadcasters, with a career spanning television, radio, and live events. A pioneering figure in Irish language media, she recently won Program of the Year at the Gradaim Cumarsáide an Oireachtais for her Raidió na Gaeltachta show Bláthnaid Libh and also appears in TG4’s Crisis Eile.

Known for her thoughtful interviewing style and powerful storytelling, Bláthnaid has covered a wide range of social issues through acclaimed documentaries and factual programming. Alongside her broadcasting work, she is a highly experienced presenter and MC, hosting major events including Tourism Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day livestream and the Traveller Pride Awards. Since joining RTÉ’s Nationwide in 2020, she has continued to share stories from communities across Ireland with warmth and authenticity

Keynote speaker – Clare McKenna

Clare McKenna has worked across TV and Radio for almost 20 years. Her experience includes live Breakfast TV anchoring, reporting and presenting across a range of current affairs and lifestyle programmes. In more recent years she has brought a personal passion to her profession, presenting Newstalk’s health and wellness show Alive and Kicking interviewing guests on everything from mental and physical health to cold water therapy. Her Health Coach qualification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition has allowed Clare to extend her knowledge to coaching in the areas of lifestyle medicine and holistic health.

An exciting speaker, Clare brings her personal experience of wellness overwhelm and speaks of changes she has made from a focus on the aesthetic with punishing and restrictive habits to those more nourishing and energising. Clare also presents podcast Changemakers empowering people to be the change they would like to see in the world through inspiring conversations with her guests.

Panellist (LEO client) – Laura McDermott

Laura McDermott, Strategic Design For Sustainability

Laura is the founder of Colectivo, a boutique consultancy driving design and innovation for sustainability. She is recognised as one of the Top 100 Women in Social Innovation by Euclid, an initiative supported by the European Commission, as well as an Under 35 Changemaker by PMI and PWC. Laura is a multi-award winning faculty member of Design and Innovation for Sustainability at IE Business School, where she previously held Director-level roles in the areas of Learning Experience and Social Innovation. She is passionate about design, sustainable innovation and education, with a project portfolio spanning across Latin America and Europe.

Book here

15th October 2025

Time: TBC

TBC

TBC

15th October 2026

Time: 

10.30am TBC

Closing Remarks

The Village Barn, Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath

This year’s NWED for the Midland’s Region (Longford, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath) will be hosted by Local Enterprise Office Westmeath in the The Village Barn, Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath as we come together to honour and celebrate the incredible women driving enterprise forward for National Women’s Enterprise Day. Let’s shine a spotlight on those who are truly Making It Happen.

MC is Courtney Callaghan

Speakers 

Denise Buckley, Sugar Plum Sweetery
Helen Conneely, Celtic Roots Studio

Set in the beautiful surroundings of The Village Barn, with its picturesque gardens, courtyard, orangery, sanctuary, and barn itself, guests will be taken on an inspiring journey through the experiences and insights of our guest speakers.

The event will feature four guest speakers who will share their entrepreneurial journeys, both the successes and challenges they have encountered along the way. They will provide insights into the key milestones in their businesses, lessons learned from setbacks, and the strategies they used to overcome obstacles. Each speaker will also outline their plans and ambitions for continued growth and development.

Following the individual presentations, the speakers will take part in a panel discussion facilitated by the event MC. This interactive session will explore common themes from their experiences, offer practical advice for aspiring and established business owners, and provide an opportunity for audience engagement and discussion.

NWED LEO client guest speaker - Denise Buckley – Sugar Plum Sweetery

Book here

15th October 2026

Time:

9.30am to 2pm

Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey

LEO Wexford presents an inspiring day to celebrate, support, and empower women in business across Ireland. Secure your spot today

MC - Shonagh Lyons from BEAT FM

Keynote Speaker- TBC

Skills Workshop with Aisling Hurley The SME Community Podcast

Book here