Small businesses get ‘ploughing-ready’ as Minister Breen announces Local Enterprise Village plans
In thirteen weeks’ time, the National Ploughing Championships (September 18th – 20th), Europe’s largest outdoor event, returns to Offaly and small businesses from all over the country are getting ‘ploughing-ready’ thanks to the Local Enterprise Offices.
Under plans for the ‘Local Enterprise Village’, launched this week by the Minister for Trade, Employment and Business, Pat Breen T.D., Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are helping 30 small businesses and start-ups launch products and services to the thousands of visitors expected at the three-day event. 291,500 people, a record-breaking number, attended the National Ploughing Championships in 2017.
Minister Breen met several Local Enterprise Village entrepreneurs at a LEO-run training day in the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown, where they were learning about business development, product marketing and how to secure more sales for their small businesses. A second training day is taking place later in the month in Limerick.
Minister Breen said: “The Local Enterprise Office network is a key pillar in the Government’s support for the growth and development of micro and small enterprises. By having dedicated supports in place to help small businesses at international events like the National Ploughing Championships, we are promoting trade and driving innovation and export growth for all business sectors across the country. I would encourage all visitors to the National Ploughing Championships in September to pay a visit to the Local Enterprise Village to support Ireland’s start-ups and small businesses. The Local Enterprise Offices are central to the delivery of these dedicated supports, which help build a culture of entrepreneurship and enterprise, delivering jobs in every County in Ireland.”
Minister Breen was joined at the launch by Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices, Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of The National Ploughing Association, Martin Corry of Enterprise Ireland and Paula Butler, Assistant Chief Executive of the Local Government Management Agency and representative of the County and City Management Association.
Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices said: “As Europe’s largest outdoor event, the National Ploughing Championships are an international showcase for Ireland’s small business sector. To help small businesses get ‘ploughing-ready’, Local Enterprise Offices are providing expert training, marketing and project management support to maximise selling opportunities through the Local Enterprise Village.”
Anna May McHugh, NPA Managing Director said: “It is inspiring that so many small businesses and start-ups will be launching new products and services at this year’s National Ploughing Championships’ at the ‘Local Enterprise Village’ with the support of Local Enterprise Offices. This is a unique opportunity for these small businesses, with 291,500 visitors in attendance last year, to showcase their companies to the large number of visitors that Ploughing attracts.”
The 30 small companies inside the Local Enterprise Village represent a diverse range of business sectors, such as skincare, fashion, technology, artisan food and drink, sports equipment and horticulture.
The 87th Annual National Ploughing Championships take place from September 18th to 20th at Screggan, Tullamore, County Offaly.
Local Enterprise Office client companies at the Local Enterprise Village 2018 (September 18th – 20th)
Carlow LEO: Jo Browne (perfumes, colognes and skincare) www.jobrowne.com
Cavan LEO: Fitzpatrick’s Gourmet Ketchup (ketchup, marinades and sauces)
Clare LEO: Airmid Natural Handmade Skincare (skincare company) www.airmidsoap.com
Cork City LEO: Basil (artisan market for take home food)
Cork North and West LEO: Caherbeg Free Range Pork Ltd/ Rosscarbery Recipes (Irish biltong and gluten-free black and white pudding)
South Cork LEO: De Roiste Puddings Ltd (artisan breakfast meat products)
Dublin City LEO: Quirky Irish Icons (handmade icons of Ireland made with clay) www.quirkyirishicons.ie
South Dublin LEO: Emma By Jane (clothing and jewellery brand) www.emmabyjane.com
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown LEO: Viva Green (biodegradable, chemical and plastic free products) www.vivagreengroup.com
Fingal LEO: BusterBox (subscription service with treats and toys for dogs) www.busterbox.com
Galway LEO: Irish Socksciety (custom-made quirky socks) www.irishsocksciety.com/
Kerry LEO: The Busy Botanist (organic herb teas) www.thebusybotanist.com
Kildare LEO: Centrepiece Rosettes (rosettes and sashes manufacturer) www.centrepiecerosettes.ie
Kilkenny LEO: Theft Finders (on-line database for reporting lost or stolen items) www.theftfinders.ie
Laois LEO: Le Skinny Chef (Irish French fuzion cuisine) www.leskinnychef.com
Leitrim LEO: Dromod Boxty (traditional recipe boxty and pancakes) www.dromodboxty.ie
Limerick LEO: RTR Electronics (electronic and mechanical design engineers) www.rtrelec.com
Longford LEO: Lir Agri (bio-security solutions for dairy and pork sector) www.liragri.com
Louth LEO: Farm Tours Ireland Ltd (agri-tourism) www.farmtoursireland.com
Mayo LEO: Wildwood Balsamics (producer of Irish balsamic vinegars)
Meath LEO: The Studio (artisan coffee) www.thestudiocoffee.com
Monaghan LEO: JB Rugby Innovations (rugby tackling equipment) www.tacklelow.ie
Offaly LEO: Intellicom Ireland Ltd (telecommunications company) www.intellicom.io
Roscommon LEO: Saoirse Saddlery (saddle making and fitting) www.saoirsesaddlery.ie
Sligo LEO: SUIP Manufacturing (sprayer attachment for ride-on lawnmowers and ATVs) www.suipco.ie
Tipperary LEO: Tipperary Boutique Distillery (whiskey distillery) www.tipperarydistillery.ie
Waterford LEO: Hightower Painting Products (adjustable stand for holding pots of paint)
Westmeath LEO: Dead Centre Brewing (hand-crafted ales) www.deadcentrebrewing.com
Wexford LEO: D-Plant Horticulture (home-grown wood energy) www.dplant.ie
Wicklow LEO: Little Big Bikes (convertible balance bikes with pedals) www.littlebigbikes.com
