Record numbers attend events to mark National Women's Enterprise Day 2024

A new record attendance was set for events that took place across the country for National Women’s Enterprise Day.

On October 17, over 2,200 female entrepreneurs and women in business attended a variety of events that were led by the Local Enterprise Office - the highest since its inception in 2006.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that so far this year 64% of those who availed of training from Local Enterprise Offices were women and that 61% of the participants in the Local Enterprise Offices Start Your Own Business programme in 2024 have been female.

This year’s Mid-West event was hosted by LEO Clare at Dromoland Castle. It saw over 150 female entrepreneurs from Tipperary and across the region, hear from guest speakers and panelists as well as having the opportunity to network with likeminded business owners.

Representatives of LEO Tipperary with Aimee Connolly at Dromoland Castle

The annual event circulates between the LEOs in Tipperary, Clare and Limerick and next year’s event takes place at Cashel Palace in Tipperary.

This year was the 18th year of National Women’s Enterprise Day and the theme was “Making it happen”. The event aims to encourage businesswomen to take that next step whether that be to act on an idea, grow their business or take steps to change or innovate in their business. The event also highlights the supports available to early stage small businesses from funding and grants to mentoring and training.

The regional event was headlined by Aimee Connolly, founder and CEO of Sculpted by Aimee, who told attendees about her start up story, current and future to make it happen.

Panelists on the day (pictured below) included Tipperary’s Claire Brett of Dublin Herbalist, Clare’s Hannah Wrixon, CEO of Kella and Limerick-based Nell Stritch founder of Pressed Flowers by Nell.

Mary Ryan, Senior Development Officer, commented: “It is fantastic to see a record turnout for this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day. It is important to recognise the importance of these events which help female entrepreneurs and women in business grow their networks and see there is support within their community to help get them started and to grow their businesses.

"This event featuring some amazing businesses and female entrepreneurs telling their stories of how they got started and overcame challenges highlights the importance of the day showcasing the very best of our female entrepreneurs and showing those who hope to take that leap in the future that the support is there.”

The Local Enterprise Offices also run several initiatives to foster entrepreneurship in Tipperary and across the Country. These include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships and Local Enterprise Showcase.

Donna Cummins, Zip Yard Nenagh; Muireann Larkin, Mary Ryan, LEO Tipp; Niamh O’Connor, Quigleys Bakery and Katie O’Sullivan My Dietician Nenagh

The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities, including Tipperary County Council, are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.

Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception ten years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 75,000 jobs across the Country.

The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.

Members of South Tipperary Women in Business Network attending the NWED event at Dromoland Castle

For more information on National Women’s Enterprise Day. click here.

Pictures by Arthur Ellis

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