Donegal Women in Business take on the Dáil!

By Rachel McLaughlin • 6 years ago

May
2019

Catch up on the Donegal Women in Business Network's big outing of the year:

For the past 20 years, the Donegal Women in Business Network has been made up of trailblazing women who have made changes in their communities and beyond with their entrepreneurial spirit.

Those ambitious women, through start-ups, self-employment and leadership, have made their mark on the economy and local life in many ways. So it was very fitting that the current network would visit Ireland’s top houses of power and change-making in their anniversary year.

Donegal Women in Business Network at Dáil Éireann, pictured with Pat the Cope Gallagher TD

The Oireachtas visit on Wednesday 22nd May was an enlightening and beneficial trip for the Donegal Women in Business. Twenty members travelled to Dublin for the tour and to connect with other business women across the country.

They even had a ‘Baby in Business’ on board! Baby Hannah, at just 16 weeks old, made a great impression on the tour with her mum Brid McNulty, founder of Splash Swim School.

Brid and Hannah McNulty with Donegal Women in Business Network members in Seanad Éireann

Not ones to pass on networking opportunities, the Donegal women started their day at Farnham Estate in Cavan. There, they met the Cavan Business Women’s Club for a business breakfast where many contacts were exchanged and new connections were made.

The Donegal Women in Business Network with the Cavan Business Women’s Club at the networking breakfast in Farnham Estate Cavan

Cavan Business Women’s Club Co-Ordinator Margaret McKeon Boyle and Donegal Women in Business Network President Deirdre McGlone at the networking breakfast in Farnham Estate Cavan

Margaret Keon Boyle, Yvonne Donohoe, Collette Ferguson, Brid McNulty, Liz Tutty and Breda McHugh at the networking breakfast in Farnham Estate Cavan

Networking breakfast in Farnham Estate Cavan

The group travelled onwards to Leinster House for an afternoon tour through the Dáil and Seanad. Pat the Cope Gallagher TD joined the visitors to welcome them to the Dáil Chamber and share stories of Donegal politicians who left legacies in government.

The group took in the expansive rooms and artwork of the historic building, including the Vótáil 100 portrait commemorating the centenary of women’s suffrage.

Pat the Cope Gallagher TD with members of the Donegal Women in Business Network at Dáil Éireann

Donegal Women in Business Network PRO Evelyn Mc Glynn, Secretary Trish McGinley and President Deirdre McGlone. Photo by SON Photography

The Dáil visit also provoked conversations among members on current business concerns and issues that they would like to see addressed by the government. Broadband, Brexit, infrastructure in Donegal, education and gender balance in politics and leadership were key topics of discussion throughout the day.

The trip ended with a reception and dinner at the Iveagh Garden Hotel. Owned by the McGill family of Glenties, the hotel was an ideal setting for more networking and socialising in the heart of Dublin.

The group were delighted to welcome Angela Tynan from the Enterprising Women Network of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, who are also celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2019.

Evelyn Mc Glynn, Angela Tynan of the Enterprising Women Network Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown, Trish McGinley and Deirdre McGlone in the Iveagh Garden Hotel

Grace Gerry, Sheila Russell, Brenda Smith, Frances Spears, Deidre McGlone and Edel Mac Bride in the Iveagh Garden Hotel

Deirdre McGlone, Trish McGinley, Barney McGill, Evelyn Mc Glynn and Sheila Russell in the Iveagh Garden Hotel

The jam-packed tour was praised as a unique opportunity for the Donegal Women in Business Network to enjoy a day away making powerful connections in new surroundings.

The voluntary peer support business network boasts over 170 members and is one of the longest running, independent women in business networks in the country.

The tour was also well-suited to their 20th anniversary theme ‘Looking Back, Moving Forward’, as they explored Ireland’s political history, celebrated the businesswomen of today and set examples for young women of the future.

See more photos from the day below: