Businesswomen across Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim gathered at Lough Eske Castle for an event to celebrate National Womens’ Enterprise Day. The event was organised by Local Enterprise Office Donegal, in collaboration with their counterparts in the Local Enterprise Offices in Sligo and Leitrim.

Now in its 17th year, National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) is an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices that aims to encourage female entrepreneurship and support women in business. It strives to empower even more women to set up their own businesses and to increase national recognition of the essential role played by Ireland’s female entrepreneurs. 

The theme of this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day was “Empowering Business Together.” The event began with inspirational opening addresses from radio and TV broadcaster, and All-Ireland winning captain, Anna Geary and Grainne Mullins of Gra Chocolates. This was followed by an insightful and engaging panel discussion with Áine Faughnan of Dromod Boxty, Isobel Sangha of The Donegal Natural Soap Company and Helen Mulholland of Lough Gill Distillery, who shared their knowledge and experience of growing their respective brands and businesses.

Speakers and guest panellists at the National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) event: Head of Enterprise Donegal Brenda Hegarty, Áine Faughnan of Dromod Boxty, Grainne Mullins of Grá Chocolates, MC Anna Geary and Isobel Sangha of The Donegal Natural Soap Company organised by the Local Enterprise Office Donegal in Lough Eske Castle, Co. Donegal. Picture by Joe Dunne

Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise Donegal said: “National Women’s Enterprise Day has become a flagship event for women entrepreneurs and businesswomen every year. This year, we were delighted to have some amazing speakers and inspirational businesswomen join us in Lough Eske Castle for a wonderful evening. It was a great celebration of women and local businesses, with excellent insights shared.”

Adding to this, Brenda said: “National Women’s Enterprise Day addresses issues facing women in business on a day-to-day basis. Events like this are important in supporting positive improvement, providing women entrepreneurs and those considering starting a business with insights from leading businesswomen and introducing them to a network of entrepreneurs who are blazing a trail in the Irish market and overseas.”

Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise Donegal, speaking at the National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) event, organised by the Local Enterprise Office Donegal in Lough Eske Castle, Co. Donegal. Picture by Joe Dunne 

National Women’s Enterprise Day events covered a range of topics and was open to all aspiring female entrepreneurs, existing female business owners and anyone who wanted to learn more about entrepreneurship. 

If you have an idea to start or grow your business within Donegal, get in touch to find out how the Local Enterprise Office can help. Email info@leo.donegalcoco.ie or call (074) 916 0735.

Local Enterprise staff attend the National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) event, organised by the Local Enterprise Office Donegal in Lough Eske Castle, Co. Donegal. Picture by Joe Dunne 19/10/23