Kildare Business gets chance to shine at 2024 Ploughing Championships
One of Kildare’s best small businesses will get a chance to exhibit to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois next month as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
Equine Products Ireland Ltd. is a micro enterprise supported by Kildare Local Enterprise Office, and owned by equine nutrition expert James Kelly of Narraghmore, specialising in equine nutritional supplements.
The Local Enterprise Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, will house over 30 small businesses and will be located at the heart of this year’s National Ploughing Championships from the 17th to 19th September.
With some of the biggest companies in Ireland taking up residence at the Ploughing every year, the Local Enterprise Village continues to be a popular destination on the site for those looking to pick up something unique to bring home from some of the best small businesses in Ireland.
On hearing that their application to take part in this event was successful, James Kelly, Owner & Director, Equine Products Ireland Ltd said; “Equine Products Ireland are thrilled to have been selected to represent Kildare in the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships. We welcome the opportunity to showcase our products to the diverse crowd who will be in attendance. We are very thankful for all the help from our local enterprise office and this help allows us and so many other companies like us to grow and thrive.”
A selection of businesses from across the country helped launch the Local Enterprise Village for 2024 at Airfield Estate in Dublin. These included Leah Cleary of Fore Distillery (supported by LEO Westmeath), Dublin fashion designer Jennifer Rothwell (supported by LEO Dublin City), Anouk O’Connell of natural wool company Olannmor (supported by LEO Wicklow), Aymar Gourdet of Le Skinny Chef (supported by LEO Laois), Joanne Doyle of Enchanted Castle Melts (supported by LEO Carlow), Aoife Potie of Nuasan (supported by LEO Galway) and Mildred Tang of canvas tote company Chic Tote (supported by LEO Dun Laoghaire Rathdown).
Head of Enterprise, Kildare County Council, Jacqui Mc Nabb commented : “This is an opportunity like no other for a small business in Ireland. The chance to bring their ideas and products to almost 300,000 potential customers is a showcase like no other, and we had huge interest from potential exhibitors for this event. The Local Enterprise Village has become one of those areas everyone wants to drop into to find their local business and see what they can pick up.”
“James has over 30 years of experience in the equine breeding industry which led him to develop nutritional products recognised as the “best in class” for equine health and performance. He has been proactive in engaging with the supports the local enterprise has to offer to grow his business and strengthen his brand.”
“There is a huge variety of businesses highlighting the depth of sectors that the Local Enterprise Offices support from manufacturing to food and beverage, to software solutions. Whatever you are interested in there is something for everyone at the Local Enterprise Village.”
Some of the clients involved this year cover areas such a kids clothing & games, ag-tech products, luxury bathing and skincare products, artisan food and drink producers, sustainable clothing and beauty products and range of innovative products from Ireland’s best small businesses.
Kildare NPA Director, John Dunne said “It is wonderful to see so many diverse & impressive businesses partaking in this year’s ‘Local Enterprise Village’ at the National Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska, Co Laois on September 17th, 18th & 19th. This is an ideal and unique opportunity for these companies to showcase their products & wares to over 250,000 visitors that Ploughing attracts.”
The Local Enterprise Village is just one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities 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 70,000 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. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie
