One of Galway’s best small businesses will get a chance to exhibit their business to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships next month as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
Galway Fairytales, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Galway, is a publisher and author of educational Irish storytelling books for children aged 5 -12 years. They all focus on children’s wellbeing and social issues, such as bullying, friendship and kindness, teamwork, coping with anxiety, family break up and much more. The Renmore-based business is run by Martha Begley Schade, who has written 12 books, all of which are currently being translated into the Irish language.
The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs ) will see over 30 small businesses from across the country take a stand in the Local Enterprise Village in the heart of the Ploughing Championships, opening their businesses up to almost 300,000 prospective customers across the three days of the event.
The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices was launched by Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond T.D. and will be open as part of the Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska in Laois September 19-21 this year.
Acting Head of Enterprise at LEO Galway, Valerie Kelly, says the National Ploughing Championship is one of the biggest occasions on the Irish calendar and there are very few events that draw a crowd as large as this over three days.
“For our small businesses this is a huge opportunity to engage with thousands of prospective customers every day and this could have a significant impact on their business.
“We have been working with them all across the summer on their products, marketing and merchandising for the event so they can maximise this amazing opportunity. There’s something for everyone in the Local Enterprise Village.”
Some of the clients involved this year cover areas such a kids clothing & games, agtech 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. Year on year the Local Enterprise Village proves to be one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Ploughing Championships.
Neale Richmond, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said the Local Enterprise Village is a fantastic initiative from the Local Enterprise Offices. “For these small businesses, many only in their early years, to get a chance to have a stand at the Ploughing Championships is a significant milestone for them. The opportunity to meet with thousands of people at the Local Enterprise Village, which is one of the popular stands at the Ploughing is going to be great boost to their business.
“I’m looking forward to getting down to the Village myself next month and meeting them all in person and sampling all the great products and services on show.”
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 eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 25,000 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
