PICTURES: Kilkenny LEO celebrates women in business at National Women’s Enterprise Day

The Local Enterprise Offices of Carlow and Kilkenny came together to celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day 2025 on Thursday with a vibrant event held at the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle.

This year’s celebration brought together women in business from across both counties for a day of inspiration, connection, and empowerment under the national theme of Making it Happen. The event featured a dynamic mix of keynote talks, networking opportunities, panel discussions and local business showcases, highlighting the innovation and resilience of female entrepreneurs.

The participants heard from a range of accomplished businesswomen and indeed accomplished women in politics. Event guests heard from Ireland’s longest standing female councilor and the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Mary Hilda Cavanagh.

Laurie Winkless performed a keynote address speaking about how she did not mean to become a businesswoman, and how a career break led to her entrepreneurial journey.
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Laurie then joined a panel discussion with Margaret Valette O’Connor, business coach and former managing director of Quigley’s café, bakery and deli, and Emma Butler from White Meadow Interior. Margaret spoke about the importance of financial management and gave her tips on how to scale a business. Emma also shared with the audience some insights into how she made those initial leads and discussed the importance of up-skilling along the way.

Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor closed the event, encouraging all the women in the room, and speaking candidly about the importance of shinning a light on women in business and National Women’s Enterprise Day.

Speaking at the event Head of Enterprise Aileen McGrath, Head of Enterprise of Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny, said: “Now in its 19th year, National Women’s Enterprise Day is one of the most important events in the Local Enterprise Office’s calendar. It gives us the opportunity to highlight the women in business who continue to do break down barriers in business, across every sector. The day itself is also an opportunity for businesswomen to network, engage, and advice and to find out what supports are available for their business through their Local Enterprise Office.

“This year we also had really inspirational stories from our speakers who brought such energy and inspiration to the event.”
National Women’s Enterprise Day is just one of many initiatives of the Local Enterprise Offices aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and assisting companies to start up and grow. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, and the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships.

Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. See
localenterprise.ie/Kilkenny.