Two students have launched a unique Enterprise Fair plan which they hope will bring new ideas and business opportunities to their hometown of Dungloe.
The two Students, Caolán Ward and Liane Greene, both grew up in Dungloe.
The pair are now attending the national university of Galway where they study business.
The Enterprise Fair will take place during this year’s Mary from Dungloe event in July.
It was their experience in college that stemmed the idea of running an enterprise Fair during the MFD festival.
Living away from home made them realise how many people go to cities like Galway and Dublin seeking work and made them question what their options at home are when they finish their degrees.
Speaking at the launch Caolan Ward said that after looking into the options at home they realised there was so much potential in the West of Donegal.
“The aim of our enterprise Fair is to show the diaspora returning to the town for the festival period just how much enterprise activity is happening in West Donegal. Showcasing what the area has to offer for young professional looking to find permanent work. They hope to tell the story of those who found success here at home. It will also be an opportunity for business to network and find out the supports available for businesses.”
Liane Greene then went on to say they are so happy to have representatives from both Randox and Optum at the event.
“They display exactly what we wish to encourage with this event.
“Optum’s CEO Padraig Monaghan is a local man that found success originally away from home but came back to west Donegal to set up a business. Randox are also a massive company for our locality as they provide many jobs with a vision of growth.”
Caolán continued to say “We greatly appreciate the support of the local business people in attendance and the councilors in attendance. “
Councillor Marie Therese Gallagher then said we have a huge responsibility to ensure the right infrastructures come into the area.
She said “Things like broadband access will enable businesses. This, in turn, will help in keeping young people in West Donegal. We want to showcase to them there are more reasons to come home at the weekend than football or a part-time job.’
Councillor John Sheamus O Fearraigh then said there are plenty of support in our local area that are ready to help businesses either in the start-up phase or wishing to expand.
He said “Udarás na Gaeltachta provide a great service in aiding those in our locality. It’s very important that there is investment put into our youth and their ideas as they are the future of our Gaeltachta”
Chairman of Donegal County Council, Cllr Seamus O Donnell, then launched the event.
He added “Donegal is such a unique area for business with endless opportunities. It is vital that we can portray west Donegal in a positive light to attract FDI (foreign direct investment). Areas like Dungloe could do with people staying around, this initiative cannot be understated. If this type of initiative was developed in other towns, villages in Donegal, we as a people would be better off from it.”
Mark Sharkey, the compere for the evening, and Seamus O Donnell both talked about the importance of businesses supporting the event.
Mark added “I would like to ask the fellow businesses in the area to come out and support the initiative because It really is an opportunity to showcase as mentioned earlier.”
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