Featured Photo: (From left) Cllr Michael Naughton, John McLaughlin, CE of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach DCC, Carole Brennan, Enterprise Ireland, Kingsley Aikins, The Networking Institute, Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise, and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, attend The “Building your business network. A foundation for success” with Kingsley Aikins at the Official Launch of Local Enterprise Week in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny. Photo by Joe Dunne
Local Enterprise Week 2025 saw a diverse range of businesses around Donegal taking advantage of the scope of events on offer, with over 20 events hosted by the Local Enterprise Office and its support partners, offering valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and growth.
Running throughout the week, Local Enterprise Week will conclude tomorrow, Friday, 7th March, with the ‘Made in Donegal: Business Summit & Showcase’ at the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, starting at 12:00pm.
Kingsley Aikins, The Networking Institute, speaking at the “Building your business network. A foundation for success” & the Official Launch of Local Enterprise Week in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny. Photo by Joe Dunne 03/03/25
The week kicked off on Monday, with an inspiring session hosted by Kingsley Aikins from The Networking Institute, who gave a masterclass on how to approach networking for business. Tuesday focused on a diverse range of events in key sectors, including digital and taxation, offering valuable insights and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. The day concluded with an inspiring evening in The Crolly Distillery, discussing Donegal’s spirit and how it shapes us.
(From left) Cormac Coghlan, Export Business Advisor, Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise, Cathal Goan, Chair of Comhairle Bhéaloideas Éireann and the Folklore of Ireland Foundation, Donnchadh Ó Baoill, Development Executive with Údarás na Gaeltachta, and Micheál Mac Giolla Easbuig, Regional Manager at Údarás na Gaeltachta attend the Believe in Home: How Donegal’s Spirit Shapes Us, event in the Croithlí Distillery in Killindarragh, Co. Donegal., Photo by Joe Dunne 04/03/25
On Wednesday of Local Enterprise Week, the focus turned to engineering with an on-site visit to Welditz in Carndonagh. In the Mount Errigal Hotel, ‘Tourism Connect: Just Imagine!’ explored the evolving tourism landscape within the county, while in Redcastle, attendees participated in an event promoting leadership in sustainability. A workshop on exploring self-employment provided valuable guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs, while an event at the CoLab in ATU highlighted how AI can drive efficiency and innovation.
Cllr. Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach DCC, speaking at the “Building your business network. A foundation for success” with Kingsley Aikins & the Official Launch of Local Enterprise Week in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny. Photo by Joe Dunne 03/03/25
Thursday of Local Enterprise Week, (today), features a special celebration for International Women’s Day in collaboration with the Donegal Women in Business Network. Taking place at An Grianan Hotel, ‘Fit For Business’ will empower female entrepreneurs with strategies to scale and thrive as women in business.
The “Building your business network. A foundation for success” with Kingsley Aikins & Official Launch of Local Enterprise Week in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny. Photo by Joe Dunne 03/03/25
Tickets are still available for the flagship event of Local Enterprise Week, 2025, The “Made in Donegal Business Summit & Showcase, which takes place tomorrow, Friday, 7th March from 12pm in The Mount Errigal Hotel. The event will be hosted by Ciara Doherty, a national broadcaster and qualified barrister. The morning session will feature a panel of influential Donegal business leaders: Caroline Faulkner, who has had a distinguished 35-year career with Fortune 50 companies worldwide; Willie McCarter, former Managing Director of Fruit of the Loom and former Chair of the International Fund for Ireland; and Edward McDaid, who now leads his family business, Football Special.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to leadership in sport, with talks from Joe Barr, World Ultra-Cycling Championship winner; Jim McGuinness, current Donegal GAA manager; and Patsy McGonagle, who founded Finn Valley AC in 1971 and managed Irish athletics teams for 25 years. This event includes an artisan food and producer showcase of some of Donegal’s finest producers. Book here: https://www.localenterprise.ie/donegal
