Cork and Kerry Local Enterprise Offices to celebrate 20 years of National Women's enterprise Day
29/09/2026
Female entrepreneurs and budding businesswomen from across Cork and Kerry are being encouraged to get involved and register for this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day in what will be the 20th year of the event.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) initiative will take place on Thursday 15th October with events scheduled across the country. There are 16 events nationwide and they feature a range of successful businesswomen, up and coming female entrepreneurs and amazing speakers in areas of sustainability, innovation, networking and marketing in what will be one of the biggest National Women’s Enterprise Day’s since its inception in 2006.
The South West regional event - hosted by LEOs Kerry & Cork - will be a flagship gathering for women in business based in Cork City, Cork County and Kerry and will take place in the five star Great Southern Hotel, Killarney. A full day programme is designed to promote, encourage and stimulate female entrepreneurship and women in business.
Keynote speaker on the day will be Oonagh O’Hagan, MD of Meaghers Pharmacy - a pharmacist, award-winning entrepreneur, and global business leader transforming healthcare retail. MC for the event is Elaine Kinsella, Radio Kerry presenter and Head of Music, National Radio Awards winner and RTE’s Today Show panellist.
A highlight of the event will be an interactive panel discussion of “Leading Lights”, representing LEOs Cork & Kerry featuring:
- Christina Foley, founder and director of Inish Living, an award winning B Corp Certified wellness brand based in Kenmare;
- Claire Morgan, owner of McWilliam Bags, a B Corp certified handmade bag company based in Crosshaven;
- Shannen O’Reilly, founder of TrustDish, a digital food allergy management system and app transforming how food businesses manage allergen information and
- Virginia O’Gara, co-founder of the award-winning vegan food and drinks company, My Goodness and the Cork Urban Soil Project, and recent new owner of Quay Co-op (vegetarian, organic, sustainable products).
Paola Kennedy, a wellbeing professional, educator, entrepreneur and psychology graduate will kick off proceedings on the day by facilitating a warm-up session. Introducing a new “Homegrown Hero” section to the event will see Elaine Kinsella have an inspirational fireside chat with Louise Quill, founder of Tir na nÓg Children’s Foundation whose significant humanitarian work is sure to encourage and empower us all.
Dr. Niall O’Keeffe, Head of Enterprise at LEO Cork City said “For two decades, National Women’s Enterprise Day has been about more than one day of events. It has been about creating space for women in business to connect, learn, share their experiences and access the practical supports that can help them move forward with confidence.”
Peter Burke, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said: “National Women’s Enterprise Day is a hugely important date in the enterprise calendar. It is an opportunity to recognise the real progress that has been made in supporting women in business across Ireland. It is also a celebration of the ambition, innovation and resilience of female entrepreneurs who are building successful businesses in sectors from agtech and manufacturing to fashion and food.
These are business leaders with the drive and confidence to grow beyond Ireland and compete on the global stage. As we look ahead, we must continue to ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to the supports, networks and opportunities they need to start, scale and succeed.
To book your place at this year’s Cork & Kerry National Women’s Enterprise Day, visit: www.localenterprise.ie/corkcity