Twenty Years of Women Making It Happen
For twenty years, National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) has brought together the women shaping Ireland’s business landscape. In 2026 we mark two decades of that movement, and we want you in the room. This is the day when female founders and senior leaders across Carlow and Kilkenny step away from the desk, connect with the people who understand the journey, and leave with the insight and the contacts to drive their next chapter forward.
Why this day matters
National Women’s Enterprise Day is the flagship national initiative for women in business in Ireland, coordinated by the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland. Each year it puts the spotlight on the ambition, resilience and achievement of female entrepreneurs the length and breadth of the country.
2026 is no ordinary year. It marks the 20th anniversary of NWED, and the theme says everything about the women who have built and grown businesses over those two decades: #MakingitHappen
This year’s NWED event is delivered jointly by Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office and Kilkenny County Council’s Local Enterprise Office, bringing the energy of two counties and a national celebration into one unmissable afternoon.
What you will take away
This event is designed to give you something real to carry back into your business.
- Expert insight you can apply straight away: Hear directly from marketing and finance specialists, and from a member of the Google team, on what is working right now for growing businesses.
- A clear line of sight to the supports available to you: Get a practical overview of the funding, mentoring and development programmes available through the Local Enterprise Offices in Carlow and Kilkenny, to support and scale your business.
- The peer network that changes everything: Sit alongside female founders and senior leaders who know what it’s like to navigate the wins and challenges of running and scaling a business. The connections made over these two hours often become the partnerships, referrals and friendships that last for years.
The agenda
This event is built to inform, energise and connect:
- 11.45 Registration & refreshments on arrival
- Welcome to Event by Paula O’Brien – Director of Services, Carlow County Council
- 12:00 Welcome by Ruth Scott, radio presenter with Classic Hits FM
- 12:05 Opening address -Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy.
- 12:15 Lessons Learned – Fireside chat with local entrepreneurs: Denise Walsh (Curly Co), and Laura Mullin (The Old Post Office), and Brigid Walsh (Solar Precision).
- 12:45 The Power Panel – Panel discussion with industry experts: Rosemary Ward (Propellor BIC, Sales & Marketing), Ruth Larkin (Lark Bridal, Marketing), Mary Hayden (finance) and Maeve Gallagher (Google, Digital Marketing & Technology).
- 13:15 Supporting You – Fireside chat with local support services for your business: Norah Ryan (President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce), Claire McInerney Brown (President of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce), Lucie Dowling (President of Network Ireland’s Kilkenny Branch), Aisling Carey (Business Advisor, Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office).
- 13:45Closing remarks – Aileen McGrath (Head of Enterprise, Kilkenny County Council’s Local Enterprise Office).
Help yourself to light refreshments upon arrival and settle in among peers.
Event details at a glance
- Date: Thursday, 15th October 2026
- Time: 11.45am- 2pm
- Venue: Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow
· Cost: €20pp, registration is essential
