Over 30 small businesses from across the country will get a chance to sell and promote themselves to crowds of almost 300,000 as part of the Local Enterprise Village at this year's National Ploughing Championships.
The Ploughing Champions takes place in Ratheniska in Co Laois from September 19 to 21 this year.
Some of the businesses involved this year cover areas such a kids clothing & games, agtech products, luxury bathing and skincare products, artisan food and drink producers, sustainable clothing and beauty products and range of innovative products from Ireland's best small businesses.
Neale Richmond, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said the Local Enterprise Village is a fantastic initiative from the Local Enterprise Offices.
"For these small businesses, many only in their early years, to get a chance to have a stand at the Ploughing Championships is a significant milestone for them. The opportunity to meet with thousands of people at the Local Enterprise Village, which is one of the popular stands at the Ploughing is going to be great boost to their business," he added.
Kieran Comerford, Local Enterprise Offices, said the National Ploughing Championship is one of the biggest occasions on the Irish calendar and there are very few events that draw a crowd as large as this over three days.
"For our small businesses this is a huge opportunity to engage with thousands of prospective customers every day and this could have a significant impact on their business. We have been working with them all across the summer on their products, marketing and merchandising for the event so they can maximise this amazing opportunity," he added.
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow.
Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 25,000 jobs across the country.
Local Enterprise Village clients at the National Ploughing Championships
LEO Carlow - Cullen Nurseries - Growers and Suppliers of a large range of Native trees and hedging plants.
LEO Donegal - O’Reilly Sports - Supplies customised clothing, to teams, schools and businesses throughout Ireland.
LEO Fingal - Milk Bath - Handcrafted with indigenous, sustainabily sourced Irish ingredients, Irish grass-fed cows milk, organic Irish oats, Epsom salts and pure essential oils.
LEO Kilkenny - Bó Bar Soap - Handmade soap using whole milk from an award winning, grass fed, family run dairy farm in South Kilkenny.
LEO Carlow - Jo Browne - Hand-made Nntural and organic skincare and body care using Bamboo Packaging and ingredients from the Bamboo Tree.
LEO Longford - Mark Cadam - The business comprises two enterprises - a civil engineering business involved in transport, road repairs, haulage of aggregate supplies and waste collection and an animal bedding business which provides high quality bedding to the various sectors within the agri-sector mainly the equine industry.
LEO Louth - Esker Fields - Esker Fields is a range of natural skincare products. All the products are handmade using natural ingredients and pure essential in Co Louth on the family diary farm.
LEO Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown - JR Games - Children’s licensed sports jigsaws.
LEO Wicklow - Sussed - Production and packaging of branded/own brand oils and dressings for sale in retailers and food service.
LEO South Dublin - Born Again Bites - Born Again Peanut and Dark Chocolate Soft Snack Bites made with Brewer’s Spent Grain, promoting circular food economy. Honest, handcrafted and accidentally vegan.
LEO Westmeath - Klaaskickz - Colour-coded football boots to help children learn football through colours and become more confident.
LEO Cavan - Moran’s Megajam - Quirky jams, chutneys, relishes, pesto and sauces using the best of local and Irish ingredients where possible.
LEO Clare - Moher Cottage - A family owned and run business beside the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare and a design led destination store selling their own gifts and also supporting local Irish businesses.
LEO Cork City - Badly Made Books - Notebooks, cards and prints made from recycled paper.
LEO Dublin City - Wacky Clothing - Wacky clothing for kids using fun and vibrant colours.
LEO Galway - Galway Fairytales - A publisher and author of educational Irish storytelling books for children, aged 5 -12 years with a focus on children’s wellbeing and social issues, such as bullying, friendship and kindness, teamwork, coping with anxiety and family break up.
LEO Kildare - GoodBrew - A beverage manufacturer making functional, plant-based cold brew coffee drinks fortified with Vitamin D & B12 for an extra nutritional boost.
LEO Laois - Bowfield Farm - A vertical hydroponic farm that grows a large variety of microgreens and edible flowers.
LEO Leitrim - Pathfinders Custom Conversions create bespoke van conversions for the B2B and B2C markets.
LEO Limerick - This Is You - The firm specialises in providing quality gifts for homeowners and families.
LEO Mayo - Thinstone Ireland - Stonemasonry and wholesalers of stone cladding.
LEO Meath - Irish Compost Turners - Bespoke Irish made compost turners.
LEO Monaghan - Glaslough Chocolate - Handmade chocolate manufacturing business.
LEO Offaly - Glass Innovations - Decorators of Glass Containers for the drinks, home fragrance and body products market.
LEO Roscommon - deDANÚ Wellness - Manufactures and researches plant-based skincare and wellness products using locally sourced ingredients.
LEO Sligo - SUIP Manufacturing - Manufacturers of farm and household sprayers booms and garden equipment.
LEO South Cork - Hanna’s Bees - Beekeeping and producing sustainable honey and beeswax products.
LEO Tipperary - GoLo Rugby Tackle Pads - A hands free tackle pad that encourages accurate and safe tackling in Rugby.
LEO Waterford - Polly & Andy - Sustainable super soft seamless bamboo socks.
LEO Wexford - Holos Skincare - Handmade luxurious and ethical skincare that nourishes skin health though whole plant ingredients and scientifically proven botanical extracts.
