Midlands businesswomen celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day
Over 150 entrepreneurs unite to share insights & celebrate success
Press Release: Monday, 17 November 2025
Businesswomen from across Longford, Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath gathered at Gloster House in Birr recently to celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED), Ireland’s largest event for female entrepreneurs. Now in its 19th year, this annual initiative by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) was bigger than ever, with 15 events nationwide covering topics from improving online presence to building more sustainable businesses.
The Midlands event brought together over 150 businesswomen for a morning of talks, networking, and shared learning. Organised collaboratively by the Local Enterprise Offices of Longford, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath, the event featured an impressive line-up of speakers from across the region.
Event Ambassador, Gretchen Donovan, founder of Glass Innovations Ltd., opened the event. A qualified Mechanical Engineer, Gretchen pioneered a unique glassware painting machine during her career in the UK before establishing Glass Innovations in 2001. Her company fills a gap in the Irish market by providing high-quality, scalable glass decoration solutions for leading brands in the drinks, beauty, and retail sectors. Gretchen’s expertise in innovation, quality, and brand enhancement made her a fitting ambassador for NWED.
Other speakers included:
- Dr. Anne Cusack, an award-winning entrepreneur and co-founder of Critical Healthcare, with decades of experience scaling businesses internationally.
- Rebecca Lyons, creative founder of two thriving design-led businesses, sharing her journey of resilience, innovation, and brand growth.
The event opened with a live performance by Yvonne O’Toole, setting an inspiring tone for the day.
NWED promotes and encourages female entrepreneurship across Ireland. It showcases the opportunities, resources, and supports available to female business owners, including funding, training, and mentorship provided by the Local Enterprise Offices in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.
Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, “Events like this show the strength and ambition of women driving enterprise in the Midlands. Their success is our region’s success. We are committed to creating an environment where every entrepreneur has the support to thrive and make a lasting impact.”
Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said, “Events such as National Women’s Enterprise Day provide a significant platform to highlight the achievements of so many women in business while also providing female entrepreneurs with the tools and confidence to scale their businesses. Longford County Council and Local Enterprise Office, Longford will continue to champion initiatives that foster innovation and inclusivity across the business community.”
Michael Nevin, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office, Longford said, “The success of National Women’s Enterprise Day 2025 demonstrates the importance of visibility, growth, and insight in driving forward Longford’s female entrepreneurs.”
NWED continues to be a powerful platform, celebrating the achievements of women in enterprise and encouraging more women to explore the possibilities of entrepreneurship.
