Creative entrepreneurs covering broadest spectrum of business
Some of the entrepreneurs featuring in the 2026 Local Enterprise Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, at the National Ploughing Championships, showcasing some of the very best small businesses from across the country. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22
The world of the creative, the world of the budding entrepreneur, can be a lonely one.
Ideas don't usually spring up in group settings.
They usually spring up in a single mind.
Walt Disney, one of the greatest entrepreneurs the world has ever known, spent great lengths of time on his own.
Disneyland was not conjured up in a boardroom. It was created in the mind of one man, in his garden!
But ideas in themselves are not enough.
You can dream of going to the moon, but until you kick up some dust, a dream is all it will ever be.
You have the idea, you have the talent and sometimes all you need is to hear the words "Go for it."
The encouragement, the push, the help to turn your Disney Dream into a reality.
And that is where your Local Enterprise Office is so invaluable, in helping to encourage and guide, to turn the dream into something tangible.
At this year’s National Ploughing Championships, the Local Enterprise Village will once again be a hive of activity, highlighting the thriving small business ecosystem around Ireland, businesses that Local Enterprise Offices are so proud to support.
The Local Enterprise Village at the ploughing event is just a snapshot of Ireland’s small business owners, those entrepreneurs who had a great idea and, with the support of their Local Enterprise Office, made that small idea into a sustainable business.
Here's a sample of what's in store at this year's village of entrepreneurs.
William Ebbitt, a tractor mechanic from Crossdoney, Ballinagh, Co Cavan is also a bit of a genius.
Working with J.E. Engineering Ltd and specialising in the repair and maintenance of Ford, Fiat and New Holland tractors, in recent years, the company has branched into the manufacturing and engineering of a product they call 'The Mobility Lift.'
And this, in layman's terms, is a creation whereby those of us who may struggle when getting in and out of a tractor are given a lift, or a leg up, literally.
It's all hydraulically based, and much too complicated for me to get into here.
All I can say is that if you finding your old legs are not swinging up into the tractor like they used to do, call to see William Ebbitt at the Local Enterprise Village, he has the step you need to keep her lit.
Aura Sports was set up in 2025 by the Staunton brothers, Hugh and Rory.
The company located in Navan, Co Meath, offers a range of natural creams and rubs for muscle injuries and inflammation.
Their initial signature product is Aura Sports Cream, which is a natural sports recovery product, developed and manufactured right here in Ireland.
The primary ingredient is capsaicin, which is derived from chili peppers and delivers a warming sensation that soothes muscles after physical activity.
Sheep Farmer and Civil Engineer Kenneth Freehill is clearly a man with both feet firmly on the ground.
The Sligo-based entrepreneur established a business earlier this year, selling products to reduce the workload and maintain safety for farmers during lambing season.
Selling products that make lambing tasks easier and safer for both the farmer and lamb.
His first product is the Lamb Station, and I love it.
It's a lightweight, very robust plastic product. Hung at waist height where a lamb is then lowered into it.
It takes all the weight off the farmer during tasks, as the lamb is suspended securely off the ground.
A great creation from Kenneth that is not only ideal for a farmer who might find the ordeal a struggle, but also a great stepping stone for the younger generation to get a feel for the job of dealing with lambs, without having to struggle to hold onto them.
It's an innovation that deserves an award and I hope Kenneth receives one in the not too distant future.
Anything that can help in easing the workload of the sheep farmer is always welcome, and Kenneth's Lamb Station is certainly that. Well done!
And so now after visiting a few trade stands you are thirsty, but you don't want to be falling around the ploughing fields at two in the afternoon.
Well, why not go and visit Hurst Botanicals, they are right here in the Local Enterprise Village.
Alex and Ellen are the people behind Hurst Botanicals, a premium kombucha brewery based in County Clare.
A Brewery dedicated to revolutionizing the non-alcoholic drinks market, with sophisticated high-quality beverages.
Their signature kombuchas are made using an authentic, unhurried fermentation process, resulting in a deep, complex, and tangy flavor.
The range includes award-winning Apple and Elderflower, Ginger, Pear and Plum, Wild Berry, and a seasonal Apple Spiced variety.
The company stands out as Ireland’s only Fairtrade-certified drinks producer, committing to ethical sourcing, fair wages, and rigorous social and environmental standards across its entire supply chain.
Sónua is an Irish lifestyle and home fragrance company focused on creating innovative products that combine design, technology, and sustainability.
Founded by Laura Lyons from Kinsale, with an aim to reimagine the traditional candle experience, Sónua develops premium rechargeable scented LED candles with real wax finishes and smart app-controlled features.
Her products are designed for consumers seeking stylish, safe, and reusable home ambience solutions without compromising on atmosphere or fragrance experience.
By combining modern technology with elegant aesthetics, Sónua aims to bring a new category of home fragrance products to the retail and gifting market.
You are now at the ploughing for about 20 minutes, but it feels like about seven hours. Your feet are dragging. The bags are wearing you down. The children are getting on your nerves. What you need is a chocolate fix.
Well, you are in the right place.
Get yourself over to Claire Keane's Second Street Bakeshop within the Local Enterprise Village and there you will find cookies and candies, mouthfuls of delicious rejuvenation.
Claire Keane Second Street Bakeshop is an award-winning (Blas na hÉireann Gold and Great Taste UK) Cork-based confectionery.
Amongst other tasty treats, Claire specializes in creating premium American-style toffee brittles, with an Irish twist.
Using Cork butter and Achill Island sea salt, her range is gluten-free and sustainably produced.
Her signature product is a luxury toffee brittle that bridges the gap between traditional Irish ingredients and modern, high-growth snack trends.
A SuperValu Food Academy graduate and multi-gold Blas na hÉireann winner, the company is launching new flavoursome treats at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.
We all want the best, particularly when it comes to breeding.
Paddy Buckley's Target Genetics is an advanced bovine genetics and embryo production company, specialising in in-vitro embryo production (IVP), ovum pick-up (OPU), embryo transfer and embryo export/import, for beef and dairy farmers across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Founded by veterinary surgeon Paddy, who hails from Carrigaline in County Cork, the company combines veterinary expertise with cutting-edge reproductive technology to help farmers accelerate genetic gain, improve herd performance and maximise the value of elite cattle genetics.
And you will be able to meet Paddy at the ploughing next week, to talk, to plan and ultimately to breed the best.
Jerusha Marley is a Donegal-based Irish artist and luxury design brand creating silk scarves, velvet cushions, prints, and cards inspired by Sacred Geometry, Celtic symbolism, Irish mythology, and spirituality.
Each collection begins as an original hand drawn artwork which is then transferred onto luxury silk and textiles. Blending art, storytelling, and craftsmanship, the brand creates meaningful wearable and collectible art, stocked in shops and galleries across Ireland and sold worldwide online.
The Wonky Woolins is a multi-award-winning Irish children's brand creating memories that last for generations with their range of ethically handmade, heirloom-quality toys and baby gifts.
Inspired by six handmade toys passed down through founder Chloe Gardiner's family by her Granny, Chloe started the brand at just fifteen with €50 and a crochet hook.
Today the brand employs over 150 women globally with fair wages, finished by a small team in Ireland, stocked in Avoca and Blarney Woollen Mills, with plans to continue expanding internationally.
Pathways.ie is an Irish education support service that helps parents and students navigate the transition from the Leaving Cert into further and higher education.
Founded by Joan Broderick, it provides talks, webinars and one-to-one guidance focused on the practical realities of starting college.
Supported by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Pathways.ie works with schools, communities and families nationwide, with plans to expand its reach and develop digital resources.
Paula O'Connor Elite Woodworking Machinery is an Irish supplier of premium woodworking and sawmilling equipment, serving manufacturing, joinery, and rural enterprise sectors.
Based in Clonee, Dublin, the company provides tailored solutions, expert advice, and strong after-sales support.
It holds exclusive Irish distribution rights for Wood-Mizer (a global manufacturer of sawmills).
Focused on innovation and sustainability, it helps customers improve efficiency, maximise timber value, and develop new income opportunities within the growing Irish and UK markets.
While few will struggle to get a night's sleep after a hectic and fun-fueled few days at the ploughing, if in normal times you do struggle to get some shut-eye, perhaps farmer and sleep-care entrepreneur Michael Burke can help.
Michael is the man behind the business Woolow.
Woolow was launched in 2018 with a vision to design and manufacture a branded range of sleep-care products to improve the sleep needs of customers across the world. Woolow designs and manufactures a range of sleep-care products to improve the sleep of customers using chemical-free natural wool.
Their bedding products are manufactured in Dublin.
Their social programme with the Brothers of Charity Centres aims to build wool-based sensory toys from assembly kits, creating local employment and upskilling for adults with additional needs while providing parents and schools with options for sustainable, interactive toys.
With spirits already high at the ploughing, few will need that extra kick.
However, if you do require a little extra spring to your step, Andrea Kissane and her Muckross Wild Irish Spirits could be exactly the stand you need to visit.
Based in Muckross, Killarney, Co Kerry normally, but at the ploughing for the three days, Andrea will have on offer a range of gins with the tastes of Ireland in every glass.
Made with a range of flavours, like heather, hawthorn and blackthorn (foraged in Muckross) and blended with bitter orange and grapefruit to craft a smooth and mellow gin.
SUNiRE is an Irish startup business tackling skin cancer in Irish agriculture.
Founded by melanoma survivor Linda Chanders, it addresses a major occupational risk, with farmers facing extreme UV exposure.
The Kildare-based company offers protection through its Irish-made UPF50+ Face Shield and a digital Safe Space hub. Through nationwide workshops and an AI-driven platform, SUNiRE promotes early detection literacy and support, bridging clinical research and patient care, so no one faces a skin cancer journey alone.
Radon Services Ireland (RSI), established in 2024, is an award-winning Irish company providing radon testing and bespoke mitigation solutions for homes and businesses.
The Kilkenny-based company designs and assembles tailored systems to reduce radon levels and improve indoor air quality.
RSI operates across domestic and commercial markets in Ireland.
The company will be launching its home radon test kits at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.
RSI’s offering is particularly relevant to the National Ploughing Championships audience, as radon exposure is more prevalent in rural areas.
As a business, they support farmers, rural homeowners, and businesses with practical, easy-to-implement solutions that protect health, meet regulatory requirements, and enhance building performance.
Le Skinny Chef, founded by Aymar Gourdet is a premium 100% plant-based food company based in Portlaoise.
Aymar specialises in creative French-Irish fusion cuisine, producing award-winning pesto spreads, dips, sauces, and concentrated soups under the ‘Le Skinny Chef’ brand.
Established in 2016, the company employs two staff, with plans to increase to five by 2028.
Supplying retail, online, private label, food service, and export markets, the business will launch new products at the National Ploughing Championship next week.
Le Skinny Chef increased production capacity by 40% in 2025 and plans further UK and European expansion by 2028.
Your home might well be your castle, but your van could well be your home, if the gang at Pathfinders Custom Conversions have anything to do with it!
The family-run business, based in Co Leitrim, specialises in creating personalised homes on four wheels.
From converting vans to luxury campers, camper maintenance and upgrading, to the restoration of caravans and vintage Land Rovers, the Kearns family can facilitate any ask or potential design that you need.
As Ireland’s first workshop certified by both RGI and Safe Electric, they prioritize safety and precision.
From off-grid electrical upgrades to complete custom fit-outs, Pathfinders combines expert craftsmanship with innovative design to bring each client’s unique vision of freedom to life.
What this family can do to anything on four wheels is simply amazing.
Diarmuid Crowley's Wild Orchard Natural Beverages is a natural soft drinks company based in Limerick.
Made from freshly squeezed or fresh-pressed juices and pureed fruit are a range of natural soft drinks including fresh juices, pure smoothies and natural sparkling lemonades.
Wild Orchard products are available all over Ireland and are exported via the company's online store.
Tolvita Limited is an Ireland-based company specialising in high-quality construction and cladding solutions.
The company provides modern building materials and services for residential and commercial projects, focusing on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
Led by experienced professionals with strong engineering and construction backgrounds, Tolvita Limited aims to deliver innovative, durable, and visually appealing solutions while continuously expanding its presence in the Irish construction market.
SafeShel is a multi-award-winning Irish company specialising in rapid-deploy inflatable emergency shelters for incident response.
Designed to protect casualty privacy and dignity, SafeShel inflates in under 15 seconds and is used by organisations including the Irish Coast Guard, fire and rescue services, sports clubs, universities, airports, and emergency response teams across Ireland, Poland and the UK.
Founded by Irish Coast Guard volunteer Peter Larkin, SafeShel was developed from real frontline emergency response experience.
Van Velzes Luxury Chocolates was established in 2023, by Deborah Kilroy from County Mayo.
Her delicious company specialises in premium handmade artisan chocolates crafted with the worlds rarest cocoa and the finest Irish ingredients.
The company focuses on luxury gifting, retail, and corporate chocolate experiences, combining exceptional craftsmanship with elegant presentation.
Van Velze’s creates and sells exquisite chocolate gifts crafted from the finest flavour cocoa and fresh Irish cream.
Each piece offers a luxurious taste experience, making our chocolates the perfect choice for personal celebrations, special occasions, or high-end corporate gifting.
From elegant boxes for birthdays and anniversaries to sophisticated selections for business partners, every Van Velze’s creation is designed to delight the senses and leave a lasting impression.
Little & Loveable was founded by Ana and John Coady, a husband-and-wife team from Co Carlow with a shared passion for sports, creativity and family life.
Little & Loveable’s mission is to craft beautifully made Irish gifts that say “I thought of you.” Beautiful pieces that can hold memories, moments, and milestones close.
While the business creates a range of personalised gifts, its signature products are its much-loved Sport Medal Boxes. Little & Loveable’s handcrafted Sport Medal Display Boxes are designed to provide a meaningful and attractive way for customers to store and showcase sporting achievements.
Each box combines durability with a clean, high-quality finish, appealing to both athletes and gift buyers.
And with this tiny country of ours, full not only with ploughing mad but sports-mad individuals, expect to see a scrum of visitors at the Little & Loveable stand, within The Local Enterprise Village.
A Bars Ireland is a Monaghan-based manufacturer specialising in high-quality stainless steel vehicle accessories for vans, 4x4s and trucks.
Established in 2006, the company produces towbar guards, nudge bars, side bars and custom metal products.
It also provides CNC cutting, tube bending and bespoke fabrication services, working with vehicle owners, engineers and fabrication firms.
A Bars Ireland is known for it's durable, Made-in-Ireland solutions tailored to customer requirements.
The Water Treatment Centre is a family-owned Irish water treatment company with over 20 years of industry experience, specialising in water softeners, drinking water filtration, and well water treatment solutions for homeowners.
The business, based in Tullamore, Co Offaly, combines expert advice, qualified installation, aftercare service, and a customer-focused showroom experience.
From soil growth, to animal feed, to bath salts, there are a whole lot of good things that can come from the sea, or more specifically, from seaweed.
The Wicklow Seaweed Company is aware of this, and has built a thriving business taking Irish seaweed, drying it out (using renewable energy) and preserving all the active ingredients within the plant.
Sustainably harvested from Ireland's west coast, one of their products, 'Natural Seaweed Soil Conditioner ', can boost soil health naturally with chemical-free seaweed, rich in minerals, amino acids, and natural bioactive compounds.
With a whole array of products on view, a call to the Wicklow Seaweed Company will be a must over the three days.
Treat Street Limited is a sustainability-focused snack food company based in Dublin, which packs and manufactures confectionery, candies and gourmet popcorn under the Sweet King and Actually Good Brands with bespoke designed and printed, sustainable resealable packaging.
The company will be launching its 'Actually Good Gourmet Popcorn' range at this year's National Ploughing Championships.
Shannon Forrest and Declan Malone (Michelin Star Trained Chef) want to elevate your food, and let's face it, they probably could.
The happy couple who hail from Clonmel, County Tipperary, began their Rívesci business in a small food truck and from a small food truck their business has grown into one of Clonmel’s most recognised foodie destinations, as well as a multi-award-winning condiment brand.
Rívesci is now a multi-award-winning condiment company producing premium small-batch chilli oils and condiments. Rívesci combines chef-led innovation with exceptional Irish craftsmanship, using quality Irish ingredients wherever possible. A winner of the Blas na hÉireann Supreme Champion 2024 and multiple Great Taste Awards, the brand proudly supports fellow local producers, and employs 9 people locally with plans to export to UK within the next 12 months.
'Oh My Cookies' based in Waterford, is an artisan bakery specialising in New York-style cookies, cookie bars, and cookie cakes.
Handmade in small batches using high-quality ingredients, with a focus on rich flavours and strong visual appeal.
The company sells online with nationwide delivery, supplies cafés in Waterford, and trades at local markets and pop-ups.
Their range includes individually sold cookies, shareable cookie bars, and cookie cakes for gifting and celebrations, designed for retail and event environments.
And you will be able to try New York-style cookies next week, not in New York, nor even in Waterford but in the ploughed fields of Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
E Vehicle Accessories Ireland is best known for offering a wide selection of custom-fit "frunks" (front trunks) to add extra storage space to electric cars. Storage space that didn't come with them from the factory.
They also provide armrests, paint protectors, boot space extenders, and interior organization tools.
Based in Athlone, Co Westmeath, the company prides itself on designing and manufacturing its unique product line directly in Ireland while offering worldwide shipping.
Wicklow-based Equibuff sells products that are created by Equestrians for Equestrians.
Niamh Jennings, a horse owner herself, is not short of ideas.
Niamh created the Equilbuff Grooming Sponge, which does the job of many brushes, eliminating the need for a big show bag.
Niamh also observed expensive saddles being constantly put on the ground when not in use, and so from this necessity to do something about it, she has created the SaddleDock.
The Saddledock is a portable saddle holder which can be used anywhere, allowing you to safely store your saddle wherever and whenever you are out with your horse.
Examples of where it can be used would be on a stable door, in a field, in the boot of the car for ease of transport, or on the side of the horsebox, when at a show. The list is endless.
Founded by master stylist Keara Howard, The Hair Doctor is an award-winning Irish haircare brand specialising in solutions for hard water and healthy hair.
Best known for its Shower Filter, the company also offers professional haircare products and award-winning brushes.
The Hair Doctor is stocked in over 80 pharmacies and salons across Ireland and Northern Ireland and recently expanded into the UK market with support from Local Enterprise Office Wexford.
And you will be able to visit the doctor (without an appointment) in Screggan between September 15th to 17th at the National Ploughing Championships.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
