Fighting the gloom, small businesses still the rural lifeblood

SMALL businesses remain the lifeblood of rural Ireland where budding entrepreneurs have not been beaten down by the continuing economic doom and gloom.

At ground level, county enterprise boards have provided the kickstart to many people whose ideas have blossomed into international businesses.

West Cork Enterprise Board chief executive Michael Hanley said that in an average year between 150 and 200 projects are examined.