Enterprise Since its founding over 30 years ago by Local Business Interests, IRD Duhallow has worked to support Duhallow business through animation, capital grants, training and mentoring. Back then we were tasked with a remit to ensure that we continue to support and develop local enterprise into the future. Our strong track record in the delivery of high quality supports to local people is unrivalled by any other organisation or agency. We estimate that 20,000 people are employed across a variety of business sectors in Duhallow. Duhallow Business Awards Our 7th Annual IRD Duhallow Business Awards was held last November. The awards recognise the enterprise Noel C Duggan receives the Best Overall Enterprise spirit across Duhallow Award from Maura Walsh CEO at the IRD Duhallow Business Awards 2019 with his grandchildren. from early start up, to those addressing social issues in the community, family led business, female entrepreneurship as well as the craft sector and long standing established business. The judges on the night were Geraldine Enright, Bank of Ireland, Shane McAuliffe of Truly Irish, Donal Buckley McCarthy Insurance and Mick O’ Connell of the ESB. The Award for Best Overall Business went to Noel C Duggan and he was on hand himself to accept the award and address the crowd. Other winners on the night included Best Established Business Ducon Concrete, Best Start up Alex’s Adventure, Best Women Led Business Black Hut Crafts, Best Social Enterprise; Canon O’ Donovan Centre and Best in Creative Industry, Freemount Heritage Centre. Sponsors of the event were McCarthy Insurance, IPB Ignorance, SE Systems, AIB, Envirobead and Kanturk Mart. All shortlisted candidates were profiled in our Discover Duhallow magazine before the event and the winners were featured in the following edition. At the Duhallow Enterprise Awards, IRD Duhallow Chair Breeda Moynihan Cronin, Cllr Niall Kelleher and Caoimhe O’ Donnell, Skillnet Ireland.
Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town Awards The town of Newmarket was a finalist in the Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town Awards during 2019. Spearheaded by IRD Duhallow, this was a big undertaking by the town with many local business and community groups getting behind the initiative in order to put Newmarket forward as a thriving, cohesive business town & hinterland from Allen’s of Allensbridge to Shreelawn Oil. A local committee was set up early in the summer with representatives from differing business and community interests. Great work was carried out in the weeks leading up to the judging. Enhancement to the town included planting, painting, power washing, with #TeamNewmarket promoting the town efforts across social media platforms. The judging took place in September and Councillor Bernard Moynihan gave a warm welcome to the three judges in the James O’ Keeffe Institute. The judges were given a series of presentations showcasing the enterprising spirit of Newmarket as a hub for rural development, healthcare and commerce. They also
Louise Bourke, Enterprise Officer, IRD Duhallow at the launch of the Kerry Month of Enterprise 2019, with Niamh O’ Sullivan, Cllr Niall Kelleher, Moira Morell, Noel Spillane, Donal Mac an tSithig.
had a guided tour of the town. The conclusion of the visit saw the judges meet local businesses exhibiting in the marquee on the grounds of the James O’Keeffe Institute with local celebrity Liam O’Connor closing the event. While the town wasn’t successful in winning their category with Adare scooping the award on the night, Newmarket was highly commended for its efforts.
Annette Browne and Pamela Buckley of Newmarket Motors at their stand at the Newmarket Towns Judging event for the Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town Awards 2019.
NEWMARKET – SOME FACTS • Newmarket Motors is 1 of only 6 European business to win Pan European Service Quality Award by VW 5 times • James O’Keeffe Institute is a Rural development hub with over €50m levered for entire Duhallow region & Social Enterprise Hub with 3 Community Enterprises serving over 1,000 vulnerable people across the region and employing over 50 people. • Aryton train over 20,000 people annually, 11,000 in Newmarket. They complete 10% of National Safe Pass Training • Kerry Group Newmarket Cheese Plant accounts for 15% of all cheddar cheese production in ROI. • Kerry Group processed over 287 million litres of milk in Newmarket 2019. • Eventtrax is Irelands lead supplier of event flooring and has covered events such as Special Olympics and Beyoncé Concerts. • Edpacs products used all over work by Facebook, Apple, Microsoft.
LEADER IRD Duhallow has a total budget under LEADER for Enterprise Development of €360,000 across our 3 LAG areas. This is the final year of LEADER and we have until December this year to finalise the commitments on the budgets, with just €70,000 remaining to be allocated. LEADER offers rural business the opportunity to avail of 50% funding for capital projects and 75% for feasibility studies. SICAP The SICAP Programme supports disadvantaged people such as those that are long term unemployed or with a disability to set and grow their enterprise idea. Our mentor programme originated through SICAP and is open to all businesses within Duhallow. It can be used to provide advice and support to an existing business, or give guidance on the establishment of a new enterprise. The mentor programme is entirely free of charge for all successful applicants. It provides one to one supports to people who are interested in starting their own business or who may have set up and need specific tailored advice. Our mentor panel is made up a number of people with a suite of expertise and thus is a useful tool to help people in business growth. During 2019, 12 people availed of mentoring and we also awarded a capital grant to Eddie Hennessey,
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The judges for the Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town Awards Declan murphy, Carmel Fox and Katrina Murphy with Cllr Bernard Moynihan, IRD Duhallow CEO Maura Walsh, Dr Bertie Daly and Cllr Gerard Murphy.
Eddie Hennessy suffered a stroke and developed chronic fatigue syndrome in 2008. He began photography as an occupational therapy to aid recovery. However, what started as a hobby, soon became a business. He’s now an extremely sought after wedding photographer and in 2018 was awarded Cork Wedding Photographer of the year. He received a SICAP grant from IRD Duhallow in 2019.
