Anyone for glamping?

pro t margins next year.

“Corporate pro t margins have been on the rise since 2021, providing a potential bu er for the absorption of wage increases,” he said. “ e strong growth in labour costs is set to lead to a reduction in pro t margins in 2024.” e Commission’s research echoes ndings by the European Central Bank (ECB).

ECB president Christine Lagarde hinted earlier this month that some rms were taking advantage of “high and volatile in ation” to pad margins.

Recent gures from the Central Statistics O ce show pro ts in Irish-based corporations surged by almost a third in the nal three months of 2022, compared with 2021. Domestic rms saw pro ts rise 17%, more than twice the rate of headline in ation.

Listed rms including building materials giant CRH, Kilkenny food group Glanbia, pharmacy owner Uniphar and Penneys’ parent company Associated British Foods have all posted record 2022 results.

Ireland’s gross domestic product (GDP) is to expand by 5.5% this year and 5% next year, the Commission predicts, higher than previous forecasts and well ahead of the EU economy as a whole, which is expected to grow 1pc this year and 1.7% in 2024.

But it was more downbeat about Ireland’s domestic economy, predicting 2% growth in modi ed domestic demand this year and 2.3% in 2024.

Set on 120 acres of Kilkenny countryside with breathtaking backdrops of rolling hills, Ballyhale’s stylish and sustainable Mountain View is home to a multi-award winning wedding and events venue, luxurious and laidback glamping village, the setting of the South East’s largest and fastest growing weekly farmer’s market and their panoramic restaurant, e Greenhouse.

Originally a family farm and having rst opened nearly 30 years ago as a golf course, this third generation family-run business has been lovingly grown into one of Ireland’s most beautiful getaways and alternative wedding venues. Palliative care nurse Bee O’Grady [pictured]along with her younger brother Michael O’Neill, from a family of eight siblings, are the inspirational driving forces behind this truly unique must-visit countryside hideaway which overlooks miles and miles of peace and quiet.

On the success of her beautiful family-run venue, Mountain View co-owner and co-founder Bee O’Grady told e Kilkenny Observer, “At Mountain View, we are a family. Originally my parent’s farm and along with my eight siblings we have proudly transformed our 120 acres of rural beauty into a successful exclusive wedding and events venue, a boutique luxury glamping village, e Greenhouse restaurant with its spectacular panoramic views and of course our much-loved popular weekly farmer’s market.”

In addition to being home to one of Ireland’s most scenic glamping experiences, Ballyhale’s Mountain View is a multi award winning exclusive and all-inclusive wedding venue that boasts both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces on its private 120 acres. Crowned as a winner in this year’s national SaveMyDay.ie Wedding Venue Awards, Mountain View took the top spot in three award categories which is the most of any wedding venue across Ireland. ey were awarded Ireland’s Best Alternative Wedding Venue, Ireland’s Best Festival Wedding Venue and an acclaimed Judge’s Choice award.

Sharon Doyle, Director of wedding and events at Kilkenny’s award winning wedding venue Mountain View, comments, “Whether a couple prefers to marry outdoors nestled amongst the trees or in our lovingly restored Cowshed, to party intimately in the stylish surrounds of e Greenhouse restaurant or to throw a big party celebration in the Grand Marquee, at Mountain View we will work with to-be-weds to make their wedding day truly unique and memorable for them and their guests.”

Mountain View is also famed both regionally and nationally for its glorious food, including its handcrafted wedding menus and e Greenhouse restaurant with its delicious dinner, brunch, lunch and tempting cocktails. Head Chef Rory Nolan, who has worked previously at the Michelin-starred Chapter One restaurant in Dublin and Kilkenny’s Campagne under the internationally renowned chefs Ross Lewis and Garrett Byrne, puts a strong emphasis on “simplicity” in creating his menu and dishes and prides himself on using fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with the lowest food miles and best quality produce.

Local producers include organic fruit and vegetables from Callan’s Rivers eld Organic Farm; meat sourced from Mark Williams, a sixth generation beef farmer from Kilkenny’s Summerhill Farm; organic chicken from Castlecomer’s Rings Farm; and Mountain View’s own on-site herb garden.

Calleary trade visit to Poland and Czech Republic

Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, has begun Enterprise Ireland’s trade visit to Poland and Czech Republic. Minister Calleary will visit several Irish companies operating in both countries, showcasing their success in the region and highlighting the exciting opportunities for Irish companies in Central Eastern Europe to establish, scale and grow their business.

In 2022, Enterprise Ireland client exports to Poland rose signi cantly to €390m, 29% growth on the previous year, while Irish exports to the Czech Republic increased by

23% to €126m, illustrating the importance of Irish-owned companies’ success and growth in Central Eastern Europe. Poland is the largest market, with the Czech Republic, second largest single market for Enterprise Ireland client companies in Central Eastern Europe. Minister Calleary said, “I want to acknowledge the remarkable success of Irishowned companies in Central Eastern Europe and the important contribution they make to industry. Over 20,000 people in Poland and the Czech Republic are employed by Irish companies across industries such as, pharmaceuticals and engineering.”