300 women mark 20 years of enterprise success
Over 300 female entrepreneurs gathered in Stillorgan to honour two decades of National Women’s Enterprise Day. The event highlighted extensive training and mentoring uptake by women across Dublin’s Local Enterprise Offices, celebrating their growing contributions to business.
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⏱️ 2 min read
More than three hundred women entrepreneurs convened at the Talbot Hotel in Stillorgan on 15 October 2026 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of National Women’s Enterprise Day. Organised by the four Dublin Local Enterprise Offices, with leadership from LEO Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, the fully booked gathering was one of sixteen nationwide events recognising women’s achievements in business.
Statistics released alongside the event revealed that over the past two years, women in Dublin have availed of 13,500 training places and 3,700 mentoring sessions through the Local Enterprise Offices. Additionally, these offices support over 2,250 female entrepreneurs annually through dedicated Women in Business Networks. The event’s Female Founders’ panel featured inspiring entrepreneurs such as Dervla Arthurs of Snugabugz, Sofie Rooney of Chimac, Mags Morgan of MizzRio, Áine Devlin of ExamRevision, and multi-award-winning Jennifer Rock of the Skin Nerd, with broadcaster Anna Daly hosting.
Cllr Barry Saul, An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, opened the event emphasising the significance of NWED as a platform for connection and growth. Frank Curran, Chief Executive of the Council, highlighted Dublin’s supportive ecosystem for female founders. Lisa Brown, Head of Enterprise at LEO Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, encouraged more women to engage with enterprise supports. The day also featured an Exhibition Zone showcasing state agencies and local businesses, including Snugabugz, a baby brand founded by Dervla Arthurs, which has rapidly grown since its 2024 launch. The next National Women’s Enterprise Day for Dublin will take place in October 2027 in South Dublin.
Statistics released alongside the event revealed that over the past two years, women in Dublin have availed of 13,500 training places and 3,700 mentoring sessions through the Local Enterprise Offices. Additionally, these offices support over 2,250 female entrepreneurs annually through dedicated Women in Business Networks. The event’s Female Founders’ panel featured inspiring entrepreneurs such as Dervla Arthurs of Snugabugz, Sofie Rooney of Chimac, Mags Morgan of MizzRio, Áine Devlin of ExamRevision, and multi-award-winning Jennifer Rock of the Skin Nerd, with broadcaster Anna Daly hosting.
Cllr Barry Saul, An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, opened the event emphasising the significance of NWED as a platform for connection and growth. Frank Curran, Chief Executive of the Council, highlighted Dublin’s supportive ecosystem for female founders. Lisa Brown, Head of Enterprise at LEO Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, encouraged more women to engage with enterprise supports. The day also featured an Exhibition Zone showcasing state agencies and local businesses, including Snugabugz, a baby brand founded by Dervla Arthurs, which has rapidly grown since its 2024 launch. The next National Women’s Enterprise Day for Dublin will take place in October 2027 in South Dublin.
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