Author: National Ploughing Association

Over 30 small businesses from across the country will get an opportunity to sell and promote themselves to crowds of almost 300,000 as part of the Local Enterprise Village at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.  

The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices was launched today by Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond T.D. and will be open as part of the Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska, County Laois from the 19^th to 21^st September this year.

Some of the clients involved this year cover areas such a kids clothing & games, agtech products, luxury bathing and skincare products, artisan food and drink producers, sustainable clothing and beauty products and range of innovative products from Ireland’s best small businesses.  Year on year the Local Enterprise Village proves to be one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Ploughing Championships.  

Neale Richmond, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said; “The Local Enterprise Village is a fantastic initiative from the Local Enterprise Offices.  For these small businesses, many only in their early years, to get a chance to have a stand at the Ploughing Championships is a significant milestone for them.  The opportunity to meet with thousands of people at the Local Enterprise Village, which is one of the popular stands at the Ploughing is going to be great boost to their business.  I’m looking forward to getting down to the Village myself next month and meeting them all in person and sampling all the great products and services on show.” 

Kieran Comerford, Local Enterprise Offices, said; “The National Ploughing Championship is one of the biggest occasions on the Irish calendar and there are very few events that draw a crowd as large as this over 3 days.  For our small businesses this is a huge opportunity to engage with thousands of prospective customers every day and this could have a significant impact on their business.  We have been working with them all across the summer on their products, marketing and merchandising for the event so they can maximise this amazing opportunity.  There’s something for everyone in the Local Enterprise Village.”

NPA President James Sutton said “It is marvellous to see that so many diverse and impressive businesses will be partaking in this year’s ‘Local Enterprise Village’ at the National Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska, Co Laois from September 19^th to 21st.  This is a wonderful opportunity for these small businesses to showcase their products & wares to the large number of visitors that Ploughing attracts.”

The Local Enterprise Village is just one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.

Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 25,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie

LOCAL ENTERPRISE VILLAGE CLIENTS @ NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023

• LEO Carlow – Cullen Nurseries – Growers and Suppliers of a large range of Native trees and hedging plants. www.CullenNurseries.ie 

• LEO Donegal – O’Reilly Sports – Supply customised clothing, to teams, schools and businesses throughout Ireland. www.oreillysofficial.com 

• LEO Fingal – Milk Bath – Innovative luxury bathing.  Handcrafted with indigenous, sustainabily sourced Irish ingredients, Irish grass-fed cows milk, organic Irish oats, Epsom salts and pure essential oils. www.MilkBath.ie 

• LEO Kilkenny – Bó Bar Soap – Udderly delightful natural soap. Lovingly handmade using whole milk from our award winning, grass fed, family run dairy farm in South Kilkenny where happy cows = happy milk.  www.bobarsoap.ie 

• LEO Carlow – Jo Browne – Hand-made Natural and organic skincare and Body care using Bamboo Packaging and ingredients from the Bamboo Tree.  www.JoBrowne.com 

• LEO Longford – Mark Cadam – The business comprises two enterprises the first a civil engineering business which is involved in transport, road repairs, haulage of aggregate supplies and waste collection and secondly an animal bedding business which trades as Acadami Bedding providing high quality bedding to the various sectors within the agri-sector mainly the equine industry.  www.markcadam.ie 

• LEO Louth – Esker Fields – Esker Fields is a range of natural skincare products.  All the products are handmade using natural ingredients and pure essential in Co. Louth on the family diary farm.  www.EskerFields.ie 

• LEO Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown – JR Games – Children’s licensed sports jigsaws.  www.JRGames.ie 

• LEO Wicklow – Sussed – Production and packaging of branded/own brand Oil’s and Dressings for sale in retailers and food service.  www.Sussed.ie 

• LEO South Dublin – Born Again Bites – Born Again Peanut and Dark Chocolate Soft Snack Bites made with Brewer’s Spent Grain, promoting circular food economy. Honest, handcrafted, accidentally vegan. High in fibre, 100% plant based protein, no nasties and full of flavour.  www.well-spent-grain.com 

• LEO Westmeath – Klaaskickz – Colour-coded football boots to help children learn football through colours and become more confident.  www.klaaskickz.com 

• LEO Cavan – Moran’s Megajam – We produce quirky jams, chutneys, relishes, pesto and sauces using the best of local & Irish ingredients where possible & giving our customers “a little imagination in every jar”.  www.MoransMegajam.ie 

• LEO Clare – Moher Cottage – Moher Cottage is a family owned and run business beside the Cliffs of Moher in Co.Clare. Situated on their own farm in what was previously our cowshed and pigsty, now a design led destination store selling their own gifts and also supporting local Irish businesses, selling their beautiful Irish products.  www.MoherCottage.com 

• LEO Cork City – Badly Made Books – Notebooks, cards and prints made from recycled paper.  www.BadlyMadeBooks.com 

• LEO Dublin City – Wacky Clothing – Wacky clothing for kids using fun and vibrant colours.  www.WackyClothing.ie 

• LEO Galway – Galway Fairytales – Galway Fairytales is a publisher and author of educational irish storytelling books for children, aged 5 -12 years. They all focus on children’s wellbeing and social issues, such as bullying, friendship and kindness, teamwork, coping with anxiety, family break up and much more.  www.GalwayFairytales.com 

• LEO Kildare – GoodBrew – GoodBrew is a Kildare based beverage manufacturer making functional, plant-based cold brew coffee drinks fortified with Vitamin D & B12 for an extra nutritional boost.  www.GoodBrew.ie 

• LEO Laois – Bowfield Farm – Bowfield Farm is a vertical hydroponic farm based in Co. Laois that grows a large variety of microgreens and edible flowers.  www.bowfieldfarm.ie 

• LEO Leitrim – Pathfinders Custom Conversions – We create bespoke van conversions for the B2B and B2C markets. A customer will take an empty van to us and we will then design a van to their specification.  www.PathfindersCamperConversions.com 

• LEO Limerick – This Is You – This is You Ltd specialises in providing quality gifts for homeowners and families. www.ThisIsYou.ie 

• LEO Mayo – Thinstone Ireland – Stonemasonry and wholesalers of stone cladding.  www.ThinstoneIreland.ie 

• LEO Meath – Irish Compost Turners – Bespoke Irish made compost turners.

• LEO Monaghan – Glaslough Chocolate – Handmade Chocolate Manufacturing Business.  www.GlasloughChocolate.net 

• LEO Offaly – Glass Innovations – Decorators of Glass Containers for the Drinks, Home Fragrance and Body Products Market.  www.GlassInnovationsLtd.ie 

• LEO Roscommon – deDANÚ Wellness – deDANÚ Manufactures and researches plant-based skincare and wellness products using locally sourced ingredients.  www.dedanu.ie 

• LEO Sligo – SUIP Manufacturing – Manufacturers of farm and household sprayers booms and garden equipment.  www.SUIPCo.ie 

• LEO South Cork – Hanna’s Bees – Beekeeping and producing sustainable honey and beeswax products.  www.HannasBees.ie 

• LEO Tipperary – GoLo Rugby Tackle Pads – Golo Tackle Pads are a hands free tackle pad that encourages accurate and safe tackling in Rugby.  www.GoLoRugby.com 

• LEO Waterford – Polly & Andy – Sustainable super soft seamless bamboo socks.  www.PollyAndAndy.com 

• LEO Wexford – Holos Skincare – Handmade luxurious and ethical skincare that nourishes skin health though whole plant ingredients and scientifically proven botanical extracts.  Products include facial cleansers/serums/oils/creams and treatments.  www.Holos.ie 

Nine weeks to go to the 2023 National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois from September 19^th to 21^st, trade bookings are at capacity due to exceptional & unparalleled demand for this time of year and a waiting list is in place.

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said, “The extraordinary number of confirmed exhibitors highlights how the Ploughing makes “good commercial sense” for the companies exhibiting.   Europe’s largest outdoor exhibition is an ideal opportunity to showcase the very best of products and services to an expected 300,000 visitors.

There will be exhibitors from every part of the country, a large number from Northern Ireland and record international interest with exhibitors coming from an array of countries such as Italy, Slovakia, Australia, France, Scotland, Spain, Estonia, Wales, Belgium, Netherlands and England.”

Millions of euros worth of agricultural and plant machinery displaying the latest cutting-edge technologies.   The leading manufacturers and agents will be present with specialist sales advisors and technical experts available for free consultations.  In addition, the prestigious ‘Machine of the Year’ competition will feature again.

Visitors can take the opportunity to admire the marvellous quality livestock on display and learn about livestock management, genetics, nutrition and healthcare.

The ‘Ploughing’ is a haven for foodies, as all sectors of the food chain are represented from producer to retailer, artisan foods, craft beers, celebrity chefs, cookery competitions and much more.

All of the most popular attractions are set to return this year such as the Innovation Arena, Fashion Shows, Sheep Shearing, Hunt Chase, Food Festival, Craft Demonstrations, Most Appropriately Dressed Competitions, Pony Games, Entertainment & Dancing, Local Enterprise Village, Vintage Exhibitions, Motor Show, Threshing, Loy Digging, with well-known faces everywhere and of course a true Ploughing Masterclass will be on display in 24 classes throughout the 3 days.

For more information please see www.npa.ie or alternatively ring 059 8625125

The National Brown Bread Baking Competition sponsored by ALDI in association with the NPA and ICA is back!

The competition, in association with the National Ploughing Association and Irish Countrywomen’s Association, will see one lucky winner have their bread stocked in ALDI! 

Are you a bread-baking extraordinaire? Put your baking skills to the test and enter this year’s National Brown Bread Baking Competition! 

ALDI is delighted to announce that it will once again sponsor this year’s National Brown Bread Baking Competition, which takes place in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA). 

This year, finalists will be contacted by August 11th and invited to take part in the live finals at the National Ploughing Championships from September 19th – 21st in Ratheniska, Co. Laois. One lucky baker will be crowned the winner and their brown bread will be stocked in 157 ALDI stores nationwide. Not only that, but they will receive a prize of €15,000 – that’s quite a lot of dough!

The competition is free and open to all members of the public with entrants invited to drop off their freshly baked bread at one of the designated nine ALDI locations on the following dates: 

Wednesday 19^th July 2023 09:00- 11:00

ALDI Head Office Naas, Birch House, Millennium Park, Osberstown, Naas, Co. Kildare, W91 YX71.

ALDI Swords, 10 Seatown Rd, Townparks, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 V2N7.

ALDI Athlone, Golden Island, Ankers Bower, Athlone Co. Westmeath N37 FC04.

Wednesday 26^th July 2023 09:00- 11:00

ALDI Macroom, Oakwood, Sleveen East, Macroom, Co. Cork, P12 ER89.

ALDI, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, V42 KD35.

ALDI, Main Street, Gort, Co. Galway, H91 PV44.

Wednesday 2^nd August 2023 09:00- 11:00

ALDI New Ross, Marshmeadows, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Y34 NP48.

ALDI Castlebar, Lannagh Rd, Garryduff, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 TV29.

ALDI Cavan, Dublin Rd, Tullymongan Upper, Cavan, H91PK29.

Please remember to label your bread with your name, address, e-mail address and phone number. No entries will be taken outside the times and locations specified above.

Speaking about this year’s competition, John Curtin, Group Buying Director for ALDI, said: “At ALDI, we are really looking forward to another fantastic few months of sampling brown bread from across the country. Our association with the National Brown Bread Baking Competition is now in its ninth year and we continue to see top quality and innovation on display from bakers. Last year’s winning product ‘Daragh’s Brown Bread’ has been a hit with customers and we’re certain that we’ll uncover another crop of talented bakers at this year’s competition. Good luck to everyone who enters – we can’t wait to sample your bread!” 

NPA Managing Director, Anna May McHugh, said: “The NPA are delighted to host the National Brown Bread Baking Competition once again at this year’s Ploughing Championships, which takes place from September 19^th to 21^st.  It is fantastic to see that this contest is still as popular as ever since its inception in the early 1950s with hundreds of the most talented bakers from all over Ireland coming together to take part and compete to be crowned the ‘Best Brown Bread Baker in Ireland’.  We look forward to welcoming this year’s finalists to Ratheniska and announcing the winner on September 21^st”.

Hilda Roche, President of the ICA, said: “The members of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association are very much looking forward to participating in this year’s National Brown Bread Baking Competition. I wish everyone the very best of luck.”

Daragh O’Brien, winner of National Brown Bread Baking Competition 2022, said: “Taking part in the National Brown Bread Baking Competition has been a life-changing experience. Not only did I become the first male winner of the competition, but I got to share my recipe with the country and see my brown bread stocked in my local ALDI. I encourage all amateur bakers to enter this year’s competition and wish everyone the best of luck.” 

Think you have what it bakes? Visit https://www.aldi.ie/brown-bread-competition or www.ica.ie for information on how to enter, as well as full terms and conditions.