Every year at the Ploughing, the trade and shopping stalls attract a huge footfall as consumers are on the lookout for their next purchase and household item.
The Local Enterprise Village will accommodate 30 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) supporting small businesses from across the country. They will be working closely with the companies on merchandising, sales, marketing and social media to ensure they maximise the opportunity to sell their products at one of the largest outdoor events in Europe.
AI training for businesses
The LEOS have partnered with Google this year and it is the first time that Google has had a presence at the Ploughing Championships.
The partnership aims to help upskill small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI), with a dedicated area for demonstrations. This training will focus on helping businesses learn how to incorporate AI to make their operations more efficient, with Google experts available in the hub throughout the week.
It will give small business owners, both exhibiting and visiting the Ploughing, the chance to tap into Google’s expertise in the areas of digitalisation and AI, on how they can significantly impact their business. It will give them a chance to see what digital tools they can implement in their companies to enable them to become more competitive and productive.
Heart of the economy
Cera Ward, managing director, Google Ireland, emphasises that small businesses are at the heart of our economy, driving innovation, growth and creating jobs in communities across Ireland.
“This is especially true in rural areas, where these businesses are vital to local prosperity. At Google, we’ve always believed in the power of digital to help businesses thrive, and we’re proud to partner with the LEOs as part of the Local Enterprise Village initiative,” Cera said.
This year, she said, Google’s focus is on how digital and AI tools are revolutionising business growth.
“We’ll be on-site to demonstrate how smarter search tools and powerful AI can help businesses reach new customers, streamline operations, and compete effectively on a global scale. We know that time is a business owner’s most valuable asset, and we’re excited to show how the right digital strategy can boost productivity and give them more time back. We look forward to meeting with business owners and demonstrating how to turn ambition into real growth,” she said.
One of the rural businesses owners exhibiting in the village is Aoife Nic Giolla Coda, a beekeeper and proprietor of Galtee Honey Farm, home to over 200 colonies of Ireland’s native black honey bee.
Nestled at the edge of Glengarra Wood in the Galtee Vee Valley, Galtee Honey Farm was founded by Aoife’s father Micheál, in 1970. Since taking over in 2013, Aoife has combined decades of family tradition with conservation expertise, breeding native Irish black queen bees to protect this vital genetic resource.
Their bees have been central to major DNA research projects, proving Ireland is home to one of the largest pure populations in the world.
Speaking about the impact attending the Ploughing has on her rural business, Aoife says: “I’m excited to showcase our family’s three-generation honey farm at the Local Enterprise Village, hosted by the Local Enterprise Offices. Our bees gather nectar from a diverse range of Irish flora, which gives our honey its unique, complex flavour.
“We prioritise the welfare of our native Irish black honey bees, placing them in biodiverse, natural environments to ensure healthy colonies and pure, award-winning honey.
“This event will provide us with a national platform to share our products and story, while allowing us to highlight the importance of protecting the native Irish honeybee for generations to come,” she said.
The exhibiting area will showcase the very best of Irish entrepreneurship and will house businesses across all sectors, from natural skincare and organic soy candles to sustainable fashion and eco-friendly 3D-printed sensory toys.
The 30 businesses include:
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