National Enterprise Week began with a flourish in Roscommon on Monday, as the County Enterprise Awards took centre stage at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Hosted by Roscommon Local Enterprise Office (LEO), the event celebrated some of the county’s most innovative and ambitious businesses across various industries.

Winners were announced in four categories – Outstanding Contribution, Smart Business, Growth and Ambition, and One to Watch – alongside the coveted Overall Winner award.

In his address at the ceremony, CEO of Roscommon County Council, Shane Tiernan, commended the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in sustaining the local economy, praising Roscommon LEO for facilitating the creation of over 1,000 jobs in the sector.

“The businesses honoured here today epitomise the qualities of innovation, resilience, creativity, and ambition that are necessary to create employment and wealth for communities across the county,” Mr Tiernan said.

He acknowledged the current global challenges, including inflation and geopolitical uncertainty, but expressed confidence in the county’s business community. “The spirit of entrepreneurship in Roscommon remains strong and enduring,” he added.

Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice, noted that the awards, now in their 26th year, form part of a wider programme of events taking place throughout National Enterprise Week. Addressing those in attendance, he said: “Your businesses and those of similar business are the economic heartbeat of the county.”

Celebrating success

The title of Overall Winner at the 2025 County Enterprise Awards went to Euro Accessories Sales Ltd, based just outside Rooskey. Managing Director Ray Gilsenan accepted the award, accompanied by his family.

Speaking to the Roscommon People following the event, Mr Gilsenan credited the LEO’s support for his company’s growth, which started in his garage before expanding to a team of ten employees in Rooskey.

“We had an old Chinese machine and the production was quite slow,” he explained. However, with the assistance of the LEO, his production capacity “tripled.”

The Ambition and Growth Award was presented to FarmLab Diagnostics, based in Elphin. Represented by John Gilmore, the company specialises in the analysis of animal samples to monitor disease and overall animal health. Since its foundation in 2012, the business has expanded significantly.

The award for Outstanding Contribution went to Patricia O’Flaherty of Naomh Padraig Handcrafts. Based in Cloonshee, Strokestown, Ms O’Flaherty previously worked with the Sliabh Bán Handcraft Co-Operative before establishing her own business 30 years ago. The handcraft business produces all manner of traditional Irish crafts and exports two-thirds of its products to the USA.

The One to Watch Award was won by Healthy Bake Ltd, an artisan bakery founded by Timea Kovacs. The company, known for its ‘Best FREE FROM’ range, aims to make inclusive meals without compromising on quality.

“I absolutely love the support,” Ms Kovacs said of the LEO: “They are probably sick of me because I have been on for every kind of support they offer.”

The Smart Business Award was presented to Fergal Cormican of Cormican’s, a long-standing family business on Abbey Street in Roscommon Town. Originally a school book supplier, the business has expanded over its 44-year history to include an extensive wholesale operation, an online store, and a range of arts, crafts, and office supplies.

The County Enterprise Awards continue to serve as a showcase for the innovation and determination of Roscommon’s entrepreneurs. As National Enterprise Week progresses, further events and workshops will highlight the support available to local businesses looking to grow and develop.

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  Entrants must submit a 200-word written entry explaining how they have used or developed digital skills to grow their business. A judging panel, featuring representatives from Google, EI, LEO, and past winner Sarah Timony of ADAPTAFASHION, will assess submissions. The deadline for entries is March 21^st.

  Cera Ward, Managing Director at Google Ireland, said: “We are so excited to launch the third-annual You’re the Business competition and look forward to learning more about these companies, their challenges, and digital ambitions.” She highlighted AI’s potential to revolutionise business and noted its central role in this year’s initiative.

  Carol Gibbons, Divisional Manager at Enterprise Ireland, emphasised the collaboration’s importance: “Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are committed to empowering Irish businesses to succeed online. Our collaboration with Google on initiatives like this competition is a key part of that commitment.”

  Winners will receive a Google digital support package, including a one-year Google Workspace Business Standard subscription, access to AI tools like Gemini Advanced and NotebookLM, and a one-on-one consultation with Google experts. In addition, the business or founder demonstrating the most innovative use of digital skills will win a bespoke AI-powered advertising campaign created in collaboration with Google’s AI experts.

  Sarah Timony, past winner and 2025 competition judge, described her experience: “Participating in the You’re the Business competition was a fantastic experience. The programme provided me with invaluable support and resources that directly contributed to the growth and success of ADAPTAFASHION.”

  John Magee, Chair of the Local Enterprise Office Network, reaffirmed the initiative’s value: “We are committed to helping Irish businesses thrive in a digital world, and this initiative, delivered in partnership with Google, is just one of the many ways we continue to support our clients on their digital journey.”

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This is a significant year for the industry as it prepares for the review of the agreement setting out the pricing and supply arrangements for generic, biosimilar, and value-added medicines. MFI is finalising preparations to enter negotiations with the State on the new Framework Agreement where it will advocate for policies that support early market access, invest in the sustainability of low-cost medicines, encourage switching to biosimilars, and recognise the financial and human benefits of value-added medicines.

Commenting on the expansion, Chair of Medicines for Ireland, Paul Neill said: “We are delighted to welcome Kora Healthcare and Athlone Pharmaceuticals as members of Medicines for Ireland. Both companies have a wealth of expertise that will assist the association as we prepare to enter negotiations on a new Framework Agreement with the State. Our goal is to strengthen the agreement to minimise medicine shortages impacting Irish patients while delivering millions in savings for the State.”

Welcoming MFI’s membership approval, Commercial Director ROI & ROW at Kora Healthcare, Shane Fitzgerald said: “We are proud to join Medicines for Ireland and stand alongside our peers in advancing the availability of affordable medicines in Ireland through new policies that will safeguard supply. Through collaboration with the State, we can continue to drive advancements that ensure patients have access to the medicines they need when they need them.”

Head of Athlone Pharmaceuticals Limited, Barry Doyle said: “Joining Medicines for Ireland is a significant milestone for Athlone Pharmaceuticals. We look forward to contributing to the association’s efforts to make affordable medicines accessible to patients in Ireland. As an MFI member, we will advocate for policies that bolster manufacturing in Europe and call for regulations to be viewed through the lens of securing supply for patients.”

Vice Chair of MFI, Deirdre Kelly said: “The expertise both companies bring will be invaluable as we continue to champion policies that prioritise patient access, affordability, and sustainability across the pharmaceutical sector and wider healthcare system.”

Medicines for Ireland members unanimously approved the applications from Kora Healthcare and Athlone Pharmaceuticals at its February meeting. Their expertise will be crucial as the association enters pivotal discussions to shape the future of medicine pricing and supply in Ireland.

For more information about Medicines for Ireland, visit www.medicinesforireland.ie.

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The scheme builds on the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Scheme, which has already delivered €244m to 75,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including 38,000 in the retail and hospitality sectors. The Power Up Grant, backed by a €170m budget, will be available to businesses that previously received a second payment under the ICOB Scheme and continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

While Roscommon’s 657 approved businesses stand to gain from the initiative, the figure is lower than neighbouring counties such as Galway (1,022), Mayo (1,549), and Westmeath (926). Nationally, the highest number of eligible businesses is in Dublin City (4,093), followed by Cork County (2,819).

Minister Higgins stated that the grant aims to help businesses offset rising operational costs, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors, which continue to experience financial pressure. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is currently finalising implementation details, with funds expected to be distributed later this year.

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Roscommon has reached a significant milestone in its education and training provision, with the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) unveiling a state-of-the-art hairdressing training salon at its Further Education and Training (FET) Centre on Lanesboro Street in Roscommon Town.

The facility, which was officially launched on Tuesday, January 21st, has already begun hosting the county’s first ever hairdressing apprenticeship programme.

The launch was attended by GRETB senior management, staff, board members, community leaders, and members of the local hairdressing industry. Cllr Michael ‘Moegie’ Maher cut the ceremonial tape.

GRETB’s Director of Further Education and Training (FET), Sinéad Morgan, stated that this initiative not only showcases the board’s dedication to enhancing vocational training but also brings vital opportunities to aspiring hairdressers in Roscommon.

In acknowledging the collaborative effort behind the training salon, Sinéad Morgan extended sincere appreciation to former GRETB board member and former councillor, Kathleen Shanagher, for her support and commitment to GRETB and in particular to Education and Training in the Roscommon region.

The salon boasts cutting-edge equipment, modern styling stations and an array of top-quality hair products. The state-of-the-art facility mirrors the ambience and functionality of a professional salon.

Industry expert Elizabeth Flynn has been appointed as the tutor for the Hairdressing Apprenticeship Programme, with support from GRETB Apprenticeship Coordinator Maeve Parker. The programme welcomed its first cohort of apprentices in November 2024.

GRETB will run both the hairdressing apprenticeship as well as a range of part-time and community-based hairdressing courses, with plans for barbering courses beginning later in the year.

If you are interested in finding out more about pursuing a career in hairdressing or if you are an employer wishing to employ an apprentice, please contact nharoscommon@gretb.ie.

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Roscommon remains one of the most underserved counties in Ireland when it comes to IDA-facilitated site visits, with just seven recorded in 2024. While this is a slight increase from four visits in 2023 and three in 2022, it remains far behind other counties in the region and vastly lower than national trends.

The figures, released in response to a parliamentary question by Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford), highlight the ongoing disparity in foreign direct investment (FDI) activity between different counties.

Then-Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) attempted to downplay the significance of site visit numbers, stating that they are “only one measure of a company’s interest in a particular location.” However, for counties like Roscommon – where FDI-backed job creation remains minimal – the lack of site visits is indicative of a broader failure to attract investment and opportunities.

Roscommon’s seven visits in 2024 pale in comparison to larger urban centres but also lag behind several neighbouring counties. Galway, for instance, recorded 34 visits, while Westmeath received 18 and Sligo had eight. Leitrim (1), Longford (2), and Mayo (1), also struggled with low numbers, remaining in a similar category to Roscommon of being largely overlooked for IDA-backed investment.

Nationally, Dublin (221 visits), Cork (41), and Limerick (38) continue to dominate the FDI landscape. While Dublin’s strategic importance as the capital is clear, the sharp contrast between site visits in the West and Midlands compared to more urban regions reflects a failure to push balanced economic development across the country.

While Minister Burke insists that 70% of IDA-backed investment comes from existing companies rather than new entrants, this does little to reassure counties like Roscommon, which lack a strong base of multinational employers to begin with. Without site visits, the chances of securing FDI-backed jobs remain slim, further entrenching economic imbalances between urban centres and rural counties.

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• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Exports grew by 7 percent year-on-year to €532.9 million, driven by demand for transport equipment, power-generating machinery, and medical and pharmaceutical goods.
• Morocco: Trade surged by 38 percent to €138.7 million, with strong performance in power-generating machinery, chemical materials, and dairy and bird eggs.
• Egypt: Exports from January to September were valued at €163M to this region. The main goods exported were pulp & wastepaper, dairy products & bird eggs as well as fruits and vegetables.

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As Ireland gears to navigate the potential disruptions to international trade and the risk of a tariff war, ISME has conducted a flash survey of SMEs to assess any such exposure to tariffs and related challenges for trade.

Just 29% of the surveyed SMEs engage in exports, with the United Kingdom being the primary destination, and accounting for 66% of the total exports. The United States followed as the second-largest export market, accounting for 37% of the exports. Most SMEs are small-scale exporters, with over half of exports less than €250,000 per annum.

In the event of a trade war, it is essential to consider the import exposure for SMEs, as tariffs could markedly disrupt their supply chains. However, according to the ISME survey, the situation appears to be somewhat better for SMEs.

While 74% of SMEs rely on imports, the majority of these (57%) source their goods from the United Kingdom, while only 19% of imports originate from the US. This imbalance suggests that SMEs would face limited exposure to potential EU-imposed tariffs on US imports. However, the specific composition of these imports is yet to be analysed. As mentioned prior, most SMEs are small importers, with 43% importing goods valued at less than €250,000 annually.

Neil McDonnell, CEO, ISME said: “What remains clear in this survey is that despite Brexit, the UK remains of systemic importance to Irish SMEs. While ISME is hopeful that the impacts of a tariff war with the US can be avoided, a priority for the Irish Government must be to ensure that the impact on essential imports for SMEs are minimised, and that the relationship with the UK post-Brexit is sustained and further strengthened.”

Highlights

There were 120 responses to the survey, which was conducted over the first week of February 2025.  71% of those surveyed export and 74.4% import.  The main export markets amongst those surveyed are: United Kingdom, United States, Belgium, France and Germany. The main import markets are: United Kingdom, Netherlands, United States, Germany, China, France and Belgium.

Combined Value of Top 5 Exports in Q4 2024	Percent
Up to €250k	54.29%
€250K-500k	11.43%
€500k-€1m	20.00%
€1m-€5m	8.57%
€5m +	5.71%

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Offering guests luxurious accommodation, Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa in County Roscommon was awarded gold for ‘best hotel accommodation’ at this year’s award. Its four-post beds and antique furniture give guests a wonderful relaxation experience.

The CIE Tours Awards of Excellence were presented by Chairperson of CIÉ Tours, Aidan Murphy and Stephen Cotter, Managing Director, CIÉ Tours.

Congratulating the attendees, Aidan Murphy said, “Our honourees are exemplary contributors to our 95.4% guest satisfaction rate, and they all deserve recognition for the excellent roles they play in welcoming visitors to Ireland and ensuring they have a memorable experience”.

Stephen Cotter said, “We are delighted to honour these leaders in tourism in Roscommon. Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa plays a significant role in the Irish tourism industry while also making important contributions to the local community in terms of jobs and wealth creation”.

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The quest for the perfect steak went underway in The Curragh Racecourse on Sunday, January 27th. At The Irish Steak Challenge, Morris Meats of Elphin won a Gold Award and Best Striploin Steak in Connaught. They also won a Gold Award for their ribeye steak and a Silver Award for their fillet steak.
Judging at the event was impartial and carried out by a panel of over thirty experts, including meat scientists, master butchers, industry professionals and specialised chefs. Notable figures on the judging panel included Sean Owens (IFEX Salon Culinaire Director) Darina Allen from Ballymaloe, and Joe Burke (Bord Bia).
Morris Meats Butcher shop was established in the 1950’s by Paddy Morris. His son Benedict took over in the 1970’s. Ronan Gavigan then became proprietor in 1999. Ronan was delighted to receive an award in every category entered in the Steak Challenge.
“These awards are a true testament of our commitment to quality, a quality that was sustained by the Morris family over the years prior to me taking over the business”, he said.
The steaks Ronan used at the competition were from Aberdeen Angus heifers. The animals were slaughtered in the shops own abattoir and hung for a period of twenty-one days. Morris Meats is one of the few butcher shops operating its own abattoir making the supply of the shop’s meat more transparent. Ronan can control traceability whilst also sustaining a valuable skillset in the industry. He has the control of what comes in and out of his abattoir and can assess the quality of meat first hand. Ronan and his father Kieran pride themselves on buying locally sourced beef and lamb, the majority of which is reared on their own farm in Hollywell.
Ronan would like to thank all involved at the Steak Challenge event, and of course, extends a huge thank you to all of his loyal customers: “Their support is very much appreciated and we will continue to ensure that we are providing quality meat for you and your families”, he said.

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