02 July, 2018

The recent showcase of new business start-ups by the WREN 2017-2018 participants was featured in the Vale Star on Thursday, June 28, 2018.

After a nine month enterprise support programme, delivered by Ballyhoura Development CLG and CIT’s Hincks and Rubicon Centres , the thirteen female entrepreneurs from North Cork and Limerick showcased and pitched their business ideas at a special event in Croom Community Enterprise Centre.

WREN, Women's Rural Entrepreneurship Network, is an intensive programme that aims to promote entrepreneurial skills among women in Cork and Limerick rural areas. It supports those who have business ideas and/or want to become self-employed or who are already in the early stages of business development.

The Judging Panel was Catherine Smyth of Ballyhoura Development, Chris Clancy from the LEO Office, Limerick, and Helen McGuirk, Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence. Awards went to

• Pauline Walsh, Tigin Honey - Best Showcase Stand,
• Valerie O’Hanlon, Clarence Consulting - Best Business Pitch and
• Brenda Cahill, Osteofit - Most Business Potential.

Ballyhoura are currently recruiting for WREN 2018 – 2019 which will commence in September at Croom Community Enterprise Centre and will run until May 2019. The programme is open to women who have a business idea and want to become self-employed or female led business start-ups.

The deadline for the registration is July 27th at 5pm. Applications can be submitted at Ballyhoura Development CLG’s website.

 http://www.ballyhouradevelopment.com/2017/09/13/womens-rural-entrepreneurial-network-wren/

Carmel Hennigan, Aidan O'Brien Department of Justice and Equality and Eileen O'Keeffe, Ballyhoura as seen in the VALE STAR, June 28, 2018