13th April 2022
[PHOTOGRAPHS AVAILABLE HERE- CAPTIONS EMBEDDED]
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, visited the Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office (LEO) today where he met with council officials, members of the LEO team as well as some of their client companies.
The Minister was greeted at County Hall by Councillor Fidelis Doherty, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise and Deputy John Paul Phelan as well as other officials and was briefed about developments in the county as well as future plans. Minister English then heard from the Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office team, members of the Evaluation Committee and Local Authority Members.
Minister Damien English said:
“There is certainly a lot of activity here in Kilkenny and it is great to hear about the work of the Council and the Local Enterprise Office and their exciting future plans. The support of the LEOs has been vital for many local businesses all over the country, providing training, mentoring and other practical assistance. With our new Regional Enterprise Plans now in place the role of the LEO network will be even more important and their support will help to drive growth and job creation across the country.”
Minister English then met with some of the LEO client companies. Red Robin Events Ltd were established just last year and offer niche focused logistics and design service solutions. Loanitt started their journey with the Kilkenny LEO just three years ago and are now the largest financial intermediary in Ireland and a High Potential Start -Up Client with Enterprise Ireland.
Nirvana Lighting sells its own range of brand designed and manufactured, unique lighting products. CDS Metal Products design, manufacture and install bespoke feature metalwork products. CF Pharma, manufactures a range of novel specific Health Food Supplements, Medical Device Formulations and Advanced Topical Dermatological Solutions for human and animal healthcare.
Minister English then travelled on to the Abbey Quarter where he met with Tony Lauhoff, Senior Project Engineer, who outlined the future development plans for the site.
The Minister’s next port of call was Cakeface, a LEO client company owned by Rory Gannon. The business operates a café, cookery school and roastery. Minister English also met with Kay Lyng of KKajoux Jewels, a LEO client and Irish owned handmade jewellery company who design and create their own pieces. Miriam Cushen of Cushendale, also a LEO client company, explained how the company designs and creates a signature range of lambswool and mohair products from natural “ecru” yarns.
The Minister concluded his visit to Kilkenny at Mileeven Fine Foods, one of Ireland’s leading honey companies. This LEO client has won many awards including Great Taste Awards, Irish Food Awards, Blas Na Eireann and Gulfood Awards.
Minister English commented:
“As I travel around the country visiting our LEO network I am consistently impressed with the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit I encounter. The vibrancy and energy here in Kilkenny is hugely exciting. There is so much activity and creativity and people who clearly thrive on opportunity. The Government will continue to enable and support these people and their businesses through the support of the LEO network, Regional Enterprise funding and other initiatives to ensure balanced regional development and job creation throughout the country.”
Back to Department News