CARLOW BUSINESS GETS CHANCE TO SHINE AT BLOOM
A Carlow business will get the chance to showcase its brand to over 100,000 visitors at Ireland’s premier garden and lifestyle festival, Bloom, in Phoenix Park over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
Ciara Stanley of Ballybar Ireland will be part of the inaugural Local Enterprise Village at Bloom, an initiative by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to give small businesses a high-profile national platform. Based at Coppenagh House Farm on the outskirts of Tullow, Ballybar Ireland is a proudly Irish country clothing and lifestyle brand rooted in rural life, farming, and a passion for quality craftsmanship. Their products are built to last, feel good to wear, and reflect the essence of contemporary rural living.
The Local Enterprise Village has long been a fixture at the National Ploughing Championships, offering small businesses a gateway to new customers. Now, it is making its debut at Bloom 2025, running from 29th May to 2nd June, in the heart of the Phoenix Park.
As part of this pilot initiative, eight exceptional businesses from across the country will participate, including a Creative Showcase by three handpicked Dublin-based entrepreneurs. The Local Enterprise Village will be located within the Retail Marquee, alongside more established and recognised Irish brands.
Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office in Carlow County Council, said: “This is a first-time opportunity for clients of the Local Enterprise Offices to experience the benefits of being at Bloom across the weekend. With over 100,000 visitors expected at the event, this is significant exposure for these small businesses to showcase their products to a massive audience, and we’re delighted to give them this platform.
We’ve seen the impact of the Local Enterprise Village at the Ploughing Championships—whether it’s generating leads, boosting awareness, or making sales—and now, Bloom offers another exciting opportunity to spotlight the vibrancy and creativity of our small businesses.”
Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr. Fergal Browne, welcomed the announcement, saying: “It is fantastic to see a Carlow-based business like Ballybar Ireland given this opportunity to represent our county on such a prominent national stage. The Local Enterprise Offices continue to deliver real results for small businesses, and initiatives like the Local Enterprise Village at Bloom demonstrate the power of targeted supports in driving rural entrepreneurship and innovation.”
The Local Enterprise Village at Bloom is one of many initiatives by the Local Enterprise Offices to promote entrepreneurship nationwide. Other flagship events and programmes include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and the Local Enterprise Showcase.
The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. Established in 2014, the LEOs are the go-to support for entrepreneurs and small businesses seeking advice, mentoring, training, or funding to help them grow. Since their establishment, they have helped create over 75,000 jobs across Ireland.
For more information, visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie
