Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Business, Neale Richmond, was in Clare Local Enterprise Office (LEO), where he met with council officials and members of the LEO team as well as some of their client companies.
The Minister was greeted at the Longford LEO by Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Joe Cooney of Clare County Council, Head of Enterprise, Padraig McElwee and Director of Economic Development, Carmel Kirby.
Minister Richmond said, “I am delighted to visit the Clare Local Enterprise Office and meet with the LEO team and LEO clients. Meeting businesses across the country is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role and it is great to meet such a diverse group of entrepreneurs. County Clare has so much to offer, and it is great to see the dedication the LEO team has to local businesses here and their commitment to the growth and success of their clients.”
The Minister was introduced to Evan Talty of Wild Irish Seaweed who has been harvesting wild organic seaweed from the west of Ireland for use in the Food Ingredients, Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical and Cosmetic industries.
Minister Richmond then met John Mulleady about the future of his business AiP Thermoform Packaging which has for over two decades been providing bespoke packaging service to the electronic, & pharmaceutical sectors.
The Minister was introduced to Aine Gleeson, founder of online gift website Wowwee.ie. Aine and her team recently won the Pivot Award at the 2021 National enterprise Awards.
Minister Richmond then spoke to Danielle Kenneally of Wix & Wax, who along with her business partner, Chantell Keane manufactures its own brand of sustainable, cruelty free and vegan friendly luxury home fragrance products including scented wax melts, candles, reed diffusers and air fresheners.
Finally, the Minister was introduced to Caroline Sheedy of Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey T/A JJ Corey’s. JJ Corry’s current customers include Dromoland Castle and Shannon Airport while they have also established an extensive export market with regular exports to USA, Canada, Sweden, Australia, China, Belgium, Southeast Asia and Luxembourg.
On the conclusion of his visit, Minister Richmond said, “the impact of support provided by Local Enterprise Offices to businesses across the country cannot be underestimated. Mentorship, funding, and training can be transformative to businesses across every sector. The success of the LEO office here in Clare can be seen clearly through the success of their clients. I extend my thanks to the LEO network, businesses across Ireland can rest assured that support is available to help them grow and create jobs now and into the future.”
